Trixi ran until her heart was pounding and the tears were blurring her vision.She did not know if Caddie was still holding onto her paw,for her body was numb with pain and fright.She could not feel her legs,but somehow she kept going until she reached the bank of Arrow Lake.Her knees finally gave in,and she collapsed,Caddie beside her,by the lakeside.What had looked so peaceful in daytime was now a dark void,as Trixi sobbed herself to sleep...
*** *** *** ***
"Skylre,my dear.Please paw me a cup of water."
"O.K,Digoby,I'll get it!"
The Outcasts were snug in their cottage for the night.Cat held little Larke in her arms,and the little human giggled and cooed at all his friends.Sniper was perched on his wooden stand,made for him by Tet.He preened his feathers as Tet watched,grinning.
"Beta-morphs!Always cleaning themselves!"he said.Cat laughed.
"Maybe you should follow their example,Nick."The black weasel puffed himself up.
"Ha!Someone as good-looking as me never needs to clean himself!I'm so handsome,the fleas can't get enough of me!"The Outcasts howled with laughter.
"You can say that again,Nick!"
"Handsome?Ha!"
"Nicky,you're so funny!"Nick frowned at Skylre.
"Don't call me Nicky,Foxy!"
Tet noticed Keely as she lay back,taking in the conversation but not adding to it.Every once in a while,she stole a glance at baby Larke in Cat's arms,but quickly turned away soon after.Tet caught her gaze for a moment by accident.Her purplish eyes were cold.Embarrassed,he turned away.
"Tet,are you planning to stay here tomorrow?Or are you coming to this meeting?"Digoby asked.One Outcast was always left to guard the cottage and little Larke while the rest went into Vixenberry.
"You're going back so soon?"Tet asked Cat.The caracal pounded a fist into her palm as Skylre plucked Larke from her lap.
"We didn't finish all that was in our business plan,"she said with an evil grin.Digoby rolled his eyes.
"Now now Cat,my girl.We shouldn't resort to violence."Cat looked as innocent as the feline caught with her paw in a fish bowl.
"Violence?Oh,Digoby.You know I wouldn't resort to violence.It's such an awful word!Maybe I'll claw a few faces in,or start a town riot,but never anything violent!"Nick laughed.
"I'd hate to be the creature to step on your tail!"he said.Cat smirked.
"You've done that a few times already,Nick."
"Huh?Oh,yeah..."Larke cooed from the cottage floor as he played with Skylre.Nick looked down at the little human.
"Man,I hope we change their minds this time,for the little guy's sake..."Tet looked at his best friend.Rare was it when Nick showed true compassion.Cat nodded at him.
"I hope so too,Nicky.I hope so too..."
"Well,I'd like to go tomorrow,if it's all right with you,Kitty Cat,"Tet said,to change the subject.The Outcast leader looked up.
"What?Oh,sure,Tetty.Who will stay,though?"
"I will,"volunteered Keely.
"No,Keely.I think we need you again.You sure snapped at the council something awful!"
"Yeah!"cried Nick."That's what I call an aggressive-aggressive personality trait!"The petite gray wolf raised her brows.
"I guess..."she said blandly.
"You know what?I think I'll stay again this time after all,"Tet said."After all,you never know when 'you-know-who'will show up!"
"You mean the amazing Gimp?"laughed Digoby.
"Exactly!"
"Tet,you're practically the only one who can give that purple pest a run for her money."Keely said.Tet gave her the friendliest smile he could.
"You know it!That one-eyed tree hopper won't show her face around our food supply tomorrow!"
*** *** *** ***
Tet needn't have worried.Gimp was far away from Ivy Wood.Rather,she was strolling around Arrow Lake when she noticed two dew-damp bodies in the morning light.Like a mischievious faun,she bounded lightly over to the two sleeping forms.Her yellow eye peered at the creatures as she kicked the white one lightly with her foot.
"Hmmmm.Bunnies?How very cute."she snickered.The white rabbit opened his pink eyes.They blinked for a moment,focusing,as he looked blankly at the figure standing over him.It grinned,showing sharp fangs.Caddie did a double-take and began to scream.
"YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAUUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!!!"
"AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHH.IT'S ALLLLIIIVVVEE!"screeched Gimp.Trixi opened her eyes.
"Wha...What?"she mumbled sleepily."Huh?EEEEEEEKKKKKK!"She got to her feet in a flash and stared at the newcomer.Caddie stopped screaming and hid behind his friend,peering out at the "monster".
It was a female cat.Scruffy,thin,and...purple.She had a patch over her right eye.Trixi assumed it was missing.On her left leg she wore a huge black brace.Her crooked tail was missing some fur,and it lashed as she grinned a yellow smile.
"Hello there,bunnies.What brings you here?"The words brought last night's horrible images back to Trixi's mind.She swallowed back tears.The cat didn't look too trustworthy,and Trixi didn't want to pour out her life story to a stranger.However,Caddie,always the friendly one,began to breathe out the events of last night to the purple creature,sobbing as he recalled them.The cat's expression softened a little.She turned to Trixi.
"Your brother?Oh,I'm sorry about that.Truly I am."She put a comforting paw on Trixi's shoulder as the gray rabbit began to cry.She was silent until Trixi finished.
"You know.I've been through many wars,myself.I've seen Death and I don't like 'im.Why,I was in the entire Hundred-Years War,and let me tell you,that was some horrid stuff!"Trixi thought this a little far-fetched,but she said nothing."You know,since you two are all alone and you're grieving still,I'll escort you for awhile.Can't stay here,or you'll starve."Trixi sniffed.
"Thank you,but we really don't know where we're going.We're outcasts from Starbrook."
"Hey no kiddin'!Me too!What a small world.In fact,I'm outcast from just about everywhere!By the by,m'name's Gertrude Braggarte,but you can just call me 'the amazing Gimp'!"
"Um,I'm Trixi Bigfoot..."
"My name's Cadbury Rushtail,but you can call me Caddie!"The little albino rabbit grinned up at the wily cat."Hey,Miss Gimp!Why are you purple?"
"Caddie!"
"S'allright,Trixibunny!You see,with all the wars I've been through,I never recieved a purple heart!Lost my eye,hurt my leg,bonked my head...So I dyed my fur purple,so everyone will realize how courageous the amazing Gimp is!"Trixi wondered if the bonk on the head mentioned had done any permanent damage.
"Well,Gimp.Thank you for your offer,but I don't think I'm ready to go traveling right now.My brother Buddy..."Trixi began to sob again.Gimp waited.
"It's your choice,bunnies.But I wouldn't stay here for long with humans around.Oh yeah,and the Brat Pack,too!"
"The Brat Pack?What's that?"asked a fearful Caddie.
"A pack of brats!Evil little scavengers will steal from anyone!I only take a bit of food from the Outcasts from time to time myself.Nothing like those little mongrels!Speaking of the Mongrels,watch out for them as well!"
"Wait!What did you say about outcasts?"Trixi asked.
"Oh,you mean the Outcasts?They're a group of creatures like yourself.Live over in Ivy Wood.You two would fit in well there.Me,I keep to myself,mostly,but they know me there.In fact,they adore me!"
"Where's Ivy Wood?"asked Trixi.
"Oh,about a week east of here.Just follow the sun in the mornings.Bye now!"
"Hey!"cried Caddie."Wait!"
"I thought you were going to help us!"said Trixi.The purple cat grinned.
"Well,I asked,and you didn't want it.I only make offers once.I'll keep an eye on you every now and then,though.I'm going to Ivy Wood too."
"If you're going there too,then how come you can't come with us?"
"The amazing Gimp prefers to go by herself..."
"But I thought..."
"Besides,I prefer the short cut."
"Short cut?!"
"Yeah,saves time.Besides,more travelers go that way.And that means more food.Bye!"Before Trixi could protest,the amazing Gimp leaped into a tree and disappeared.The gray lop shook her head.What a mixed-up creature!
*** *** *** ***
"Well,Caddie,I guess we'll have to find these Outcasts ourselves."
"You mean we're leaving by ourselves?"the eight-year-old asked.
"We have to..."Trixi looked in the direction of Starbrook.Buddy.She shook her head.Buddy would want her to be brave,to move on.But it was so hard.Yet Trixi couldn't let her grief get in the way.She had Caddie to take care of.They had to find these Outcasts.Food,too.There would be time to mourn later.Right now...She stole one last glance to the west.
"Goodbye,Buddy..."
"Trixi,look!"Caddie had picked up an object off of the ground.It was a canteen."I think Gimp dropped it!"Trixi smiled and filled it with water.That Gimp had done something good for them.She screwed the cap on and turned to Caddie.
"Come on,let's find a way to cross the lake and get to Ivy Wood!"
The journey began...
*** *** *** ***
Sniper called a "good morning" to his friends.Tet opened his eyes partially and mumbled,half asleep,as the hawk's screech pulled him halfway from Dreamland.The vulptod yawned,sharp fangs showing,and closed his eyes once more.Soon he was in a sweet cottage in a happy town.His mother was there,a beautiful vixen.She swooped him into her arms...
"OOF!"Tet was suddenly wide awake,looking at his...mother?No,it was only Skylre.
"Wake up,Sleepywhiskers!"
"Huh...Why?I'm not going into town."
"We're leaving early.We packed already,and you have to guard the cottage and Larke while we're gone!"Tet heaved himself out of bed.Hopefully,Larke would still be asleep,giving him time to wake up.He was not a morning vulptod.Unfortunately,the human child was up,giggling and cooing as he ate half his breakfast and catapulted the rest.Tet shook his head as a splatter of porridge hit him in the face.Cat smiled and kissed her foster son's forehead.
"That's Mommy's angel boy!You be good!"She finished packing her bag of rations for the day's journey.They would not be back until early evening.The caracal turned to Tet.
"You know what you're supposed to do.See you later!"
"Goodbye,Tetty!"cried Skylre.
"Later,man,"said Nick with a slap to Tet's back.
"Take care,"smiled Digoby.Keely merely nodded at him.Tet patted Larke and waved after them.
"Knock 'em dead!"The door closed.Larke sized up Tet for a moment before hitting his bowl to the floor,sending porridge everywhere.Tet yelped.The baby grinned.
"Oh geez!You did that on purpose!"cried the vulptod.
"Goo!"answered Larke.
*** *** *** ***
Trixi and Caddie ate the berries they had found like wild animals.They were not to blame.The two rabbits had searched all morning for food after crossing the lake.The wild berry bush had been quite a sight for sore eyes.
"Mmmmmm!Good!"Caddie's white face was stained red with juice.Trixi popped another berry into her mouth and sighed.She was still trying to forget."Hey,Trixi.Do you think we'll run into the Brat Pack or the Mongrels Gimp was talking about?"
"Oh,I hope not...Wait,do you think she was just making them up?Do you think she was making these Outcasts up?"
"I don't know.She was kinda weird,"answered Caddie,his mouth full.
"Kinda?More like drastically weird!"But why would she make something like this up?And she did say she knew them.Then again,this was a creature who dyed her fur purple.Trixi hoped she wasn't putting Caddie and herself in unnecessary danger.These woods could be deadly at times.She shuddered."I wish Buddy were here now,"she thought."He'd know what to do."
"I'm finished,Trixi.Let's keep moving."The gray lop stood up and followed Caddie as he puffed himself up and took charge.
"O.K,I'm leader!We must take some berries for later!"he barked importantly.They tied the fruits up in a huge leaf and tucked it under the canteen strap.Caddie began to call out orders like a sergeant.Trixi played along with his game,and the two friends began to walk due east once again.They looked up at the sun.
"I think it's almost noon,"said Trixi.
"Why don't you check your watch?"Trixi frowned,then gasped.Buddy's pocket watch was still hung around her neck.She had completely forgotten about it!A gray paw lifted shakily to touch it.She grasped it between her fingers and opened it.On one side was the watch itself,the other side held a tiny,recently taken picture of her and Buddy.He smiled up at her.Trixi sniffed and managed to smile back.Buddy wasn't gone,he had been right there around her neck all along.She closed the clasp gently,holding the watch in her paw for a long moment,looking at the engraved "B" on the front and listening to the soft tick.Her paw felt the gentle rhythm a bit longer before she let it drop to her neck.Buddy would still be with her as long as the watch stayed where it was.She would take extra precautions to make sure nothing happened to it.
"Well?What time is it?"snorted Caddie impatiently.Trixi ruffled his hair-fur.
"It's time to get moving again.Now march!"The two lops pressed farther into the forest.
*** *** *** ***
Tet snuck out of the cottage.After a morning of hell with Larke,he deserved a short walk in Ivy Wood.The little human had just fallen asleep,and probably wouldn't wake up for at least an hour.The golden vulptod wiped his sweaty brow.
"Be good,she says!Mommy's little angel boy,she says!Puh!I'll be lucky if the kid doesn't make me deaf or crippled!"How something so small could put up such a battle...Tet found himself too tired to even take a small walk.He sank against a tree and blew out a sigh.He had to hand it to Cat though,for putting up with the little terror.
"Poor Keely is sure in for it!"he said aloud.
"Just what am I in for?"Tet whirled his head around to the voice.
"Keely!You surprised me!I thought you were with the others!"
"I didn't feel too hot,so I asked Cat if I could come back.So,tell me Tet,do you always talk to yourself when we're not around?"Tet blushed madly as the wolf plopped down beside him.
"Well I...er...um...Just when I have something important to say,"he stammered.Keely nodded.
"Well,then what's so important about me and what I'm in for?"Tet turned his head away.He didn't want to talk to Keely on that certain subject.
"I...uh...forgot,actually."He looked back.Keely was smiling an ounce.
"I know.If I have a baby anything like Larke,I'm doomed."The vulptod scratched his ear awkwardly.Boy,was that female intuition!Keely stood up,every bit as uncomfortable as he was.
"I'm going to sit down in the cottage."He nodded as she left.It was the longest conversation he had ever had with her.
"Guess I'm on a roll,"he said,leaning farther back against the tree.
*** *** *** ***
The Outcasts trekked through Ivy Wood until they reached the outskirts of Vixenberry.Digoby opened his pack of food.
"Now,we shouldn't debate on empty stomachs,so let's do lunch here!"
"I'm starved!"cried Skylre.Sniper chirped in agreement.Cat took a nibble from a pear and glared in disgust at Nick,who,as usual,was chomping down all his food in one bite.
"Yuck!"Nick stopped devouring the food and stared at them.
"What?!"he chortled with his mouth full,displaying chewed up items.Bits of saliva dripped from his open jaws.
"I think,"said Cat."I have lost my appetite."
*** *** *** ***
"Trixi,I'm starving!"
"Eat some more berries."
"I already did.There's no more."
"What?"cried Trixi."You ate all our food?I told you only to take a few!"
"Well,I did at first.But then they kept telling me,'Eat more,Caddie,eat more!'"
"Oh,give me a break!"
"It was peer pressure,I tell you!"yelped Caddie as Trixi pummeled him playfully.They would just have to find more food.Trixi opened the canteen.At least they still had water.Not a lot,though.She looked up at the sky.Birds were cheerfully flapping about,whipping between the deep green pine trees.The sun bore down,casting short dark shadows in its prime.A long and hot way until evening.Only then could they rest and search for food.Right now,they had to keep moving,or they would never reach Ivy Wood and the Outcasts.Gimp had said they would fit right in.Trixi hoped so...
A rustling sound broke through the air behind some bushes.Caddie and Trixi stood still,silent,as they listened.The rustling came again,this time closer.
"G-Gimp?"Trixi stuttered.Caddie whimpered and pressed close to his friend."Is that you?C-come out so we can see you."
"What if it's the Brat Pack?Or the Mongrels?"Caddie whispered.His pinkish ears quivered in fear.Trixi gulped.
"Uuuuhhhhh!Ohhhhhhh!"The thing moaned.
"AUGH!A ghost!"screeched Caddie."I don't wanna die,I don't wanna die,I don't wanna die!"
"Q-quiet,Caddie.I w-want to listen."Trixi's knees were shaking as she picked up a large tree branch and gripped it,ready to strike."Alright,Gimp.We know it's you.You can come out now.Gimp?"The rustling came louder and louder behind the bushes until a huge form staggered out and collapsed.Caddie screamed and hid.Trixi did a double-take and dropped the tree branch in shock.
It was Mirage Whitecat!
*** *** *** ***
Keely looked at her paws.She hadn't enjoyed lying to Cat.She wasn't sick.In fact,the daily sickness she usually felt had disappeared suddenly this morning.But she couldn't face going into town,not with him there.It had happened last time they went.She had seen him smiling at her,not a friendly smile either.Keely hated running from things,but seeing him had been too much."Oh,well.He's not here.I can relax,"she thought.The door opened,and Tet walked in.Inwardly,Keely groaned.Tet was nice,not to mention drop-dead gorgeous,but he made her uncomfortable.Even more than that insolent jerk Nick did,for she could always beat the hide off of that little weasel.Tet,however,was strong as an ox.She shuddered to think what he could do to her with one small punch."Stop that!"she told herself in her thoughts."He's not like your boyfriend!Don't act weak in front of him,though,or he'll walk all over you!"
"Hey,"grinned Tet.She nodded at him.She'd show him she wasn't afraid.
Tet stared at her a moment,contemplating whether to try breaking some ice,or letting her be.He took a gulp,and made his attempt."What type of cannon does a wolf prefer?"Keely raised her brows at him.
"What type of cannon?Well...I don't know.Tell me."
"A 'howl-itzer'!Get it?"Keely rolled her eyes and laughed.
"That was so lame it was funny!"Tet smiled broadly.He had never heard Keely laugh before.Sure,it was only a little chuckle,but...
"Now I'll tell you a real joke!"said Keely."Three elephants walk into a bar..."Tet listened,and when the punchline was revealed,he hooted and grasped his side.
"No!No!I can't...can't stop laughing!Oh...help!It hurts!"Tears poured down his face.Keely wasn't laughing,but a small smile was puckered on her face.Tet gasped for breath.
"Geez!Did you ever tell your old boyfriend that one?"he chuckled.He didn't realize his mistake until he saw Keely's eyes cloud over and grow cold.All traces of humor from her muzzle were gone.
"Excuse me,"she growled,and disappeared out the door of the cottage.
"Keely,wait!I'm sorry!I didn't mean..."Tet jumped up and started to go after her,but stopped.He growled at himself.What an idiot he was!He had been on a roll,becoming friends with Keely.But he couldn't keep his big mouth shut.The angry vulptod pounded a fist into the cottage wall.
"Damn it!"The noise woke up Larke,who began to wail.Tet let loose a string of curses before he went to comfort the baby.
*** *** *** ***
Keely stormed out of the cottage,her violet eyes fiery with hatred.How dare he!Mentioning her boyfriend like that when he knew how mad it made her.Trying to tell jokes,too!Just a way to make her trust him and become friendly.Ha!Friendly was the opposite of what he had in mind!Tet had just been reeling her in,like her boyfriend had when Keely met him.And she had fallen for it with both of them.
"What a stupid fool I am!No wonder I'm so messed up!That evil jerk didn't ruin my life;I did on my own."Well,no more.She would stay away from Tet,as well as the others.No point in taking chances.None of them would get to take advantage of her.No one in the world would."I'm too smart for them!"Suddenly,she stopped running and placed a paw on her slightly swelled belly.She had felt a feeble little twitch.It was no longer a mass of junk in there.It was a living thing!Keely shuddered,repulsed.But suddenly,that hatred was gone,and she felt a small bit of compassion.No!She shook her head,and the hatred came back.She wasn't going to become close to anyone,not even an unborn brat.Keely Skypack was alone in this world,and it was going to stay that way...
*** *** *** ***