Tensions

Bugs was really shocked to see the one who bared the initials of CT. CT approached Bugs slowly.

"Long time no see," said CT

"You!"

"You seem surprised," said CT, "can you say my name already, I think we've held the readers in suspense for long enough."

"Don't play games with me…Cecil!"

"Yup folks. It's me, Cecil Turtle," said Cecil in his slow voice. He was a short turtle. He had a green complexion and he had a shell on his back. He spoke again, "so, how've ya been Bugsy?"

"Don't Bugsy me, doc."

"Tsk tsk, such rudeness. That's no way to greet an old friend,"

"You never were my friend,"

"Pal?"

"Nope,"

"Buddy?"

"Na ah,"

"Total stranger?"

"More like…annoying parasite,"

"I'm touched," said Cecil slowly approaching Bugs

"What do you want?" demanded Bugs holding his ground

"Oh…just a little challenge. A little race around the park…that's all," he said while smiling his calm smile

Bugs looked at him; then turned away.

"No way," he answered

"What's the matter?" taunted Cecil

"I'm not fallin' for dat one!" he called back and continued on his way

"Scared?"

Bugs stopped

"That's what I thought," grinned Cecil, "typical of a rabbit."

"Excuse me?" he said turning around

"You heard me. It's typical of a rabbit to be scared of a turtle. It's only nature,"

"You honestly think dat I'M afraid of YOU? Don't make me laugh…"

"I'm not trying to,"

"Listen shorty, I'm not gonna race you. End of story!"

"You fail,"

"At what?"

"You have the chance to prove once and for all the hare can beat the tortoise, and you throw it away. You fail…you've failed your kind. Some rabbit you are. It just goes to show that you lost your touch. The Bugs Bunny from the good ol' days is long gone. Years of defeating enemies that are bigger and stronger than you…now you can't even challenge a little turtle to a simple, easy race? Too bad…"

"Alright dat's it! You're going down!" yelled an angered Bugs Bunny
Cecil smiled

They set up at the starting line. Bugs was itching to go, while Cecil kept his cool.

"One lap around the park," said Cecil

"Fine with me," answered Bugs

"No cheating,"

"Dat goes double for you,"

"I wouldn't dream of it," he said while keeping his fingers crossed

"Ready?"

"Set"

"GO!" they yelled simultaneously

Bugs got off to a roaring start. He easily dashed passed Cecil. He already passed the swings when Cecil was just jogging his way from the starting line. Bugs looked back and he regained back his confidence, he continued his way through the park. When Cecil lost sight of Bugs, he smirked.

"Time to kick it into over drive…" he said making his legs start moving faster. It seemed like a whir until he finally zoomed forward at an amazing speed.

Wile Coyote was using his scanner to find his prey, the Roadrunner. He was atop a rock in the park when his scanner picked up a signal. It was as fast as Roadrunner, but it wasn't Roadrunner. He looked at the scanner and it revealed to him that it was Cecil Turtle. "What the hell?" read the sign that Wile held up.

Bugs heard a zoom sound coming closer and closer. A whirl of green zoomed past him, causing him to spin and fall on the ground.

"Was dat? But how? Grr!" Bugs got up and ran as fast as he could

He was able to catch a glimpse of him. Bugs was running incredibly fast to catch up. His eyesight revealed to him that it was indeed Cecil.

"Dat cheat…" muttered Bugs. He was remembering how Cecil cheated him before in the past with that engine hidden within his shell.

Bugs tried to run even faster; his rage helped him accomplish that. Soon enough he found himself neck and neck with Cecil. Cecil's eyes widened when he saw Bugs running next to him. Bugs frowned back at him and gave the evil eye. Cecil then, unbeknownst to Bugs, pushed a button on his watch. Just then, a hidden ally of Cecil threw a rock in the path. Bugs didn't see the rock until it was too late and tripped over it. He fell over, face first into the dirt; allowing Cecil to cross the finish line, thus winning the race.

Bugs struggled to his feet, and wiped the dirt of his face. Cecil came to him.

"I'm afraid you've lost," said Cecil with a smirk

"I didn't lose…you cheated!" yelled Bugs

"How then?"

Bugs grabbed Cecil's shell and pulled it off, revealing Cecil's happy face boxers.

"With dis!" he said as he opened it, "huh?"

To his surprise, the shell was empty.

"You see? I didn't cheat," said Cecil

"But, how could you have went so fast?"

"I've been training," he said calmly, "It's not my fault that you're a klutz."

"A klutz! Dat rock wasn't dere before!"

"So that rock just got up and sat in your way? That's believable. You're just jealous cause I beat you fair and square,"

"But…"

"Your luck has run out; faulty rabbit's feet. You're not the same rabbit anymore. You're useless, you're hopeless, you're worthless…"

"Now wait just a…" interjected Bugs, but he was cut off by the aroused Turtle

"What kind of a rabbit is beaten by a tortoise? I'll tell you…a pathetic one…You're a disgrace to rabbit-kind, a disgrace to all of the Looney Tunes. Bugs Bunny is all washed up,"

Bugs was silent. He was astonished that Cecil would explode like that and say all those things. For once in his life, he couldn't make a comeback to counter that explosion. Cecil smiled satisfactorily and walked away, leaving a dazed Bugs Bunny in the park.

"I love messing with him…" muttered Cecil to himself, "he's always good for a laugh…"

It was sundown; the night was setting in. Bugs' shock turned into a heated rage. He punched the nearest tree; the blow caused an acorn to fall onto his head. He cursed the tree and fumed back to his car. He slammed the door and turned on the ignition. He stomped on the gas and zoomed out of there. He ran a stop sign, and disregarded two red lights. His tires screeched onto the highway. A police officer turned on his siren. Bugs growled and had no choice but to pull over. He gritted his teeth and clutched the steering wheel when the officer approached. The officer came to his window and asked for his license and registration. Bugs handed it over, without even looking at him. The officer wrote him up a ticket, Bugs snatched it and continued on his way. He left the officer on the curb, scratching his head.

Meanwhile…

Lola went through the whole book.

"Claudia…Connie…Courtney…Cynthia…there are no CTs. Hmm, what if CT is a…NO! Don't even think like that!" she said to herself as she shut the book

Just then she heard tires screeching outside and the slamming of a car door.

"Finally! He's home," she said walking out to see him

Bugs came into the burrow and slammed the door. He walked down the hallway in a huff.

"Bugs?" asked Lola in a worried tone

"Sorry I'm late…" he muttered harshly

"Are you ok?"

"No," he blurted

"…Is there anything I can do?" said Lola taken aback from that response

"Yeah…leave me alone," he said not even looking at her

Lola was surprised to see Bugs so upset. She thought it was best to let him cool down before she asked what was wrong. Just then Tanya walked in.

"Hi daddy!" she said

"Hey squirt," he said with a trace of annoyance

"Why are you home so late? We're starving! Now dinner's cold and it's all your fault,"

Bugs frowned, "Nice to see you too…"

He shoved her aside and walked into his bedroom.

"What's his problem?" asked Tanya

"Tanya, let's leave daddy alone. He's not feeling so good,"

"Ok…"

After a moments silence, Lola and the kids nearly jumped at the next sound they heard.

"LOLA!" yelled Bugs, "COME HERE!"

Lola and Tanya looked at each other. Sean came in from the living room, with a scared look on his face.

"You're in trouble…" said Tanya

Lola gulped and walked into the bedroom.

"What's dis!" demanded Bugs, holding up the little black book

"Oh shit…" she thought

"Well!"

Lola didn't respond; she knew she was in trouble, but was just shocked that he would yell at her like that.

"What are you doing with dis, huh! Why do you have dis!" he said slamming it on the floor

"I…"

"I can't believe dis! You don't trust me! You! My own wife!"

"It's not that I don't trust you… I don't trust them!"

"Oh sure, like keeping dis FROM me, shows me dat you TRUST me!" he said stepping forward

"No, no! It's not like that!" she said taking a step back

"Den what is it like! Cause it sure seems dat way to me!" he said coming in closer

"Bugs, please,"

"I'm not in da mood to come to deal with dis shit! I've had a bitch of a day; all I want is peace and quiet, dammit! But no! I come to find out dat my wife doesn't fucking trust me!" he yelled in her face. She was against the wall, at the receiving end of Bugs' wrath.

"Calm down!" she pleaded

"I won't calm down till you answer me!"

Tanya and Sean were listening in from the door. Sean couldn't take it anymore. He barged into the room.

"Daddy! Stop! Stop being such a jerk!" he said pushing him off of Lola

"Stay the hell out of this!" yelled Bugs as he raised his hand

Lola's instincts kicked in, she quickly stepped in front of him and took the slap. There was intense silence in the room. Lola didn't move from where she stood. Bugs was wide eyed as he looked at his shaking hand, he couldn't believe what he had done. Lola slowly turned her head and looked at Bugs straight in the eye. She looked angry and terrified all at the same time.

"I don't know why you're so pissed off. But don't take it out on Sean! If you're angry with me, be angry with me!" she yelled, with her fists trembling at her sides and her eyes beginning to become watery. Sean hid behind his mother, shaking with fear. Bugs stared at her for a moment, with fear and confusion. He tried to say something, but he couldn't make a sound come out of his mouth. He was ashamed of himself and rather than having her see him like this, he lifted his arm and pushed Lola aside. He rushed out of the room with an angered silence. He closed and leaned on the door; he put his hand on his forehead. "Oh shit…what have I done…" he muttered

"Mom? Why is he so mad?" asked Sean

"I don't know…" answered Lola with a tear escaping from her eye

"Mommy? Are you ok? Do you need ice?"

Lola collapsed onto the bed. She wiped her tear away and rubbed her cheek.

"It didn't hurt me as much as it hurt my heart," she replied with her voice beginning to choke

Bugs heard what she said and felt terrible; he turned around and saw Tanya staring at him with horror in her face. He turned away and went outside. He got back into his car, and drove out of there.

Bugs was a wreck. He was becoming out of control. He had to leave there…

But where was he going?