The Crystal Walls

Doodle Buck soared through the late afternoon sky above Cervine Metropolis, his dark blue cape fluttering behind him. The city sparkled below with its mix of glass towers and cozy neighborhoods where humans and deer families lived side by side.

He landed gracefully on the observation deck of Doodle Dome, his fortress home. The building's unique walls gleamed in the sunlight—layers of colorful crayons, sleek markers, and shimmering crystals all fused together into something both beautiful and strong.

"Another quiet day," he said to himself, adjusting his orange mask. But as he turned toward the main entrance, his X-ray vision caught something unusual. Deep within the fortress walls, a small heat signature flickered—someone was inside who shouldn't be there.

Doodle Buck's antlers perked up with curiosity. The signature was tiny, almost child-sized, and moving carefully through the lower levels. He'd never seen this pattern before.

"Hello?" he called out, his voice echoing through the crystal corridors.

The Silent Visitor

Doodle Buck activated his X-ray vision again, scanning the fortress walls more carefully. The heat signature had vanished completely.

"That's impossible," he muttered, floating down through the main corridor. His orange gloves glowed softly as he prepared a gentle power blast, just in case.

A soft whimper echoed from the kitchen area. Doodle Buck's antlers twitched as he followed the sound, his boots clicking against the crystal floor.

The kitchen was empty, but something felt different. A box of cereal sat open on the counter, and milk dripped slowly from the edge onto the floor. Fresh footprints—small and delicate—led from the refrigerator to the pantry.

"I know you're here," Doodle Buck said gently. "I won't hurt you."

Suddenly, a small voice whispered from nowhere, "You can see me?"

Doodle Buck looked around carefully. Then he noticed the shimmer—like heat waves rising from summer pavement. A tiny figure stood near the pantry, completely transparent except for the faint outline his X-ray vision could detect.

"Yes, I can see you," he said softly. "Are you invisible?"

The shimmer trembled, and he heard quiet sobbing.