https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/972564269390503976/1002272497703600218/dbpqp61-55018e34-f0c0-4f7d-b2a9-a7b9b12580bb.gif [https://web.archive.org/web/20230314190156im_/https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/972564269390503976/1002272497703600218/dbpqp61-55018e34-f0c0-4f7d-b2a9-a7b9b12580bb.gif]

"Good and Evil in Captainland - as elsewhere they occur,

But only here Goodness rules, my dear monsieur!

Very lively stories, on these roads you might meet

Wild imaginations running on long, thin feet!"

Captain was singing softly into my ear, dragging me forward.

Some kind of grayish THING, on ridiculously long, tall legs ran across the road in the fog.

image [http://rom.ac/img/fogrunner.jpg]

I blinked, and the nightmarish vision vanished.

I saw a rusted, bent children's swing. Distant waves of ice-filled ocean made noises behind it, crashing into the shore. My addled imagination must have confused the base of the swing for the legs of an enormous, kilometer-long centipede and the sound of waves for the sound of a million legs stabbing repeatedly at the sandy gravel. Could have happened to anyone, am I right?

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

I'm definitely not paranoid or delusional or anything of the sort!

image [http://rom.ac/img/dbpqqf5-3b2443ad-74e1-4ed1-8937-80fa95dd2613.jpg]

It was only with the assistance of Captain that I was able to walk forward. My muscles were aching and my face was feeling numb as my feet drowned in the knee deep snow, while Captain's boots, it seemed, barely made an imprint. I filed this fact under my tiredness-related delusion.

image [http://rom.ac/img/dbpqqfc-0ef7b74d-087a-4c5a-8ff3-e617706bf4cb.jpg]

Fatigue and lightheadedness made me want to keel over, but my companion was holding me tightly and keeping me upright.

Occasionally, Captain also chose to interlock our arms, as if we were a happy couple taking a lovely stroll through the park which made me feel annoyed and also slightly relaxed.

"The Fairy Godmother, where's she off to?

Perhaps someone's wish bills are due!”

Captain's song was becoming more absurd.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/972564269390503976/1002261071941353634/dbpqqfi-7e4b056f-96d0-4ed6-853c-d1957c1a8d19x.jpg [https://web.archive.org/web/20230314190156im_/https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/972564269390503976/1002261071941353634/dbpqqfi-7e4b056f-96d0-4ed6-853c-d1957c1a8d19x.jpg]

"Fairy godmothers don't exist..." I mumbled tiredly in response.

A silver, winged monstrosity flashed in the sky, highlighted by a lightning bolt.

image [http://rom.ac/img/dbpqqfp-0ff743d9-b1ed-43ba-9461-79f74300af9f.jpg]

I felt a growing sense of unease... possibly sprinkled by a light touch of dread.