"Father, where are you?"

Whitney the mouse had come to a T in the snowy labyrinth. He cocked his ear toward the icy tunnel, listening for a response, but he only heard empty stillness.

He was just in front of me! he thought to himself. Oh, I'll be in such trouble!

His father had been in a rush to get back to their den. He had told him, "Hurry young one, we must go now, and you mustn't lose my trail." He didn't tell Whitney why. Mother probably needs help carrying chestnuts home from the winter stock. Oh, I'll never hear the end of it if I'm late!

Just then, a whumph echoed through the tunnel, and bits of snow fell from the ceiling. A ray of light shone from the tunnel to the left. "Father?" Whitney called, and he ran towards the light. Looking up through the giant hole in the ceiling, he was blinded, and heard a scream.

"Whitney!" his father called from above in a raspy squeal. A shadowy figure emerged in front of the sun, and Whitney saw his father clasped in the jaws of a giant monster. The drops of blood colored Whitney's winter coat red.

"Look after your mother, young one! She will need you to be strong." Whitney began to cry. "Now run!" With a gulp, the monster swallowed and his father was gone.

Whitney ran into the tunnel in tears, the blood of his father still warm on his fur. He ran and ran and ran until he could no longer stand. He laid in the cold, icy tunnel for many minutes until he heard a distant call.

"Whitney? Whitney are you there?" his mother called. Her voice gave him the strength to stand. He began to trot in her direction, when suddenly he heard a whumph and was enclosed in moist, warm darkness.

Father, I'm sorry. he thought as he began to suffocate, sliding down the monster's throat. At least we aren't dying alone...