Episode 4: Through Fire and Through Water
After yesterday's events. Loveday and the Farthing Wood animals started their long and dangerous journey to White Deer Park. After Loveday recklessly saved Fox from a ferocious cat near a garden pool ,they had managed to survive a road, where Adder and Toad almost got runover and both needed rescuing.
Fortunately, they were all now sleeping safely in a large Gorse Thicket on the armyland. Unseeing a danger sign with a skull and crossbones symbol.
Sleeping soundlessly, Loveday never predicted today was going to be a disastrous day for her or her traveling companions. As she stirred herself awake, she felt something warm and furry. Opening one eye Loveday saw it was Fox who'd been sleeping beside her all along, but she didn't mind him and went back to sleep smiling.
"Assuming all the helpful favours I've shown, mainly supporting those helpless newts and navigating the animals right across the road, Fox must be distinguishing me different to other corruptive humans. Especially since I saved him from becoming kitty chow last night, like how similar to when grandma saved him long ago from a nasty hunter"
"I wonder what Fox is personally thinking about me now?" Loveday curiously asked " Hopefully I haven't let his guard down"
Fox himself was confused with unlogical explanations about his on growing bond toward the human girl "I'm surprised Loveday has demonstrated a rare capability to protecting us animals from the world where she comes from. Strange to think a human child would betray her own race just for the sake of homeless animals, even by risking her own life. And I admire her for that. She really does possess the sprit that's one with nature"
BANG! BANG! The whole land rattled and shook furiously. Loud explosions caused a big disturbance that it woke some of the forest creatures up"
"Do stop snoring dear" moaned Mrs Hedgehog coming out of her slumber
"Me? I don't snore" Hedgehog replied wearily
"That's what you always say, but I think your snores are positively earth-shattering" said Mrs Hedgehog
Pheasant shrieked "I say. It's a pheasant shoot!"
"For once I do believe your right dear" said pheasants wife
"For once?" Pheasant complained
BANG! BANG! blasts kept repeating on and on. Poor Toad was woken up by a sharp vibration on the ground "Weee!"
"What are they using? Canons!" Pheasant questioned himself
BANG!
Loveday woke up "AGH! MAKE IT STOP!" she said gripping to her ears. In the past Loveday found out she was born with sensitive hearing and couldn't stand certain noises like balloons popping or fireworks bursting, but these explosions were far too painful for her ears to bear. "PLEASE STOP!" Lovedays anxiety changed into a panic attack.
Fox opened his eyes and saw Loveday with a face cringed in extreme pain. Feeling concerned Fox dashed to her "Loveday! what's wrong? Are you alright?". Loveday absentmindedly wrapped her arms around Fox protectively. Fox looked stunned at her in surprise. Feeling awkward to her human embrace, but he allowed Loveday to hold him closer until her head nuzzled his chest "Loveday calm down, look at me and take a deep breath in" Fox said
Loveday stared into his eyes and continuously took a few calming breaths,
"I'm sorry… my ears are sensitive to loud sounds like those explosions… they really hurt me" explained Loveday panting heavily
"Don't apologise for anything Loveday, just keep breathing" comforted Fox uncontrollably wrapping his own tail around her back.
It felt nice hugging Fox for the first time. Now that Loveday knew her friend was there with her, she felt a sense of great recovery. Noticing how close she'd now gotten Loveday broke herself off Fox's body.
"Oh sorry! I didn't mean to-" Loveday awkwardly said brushing off the dirt on her bridal dress.
"It's ok, I don't blame you" Fox sighed "Just let me know when you do it again next time alright"
"Aye" Loveday responded happily "We're friends still right"
"Right" Fox concluded with a smile
Once that episode was all over, the investigation of the Armylands explosions was afoot. Loveday finally found the scary warning sign with the skull.
"Oh great! Now were in huge trouble!" Loveday said heading over towards Badger
"Badger wake up, wake up!" Fox nudged over to Badger fast asleep.
"What?...what? where am I? huh?" Badger says as Mole appeared next to them.
"Oh, is it an earthquake!" Mole asks
"I don't think it is?" Loveday answers him
"Kee! Kee!" squawked Kestrel as she flew above
"What's going on kestrel!" Fox calls up to her. With Kestrels powerful eyesight she'd be able to find out what's happening.
"Kee! Kee! I'll go and see!" Kestrel replies flying off in the other direction.
BANG!
"AGH!" Loveday jumped coving her ears
"Stay calm Loveday, remember how I told you" Fox reminded her
"Yes, I will" Loveday said doing her breathing method
"If I was a rabbit I'd be panicking, hahaha" Weasel teased, her nasty joke actually persuaded the baby rabbits to bolt away in fear.
"Don't panic, don't panic!" Rabbit shouted out, but her children ran by Badger and passed Lovedays feet in a flash.
"Where's everyone going?" Fox asked
"They're going back to the road" Badger answered before turning his head "and listen to the traffic!"
"They'll get themselves killed!" Loveday alarmed "Stop! Rabbits stop!" she screamed, running after them along with Fox.
Owl and Adder both secretly good friends to each-other but were too prideful to disclose about it. Proudly stood guard back at the roads edge hiding between the steel crash barriers, watching the cars roar pass.
"When perched between two evils, the best solution is to stay still!" Owl lectured to Adder
"Easier said than done" Adder agreed back
"Stop those rabbits!" Fox shouted, causing the bird and snake to steer their heads.
"Do something!" called Loveday. Before the baby rabbits ran themselves onto the road, Adder scarred them with a lunging roar. Thankfully making them stop.
"Thanks Adder" said Fox looking grateful
"Yes, thank you so much" Loveday thanked also
"The pleasure was all mine" Adder replied feeling pleased with herself.
"Rabbits! Stay right where you are till told otherwise!" Fox scolded crossly
"If you were told to run across a road like that, you might've killed yourselves" Loveday firmly reasoned "Don't ever do that again, you understand"
"I can't stand creatures or humans shouting at me" wept the boy rabbit
"Pull yourself together" Fox moaned
"If I did have the time, I should've tried using my ring to capture the rabbits safely" Loveday thought to herself
"I will calm the rabbits down Fox" Owl offered
"I'll stay with them" Loveday said to Fox
"Good luck" Fox grumbled
"Their only babies" Loveday exclaimed sensibly
"Which is why they need to grow up and not get into trouble" Owl declared
"Loveday I'll round up the others. Adder, help her keep an eye on them" Fox requested as he left
"Only one? as you wish" Adder hissed mischievously
"I heard that Adder" Loveday glared settling herself down
"Only joking hehehehe" Adder laughed
Loveday adoringly faces the baby rabbits "Everything's going to be alright, you're much safer if we all stay closer together" Loveday spoke softly
"I can't go on, my nerves my nerves" The boy rabbit shivered along with his sister.
Loveday knew exactly how-to sooth them "Come here" she gestured opening her arms
The baby rabbits were so shy at first but hesitantly jumped up on Loveday. She then holds them close to her and stroked their backs comfortly on her lap like wee babes. Owl tried her technique, teaching the rabbits an important lesson.
"Fear Rabbit is the greatest enemy. Conquer fear and you can conquer the world, for he who fears nothing has nothing to fear" Owl spoke metaphorically
"Owl do you have advise for every occasion?" Loveday asked as she rocked the rabbits in her arms.
"Actually, yes I do. Depending on which day it is?" Owl answered, feeling a little jealous of Lovedays success.
Adder yawned "Fox said to calm them down, not send them to sleep" she snickered
True the baby rabbits had tuck themselves in Lovedays arms securely and were fast asleep. Loveday awed at the sight of them.
"Now I know what it feels like to be snow white" Loveday thought "these little guys are so cute"
BANG!
"Oh, not again" Loveday moaned, holding the frightened rabbits who were awake again.
"I want my mummy" cried the girl rabbit
"Me too" cried the boy rabbit also
"Come on, I'll carry you back" Loveday said pulling her blankie out her bag "Jump in, this blanket was made by my own mother and it always made me feel better"
The rabbits hopped into the sofe blankie. as Loveday carried them it looked like they were riding a big woolly cloud.
"Where is your Mother?" asked the girl rabbit curiously
Loveday let out a sad sigh "She's gone up to heaven with my Father" she told them "They died in a horrible traffic accident when I was a baby"
This made the rabbits feel sad for her "We're sorry" "Yeah sorry"
"It's alright, I never really knew them that much because I had my grandma taken care of me, but I do love them for bringing me into this world" Loveday said "Promise me you'll always value your parents. Your very lucky to still have them around with you"
"We promise" "To always love mummy and daddy even when they panic" the baby rabbits vowed
"Good"
"I really like you Loveday" the girl rabbit said
"So do I, your wonder human" said the boy rabbit.
Loveday blushed "Why thank you. Oh, look you two, there's your mother"
After bringing the kids back to their parents Loveday watched as the rabbit family all huddled together in reunion. Seeing this scene almost brought Loveday to tears. She'd give anything just to be in one of her grandmas loving warm hugs herself.
"I wish you were back here with me grandma; I could really use your love right now" Loveday thought "If she was here she'd probably tell me never to lose faith in finding a family of my own someday, but I'll worry about that later"
"Oh, thank you for saving my kin Loveday" said Rabbit looking up at her
"Yes, thank you" said Mr Rabbit
"Please I didn't do it alone, I had a little extra help" Loveday modestly explained
Just behind her, Owl and Adder both silently heard Lovedays story about her lost parents. "A-pity for that girl, wouldn't you agree Owl, hehehe" Adder grinned
"Shameful indeed" Owl answered feeling sorrowful "Most horrible occurrence for one so young to lose ones parents without sophistication"
"At least she does have her uses" Adder complimented
"Let us hope her talents doesn't bring us to dismay unlike her original species" Owl said
After Loveday spotted Fox and told him all that had happened back there, Fox seemed delighted.
"They really do take after they're parents. Well that takes care of them, perhaps you'd be popular with kids in the future" Fox mentioned
"Maybe someday" Loveday agreed
BANG! BANG!
"I have a funny feeling about this land" Loveday said "that awful signpost back there did remind me of a location in the town that's publicly off limits"
"Without your human navigation we'll probably be stuck in this place" Fox said
"I only hope this armylands not what I think it is" Loveday exclaimed feeling tensed
Mole found a juicy worm and gulped it up like a piece of spaghetti. He just couldn't resist food when he sees it.
Badger stood in front of him "Ah I suppose somebody always profits in a crisis, but does it have to me you Moley" Mole nods back in response to Badger.
"A lot of feet are coming this way" Hare affirmed, detecting the grounds vibration with his long ears.
"No doubts in your sharp hearing" Loveday told Hare "Compared to my human ears they range only 64 hertz to 23,000 hertz. While your long ears range 360 hertz to 42,000 hertz and that's a super record.
"I didn't even knew that" Hare said surprised "Clever you"
"I do know quite a lot of information about animals" Loveday brushed off
"If you do say, let's use that to our advantage" Fox said before looking up "See anything Kestrel!" he shouted up
Kestrel orbited around until she spotted something "Kee…Kee I see soldiers carrying guns" she replied
"Oh, darn it! We're in the marines firing base!" Loveday was remembering the armylands were a part of the training field, where the royal army practiced aiming guns or blasting cannons. No wonder they heard the explosions.
Loveday had to warn Fox "Fox listen to me"
"What is it Loveday?" Fox answered "have you remembered"
"Yes! We're lounging in a Death Valley; this land is used by human soldiers who exercise with dangerous military weapons that can easily kill us in rage, if we go out into the open fields"
"Badger round everyone up we've got to stick together!" Fox demanded after hearing the girls words. Badger quickly did as he was requested.
"Lucky thing you know about this area Loveday" Fox said, "How did you know?"
"One of the neighbouring marines visited our school to teach us about military life. I've always hated anything to do with war or armies. They bring nothing but evilness and consequences for many innocent lives" Loveday said "And I tell you I was lucky to get myself out from that lesson he gave us by pretending to be sick"
"Sly thing you did" Fox shared her opinion "As your training to be our guardian why don't you ask Kestrel for further information for me" he asked.
Nodding in response Loveday called up "Kestrel! What are the soldiers doing?"
Kestrel answered her "One of the soldiers has raised his guns, he's sticking a knife on the end of it"
"I say, that's none too sporting" Pheasant yelped
"What else Kestrel?" Loveday called using a hand for volume
"Now he's attacking a sack" Kestrel replies
"A sack?" Weasel said confused
"It's hanging from a branch" Kestrel said
"Why what's it done to him?" Hare asked baffled
"It's a game" Fox realised
"A life or death game to be exact" Loveday informed "its custom for soldiers to play pretend by attacking a dummy by using a stabbing technique, if you look where I'm standing you can see him doing it over there" Loveday pointed to a stabbing silhouette in the distance.
"A strange game" Pheasant said as he looked
While Loveday and her companions watched, Weasel found a wasps nest hanging in a tree nearby. "Now for some fun" she thought. Picking up a twig Weasel copied the soldiers tactic on the wasps nest until both man and animal stabbed their pretend opponents at the same time. Being threatened by their attackers action the wasps swarmed all over Weasel in chase.
Badger saw her foolish actions "You stupid female!" he said
"Who are you calling stupid female? that's…Weasel? What have you done!" Loveday watched
The swam of wasps then flew in fury straight for the soldiers, barely crashing into Kestrel. The soldiers swatted their arms like crazy battling the killer bugs.
"There running away!" Kestrel informed, watching the soldiers sprang away from the open like clumsy stooges in panic.
"Imagine afraid of a sack" Pheasant huffed, ignoring the fact about the wasps effort. Loveday rolled her eyes.
Kestrel lands on top of the wired fence "Where did all those bugs come from?"
Cracking up Loveday pointed "From the W-E-A-S-E-L" she giggled
"Kestrel is it safe for us to come out into the open for water?" asked Fox
Kestrel turned her face and scanned the area "Yes, you'll be quite safe. They're all running away, they're miles off already"
"You'd run if you were stung by a wasp!" cried Weasel fidgeting her face in pain.
"That will teach you for provoking that wasp's nest. Although you did us a favour" Loveday pitied for Weasel
"Follow me!" said Kestrel swooping off, now they can finally move out.
For a little while, the animals and Loveday followed Kestrels orientation in a line.
Fox turned to check "Right are we all here"
"All except Moley" answered Badger who'd noticed Mole had snuck off of his back.
"Again?" said Loveday annoyed
"He's probably gone down after his dinner" Fox playfully suggested to the girl
Badger crawled to Moles molehill, "Mole you've had enough worms. It's time to go"
BURP!
"Oh! Its another explosion" Owl yelled flying off the ground. It turned out to only be Mole belching beneath her.
"Do we have to?" Mole said innocently
"We must stick together Moley" Badger exclaimed to his friend
Owl felt indignity by Moles manners but had a better solution to ease his big appetite "I can highly recommend the marsh Mole. It afforded me the tastiest, juiciest breakfast I can ever remember"
"Please we've already waited enough nonsense as it is" Loveday said walking ahead towards the marsh. "Come on"
"Come on everyone! No stragglers please" Fox called catching up to her
Poor Weasel was making such a fuss about her wasp sting on the snout "Nobody cares about me!" she cried clutching to her face
"I was stung on the nose once it hurt for weeks and weeks" Mr Rabbit said to Weasel only making her cry more.
The newts were very excited to be reaching the wet marsh with everyone else.
"Come along we're going for another swim" Mr Newt said happily
"Water!" squeaked the baby newt riding his mother's back
"I hope its not far" Mrs Newt said "if it is Loveday will carry us there like last time"
"Bless that little girl" Mr Newt agreed, being thankful that Loveday was the one who saved them from dehydrating to death back in Farthing Wood.
Toad accompanied his little reptile friends "Hallo there matey. Thought you were a goner and look at you now, no worst for wear at all eh. Hehe" Toad said to baby newt making him smile.
The rest of the animals were also minding their own business. Rabbit cleaned her kids, the field-mice were having a little splash and of course Weasel was cooling her muzzle in the cool water. After aiding Weasel's stung with some lotion in her bag Loveday sat down to rest, Mole appeared beside her.
"Owl was right, look at this" Mole delightfully said gorging down more plump worms
"I can already see that" Loveday giggled as her stomach growled "Time for a snack I think"
"What have you got to eat Loveday?" Mole asks
"Chocolate chip cookies" Loveday answered pulling out a long packet
"Oh, what are they?"
"A special baked treat we humans eat, it's what we call a biscuit with chocolate chunks"
"Can I try some?" Mole said with pleading eyes
Loveday broke off a piece "Only a tiny bit, because somethings we humans eat don't appeal to animals stomachs" Mole tasted the crumb and looked bright-eyed from its sweet flavour.
"It's delicious! c-can I have one more?"
"One more" Loveday gave him a finale piece.
Fox and Badger were busy quenching their thirsts
"Waters very bitter but lovely and cold" Fox described
"I bet Toads enjoying himself eh, where is he?" Badger asked
Fox searched for him, rather worried "We can't lose our guide"
When Loveday was drinking her flask, she pointed her finger over for Fox to see.
Fox followed her direction "Ah, look keeping the newts company. Thanks Loveday"
"Poor old Toad he's worn out from yesterday" said Badger, Loveday nodded in agreement Toad was looking awfully tired.
The newts and Toad finally joined the group. "I thought Kestrel said it wasn't far" said Mrs Newt to her mate
"It isn't if you're a bird" complained Mr Newt back
Toad collapsed in front of Fox
"Pace too fast Toadie?" Fox asks
"No, no, no I enjoy a nice walk" Toad contradicted before falling backwards into the water. SPLASH!
The newts were too in the water, except for baby newt. His parents kept urging him to come in. "Come on baby" called Mr Newt, though his son refused.
Loveday gently pushed the baby in surprise.
"Thank you Loveday" Mrs Newt said
"At last" moped Mr Newt
"We must pay it in mind that these small animals can hardly keep up with us" Loveday clarified as she watched Toad float lazily on the water's surface in refurbishment.
Badger took note to Lovedays statement "Lovedays right, travelled too far yesterday Fox"
Toad dazedly looked up "Too fast for us small animals, too slow for you" Toad stated
"True Toad its very uncomfortable for us large animals" Badger said
"Ahem?"
"Or humans, beg your pardon dear" Badger apologised to Loveday
"None taken" sighed Loveday
"Oh dear, it's all my fault. 'm sorry Badger" Mole mistakenly said
"I didn't mean you were making me uncomfortable Moley. go on eat your worms it's alright" Badger comforted him
"Please try to not jump to conclusions Moley" Loveday said to the little guy.
"Yes Loveday" Mole said disappearing under.
"Your right Badger we can't slow our pace any further, what are we gonna do?" Fox questioned
"Aye, this is a real toughie" Loveday said thinking "How can we set ourselves with more mobility?
"I know" yelled Weasel "What Adder needs is a sting in the tail, hahaha! That'd make her move"
Adder crept out of nowhere "I'll give you a sting in the tail" she threatened narrow-eyed
Weasel ran away letting out a blood-curling scream "AAAGGGHHH!"
While Adder pridefully laughed with triumph "Hehehehe"
Fox's eyes rolled "Some weasels never learn" he said sarcastically after seeing Weasel escape
"Somebody please put her out of misery?" Loveday groaned with a facepalm "Any better ideas?"
"Perhaps it would be better if we newts stayed here" Newt proposed looking positive
Badger objected "Oh no, certainly not. Where there's a will there's a way, Adders going on. Aren't you Adder?"
Adder slid over behind the field-mice "Mm mm, I suppose the mice get deliciously fat in a nature reserve" Adder hissed scaring the poor mice away.
"Adder remember the oath!" Fox scolded the snake
Mrs Newt proposed to stay as well "This journeys much too hard for us Fox, I don't think we could make it. No matter how slow you all went" she said looking up to the leader
"What? even if I had to carry you all the way there?" Loveday said feeling uneasy with this idea
"Yes, even with all your strength and generousness dear" Mrs Newt answered
Toad popped out and spoke on behalf of the aquatic lizards "Bet the newts have everything they need here and their quite safe nobody comes near this end of the marsh. They'll not do any better at White Deer Park"
Loveday realised a heavy sign "I'd hate to say this, but I agree with Toad. Newts need to live in wetlands, and this might be the perfect place for them" Loveday claimed "Think about the pressure we may feel if we forced them to continue this journey selfishly. The oath we pledged together also stands for giving our friends the admission to choose wherever they wish to live if that's a probability"
"I suppose you and Toad are right, Loveday" Fox comprehended "The oath does naturally mean for us to deal with friends life options respectfully"
"Don't like it, not in the team spirit" Badger disagreed
"I'm on your side too Badger" Loveday said
"And as long as no one else wants to leave" followed Fox
"That's settled then we're staying!" Newt ended the meeting "You do see it's better for us don't you badger"
"I suppose so, but I don't like it" Badger said shamefully looking down in defeat
Feeling hard with his pact for letting the Newts stay Fox departed "Well 'm afraid we better be going ""I'd like to get round to the other side of the marsh by night. Goodbye Newts and good luck!"
"Thank you for everything Fox" Newt heartfully said, waving goodbye to his loyal companions.
"Time to go everybody!" Fox shouted; the other creatures bided Farewell to the Newts as they all left. Leaving only Badger and Loveday.
"Goodbye" Badger sadly said before he examined the ground "Moley? where've you gone now!"
Mole appeared again "Here I am"
Badger firmly picks him up "It's time to go"
"But you said I could look for worms"
"Later! Later"
"One day Moley you'll be so fat; you'll get stuck down one of your own tunnels" Owl scoffed at him
"Burp! Oh pardon" Mole responded crawling back onto Badger
Loveday leaned her small body down "I guess this is goodbye, after getting to know you and your little family for only a few days ago"
"I imagine you're the only friendly human who'd existed to save us, so we can live on peacefully here in our new home" Newt replied "There are no finale words we can say to you Loveday"
"We'll miss you most of all, take care of yourself Loveday" said Mrs Newt "And remember the lake will never blossom without having a water-lily to nurture its true beauty"
Loveday was baffled by this strange quote "Um thanks newts, it's been a real pleasure to meet you. Bye-bye baby" she kisses her finger and pops it on top of baby newts head
"Bye-bye" Baby Newt replied
"Loveday!" called Fox who was waiting for her.
"Coming!" Loveday calls back to him "Farewell Newts" she said walking away "Be safe!"
"Goodbye!" the newts say as they all dived down into the water
Loveday glanced over her shoulder "I never expected we'd be leaving without them, giving up their only chance to live in White Deer Park. I just hope nothing bad happens to them living near the royal marines territory" she thought nervously, racing to the animal party like a beautiful horse against the breeze.
Finally catching up to them while waking further around the marsh Loveday thought she saw one of the squirrels picking an acorn up. Only it wasn't any acorn it was a live bullet!.
After recognizing the missile shot from her world war history lessons Loveday panicky rushed forward, if someone came into contact with that bullet then it would trigger itself and blast right in the animals presence.
"Throw that away! It might be dangerous!" Fox instructed without knowing the weapons harmful cause. Until Loveday ran towards them.
"NO! Don't!" Loveday warned squirrel "you'll make it-", but it was too late. Squirrel had already thrown the bullet below next to Pheasants long-feathered stripy tale.
"BOOOOOOOOOM!" it went off with a bright flash
"DAHHHHH!" Pheasant painfully screamed
"Oops!" shrieked Weasel looking traumatized with other animals at Pheasants now badly burnt tail.
"Pheasant! Are you okay?" Loveday said as she came to check the damage on his behind. She was relieved to see nobody else got harmed.
"My-my-my-my beautiful tail!" Pheasant sputtered "This is all your fault Human! You didn't save my precious tail!"
Loveday regretfully took his blame "I am sorry. I just didn't warn Fox in time, here let me clean it for you"
"No! this is the last time I trust my life to a human like you" Pheasant shuffled away from her "Curse upon your species"
Feeling hurt Loveday turned away and collapsed to the ground in harsh guilt. Hate raged through Fox's veins hearing the pompous old bird criminalize Loveday like that.
"Is that all your worried about! your stupid tail! And your falsely accusing Loveday for its damage" Fox said furiously. Loveday looked at Fox in surprise.
Pheasant fumed "When you've been shot at as often as I have Fox! You'll realise nothings more important than ones…personal dignity"
"Dash your dignity! you mustn't accuse Loveday by making her feel responsible for all the offense's humans have caused against us animals. This human girl here was alternatively trying to help you because she cares about your injury and is the one who tried to prevent this from happening. If you want someone to blame its me for not listening to Lovedays warning sooner" Fox personally explained "then this might not have happened" turning his face towards the girl "What was that thing Squirrel found Loveday?"
Loveday sniffed while wiping her wet eyes "That was a bullet, a deadly weapon made to cause destruction, I should've protected you all more from it"
"It's not your fault Loveday" Fox consoled her "Now Pheasant let Loveday treat you and I mean now"
Having no other choice to fix his ruined tail Pheasant soon forgot about his agony and permitted it. "Very well" he said looking embarrassed
Loveday was bewildered to be stood up for by Fox, she felt even closer to having Fox as more than a friend. Getting up Loveday hugged Fox "Thank you" she whispered to him, Fox didn't know how to react instead he just smiled warmly as Loveday went to nurse the pheasant bird.
"Are you alright dear?" asks Pheasants wife
"I'll never be able to turn my back on anyone again" Pheasant cried
"That'll be a nice change" His wife muttered
"That ought ta to it" Loveday said finishing her medical treatment, using simple veterinary skills taught from her grandma "Your tail won't grow back again sadly but you'll live"
"No! my tail!" Pheasant cried in agony again
"Thank you Loveday" Pheasants wife kindly said "And sorry for his rude behaviour. He can't handle his pride"
"Happy to help" Loveday replied feeling pleased of her handy work "If any other beast needs my medical assistance then please come and get me"
"Yes Loveday" the animals replied building new feelings of trust towards her.
Now feeling better for Loveday. Fox stepped up "The quicker were out of here the better. Get into single file everybody and don't step out of line. This is dangerous country"
"Wait. Where's Toad?" Loveday asked as she packed away her first aid kit "isn't he supposed to show us the way out?"
"Yes he is. Owl have you seen him?" Fox asked
"Too tried to move" Owl explained meaning they're guide was still catching up to them.
Fox sighed "Take a rest everybody I'm going back for him"
While waiting for him, the animals settled down except for Mole who was fidgeting on Badger "While we've stopped Badger can I get down?" he asks
"What for?" Badger groaned
"I drank a lot of water with those worms" Mole said as he slid himself off
"Honestly Mole, you should've gone before we left" Loveday tells him
"Sorry" Mole innocently answered before he burrowed underground
Mysteriously Loveday felt her head was intensely painful all of a sudden. "Badger I'm gonna take a little rest under that tree, please wake me up when Fox comes back" she said
"Absolutely dear" Badger said
"What a busy morning this is" Loveday thought as she sat under the shade of a tree close by. After laying down her head, Loveday was interrupted by bouncing bundles of fur. She reopened her eyes to see it was the baby bunnies sleeping on her lap "These little guys are growing on me" Loveday giggled. Going back to sleep her ring mysteriously activated itself with a glow.
In her dream Loveday was standing on the road where a car was parked on the edge of the armylands with a regular guy smoking from an open window.
"Strange? why am I watching this? Grandma always said smoking was bad for your health" Loveday said to herself "And that cigarette I smell makes me feel sick to my stomach"
"Tis the gift of foresight you're experiencing" Loveday reacted to who's voice that belonged
"What?... Ah, I know you're here somewhere. So you might as well come out if you are going to talk to me" Loveday provoked the mysterious stranger, crossing her arms.
"I'm right behind you" Loveday whirled her head. Catching the sight of the silver fox she'd met before, lying on the road barriers.
"Your name is… uh…Kell right"
"The one and only" Kell bowed to Loveday "I'm so sorry for the improper greeting we had earlier, I had to make sure that you'd bring yourself and the animals away from Farthing Wood as soon as possible"
"Oh aye" Loveday understood "It's not that I'm ungrateful to you for rescuing me Kell. I was hoping somebody like you must be able to answer my inquiries"
"For example. how your grandma Mary once saved Fox the same way as you're fatefully rescuing the animals you feel desperately sorry for?" Kell guessed
"Well…yes. I feel there's a hidden scheme behind my family's heritage which has somehow brought me to join the animals side"
"Good" Kell exclaimed before looking serious "because I'm not the one who's going to tell you"
"Hah! But you said-"
Kell dismissingly interrupted "The only way to solve your question above all questions is to keep on escapading to White Deer Park"
Loveday become surprised "But…But that's still miles away, what's there for me to find in an old animal sanctuary that's gonna explain everything" Loveday asked
Kell smiled "Only you can find that out"
"You sound just like a fortune teller" Loveday doubted "Still if it's the only way to find the truth surrounding me and my sacred crystals existence. Than I'd better stay put with Fox and the rest of my new companions"
"Indeed you must. Without them having you join their oath of protection you'll never learn to beneficially fight together, side by side against the adversaries who will threaten to destroy your happiness on the end of your journey" Kell predicted
Loveday was irritated "What! I thought we were gonna escape any more moral dangers in the park. Isn't this hard journey meant to be our only destiny"
"You'll just have to what and see for yourself" Kell said "now I suggest if you are going to reach the park safely, you must train yourself hard with the gift you've forgotten about"
"I didn't forget" Loveday argued "My ring has already shown me a few tricks"
"It isn't your ring. Do you actually know who you've become?" Kell playfully questioned
Before Loveday could answer she paused to recover what skills she developed "Um…I have communication, make lights appear and I remember shooting a fireball" Loveday recalled "What does that make me anyway? A Witch?"
Kell smiled "No, you're feral psychic Loveday"
"I'm…I'm a what?" Loveday freaked out
"A feral psychic" Kell resaid "Somebody who's love for wildlife becomes so real is then uprooted by the rings efficiency and given the power to control telepathic energy for the sake of nature's blessed creatures"
Loveday stood quite "How did I ever pursue a career in mind spirituality?" she sarcastically said
"Its no career Loveday" Kell said "It's your new life"
Although Loveday was now weakened with serious shellshock, she couldn't block away her thoughts of fierce astonishment "I don't know if I should feel exited or scared about the new psychic me" Loveday thought aloud "Fox and Badger are never going to believe me, when I tell them It was no mistake that my crystal brought me to Farthing Wood"
"It might be best to not share your new identity yet" Kell advised
"Why not?"
"Because you're foresight is trying to send you a warning message" Kell pointed a paw in the direction of the car.
"What message?" Loveday spoke
"Watch" Kell instructed
As Loveday kept her eyes on the scene. She immediately saw the human recklessly throw his hot cigarette into the dry grass.
"That's so wrong" Loveday thought "it's still burning and if…Oh No!" Loveday noticed. In seconds the smoking fumes caught a light on the brown weeds bursting into big flames growing endlessly around Lovedays surroundings.
"I've got to stop the fire" Loveday tried stamping on the burning grass, but her shoe didn't put it out "Kell please help me out!" Loveday yelled
"My efforts won't work on something you can't physically touch" Kell said "you're in a hallucination silly girl"
"Oh…now I get it" Loveday stopped "I'm asleep"
"Start using your abilities Loveday go…and remember all I've told you go…go!" Kell faded into the shadows as his voice echoed in Lovedays mind.
With no time to waste Loveday shook her head violently trying to regain consciousness "Loveday wake up! Your friends lives are in danger again wake up… wake up… wake up!" she repeated to herself as the fire engulphed over her.
All the time Loveday was out sleeping with the baby rabbits. The animals were also about to detect the same thing she visioned happening further away from them.
It all started when Weasel sensed something sooty in the air
"Fire?" Weasel gasped looking puzzled
"It's that sting on the end of your nose, it's effected your sense of smell" Rabbit rationalized
"I smell smoke" Weasel firmly said, " I do really!"
Rabbit disbelieved her "You can't fool me again. I'm not going to panic and besides if Loveday were awake she'd probably dismiss you" Rabbit excused
"Fire…fire…need to get away…fire's coming!" the animals eyed Loveday. Her eyes were glowing, and her body was shaking like she'd had been possessed.
The baby rabbits who had been awakened run worriedly towards Badger "Badger! Badger!"
"What's the matter?" Badger asked
"Lovedays having a nightmare" the boy rabbit pointed "She won't wake up"
"Oh good lord!" Badger gasped and hurried over to the tree Loveday laid under. "Loveday wake up dear!" Badger petted her. He sniffed something traumatising in Lovedays sent.
Then unexpectedly Loveday bolted up gasping for air into her empty lungs. She looked very drained and dry. "Water! Where's my bag" Loveday asked dryly
"Quick Loveday needs water! Find her…um bag!" Badger alerted everyone
"Here it is!" Mrs Hare struggled to dragged it over with her jaw. Loveday saw her flask sticking out of the top of her bag and desperately reached it until her mouth was drowning in huge gulps.
Badger patted Lovedays back "Steady there Loveday, you were only dreaming" he calmed her
Hare turned his head around and soon spotted a red glowing sensation painting the clear blue sky. "Look! A red glow in the sky"
"What could it be, it isn't sunset?" Badger asked before Loveday recovered her words.
"Badger… we need to get everyone… together its… urgent" Loveday panted
"Easy Loveday" Badger said supporting her back.
"What's the matter with Loveday?" Owl asked looking suspicious
"I think her crystal has something to do with it" Badger explained
"Wildfire" Loveday spoke up catching their attention "A wildfire is coming to us"
Owl and Badger stared wide at each other in surprise.
Meanwhile Fox was heading backwards toward the marsh where some of the smaller creatures were still struggling to catch up with the bigger mammals. "Have you seen Toad?" Fox asked Hedgehog and his wife.
Hedgehog shook his head "Nah but the mice and voles a close behind"
Kestrel jetted over Fox in panic "Kee! Kee!"
"Kestrel have you seen Toad?" Fox called up
"DANGER DANGER FIRE FIRE!" Kestrel alerted him
Instinctively Fox was side-tracked by extreme fear "Fire!" at once he hotfooted to get himself away, then stopped to whip back around where the smoke blow from "No mustn't run, must find Toad" he reminded himself aloud. He had completely forgotten.
Back towards the party. At first Badger and Owl didn't want to believe in Lovedays dream when she told them about the approaching wildfire. That was until they too saw the flames in the distance.
"You are right Loveday" Badger said even more surprised by her predicament.
"I still don't follow your impossibility " Owl reassured "But we do need to overtake this hazard that you've managed to predict"
Unhearing what Owl said, Loveday quickly got up "I'll gather everyone together so we can wait for the rest"
"and I'll look for Mole he's been taking too long" Badger said crawling to Moles hole "Mole where are you!" he called down to him
"He went down there" Owl pointed her wing
"That little puddle?" Badger asks feeling worrisome
"Looking for worms I expect" Owl spat out. Mole had been trailing molehills all over the damp ground next to the marsh "Oh that greedy little" Badger groaned
After Loveday had accumulated everyone near, she helped poor Badger search for Mole "Of all the inappropriate times Mole goes insane for worms it had to be this" Loveday complained "if he's dug any deeper, the water from the marsh will give way and fill in his muddy tunnel"
"Oh Dear! The poor thing will be drowned" Rabbit said looking startled
Badger kept calling down "Mole come out of there! Mole? Mole! oh ya silly greedy little…Mole!". Deep inside the hole, Mole was blindly bewitched with his love for the big appetizing worms and paid no attention to Badgers loud voice.
"Fire Look! AAGGHH!" Weasel panicked; a stream of yellow flames were starting to draw near.
"Weasel! Stay where you are!" Loveday called "you're running straight towards the marsh!"
Weasel luckily halted, but the rest of the creatures were starting to get very scared in case the fire would overtake them all.
"Don't panic" Rabbit said to her frightened kits before they ran away.
"Permission ta run away p-please!" asked Mr Rabbit
Badger refused "Certainly not! We can't leave without Mole"
"Or anyone else either" Loveday added
As before Owl gave out a dignified lecture "He who lives with his greed, dies by his greed"
"Don't be crude Owl, Mole's probably trying to find his way back" Loveday pried
"Oh shut up" Weasel scoffed at them both
"I've not tasted weasel in ages" Owl taunted throwing her sharp eyes on Weasel
"The oath, the oath hahaha!" Weasel jokingly told Owl off with a wiggling finger.
"Where is Fox?" Loveday impatiently said that same feeling was starting to urge her to go find him.
Fox himself was still searching for Toad, he bumped into the field-mice "have you seen Toad?"
"He was with Adder, but you can't go back there. There's-" Mrs Field Mouse squeaked
Kestrel flew above again "Kee-Kee! FIRE FIRE!" she desperately interrupted
"Kestrel! Tell the others to wait for the slowest of all, then you and Owl lead them to safety" Fox commanded above
"What will you do?" Kestrel asked
"Go back for Toad" Fox bitterly answered
"What should I tell Loveday?"
"Tell her to wait with everyone until I return with Toad" Fox said "Tell her not to worry"
After departing from Fox, Kestrel bolted away until she hovered over the big animals and Loveday "Owl and I will lead you to the other side of the water you'll be safe there" Kestrel said
Besides Kestrel, the Hedgehogs re-joined the group as well "The mice are coming" Hedgehog informed as the Mice came along.
"Bet you Adder won't make it" Weasel teased
"We need to wait for her Weasel" Loveday said
"I won't, I won't hahaha!" Weasel laughed
"We must and there's Mole" Badger reassured "Will give them both…uh 200 heartbeats"
"200 heartbeats?" asked a baffled Weasel
"200 heartbeats!" Badger confirmed
Weasel misjudgingly counted " 10 11 12 13 14 15-24 25 26-36-45 46 47-51-60-100-177-199 200!"
"I can hear my own heart, don't panic" Rabbit said to her
"Where's Fox Kestrel? Has he found Toad yet?" Loveday yelled to the hawk
"No he hasn't. He told me to tell you not to worry" Kestrel answered back
In opposite Loveday grew even more anxious "Don't worry he says" she muttered The air was beginning to get suffused with black smoke, it made everyone cough strenuously.
Loveday soon detected someone with scales "Adder!" she coughed "Is that you?"
Indeed it was, Adder had finally catched up "How nice of you not to start without me" she greeted
Now that all the big and small animals were united, Kestrel obeyed Fox's words and directed everyone to a safer place "Hurry everybody follow me!" Kestrel sang down
"But what about Mole?" Badger inquired
"He who could lose home and friends an still remain calm I beyond all grief" Owl quoted
"Oh Shut up" Badger coughed as he and the animals fled after Kestrel, but Loveday stopped to look behind and saw the blaze increasing from that area Fox had went "My psychic instincts tell me I should go back but what if I'm wrong" Loveday thought gripping her hands into tense fists.
Far from his friends, Fox fearsomely struggled to locate Toad. Raising his voice Fox called to the lost reptile "Toad Toad! Where are you!"
Before Fox believed his courage failed him, his pointy ears picked up a fainted familiar croak calling to him from under a gorse bush.
"I'm coming toady!" Fox swiftly sprang himself over, peering underneath the bush he found Toad shivering with horror at the flames.
With parched lips Fox broke Toad out of his shaking trance "Toad, Toad…Toad?"
Relief flashed inside Toads face "You came back for me" he gasped
"Hurry!... the flames are almost on us" Fox said as Toad jumped on Fox's neck. The fire grew brighter and hideous as they travelled back towards the clear opening among the bushes, when disaster struck them.
A burning tree suddenly timbered down, blocking off their only exit!.
"No! were blocked" Fox thought
Seeing their situation Toad grew hysterical "Fox what are we gonna do?" he desperately asked.
Fox was heroically doing the best he can to find a way out from their scorching prison.
Badgers party was also suffocating in the smoke-filled atmosphere. The smog stained their eyes and after strenuously running they couldn't breathe in enough air.
"Follow Kestrel around the marsh!" Owl instructed flying a few inches behind Kestrel
"I can't…we can't…can't see!" a baby rabbit choked
Hearing all the coughing commotion Badger halted "The little ones have got to have a breather" Badger sighed to Owl above.
"Mum will we ever see Fox again?" the little rabbit looked up to her mother
"Of course, Fox can run faster than fire itself" Rabbit comforted
"We won't see poor old Moley" Badger reminded "I know. Loveday can you carry a few of the young ins-…Loveday? Loveday where are you!" Badger called turning his head everywhere, but there was no sign of the human girl.
Lovedays psychic instinct had forced her to venture outwards where she mentally sensed Fox and Toads whereabouts.
Standing outside of the burning range she took a stabling breath "I really hope that I can do this"
"Hello!... Fox!... Fox are you in there!" she shouted as she choked in the black smoke.
"Loveday!" a fainted voice barked "Loveday is that you? Were trapped we can't get out!"
After searching a few paces with boils and sweat all over. Loveday dimly saw a glimpse with Fox and Toad fighting for their lives behind an enclosing circle of gorse bushes a blazing.
"Go back Loveday. Save yourself and the others" Fox persuaded
"Not without our leader and guild. Don't move you two" Loveday argued.
As a sign to her now awakened powers, Loveday lifted her shaking hands and telepathically barricaded the flames aside, cutting a safe path between the fire all the way towards them.
"Wow! I really can control things psychologically, I bet this is the type of mind control Carrie White uses" Loveday encouraged herself
"I'm on my way!" Loveday called as she kept mentality controlling the fires fiery with her arms to travel even further
"Fox matey there she is" Toad pointed "Look she's making a clear path"
Fox was slack jawed "I just don't believe it" Fox had never expected to see Lovedays idealist powers do such a thing like drawing the flames like curtains without even touching them.
Before Fox could ask himself how Loveday was doing it, the long gap reached over and pushed the burning bushes aside. "Quick Run! My barricade won't hold it for much longer!" Loveday warned with a cringing face
"Come on Fox now's our chance" Toad directed
"Hang on Toad!" Fox said as he ran all the way back to Loveday who was struggling to hold her grip.
"Hurry! I can't hold on" Loveday shouted in pain
"Nearly there" Fox replied as the path started to turn narrower
Before the walls of fire ambushed him, Fox bounded out of the inferno in one huge leap and then ran away with Loveday to safety.
In their restful silence Toad spoke first "Harr!… that was a thrilling experience wasn't it, eh mateys" Toad cheered to their victory. "and good work Loveday matey for using…whatever you did to fight it off"
"Loveday are you injured?" Fox asked trying to hide his concern
Instead of looking fully drained from using all her will power. Loveday was over-enthused with herself "Did you see that? I did it! My telepathic skills worked; I told my mind what to do then I happened!"
"Hehe, You certainly were something back over there" Toad agreed
Fox didn't look amused "What's happened to you Loveday? we never saw you do something beyond humanity like that before"
"It's a long-complicated story for me to answer now" Loveday explained "We have to get away from the fire before it overtakes us"
Even though Fox was feeling suspicious towards Lovedays behaviour and her powerful rescue he knew duty had to come first. "Very well…but I do expect an explanation from you when you're ready to actually tell me later"
"Yes Fox I won't forget to" Loveday understood, she was afraid about Fox's reaction to hear that his human friend was turned psychic all along. He'd probably think she was talking crazy.
"HEHE well now that we've sorted out our dilemma let's go!" Toad rode on Fox "Tally-ho!"
"Where did they all run off to for safety?" Fox asks as he and Loveday fled
"They've gone around the marsh toward the lake; the water will give us all a little protection" Loveday recalled
"Then too the lake! mateys" Toad pointed while they continued to find their group in the faint smoke. Soon they unexpectedly heard a startling sound echoing around where the fire increased.
"I know that sound" Loveday said as she turned to see large red vehicles with flashing blue lights coming their way.
"A fire engines siren!" Loveday gasped "What luck!"
"I've heard those kind of humans before" Fox said, "They have the power to kill fire with their machines and ideas"
Loveday nodded "Aye it's true these noble humans have the priority for extinguishing fires it is also a great enemy for us humans too. At any rate the firefighters will prevent the wildfire from advancing rapidly"
In the meantime Badger and the party had distanced in the lake's boundaries.
"I think were safe now, eh Owl?" Badger affirmed
"Yes you can stop now!" Owl replied
"What's the odds Fox didn't get to toad in time and Loveday abandoning from us. Hahahaha"
Just then Badgers eyes smiled with delight "Look I can see them! Coming out of the smoke and Lovedays with them" thought the smokes mist the animals caught sight of the pacing pair of misfits.
"Hi everyone…sorry to keep you all waiting" Loveday panted as they arrived
"Are we all safe?" was the first thing Fox asked
"All but poor Mole" said Badger miserably
Toad was busy starting to boast everybody his epic tale "I heard a strange sizzling noise. I looked back and I saw a flame shoot out of the dry grass. It caught on the bushes and up they went like bonfires, hehe. Luckily the wind wasn't blowing our way, it was blowing the flames back the way we'd come. To the other side of the marsh"
"Wait a minute, did you say it went to the other side? Loveday questioned
"Yes" Toad answered
"The Newts" Badger remembered, he knew leaving the newts behind was a bad idea and now he felt guilty for their catastrophic loss. He especially didn't want Loveday to be saddened from agreeing to let them live where she thought best. So he didn't mention them out loud.
Over on the other side. Mole took blame for being stupidly vain with his awful appetite. As he tunnelled upwards he swore timidly "Oh Badger if I ever get out of here, I promise I'll never be greedy again"
Until he emerged himself to surface he looked in dismay at the wasteland that surrounded him with no hope of seeing his friends again. "Oh Badger…Oh Fox…Oh Loveday" he sobbed violently "All my friends what's happened to you. I'm all alone…All alone!" he wailed feeling depressed and helpless.
Being so crushed and regretful with himself, Mole never heard the vibration of heavy fireman boots pounding over him.
"Oh Dear! What have we got here" the fireman said in shock, as he mercifully picked Mole up and gently dropped him in his coat pocket.
"Help!" Mole cried in fright
"The poor little fella" the fireman said as he strolled along back to his fellow lads.
An hour later the animals stood in discomfort as they watched the fire pale the sky from afar. Fox had passed out from exhaustion and was resting to sleep it off. Loveday did want to tell Fox her secret but decided to let him sleep for now"
"The winds changed" Badger exclaimed as he saw the orange light spread around the marsh from both sides.
"Your right, the wind was blowing south-east when we escaped and now it looks like it changed course to south west, the direction were in now" Loveday figured before she went up to the peaceful Fox.
"Do we have to do?" Loveday asks in hesitation
"Seems a pity to wake him, but he is in charge" Badger said regrettably
Weasel volunteered "Wakey-Wakey!...Hahaha" she shouts in Fox's ear. Waking him up with a sharp jump.
"What's happened?" Fox said sharply
"The fire's spreading around the sides of the marsh" Badger quickly advanced
"And now were trapped right in the middle of it" Loveday added
Fox turned his head towards Loveday "At the mercy of the human firefighters" he said with satisfied resignation "they can only save us all now" Loveday smiled in response.
Just now Kestrel landed on a branch from returning to see what was happening.
"Is there any way-out Kestrel?" Fox asked his scout with Badger and Loveday looking up to her.
Kestrel immediately told them her eyesight's bearings "There's a causeway. A narrow stirp of land just underwater, running out to a tiny island in the middle of the lake. You'd be safe there"
"Take me to it" Fox instructed "come on everybody!"
At once they all hurried to the lake.
"Here Here!" Kestrel flew expertly
"Can you see it Loveday?" Fox asked as they were edged beside the lake
Loveday peered over "I think so" then she saw a lump of mountain built in the lakes distance "Yes, yes I can" Loveday pointed
"I'll go first" Fox said. He trampled on the water sunken ground until it weighted his chest. "I think it will be alright"
"We haven't got long" Loveday said, she took off her shoes and socks and tipped her toes right in "Ohhhh it's a bit cold" Loveday shivered
Unfortunately the small creatures weren't up for the task
"I'm too tired for swimming" Mrs Field mouse said "And the water so deep I'd drown"
"Yeah so would we" agreed Hedgehog
"And us" added the squirrels
Loveday soon had an idea "Alright, alright let's sort this out" she calmed them "some of you small animals climb onto Fox or badger and I'll carry some of you along. we mustn't press too much weight on the soft ground"
"You heard her" Fox said "climb up my tail" the mice in urgency scrambled for Fox's tail
"Stop it! One at a time" Fox cringed, from their pushing and shoving.
Loveday giggled to Fox's annoyed tone; she then went over to the rabbits "Baby rabbits climb into my bad I'll carry you on my back"
"Please be careful" Rabbit said
"I'll take good care of them" Loveday replied as the young bunnies excitedly jumped in the bag and pop their heads out.
"Squirrels your next, grab my bags straps and hold on" Loveday instructed
The squirrels rushed on "Okie dokie" they said excitedly
"Excuse me girl mind if I hitch a ride?" Adder hissed
Loveday wasn't too sure "Well I can only take you along on my shoulders if that's no trouble for you"
"Your shoulders?" Adder asks "How's a snake supposed to do that"
"It's simple just wrap yourself on top of me" Loveday assured, with negotiation she picked Adder up and placed the snake comfortably between her shoulders. Adder gained a sense of high pride sitting on the human for granted "Hm I could get used to this" she signs in delight.
"Just don't wrap yourself too tight on my neck" Loveday informed as she mounted her bag full of squirrels and rabbits.
"All present and correct Fox" Loveday said as both she and Badger who was carrying the voles and shrews came to the water's edge.
"Well you two, you've got the right idea" Fox complimented "Are you sure you can manage all who you are carrying Loveday?"
"Only if no other passengers hitches a ride on the express" Loveday said she pulled up her slipping bag.
An airborne Kestrel informed of the fires progress "Kee Kee, the fires coming nearer!"
"Um…Loveday you wouldn't by any chance-" before Hedgehog asked Fox nudged him in.
"You'll just have to swim for it. We can't take everyone, and Lovedays already got her hands full"
"Follow me please!" Loveday called to the rest. The Rabbits, Hares and Weasel all trailed behind her while they all balanced themselves underwater on the causeway towards the island.
After Loveday emerged she helped the others out "That's it, you did very fine" she said before she dried off her wet feet. The animals all made it across and clustered themselves close into a standing tight knit group, everyone experienced a feeling of security and mutual affection.
"Nothing like a crisis for making ya pull together eh" Fox encouraged, they all absorbed the humans battle the fire.
"It's nice to see that you're not the only human who puts right into the trouble your kind causes" Badger declared to Loveday
"For once I'm glad they came to our needs" Loveday said "I was starting to forget about how us humans are the prime example for coming together as one to win against anything that is life-threatening"
"Like how you're helping by bringing us animals together" Fox added
"Exactly" Loveday nodded
"If only Mole could've been here" Badger sighed
"and the newts" said a shrew
For a while they all stared as the flames were gradually diminishing.
"Well the humans are finally winning the fires dying out" Badger said looking in the distance
Fox agreed "At the moment the humans are our friends but-"
"Wait till they see us" Owl finished
"How will we escape?" Badger thought out loud
"There's just got to be a way" Loveday said until Kestrel broke off their conversation with good news.
"Kee, There's Mole!" Kestrel shouted
"Mole?" Loveday looked over to where the fire engines stood.
Mole woke up to find himself still peering in the fireman's coat which was removed on the door of the firefighters vehicle. "Where am I?" he slid out of the pocket and wandered away aimlessly from the humans.
"He's alive!" Loveday said in astonishment
"But he hasn't seen us" Fox exclaimed
"Well he wouldn't he's blind in daylight" Badger explained feeling really relieved "Oh what are we going to do?"
"Sounds like this is a job for me" Loveday offered "I'll go fetch him" she takes off her bag and jumped back in the water.
"Hold on, will you be alright" Fox asks "you don't want the humans to see you leading towards us if they find you"
"Trust me I know who I am now" Loveday reassured as she ran across to the land.
"Owl! Kestrel! Can you distract the humans while Loveday runs to get him" Fox commanded above
Instantly the birds hovered over to give Loveday an easy wing. They swooped and danced all around uttering their loudest cries of bird speech.
"Hoo-Hoo-Hooooo" Owl called
"Kew-Kew-Keee-Keee" shrieked Kestrel
While the humans kept their eyes up on the birds interesting flight display. Loveday crouched forward and gestured Mole towards her. Mole gave out a wide smile to see her again and hopped onto his friends shoulder. They both then hurried off in fast pace.
"Hey look at that!" Pointed a fireman in surprise
Loveday panicked. So in desperate suddenness she jumped behind a row of cattails thinking they found her out ,but luckily instead the firefighters had spotted the regular zoo in the middle of the lake.
"Well I'll be"
"Did you ever see anything like it in your whole life"
"Sure"
"Don't want ta frighten them do you" the whole fireman team muttered to themselves
The darkened sky started to rumble. Seeing the humans distracted by the sudden change of weather. Loveday swam back.
Toad felt small drops of water "OH Lovely mateys, hehe haha, it going to rain!" Toad croaked joyfully as the lighting flashed making the clouds burst heavily down on everyone.
Loveday pulled herself out of the water panting. Fox help her back onto dry land.
"Well done Loveday, couldn't have done it better myself" Fox complimented
"For a moment I thought I was going be captured" Loveday said as she wiped her brow "Thanks"
Fox noticed the humans were leaving. Mole stood below at Badgers feet with an apologetic face "Oh Badger, I did miss everyone especially you" he wept
"Well Moley me old pal. Can't say I'm sorry to have you back either" Badger said affectionately, picking Mole up with a forgiving smile.
"I hope you've learnt your lesson properly Mole" Loveday stated
"Oh yes Loveday. Thank you for rescuing me" Mole said in Badgers arms
"Us too" Toad called out "without your special powers we wouldn't be alive. eh Fox"
"Oh yes" Fox whispered shyly
"and your dream of the fires occurrence saved us valuable time" Badger added
"You actually dreamed about the fire's happening?" Fox asked
"Sorry, after everything that's been happening I didn't want to cause any more confusion for you" Loveday modestly said
"I think you may have, even if you meant to be selfless" Fox explained "Anyway Thanks for saving my life Loveday" Fox smiled "I owe you one"
Loveday returned the same smile "Your welcome"
After receiving a few congratulations from the other animals Loveday was happier then she had ever felt. She thought her conversion into a feral psychic definitely paid off, even if it did cost her kinship with her farthing animals.
"What's the plan now?" Loveday asked in team spirit
"Let's take our chance and slip away" Fox answered "Toad? Where do me go from here?"
Toad pointed over to the landscape outside the armyland "Once over the causeway, its straight on for the fence mateys. Then were off armyland and on ta farmland"
"HOORAY!" everyone gladly cheered. The dark sky went darker and the thunder crashed louder.
"First a fire, now a storm. I can't stand it" Mr Rabbit shook trying to block the scary weather.
"Now now, we should be grateful that we've come this far" Loveday petted him in comfort
"Just be glad that were all together" Badger supported
"But were not. Where are the newts?" Mole innocently asks in Badgers cradled arms
Putting on a natural face Badger said "Don't ask there's a good clap. Up ya come now" he happily replaces Mole on top.
"Come on Adder you too" Loveday proposed nicely
"Hm don't mind if I do" Adder accepts in pleasure as Loveday places her long body back on her shoulders.
"Come on everybody let's get out of here" Fox directs "and whatever happens now were together lets stick together"
"As the old saying goes 'One for all and all for one" Loveday proclaims
"What does that mean?" Fox asked
"It's a motto from a famous book I know called 'The Three Musketeers'. It stands for being loyal to each and every Individual, like the oath for example" Loveday hinted
"Your full of surprises" Fox said as he loaded his passengers on his back again
"I'll tell you an even bigger surprise" Loveday says taking the baby rabbits in her bag again
"and what's that?"
"My sacred crsytal has turned me into a feral psychic so that I can help you all get to white deer park" Loveday rushed away into the causeway
"What? Loveday come back here this minuet!" Fox chased after her
Authors Notes:
Hi everyone.
Yes i'm finally back after such a long time, been really busy at work but I managed to squeeze in my writing session.
Thank you so much for your positive reviews and ideas. Please keep them coming in, every little bit counts and they really help me to continue my fanfic.
If theres anything you do request for the story please let me know.
Hopefully I'll upload the next chapter soon. So stay tuned for next time.