Chapter 6: Berngum and The Dream
Throughout the warren, Rians sobs could be heard, echoing around the burrows. All Brindle could do was stand by and watch as his friend deteriorated before his very eyes. The blood from Rian's nose and ear trickled down his face, and pattered onto the floor in little droplets. As Brindle watched, it was as though the sound were getting louder. The blood banged to the floor as Rian's cries filled the air. Blethlin, who appeared at the entrance, brought him out of his stupor. 'What is going on?' she demanded, looking from Rian to Brindle. He turned to her. 'I think you'd best leave' he said slowly, 'I'll try and sort it out' She left them to themselves. Brindle immediately began to lick at Rian's injured areas. This seemed to have a calming effect, as Rians sobs slowly began to subside.
It was a while before any of them actually said anything to each other. Once Rian had fallen silent, Brindle bent down and looked him in the face, observing the damage. 'Tell me what happened' he asked gently. Rian looked at him.
'I was attacked' he said, simply.
'By whom?'
'By just about everyone at the meeting. That strange-toothed fellow started it, and then they all joined. I begged them to let me go. But they just laughed at me. They continue to hit me. They ripped my ear, my nose. My fur. I've never been so frightened in my life' He paused for a second, allowing himself a snuffle of the nose. 'Why did they do that? What gave them the right?'
'No rabbit has a right to hurt another, especially if they intend to hurt you' said Brindle, getting closer to him.
'I often wonder,' said Rian, 'what makes them what they are. There's hrair reasons you know' he said, as though surprised. 'What makes them hurt a rabbit for any reason. Why hurt me?' he stopped, as if he expected answer. Brindle shook his head.
'Because they can' Rian continued. 'It's because I'm worthless and useless, that's how I see it. They pick on rabbits like me because we only have the ability to let it happen. To continue. They don't do it to anyone else. No one their own level, no one above them. The rabbits with nothing get walked upon, like a piece of man-smelling lettuce. And no one else comes to help. Their so-called Owlsa members felt no need to intervene, as they just stood back and watched it happen. It was as if I wasn't there. Life's no different here, Brindle. I've stepped from warren to another, and there's little difference!'
'Of course there's a difference,' said Brindle, 'I can see a dozen differences-'
'To you, of course it different,' Rian interrupted swiftly, and with slight a hint of ire. 'You find it easy to just walk in, be happy, be liked. Not me. I can't do that Brindle'
'Yes, you can…'
'NO! I can't! I want to, but I open my mouth and nothing comes out! Rabbits just pass by and I want them to see me, to like me. I'm screaming inside "Look at me! I want to be your friend! Will you be mine?!". Eventually someone did. You did. But only you. You practically had to force Blethlin and me to speak to each other. She hates me. But there's truth in what she says. I am a useless, pathetic, stupid, annoying…'
'You aren't!' cried Brindle. He couldn't believe what his friend was saying about himself. 'Don't say,' said Rian, looking up at him, 'that there has never been one moment that you wish I had never been born. That I had never been your friend. The times when I've let you down, slowed you down….'
'But all friends….'
'And what kind of friend are you!' yelled Rian, beginning to cry once more.
'What's that supposed to mean?!' asked Brindle, indignantly.
'Friends are supposed to protect each other. What have you done so far? I followed you, because I trusted you! I believed that you would protect me! I'm no good on my own! You left me behind! And I'm obviously so important, it took you along time to realise you had done! And not one of you, NOT ONE, said to my face "I believe you". Your word would have made the world of difference to me. I went out with Thorn because he said it to my face. He opened his mouth, and words came out. Wonderful words. I felt I could do anything. I wanted to go out. But you let me down again. You let me go! I heard what Stalwart said. Yet you still let me go!' He paused for one moment. Then he turned away, and said almost inaudibly. 'You let me down'.
Brindle was stunned at Rians sudden outbursts. He hadn't seen this side of his friend before. He moved round on the dry, dusty floor and faced Rian once more.
'I never realised' he said as he gazed at his friend. 'Sometimes friends don't. But that doesn't mean they don't mean the world to you. I let you come because you were the friend I wanted. You and Blethlin. I wanted my friend to share in the experiences. To learn knew things. She might be belligerent at times, but her hearts in the right place. I never wanted, or even expected, any of this to happen. I'm just an ordinary rabbit. I don't see things if others don't tell me. I'm the stupid rabbit, not you. You should never think of yourself like that. Always picking out the bad points. Think of the good points. You're kind, caring, understanding. Don't do this to yourself. You came to help to help these rabbits. Think of that!'
'I didn't,' said Rian, facing the floor, 'I came because I didn't want to be left alone. So that makes me selfish too'.
'There's nothing wrong about not wanting to be lonely. Most rabbits don't. A lot don't mean to let others down. Including me. I can't say more than this. I can only say that I've never been sorrier in my entire life. I believe it wasn't you. Always have'
'Then take me home. That's all I ask' Rian pleaded.
'You know I can't' Brindle replied, sadly. 'I can't leave these others to suffer either. If you want to redeem yourself so badly, here is your chance. Your chance to stand up to your fears and worries. Stay'
'I don't think I can'
I don't think I can help everyone here, but I'm trying. It's all I can do. It's all you can do'. Rian sat in silence, head down. To Brindle, he seemed to be thinking. He could tell from his expression that he was struggling to make the right decision. Runaway from the fear he can feel in himself, or face the fear he has of this warren. Should he stay and help? Or leave his own friends behind. Rian knew that he should not let Brindle down. He wouldn't. He began to cry out again. 'I'm sorry for yelling' he said. 'I have decided that no good will come to anyone by me running away. I'll let you, Blethlin and myself down. I shall stay. I shall pull through' Brindle smiled and continued to lick Rian over and over. Both were exhausted. Rian, having had no sleep at all the night before, needed sleep. But Brindle could tell that he was still too upset to do so. He decided to tell Rian a story that his marli had told him, whenever he never slept. According to her, it was a story that was almost forgotten amongst rabbits. It was a story of El-ahrairah entitled "El-ahrairah and the Bluebells". Brindle took in a deep breath, struggling to remember it all, but managed in the end.
When he heard the gentle breathing of Rian's sleep, he began to feel drowsy himself. He was brought back once more by Blethlin, who this time came straight in. 'Well?' she said impatiently. 'What happened?' Brindle saw something in her manner that did not progress to her eyes. Her body suggested impatience, arrogance and stiffness. Her eyes looked upset and sorrowful.
'He was attacked' he said, slowly.
'By whom?' she nearly shouted. Brindle explained whom Rian and had said it was.
'Well' she said, shaking a little, 'he should have fought back. Fancy letting yourself being beaten like that' Brindle was about to reply angrily, when she retreated from the burrow, in quite a hurry. Probably pleased, thought Brindle.
But Blethlin did not go about her own business. She headed straight for the main burrow, and went to the entrance. But it was as though they had expected her. Two owlsa members were guarding the entrance. 'Sorry,' said one, 'no visitors are allowed in here'. They stood in front of her, standing stock-still. Blethlin tried pushing her way through, but they were far too strong for her. 'Move,' she said angrily, almost fuming out the ears, 'or I'll kick you so hard, my paw will come out the other side!' They shrank back immediately, edging up against the wall as she stalked past. 'Dog with long ears!' she heard one mutter, and she spun around, giving he best barking impression. They squealed and sank back even more into the shadows. She turned back towards the sight in front of her.
Feeling very refreshed from her practice run, she was stunned at the once thought inconceivable size of the area. She had walked right into the main section of the burrow. It was impossible to compare The Honeycomb to this extraordinary place. She looked up at the immeasurable distance between her and the ceiling, where string roots and cracks tore across from end to end. Her paw steps echoed from wall to wall as she moved forward. She could just see the far end where a large hole led off to the sleeping burrows. Dry soil spilled over her paws as she paced from wall to wall, completely astounded. She had never dreamed of such a large place. The Honeycomb was something that had amazed her, all her life, and to this day. She used to ask how it was built, how long it took and how many rabbits finished it so many times, her parents were sick of her. A lot of the storyteller's sources were from the stories of Hazel and his friends, though guessing filled in some areas.
Directly in the centre of now extra-large Honeycomb, was a hole in the ground. To her surprise and embarrassment, she saw other rabbits were there, staring at her. There were only three. The emptiness made each sound louder and more prominent. She wondered why she had never heard them munching on the flayrah that spilled out of the hole. She was drawn to the smell of carrots and radishes.
'Budge up then' she said as she approached. Two of the rabbits drew away at once, having heard what she did to the owsla guards. These were plain rabbits. One had a very dark patch on his nose, while the doe had the very dame mark, just a little higher. She also looked rather pregnant in Blethlins eyes. Either that, she thought, or she's fat. She started helping herself, while the other doe and buck looked on. She found herself suddenly hungry, and pulled out a carrot from the pile.
Then the other buck spoke. 'Seen your friend Rian lately? I heard my "friends" were too many for him'. Blethlin looked up at once. It was the rabbit with the strange teeth.
He was watching her from other side of the hole. Blethlin's temper suddenly started to rise again. 'Why did you do that?' she demanded.
'Well,' he said, 'partly for fun, and partly because I was told..' He failed to even finish the sentence, because Blethlin unexpectedly lunged at him. Even to her own surprise, she covered the distance of the mound and landed on top of him. 'Let me go!' he yelled as Blethlin pressed him down. 'Give me one good reason why I should!' she yelled back.
'Because if I die,' he said, maliciously, 'your friends won't be too happy. Not even Stalwart' She let go of him a little.
'What about Stalwart?' she demanded.
'I've seen the way he looks at you. I saw you and him with Laurel. Looked like a nice little family'.
'What do you-' Blethlin began, but a voice cut her short.
'Brawling in public again, I see?' Corla was approaching. She pulled Blethlin off him.
'Blethlin I am arresting you for brawling in public, and violating the warren rules. And believe me, this time you shall be. You are to come with me'
'But he was provoking….'
'Berngum was in his rightful place. No more arguments. You are to follow me, and you will be isolated from your friends, until I decide when you can go'
'But it's true' said the other doe.
'Be quiet!' Corla snapped back. 'If I say she is under arrest, she is under arrest! Follow me-now!' She led Blethlin down towards the big hole at the end of the other end. Berngum smirked as she was led away. From there, the tunnel forked into three directions. She led her down the far left, just as Laurel popped her round the corner. Laurel saw what was happening, and retreated down into the tunnel on the right. She followed it for a few minutes, not meeting a single rabbit. Most of them were asleep at this time. Just as she was about to come to the section of the warren where the roof gradually got lower, she turned left into a burrow, where Nutta was standing over a very ill looking Duffel. If rabbits could shed tears, the run would be flooded. 'I don't what to do!' she cried 'He's getting worse'
'I'll be alright' murmured Duffel, without opening his eyes. He was breathing heavily, and looked hot, fidgeting every once in a while. 'Parli will be alright,' said Laurel, expressionlessly, 'and if he does die, he'll go to a better place'. Nutta cuffed Laurel heavily, shouting 'don't talk like that! You're far too young to understand death. Are you saying you want your parli to die?' Laurel got up, making no reply.
'No one's going to die,' said Duffel, 'but I could do with some sleep. Come round me, and close your eyes. If you think dreams are better Nutta, then you will not object'
'But what if….'
'But nothing. Lets just go to sleep'. The two reluctantly settled down. Nutta kept falling asleep, but jerking herself awake, just to make sure he hadn't died. But she fell asleep entirely a few minutes later. Laurel fell asleep almost at once. Duffel lay awake, wheezing, for a lot longer. He had deteriorated extremely quickly since last night. He didn't know how he fell asleep. He wanted to keep his eyes open for a while. But he drifted off eventually.
It was a strange dream. He found himself in a forest clearing, near the warren entrance. He felt younger and fitter. This place was now a haven for rats. They had attacked the rabbits months ago, and forbidden to go there again. The clearing however, was populated by rabbits he had known, but were now dead. Old Butterbrew was there, and Kingdeer. They were old friends of his that had moved to another warren, shortly before the battle of the warren. Corla could also be seen, squashed in against Miriple-rah and another aging rabbit. She hadn't aged a day. These and the rest of the rabbits seemed to be having a meeting, of which he was about to participate. This scene was very familiar. He could not remember or hear what was being said. It was as if there was no sound control. He watched for a while, automatically joining in at times, though he could not hear himself. The sun was fulgent and trees stood still, refusing the gentle breeze to push them over. Dandelions were in bloom across the ground. The grass was fresh and bouncy. Leaves broke into tiny fragments as he stood on them. He saw a blue tit swoop over the ground, just metres away, gathering up a worm in its beak. The worm squirmed and wriggled in its bid for freedom, but to no avail. Its silky pink skin reflected the sunlight, and lay motionless, as though accepting death.
Then suddenly he saw another figure. A doe kitten hopped into the clearing. It was her that made Duffel remembered the situation. This was a meeting about the unusual deaths from another warren. They were discussing what they should do about it all. We should have, thought Duffel, and Kittle wouldn't have died. This doe kitten Duffel recognised, was Kittle. He remembered her graceful, playful nature, and irritating questions.
She stayed there for the entire duration of the meeting, leaving just before it ended. When it was over, the rabbits dispersed, and Duffel found that another him had been created. The past him left the spot where he was standing, and left with the others through the trees. Duffel stayed where he was, looking at the surroundings.
Presently, Kittle returned. She poked her head out through the bushes, seeing if anyone was still around. It was as if she couldn't see him. She rolled around in the earth, playing with the leaves, throwing them up with a kick of the hind legs. Duffel continued to watch, even when she left once more. He was alone in the clearing again. The sun was fully up, and was giving off a blazing heat. He moved forward a little. Just as he did so, a child's voice spoke from behind him.
'Psssst' it said. Duffel whirled around. Kittle's head had appeared in the bushes, and she was looking directly at him. 'Pssst,' she repeated, 'follow me. I have something to show you' Duffel just stared, unsure if he should. 'Come on,' she said, smiling. 'It's all right. Follow me'. She disappeared in the bushes once more. Duffel didn't want to follow her, but felt compelled to, all the same.
He crashed through the bushes after her. A sudden pain came across his scratched leg, but he ignored it. For some reason, she was taking him to the Strange Site. What had she found? He felt he had to know. He continued to follow.
Then they were there. Clouds formed overhead, blocking the sun. 'Follow me' Kittle repeated. She made towards a hole in the earth that he had never seen before. The vehicles were still there. Kittle looked down into the hole. 'Come and look' she said, gesturing him to come over. He moved forward slowly, uncertain of what he should find. He stood next to Kittle at the edge of the hole. She smiled at him as he looked down. It was pitch black. There was nothing to see. He looked up again at Kittle's face, and was startled to see she was in shock and crying. She was staring at something behind him. He whirled around and nearly stumbled into the hole with fright. There was a Kittle on his left, and one on his right. But the one on his right was dead. He saw the bones, the flies and the ripped flesh, as though some terrible beast had tried to eat her. Her mouth was wide open, her teeth sticking out, broken and yellow. One side of her face broken into, like and egg. Her dead eyes were looking straight at him. The sun disappeared completely, and the wind began to roar. The scene became dull and lifeless. Duffel had a serge of guilt and horror as he saw the two Kittles in the same eye line. 'You killed me' she said slowly, looking at the body sorrowfully. 'You killed me. You killed me. You killed me'. The body's jaw opened and it chanted along at same the time. 'You killed me! YOU killed me! YOU KILLED ME!' The alive Kittle lunged at him. She began to change, in a way that he could not see clearly. She landed on top of him, for all he could tell. As she did, he felt a strain around his heart, a searing pain across his leg. A dark cloud came over him. He yelled and screamed for help, for a short duration, and then the mist swallowed him up.
'AAAAARRRRGGHHHHHH!' Rabbits clamoured around to see what the fuss was all about. Nutta was screaming, as Laurel struggled to get free from the body that had fallen sideways on top of her. Duffel was dead.
Throughout the warren, Rians sobs could be heard, echoing around the burrows. All Brindle could do was stand by and watch as his friend deteriorated before his very eyes. The blood from Rian's nose and ear trickled down his face, and pattered onto the floor in little droplets. As Brindle watched, it was as though the sound were getting louder. The blood banged to the floor as Rian's cries filled the air. Blethlin, who appeared at the entrance, brought him out of his stupor. 'What is going on?' she demanded, looking from Rian to Brindle. He turned to her. 'I think you'd best leave' he said slowly, 'I'll try and sort it out' She left them to themselves. Brindle immediately began to lick at Rian's injured areas. This seemed to have a calming effect, as Rians sobs slowly began to subside.
It was a while before any of them actually said anything to each other. Once Rian had fallen silent, Brindle bent down and looked him in the face, observing the damage. 'Tell me what happened' he asked gently. Rian looked at him.
'I was attacked' he said, simply.
'By whom?'
'By just about everyone at the meeting. That strange-toothed fellow started it, and then they all joined. I begged them to let me go. But they just laughed at me. They continue to hit me. They ripped my ear, my nose. My fur. I've never been so frightened in my life' He paused for a second, allowing himself a snuffle of the nose. 'Why did they do that? What gave them the right?'
'No rabbit has a right to hurt another, especially if they intend to hurt you' said Brindle, getting closer to him.
'I often wonder,' said Rian, 'what makes them what they are. There's hrair reasons you know' he said, as though surprised. 'What makes them hurt a rabbit for any reason. Why hurt me?' he stopped, as if he expected answer. Brindle shook his head.
'Because they can' Rian continued. 'It's because I'm worthless and useless, that's how I see it. They pick on rabbits like me because we only have the ability to let it happen. To continue. They don't do it to anyone else. No one their own level, no one above them. The rabbits with nothing get walked upon, like a piece of man-smelling lettuce. And no one else comes to help. Their so-called Owlsa members felt no need to intervene, as they just stood back and watched it happen. It was as if I wasn't there. Life's no different here, Brindle. I've stepped from warren to another, and there's little difference!'
'Of course there's a difference,' said Brindle, 'I can see a dozen differences-'
'To you, of course it different,' Rian interrupted swiftly, and with slight a hint of ire. 'You find it easy to just walk in, be happy, be liked. Not me. I can't do that Brindle'
'Yes, you can…'
'NO! I can't! I want to, but I open my mouth and nothing comes out! Rabbits just pass by and I want them to see me, to like me. I'm screaming inside "Look at me! I want to be your friend! Will you be mine?!". Eventually someone did. You did. But only you. You practically had to force Blethlin and me to speak to each other. She hates me. But there's truth in what she says. I am a useless, pathetic, stupid, annoying…'
'You aren't!' cried Brindle. He couldn't believe what his friend was saying about himself. 'Don't say,' said Rian, looking up at him, 'that there has never been one moment that you wish I had never been born. That I had never been your friend. The times when I've let you down, slowed you down….'
'But all friends….'
'And what kind of friend are you!' yelled Rian, beginning to cry once more.
'What's that supposed to mean?!' asked Brindle, indignantly.
'Friends are supposed to protect each other. What have you done so far? I followed you, because I trusted you! I believed that you would protect me! I'm no good on my own! You left me behind! And I'm obviously so important, it took you along time to realise you had done! And not one of you, NOT ONE, said to my face "I believe you". Your word would have made the world of difference to me. I went out with Thorn because he said it to my face. He opened his mouth, and words came out. Wonderful words. I felt I could do anything. I wanted to go out. But you let me down again. You let me go! I heard what Stalwart said. Yet you still let me go!' He paused for one moment. Then he turned away, and said almost inaudibly. 'You let me down'.
Brindle was stunned at Rians sudden outbursts. He hadn't seen this side of his friend before. He moved round on the dry, dusty floor and faced Rian once more.
'I never realised' he said as he gazed at his friend. 'Sometimes friends don't. But that doesn't mean they don't mean the world to you. I let you come because you were the friend I wanted. You and Blethlin. I wanted my friend to share in the experiences. To learn knew things. She might be belligerent at times, but her hearts in the right place. I never wanted, or even expected, any of this to happen. I'm just an ordinary rabbit. I don't see things if others don't tell me. I'm the stupid rabbit, not you. You should never think of yourself like that. Always picking out the bad points. Think of the good points. You're kind, caring, understanding. Don't do this to yourself. You came to help to help these rabbits. Think of that!'
'I didn't,' said Rian, facing the floor, 'I came because I didn't want to be left alone. So that makes me selfish too'.
'There's nothing wrong about not wanting to be lonely. Most rabbits don't. A lot don't mean to let others down. Including me. I can't say more than this. I can only say that I've never been sorrier in my entire life. I believe it wasn't you. Always have'
'Then take me home. That's all I ask' Rian pleaded.
'You know I can't' Brindle replied, sadly. 'I can't leave these others to suffer either. If you want to redeem yourself so badly, here is your chance. Your chance to stand up to your fears and worries. Stay'
'I don't think I can'
I don't think I can help everyone here, but I'm trying. It's all I can do. It's all you can do'. Rian sat in silence, head down. To Brindle, he seemed to be thinking. He could tell from his expression that he was struggling to make the right decision. Runaway from the fear he can feel in himself, or face the fear he has of this warren. Should he stay and help? Or leave his own friends behind. Rian knew that he should not let Brindle down. He wouldn't. He began to cry out again. 'I'm sorry for yelling' he said. 'I have decided that no good will come to anyone by me running away. I'll let you, Blethlin and myself down. I shall stay. I shall pull through' Brindle smiled and continued to lick Rian over and over. Both were exhausted. Rian, having had no sleep at all the night before, needed sleep. But Brindle could tell that he was still too upset to do so. He decided to tell Rian a story that his marli had told him, whenever he never slept. According to her, it was a story that was almost forgotten amongst rabbits. It was a story of El-ahrairah entitled "El-ahrairah and the Bluebells". Brindle took in a deep breath, struggling to remember it all, but managed in the end.
When he heard the gentle breathing of Rian's sleep, he began to feel drowsy himself. He was brought back once more by Blethlin, who this time came straight in. 'Well?' she said impatiently. 'What happened?' Brindle saw something in her manner that did not progress to her eyes. Her body suggested impatience, arrogance and stiffness. Her eyes looked upset and sorrowful.
'He was attacked' he said, slowly.
'By whom?' she nearly shouted. Brindle explained whom Rian and had said it was.
'Well' she said, shaking a little, 'he should have fought back. Fancy letting yourself being beaten like that' Brindle was about to reply angrily, when she retreated from the burrow, in quite a hurry. Probably pleased, thought Brindle.
But Blethlin did not go about her own business. She headed straight for the main burrow, and went to the entrance. But it was as though they had expected her. Two owlsa members were guarding the entrance. 'Sorry,' said one, 'no visitors are allowed in here'. They stood in front of her, standing stock-still. Blethlin tried pushing her way through, but they were far too strong for her. 'Move,' she said angrily, almost fuming out the ears, 'or I'll kick you so hard, my paw will come out the other side!' They shrank back immediately, edging up against the wall as she stalked past. 'Dog with long ears!' she heard one mutter, and she spun around, giving he best barking impression. They squealed and sank back even more into the shadows. She turned back towards the sight in front of her.
Feeling very refreshed from her practice run, she was stunned at the once thought inconceivable size of the area. She had walked right into the main section of the burrow. It was impossible to compare The Honeycomb to this extraordinary place. She looked up at the immeasurable distance between her and the ceiling, where string roots and cracks tore across from end to end. Her paw steps echoed from wall to wall as she moved forward. She could just see the far end where a large hole led off to the sleeping burrows. Dry soil spilled over her paws as she paced from wall to wall, completely astounded. She had never dreamed of such a large place. The Honeycomb was something that had amazed her, all her life, and to this day. She used to ask how it was built, how long it took and how many rabbits finished it so many times, her parents were sick of her. A lot of the storyteller's sources were from the stories of Hazel and his friends, though guessing filled in some areas.
Directly in the centre of now extra-large Honeycomb, was a hole in the ground. To her surprise and embarrassment, she saw other rabbits were there, staring at her. There were only three. The emptiness made each sound louder and more prominent. She wondered why she had never heard them munching on the flayrah that spilled out of the hole. She was drawn to the smell of carrots and radishes.
'Budge up then' she said as she approached. Two of the rabbits drew away at once, having heard what she did to the owsla guards. These were plain rabbits. One had a very dark patch on his nose, while the doe had the very dame mark, just a little higher. She also looked rather pregnant in Blethlins eyes. Either that, she thought, or she's fat. She started helping herself, while the other doe and buck looked on. She found herself suddenly hungry, and pulled out a carrot from the pile.
Then the other buck spoke. 'Seen your friend Rian lately? I heard my "friends" were too many for him'. Blethlin looked up at once. It was the rabbit with the strange teeth.
He was watching her from other side of the hole. Blethlin's temper suddenly started to rise again. 'Why did you do that?' she demanded.
'Well,' he said, 'partly for fun, and partly because I was told..' He failed to even finish the sentence, because Blethlin unexpectedly lunged at him. Even to her own surprise, she covered the distance of the mound and landed on top of him. 'Let me go!' he yelled as Blethlin pressed him down. 'Give me one good reason why I should!' she yelled back.
'Because if I die,' he said, maliciously, 'your friends won't be too happy. Not even Stalwart' She let go of him a little.
'What about Stalwart?' she demanded.
'I've seen the way he looks at you. I saw you and him with Laurel. Looked like a nice little family'.
'What do you-' Blethlin began, but a voice cut her short.
'Brawling in public again, I see?' Corla was approaching. She pulled Blethlin off him.
'Blethlin I am arresting you for brawling in public, and violating the warren rules. And believe me, this time you shall be. You are to come with me'
'But he was provoking….'
'Berngum was in his rightful place. No more arguments. You are to follow me, and you will be isolated from your friends, until I decide when you can go'
'But it's true' said the other doe.
'Be quiet!' Corla snapped back. 'If I say she is under arrest, she is under arrest! Follow me-now!' She led Blethlin down towards the big hole at the end of the other end. Berngum smirked as she was led away. From there, the tunnel forked into three directions. She led her down the far left, just as Laurel popped her round the corner. Laurel saw what was happening, and retreated down into the tunnel on the right. She followed it for a few minutes, not meeting a single rabbit. Most of them were asleep at this time. Just as she was about to come to the section of the warren where the roof gradually got lower, she turned left into a burrow, where Nutta was standing over a very ill looking Duffel. If rabbits could shed tears, the run would be flooded. 'I don't what to do!' she cried 'He's getting worse'
'I'll be alright' murmured Duffel, without opening his eyes. He was breathing heavily, and looked hot, fidgeting every once in a while. 'Parli will be alright,' said Laurel, expressionlessly, 'and if he does die, he'll go to a better place'. Nutta cuffed Laurel heavily, shouting 'don't talk like that! You're far too young to understand death. Are you saying you want your parli to die?' Laurel got up, making no reply.
'No one's going to die,' said Duffel, 'but I could do with some sleep. Come round me, and close your eyes. If you think dreams are better Nutta, then you will not object'
'But what if….'
'But nothing. Lets just go to sleep'. The two reluctantly settled down. Nutta kept falling asleep, but jerking herself awake, just to make sure he hadn't died. But she fell asleep entirely a few minutes later. Laurel fell asleep almost at once. Duffel lay awake, wheezing, for a lot longer. He had deteriorated extremely quickly since last night. He didn't know how he fell asleep. He wanted to keep his eyes open for a while. But he drifted off eventually.
It was a strange dream. He found himself in a forest clearing, near the warren entrance. He felt younger and fitter. This place was now a haven for rats. They had attacked the rabbits months ago, and forbidden to go there again. The clearing however, was populated by rabbits he had known, but were now dead. Old Butterbrew was there, and Kingdeer. They were old friends of his that had moved to another warren, shortly before the battle of the warren. Corla could also be seen, squashed in against Miriple-rah and another aging rabbit. She hadn't aged a day. These and the rest of the rabbits seemed to be having a meeting, of which he was about to participate. This scene was very familiar. He could not remember or hear what was being said. It was as if there was no sound control. He watched for a while, automatically joining in at times, though he could not hear himself. The sun was fulgent and trees stood still, refusing the gentle breeze to push them over. Dandelions were in bloom across the ground. The grass was fresh and bouncy. Leaves broke into tiny fragments as he stood on them. He saw a blue tit swoop over the ground, just metres away, gathering up a worm in its beak. The worm squirmed and wriggled in its bid for freedom, but to no avail. Its silky pink skin reflected the sunlight, and lay motionless, as though accepting death.
Then suddenly he saw another figure. A doe kitten hopped into the clearing. It was her that made Duffel remembered the situation. This was a meeting about the unusual deaths from another warren. They were discussing what they should do about it all. We should have, thought Duffel, and Kittle wouldn't have died. This doe kitten Duffel recognised, was Kittle. He remembered her graceful, playful nature, and irritating questions.
She stayed there for the entire duration of the meeting, leaving just before it ended. When it was over, the rabbits dispersed, and Duffel found that another him had been created. The past him left the spot where he was standing, and left with the others through the trees. Duffel stayed where he was, looking at the surroundings.
Presently, Kittle returned. She poked her head out through the bushes, seeing if anyone was still around. It was as if she couldn't see him. She rolled around in the earth, playing with the leaves, throwing them up with a kick of the hind legs. Duffel continued to watch, even when she left once more. He was alone in the clearing again. The sun was fully up, and was giving off a blazing heat. He moved forward a little. Just as he did so, a child's voice spoke from behind him.
'Psssst' it said. Duffel whirled around. Kittle's head had appeared in the bushes, and she was looking directly at him. 'Pssst,' she repeated, 'follow me. I have something to show you' Duffel just stared, unsure if he should. 'Come on,' she said, smiling. 'It's all right. Follow me'. She disappeared in the bushes once more. Duffel didn't want to follow her, but felt compelled to, all the same.
He crashed through the bushes after her. A sudden pain came across his scratched leg, but he ignored it. For some reason, she was taking him to the Strange Site. What had she found? He felt he had to know. He continued to follow.
Then they were there. Clouds formed overhead, blocking the sun. 'Follow me' Kittle repeated. She made towards a hole in the earth that he had never seen before. The vehicles were still there. Kittle looked down into the hole. 'Come and look' she said, gesturing him to come over. He moved forward slowly, uncertain of what he should find. He stood next to Kittle at the edge of the hole. She smiled at him as he looked down. It was pitch black. There was nothing to see. He looked up again at Kittle's face, and was startled to see she was in shock and crying. She was staring at something behind him. He whirled around and nearly stumbled into the hole with fright. There was a Kittle on his left, and one on his right. But the one on his right was dead. He saw the bones, the flies and the ripped flesh, as though some terrible beast had tried to eat her. Her mouth was wide open, her teeth sticking out, broken and yellow. One side of her face broken into, like and egg. Her dead eyes were looking straight at him. The sun disappeared completely, and the wind began to roar. The scene became dull and lifeless. Duffel had a serge of guilt and horror as he saw the two Kittles in the same eye line. 'You killed me' she said slowly, looking at the body sorrowfully. 'You killed me. You killed me. You killed me'. The body's jaw opened and it chanted along at same the time. 'You killed me! YOU killed me! YOU KILLED ME!' The alive Kittle lunged at him. She began to change, in a way that he could not see clearly. She landed on top of him, for all he could tell. As she did, he felt a strain around his heart, a searing pain across his leg. A dark cloud came over him. He yelled and screamed for help, for a short duration, and then the mist swallowed him up.
'AAAAARRRRGGHHHHHH!' Rabbits clamoured around to see what the fuss was all about. Nutta was screaming, as Laurel struggled to get free from the body that had fallen sideways on top of her. Duffel was dead.