Hydration Corps Field Report One
I hope this message reaches you well and in good time.
It has been 31 days since I left home for the lands of HiveGrove.
I do not mean to alarm you but, things have changed in the Grove.
When I first arrived, it was a beautiful paradise in the forest.
Our camp is surrounded towering trees and remains lit by friendly campfires with helpful neighbors.
Just the occasional hydration emergency.
It wasn't your average grove, but it was normal enough
Then the spooky spirit of Halloween came.
At first, it seemed harmless.
A few pumpkins appeared around camp.
Some decorative lanterns.
Ghost stories around the fire.
The Corps welcomed the festivities.
We needed something to distract us from the war against dehydration.
But now...
I'm not so sure they're just decorations.
The bats arrived first.
Nobody remembers seeing them fly in.
One day they were simply there.
Watching. Waiting. Judging.
The pumpkins came next.
Hundreds of them.
Lining pathways.
Guarding the camps.
Appearing in places where no pumpkin had stood before.
The officers tell us not to ask questions.
Just keep watering.
Hydrate or die.
Then the ghosts appeared in chat.
Some say they're spirits of soldiers who missed their watering schedules.
Others believe they're former Grove residents still searching for one last tree to save.
Officially, the Hydration Corps denies the existence of Grove Ghosts.
Officially. Unofficially...Private Jenkins swears a floating pumpkin reminded him to water yesterday.
And honestly? It was right.
The drought remains our primary concern, but morale has become... complicated.
Every night we gather around the campfire.
The flames flicker.
The bats circle overhead.
The pumpkins stare.
Nobody speaks about it.
We simply exchange knowing glances and continue our hydration duties.
I have begun carrying two watering cans.
One for the trees.
One for whatever is lurking beyond the campfire light.
The veterans say that's normal.
I don't know if that makes me feel better.
Yesterday we lost a recruit.
Not to dehydration.
Not to the forest.
He looked directly into a jack-o'-lantern and immediately started commanding strangers to water their trees.
The transformation was instantaneous.
Another successful Hydration Corps officer was created.
The situation remains contained.
Mostly.
Please don't worry about me.
The Corps remains operational.
The trees remain hydrated.
The pumpkins remain stationary.
Probably.
If you hear scratching at the window tonight...
If distant bats blot out the moon...
If a ghostly whisper reminds you to water your tree...
Do not panic.
Remain calm.
Follow standard hydration procedures.
And remember our sacred oath:
HYDRATE OR DIE.
Your one only son,
Private Ryosai Hydration Corps 3rd Forestry Division