Midsummer Crises

by starwars4life

Many changes have happened in the lives of the hedgies in the span of 5 years: marriages, parenthood, and a new sense of identity. However, not all changes are good and have given rise to conflicts among many hedgies, which impact the whole family. What sort of life challenges face the hedgies now, and will the love of family and friendship be enough to solve the dilemmas?

4. Traumatic Turmoil

Surprised to see another chapter post so soon? Believe it or not, so am I. It turns out that my weekends for the past few weeks have been full of free time for me to write my story.

Buckle up, 'cuz this chapter's gonna be a bumpy ride!

Chapter 4: Traumatic Turmoil

As the morning sun's rays stream into the log, Bernard wakes up. Oddly, none of the others are in the log with him.

Bernard thinking: "Uh-oh, I must've overslept. And today's the big day daddy will teach me how to use some golf bag items. I better hoof it."

After grabbing his red and black golf bag, he exits the log and then remembers that it's been a week since his mom's accident, and now wants to check and see if Heather has gotten any better. He goes over to the portable hospital curtains, and when he pulls one of them open, the rest of the family has already gathered around Heather.

RJ: "Why did this have to happen? WHY?! Why was I cursed with such a weak, miserable, excuse-of-a-son like Bernard!?"

Mary: "Mommy's hurt because of him!"

Verne: "He's too cowardly, and it nearly cost us the life of a family member."

Velma: "It's becoming dangerous for us now."

Luby: "Who will be the next one to get hurt, or worse, because Bernard keeps playing possum?"

Ty: "Like a scaredy cat!"

Roger: "And a weakling!"

Bernard: "NO! I'm not weak! Mommy isn't hurt because of me!"

An all too familiar voice then says, "Oh really?"

Bernard's eyes widen as the family steps aside to reveal the speaker. It's none other than Heather.

Heather: "Look at me, Bernard."

The instant Bernard turns his head away from fear, Heather reiterates in a booming voice, "LOOK. AT. ME!"

Compelled to obey, Bernard's whole body shivers at the sight of his mom's injuries.

Heather: "This is all because of you! You should have run to the porcupines' hole like I said to, but you played possum instead!"

Ozzie: "Even I wouldn't have played possum in such a predicament, because I actually love my daughter."

Heather: "You don't love me enough, Bernard. If you did, you wouldn't have made me risk my life for something you could have easily done yourself!"

RJ: "You nearly took Heather away from me, your sister, Ozzie, and this whole family."

Mary: "If you had been more like a raccoon, mommy wouldn't have gotten hurt!"

RJ: "But you're a disgrace to my bloodline, and my species!"

Ozzie: "And your constant playing possum for the littlest of things makes you lower than an opossum!"

The whole family starts walking toward Bernard now, their slow and stiff movements coupled with their monotone delivery of the phrase "You're a disgrace to both species. You got Heather hurt because of your cowardice. You're less than nothing," makes them sound like zealot cultists. They are soon joined by Tabitha and her bully gang. Their chants get louder and more aggressive as they close in on Bernard who drops to his knees while covering his ears.

Bernard: "No! This isn't real! This is just another nightmare! Mommy doesn't blame me for what happened! Daddy loves me! Mommy loves me! My sister loves me! My whole family loves me!"

No matter how loud Bernard yells, the chanting of his family and the bullies drowns out all of the opossacoon's words...and hope. He can't take it anymore. The constant comparisons to his parents and sister, the need to be more like a raccoon, the guilt of getting his mother injured, and how he never improves despite his best efforts drives Bernard to the breaking point.

His heart and will now broken, he opens his mouth and finds himself joining the others' chant.

Bernard (in the same creepy monotone voice as the others): "I'm a disgrace to both species. I got Heather hurt because of my cowardice. I'm less than nothing."

As Bernard repeats the phrases two more times, each word makes him shrink smaller and smaller. Until, finally, he is reduced to nothing.

---

Bernard jolts up with an, "AAHHHHHH!" and runs into the wall of the log. The impact assures him that he's back in reality, and that he had had another nightmare. He wipes the sweat off his face in relief, but then goes on high alert once he sees that the log is empty and the sun's rays are streaming in.

Bernard gulps and muses in dread, "No...Was my nightmare a déjà vu?"

It doesn't even take a second for him to make up his mind. Bernard curls into a fetal position—sorely missing the comfort and warmth of Heather's pouch while doing so—while thinking, "I'm not gonna find out. Forget about breakfast, forget about training with my golf bag with daddy, forget about playing with family and friends on the day my punishment has ended. What am I saying? Forget about going outside this log. I'm staying right here!"

Karma seems to exist after all when RJ walks in the log and says, "Berna-ard. It's time for you to get your lazy heinie up. I'm gonna teach you and Mary how to use some golf bag items!"

Bernard quietly groans in disdain, which quickly gives him the idea to play hooky. He coughs and wheezes, which makes RJ tilt his head in question.

RJ: "You okay?"

Bernard (in a hoarse, raspy, strained voice): "No...I think I'm sick." (Groans as he clenches his stomach) "Ooohhhhhhh...I must've eaten some rotten berries last night at dinner. Or maybe the milk was expired, or maybe the fish had some parasites inside of them. I dunno...but I feel terrible..."

RJ (raises an eyebrow quizzically): "The whole family, including your sister and me, had the same berries, milk, and fish last night, and none of them are feeling sick."

Bernard thinking: "Drat!" (Out loud) "Well, maybe my digestive system didn't agree with the food last night. *Cough* *hack*"

RJ (crosses his arms): "And why would you cough and wheeze from food poisoning."

It wasn't a question, so Bernard knows the jig is up. The opossacoon's self-confidence drops down to zilch. Not only does he have to pay the price for lying, but if his dad saw through his little act so quickly, then Bernard's acting talent—the only positive thing about him—is already losing its touch.

Bernard: "I—"

RJ: "Enough."

Bernard (lowers his head): "...Yes, sir..."

RJ: "Look at me, Bernard."

Bernard obeys.

RJ: "Why did you tell a story to me, son?"

Now Bernard feels worse. For some reason, it always hurts more when his dad says "Why did you tell a story?" instead of "Why did you lie to me?"

Bernard: "I...D-don't wanna do anything today. I just wanna stay right here."

RJ: "Not even eat breakfast? Or play with your family or friends on the first day that your week-long punishment has ended?"

RJ's tone was no longer disciplinary, but one of genuine confusion.

Bernard: "Th-that's right."

RJ: "Why not?"

Bernard: "I...just don't..."

RJ: "What's wrong, Bernard?"

Bernard stares into his father's eyes. The concern in those blue irises, that are the same color as the opossacoon's own, makes him want to come clean and tell RJ about his nightmare.

Bernard: "Umm..."

Still fearful of his nightmare coming true, and afraid that his father will berate his son's weakness, Bernard slouches his posture, droops his ears down, and sticks his tail between his legs. He buries his head in his paws and starts to cry softly.

RJ walks up to his son and embraces him. Bernard instantly buries his face in RJ's chest and returns his father's hug. RJ gently pats Bernard on the back with one paw, and strokes the top of his head with the other paw.

RJ: "You can tell me anything, son...A-ny-thing."

Bernard wipes his eyes and accepts the kleenex RJ gives him. After blowing his nose, Bernard clears his throat.

Bernard: "I had a really bad nightmare before waking up. I dreamt that mommy, you, Mary, and everyone else blamed me for getting mommy hurt. And that you all hated me for not being more like a real raccoon. When I woke up, everything that happened in my dream began happening for real, so I was afraid of having my nightmare come true."

RJ: "That's sounds like an awful dream. But you know that none of us will ever hate you, and no one blames you for what happened to mommy."

Bernard: "Not even you?"

RJ: "I—"

RJ pauses for two seconds. He was originally going to say "No," but after his important talk about lying that he just had with Bernard, RJ decides to demonstrate the life lesson by example.

RJ: "Originally I did blame you, along with Rebecca, Sam, the teams on the ground, and even myself. But I was angry and scared for Heather at the time I did the blaming. Anger and fear makes us do things we know are wrong. And after you and Mary start your first golf bag session with me today, I guarantee you'll feel more like a raccoon...And you know something else?"

Bernard: "What?"

RJ: "I also had bad dreams like you when I was your age after something horrible happened to me, or when my mind couldn't stop worrying about some fear I had." (1)

Bernard: "R-really?"

RJ (nods): "Until I was an adult." (Puts a paw on Bernard's shoulder) "So you're more like me than you think."

Bernard lets out a relieved sigh and smile, feeling better about everything. However, something is still eating away at him.

Bernard: "What about mommy? Would she blame me for what happened to her?"

RJ: "Why don't you ask her yourself?"

Bernard: "Huh?"

RJ (smiles): "She woke up today."

Bernard's gasp sounds surprised at first, but almost immediately turns into one of happiness. His brightens up and he runs out of the log.

RJ: "Son, you forgot your golf bag—"

Seeing that Bernard has other priorities, RJ sighs and says to himself, "I'll get it for ya."

Note: (1)=I'd like to give out another thanks to TheIceAgeMan77342 whose 5th Chapter of Adventure Awaits Part III inspired me to write the annotated section.

---

Bernard almost knocks over the portable hospital curtains as he parts them. There he sees Heather, still looking badly injured, but more alive than the near-dead look he had been seeing for the past seven days.

Bernard (beaming in joy): "MOMMY!"

Heather (smiling): "Hey-hey, son."

Bernard opens his arms wide and runs toward Heather, but then halts when she says, "Stop!"

Bernard: "But—!"

Heather: "I want you to hug me so much, but I still need more recovery time. All I can do is move my head and arms."

Bernard drops his arms and slouches in sorrow while giving an aghast look. But he soon slowly goes up to regular posture and gives a solemn nod in understanding.

Heather: "If you want to, you can rest your head gently on my chest and I can stroke your head."

Bernard's spirit and stance perk back up, and he eagerly accepts Heather's proposition. It's like he's touching his mom's fur for the first time in his life. He had forgotten how soft and warm it was, how pretty she smelled, and how everything felt right in the world whenever she touched him with her paws.

Bernard: "I missed you so much, mommy!"

Heather: "I missed you too, Bernard."

Bernard: "I'm sorry for not moving into the porcupine's hole when you said to! I'm sorry for getting you hurt!"

Heather: "It's not your fault—"

Bernard: "YES IT IS!"

Heather: "Well, I don't blame you, and anyone who does is gonna get a piece of my mind."

Bernard: "I...Th-thanks, mommy! I love you!"

Heather: "And I love you."

"A-hem."

The two look where the voice came from and see a grinning RJ standing before Bernard and Heather.

RJ: "See, Bernard? What did I tell you? Your mom doesn't blame you or hate you for what happened to her."

Heather: "I heard daddy say that you and Mary got your own golf bags during the heist, how you filmed another RJ's Wide World of Nature episode, and are going to learn how to use some golf bag items today."

Awe inspired by Heather's encouraging tone, Bernard giddily speaks almost as fast and energetic as Hammy.

Bernard: "Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh! I'm gonna show everyone how a raccoon is a crafty bandit with a bottomless bag of tricks!"

Heather: "I know you'll do a great job, son."

Heather groans as a pang of hurt goes through her hip. Even RJ's heartrate quickens despite his medical knowledge. Seeing the love of his life in pain will do that.

Bernard (worried): "Mommy?"

Heather: "It's okay. I'll be like this for a while, but you know how strong I am. I'm a fast healer, so don't worry about me."

RJ: "Alright Bernard, it's time to go join your sister. Mommy needs more rest."

After seeing the concerned look still lingering in Bernard's eyes, Heather changes the topic to put him at ease.

Heather: "I look forward to hearing from you and Mary after y'all get finished today."

With a little more confidence, Bernard says, "Y-yeah. I look forward to telling you about it."

Knowing that any more hesitation will just make him want to stay longer (which means seeing his mom in pain), Bernard kisses Heather on the cheek, and walks to where RJ is holding out his son's golf bag. Bernard puts the strap around himself, sniffs the air to locate Mary's scent, and walks in that direction without looking back.

As soon as Bernard goes past the portable hospital curtain, RJ walks next to his soul mate and passionately kisses her. When their lips part, he looks into Heather's eyes seriously and says, "Should I have told him?"

Heather: "No. Don't tell any of the kids."

RJ: "I was hoping you'd say that. But it feels like I'm lying to them."

Heather: "You're not. Trust me."

RJ (nods yes): "We'll just let them find out when the time comes."

Heather: "Exactly."

RJ: "Okay, gotta run before our kids wonder why I'm not close behind them." (While gently stroking Heather's bangs) "I love you."

Heather: "Me too."

RJ then goes to be with Mary and Bernard.

---

Mary is at RJ's hammock spot, sitting on top of her pink and black golf bag and swinging one leg in front of her in boredom.

Mary thinking: "Where is that lazy brother of mine?"

As if he was capable of reading minds, Bernard comes running in saying, "I'm here, Mary!"

Mary swings both of her feet and leaps forward off of her golf bag and onto the ground.

Mary: "Took you long enough."

Bernard: "Well, for your information, I was seeing mommy."

Mary: "Yeah, I did too. But you also slept in."

Bernard (snarky tone): "So-rry for taking up so much time in your busy schedule for today, Ms. Perfect."

RJ comes in and says, "That's enough you two."

The opossacoons stand at attention like army recruits at boot camp, but they couldn't ask for a better drill sergeant than their father.

RJ: "So far in your lives you've been learning to use your brains and latent abilities to forage or steal food, outwit enemies, get out of dangerous situations, and taking and following through opportunities. All raccoons are naturals at that, but today's the big day when you learn how to do all of those things using tools from your golf bags."

The kids are so excited that their bodies are bouncing in place.

RJ: "But the first step is to know the inside of your golf bags like the back of your paws; where the pockets are, how big they are, and how much they can hold...just like I told you to do for 'homework.' Now show me, Bernard."

Bernard's eyes widen and he nervously stammers out, "I...uhhhh, f-forgot to do my 'homework.' I'm sorry, daddy."

RJ gives a short, displeased sigh and says in a disappointed tone, "That's ok. We'll just do it here." (To Mary) "What about you, Mary?"

Mary's eyes twinkle and she proudly says, "I made sure to do my 'homework,' daddy!"

RJ's good mood returns.

RJ: "Excellent, Mary! Bernard, follow along with her using your golf bag."

Mary: "In here is where the golf clubs normally go." (Points to the opening at the top) "Here's my main zipper pouch." (Opens up the zipper pouch located on the side of the golf bag that travels almost all the way down the entire bag's length) "Here's the topmost pouch." (Opens up the zipper pouch located on the back of the bag a few inches below where the clubs are stored) "Here's the secondary pouch." (Opens the zipper of the pouch located in the middle of the golf bag's back side that travels to the bottom of the bag). "Here's where the scorecards are normally kept." (Opens the zipper to the pouch located a few inches below the secondary pouch) "And here's the golf ball pocket pouch." (Opens the zipper of the pouch located in the middle of the scorecard pouch) "The netting on the bottom left and right side can be used to hold drinks." (Points to the drink holders) "And these retractable legs are like kickstands that keep the golf bag upright when I'm not using it." (Opens up the legs)

RJ: "Incredible job, Mary!"

Not only is RJ happy with his daughter's efficiency, but he's amazed at how well she knows for a golf bag that is far more complex than his own. RJ's golf bag, which his father Rogan had obtained in 1984, had only one large pouch and doesn't have retractable legs. But Mary's and Bernard's bags are from the current year, and have more pouches and accessories. In RJ's mind, that means his children's bags can hold more things than he ever could, which means they could surpass even him one day in terms of tool items and ingenuity on how to use them.

RJ: "Bernard, did you make sure to follow along?"

Bernard almost feels too ashamed to respond. He was too amazed with Mary to look at his own golf bag while she explained. His sister's promptness and attention to detail, coupled with his lack of both, and compounded by how proud RJ was with her and disappointed with him, all puts the opossacoon in no talking mood.

RJ: "Hello? Earth to Bernard, were you looking at your golf bag as Mary explained where the pouches are located?"

Bernard gulps and says in a hurried tone, "Sh-she went too fast. I wasn't able to keep up."

RJ frowns in annoyance at his son's obvious fib.

RJ thinking: "We have a lot to work on here..." (Out loud) "Okay, Mary, give us another rundown of your golf bag, and this time do it slower. Bernard, pay close attention."

Bernard nods, while Mary rolls her eyes at having to restart her perfect run just because her brother wasn't doing as he was told. Still, her second lecture is just as good as her first, and Bernard and makes RJ nod and smile in appreciation when he successfully keeps up with his sister.

RJ: "Much better, son. Just make sure to spend some of your free time getting to know your golf bag better. Now onto the next thing: did you kids find items to put in your golf bag?"

Bernard: "No..."

Mary: "We haven't been on raids lately, so even I didn't get any new ones."

RJ: "Oh, yeah. My bad, kids. But y'all already have items in them, correct?"

Mary and Bernard in unison: "Uh-huh!"

RJ: "Empty your bags and let's see 'em."

Mary and Bernard have a full set of golf clubs, golf balls, and golf tees in each of their bags. Mary has a pair of golf shoes, a water canteen, and towel in her bag, whereas Bernard has a pair of sunglasses, a bottle of sunscreen, and a golf glove in his bag. Although that would seem normal for a human golfer to have those items, the bags that Mary and Bernard obtained were suited for small children, which makes the twins baffled.

Mary: "What kind of kids don't keep their toys, iPods, and iPads in their golf bags?"

Bernard: "Or their candy, Game Boy, and comics?"

RJ: "Mr. López must have been teaching even his youngest children how to take golf seriously. But that's okay, because we need to start your golf bag items with a clean slate. But which of these do we wanna keep?"

Mary and Bernard in unison: "A golf club."

RJ: "Yes. Which golf club?"

Mary: "The wedge."

RJ thinking: "Atta girl!"

Bernard: "Which one's the wedge?"

RJ thinking: "Ugh!" (Out loud and with a hint of impatience) "Like the one I have, Bernard. Look."

RJ brings out his wedge, and feels his patience returning when Bernard finds the wedge in his golf bag without any trouble.

RJ: "Now take your wedge in your paws, kids, and swing them like a golfer!"

With a graceful Whoosh! sound cutting through the air, Mary succeeds on her first try, her swing so flawless that even Tiger Woods would bat an eye. Bernard swings too low and makes a divot in the grass on his first try. On his second try, he loses his grip on the club and it flies forward. On the third try, his stance is awkward and when he swings, he falls flat on his back like Charlie Brown. On the fourth try, he does it just right.

RJ: "Mary, you were perfect! It took me three times to master a golf swing, but you did it instantly!" (To Bernard) "Chin up, Bernard. Sometimes we just gotta live and learn from our mistakes.

"Now onto the next lesson: the kind of items we should obtain to fill our golf bags. Take mine for example."

As RJ gets out his golf bag items, Bernard can't really keep his chin up. Everything he has done so far in today's training has only demonstrated, one: how inferior he is to his sister. Two, how proud she makes her father. Three, just how incompetent Bernard is. And four, how much his father hides, and doesn't hide, his disapproval of his son.

Bernard thinking: "I should've stayed asleep today..."

Mary, on the other hand, has never had a better day in her life. The smile and approval her father gives her, the quickness of her learning, and how she barely makes any mistakes only boosts her confidence to heights she never thought imaginable. On the day she and her family had filmed the latest episode of RJ's Wide World of Nature, she knew her dad would see her as a true raccoon no matter what. Today has only reinforced that solid belief. And now that RJ has finished, she can't wait to see what the rest of the day will bring her.

Mary: "Wow! Look at all that stuff, Bernard!"

Mary uses her elbow to nudge his arm, and Bernard stares wide-eyed at something no one else has ever seen: everything that RJ has in his golf bag laying on the ground in front of them.

RJ: "Tell me what all of these items have in common."

Like a raccoon, Mary intends to take her time to look at each item and draw a correlation that links them all together in some way. Also like a raccoon, Bernard just goes with his instincts after glancing over the items.

Bernard: "It's the most random pile of stuff I've ever seen."

Mary scoffs and expects RJ to scold Bernard for such a bland remark.

RJ: "Outstanding, Bernard! You're absolutely right!"

Mary: "Huh?"

Bernard: "Huh?!"

RJ: "Only a handful of my items were gathered with the intention of using them for a specific reason. The remaining 97 percent I just grabbed because I thought they looked neat. I learned how to use them effectively through playing around with them, followed by practice, then trial and error. The bottom line is, whenever you kids find items to stock your bags with, just get stuff that catches your eye. You'll feel an urge to grab the item or items, and discover the true purpose when you've had time to experiment with 'em." (Rhetorically) "And guess what I want you to do with any of them items laying before you?"

Mary and Bernard don't need to answer that question. They simply yell in excitement and dash forward as if they had come across an all you can eat buffet after finishing a hunger strike. As they pick up and experiment with RJ's items, they have no idea that RJ has been studying them closely. He notes that Mary picks up things more suited for offense, such as a can of silly string, a popgun, a water gun pistol, a skinny whiffle ball bat, a pocket knife, and a tennis ball. Bernard picks up items more suited for defense, distraction, and escape such as marbles, smoke bombs, fireworks, a grapple hook, a laser pointer, and a rubber snake. Not only that, but little do they know that this isn't even RJ's full inventory, as the raccoon, being the responsible parent that he is, had already taken out some of his more dangerous tools prior to today's training such as a taser, pepper spray, mace, switch blade, and his revolver gun. Nevertheless, RJ is pleased with how quick his kids catch on to using the items they've chosen effectively. Mary does so on her first try, and Bernard, of course, needs a few tries. But overall, RJ is proud of his children and believes that it won't take as long for them to become pro's at using items as he originally thought.

RJ thinking: "This is good. I need them to be ready ASAP...just in case that Heather—"

RJ is brought out of his painful musing when Mary speaks. Unbeknownst to him, Mary believes in herself more than ever. She wants to keep her spirits climbing higher and decides that even a certain question that seemed to have a negative answer might turn out to be a silly, pointless worry all along.

Mary: "Daddy, can I ask you something?"

RJ: "Of course, Mary. You can ask me anything."

Mary: "Yeah, it's, uh, something that's been on my mind for a while, and it's really been bugging me since Tabitha and her gang attacked us."

RJ: "What is it?"

With a look and voice tone more serious than RJ has ever seen and heard in his daughter, Mary asks, "What does it mean to be 'sterile?' "

RJ gives out an extremely quiet gasp that's unheard while his eyes widen and he feels a knot clenching in his gut. All three only happen for a fraction of a second and RJ regains his outward composure before Mary or Bernard can see any indication of their father's unease, which is good because if his kids saw any sign of nervousness, it would only make things worse. RJ's inside composure, however, is anything but calm.

He has been dreading this topic more than the other, more clichéd "talk." He, Heather, Tiger, and Stella have been very lucky for so many years, as whenever someone brought up the topic of sterility to Bernard, Mary, and De'Ausha, more pressing matters immediately demanded their attention and the topic was thus forgotten. But now, it seems that long streak of luck has finally ended. Now with his daughter more mature, intelligent, physically and mentally stronger, and having less of her childhood innocence, there is no way to sleaze out of the topic this time.

If that isn't enough, Bernard seems just as interested in his sister's question, if the way he nods and mirror's Mary's serious look after her question is any indication.

Bernard: "Yeah, I've been wondering about that too."

Mary: "I mean, bullies and even Kale when we first met him said it means I wouldn't be able to have kids of my own, but I figured they were lying to bring my hopes down. But what does it really mean?"

RJ knows he has to tell his children the truth. Today. As soon as possible. Although he can't avoid it, he can at least delay it for a little while longer for necessary reasons.

RJ: "I'll answer your question, kids. I promise. But first we need to head back to the log to see mommy and to get Stella, Tiger, and De'Ausha. This involves them too."

Bernard: "What about our other relatives?"

RJ: "They don't have hybrid children like the ones I just mentioned do."

That remark gets Mary's thinking cap on, as she uses her raccoon intelligence to try to make sense as to why anyone else should not be involved. She would have asked her dad to give more of a reason, but Bernard quickly knocks her off the point, when he says, "Okay, let's do it. C'mon, Mary. I'll race ya!"

RJ silently notes—and praises—the fact that Bernard was so quick to drop the grim topic, and thereby unintentionally demonstrating his more possum-inherited intelligence; which, by no means makes possums dumb, but are still inferior when compared to a the intelligence of a raccoon. In any case, Mary's natural instincts to outshine her younger brother immediately kick in and the two start to scurry off. After their first few steps, RJ notices something that will further keep his children's minds off the topic of sterility for a little while longer.

RJ: "Bring your golf bags with you, kids. As my son and daughter, those now need to be an extension of yourselves at all times."

Mary (snaps her fingers in realization): "Oh! Of course."

Once the opossacoons acquire their bags, they race off toward the direction of the log, with RJ jogging to follow behind their wake. Unlike his kids, however, RJ is in no jubilant mood.

RJ thinking: "This won't end well..."

---

When RJ, Mary, and Bernard get back to the main living area, they see Tiger and Stella keeping watch over De'Ausha and her boyfriend Ladarius as the two play an online shooter game on the Xbox One. Rogan and Sarah are browsing through movies to watch on an iPad, while Rebecca is chatting with Rachel. Hammy, Scarlet, Sam, and Aaron are watching a cartoon show on a cell phone, and Ozzie is giving Lou advice on being a grandparent.

Ladarius is a 14-year-old male striped skunk with a brush-top hair style, brown eyes, and, like most skunks, speaks with Stella's accent. He met the hedgie children when he was nine and took an instant liking to De'Ausha who was just as sharp, assertive, and fun as he was. Once De'Ausha met his family—consisting of his father, Jordan, stepmother Ahniyah, and three stepsisters Shaniqua, Markasia, and Lakeisha—it didn't take long for them to like her as much as their son did. The two have been dating even since confessing their love for one another five years ago. And being a tomboy, De'Ausha likes playing sports, videogames, and watching action movies like Ladarius.

Speaking of which, Ladarius and De'Ausha are working together using the same controller as they play the shooter game. After taking down two enemies in one shot, De'Ausha exclaims, "OH-HO! See that!"

Ladarius: "That's my gurl! Double kill!"

De'Ausha: "Now we can call inna airstrike usin' a Hind."

Ladarius: "Norm'ly I hate them things for how much they kill me in single player. But now WE got the pow'ah of'a Hind!"

As the two teens revel in the destruction the Russian helicopter gunship causes to the enemy team, Tiger and Stella converse softly.

Tiger: "My grandfather's human master actually fought against those in the Soviet-Afghan War. The fact that children such as our own have fun using them in videogames is almost offensive to those who really fell to those gunships in battle."

Stella: "Relax Tiger, it's just a videogame. But still, s'no wonder why they say human kids are gettin' more belligerent than ever in this day and age. The violence they see or play on their devices, the foul-mouthed individuals who join online game matches; just the whole idea of havin' electronics raise kids without any adult supervision."

Tiger (nods in agreement): "Yes, my love. Which is exactly why we don't allow them to speak on headphones, and are watching them as they play."

The mates' attention is drawn back to the TV screen when De'Ausha lets out an "Uhh!" after her character in the game gets taken out at the point where she just spawned.

De'Ausha: "Oh, not cool! That spawn-camping—"

Tiger: "Watch your language, princess."

De'Ausha: "How'd ya know what I was gonna say?"

Tiger: "Because I know you, my daughter."

Ladarius: "Ooooo! He has got yo' number, don't he?"

De'Ausha: "Less wisecracks and mo' fightin', Der."

Ladarius smirks and refocuses on the screen. While doing that, he silently congratulates himself for giving De'Ausha the privilege of calling him by his shorter name, pronounced "Dare," which only his closest friends are allowed to say. There was always something different, something better in the way she says it, which distinguishes her from the few who also say it.

Ladarius thinking: "Prob'ly 'cuz I love her, and she love me too."

Just when RJ thinks he'll have to interrupt the two's fun, the game match ends with De'Ausha's and Ladarius's team on the losing side.

Ladarius: "No way! That's a bunch'a—" (Remembers who is watching him and minds his manners) "—uh, bogus! You n' me and five players played so well, but end up losin' jus' 'cuz those four oth'a teammates of ours get themselves killed like amateurs."

De'Ausha: "We should'a booted 'em off our team when we had the option, but no-oh, we had to be all nice and let 'em keep playin'."

Ladarius: "We would'a been out numbered if we voted 'em off, but I bet'cha we still could'a won it all without those four."

De'Ausha: "We'll win the next match, Der."

Deciding now is the perfect time, RJ says loudly, "Hey folks. Sorry to interrupt your fun, but something urgent has come up and I need everyone except Stella, Tiger, and De'Ausha to go hang out somewhere out of earshot."

More than anyone, Rogan, Sarah, and Rebecca recognize all too well the particular kind of desperate look in RJ's eyes, along with the grave tone he just used to address them. It was the same look and voice RJ had used 10 years ago when he needed everyone to listen to Rebecca tell how she still felt unloved and neglected by her parents even after reuniting with RJ.

Sarah: "What's going on, son?"

RJ (same tone and look as before): "Something that only involves me, Mary, Bernard, Heather, Stella, Tiger, and De'Ausha. That's all I can say. Everyone, please...I-I'm sorry, but—"

Lou: "You heard him, folks. What're we still standing around here for?"

The others quickly get up and start heading to their personal downtime spots. Among them is Ladarius who looks at De'Ausha and says, "See you later, gurlfriend," while winking and pointing a gun gesture at her.

De'Ausha: "Maybe I'll come see you an' your family if my parents'll let me after we're done with this talk we about to have."

With a nod, Ladarius heads in the direction that will take him home. Once the main living area is clear of everyone except the ones RJ had told to stay, RJ says, "Let's go see Heather. If she's asleep, we'll wake her up."

Stella and Tiger look at each other with wide eyes. The fact that his own injured mate's recovery is less urgent than whatever must be talked about...

Tiger: "Then you must really have something important to discuss."

RJ: "Yeah."

"S'gonna have ta wait a little longer, I'mm'afraid."

The animals turn their heads and see Kale in the main living area.

Kale: "I heard from some reliable birds that Heather's awake. I got to tell her something before getting back to work. I won't be long, I promise."

There are three reasons the others know that the need to delay their important discussion for Kale. First, he has traveled all the way from who-knows-where and likely left certain prey animals vulnerable to predators, so his trip has be worth something. Second, Kale did not refer to Heather by her pack name, Zarigüeya con Actitud, or "Possum with Attitude." And third, Kale didn't use any slang words, and had spoken in a sincere tone with the same look in his eyes as RJ had recently given.

RJ: "Make it quick."

Kale (nods yes): "Gracias."

Kale runs over and then into the log where, much to his luck, Heather is awake.

Heather: "Kale? What're you doing here?"

Kale: "I heard you woke up today, and dare's somethin' I gotta tell you's...something that I got to get off my chest in order to focus on my patrols."

Heather: "What?"

Kale: "Heather...I'm sorry for doin' nothin' when you's tried ta save Bernard during the heist."

Heather: "There's nothing you could've done, Kale."

Kale: "You're wrong. No one could'a made da humans run away in panic more dan me. All I had ta do was run out, or howl, and they'd've gone runnin' away...Even after five long years, I'm still a weak wolf."

Heather: "Are you kidding? You're the strongest and fastest animal in this family, and one of the smartest too."

Kale: "Which is exactly why I should'a done somethin'! But all I could do was just stand dare n' watch. I thought dat the situation would solve itself, dat someone else'd come around and save you's. I should've acted...I guess my ex-pack was right when dey said I'd always be a loser, always be a nobody, and never be a true wolf."

Heather: "It's a good thing you're not a true wolf. According to your former pack, that would mean killing children while forcing their parents to watch, leading massacres of countless innocent prey animals, and trying to meet impossible standards under the threat of disownment. You hated doing those things, which is why you chose to be with us instead of them, your own biological family and species. Don't forget that you are your own worst enemy, Kale. You need to stop beating yourself up and learn from your mistakes so that you'll emerge stronger and wiser. I don't blame you, and you need to stop blaming yourself. And to tell you the truth, it's getting kind of annoying hearing everyone telling me they're sorry. You're, like, the fifteenth one to do that today since I woke up. So please, give me a break if you really want to make it up to me."

Kale takes a few moments to process everything Heather said to him. When he's done, he nods yes and looks at Heather with a one-sided toothless grin.

Kale: "What would I do without you's and ya's family?"

Heather: "Thankfully, you'll never know that answer."

Kale: "Even so, aren't you's tired'uv a moody jerk like me?"

Heather: "That's the part of you I trust the most, because you're never more honest when you're like that. And at least you're not shutting us out and refusing to let us help you with your problems like you used to. In your eyes, you may never be a true wolf, but in my eyes, you're better than a true wolf. Instead of a true wolf, you're a strong, noble, intelligent, and honest guy. You sacrificed everything you had been born and raised to believe in in order to do the right thing, and no other wolf has done something like that."

Kale (sighs in relief): "...Tanks, Heather. I gotta get back ta my patrols, but I'm glad I've had dis talk with you's, because now I can do my job with a positive attitude for da first time all week."

Heather: "Keep up the great work, Kale. Everyone in the forest appreciates you for it."

After nodding, Kale runs off. Heather is about to close her eyes and rest when RJ, Mary, Bernard, Tiger, Stella, and De'Ausha enter the log.

Heather: "Well, hello."

RJ gets beside his resting mate, kisses her lightly on the cheek, and says, "Hi love. There's something we need to talk to the kids about."

Heather: "What do we need to talk about?"

Mary and Bernard in unison: "What does it mean to be sterile?"

Although De'Ausha didn't ask the question, she instantly becomes interested in it and says, "Yeah."

It goes without saying that Heather, Tiger, and Stella let out a gasp as their eyes widen and their stomachs clench in a knot, similar to what RJ did when Mary first asked the question to him today. But those three adults do so loudly and visibly as they are unable to hide their tension.

De'Ausha: "What's wrong, mama and daddy?"

Bernard: "Yeah? Bullies and Kale on the night we first met him were lying to us when they said it means we'll never have kids, so why're all of you acting this way?"

All four parents' ears droop down and they look at each other as they silently question who should tell the story. Knowing that any delay after that would only rouse more suspicion, Heather speaks first...whereby the other three adults immediately and silently accept that the responsibility of giving the news must be shared by all of them.

Heather: "First off kids, you know that your parents love you more than anything in the whole wide world."

Stella: "More than I love Tiger."

RJ: "And more than I love Heather."

Tiger: "As parents we are each willing to go to any lengths, overcome any obstacles, and even give up our own lives for you—all for the sole reason that you are our children."

Mary: "Really? We mean that much to you, mommy and daddy?"

RJ, Heather, Stella, and Tiger in unison: "Absolutely."

Heather: "Now that we're done saying that, do you remember one of our family's most important mottos? The one that Stella and Tiger came up with?"

De'Ausha (raises her paw): "Oh! 'You don't have to be the same species to fall in love.' "

Tiger: "Correct, Princess."

Heather: "Love—true love—has no boundaries or limits, even when there's a so-called Natural Order that almost every animal abides by without question."

Stella: "If the heart wants someone who you know is your perfect soul mate, it would be more unnatural to not listen to your heart when you're falling in love."

RJ: "All four of us met and fell in love with the ones who would become our mates not because of our different species's, but because we loved the inside of the person we were in love with; past the fur and past the physiology, and instead right to the heart and soul. That's what it means to be in love with your true love."

Tiger: "The fact that my Stella was a skunk and I was a Persian cat had no bearing on the person we loved on the inside."

Heather: "Heck, RJ could've have been a lizard or a bird, but long as he has the same heart and soul that makes him who he is—makes him the one I fell in love with and the one who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with as his mate—then I still would have married him."

Stella: "Same goes for me and Tiger."

RJ: "With true love, you can accomplish anything to your heart's desire."

The three kids are entranced with the story their parents have been telling them. Not only is it profound, but it gives them hope for their own futures. Not only is De'Ausha Ladarius's girlfriend, but Mary has also become the girlfriend of a 12-year-old possum named Elroy. And while Bernard still hasn't officially become the boyfriend of his crush, the 11-year-old raccoon named Patricia, the two have become close friends and Bernard plans on finding the courage to take their relationship to the next level once he becomes more courageous like a raccoon.

De'Ausha: "That's beyond amazing, mama, daddy, Uncle RJ, and Aunt Heather! I love Ladarius fo' the same reasons, and that's how he loves me!"

Bernard: "And that's how I plan on falling in love with Patricia!"

Mary: "That's why Elroy and I are gonna be mates one day! And we're gonna have kids to pass on the lessons you've taught us!"

Bernard and De'Ausha in unison: "Yeah!"

The four parents feel their hearts sink at their children's display of excitement and hopes for themselves and those who they are currently seeing. The adults are proud that their kids have their own romantic connections, but the news they are going to tell them soon may ruin that hope and excitement...possibly forever.

RJ (spreads his arms out to emphasize the other three adults around him): "We were all meant to love each other, just as any animal, no matter the species, can love each other...But Mother Nature didn't intend for two different species's to fall in love."

Heather: "And Mother Nature's power still holds absolute when it comes to certain, biological factors."

The earlier dazzle felt by the kids is now replaced with confusion.

Mary: "Wha'd'ya mean, mommy?"

Tiger: "All three of you are very well aware that you are hybrids born from two different species's, correct?"

The kids nod yes.

Stella: "Because of that, y'all are sterile."

RJ: "And that means...*sigh*...It's impossible for you three to have children of your own, no matter how hard you try."

As expected, the listeners' eyes widen, and they're instantly full of depression like they have never felt before. They know they're parents aren't the lying type. Even when a lie could have put the kids' minds at peace, the raccoon, possum, skunk, and cat always tell the truth. That's what makes it hurt so much for the three children. It's the equivalent of someone in a hospital waiting room thinking that a loved one is going to be okay, only to be informed by a doctor that the loved one has passed away.

Mary (whispering in pure shock): "What? Y-you mean that...Me, Bernard, and De'Ausha...We won't..."

De'Ausha (ditto): "We'll never..."

Bernard (ditto): "We can't...have our own babies?"

Stella: "You don't know how much we would give to make it possible for you three to have kids one day...But like we said, Mother Nature doesn't take hybrids into account in Her natural order."

Mary (starts tearing up): "B-but...I really...w-w-wanted to have kids."

RJ: "I know. And we wanted to have grandchildren, but it's out of our control and out of your control. It can't be helped or altered. It's just Nature's way of ensuring offspring with mixed DNA don't out-populate regular animals."

That remark makes Mary recall what the possum bully had said to her: It's Mother Nature's way of ensuring genetic defects like you and your brother will never contaminate the Earth with your malformed DNA! Now her very own father had just said something similar to it, which is something that she does not swallow very well.

Mary: "So...you're saying that everything that every bully has ever told me about being unable to have children, about being a genetic defect, about being a freak...It's all true?"

RJ: "Only about you being unable to have children, Mary. Every other insult was a lie."

Mary: "But if I can't have babies, then that means there is something wrong with me on a genetic level! Which means, I really AM a freak!"

Heather: "You're not a freak, Mary, and neither are you, Bernard and De'Ausha. You three are the product of true lovers who happened to be two different species."

Bernard: "But what about that mean bear, Vincent, daddy? You said he was a hybrid and he could still have kids."

Mary and De'Ausha feel their hopes brighten up at Bernard's suggestion...only for those hopes to be tarnished yet again by the grim reality.

RJ: "I'm sorry kids, but Vincent's mother was a black bear and his biological father was a grizzly bear. Both parents were bears, which means enough of their DNA matched up to produce a child who was a hybrid, but could still have kids...until his parents beat him so hard that he became sterile. But a cat and skunk, as well as a possum and raccoon are two very different species whose genes don't match up enough to have kids who can produce offspring."

De'Ausha (aghast): "But if I can't have kids with Ladarius, then he'll wanna marry someone who can give him kids!"

Bernard (ditto): "Which means Patricia will want the same thing!"

Mary (ditto): "And Elroy!"

Bernard: "We'll all die alone and mate-less!"

Stella: "Kids! Were you listin' to us when we told y'all about what true love is and what it means?"

Tiger: "I am certain all of your boyfriends or girlfriends, if they are your true loves as I wholeheartedly believe, will want to be with you no matter if you're able to have kids with them or not."

Stella: "And if they reject you just for that and forget all the times they've spent with y'all, all the fun and heartfelt moments you've had with 'em, then they obviously aren't your true loves."

Heather: "But all of us have known Ladarius, Elroy and Patricia for seven years. They don't seem to be the kind of kids who would want to be together with you three just to have their own kids."

De'Ausha: "You don't know that fo' sure!"

Stella: "And you don't know fo' sure if you're right, either."

RJ: "And the only way to be sure is to ask" (points at Mary and De'Ausha) "your boyfriends" (points to Bernard) "and your girlfriend."

Bernard: "What's the point?! They're not gonna want to marry us! Not anymore once we tell them we're sterile!"

Mary: "Why...?"

Her depressed yet accusing tone warrants the attention of everyone.

Mary: "If you knew that your species were too different to have kids who could have their own kids, then why would you have kids in the first place?"

Bernard and De'Ausha get onboard with where Mary is going and join her in looking at the parents with contempt in their eyes.

Tiger: "We...weren't exactly certain ourselves that we would be able to have offspring, given how different our two species were."

RJ: "But after Stella announced that she was pregnant, Heather and I had high hopes that we could have the same luck, and we did."

Bernard's loud gasp draws everyone's attention to him.

Bernard: "So you're saying...that we were accidents?"

RJ: "No, son—"

Bernard (voice cracking with each emphasized word): "You just said that you and mommy weren't sure that you could even have kids, that you two just got lucky! You lied to us! Lied to ME! All these years of telling me, 'You're miracles, not accidents,' was a LIE!"

Heather: "Bernard, you know that's not true!"

Mary: "But then why would you do anything that would deny us three the chance to have the same happiness as you?! The kind of happiness that can only come by having kids with the ones we end up loving and marrying?! You've doomed us to never experience full happiness!"

Tiger: "It was not us or you, dear child. As we explained to you three earlier, it was Mother Nature that has made you three sterile."

Unfortunately, it seems that Mary is the most distraught over her sterility than the other children, as she doesn't relent no matter what anyone tells her.

Mary: "It's your fault! It's all your fault, mommy and daddy! You never should have had kids!"

Stella: "So you're sayin' you'd rather have never existed in the first place?"

Mary: "Now that I know what it means to be sterile...YES!"

Even Stella is lost for words now.

RJ (while kneeling down to hug his daughter): "Mary, listen to me—"

Mary steps away from him and continues ranting.

Mary: "NO! Get away! I never wanna speak or listen to you again! I HATE you! You got mommy pregnant with me and Bernard! You're the reason I'll never be happy!"

In spite of how much it hurts to hear his own daughter yell that she hates him, and even curses the very fact that she was ever conceived, RJ doesn't give up, because he might lose Mary forever if he does.

RJ: "There is more to life than having children, Mary. You need to—"

Mary: "I JUST SAID I'M NEVER SPEAKING OR LISTENING TO YOU EVER AGAIN!"

Mary runs in the opposite direction with a guttural yell of rage, determined to put as much distance as possible between herself and her dad. It doesn't take long for her to have company, as De'Ausha and Bernard look at their parents evilly.

Bernard (to RJ and Heather): "I hate you. I have no mommy or daddy anymore!"

De'Ausha (to Stella and Tiger): "You destroyed my future before I was even born!"

The two hybrids then run to catch up to Mary, leaving their parents behind. The four adults look at each other in worry and heartache. They knew the conversation would turn bad, but didn't think their own children would disown them, especially before hearing everything their parents had to say.

Stella recovers from the shock first and says, "We should go after them."

She takes one step forward, but is stopped by Tiger's paw grabbing her own.

Tiger: "No. They won't listen, so we'd be wasting our time. They are viciously angry and need to take some time to calm themselves. Only then will they be in the mood to talk to us."

Heather: "But what if they run away, or are too distracted by their anger and sorrow to notice a predator approach?"

RJ: "We trained and led practically the whole animal population of these woods against the Bone-Chomper Wolf Pack, so almost every animal in the forest knows our family members. And three hybrid children aren't too hard to find, so if someone sees them they'll know where to send them back to. And with the way those three are feeling, I'd say any predator who stumbles across them would be the one in trouble."

The two females sigh in resignation at their mates' words. Today is quickly turning into the worst day of their lives.

And by now, they're not the only parents who are feeling that way.

Note: For all you science majors out there, I know that Vincent would actually be sterile due to a grizzly bear breeding with a black bear. However, because this story is fiction, the rules of the real world are not going to be followed all the time. I guess you can say my Over the Hedge expanded universe operates under the real-life fact that most mutt dogs can still breed despite being hybrids as well.

---

Shortly after the family separated from the main living area...

Hammy, Scarlet, Sam, and Aaron are at their downtime spot located at a small grove with a pond as large as a puddle (that could serve as a raccoon-sized bathtub for one), and some rocks that small mammals could use to sit down on. Upon arriving, Scarlet notices that the cartoon episode being watched on the phone has only seven minutes left, and now that she and her family are separated from everyone else, she and her mate can finally do something they have intended ever since last week.

Scarlet: "Okay boys, when this episode ends, mommy and daddy need to talk to you about something important."

Aaron: "Okay, mommy!"

Sam: "Ah eee!"

Hammy raises an eyebrow and gives a confused look while he asks, "What's there to talk about, Scarlet?"

Scarlet sighs in her mind at her loving mate's forgetfulness, takes Hammy by the paw, and walks him to the tree line.

Scarlet (whispering): "Remember last week when we talked about the, um, 'issue' with Sam? About if—"

Scarlet decides to whisper into Hammy's ear in order to ensure their sons won't hear them even if the boys are eavesdropping. When she's finishes, Hammy gasps.

Hammy: "Y-you mean?!"

Scarlet: "Shh! Whisper like me."

Hammy: "B-b-but I thought we needed more time before telling him."

Scarlet: "I have given him time, a full week. We didn't tell him back then because everyone, including us, needed a week to recover from that heist. And you were in favor of it too, so don't tell me your mind has changed. You wanted this as much as I do."

Hammy's ears and face droop as he recalls the night that he and Scarlet had agreed on the solution in dealing with his oldest son. It took a lot of convincing and even arguing, but Hammy had reluctantly agreed.

Hammy: "I...haven't changed my mind. But I'm...not sure if we should do that to him anyway. He can't help it. He was born with Actism."

Scarlet: "Autism, babe. And what he did had nothing to do with his Autism. You know that."

Hammy sighs and lets out a defeated, "Yeah..."

Scarlet: "And don't forget that it's only going to be for a little while, not forever."

Hammy: "He still won't like it."

Scarlet: "Of course not, but it must be done."

Hammy: "I-I-I don't know if I can tell him too."

Scarlet: "You have to. We need to show him that we both agree."

Hammy: "M-maybe we could get Verne to say," (imitating Verne's voice) " 'Both your parents said—' "

Scarlet: "No, Hammy. It has to be us."

Hammy: "I don't know if I can do it..."

Scarlet presses her lips against Hammy's both to silence him and to remind him how their love can overcome any obstacle. As expected, it works. Like a certain rabbit mascot who gets perked up whenever he drinks a chocolate beverage, Hammy finds the courage and strength to follow through with being a parent, as long as he has Scarlet by his side. But the kiss also does something deeper. One of the upsides of Hammy's short memory and attention span is that every time Scarlet kisses him, it's like the first time they have kissed. It serves as a reminder of the feeling when two become one in true love. It even jogs his memory of why he chose to get married in the first place: because he wasn't living life to the fullest. Most animals who see Hammy for the first time automatically assume that someone as happy, good-mooded, energetic, and zany as him is living life to the fullest, including Hammy himself. But as he got to know more about Scarlet, he realized he needed more in his life to be as happy as the other family members who were married and had children.

He has indeed been living a fuller, happier life ever since marrying Scarlet and having two sons with her. But by definition, a full life cannot involve happiness alone. It requires stressful and hard days, making decisions that will have negative repercussions, and needing to enforce discipline over love. And thanks to Scarlet's kiss, Hammy is better prepared to do, and endure, all those less appealing things.

The timing of their talk and kiss is perfect because the cartoon episode on the phone ends as soon as they break away from kissing. Hammy and Scarlet walk back to their sons.

Aaron: "Could we just watch one more episode, mommy and daddy?" (Giving an irresistibly cute look) "Pleeeeeaaaaasssssseeeee?"

Normally, Scarlet can never say no when Aaron gives her the look that displays a perfect fusion of her and her mate's best physical traits. However, she summons up her determination.

Scarlet: "No, boys. Like I said, daddy and I need to talk to you about something important."

Hammy: "We sure do."

Scarlet: "Now, you both know that we love you with all our hearts."

Aaron: "Ya-huh!"

Sam: "Uh-hungh!"

Hammy: "But we also love everyone else in our family."

Scarlet: "And last week your Aunt Heather was badly injured. Uncle RJ said he didn't blame anyone, but we know what really led to that. Sam...You were too loud and too impatient when daddy tried to keep you entertained."

Sam's and Aaron's usual happy go-luck faces turns into ones of unpleasance.

Hammy: "Then you pushed Bernard out of the tree, which caused Heather to have to save him, which got her hurt."

Hammy and Scarlet now prepare themselves for the worst.

Scarlet: "That's why...for the safety of the whole family..."

Hammy: "Sam...you can't come on heists anymore."

Scarlet: "Not until you get better at controlling yourself."

Sam gasps while going wide-eyed.

Aaron: "That's not fair! He can't help it!"

Scarlet: "He actually could have done something besides pushing Bernard out of the tree."

Hammy: "He may have Act—erm, Autism—but that's no excuse for what he did..." (To Sam) "I'm sorry, Sam, I really am. But we can't risk getting another family member hurt like Heather."

Hammy waits for something to happen, but it doesn't. That's when he, Scarlet, and Aaron feel worried and look at Sam. All three find it strange how Sam hasn't done anything besides gasp and continue to look surprised.

Then, just when Hammy and Scarlet believe they might actually avoid an angry outburst, Sam loses it. He screams so loud that the water in the pond shakes as if a rock landed in it. The scream lasts ten seconds, and while Hammy's, Scarlet's, and Aaron's ears are still ringing, Sam beats his fists in the ground while making a noise like a gorilla would as it charges. Sam then lets out three, two-second-long guttural yells, gets up, and runs around in circles while making that gorilla-charge noise again. He stops running when he's near a rock and starts beating his fists on that as well. When Scarlet sees drops of blood coming out of Sam's paws, she knows that this is no ordinary tantrum. Sam has gone berserk, and she and Hammy need to stop him before he hurts himself real badly.

Scarlet: "Hammy, stop him!"

Hammy zooms over to Sam, puts his paws on his shoulders and says, "Stop that, Sam!"

Sam angrily shoves Hammy off of him. Hammy then grabs his son's paws with his own and yells, "Do what daddy says!"

Then the unthinkable happens. With rage-filled eyes, Sam bites down Hammy's arm. He bites hard and doesn't let go.

Hammy: "OOOOWWWWWW!"

Hammy's own self-defense instincts kick in, and without thinking, he makes a fist and punches Sam square in the eye with all his might. The blow causes Sam to instantly let go of Hammy's arm, and is hard enough to send the five-year-old squirrel reeling back one foot.

When Sam lands on the ground all of his rage is replaced with pain. He wraps both paws on his injured eye socket and starts wailing.

Aaron and Scarlet in unison: "SA-A-A-AM!"

Hammy gasps as he realizes, in horror, what he has done. He looks down at his open paws as if he has caught himself literally red-handed. When Hammy looks back up, Aaron is by Sam's side doing his best to comfort his older brother, and Scarlet looks at her mate in confusion and disgust.

Scarlet: "What have you done?!"

Hammy: "I-I-I didn't m-mean to—! I-it j-just happened so f-fast...Sam's bite hurt s-so much and I-I—!"

Hammy collapses to his knees and lets out a yell full of anger and guilt. It's too much for the father squirrel to bear. The injury he sustained from Sam, the shame of his actions, and knowing that Scarlet might leave him for hitting Sam create a turmoil in Hammy's mind that causes him to pass out. Hammy's scream had instantly made Scarlet realize that in her shock, she was too hard on her mate. With her senses back, she rushes to Hammy's side and inspects his arm injury.

Scarlet: "Aaron! Go home and bring back a first aid kit! Daddy's arm is hurt really bad, and you're faster than me!"

Aaron: "NO!"

Scarlet: "What?!"

Aaron: "I said no! He deserves to be hurt for punching Sam!"

Scarlet: "Sam bit daddy's arm first, and daddy reacted on impulse! If daddy didn't get Sam off of him, he might have lost his whole arm!"

Aaron: "First you say Sam can't come on heists anymore just because he has Autism. Then you let daddy hurt him! And now, you take daddy's side!?"

Aaron's inability to accurately remember what was said in regards to Sam (particularly that he'll only be prohibited from heisting until he improves), the urgent need to treat Hammy's arm before it's too late, and hearing Aaron's insults in light of all that makes Scarlet lose her own temper.

Scarlet: "Blast it, Aaron! Do what mommy says, or so help me, you'll be spanked so hard you won't be able to sit for a week!"

Aaron: "Then I'm running away, and taking Sam with me!"

With that, Aaron brings Sam to his feet and the brothers run off. Scarlet's eyes become full of tears as she, like Hammy, realizes she has done irreparable damage. She looks down at Hammy, then off in the direction her sons fled, back at Hammy, and back at the direction her sons fled. It's a decision no mate and mother should ever have to make, but with Hammy's bleeding arm that requires stitches, she decides his life is a bigger priority.

Scarlet thinking: "Once Sam and Aaron calm down, they'll return. And I can tell someone else to go looking for them when I get back home."

That's all the time Scarlet permits herself to spend on that grim thought before running back in the direction of the log with Hammy in her arms.

---

Kale is walking through the forest, still panting from having to run from one opposite end to the other, but refusing to stop completely. He would certainly like to take a nap, but sadly doesn't have the time, especially if he doesn't want another prey animal family blaming him for not protecting their loved ones from a predator attack...Like the three he has failed to stop today alone.

Kale thinking: "Couldn't even cut me a little slack...Sometimes I think dis job is more trouble dan it's worth.

"Easy, hombre. You's didn't get into dis for gratitude, remember? No one's offerin' you's a pat on the back for doin' the right thing."

Kale's conflicting thoughts are no longer the result of him trying to wrestle with his wolf-conscience versus his Kale-conscience, but are simply how anyone in his nonexistent shoes would deal with the problem he is facing. Truth be told, Kale feels overwhelmed with his task and is despairing at how it's too much for one wolf to handle alone. The past five years started out great for him: there weren't that many predators that came in after news of the Bone-Chompers' defeat spread, and what little predators who did show up were easily dispatched by the wolf. Kale was also able to spend a lot of downtime with his new family, making up for 15-years' worth of being unable to experience true fun and fellowship.

But now, things have changed, and have changed faster than he could keep up with. During the week after the heist where Heather got injured, predators have been stepping up their game. They obviously had heard the late Janie or her brother snakes spread the word that Kale is but one wolf in a vast forest prior to those serpents' demise by the canine's teeth and claws. Certain animals that he couldn't protect from predators, because he was defending other prey animals elsewhere, have also been blaming him for their losses. They expect him to be perfect, to always be where he is needed, which is impossible.

Sometimes, like right now, Kale's inner wolf resurfaces as he fantasizes how immensely satisfying it would be if he could give the prey animal families a piece of his mind as he sits listening to them berate him for being too late and a lousy protector.

Kale thinking: "I may tell them how sorry I am for 'em, but in the back'a my mind, I don't feel that way for dose ingrates. I'm always sayin', better them than me.

"Now I know how those returnin' soldiers from Vietnam felt like...instead'uv a parade and gratitude for all dare hard work, they returned home ta unempathetic haters who unjustly blamed them. What's worse is dat those tirónes had no idea how hard it was for the troops ta fight that war...just like no prey animals know how hard it is for uno wolf to protect hundreds of acres of woods."

Note: "Tirónes" is Spanish for "jerks."

If he was still a regular wolf without the "mark of shame" he might be able to marry a female wolf who could become his partner, and start a family whom he could train to help him in his task. That causes another source of despair for the canine to lament over. The fact is, with the mark of shame, he'll never find a mate. Earlier in the week, Kale had come to consult Verne for advice, and the wolf replays their conversation in his mind.

Verne: "Hey, don't get your spirits down, Kale. There just might be a female wolf with the mark of shame who comes by and you can marry her."

Kale: "That's unlikely, 'cuz wolves with the 'mark of shame' stand out more dan an albino animal. They don't live very long. Dee only reason I'm still alive is because I'm accepted in deese woods by da prey animals. Not ta mention my mate's gotta be my type. Da chances of dat are just as slim as findin' a living female wolf with the 'mark of shame.' "

Verne: "Well, there's always hope."

Kale: "Please...Hope is wasted on da hopeless. I'm just one more number ta add to dat statistic."

Kale had walked away from Verne in disdain after that, but now in the present, he remembers what Heather told him today, and stops the thoughts from getting any darker.

Instead, he stops, puts a paw down and says out loud, "All I can do is my best, like I've been doing. Maybe some prey animal families who suffer loss will cut me some slack. And even if they don't, I'll always be loved by my family, which is more than I ever had while living with the Bone-Chompers."

Satisfied and more rested by now, he snaps out of his depressing thoughts—though admits they will return another time—and sniffs the air to try and locate the scent of another predator who dares enter the territory he now lives. But he is only halfway through his sniff when he picks up the scent of a predator...A predator dangerously close to someone he deeply cares for.

Kale runs for all he's worth. He can't allow these prey animals to suffer the fate of those he failed to reach in time this past week.

---

Aaron and Sam don't know how long they run or the distance they travel. All that matters to Aaron is to get as far away from his so-called parents as he can. They simply run until they can't run anymore. Fortunately there's a stream of water nearby, and they use it to drink to their heart's content. When they're done Aaron takes time to look closer at Sam. Even in the timespan since his brother was hit, Aaron notices the large bruise mark on Sam's eye.

Aaron: "I can't believe daddy would do that to you, even if you did bite him."

Sam: "Aah-eee."

Aaron: "We're not going back to him again. We can't live around someone who wants to hurt you."

Sam: "Eeeee."

Aaron: "Wha?"

Sam: "Eeee!"

Aaron: "Huh?"

Sam: "Eeee-eeee!"

Aaron: "I don't know what you're trying to say." (Thinking) "Mommy and daddy would know...Nuh-uh! Don't go back!"

Sam goes "EeeeeeeeeeEEEEeeeeeeeEEE!" while frantically pointing behind Aaron. The younger brother turns around, but sees nothing.

Aaron: "What're you pointing at?"

Sam grabs Aaron and starts pulling him toward the way they had come from, but Aaron plants his feet on the ground and stops his brother.

Aaron: "We can't go back, we gotta live on our own now."

Sam (while tugging Aaron some more): "Eeee! EEEEEEEEEEE!"

Aaron: "Lemme go!"

Sam's eyes widen in terror at something behind Aaron. Demonstrating that he still has common sense despite his disability, Sam trips Aaron and falls to the ground with him—

—Just in time to avoid being scooped up into the maw of a running wolf! Aaron's first instinct is that it's Kale, but two undeniable facts instantly debunk this. First, Kale wouldn't try to eat his family members. Two, the wolf who had just attacked them speaks with a feminine voice.

Female wolf (rhetorically): "Ya noticed me?" (Amused tone) "Good. The harder you's make me work, the harder I'm gonna chew you's while ya still alive!"

Aaron doesn't spend a nanosecond looking at the wolf to gauge her appearance, he just grabs Sam's arm and starts running in the opposite direction of her. She is impressed with Aaron's speed, but has no doubts of this hunt's outcome.

Female wolf (murmuring to herself): "Dat's right...Run...Right where I want ya's to go..."

---

Further ahead of the wolf, Aaron's panic and lack of experience with predators prevents him from getting the idea to climb any nearby trees where the wolf can't reach him or Sam. Instead, Aaron just intends to keep running forward as fast as he can. He discovers the futility of his efforts when the path dead-ends to a colossal stone that curves upwards and overhangs like a wave caught in freeze-frame. The surface is too smooth for Aaron and Sam to climb, and they can't go left or right due to the never-ending anthills that span as far as the eye can see. There are so many and they're so close together that it's impossible to not step on an anthill and thereby summoning the agitated insects. Even if Aaron and Sam were to jump over the first dozen ant hills, they'd land in the next dozen, which, given the amount of ants in each, would just as easily devour the small squirrels as the wolf.

Speaking of which, by the time they face the direction they had come from, the female wolf shows up, wearing a sinister grin across her muzzle. The path is too narrow for even Aaron to slip past the wolf who is now guarding the only way out, not that his speed would matter because she'll be expecting him to use it. Figuring he is in the last moments of his short life, Aaron takes a closer look at the canine.

She seems to be the same age as Kale. She also has predominately light-gray fur and a thin black stripe running down her back as if her spinal cord is being highlighted on the outside. Surrounding the black stripe is an X-shaped regular-gray-colored pattern that takes up most of her dorsal side. Her face-fur is regular-gray, save for the five black bangs that hang down from her forehead and curve upward and cross over her right eye like check marks. Her entire ventral side from the chin down is so light-gray that it's practically white. And finally, she has dusty rose colored eyes, meaning the irises are a perfect mixture of pink and purple combined.

Despite being the same species, she looks nothing like Kale. She is a true wolf: aggressive, evilly brilliant, and a downright sadist. The latter is clear in how her eyes look like she's possessed by a demon whose only intent is to terrorize, maim, and kill with extreme prejudice. Her next words only reinforce this.

Female wolf: "Kyaa ha haaaa! Guess dare's only one way outta here for you's now, and it's full'uv my teeth and saliva." (Points to her open mouth which is lined with menacing-looking teeth) "Come in willingly, or lemme come 'n get you's. Your choice."

As was the case when the brothers first heard it, this wolf's voice is authoritative, conceited, and no-nonsense-toned.

Now realizing that he has led the two of them into a death trap, Aaron hugs Sam and says, "I'm so sorry, Sam...We should've never run away."

Female wolf: "Still not comin' ta meet ya's doom? Fine. The hard way it is."

Like something out of a nightmare, the predator strides so swiftly that Aaron swears that she is gliding across the ground. Out of options and hope, Aaron does the only thing he can.

Aaron: "MOMMY! DADDY! HEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLP!"

Female wolf: "Go on. Squeal. No one's comin' ta save you's."

" 'Cept ME!"

The next thing the wolfess knows, she is knocked to ground by someone who comes flying toward her through the air by launching off the top of the stone.

Aaron opens his eyes and says in a voice full of surprise and happiness, "KALE?!"

Kale: "RUN! I'll hold 'er off!"

Aaron takes Sam's paw again and zooms away. The female wolf attempts to grab them with a forepaw, but Kale stomps his own on top of hers which make her miss her chance. Enraged, she rolls over and gets to her feet, just as ready to go head-on with Kale as he is with her. Both predators are evenly matched, and each knows that all it will take to win will be to push the other into the ground covered in ant hills. But there's one thing that the wolfess does not know, and she wants to know the answer pronto.

Female wolf: "You protected those 'lil shrimps?! What kind'a wolf are you?!"

Kale: "No need in answerin' a question ta someone who's gonna be a dead girl in the next few seconds."

Kale intends to attack right then and there, but hesitates when his opponent cranes her head when she notices something odd about Kale. When she looks back at him in the eyes, she snarls her next response in fury unlike any Kale has ever heard any creature say in his life. (And that is saying something about this female's response, because as a wolf in the Bone-Chomper Pack he's heard nothing but rage-screaming wolves for as long as he can remember).

Female wolf: "You have. No. TA-A-A-AI-I-I-I-L!"

Kale (eyes narrow in hate, but speaks in a ridiculing tone): "Look who's talkin', Ms. Reject."

The female wolf's eyes briefly widen at Kale's remark; one that he had undoubtedly discovered when he, too, had made a quick observation of his own on her. Needless to say that his words are the straw that breaks the camel's back.

She runs forward while screaming, more menacing than ever. Kale dodges her bite and jolts forward with his jaws, aiming at the throat, but his adversary—who had only been giving the impression that she would be blinded in rage—counters with an uppercut using her right forepaw. She brings her left one down like a hammer on top of Kale. Before she can bit the side of his neck, Kale scores a hard bite on her right foreleg, bringing her to her knees. Seeing how his head went to the ground with her paw, she wastes no time in clamping down on the back of his neck with her own teeth. Before she can snap Kale's neck, the male canine throws her off by rolling left. Kale intends to land her into the ant hill-ridden landscape, but she ends up overpowering him so that he lands in the ant hills. Even worse, she's at a perfect angle to where she can pin him down while she remains safe from the insects.

Tiny voices: "Our home's been breached! Protect the queen! CHAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGE!"

As the first hundred or so ants start climbing into Kale's fur, the wolfess looks on with a sneer as Kale falls to the ground in a futile attempt to crush the ants.

With an immense feeling of satisfaction, the female wolf says, "My name ain't 'dead girl,' it's Clara. Get it right before you die."

Kale: "Grrrraaaaahhhhh!"

Clara: "How's it feel ta be a dead dog? Say my name, dog-meat! Let it be the last thing you ev'a say!"

Kale: "Clara...I'll make sure ta write it on ya's headstone."

Clara's smile vanishes when Kale doesn't scream like his fur is covered in fire ants during his response. She's so shocked that she lets go of him completely. Then, something that makes her skin crawl happens. To her horror, Kale casually gets up—with fire ants still covering his whole body that it looks like his fur is made of ants.

Clara: "Wh-what?"

Kale lets out a short giggle and then says, "Ease up guys and gals, if you's tickle me she won't be afraid."

His concern is unwarranted, as Clara says in horror, "Impossible…"

Kale: "Not when I'm the protect'a of all prey animals in dis nick of the woods. Ain't dat right, Your Highness?"

The ants on Kale's head form a literal ant-hill, and at the top is a queen ant wearing a tiny crown of fruit like Carmen Miranda. When she speaks, her semi-British voice is proud, commanding, and unflinching, as if she is giving a royal declaration with each word. It is none other than Queen Izzie.

Queen Izzie: "Oh Kale, our faithful Knight of the Picnic Table...it is time for me to repay you for your hard efforts of keeping me and my subjects safe from all invaders, and also for scaring off human picnickers to ensure we conquered lunches without resistance.

(Looks down) "Fellow subjects, you know the drill: give no quarter and show no mercy! ATTAAAAAAAAAACK!"

Unlike most ant queens who spend their time safely underground while letting their subjects do all the work, Izzie never shies away from danger and leads the charge—literally into Clara's face. The tables are reversed, as now Clara's fur is covered in ants. Her attempts to roll on the ground to crush them only succeed in making the ants climb down deeper and reach her skin, a common tactic that the ants under Izzie's leadership have mastered when taking down large animals.

Kale: "If you's not dead within da next few minutes, take my advice, and find somewhere else ta hunt. I may be a 'dog' instead'uv a wolf, but I'm top dog here."

It then becomes Kale's turn to look on with horror when Clara looks at him and smiles, while still covered in fire ants who are relentlessly biting her.

Clara: "You not dee only one with friends!"

Bearing through the pain it causes, Clara sticks two forepaw fingers in her mouth and whistles. Kale feels something with fur brush up against his legs, followed by something else and looks down. When the source isn't there, he looks back up and sees a pair of skunks (who had come from the main path and not the ones through the land minefield of ant hills) get on Clara's left and right whereby they spray her.

Izzie's voice: "RETREEEEEAAAAAAT! To the nearest tomato patch!"

The ants obey, leaving her fur as quickly as they had gotten in it. Clara struggles to stand up straight, meaning the ants had done a number on her, but the fact that she isn't dead speaks a lot about her resilience.

Clara (to the skunks): "Thanks, my paisanos." (To Kale) "It's your lucky day, I'm too worn out ta fight anymore. But my skunks still have some ammo left, so you're gonna let us leave."

Kale takes a defensive stance as he blocks off the only path out, then says, "I know how ta get ridda skunk spray, so you's goin' nowhere."

Clara: "Try doin' that when you can't see."

When Kale hears a chittering noise beneath his head, he looks down on instinct and gets skunked in the eyes by a skunk kit who had crept below him during the canines' recent dialogue. His eyes burning, Kale stumbles to the ground while screaming and is powerless to stop Clara from leaving.

Before walking out of eyesight of Kale, Clara looks back and boastfully says, "You ain't seen da last of ME!"

Kale: "Ah, tanks for the warning. I'll be waitin' for you's!"

Clara: "You'll let ya's guard down sometime!"

Kale: "You can't hide ya scent from my nose!"

Clara: "And you can't be everywhere at once!"

In his mind Kale curses in Spanish at how quick Clara catches on, especially for a newbie in this forest. But that's all the time both wolves allows themselves for snarky comebacks. Clara runs off with her skunk paisanos and Kale has to focus all of his energy to using his exceptional nose to smell past the skunk stench and locate familiar landmarks of his that will guide him to a tomato patch about three acres away. But he walks away happy, for he saved Sam and Aaron from certain death and defeated an opponent far stronger than himself.

Then he reflects deeper about his encounter with Clara...He'll remember that name for sure. Normally, he would classify their meeting as "hate at first sight." He should hate her, he wants to hate her, but he can't find it in himself to do it...not after recalling that she too has the "mark of shame." With such a disgrace for her to carry in her conscience till the day she dies, it's no mystery as to why she has such a temper problem.

He actually wants to see her again, not because he intends to kill her, but because she is the only other wolf who knows how he is feeling. Alone, cheated out of glory, unable to marry or make friends with another wolf, forced to live in a world where predators and prey alike treat her like an enemy.

Kale thinking: "She may be the answer to all the problems my family can't solve."

Kale might be letting his naïve hope get the better of the harsh reality that his life operates so often on, but he also can't let a chance like this pass up. He decides to take Verne's advice and trust in hope. The feeling is amazing, almost as good as the time he allowed himself to not let the Codes of Wolf Society rule his thoughts 24/7.

As for Sam and Aaron, on their way back home, it doesn't take them long before they run into someone who may just have the magic that could brighten their dreary day...As do Mary, Bernard, and De'Ausha.

---

I wasn't exaggerating when I said this chapter was going to be chaos. And the real problems are just starting!

Next time: the family gets bigger, new problems arise, soul-searching occurs, and previously strong bonds get in jeopardy.