SAVING THE LITTLE TROLL

By AI-ChatGPT4o-T.Chr.-Human Synthesis-01 December 2024

Angel wiped the blood from his cheek, staring down at the crumpled troll he’d just defended. The thugs had scattered, leaving behind their bats and bravado, and now the creature—a small, peculiar being no taller than a child—cowered in the alley. Its eyes were as deep and reflective as obsidian, its fur dappled with street grime, but its essence shimmered with an ethereal beauty that stole Angel’s breath.

“This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Angel murmured, crouching beside it. He reached out tentatively, offering his hand. The troll hesitated, its twitching tail betraying its uncertainty, before taking a tentative step forward. That was all Angel needed. He wrapped the troll in his coat and carried it back to his apartment, oblivious to the strange stares of passersby.

Angel, Pessi, and the Journey Back to the Woods

Angel's small apartment was a jumble of photography equipment, second-hand furniture, and now, one utterly perplexed little troll. Pessi, as he had named the troll, perched on a stool, tufted tail twitching like a metronome as Angel scratched his head, trying to figure out what exactly trolls ate.

“Fish? Berries? Pizza?” Angel muttered. Pessi tilted his head, sniffing the air with a curious grunt.

Angel’s life had taken an unexpected turn since rescuing Pessi from a gang of thugs in an alley. At first, it was an impulsive act, spurred by his fascination with the creature’s wild beauty. But as days turned into weeks, Angel found himself genuinely attached to his unusual roommate.

It was during one of Pessi’s more mischievous escapades — when he had chewed through the cord of Angel’s studio lamp — that Angel decided he needed help. That’s how he found himself back at the vet’s office, chatting nervously with Ecke, the clinic’s friendly and inquisitive veterinarian.

Ecke had a way of blending warmth and curiosity that made her instantly likable. When Angel casually mentioned his “exotic pet,” she raised an eyebrow but didn’t pry. She handed him a bottle of anti-parasite medication and said, “If you need anything else, just ask. Exotic pets can be tricky.”

Back home, Angel was applying the medication when Pessi made a soft chirping noise that sounded suspiciously like approval. Angel grinned. “Ecke’s magic touch, huh? Maybe I should bring you to meet her.”

A Strange Bond Forms

The next visit to the vet was different. Ecke insisted on a house call when Angel sheepishly admitted Pessi wasn’t just an exotic pet but something much more unique.

When Ecke saw Pessi for the first time, she froze. Pessi, all wide-eyed and sniffing the air, was just as curious about her. Then, to Angel’s surprise, Ecke crouched down and held out her hand. “Hello, Pessi,” she said softly, her voice filled with wonder.

Pessi chirped and gently nudged Ecke’s hand with his snout, his tufted tail wagging like a happy dog. That moment sparked a connection between the three. Ecke became a regular visitor, teaching Angel how to care for Pessi properly while slowly unraveling the mystery of trolls from Angel’s research.

The pheromones Pessi exuded added a playful complication. Ecke teased Angel about smelling like “an enchanted forest,” but there was no denying the growing chemistry between them. Their shared secret brought them closer, and soon, their casual talks about Pessi turned into long conversations about dreams, fears, and life itself.

The Decision to Let Go

As Pessi grew stronger, his wild instincts became more apparent. He would spend hours staring out the window, his nose twitching at the scents carried by the breeze. Angel and Ecke knew it was time to let him return to the woods.

The farewell was bittersweet. They took Pessi to a dense forest outside the city, where the air was thick with the scent of pine and moss. Pessi hesitated at first, clinging to Angel’s arm. But when he caught the scent of other trolls, he chirped excitedly and bounded off into the trees, his tufted tail vanishing into the underbrush.

Angel and Ecke stood hand-in-hand, watching until he was out of sight. “He’s where he belongs,” Ecke said softly.

Angel nodded. “Yeah, but I’ll miss the little guy.”

A Reunion in the Woods

Years passed, and Angel and Ecke built a life together filled with adventure, laughter, and their shared love of nature. On a crisp autumn day, they decided to hike through the same forest where they had said goodbye to Pessi.

As they walked, the woods grew quieter, the kind of silence that feels alive. Then, from behind a tree, a towering figure emerged.

It was Pessi, now fully grown, his fur thick and shimmering in the dappled sunlight. His golden eyes sparkled with recognition as he approached them cautiously.

“Pessi!” Angel breathed, a grin spreading across his face. Ecke squeezed his hand, her own smile wide with awe.

Pessi chirped softly, a deep, resonant sound that seemed to carry both joy and gratitude. He nudged Angel’s shoulder gently before turning to Ecke and bowing his head.

They spent the afternoon together, reminiscing in their own way. When it was time to leave, Pessi disappeared into the woods once more, but not before looking back, his golden eyes meeting theirs one last time.

“Do you think he’ll ever come back?” Ecke asked as they made their way down the trail.

Angel smiled. “Maybe. But even if he doesn’t, we’ll always know he’s out there, living his best troll life.”

And with that, they walked hand-in-hand, their hearts lighter, knowing they had made a friend for life in the most unexpected of ways.