All the animals faced us now in a cross pattern due to the limitations of the playing grid. I don’t want any of us to be here, but wishing didn't solve much, at all. I refuse to accept that this is how we're going to die. There's got to be a way.

"It glitched out again?" My brother laughed the kind you never wanted to her, the kind that sounded broken.

I glance at where the screen was, nothing there anymore, it's no help whatsoever. Fine. I'll make it alright for him. His lost too much already, what if...

Not now think of anything else.

"Yes. We haven't even begun so don't give up yet."

Off to the left saliva dripped from the edges of a bear's maw. Did it's fangs grow longer then just yesterday? Suppressing a shutter I scooted away to the absolute center of the grid square. A thick heavy stench of something rotting slapped into my nose. Oh, man what was wrong with them? Blea!

"Success rate I believe is around 15% We're way to low level to take on this many simultaneously," Ron said. His robe flapped over about his ankles as a cool breeze tickled across the area again.

I swallowed, then blew out a shaky breath. "The... we'll need to make every percent count. Any ideas?"

"Notice how we're not highlighted any longer?"

My brother and I nodded.

"While surrounded we can't even run away. Hum. Give me a second." Ron called up the turtual again, his commands flew by too fast to catch them all. He read them just as fast.

Blip. The screen closed a couple of minutes later.

"Got it! We need to start with one side, then the other and we'll escape this trap." He shifted the robe better over his shoulders.

I blinked at him. "K?"

"You attack first, and we'll back you up."

Joy of joys. Great plan. Well, just have to trust in him, he must have something else planned too. I know him, he doesn't always say everything as sometimes you can't. It's sometimes better to simply do. Like when we were late with late with the science project, he made it work.

A rabbits eye leaked milky tears the dribbled down it's whiskers. Ugg. The looked like they were getting worse. Positives think of positives. I'm glad it's close enough to see clearly enough. That's a positive? I rubbed my forehead. Guess so, it's better than trying to fight these "critters' from further away. Harder to take care of Avery.

The P. nightmare at least hadn't moved again, it was beyond the deer and rabbit before us. Maybe...

I selected the bear on the left. "Ready?"

Ron and my brother shifted facing it.

"Yup."

Avery growled at it.

Okay then.

While gripping the brush I yelled, "Attack!" The battle menu with four options set in a almost cross pattern appeared and auto highlighted the command.

We can't afford to lose, we have to become stronger.

The brush extended into a fat club with spikes, yet it still weighed close to the same. Swinging it back, I hit it with everything I had and smashed the bear on its wide nose.

CRAZED BEAR got damaged by 3!

"Groooo-oo!" The bear roared and batted at the air. I'd already moved back to the center of the square.

A wobbly smile came and went on Ron's lips, he highlighted the bear said the command and fired the shotgun.

A halo of blinding light blue light swallowed us, I squinted trying to make out what the hell was happening.

RON cast ICE SHOT level 1!

Ice crystals and snow flew around the bear scratching its nose, hide and limbs. A fine dusting of ice drifted in the air chilling everything it touched.

I shivered and ran my hands up and down my arms. Burrr!

RON earned 24 EXP. points.

The bear highlighted my brother, I suppose because he was closer. It slashed at him, angry bloody claw marks appeared mid air above his head.

Avery huddled into a ball and jolted back from the force of the attack.

I and attempted to steady my breathing, don't panic.

CRAZED BEAR damages AVERY for 3 damage!

Avery rolled on his side, his eyes closed and his face in tight folds, he breathed in slow little breaths. He slowly lowered his head into his paws cradling his face as a long scratch leaked a crimson stream that dripped from his cheek — or where his cheek should be.

"That — hurt."

The bear went back to acting like a statue.

My arms began to shake it became an effort not to run charging at the bear. I wanted to scream and drive it away.

CRAZED BEAR earns 24 EXP. points.

"Take those points choke on them!" I flipped it a middle finger.

The movement ring glowed under my brother. He tensed about to attack.

Ron held out a hand. "Wait! Not yet, they have to wait, just hold on a moment."

He relaxed, while still keeping an eye on the bear.

I chewed on a nail, waiting for what was bothering me to come to mind. "The animals can level up?" I gripped the brush next to my chest wishing it was a better stronger weapon, it barely qualified as one!

They're going to get ahead of us, we're going to become a smear on the grass. I shook my head. Shut up brain!

"Ow!" Avery held a otter like paw over a deep scratch on his nose. "Stupid bear!" Blood welled out and leaked under the paw.

"The system did show before that they do. It's simple kill them before they make to the next level."

He's going to... no it'll be fine, going to be fine. I almost said for him to move behind me, but there's no space. "Hit it as hard as you can or choose defend when it's your turn. I'll patch you up after," my voice shook a little. I didn't want to think about it but, what if mom and dad weren't okay? Just Avery, me and Ron.

Ron shuffled his feet. "You know... if one of us levels up I believe our success rate might jump to 17 - 20% that's a significant jump," his voice came out softer than usual with a gentle wrapping to it. He then broke eye contact and studied his feet. "But um, the same applies if the animals do so too."

His was trying to encourage us, he always did that, even his occasional shyness couldn't get in the way of how caring he is. An energetic squirminess filled my chest. Damn this grid! I wanted to hug him, hug him so hard right now.

Instead I stuck out my fist and waited.

He peeked back up, gave a little smile and fist bumped.

Hopefully his shyness will get better at some point, but if not that's just the way he is Some times it wasn't there but not often. Would he be Ron without it? Did it matter? Not really. I grinned letting it reach my eyes. I'd forget sometimes hiding behind the mental walls. Now wasn't the time to act like a I didn't care. Maybe never again.

"Do you think things will ever be normal again?"

My brother squeaked up, "No, we might — have to make a new normal." He sputtered. "I want to try something."

Ron flicked a soft look at him. "You're right. Go ahead it's your turn after all."

My brother called up the battle menu and called, "Spells! Cast!"

AVERY cast POISON HORNS!

Avery's little horns became huge pointed glistening racks, a purple thin syrupy junk coated the tips and ran down sides.

"Woah." Maybe the monster he chose wasn't such a bad thing after all.

The tips of his horns spun free, shot off and hit he bear just under it's jaw.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

AVERY damages CRAZED BEAR for 2 damage!

His little furry face fell, and his bill worked onto a pout. "That's all?" He flowed onto his haunches. "Great. Just great."

His fur, did it have a purple tinge to it? Or was that a trick of the light?

AVERY earned 10 EXP. points.

The movement ring showed up under the bear again. Was the system glitching again? Not that I'm complaining about the rest of the animals not being able to attack yet...

CRAZED BEAR takes 2 poison damage.

Maybe choosing the monster class would work out. Nice!

Ron perked up shaking his little bill. "Cool! Is that good?"

"It's seems so, keep it up that will help." Ron mimed patting an invisible back.

With no time to even think the movement ring chose the deer next. It zipped though the battle menu, snorted and picked attack.

My grid tinted red. Yeek!

It let loose a high pitched yodeling squeaky roar. Deer can roar? Wtf?

I tried to jerk back, but I can’t as my feet refused to move.

It charged into me with a ear shattering headbutt.

I fell back on my butt, the world fading around the edges as spots flashed before me.

Critical attack! CRAZED DEER damages ROSEY for 4 damage.

I think my skull cracked, the snap gave a near eco after the deer made contact with my head. I gasped flopped forward onto the still wet grass.

"That's bad, really bad. Just how strong is that deer?" My brother stifled a sob.

I want to tell him it'd be alright but, my heart played a marching bad in my ears, almost like a rush of sound came flooding in before all sounds cut away. I jerked back up then fell over on my back with a thud.

"How is that even fair?" God how are we to even catch up let alone finish this battle?

Then it came all at once. Pain! So much PAIN.

Couldn't move. Couldn't think.

CRAZED DEER earned 30 EXP. points.

"Rosey!"

A zapping sound and muffled scream.

"Don't do that we can't leave the grid!"

Some thumping, I think my brother.

"I can't even help her!" A strange strangled growling.

"Yes you can. But you'll have to give up a turn using it. See?"

Sounds came back by degrees, it's muffled still but better. Straining I got my body to cooperate and propped myself up with my hands.

A sharp deep ake bloomed throbbed at the back of my head, I touched my forehead super lightly. It was a bit warm and very puffy. Not good. My temples even hurt. Rubbing anything right now, it didn't seem all that of a good idea, any touch I bet would cause more pain.

A wet swarm of tears hung in the edges if my lower lids. This was too much, I can't deal with this for very long. Please god let me pass out. I'm sorry, I'm useless everyone. I hate this. Ieee. No don't keep going maybe it'll go down, it'll go away, it has to. Please.

That strangled tone left and Avery answered clearly. "I'm an idiot. DOY!" "Battle menu! Item! Sis, catch!"

I rubbed my eyes quickly, it helped clear the fuzzy vision a little.

A weed or weird plant face planted me then slid to the ground. I grasped it lightly and brought it up to my nose sniffing it. Kind if reminded me of a mix of fresh Italian herbs and icy mint, it tingled in the edges of my nose.

"How to—"

Ron coughed. "Eat it, quick."

This thing looked really weird and nasty. I eyed him giving my best brow arch. "Seriously?"

He made a hurrying and then eating motion with his hands. His eyes widened they held maybe a pleading look to them.

Oh all right. Ick. "If I die, I'm making all your food taste like cod liver oil."

He rolled his eyes. "Just eat it."

I folded it up and jammed it into my mouth, and waited for the grossness. It wasn't bad actually, after a few chews I finished it.

Ding!

AVERY uses SUSPICIOUS WEED on ROSEY.

Most of my injuries healed, and my head became clear again. "That did it! Thanks."

My brother did a couple of little jumps and spun around. "Sweet!"

Ron gave me a thumbs up and even met my eyes, that wobbly grin came around again. "I don't like the name of that weed, hope something better comes along." A thin coat of frost covered the tips of his curls in the ponytail. This isn't the light playing tricks.

It was a strange name for an item. "Well, it worked. Hopefully our luck will hold." As long as it doesn't do anything dumb or nasty next time it shouldn't become a problem.

I called up the battle menu and checked my items, I had a weed too. Great!

The movement ring flashed almost angerly under Ron as if trying to get his attention.

"Nurr... I think better make a move soon." He inched his little webbed feet to the edge of the square.

A suddenly wished I could switch places with him, if there's anything watching over, please let him make it out if this.

"Do your best." Had no choice, but to believe in him, he's strong I've seen this side of him show a couple of times before. Like when the grumpy history teacher tried making him redo that last test as he couldn't believe he'd answered every question correctly. Back then he let her fire rapid random questions at him to prove it.

After that she warmed to him and even had him earn extra credits tutoring the kids who were struggling.

Got to stop being so pessimistic.

Jerk deer. I glared at it. Rotten deer leave us alone already. Go munch on some moldy grass. Better yet poison ivy. F you.

ROSEY heals 3 damage.

That's good. I touched my forehead, it wasn't so sore now and only a little puffy.

I rolled my shoulders working out a kink and pointed the brush at the deer. Forget the bear. "That deer needs to go. Ya with me?"

Ron chuckled, and straightened his back standing taller. "Let's teach it to go hide back in the forest." He patted the weapon. "I think I'm going to like this thing it seems to actually be some sort of mana gathering device to cast spells with but built for power instead of high accuracy.

I tilted my head. "So super charged ice cannon or somethin?"

"Err, kind of, close enough. I'm naming it — Arctic Flare!"

"That's actually, pretty cool, icy cool. "

My brother groaned and his eye roll went on long enough to practically drop them out if his skull. "Oh gud' don't get her started again!"

We didn't have a chance to continue talking as the movement thingy flashed harder. Attitude much?

He turned around and called up the stats menu. "Let me check something first."

"Wait Ron, Avery you're changing."

They both faced me.

I explained what I'd seen on them both.

"I'll keep it in mind hopefully it's not some negative quality from the magic," Ron wiggled the fingers on his free hand. "I feel healthy enough."

Shaking his webbed paws and tail my brother managed to shrug. "I'm fine."

RON Current Stats:

LV HP MP ATT DEF AGI MOV Weapon Spells Agro 1 8/8 8/10 2 2 4 3 ICE RLE ICE SHOT 16

EXP

24

AVERY Current Stats:

LV HP MP ATT DEF AGI MOV Weapon Spells Agro 1 6/7 6/8 4 3 5 2 None PON HNS 14

EXP

10

ROSEY Current Stats:

LV

HP MP ATT DEF AGI MOV Weapon Spells Agr 1 6/10 0 5 4 3 5 BSH CLUB None 17

EXP

0

"Wow, let's see here. Rosey, you need to be careful your agro is very high. Avery's hp is pretty low so might need to keep him away from magic casters. Humm... and I have low attack, defence and move. That sucks."

The move circle started to spin and gave off a high pitched humming.

Out of time.

"Do something, quick!" This could be good I didn't want to find out what happened if we took too long.

Ron closed the stars screen calling up the b. menu.

"Spells! ICE SHOT!"

CRAZED DEER dodged the attack!

It powered up like last time, near blinding us. The deer lunged to the side. The shot gorged a dent though the ground and exploded into shards of ice off in the distance.

"Come on! How can a spell miss?"

His jaw dropped open a crack. He shook his head. "That's a new one on me."

The deer glowered at him while doing a little dance.

"Smart ass deer."

The rabbit was next. I shrunk back a as much as I could. Nasty, vicious, furry balls of evil. "Urrrg." I'm learning once a creature attacks or does any action then we can't move, not even to defend, you get one movement before the attack or spells hit you, after that it's just take it on full force.

Mr. freeky rabbit breezed though the battle menu so fast I couldn't even see what it choose.

The rabbit shrieked like some possessed evil abomination straight out of humanitys worst ideas of hell and lunged at me.

"Not again!" I threw up my arms holding the brush, turned my face away and resisted closing my eyes. Got to watch what it does tricky things these rabbits.

It chomped on the handle of the brush just missing my fingers. Yes!

ROSEY defended blocking the attack!

Ha!

CRAZED RABBIT earned 1 EXP. points.

The rabbit growled before going back on its square and became still again.

Rosey earned 1 EXP. point.

A small bar showed above everyone including the animals red on the end and overlapped bright green on the other. Then it faded away.

"Huh?