CHAPTER 15: Death by Squirrel

It was soon time for Togon's birthday feast. It was a quite a big event in the palace and preparations had already been made a week before. Togon was dressed in his grand robes that he only wore on special occasions.

"You look especially charming today, Your Highness," the palace maid that was on duty praised his appearance.

Togon raised his chin proudly and patted his hair, making sure it was neat.

"Since there is still some time before the celebration starts, why don't you go to the Secret Garden to calm your nerves?" the palace maid suggested nervously.

"Hmm? Ah... that's a good idea," Togon replied.

The palace maid seemed strange today. She kept averting her eyes and fidgeting nervously. Togon did not think too much about it and decided to head off to the Secret Garden anyway, to check on his new found pets.

As he reached the entrance of the Secret Garden, he turned around to address the place maid, "You may wait at the entrance while I am in the garden. Please do not disturb me. I will take note of the time myself and leave in time for the celebration." Togon smiled to himself and patted on his watch proudly. This was actually quite useful.

However, the palace maid was not listening and was whispering urgently into the ear of another maid. The other maid nodded and immediately headed off at a fast pace.

The first palace maid noticed Togon looking and jolted in fright, "Your Highness, were you saying something?

"Never mind," Togon mumbled and turned to go into the Secret Garden.

Once he entered the garden, he scanned the area for his beloved animal friends. He spotted a bushy tail disappearing into a bush. Squirrel! Togon approached the bush slowly, careful not to make too much noise.

The squirrel peeked its head out, then came out of the bush, staring at Togon. Was that Nibbles? No it wasn't. It looked different. Something was very off about it. It looked unusual. Tamer. Outlandish.

It approached him steadily, like it had a purpose and knew exactly what it was doing. This was creepy, squirrels do not usually approach people like that.

Just as Togon was wondering about it, The squirrel suddenly shot towards him, a wild look in its eyes. Togon backed off, stumbling. In a blink of an eye, the squirrel was on his leg, scrambling upwards. It lunged at his arm and latched its teeth onto it.

"Aaaahh!!!" Togon yelled in pain, "Get off!"

He tried to shake the squirrel off his arm, but it would not let go.

Unknown to Togon, although the squirrel was also a breed of rodent from the Sciuridae family, it was specifically, a Grey Mumbian Wood Squirrel. It was so uncommon that few people knew of its existence, and it was dangerously venomous. Fangs tipped with venom, a bite from it was fatal to humans. However, it was actually quite intelligent and it was possible to train it like a house pet.

The fangs of the squirrel broke through his skin. Togon felt like his arm was on fire.

"Noooo! Squirrel! Why are you doing this to me?"

The squirrel finally let go of his arm, its job done. Scampering off into the distance, Togon watched it as it disappeared from view. What on earth just happened?

The effect of the squirrel's venom was instantaneous. Togon was already beginning to feel faint. His vision blurred. What was happening to him? Togon felt his legs go weak, and he fell onto his knees. His temples were throbbing. Vaguely aware of the whole world tilting, Togon collapsed sideways onto the ground.

"Help..." Togon gasped, but it was definitely not loud enough for anyone to hear.

"H-help..." Togon tried again, as he lay on the grass, but he just did not have enough breath to yell.

Slowly, as time passed, the whole world faded to nothing. Togon was dead.