Submission (#332) Approved

So sorry for not putting the right link earlier, Chan had to show me where to submit it.

A Snugzi Halloween Surprise

In the small, sleepy town of Halford, Halloween was always a time of mystery. For generations, the villagers passed down tales of strange creatures that roamed the woods during the harvest moon. But none was more feared—or revered—than the legendary Quetzel, one of the Snugzis, who would sometimes, venture close to this village out of curiosity.

It was told that the Snugzis were ancient creatures, humanoid in appearance, with soft fur that shimmered in the light. Their most remarkable feature, however, was the large, enchanted blanket that grew naturally from their backs. The blankets weren’t just for warmth; they were alive, imbued with the magic of protection. The Snugzi could wrap themselves in the blanket to use it to shield themselves from harm. The Snugzi were magical creatures not just in looks, but in their abilities too.

Quetzel had lived in Halford's forest for centuries. Most people thought the Snugzi had gone extinct, but some believed Quetzel still watched over the town. Legend had it that every Halloween, Quetzel would come out to defend the village from evil spirits drawn to the thinning veil between worlds. The creature was both feared and respected, for while Quetzel protected the town, the Snugzi’s methods could be terrifying.

The townspeople often left offerings at the edge of the forest—a tradition as old as Halford itself. Candied apples, carved pumpkins, and wreaths of dried lavender were placed beneath the gnarled oak that marked the border of Quetzel’s territory. The offerings were supposed to appease the creature, but no one dared to venture into the forest after dark.

This Halloween, however, something strange was happening. The air felt heavier, colder. Whispers of mischief spread like wildfire through the streets. People spoke of shadows moving just beyond the edge of their vision and footsteps echoing behind them when no one was there.

Among those who heard these tales was a girl named Lydia. She had recently moved to Halford and found the town’s obsession with Quetzel fascinating. Unlike the other children who told stories of the creature to scare each other, Lydia wanted to know the truth. She had a deep love for creatures of all kinds, and something about the story of Quetzel stirred her curiosity. So, she made a plan: on Halloween night, she would enter the forest and meet the Snugzi herself. She had in preparation read all the books and listened to all the stories the people would tell around the town.

As the sun set and the full moon bathed the town in an eerie silver light, Lydia packed a small satchel with some homemade cookies, a small lantern, and a blanket of her own. She wasn’t foolish enough to go in unprepared. If she were to meet Quetzel, she would offer the creature her gift—a symbol of peace. She knew she was ready, but she was still nervous.

With her heart pounding in her chest, Lydia made her way to the forest. The path was darker than she anticipated, the trees towering over her like silent sentinels. Every snap of a twig and rustle of leaves made her jump, but she pressed on. As she neared the ancient oak, she saw it: a large shadow, barely distinguishable from the surrounding woods, moving just out of sight.

“Quetzel?” she called, her voice trembling.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, a soft rustling sound, like fabric brushing against tree branches. From the shadows emerged a figure—a tall, humanoid creature covered in soft fur. Its blanket, which seemed to shimmer even in the darkness, hung loosely around its shoulders. Large, expressive eyes peered down at her, full of curiosity but also caution.

Lydia held her breath, unsure of what to do. The creature was magnificent, its fur shifting colors like the autumn leaves. “I—I brought you a gift,” she said, holding out the cookies with shaking hands.

Quetzel tilted its head, studying her, before slowly stepping forward. The creature’s blanket unfurled, extending out like wings. Lydia felt a wave of warmth wash over her as the blanket fluttered. It was as if the air around her had softened, cradling her in its embrace. Despite the Snugzi’s imposing presence, Lydia didn’t feel afraid.

Then, the wind picked up, howling through the trees, and with it came something dark. Shadows swirled at the edge of the clearing, unnatural and filled with malice. The spirits of Halloween, the ones drawn by the thinning veil, had arrived.

Quetzel turned sharply, the creature’s blanket snapping into place around it like armor. The Snugzi let out a low, rumbling growl, and Lydia watched in awe as the blanket expanded, shimmering with a protective aura. The shadows hissed, recoiling from the Snugzi’s power. Quetzel stepped forward, each movement graceful but powerful, pushing the dark spirits back toward the edge of the forest.

Lydia could feel the tension in the air as the battle between light and dark unfolded. But Quetzel was relentless, and soon, the shadows dissolved into the night, unable to withstand the Snugzi’s might.

When it was over, Quetzel turned back to Lydia, who was still frozen in place. The creature’s blanket folded gently around its back once more, and it bowed its head slightly, as if in thanks.

Lydia smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you,” she whispered. She wasn’t sure if Quetzel understood, but the creature’s eyes softened in response. Then, with a final glance, Quetzel disappeared into the forest, leaving Lydia alone in the clearing.

The next morning, the people of Halford found Lydia at the edge of the forest, her own blanket wrapped around her tightly. She told them the story of Quetzel, the protector of Halford, and how the Snugzi’s magic had kept the town safe for yet another Halloween.

From that night on, Lydia became the town’s storyteller, the keeper of the Snugzi’s legend. And every Halloween, the people of Halford left their offerings, not out of fear, but in honor of the creature who watched over them from the shadows.

Reward	Amount
Glider Popsicle	1
Star Bone Candy	1
Droplitz	10
Trick or Treat	1