Chapter 15:
We get up early the next morning, and Vivian says she had the strangest dream. I motion her to the washroom, and we go in and shut the door. I run the sink water, "not a dream, I say. No cams or mics in here we can talk freely. Was the meadow a dream she asks? No, I respond, what you think you saw, you did see. So, there are eight of you? Yes, I respond. God, this is big, what can I do? Nothing at the moment grandma, safer if no one finds out at the moment. Aren't you worried about them? Yes, grandma I am, but nothing bad will happen for awhile, DeDe will warn us when the time comes. Who's DeDe? DeDe is a rabbit, and surrogate mother, the institute put with us when we were about four weeks old, and she's on our side, she has been my littermates mother figure since Heather died. Who's Heather? Heather was our birth mother, she carried all of us to term, she died the morning mom and dad found me. Should I be knowing all this? In for a penny, in for a pound. A shared secret, weighs less remember? How did you get to be so smart? Lots of practice, I say. Grandma just laughs."
The next few weeks just flew by, and now it was approaching Christmas. After supper, about a week before Christmas. Mom got a call from her parents. "Hey there Jude the dude, you guys still coming for Christmas? Asks Stu Hopps. Yes dad, will be there Tuesday, two days before Christmas. Good, you still bringing Daniel your foster kit? No dad, were goanna leave him at the orphanage on the way out of town, Of Course were bringing him, what kind of question is that? Sorry Judy I just worded that wrong. I should hope so dad, Is Vivian still welcome or should we leave her at the orphanage too?" At this grandma and dad, are holding their paws over their muzzles, trying to stifle their laughter. Judy bursts out laughing at the face her dad has on the phone, "dad that is the fist time I've pulled one over on you. Good one, Jude the Dude, all right, see you then." The call ends, and everyone bursts out laughing. "Good grief Judy, have you not told them Daniel is our son? No Nick, I want to let them have an early Christmas gift, can you think of a better way to say GOT YOU than that? I've been rubbing off on you way too much, fluff, says Nick. Judy cuddles up to Nick, well now that this shady charter has come into my life, I've been kind of seeing how far I can go. "
Tuesday morning and dad is grumbling about having to get up so early. Nick, we get up earlier than this to get to work on time. Yeah, but that's work, not working now. Good grief, you are impossible some days. Nick just smirks as he takes a sip of his coffee. Meanwhile, I am just staring around ay everything. The people, the sound, the smells, at this my nose is twitching, and some people are just staring at us. First time on a train, and I don't want to miss anything.
The train arrives with it's horn blaring, and I jump straight up, Dad grabs me before I start to come down. "Whoa sport, didn't know you could jump that high". The doors open, and everyone exits, before were allowed to get on. We head for the seats we are assigned. The train is kind of full, and a lot of elbowing, and near misses occur before we find our seats. I put myself in the window side of the seat so I can look out. Vivian sits in the same seat, and mom and dad are sitting in the seat across from us. We had bought large mammal seats as they could easily accommodate our smaller size. Cheaper for two big seats, than to purchase four smaller ones. The train starts up with a horn blast, and then lurches forward. I watch the city fly by, as we head out of town. We go through a meadow section, and I can't help but wonder if this is the meadow Heather and I walked through. I connect with my siblings and show them the trip. The connection appears to be stronger the further we get out of the city. After we pass the tri-Borrows sign, the connection starts to get weaker. I now have a direction to go, when the time comes to go looking for them. This all happens about half way to Bunny Burrow.
As we pull into Bunny Burrow, I don't see many bunnies at the station, but I do see Stu and Bonnie waiting for us. Judy runs to her mom and dad, and hugs them. I run and jump into Bonnies arms, she holds me for a bit, kisses me, and lets me go. Dad and Vivian handle the cart with all our bags on it, and I just bound around looking at everything. I see a big sign that is counting up the amount of rabbits in Bunny Burrow. 80,000,000, wow that sure is a lot, I think. Greetings over, we all pile into the van and head for the farm.
I have never been to a farm before, so everything is new. From the smell of freshly turned earth, to the smell of composting leaves. I get my first look at the burrow, as we pull into the yard. Looks like a hill with windows all over it. Two big doors, taller than dad, face us. Wow Stu, that is some house. Thanks Nick, it's been in the family for about a hundred years. Mind you, we add a little more to it every few years, family still growing. How many bunnies live here? At last count, about five hundred. Give or take a few births. Wow, that's a lot. Judy greets a few of her siblings who come out to help us with our bags.
As I enter the house, I hear a low rumbling. This group of bunnies come around the corner. I found out latter that this group was called a "kerfuffle". This is a group of bunny kits that are to old for the nursery, and to young for chores. An adult group of bunnies is called a "fluffle". The kerfuffle stops dead in their tracks and look at dad, Vivian, and I, and mob us with questions. "Are you here to eat us? Are you a fox? Are we related? Can we see your teeth? Can we hold your tail? Are you Judy's mate? Ohhh, your tail is so fluffy." Nick and Vivian just laugh at the questions, and try to answer all if them. I'm approached by another group of the kerfuffle, who look at me and ask, "what are you? I'm a hybrid, I reply. What's a hy…hy…hybrid? I have both fox and bunny genes." I then twitch my nose at them, and jump straight up. Well this starts everyone bouncing. They start to bounce out of the room, I look over at dad, and he motions me to go. So, with joy in my heart, I bounce out of the room with the kerfuffle.
"So, Nick, Judy, says Stu, as they settle down with a cup of tea. Where did you find Daniel? Judy Responds, well he sort of fell into our laps at a crime scene. Crime scene? Yes, what we thought was his mother had been assaulted, and was badly injured, I picked him up to console him as she died. Oh, that terrible Bonnie replied. Well, it turns out that she had no ID, and Daniel would have to go to an orphanage. Nick and I decided to foster him on the spot, and we were allowed too. So, if his mother is dead, are you guys goanna adopt him? Well about that, his mother is not actually dead, and no, we can't adopt him. Both Bonnie and Stu get puzzled looks on their faces. But, if she's not dead, and you can't adopt, why do you still have Daniel? What else would we do with our own son?" Judy gets a big grin on her face, as she says this. Stu's mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water, Bonnies hands fly to her mouth as she lets out a squeak. Bonnie puts her hands down and looks at her daughter with anger in her eyes. "Judith Laverne Wilde, this had better not be some kind of joke, if it is, it's in very bad taste. No mom, she responds Nick and I were just as floored as you, when we found out. B…B. But, how is this possible? Stammered Stu. Well you guys remember when we went to the clinic? They both shake their heads yes. What we didn't tell you, was they had six viable embryos for us, but before the procedure could be carried out, the clinic was fire bombed, and we were devastated, so we never told anyone.
And your sure he is your son? Asks Bonnie. Bobby from the ZPD lab, ran the DNA test on Daniel, and found out that he is a 60% match to Nick, and a 35% match to me. So yes, his mother is alive and doing well, so is his father for that matter. So, mom, dad, how's it feel, to be grandparents again?" At this, Stu gets up, goes to a cupboard and pulls out a bottle, opens it, and drinks straight from the bottle, he then comes back to the table and offers to pour some in everyone's tea.
We bounce through the house, and end up in a play room. This is amazing, an indoor play area. All sorts of play ground equipment, sand pits, and toys spread out all over the floor. I have a few toys, but not as many as this. The other kits have no problem with me, we just all play together. Tag, duck duck goose, hide and seek, I was good at this one, as my nose could tell me where, they went. Eventually an adult calls us for supper. She looks at me kind of strange, but says nothing.
We wash up and head for the dining room. I am pulled aside by the same adult that called us for supper. "Shouldn't you be heading home? Am home I reply. No, what I mean is aren't your parents worried about you? I don't know, they are around here somewhere. Getting a little flustered, she asks who my parents are. Nick and Judy Wilde, I reply. With this she put a paw in her mouth and just says, Oh, your Daniel? I just nod yes. She then takes me by the hand, and leads me to a smaller dining room. As she opens the door, she says, found him. Hey squirt, did you have fun? Asks dad. Sure did, I reply." I am seated between mom and dad for the meal. Bonnie and Stu, keep glancing over at me, all throughout the meal.
New veggies to try, corn, squash, turnups, and yams, I just stuff myself with everything." Ahh Nick, shouldn't he have some meat? Asks Stu. Judy answers, no dad he won't eat meat or bugs. We think it has something to do with his biology. He seems to get all the nutrition he needs for veggies, and vegetable proteins. We haven't found a vegetable he doesn't like. But meat and bugs he will not touch." I just shudder at the thought of eating meat.
After the meal we all go to relax in the rec room. (very big rec room) Some watch TV shows, some play computer games, and some play board games in the corner. I am shown our bed rooms, and I grab my art supplies. I go back to the rec room. And sitting in a quiet corner start to draw. I draw the scene in front of me. After awhile one of the adults comes over to see what I am doing. I am so into drawing, again I am unaware of her approach.
"Hi Daniel, I'm Weana, may I see what your drawing? I turn the portfolio around so she can see. Wow, that's really good how long have you been drawing? I reply, about two weeks. TWO weeks? How old are you Daniel? About 19 months, I reply. O M G this is amazing." At this she runs over, and drags a few more bunnies over. They all oh and ah over what I have drawn. As I finish, I take it out of the portfolio, and hand it to Weana. For you, I say. "For me? Really? Thank you, Daniel." She gushes and goes to show other family members. I then begin to draw a portrait of Stu and Bonnie.
They are facing out with their out side hands clasped at waist level and their inside arms around each others shoulder. They are smiling, and Bonnie has a purple flower tucked behind one ear. I then draw them standing in a field with flowers and butterflies. The grass is bending in a slight breeze, with some fluffy white clouds in the sky. I finish this picture and look up. I have quite the Fluffle around me this time. Stu and Bonnie walk over to see what's going on, as there's a crowd in the corner." What's going on they ask?" For an answer I just take the drawing out of the book and hand it to them.
Stu clutch his chest like he is having a heart attack, and bonnie just tears up. "Did…Did you just draw this? From memory? No, I reply, I just drew what I feel. Stu turns to one of the older bunnies, Brian can you get album 46? Sure dad, but why? Just go get it please. He leaves to go get it. Daniel have you looked at any of the family albums? No, I reply. I just drew what felt right when I imagine the two of you together. Brian returns with the album in question. Stu takes it, opens it, and show everyone the big photo in the album. It's almost identical with my drawing, with some minor variations. Everyone is floored by this. "Daniel, can you draw something else? What would you like?
At this Vivian steps forward. Daniel, can you draw my wedding picture?" So, I begin to draw, the room has gone quiet, and all eyes are on me. I see in my minds eye, what I need to draw. I draw Vivian facing a tod. She's smiling at him, she's wearing a red dress, holding an orange bouquet of flowers. The tod is wearing a brown suit, with a white carnation in his lapel. They are just on the verge of kissing. The scene behind them is of a city block, with a red convertible at the curb. When I show this to Vivian, she lets out a howl, and faints away. Brian and Stu lower Vivian to the floor. Nick and Judy run into the room asking what happened. For an answer I show dad what I had drawn. Dad falls to his backside, and lets out a small yipe. Now I'm starting to get worried," Sorry Dad, I say. It's ok Daniel, but where did you see this? In my minds eye, Grandma asked me to draw her wedding picture so I did. Everyone standing around is very confused, not sure what happened. Well Daniel, I don't know how you drew that, but that photo was destroyed in our house fire, sixteen years a go. At this point Vivian regains conscious, and grabs nick and cries. I get up, and going to Vivian I hug her and say sorry. Not your fault Daniel, I was asking for the impossible, never expecting to get it." She hugs me in a fierce hug and continues to cry. Slowly the audience drifts away, till only Nick, Judy, Vivian, Stu, Bonnie, and I are left. Stu shows Nick and Judy the photo in the album, and the portrait I made of them. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but you have a very unique gift Daniel. Among many, I reply." They just laugh at my statement, but it is strained.
I'm dead dog tired by the time bed time rolls around. I brush my teeth, change my clothes, and Vivian curls up around me in bed. I need to talk to Gab, no sooner had I thought that, than I was there. "Ah, Daniel, good to see you. He can tell immediately I'm upset. What's happened? He asks. I go on to explain the picture drawings and how scared I am. Oh, Daniel, have you been trying to get in touch with your inner self? I just hang my head and say no. Why not? I don't know were to begin. Gab and I start walking in the meadow. Gab has a paw to his chin, and appears to be thinking really hard. After a bit, Gab looks at me. Daniel, I want you to try some thing. Think of looking in yourself as a journey through a tunnel. As you travel, think of the lights coming on and staying on. I say I can do this. And as for the drawings, you are picking up the emotional thoughts of the individuals involved. Stu and Bonnie were relaxing and saw something on TV that reminded them of that day in the meadow. And Vivian was thinking about what she had lost, and gave you that picture. This is not strange Daniel, it's all part of what you can do, you are a communications mammal. If people think of something hard enough, you will pick up on that, you can sense it. Am I reading their minds? Gab laughs, No Daniel, you can't read minds, mind reading doesn't exist. What you are picking up on, are emotions. And emotions can speak as loud as words. Now I believe someone over there want to speak with you."
I look over, and it's Susan. "Susan," I yell, as I get down on all fours and run to her. We collide with a happy squeal, and fall to the ground. We laugh, and just cling to each other. I nibble on her neck and she just let's out with a happy squeal. She then flips us over so she's on top, and starts to tickle me. I start to laugh, and try to lick her face. It's hard to laugh and lick at the same time. Eventually Her nose gets close enough, and I kiss it. The tickling stops, and we just kiss. Then we just rest, I rub my hand down her back and she snuggles in, under my chin. We link our emotions, and no words are needed between us. This is peace and heaven, and I will want this for always. "How did you get here? I ask. Well, I was watching the last time we came here, and I got a feel for the place, and figured I could get here on my own, and I could! I'm glad you're here, it's lonely with out you I say. Your never alone Daniel, I'm only a thought away." At this we just relax into each others embrace, Susan's heart beat slows down and mine picks up, tell our hearts sync and beat as one, then we start to chirr.
- "Sir we have a strange development. Define strange. Well the directional mics in the compound, have picked up this unusual sound. Let me hear it. The tech reaches down and pushes a button. The sound of a chirr fills the office. That's not unusual, that's just a happy bunny chirr. Sir they are all doing it. All, including the hybrids? Yes Sir. Also, and he play's a single heat beat, their heart beats are so close it sounds like one. Is this some thing new? Yes Sir, just started tonight. So, they do have some kind of link. It would appear so. So, unconscious they appear to be linked. Maybe, this link is under conscious control, and they are shutting it off? It's possible Sir. Right, after the Christmas season, I want a new series of test designed to find this link. Pain response? No, that didn't work last time, try kindness first, we can always go back to pain later." (from the archives of the institute)