Unraveled - Part 8

Author's Note:

If you have not read the first seven parts of this collaborative story, then please do so via the following links:

Part 1 written by Colleen Walters

Part 2 written by Rowan Finley

Part 3 written by Colleen Walters

Part 4 written by Rowan Finley

Part 5 written by Colleen Walters

Part 6 written by Rowan Finley

Part 7 written by Colleen Walters

Part 8 below:

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Carl the pilot was enjoying the hot air balloon ride, his rather long mustache whipped like propellers in the wind.

"Ahh. This is a beautiful life up here!"

He piped aloud, as he looked down at the cages of squirrels. They appeared to be terrified, though most squirrels seem naturally terrified all the time.

"It'll be alright little fellas'! You'll love your new home! I've camped there before."

Carl daydreamed and watched the clouds. There was a small rural town square that they were starting to float over and the balloon dipped down ever so slightly. Carl looked up and noticed that something was amiss and the balloon dipped even more down.

One of the, especially nervous, squirrels started gnawing at the ropes that tied the cage shut. Right as the balloon darted downward the MacGyver-like-squirrel got through the rope, busted through the cage door like a battle ram, and set all the other squirrel captives free. As a small stampede, they climbed up the side and jumped off the edge of the basket of the hot air balloon, as if it was a suicide mission. It's a good thing that the balloon was closer to the ground because otherwise the squirrels would never survived. Instead, the squirrels all landed on the outlandish hats of a group of ladies who were taking a photoshoot near the town square fountain.

The ladies were all part of the Red Hat Society so they were decked out to the full nine yards. They proudly wore their red hats that were large enough to also act as umbrellas. Their garish purple dresses shimmered in the sunlight.

"Say cheese!"

The photographer said with far too much enthusiasm. It was a perfect day outside and then the squirrels started pelting down like it was judgement day. The squirrels rained down with fiery eyes and fists of brimstone, but really they were terrified at their impulsive decision to take the jump from the hot air balloon, leaving their other caged comrades behind.

The ladies screeched and scrambled, as the squirrels pelted their wide rimmed hats. Some of the squirrels bounced off and then darted for cover wherever they could find.

"What on earth!"

One woman yelled with sunglasses on that were bedazzled with lots of fake diamonds.

"What in tarnation! Eeeeekkkk."

"What the dickens!"

One woman tripped backwards and fell into fountain, splashing like a drowning cat.

"Birds are falling from the sky!"

"Those aren't birds!"

"What....? They're squirrels...!"

"Impossible!"

"We're being invaded!"

"What the...?"

The photographer asked in confusion and then he continued taking pictures but now the photos had turned into 'action shots' instead of calm group pictures.

Back up in the sky, Carl figured out the issue and the hot air balloon was floating up again instead of dipping down. He'd been so distracted by the balloon dipping down that he hadn't noticed that he'd lost a third of his passengers.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Patricia, Samuel, and Howard sat quietly at the dining room table drinking their Folgers coffee. There were ten different creamer options on the table and they were having a ball with the creamers, making all kinds of designs. They were getting more and more hyper by the moment. Brown Sugar Creamer was Patricia's favorite and she was feeling more alive after the caffeine rush.

Samuel questioned aloud,

"I wonder how Carl is doing with all those squirrels...?"

Howard sniffed his coffee again and answered.

"I'm sure he's fine up there, he loves to fly planes, jets, hot air balloons... he was just made to be up high I guess...."

Patricia sighed and smiled.

"I'm just glad those squirrels are gone... I didn't know what I was going to do with all those squirrels. Who knew word would get out that fast! Thanks for finding all those acorns, Samuel! Where did you find them anyhow? Speaking of which, I need to call the mayor and CANCEL the squirrel sanctuary agreement! After today, I'll never think of squirrels the same way again..."

Howard nodded and then his gaze fell on the ratty looking yarn that had twigs poking willy-nilly out of it. He had a look of intrigue in his eyes.

"So... why are you acting so strange regarding that yarn over there?"

Yarnell was doing everything in his power to keep quiet but he was plotting maniacally on the floor...

~~~~~

Author's Note:

To read part 9, written by the creative writer Colleen Walters, follow the link provided below: