Morning Watch

Marker Mother Deer stood at the highest window of Marker Tower Fortress, watching Artwood City sparkle in the morning sunlight. Her giant magic marker gleamed beside her, leaving faint colorful trails in the air as she moved.

"Another peaceful day," she said to herself, adjusting her blue and black dress.

Down in the city square, humans and woodland creatures went about their morning routines. A fox in a baker's apron arranged pastries in his shop window. A family of rabbits hurried past with school backpacks bouncing.

Suddenly, something unusual caught her eye. A paintbrush floated through the air above the fountain, moving on its own. It dipped down and painted a purple zigzag across the marble statue.

"That's odd," Marker Mother Deer murmured, leaning forward.

Another paintbrush joined the first, then another. Soon, three brushes danced around the fountain, splashing random colors everywhere. The fox baker stepped outside and pointed up at them, his mouth hanging open in surprise.

Marker Mother Deer spread her wings and prepared to investigate.

The Hummingbird's Warning

Marker Mother Deer soared down from her tower, her blue and black dress panels flowing behind her. The floating paintbrushes had multiplied—now dozens danced through the air, painting wild streaks across buildings, lampposts, and shop signs.

A tiny hummingbird zipped past her ear, its emerald feathers catching the sunlight.

"Wait!" the hummingbird chirped breathlessly. "I saw who's doing this!"

Marker Mother Deer slowed her flight. "You did?"

"A young sparrow in the old laundromat on Pine Street. She's got some kind of device that makes the brushes move. But there's something wrong with her—she looks scared, like she can't control it anymore."

Below them, paint splattered against the fox baker's window. He ran inside, locking his door as purple drops slid down the glass.

"The whole city will be covered by noon if this keeps up," the hummingbird added urgently.

Marker Mother Deer gripped her giant magic marker tighter. A scared sparrow with a mysterious device? This wasn't what she'd expected at all.

"Show me the way," she said.

The hummingbird darted toward the older part of town, where laundromats and small shops lined the narrow streets.