…what happened…?

…don't worry Hammy…you're alive…barely…

…Verne…? Hey where is my family? My mom and dad… and my little sister…

…Hammy…they aren't coming back…they were…killed.

WHAT?! NO! They were right there with me. They couldn't be…they…

Hammy it'll be alright really. I mean…we'll take care of you.

I don't care…I want my mom and dad! I want my sister!

…Hammy please…don't do this…

Just leave me alone…let me sleep…

Hammy jolted up so quickly he nearly fell over. He saw the early red appearing in the sky and realized it was nearly morning. It was obvious his dreams weren't about to go away any time soon. Hammy figured the worst ones were long gone but he was proved wrong every time he slept.

"Why…do I keep remembering this?" Hammy breathed "I don't want this to happen anymore…I just want…to go home…" Hammy closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

I want to go home. I don't want to stay here…but…I have to…just for a little while…maybe…I can get used to this…

Hammy knew nothing could get him used to living this way. He knew that unless he went back home he'd never be happy. He also realized he'd have to face his worst fear…himself. Hammy knew RJ would confront him about what happened before as soon as he arrived.

"Can I really do this…every day?" Hammy asked himself. "No…you can't…just like before…I have to…I have to go back…now!" Hammy said jumping up. He slipped down the tree and retraced himself back to the road he came on.

"Alright…I'm going to do this…RJ…I'm coming home…" Hammy said dashing back towards the hedge and away from the city.

In the meantime Verne and Ozzy were already wide awake trying to figure out what was taking RJ so long to return.

"Maybe RJ and Hammy are sleeping back in the other end of the forest again." Ozzy said optimistically. Verne rolled his eyes knowing that couldn't have been the case.

"Fine; let's say they are sleeping. Wouldn't they tell us they're back? Wouldn't RJ want us to know? After all he did say he would be right back and look he still hasn't. So if you are so confident then explain that." Verne said.

Ozzy looked at him and silently agreed but didn't want to. Ozzy wanted things to turn out for the best with any situation. He often was against thinking negative about most situations but he couldn't help it this time.

"Even so…I hope things get better. Heather is really worried about all of this herself." Ozzy said.

"Really like how?" Verne asked curiously.

"Well…I think she has a bit of a…crush…" Ozzy whispered.

"She has a what?" Verne said quickly again.

"A crush…on RJ…" Ozzy said "She's been worrying quite a bit about him.

Plus she is always complimenting his leadership skills, saying how cute he looks, and how perfect he is." Ozzie said in frustration.

"Wow, what are you going to do?" Verne said

"What? There's nothing I can do about this. Not that It bothers me much." Ozzy said trying to be enthused.

"Really?" Verne said surprised.

"Yeah, I just don't think things would work out between them is all. Heather is getting too caught up with RJ that she can't focus on what she really wants. I mean I would understand if it was Hammy; he's more...of her...type...I suppose" Ozzy said.

"Or maybe you just aren't happy about the thought of her...with RJ?" Verne said.

"That's not it at all. I mean…she shouldn't rush into things like this especially since…" Ozzy

"You disapprove right?" Verne said. Ozzy sighed and shook his head.

"It doesn't matter now. She has already fallen for him. We'll just have to see how this turns out." Ozzy said. "Hey here she comes could you let me talk to her alone?" Ozzy asked quickly and Verne just as quickly returned to the log where everyone else slept.

"Hey dad is there any good news?" Heather asked.

"Maybe not now…but I'm sure RJ will show up soon…I'm sure that will…make you happy right?" Ozzy Said. Heather looked at him almost as if he was stupid and smiled "Uh...Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" Heather said.

"I'm not saying you shouldn't be. I mean we all want him to come back and everything but it's just so…unusual that you would be in love with him." Ozzy said

"Why? Is it because he's a raccoon?!" Heather said loudly.

"Calm down. I didn't mean it like that…" Ozzy said

"Look dad, I like RJ a lot alright? A difference in species shouldn't mean I can't be in love with him!" Heather shouted. Ozzy looked at his daughter in contentment before hugging her briefly.

"You're right..." Ozzy sighed "Love isn't something with limits. I guess species doesn't matter... but what about RJ? Have you thought about how he would react? Have you found a good way to explain your feelings to him yet?" Ozzy said.

"Uh…right. Err…thanks…dad. I have to go now." Heather said taking off into the opposite direction. It was obvious to Ozzy that she hadn't thought of anything and to his luck was relieved by this.

"One problem solved…" Ozzy whispered to himself. He stared at the brightening sky and took a breath.

Heather loves RJ…isn't that a surprise. Not really now that I think about it. She always seemed fond of him but I didn't see this coming…I don't know why…but I feel like Heather is meant for someone else and RJ as well. I sure hope I'm wrong though…I don't want Heather to lose this opportunity but other things might be ruined if she does. Either way…it looks like someone is going to be hurt…and I have a feeling...that it's Hammy...

Hammy began to feel more and more afraid as the sunlight vanished slowly in the east. He felt himself shiver a few times as he recalled what happened his previous night in the city. The scene of the fire stuck in his head, the screaming and the blood followed. It haunted him like nothing else had in a long time. He relaxed himself in a sleeping position in the center of the tree he had stayed in upon arrival. Rather than immediately close his eyes he looked up at the sky. Hammy watched the stars steadily crown above him. One by one they appeared, some more brightly then others. It calmed him seeing this for whatever reason it was.

What's wrong with me? Why do I feel this way? I don't want RJ to hate me but I can't stop thinking about him…I…can't

Hammy pictured RJ's face appearing in the stars above him. It entranced him like nothing else. He could see RJ look back at him and then he disappeared. Hammy rose up and shook the sleepiness away.

"…maybe…I can go home…" Hammy muffled under his breath "or maybe….it's too late…what if RJ already told everyone about what I did and now they are all afraid of me…" Hammy said with a melancholy that was reflected by a tear appearing in each of his eyes. He fell backwards and allowed himself to shed the streams of sadness that withheld in his eyes. He didn't whimper aloud but instead was crying more on the inside. The starlight grew luminous as the moon began to rise into the now darkened sky. It made his tears appear like drops of silver. Silver that shattered on the tree beneath him.

RJ…what have I done…?