Finn continued his reluctant march back to Moistvile, every step feeling like a descent into personal hell.
It was like the first day of school all over again—except instead of meeting new kids, he was returning to a town that smelled like fungus, hated his guts, and looked like it was designed by someone with a foot fetish and zero building codes.
But as they made their way through the now-clearing forest—the same forest where the trees had whispered to them before—Finn noticed something strange.
Two things, actually.
First: the trees were completely silent now. No whispers. No eerie muttering. Just the sound of rustling leaves and rushing water in the distance.
Second: Finn suddenly wondered something.
"Hey… Lickthorn."
"Yes~?" Her voice chimed immediately, her head snapping around his shoulder like a demon summoning spell had triggered.
Finn jumped. "DON'T DO THAT SHIT."
She smirked, her face still hovering way too close to his. "Are you suuure~?"