The Great White Mouse
     Among the old tattered white house, with the scratchy windows lived a dysfunctional family. A family of five to be exact. One distasteful wife, who seemed to always overcook a meal. An unloyal husband, who always came home after midnight. Then came their prodigious children; one male, one female, and a furry feline who caused more trouble than anyone. Altogether, they were a walking mass of destruction that seemed to make their own neighbors uncomfortable. But this family was clueless, for they did not know what was beyond their closets in each room. In those closets were several mouse holes, each laid out in a consecutive order. These holes, were home to a colony of mice known as the Brown House Mouse. Now these tiny creatures were quite gifted. For some held many beneficial traits that helped them maneuver so gracefully through the house. All mice were given the great abilities to sniff out the smallest pieces of crumbs, and hear noises from afar. However.. There was one mouse that was particularly different from the others. This mouse suffered from a mutation that made its fur completely white as snow, and eyes of the reddest pomegranates. To the other mice, they thought it unusual. None of them have witnessed  such a mutation among a colony that is all brown. However, the white mouse’s mutation was obviously due to natural selection or perhaps while in the womb the mouse received white recessive traits. While many of the mice pondered about this thought, they would soon realize that this mouse’s fur would soon lead them to victory during their food crisis. This is the tale of a regular mouse. Not just any mouse, but the mouse that reached above all obstacles and conquered them; a mouse that seemed to evade all danger. This mouse's name was JuJu. Being the most smallest mouse among the mice colony, JuJu was quite shy and a timid fellow. He did not partake in most activities like most brown mice did. Instead, he remained home in his little wooden hole with his father, Ali. However his father was much different. Ali was not a simple mouse like JuJu, but instead a big hefty brown mouse that had a very raspy voice and gigantic paws. He was the biggest mouse out of all the mice in the colony, and even a representative of their colony. Many mice respected him as an amazing leader, even the elder ones as well, yet JuJu was always quiet doubtful of his father. Despite Ali’s great achievements in the colony, JuJu always wondered where his mother was. He always asked countless of times where she was, but Ali would never tell JuJu. He would instead brush JuJu off and change the subject, making JuJu feel ignored and a bit irritated. This is what made JuJu dislike his father, and even a bit jealous. His father was so great in all his achievements, but he could not even say anything about his wife. JuJu pondered for many years about his mother’s whereabouts, but that soon all changed when the food crisis began.
      As many years passed, the mice colonies thrived among the closets with much food and lively offspring. However, as food began to run out, the colonies became chaotic. Many of the mice started stealing food from other colonies, or even resorting to cannibalism. Other mice would even commit suicide, by willingly getting trapped by mouse traps that were placed around the house. The many deaths were horrific, and quite grotesque. As JuJu watched from his own hole, he could see the many mice running around in the closet in such agony. Some were missing limbs, other’s were coated with ruby red blood that seem to shine on their fur so perfectly. It was nothing but a bunch of small mice screeching, and completely losing their minds because of this food crisis. As JuJu watched with fascination, a dark gloomy shadow began to overshadow him from behind, it’s voice was deeper as usual and seemed a bit worried, “Do not look my child.. It is far too much for you to witness. Staring at these mice will make you go mad!”
       JuJu was quiet, he turned himself to eye the being who spoke with such worry in his voice, it was nothing other than his father, Ali. “Father… I must look. If I do not look, I will not be able to understand what death is like.” JuJu spoke with a softer tone in his voice than usual.
      “JuJu…” Ali said, his voice was trailing off and becoming more like the breeze, “Seeing death at your age will make you go mad…. Why you have no true concept of death little one. You’re just a mouse who has no part of this why-”
        He was cut off by JuJu’s voice. “No part of what? Father, I am one of the mouse that thrive IN this colony. Just because my fur color is different, it should not disclude me from being part of our colony... “ There was silence among the two for a moment. JuJu carefully kept his eyes glued to the many mice running through the shoes, and tripping over the many close hangers placed around the closet. It seemed endless. Many of the mice were squeaking out of rage, others were blaming one another for this situation. It almost seemed like an apocalypse. Ali watched as his only kin glimpsed the suffering of other mice. For a moment, he thought to himself would he too go crazy due to not having any food? Surely he could not… He was the biggest mouse out of all the other mice, yet when looking back deep into his storage in his hole he did not have much food for JuJu or himself as well. Maybe he was the edge of becoming insane as well, or maybe he was overthinking it.
        Ali’s eyes became lowered towards the floor, he felt his tail twitch with a sensation of anger. He was failing the mice, as well as himself. He could not bare to witness the colony in such distress, what could he do? He could possibly go out the his hole and out the closet into the open world and retrieve food... But that would be to risky! There is a beast that roams the hallways, and there are the gigantic titans that shout so loud that their voice could piece a mouse’s ear drums. To make matters worse the whole house is painted white Ali would easily be seen if he went out of the closet due to his brown fur. Ali scrunched up his pink little paws then glimpsed at JuJu. JuJu could do it, he knew it deep down in his little mouse heart that JuJu could do it. Once more Ali spoke, but his voice this time firm with a bit of anger, “JuJu… You have to go…”
       JuJu was silent, his ears twitched a bit as the sound of his father’s voice, “Go where?” He questioned.
     “Outside… Into the world my child. You cannot stay here, you have to find food for our colony… What we have here is not e-enough... “ Ali’s voice was starting to break.
         “Here you say? Father… We have food. We are still living. We haven’t even gone crazy yet due to starvation.” JuJu said as he snorted a bit. Ali was becoming a bit more irrational, how could his son be so selfish.
       “You don’t get it do you, does seeing these poor innocent mice please you? Juju… Look at them… Look at us… We don’t have much food left, if we do not do something now, we will all perish and so will the other colonies!” Ali was not on his knees, he could not handle the frustration that was running through his veins.
       “Father… You do not understand. I refuse to go and do this… I have no reason to. Death is a natural part of life. Why save the colonies if we are all meant to die anyway. Do you not understand the concept of death? This is how it was all meant to be, besides mice do not even live very long so what’s the point anyway?” JuJu said with sadistic tone.
     “I knew you would act this way… Has the starvation gotten to you to my dear son? Do you wish to die like every other mice here as well…?” Ali’s voice was full of worry and defeat with a hint of sadness.
     JuJu was silent, he stared out into the open, continuously taking in the chaos that was shown before him like a movie, “Nothing has gotten to me, and nothing will. I only watch behind the shadows and analyze among them as well. You wouldn’t understand though… You’re just like every other mice here.
    “My dearest son… Your mother would have hate to see you this way. She knew you would act just like her if you were forced to do something that you did not want to do... “ Ali said.
    Suddenly, JuJu’s body jerked unnaturally. Ali spoke of his mother in such a way that JuJu never heard of before. It made his stomach churn with a sense of fear and excitement, “My mother you say…? Why would you talk about her like this at our current situation. Please, tell me more about her, let me know about my mother.” JuJu said as he turned himself all the way around facing his distraught father.
      “There’s no reason for you to know much about your mother she is not reve-”
     “You spoke about her just a moment ago, surely she must be relevant? Now father… Do not hide things from me, you know I dislike your pretense.”
      It became clear that JuJu would not let this go. He had to know everything about his mother, Ali had hid so much information from him since the day he was born. He had to know… He just had to.
        “Aye, so you want to know about your mother?” Ali said with a teasingly tone, “If you want to know so much about, go about find food for this colony… And as soon as you return with food I will tell you everything that you have wanted to know.”
       JuJu was quiet, his eyes became more dilated with curiosity. Was his father bargaining with him for the truth about his mother? What kind of father would do such a thing. “Father, may I see you’re quite the most pathetic mouse I have ever seen in my life.”
        “And I say… You’re the most sadistic little fellow that I have come to raise” Ali said with a smirk across his face, and it was evident that Ali was most likely doing this to presque his own child. Surely JuJu could not pass off this offer.
      “Hehe... “ A small chuckle slipped through JuJu’s lips, “Why father, you know me oh too well! If you say you will tell me about my mother if I find food for this colony then so be it…”  Ali twitched, he has never seen JuJu become so obedient to his word before. At most times he would easily disobey and reject any ideas that Ali would have for him, but this time his heart sincerely wanted to embark on a quest that would reveal so much about his maternal parent. JuJu then turned his back from Ali, and looked once more through the closet to witness all the mice squeaking in such agony. It was time for JuJu to take up the responsibility and save the colony once and for all. As JuJu took a step outside the wooden hole, a paw suddenly grabbed his tail it was Ali.
         “You understand if you do this… You will become a hero…. You saving the colonies will go down in history, I hope you realize this JuJu.”
          “A hero you say? I won’t be a hero. I’ll just be a simple fellow that went to get food for mice who are starving.”
            With that response, Ali let go of JuJu’s tail and JuJu quickly ran across the floor towards the closet door. Many of the mice in the closet were running as well, getting through the crowds were almost impossible. As he ventured deeper into the mice crowds, he could finally see the real chaos that was taking place. Mice were dying, blood was everywhere. On the shoes, on close hangers, and even on the walls. JuJu could not stop himself from looking, he was a bit afraid as well curious. Seeing all this blood did make his stomach churn, but it also did intrigue him as well. Perhaps his father was right, there was a possibility that had could be a sadist. JuJu continued toward the closet door despite all the agonizing screams that echoed from behind him, but to his surprise the door was shut tight. The only way to get through was possibly squeeze through under the door. For JuJu, this would be completely easy for him. Ever since the food crisis, JuJu had lost a significant amount of weight he was no longer a chubby white mouse, but instead was reduced a mouse that showed bone traced along his fur to give him a skeleton appearance. He squeezed himself tightly through the closet door. His first step was complete. He was out in the open, but it was a bit unusual. JuJu was greeted by a room with painting across its walls. There were many different shapes that ran along the walls, and even warm colors that followed it as well. One of the shapes JuJu recognized was to be a star. Ali had told him all about the great outdoors and the stars that graced the sky at night. However, JuJu has never ventured outside into actual nature before, the furthest he has gotten has been leaving the closet. JuJu also noticed something out of the ordinary while in the room. There were large animals that seemed to be lined up against the other door in the room. They were extremely large, and quite furry as well. They were even lined up against one another guarding the door as if it was some secret passage. JuJu could feel himself become a bit afraid. Ali had warned him numerous times about the beasts that roamed around in the hallways, and lurked menacingly in other rooms. Could this be the beasts that Ali referred to? Without taking any chances, JuJu crouched himself down towards the floor and stayed completely still, it was practically his only defense against the so called stuff beast that were in front of him. Just then a small voice chuckle was made,
         “Ahaha, now look at cha’ crouchin’ as if you have seen a darn predator! You do realise, those stuffed animals ain’t real right?” The voice spoke in a playful tone, it seemed to uplift the mood a bit.
           JuJu’s fur shot up with fear, the voice he heard made him quiver with such fear. The way it spoke sounded unnatural with a hint of wildness, “W-Who… Goes there?” JuJu said with a cautious voice.
        “Who goes where? Hehe! Now aren’t you just the cutest lil’ thing I’ve seen… Ya don’t seem to be aroun’ here. You seem new, are ya a lost hamsta’ too?” The voice replied back.     JuJu was becoming more paranoid, he could not see what or who was making this voice. He spinned himself around, making himself completely dizzy and clumsily making himself fall over. JuJu was now face now on the floor it was almost humiliating. The voice seemed to be even closer now, as JuJu turned himself over he his eyes were greeted with another mouse… Wait… This was not a mouse. It was much more smaller than a mouse. Its tail was cut short, and its fur was coated with different patches of colors. There was no way this could be a mouse, it was some kind of unusual animal that JuJu had never seen before. JuJu shrieked out of fear because of the strange animal’s appearance, “Now, now, am I ain’t that ugly am I?” The strange animal questioned.
            JuJu stood up, dusting himself off with his paws, “Why… I am sorry, that was impolite of me to do such a thing. I just… Well I have never seen an animal of your kind before. Are you even a mouse? You don’t seem to be one, you seem to be something of different decedent.”      The strange animal was quiet, nothing could be heard but a small giggle from its little lips,
        “Mouse you say? Hehe! Why darlin’ I am no mouse. I am a hamster, you could call me a mouse but I am much more different than just any old mouse, hehe!”  JuJu was interested. How could this animal look so much like a mouse, but not even be one, was this some kind of joke? And to make it even more weird it called itself a “Hamster.” How unearthly that sounded!
          “If you say you’re no mouse, but this hamster being… May I ask, why in the world are you out here?” JuJu questioned.
            “That’s a good question mate! Why am I out here? Oh that’s right I got out my cage. I was on the search for one of my cousins that got out as well, he is somewhere around here. I can practically smell his tail from a mile away with the way he smells hehe! But enough about him, why is a mouse like yourself roamin’ about out here. Don’t cha’ know it's dangerous?”
             JuJu nodded, “I already know that! I am only out here for food. Many of the mice colonies among the closets in this home are running out of food, so my father sent me out to go and retrieve some.”
        The hamster snorted under his nose, “Food you say? That sounds like epic journey a hero would take! I’m not surprised they chose you. You can easily blend in with the walls of this home and sneak past the titans, they won’t be able to see you at all!” JuJu nodded once again. The hamster was right, it was a journey for an epic hero. However, he had no idea where to start. He had never been out of the closet before, and his sense of smell was not good like the other mice. How could he possibly do this without a sense of guidance.
     “If it’s not to much to ask, do you know where food is, you wouldn’t mind pointing me in the right direction would you?”
       The hamster’s ears perked up. “Well I wouldn’t not mind at all! Listen carefully. Now, I have noticed by the looks of you that you’re no real huntin’ mouse. It seems to be you have been cooped up in that closet all ya life! If you really want food, you have to be stealthy and learn how to survive.”
       “Huntin’ mouse…?” JuJu questioned.
      “Yup, huntin’ mouse. You don’t seem like one so it will be a bit harder for you to get food, but heres your advantage… Your fur IS white. All the rooms in this home are white, so that means it will make it easier for you to not be seen by any of the titans.”
       “Ok... ? But what about the beast, will it not be able to see me as well?” JuJu questioned.
      “Well…” The hamster smirked a little at the door, then looked back at JuJu, “The beast has super a senses. It basically can detect anything that's in camouflage. Sneakin’ past it will do you no good, so instead you need to  make it like you.” JuJu was confused, how does one make a beast like a simple mouse like himself?
      “How do I even do THAT? This is a beast we are talking about, not some friendly other animal that's going to let us off so easily… Besides why do I even need to do this?”
     “Because… The food that you’re seeking, is behind the beast. It's in a bag to be exact. A shopping bag. It is all the food your colonies need that will last them for almost a year.” The hamster said.
     Once again, this unworldly vocabulary made JuJu confused. A Shopping bag seemed quite unsual, but it did not matter to him. All he knew was that he needed this food to be able to learn about what really happened to his mother.
        “Fine so be it, how do we get this beast to like me... ?”
        The hamster quickly ran under the bed, pulling out a little bag with green leaves. The leaves smelt weird, it gave off a strange tangy smell. “With this!” The hamster said, “This is your ticket to getting past the beast! It is catnip”
        JuJu was confused, what in the world was catnip. “Cat.. Wha? I don’t understand this is just a bunch of leaves that smell weird... “
        “Well you may see it as a useless pile of leaves, but the beast loves this stuff! Anything that is coated with catnip sends the beast going wild. If you coat yourself with this the beast will instantly like you!” The hamster said.
     “Because… The food that you’re seeking, is behind the beast. It's in a bag to be exact. A shopping bag. It is all the food your colonies need that will last them for almost a year.” The hamster said.
     Once again, this unworldly vocabulary made JuJu confused. A Shopping bag seemed quite unsual, but it did not matter to him. All he knew was that he needed this food to be able to learn about what really happened to his mother.
        “Fine so be it, how do we get this beast to like me... ?”
        The hamster quickly ran under the bed, pulling out a little bag with green leaves. The leaves smelt weird, it gave off a strange tangy smell. “With this!” The hamster said, “This is your ticket to getting past the beast! It is catnip”
        JuJu was confused, what in the world was catnip. “Cat.. Wha? I don’t understand this is just a bunch of leaves that smell weird... “
           “Are you sure? This seems a bit sketchy to me.”
          “Trust me! Rollin’ around in this will help you, I promise!”
           JuJu did not have any other choice. This hamster was practically his best bit for getting food back to the colony, so he trusted him. JuJu rolled around in the catnip, and made sure to coat every single part of his body with the tangy smell. Soon after, he began to make his way towards the door guarded by the stuff animals. Behind it was the beast itself, and the food that laid behind it as well. However, JuJu stopped himself in his tracks, he looked back at the hamster that had given him so much guidance, could he really do this by himself or did he need help as well? JuJu stared at the hamster and called back to it. “I can’t do this on my own you know! I am going to need some help…!“
         The hamster tilted its head out of curiosity, and ran towards JuJu. “If that’s the case, then you can take me WITH you!” The hamster then rubbed itself against JuJu’s boney body, coating itself with the smell of the catnip as well. JuJu was surprised by this, he had no idea what the hamster was doing so he let him do what he wanted. “Don’t think this makes us a couple ok? I am just doin’ this so I don’t die by the beast! But this isn’t to bad either ya know? And by the way the name's Jack” JuJu was surprised by the Jack’s behavior. It made him go with crazy emotions, emotions that he had never felt before. Was this the feeling of having a friend?
        As JuJu and Jack squeezed past the furry guards, and under the door. Once they pasted it their eyes were greeted with a long and white hallway. JuJu had never seen such whiteness in one room, it was as if the entire opening had become painted with the whiteness of snow. Jack however had seen  it all before. He had gotten from out his cage so many times, that he knew the house inside and out. As the two rodents slowly paced themselves through the floor, they noticed the great beast that waited for them. It was a black feline that appeared to be sleeping; it's claws sharp as glass and ears perked up to sense any presence that roamed its way. JuJu held his breath, the beast seemed like a gigantic mass of furriness. It almost made him lose his breath. Jack noticed JuJu’s sudden timidness, he tried his best to keep his new rodent friend as calm as possible. “JuJu, I understand this may seem a bit scary to you, but trust me we you and I will get through this together!” Jack said as he nuzzled against JuJu’s chin.
          For a moment JuJu was silent, then he opened up his mouth but in a quiet whisper, “I get that Jack… But do you see how big that thing is? Surely we will be crushed if our plan does not work!” JuJu replied.
            “Now don’t you worry that little furry head of yours! Just relax, and move at a slow pace. The beast responds to quick movements with violence. If you’re nice and steady, it will not notice you I promise.” Jack said as he tugged at JuJu’s ear.
            “Alright… I-I trust you, but if we get eaten I blame you!
So the two small rodents continued their way towards the beast. It seemed with each breath the beast took, it sounded like the many sounds of an actual storm in the sea. JuJu and Jack were so far away that they quickly scrambled across the carpet towards the beast, but something was wrong. Jack suddenly stopped running, there was a sense of danger arising in the air. JuJu looked back at Jack, what could he possibly be doing. Jack began to stand on his hind legs, putting his tiny little nose into the air sniffing it thoroughly. There was  DEFINITELY something in the air that startled him. JuJu was worried he called back to his little friend to see if he was alright.
           “Jack…! Is everything alright?! You’re just standing there! What’s going on with you?!” JuJu said as he raised his voice. Nothing could be heard but only silence, but then a booming noise began to shake the ground. It must be a titan!
            “ I have to hide! If I don’t the titan will see me and take me away!” Jack shouted.
            “B-But… What about me what shall I do?! Won’t the titan see me as well?!”
            The noise of booming footsteps were getting closer, it was time to take drastic measures or else Jack would be found, “ Remember you’re white! You can easily blend into the walls. Don’t worry about me I will find my own hiding spot.” Jack shouted.
              JuJu’s body began to shake, he was just a timid little mouse “B-But… Wha-”
             “Don’t worry mate just blend against the wall!” And so JuJu did as he was told. He quickly ran towards the white wall and laid up against it, camouflaging himself like a chameleon. Even though he knew he would not be spotted by the titan, all he could do was worry about Jack. What if Jack was not able to find a hiding spot in time, what if he would get caught and be eaten? As JuJu thought to himself about Jack’s safety a roaring voice could be heard from down the hall. The voice was quite high pitched, almost girly sounding a bit irritated. The titan quickly ran down the hall, shaking the floor with such ease and making JuJu lose his own balance. However, he still managed to keep himself planted against the wall just like Jack told him to. As the titan ran down the hall, it stopped itself in its tracks. JuJu looked up toward the gigantic being and noticed its face was a reddish color with tears streaming down its cheeks like a waterfall. He wondered what in the world was wrong with it. Could it possibly be in distress or was it maybe hungry? Suddenly the titan screeched with such anger that made JuJu’s eardrums ring with agony
         “Jack… WHERE ARE YOU, YOU STUPID LITTLE HAMSTER!? PLEASE OH PLEASE JACK! I MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH, HOW COULD YOU RUN AWAY FROM ME AGAIN?!” As the titan screamed JuJu tried his best to remain calm in his hidden spot against the wall. If he moved a muscle, surely the titan would spot him and take him away forever. After about a couple of minutes of listening to the sobbing of the titan, it finally walked past JuJu into another room. It must have tired itself out, or maybe it went to go rest. JuJu was relieved that he no longer was faced with such a humongous being, but something was off. He realised that the titan called out Jack’s name. What would the titan want with a hamster anyway? It was most likely a simple meal for it. Although it was over, JuJu had no time for this he had to find Jack now! He called out his name with worry to see if he would respond.
                   “Jack…! Are you here? The titan is gone now, we can go and get the food now.” JuJu said, however there was no response. JuJu tried his best to stay calm, but it seemed like he was becoming crazy without his companion. “Jack will you please answer me! This is not funny… We really must go before the titan comes back, if we don-”
               Suddenly a voice spoke, cutting of JuJu, “Now, now, now… No need to go all soul searchy on me darlin’ I wasn’t even gone for that long, and you’re already callin’ out my name like we are married aren’t ya the sweetest lil’ thing?” Jack teased.
                 JuJu looked behind him to witness Jack strolling calmly towards him, how could he be calm at a time like this? This was a dangerous journey they were going on just to get some food for a colony of mice. “Are you really going to talk to me like that after a titan just showed up, how are you not fazed by this, Jack?” JuJu questioned, he could not understand how Jack could easily remain calm in at a time like this.
             “Well you make it seem as if it’s a big deal. The titan passed, and now both you and I are safe. We ain’t even get hurt. Why are you actin’ all upset?” Jack said.
             “Because I was worried! Did you not just see that gigantic titan stomp and scream?”
             “I did...”
           “Then why in the world are you not freaking out about it? Can’t you see we could have been squashed so easily?” JuJu shouted.
           “Well that's only if we did not hide mate. If we out in the open I could have possibly been taken, but you could have gotten away with ease. What difference does it make now anyways? The titan is gone, and the beast is just down the hall sleepin’ we practically are almost there.” Jack replied.
            “Sure I guess you could say that, but come on now… You’re a walking patch of mix of cur coats. How in the world did you hide away yourself when you look like THAT?”
              “Well… If  ya really want to know I hid in one of the titan’s shoes.”
             JuJu became silent, Jack was truly a character. “Let’s just go already... “ He said, “I do not know what I am going to do with you…” Jack giggled at JuJu’s little frustration. He thought it was cute, but also showed his soft side.
          As the two rodents continued their way down the hallway, they soon would be approaching the sleeping beast that awaited them. However, behind it was the shopping bag of food that JuJu needed to complete his mission. Finally the two made it towards the beast. With each sleeping breath it took, it seemed to be pushing a thousand winds that made JuJu fall over. Jack on the other hand stood his ground, he was quite brave and even more of a daredevil did JuJu could ever be.
                 “Look at it, it's just sleeplin’ without a care in the world.” Jack said quietly.
                 JuJu did his best to keep himself as quiet as possible, “I know… Doesn’t this scare you Jack? We are so close to it. At any moment it could wake up and probably eat us.” JuJu said.
              “You think so? I don’t think so. With this catnip in our fur I don’t think it will eat us. Who knows, we may even become friends with it, but enough with the chatting. Go the bag is right  there, behind the beast. Once you find what you need out of there, call me over and we will figure a way to carry all of the food back.”
JuJu nodded at Jack’s plan. Despite them knowing each other for such a short time, he was beginning to feel connected to Jack in some way. Jack was so much more different than JuJu. It almost made JuJu feel a bit of jealousy. JuJu crouched himself beside jack, and crawled over towards the shopping bag. He made sure with each movement he made that it would not wake up the beast.
               “Keep going... “ Jack called, “You’re almost there, don’t look back. Just keep going!”
               JuJu looked back at Jack. His heart began to race, his emotions were running wild again and he did not know how to cope with them. He looked back at Jack with a shy smile on his face. Finally he spoke.
             “Jack… I-” Suddenly a large black paw smashed down onto JuJu making him shriek in pain. Luckily the force of the paw did not injure his back, however the pressure of did make JuJu squeak with slight pain. Jack screeched and called out to JuJu making sure he was alright.
               “N-No… Are you alright?! Please be alright! Hey answer me!” Nothing could be heard but silence, until a raspy voice was heard from the beast.
             “Well… Well… Well… What do we have here? A little mouse and a little hamster? Don’t you both know I could easily sense your presence from a mile away. I COULD tell you were coming this way. HOW dare you sneak past me while I am asleep!” The beast looked down at Jack with pitch black eyes that were completely dilated.
              “Look… We don’t want any trouble! We are just here for that shopping bag behind you! Please don’t hurt my friend! He hasn’t done a thing to ya I swear. Please take ya paws off him you will surely crush his fragile body!” Jack said. The beast kept took its eyes off of Jack and glued them onto JuJu.
               “Oh? Ya little friend here aye. He seems to be all bone and skin hehe!” The beast said as it sniffed JuJu’s fur, “Yet he smells quite wonderful, almost like… That special stuff my owners give me.” The beast suddenly took its paws off of JuJu’s back. Jack then quickly raced over to JuJu shielding him from the beast.
                 “We just want food… Ok? We have no intention to disrupt your nap.” Jack said.
                The cat titled it’s head staring down at the two rodents. He noticed one was much more plumper than the other, and the other one seemed to be skin and bones. “So you say, all you want is food? Just food? So you mean to tell me you want this shopping bag that is behind me correct for what reason shall I give this to you?”
               Jack looked back at JuJu, JuJu stood up on his paws and faced the beast that stood before him. Jack however was surprised, he thought that JuJu was hurt by the sudden pressure of the paw. He made his himself hunched over and stood on his two hind legs to assert his dominance. Jack watched from the sidelines as his furry friend did so, he admired him greatly. “Because my colony needs it” JuJu said with a firm voice.
                     “Colony?” The beast questioned, “What colony do you speak of?”
                     “The colonies that lay among the closets around this house.” JuJu replied.
                     “But why must your colony need such a thing? Surely you did not run out of food right?” The beast said, while licking its gigantic tails.
                    “Unfortunately we did run out of food. I was sent to go retrieve some. Listen… If I do not get that bag of food that is behind you the mice will surely die in this house. Please almighty beast… You must let me get the food back to the mice colony.” JuJu said.
                  The beast stopped itself from licking its thick coat. It narrowed its eyes down towards JuJu, scanning his little bony body. JuJu could feel his skin crawl, as the beast stared him down with a menacing gaze accompanied by two pitch black eyes. The sight gave off an evil feeling. “So be it then…” The beast spoke with a breezy voice, “Take this food back to the mice that need it, I won’t be needing it. However there is something you must do for me in return…”
                JuJu felt his heart race, “And that is... ?”
                “Sacrifice one of the mice as  an offering for this food. Just because I am giving it to you to save your people, does not mean you can get off so easily.
               JuJu was silent and so was Jack, “I refuse…” JuJu said. “I will not allow such a thing to happen!”
               The beast let out a small giggled through its silky lips. “I knew you would reject such an idea, but if you do this for me I will help you get this entire bag of food back to the colony in one piece! And you know what else? Since I am feeling EXTRA nice today, I will even open the doors for you as well.”
               “You would do such a thing just for a sacrifice?” Jack questioned.
               “I sure would, now how about it? Give me the price of one mouse's head and this food is YOURS.” The beast said. JuJu looked at Jack and they both stared at one another for a few moments. What could they do? This was JuJu’s only moment to help save the colony, but the price of taking one mouse's life. JuJu knew many of the mice in the colonies were dying, this was practically his only way out. JuJu finally decided that he would take up the beast’s offer. It was the only way to save the mice colony.
               As JuJu and Jack Rode on the back of the beast’s body, he could feel nothing in his veins but a feeling of betrayal. He did receive the what he came for, it was evidently the shopping bag the beast carried it its mouth. Yet… He could not stop the feeling of betrayal running through him. Jack noticed his friend’s quietness, he nudged him a little with his paw to try and comfort him, “Hey I know how you’re feelin’ right now… I get it, you did get what you wanted right?”
               JuJu was silent, but he pushed words through his lips, “I did… But at the price of one’s life Jack? I’m a monster…”
              “You’re no monster mate. You’re a hero, you sat here and actually went outside the closet. NO mouse would ever attempt such a thing.” Jack said.
              “Jack… You don’t get it, I did finally get the food that my colony needed but… In order for us to survive I had to spill some other mouse’s blood in the process. No hero would do that” JuJu said.
             “You’re right, but hero’s make sacrifices man. We all do. Sometimes we have to kill the ones we live in order to get further in life, that’s how life goes. There’s no turning back from this. You make this decision clear, and now you have the consequence to go with it” Jack said.
JuJu remained quiet with Jack’s last response. He lowered his head, and closely nuzzled himself against Jack’s side. This did not feel right, it felt like he had sacrificed a part of himself.
             When finally approaching inside the closet, many the mice were still going crazy. However soon as the beast appeared before them, they all remained still. One mouse of fear of seeing the beast called out to it, “Oh NO! THE LEGENDS ARE TRUE, THE BEAST IS REAL IT HAS MADE ITS WAY INTO THE CLOSET AND NOW IT WILL EAT ALL OF US!” This startled all the mice in the colony, they became ecstatic once again and began to run in circles. However the beast seemed agitated. It dropped the shopping bag from its mouth, and let out a loud hissing noise that stopped all the mice from running around. Finally JuJu and Jack quickly ran towards the top of the beast’s head to speak out toward the colony.
                “My fellow mice!” JuJu shouted into the crowds of the colony, “I have finally brought food for our colony. This food shall last us for a complete year! We must all take note of that and eat it with grace!” The announcement made all the mice silent. No longer were they screeching but instead they were listening intently, but there was one mouse that seemed worried.
               “Well that may be true… But what about the beast!? It knows our location and can surely find us again once it leaves! It probably will come back and EAT US.” The paranoid mouse shouted. This made all the in the closet start to mutter under their breaths.
               “You’re right my fellow mouse, but that won’t happen… This beast was nice enough to help and bring us the food, but… There is a price we must pay.” JuJu said.
              “And what is that?!” A random mouse shouted.
              JuJu took a deep breath, “We must sacrifice one of own in order to keep this food…”
With JuJu’s response, many of the mice became frightened by such an idea and quickly ran into their holes and even into the closet shoes. No one was worthy for such a task, however JuJu already knew who to pick, “Now… Hiding away will do you know good my mice friends. I have already decided who will be worthy of such a sacrifice, and it will be me…”
              Jack stared at JuJu, and so did the all the other mice in the closet. Jack could not believe what he was hearing. “You’re gonna what? Man… You can’t do that! If you want to sacrifice someone let it be me!”
            JuJu smirked, “Jack don’t put yourself into this situation. You came along my journey and you HELPED me get through this. Please… Let me do this. For myself, for the mice, and even my father.” JuJu said
              Jack became silent, but could not bare to let his friend go so easily. “NO I refuse, you’re my friend! The beast can have me. You have so much to live for! This colony, and all the other mice that look up to you now. Don’t yourself die along with your legacy… You’re a HERO.”
             JuJu’s eyes became blurry, no one has ever looked up to him before. He could his throat becoming a knot, “Jack… I l-”
            “Save it. You don’t have to say it. I love you too, and I always will.” Jack said. JuJu finally embraced Jack with his tiny little paws, and let a few tears run down his furry cheek. He would never forget Jack. He could never forget someone who he always aspired to be. The beast lowered its head so that Jack and JuJu could get off it. The beast picked up Jack by his little stubby tail, carrying him away and out of the closet.
            JuJu shouted to Jack, he let his entire voice out. “I will never forget you Jack! Never! We will always be friends. Please… Remember me as well!”
           While upside down in the beast’s mouth, Jack looked back at his little friend and smirked. He knew his death would soon becoming. All he could do now was look back at his furry friend and smile like he had always.
              That day when JuJu finally saved the colonies of mice, many of them praised him. JuJu found himself being called The Great White Mouse. JuJu however did not like the name, it did not suit him. Without Jack, he felt an emptiness in his little heart. Jack was right, heros do make sacrifices. Jack was not just some little old hamster. He was hamster full of heart and someone who loved adventure. It was clear to JuJu that Jack could have been the hero of all of this but he chose to give all the fanfare to JuJu. Why? Because Jack knew JuJu was no real mouse. He knew JuJu would not be able to partake on a journey by himself. Jack’s way of sacrificing himself was a gift for JuJu to finally learn about his own mother. JuJu never did forget Jack, as time passed on JuJu told the his tale to many of the younger mice in the colony. Many people would easily forget about Jack’s legacy, but JuJu could never. Instead whenever people asked about his story, he said that Jack was the hero.