Frightened Key

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FKowbAFYwhCWuz1gBvU311TiZRd7yBcCawysXRsCD6s/edit?usp=sharing
Word Count: 707

My eyes gazed at the gentle glow of the deer-like figure in front of me, their glowing limbs illuminating the forest around them. I attempted to approach and the deer backed away rearing its head in fear.

I crouched, an attempt to make myself look smaller, it seemed to work. My team lowered themselves to the ground, some decided to sit. 

“So, plan is we’re stealing a key from a deer right?” Sirius shrugged looking at me and then the rest of the team.

Morpheus grumbled quietly “And what? Go chase a deer? I know you’re a pirate ‘n all but we’re all stuck in place together and I think befriending the deer would be easier than chasing it down.”

“C’mon Morph! You have wings! Piece of cake” Sirius smiled smugly, nudging the unamused Morpheus “or is all that knightly armor weighing you down.”

Julia and I looked at each other, she rolled her eyes. 

I take hold of the ends of my dress and lift them so I don’t trip myself as I stand up.

The deer begins to back away again, wary of our presence.

“Cynthia” Julia says quietly, she tugged at my dress. “Maybe we can entice it to come forward.” She reached into her back to her food pack. “I have some blueberries, do you think they’ll like these?”

“I would say so” I spoke, I opened my hand and reached down to accept the berries. I turned back towards the deer. They seemed interested in what I had to offer. They creeped closer, cautious of every step.

I could hear one of my teammates shuffling behind me. ‘If that Sirius attempts to grab a key off the deer and ruins our chances of leaving I’ll have Morpheus fly him to the top of the tallest tree and leave him there.’ 

I began my approach to the deer, they took a step back with every step I took forward. I stopped and so did they but when I stood there, my arms held out with juicy flavourful blueberries within my hands the deer took some steps forwards. 

The deer eventually reached me, their head lowered and began to eat the berries out of my hand. I smiled and lifted one hand to pat their head. They reared back but I kept my hand outstretched. 

“It’s alright dear,” I spoke calmly, not reaching for your keys. I wanted to feel your magnificent fur, it must keep you so warm during the cool nights. 

“Dear.. deer” Sirius chuckled. Julia slapped him, he looked at her offended. 

“Don’t listen to that disrespectful man” I rolled my eyes, the deer pressed their face into my hand. I began to rub their forehead gently, it let out a noise that I assumed is a deer equivalent of a purr and relaxed more into me.

“Don’t worry deer, we’re not afraid to leave Sirius behind” Morpheus smiled smugly, side eyeing him.

“I’m a very valuable member of this crew” Sirius huffed looking at the deer “my methods of problem solving are just different.”

“Violent,” Morpheus muttered.

“Well if you’re so valuable then why aren’t you doing anything? Take my bag.” Julia placed her heavy pack in Sirus’s arms.

“Damn you’re strong” Sirius mumbled surprised, he swung the pack onto his back.

“Do you know the way out?” I asked, the deer’s attention focusing back on me.

The deer looked towards the woods behind them, the keys on their body began to glow strongly. They began to move, morph and shape until they became one large key floating between the deer’s antlers. The deer turned around, becoming the guide for us lost travelers. A path opened and we could see the world that we came from. 

“Thank you” I said with a curtsey “is there any way we can repay–” as I looked up at where the deer was, they had disappeared. 

“Huh. Magic deer.” Sirius shrugged “I still think chasing it would’ve worked. Those blueberries were good and I was looking forward to more.”

Morpheus shoved Sirius through the door. 

I passed through the doorway and looked behind me at the large tangled oak tree that stood there. “Julia, I think we should plant some blueberry bushes right here.”