The Lone Hatchling

"Okay! Thank you, Iron!"

Kira could barely contain her excitement. The second she got permission, she scurried forward like a curious kitten. She poked the round belly of one on-duty pumpkin soldier with her finger.

The pumpkin soldier did not resist. It tilted its head, stared at Kira with its hollow black eye sockets, then plucked a leaf from its own vine body and handed it to her as a friendly