Above is what I imagine as Cricket's theme song, as she is not confident enough to talk, and wants help but doesn't know how to. Just a thought, and my take on it.

Mercury was throwing pine cones at a tree.

When Mercury was frustrated, she needs to do something with her hands. Radar was looking at the jeep with Thomas. I sat next to Mercury, and pursed my lips.

"My dad, Cricket...I'm afraid. I have never even touched it, let alone dent that jeep. I'm going to be in so much trouble. I know Radar didn't mean to crash, but..." She threw another pinecone, angry. "What am I gonna do?"

Mercury suddenly stood, her fists clenched. "This is your fault Radar!" I pulled on her arm to stop her, but she was already stomping towards the jeep.

Radar came from behind the jeep. "Me? You think it was my fault?" Oh no. Now he was angry. He pushed his glasses up his nose. It was a nervous tic. "It was your fault! You suggested the idea! What did you expect me to do? Drive like an expert?" Mercury's mouth was a perfect O. Then she spoke:

"I only suggested the idea because we'd be going so far! And who's idea was that?" They both rounded on me. Thomas looked nervous. "H-hey guys, let's not-" "Shut it Thomas!" They yelled in unison.

Mercury's face was as red as her hair. She jabbed a finger at me. "Cricket said we should go to the town entrance! So it's her fault! The jeep never would've crashed if she told us what to do!" I held out my hands in surrender, trying to have them calm down, but soon, my anger started coming.

How dare they suggest this thing was my fault! I didn't tell the stupid raccoon to jump at the jeep. I don't control stupid animals! And what would they have done to stop this? Beg for mercy and expect the best?

I angrily stomped my foot, and kicked the mud on the road towards Thomas. He did this! I didn't bring home the stupid book and cause all this! Thomas looked afraid, and he backed up as we confronted him.

"Thomas! You did all this!" Radar yelled, his face matching Mercury's. "You made this happen!" "I told you already!" Thomas screamed back. "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!"

Radar, Mercury and Thomas were all screaming at each other while I took the time to calm down. I heard a scuttling noise, but I ignored it. I was too mad, too frustrated. The rain has stopped, but I don't think anybody cared.

I turned around to look at the jeep when I heard Mercury scream.

The raccoon we hit was still alive.

Sort of.

It's tail was flattened, and its fur was covered in grime and pine needles. It's eyes were dull. Not black, like in horror movies, but it was...gone. Not alive. But here it was. Hissing and advancing towards Mercury.

It suddenly bunched its legs up, and jumped towards her. The seconds seemed like hours. And adrenaline must've kicked in, because I did the only thing I thought of.

I kept my hand as straight as a board, and I smacked the raccoon. Hard. So hard my fingers stung. The raccoon yelped in surprise and was knocked backwards.

It landed on the ground with a thud. The raccoon stood up. It hissed. It was seemingly uninjured. Just as I was thinking I was about to be raccoon chow, it ran off into the woods.

Everybody just stood there in shock. I observed my hand. It was red from the slap, but pretty much fine. I remembered the book said that there was a side affect with raising the dead. Must've been roadkill. So, I just slapped a zombie raccoon.

Cross that off my bucket list.

Mercury, Radar, and Thomas stared at me. I was a little uncomfortable, so I shrugged.

Finally, Thomas swallowed. "Pact to not question what just happened?" Slow murmurs of agreement were heard.

"Well alright then." Thomas still looked a little scared.

I brushed off my hands and pointed to the car.

Radar and Thomas tried to find a way to get it started, their eyes wide. I sat next to Mercury again as she (less angrily) threw pinecones. We were quiet for a bit, which was fine with me. Finally, Mercury cleared her throat.

"Cricket? I'm sorry I, uh, yelled at you. I just, I don't really-" I nodded, not wanting for her to humiliate herself. She smiled in thanks, and we watched the boys work for a bit.

Thomas shrugged as Radar went to the front seat. "I guess we have to walk. The thing won't start, and I don't think-" Radar turned the key, and the jeep rumbled a bit. He turned it again, and it slowly, but surely, sputtered to life.

"Huh. Do you believe in miracles!" Radar honked the horn in jubilee. I grinned, and we all got back in.

"Let's go save our town!" Thomas whooped.

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Sorry for odd chapter title XD

-Clo