Darwin in Dracaliza

Darwin in Dracaliza Chapter 1.
Once upon a time, there was a Fox. He lived in a magical dimension by the name of Dracaliza. Weird and ravenous creatures ran everywhere destroying the land. But one day....
         “Ugh this is dumb! What kind of action story starts with Once upon a time!” Said Darwin. The bright orange fox sat at his desk, thinking of what to write about. “All of these years of writing prissy little children’s books, not mention those writing classes, and my love of stories, I can’t think of anything! I used to be so full of ideas, and now they’re gone!” Darwin laid his head down on his desk, paws over his ears in frustration. “You know what” he said “I am going to go find some inspiration! or....” Darwin thought “Let it come to me!”

         The sudden thought lit up his bright blue eyes. He hopped down from his black little stool and bounced over to the telephone. He dialed the number, pressed speaker, and waited for an answer. Brrrrrrr ..... brrrrrrr ..... brrrrrrrrrrrr.... went the telephone. Darwin became anxious that the animal on the other end would not pick up. When he was about to press end, a high, child like voice rang out of the speakers “Uncle!” said Maree, Darwin’s four year old niece “whatchadoin! Do you miss me in your new house in Paris?” She said, sounding sad. Darwin began to speak “Of course I miss you! I miss everything! But since I have enough money now, I need a favor of you” He said calmly.
       
         “What is it Uncle D?!” Replied Maree, excited to know. “I need your help...” Said Darwin “To write a story, and you are the most creative creature I know. So what I need you to do is come here to Paris and help me out!” He said in a cheery voice. “Get your mother on the phone so I can talk with her about it, how does that sound?” There was a squeal of excitement, and then no noise at all. As Five minuets went by, Darwin began to think that she had hung up on him.
Just as he was about to hang up for good he heard a sweet, calm voice. It was Darwin’s sister, Raquél. “Hello brother, how are you? I have heard from Maree that you invited her to come spend time with you in Paris.” Raquél said giggling. “She sounded very excited. She was yipping so much I had to give her a lolly pop to stop her from continuing”. Darwin replied “Yes I have, and I was wondering if you would let me go through with it. You see sis, ever since my wife and children left me” A tear began to form in is eye “I have lost all inspiration. The only creature I knew that could help me come up with more stories to save my life and job... was Maree.” He said, closing his eyes, letting a tear escape. “So, if it is fine with you, I will fly to Colorado and pick her up. From there we will fly back to Paris, and there she will stay for about... mmmmm.. two to three weeks?” Said Darwin, smiling at the way he had planned it all. “Of course brother, but only two weeks, she is my daughter after all” Raquél said. Darwin bounded all around the room out of excitement. “Me seeing Maree again?! How wonderful!” Exclaimed Darwin, full of joy.

         After a minuet of literally bouncing off the walls, he returned to his phone call. “Alright, sounds good Sister. I will be leaving in the morning to come get her.” Darwin could hear Maree’s squeals of excitement in the background. Raquél laughed “Alright Darwin, see you in two days. I have to calm her down now. Maree! quiet down! come say good bye to your Uncle Darwin please!” Maree hopped over to the phone “bye uncle D! see you soon! I love you!” She said “I love you too, Maree. Good bye and good night my baby niece”.
Darwin was so thrilled about seeing his relatives again that he had forgotten what time it was. “Sweet mother of Bushy tails I’m late for tonight’s meeting!” He exclaimed, grabbing his Beret, scarf and saddlebag. He put them on hastily and burst out the door. On the way out ,he ran headfirst into his neighbor in the apartment hallway. The reddish fox was knocked down onto the floor, and Darwin fell on top of her.
         
         “S-s-s-sorry Lyla, I-i-i didn’t mean to run into you” He stammered.“Its fine Darwin”  Lyla said beginning to smile. Drawing stood up on his two back paws and hoisted Lyla up. “Thank you” she said, squeezing his paw gently “Now, go attend your meeting” she finished gently, giggling. “Of course” said Darwin gasping for breath. But as he was about to start running again, he said “Lyla, how did you know I had a meeting?” Lyla closed her eyes and grinned “Darwin, you were yelling so loud I could hear you” she said chuckling. “Right, silly me” Darwin said “I must be off!” He waved goodbye to Lyla and ran down the stairs to the main lobby.

         Before Darwin could reach the exit door, he saw a huge bolt of lightning, followed by loud and ominous crash of thunder. That stopped him in his tracks. Horrible memories about his past and family flashed through his mind. Darwin tried to fight it with happy memories, but it wouldn’t work. He knew he had somewhere important to be, but he was not focused on that thought now. The horrifying memories were filling his mind. He was starting to remember.