He was so glad to have met Luby.

Ever since a week ago, RJ had given up on the idea of even meeting another raccoon like him. There was absolutely no chance whatsoever he could find another one when Camelot Estates was so out of the way. That was until Luby came along and pretty much proved him wrong.

It helped that Luby, in his opinion anyways, was really cool.

He did find it a bit odd at first that Luby didn't seem to think the humans were that big of a deal. Being out here so close to Camelot Estates, especially with the Taxidermist being in such close proximity to where they lived. It seemed like a recipe for disaster. However, she more than made up for it in her general street smarts. Or in this case, her forest smarts.

It also helped that she found the stories he told rather amusing, and as soon as she was finished laughing about the Spuddies heist, he decided to ask her a little question.

"So how did this little family of yours come to be?" RJ asked.

"Well, we're not exactly a family…more like a group bound together by circumstance." Luby had replied. "Where I used to live is now some sort of retirement home, and while food was easy to find there, it just got too depressing to be around."

"Can't blame you, when I'm stealing food, I like to imagine that I'm doing it to someone who deserves it." RJ said.

"Scam callers?" Luby asked.

"Yep."

"Internet influencers?"

"Absolutely."

"Those humans who rev up their motorcycles at awful hours of the day and when they're confronted just act like a total jerk?"

"Oddly specific, but yeah, any of those types of humans." RJ spoke. "Anyways, this whole group, how did it happen?"

"Well, I met Norbert first, then Eddie and Diana." Luby started. "Jasper…he just tagged along because he felt sticking with us is the best option…although he sure doesn't act like it."

"From the way you're running things, sticking with you seems like a smart idea." RJ replied, once more putting on that signature charm of his. The only difference was that this wasn't in any attempt to manipulate, but rather, flatter Luby. Luby would just let out a laugh in response.

"If only his mouth was just as smart." She replied. That line also prompted a small laugh out of RJ. The first laugh RJ's had in…weeks. The feeling of laughter felt almost alien to him after having to deal with all the repressed memories he's had to come to terms with over the past few weeks. It was only another thing that made RJ realize that Luby was one of the best things to have happened to him.

"So, what about your gang?" Luby asked. "How'd they come to be?"

RJ paused for a moment, not exactly sure how to answer that. Honestly, he never actually really asked that before. Maybe it was because he was so busy planning heists and really enjoying the Good Life™, but in a way, he felt guilty for never asking. They knew his past, and he didn't know the others.

Looks like that was going to be a question he was going to have to ask at one point.

"They're a family more like…and honestly, I've never asked that question."

Luby in response put a paw on his shoulder, patting it gently. "They seem to be close to you." She spoke.

"Yeah, they are…" RJ replied. "I'll be honest, the past few weeks haven't been that great for me…a lot of stuff happened and well…they're trying, and I'm more than grateful for that."

RJ would then look back towards the group of Stella, Verne, Ozzie, Jasper, and the rabbits. Ozzie of course was doing his over-the-top gesticulating which always amused him. However, when he looked at the expressions on the faces of everyone else around him, they weren't smiling. Usually this wouldn't be cause for alarm considering this was how Ozzie usually was, but they didn't seem unamused.

They seemed scared.

A loud, strange noise caught RJ off-guard. Judging by the looks on everyone else's face, it was clear that everyone else was in the same boat. Looking to where the noise came from, RJ could feel his fur almost start to stand on end as a red light emitted from beyond the woods.

Luby on the other hand was worried, but for a different reason.

"Don't tell me…"

RJ quickly scanned the area, noticing that Ozzie, Stella, Verne, Norbert, and Eddie were heading towards the red light. He was about to yell out to them to stop them, but Luby quickly stopped him.

"RJ, tell anyone who isn't heading over to get to wherever you're holed up!" Luby shouted. "I'll go with them, see what's going on."

RJ just nodded his head in response, and rushed over to Lou while Luby joined up with the five. Much like everyone else, Lou was also confused and frightened by what was going on.

"Lou, listen to me, get everyone to the log right now!" RJ spoke.

"Penny's already got the kids and Hammy!" Lou replied. "I'm trying to find Heather!"

"She's not here?!" RJ exclaimed.

"Last I saw her she walked off!"

RJ's heart pretty much leaped up into his throat once he heard that. For all he knew, Heather could be out there right now alone. One of his best friends, and presumably Ozzie's last remaining family member, was in potential danger. He had no idea what was going on over there, but he knew he had to do something.

"Lou, get Luby's group out of here, I'm going to join up with the others."

She was going to die.

That was the one thought that continuously ran through Heather's mind as the silhouette of the Taxidermist drew closer. The opossum never really thought much about dying, mostly because she wasn't exactly like her father. If she wanted to die, she was going to make sure it was natural and painless.

Not being shot with a crossbow.

Before she could be hit with the killing blow, she saw through the red smoke another silhouette of sorts fly in front of the Taxidermist. She couldn't make it who it was however, mostly due to the red lights still blinding her a bit.

That, and the fact that before she could get a really good look, she found herself dropping towards the ground.

She was lucky enough to be not that far from the ground when she was in the trap, so she was okay at least. Scared, obviously, but injured not. Good thing too, as if she was injured there was no way she could escape, even with all the distractions.

"Hey, kid, move!" She heard shouting from above. Looking up, she saw that Luby had managed to somehow cut the rope holding her up. Usually, Heather would be wondering just how she did that, but considering the situation they were in, there was no time to even question it. Right now, they had to get out.

"Heather, you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm okay, I'm not sure what happened." Heather replied to RJ-

Wait, RJ?!

If Heather wasn't scared then (which she clearly was), then she was mortified now. Judging by the fact he just rushed in without any hesitation was certainly admirable, but this was the Taxidermist. This was the one human that RJ was downright terrified of.

"RJ, we got to-"

Heather's words were cut off once a massive bolt stuck itself in the tree with a loud thud. Heather could swear she could feel it graze her fur, it was that close.

And yet, that wasn't the only thing she was focused on, as she quickly noticed RJ's expression. It was one of pure horror, as if that one bolt nearly hitting the two of them shocked RJ right into stunned silence.

Or maybe RJ just realized who fired that bolt.

"RJ, come on, we have to move!" Heather exclaimed. "Please, we need to hurry!"

"What's going on down there?!" Luby yelled out.

"He's not moving!" Heather replied.

"What do you mean?!"

"He's not moving!"

Heather reached towards RJ, desperate to get him out of there. Before she did it however, she remembered one thing that Penny did that slowly snapped him out of his terror induced freeze.

"RJ, you're okay." Heather spoke, trying her best to stay calm. That was going to be difficult considering that she wasn't sure how long that figure could keep the Taxidermist at bay. She looked back to see that the figure had returned to messing around with the Taxidermist, and it was at this point she realized that the figure was in the shape of Norbert.

Looks like Norbert, when he wasn't being talkative, was actually pretty useful all things considered.

"RJ, listen to me, you're going to be fine, just look at me." Heather continued, before gently taking one of his paws into her own. She wasn't sure it was a good idea at the moment, and the fact she had to resist the urge to geek out because she was pretty much holding hands with her crush proved it. Regardless, she managed to keep herself composed, just for RJ's sake.

"RJ, just come to the log, everything is going to be fine…" Heather spoke once more. "Nothing will hurt you there, just breathe and come with me."

In response, RJ's breathing started to slow, and his eyes moved to meet Heather's own. She couldn't believe it, it was actually working. She let out a sigh of relief, happy that she managed to get through to RJ at such a bad time.

"RJ, we-"

"Move it!"

Heather couldn't finish her sentence as RJ was shoved into her, and before she could get her bearings on what just happened, she heard an ear-splitting scream. At the very least it prompted RJ to start running as fast as he could, and while she was tempted to do the same, she noticed that Luby was seething in pain.

"Are you okay?!" Heather exclaimed.

Luby didn't answer her vocally, but she could tell from the absolutely vicious glare she gave the younger opossum that no, she was far from okay.

The fact that her tail was hanging from a second bolt lodged in the tree also gave her a good idea on what happened.

"What the heck were you thinking wandering off like that?!"

That was the first thing Heather heard upon the others returning to the log. While it usually wouldn't seem like the greatest idea, at the very least they knew where the log was, and it was far enough from the Taxidermist. Granted it was in the neighborhood where he lived, but the Taxidermist didn't know that.

He was getting closer however.

"Luby, I'm sorry, Zachary told me to-"

"Zachary?!" Luby exclaimed. "Who's that?!"

"He's a part of your group, he's a mouse or something like that." Heather continued.

"There's no Zachary that's with me, stop making excuses."

"But I'm not!"

"Hey, enough about that for now, the Taxidermist is getting closer and closer to the log!" RJ shouted out. Heather was grateful for RJ blurting out the fact that yes, he was still out there, but one glare from Luby quickly kept her quiet.

"We might have to ditch the log if he gets closer to us." RJ continued, before rounding on the others. "Penny and kids, you take inventory of all the food we have, Tiger, Ozzie, and Lou, grab everything you can, Hammy, Verne, and Heather, you grab the wagon and start loading things onto there, Stella, you keep look-out."

"RJ, calm down!" Stella shouted, which prompted RJ to look at her like she just said one of the worst things imaginable.

"I can't calm down Stella, that human is not just someone who wants us dead!" RJ replied. "Once we're dead, he's going to skin us, and display our corpses out for the world to see!"

"Wait, you know that guy as well?" Jasper spoke up, which prompted Ozzie to look at him.

"You knew about him, and didn't tell us?" He asked.

"Do you really think a meet and greet would be a good time to tell you that there's a scary human hunting us?" Jasper replied.

"It would've been good to know!" Stella exclaimed.

"Well, bad news Stinka-rella, but it's a bit too late now."

"Guys, enough!"

It was Verne who managed to break through the rising tensions. Good thing too, since Heather, through her panic-stricken nerves, noticed that Stella was getting more and more angry. The last thing they needed right now was an angry Stella.

"Listen, right now is not a time for us to be arguing like this when that Taxidermist is still out there getting closer to us." Verne spoke.

"And what do you suggest we do, oh wise one?" Jasper piped up, prompting Eddie to shake his head and Lou and Ozzie to subtly position themselves in front of Stella to prevent her from throwing hands or using her…skunk powers.

"Right now, we need a plan to keep everyone safe." Verne replied. "Right now, the Taxidermist doesn't know about the log, but your home is not safe Luby."

"Yeah, no…" Luby started to say, before letting out a sigh. Judging by her initially angry response, it looked like Luby was going to do the same as Jasper and make some snarky comment but decided against it. Smart idea, Heather thought, especially considering Stella was now plucking quills off of Lou. "Yeah, you're right, we need a new place to stay." She spoke.

"Maybe you could stay at the log with us?" RJ asked, no longer fearful of the Taxidermist. Clearly, the prospect of Luby sticking around was enough to make him back to his old self. Luby's expression briefly brightened a bit in response, as if she were also enticed by the idea. However, her eyes met Heather's, and her expression immediately faltered.

"I'd like to stay at a place where I'm safe…" Luby explained, her focus still on the younger opossum. "...and in a place where no one is reckless."

It had been about an hour since Luby left with her group. While Jasper of course was in no hurry to say goodbye to anyone, and Luby just wanted to get somewhere safe, the others were more than happy to at least bid farewell. Eddie and Diana were the ones most willing to bid say their goodbyes, with them being particularly nice when it came to RJ and Heather, in that, they didn't actually bring up any events that happened in the past ten or so minutes. Meanwhile, Norbert and Hammy said goodbye, with Norbert also being praised a lot by Ozzie once he heard that Norbert was responsible for saving Heather's life.

Speaking of which, Heather couldn't sleep.

For at least an hour, she had been wide awake, remembering everything that had happened. This whole get-together was supposed to help RJ, but she had to wander off. She just had to ruin it just to help someone with their crush.

The next time she saw that mouse, she was going to sic Tiger or Stella on him.

Yet, she couldn't even think about revenge now. Right now she just couldn't help but still blame herself for what happened. Yes, she was tricked by Zachary, but she could've just said no. Again, she didn't think the whole Luby and Zachary thing would've worked out, but she went along with it.

Come to think of it, she had initially helped Zachary with the justification that this was just to have at least one friend. She didn't even like the mouse at all throughout their short interaction. He had this air of being an incredibly dishonest slimeball who was more than willing to screw over their friends. That's not even to mention how he left her to die pretty much.

Actually, not that dissimilar to RJ now that she thought of it, but at least RJ genuinely cared.

The opossum let out a sigh as she stretched against the tree she was leaning against. She had specifically chosen a tree that was out of the way, but still close to the hedge. The last thing she needed to do was get ambushed by the Taxidermist.

"Heather?"

She jumped a bit as the voice caught her off-guard, although she quickly calmed down once she realized it was just her father. Honestly, she wasn't sure if this was the last thing she needed or what she needed most. She was a bit surprised however that he wasn't chastising her for going off alone.

"Hey dad…" Heather replied in a downtrodden tone as Ozzie sat next to her. The two then just sat there, not saying a word to each other. Ozzie was expecting her to say something, while Heather…she just didn't know what to say.

"Dad, I…I'm sorry I went off." Heather spoke.

"I believe you." Ozzie spoke.

"About what?"

"About Zachary."

Heather let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. At the very least she could rest easy knowing that Ozzie believed her about Zachary. Why, however, was her next question.

"You actually believe me?" Heather asked.

"Heather, I know you all too well." Ozzie replied. "You wouldn't do something so reckless ever since that night where we got captured." He would then look over Heather's abdomen, and the look on his face showed he still remembered that night. That night where Heather, in a misguided attempt to stall that woman, ended up being kicked down the stairs for her trouble, and then being put in a cage.

"I'm just glad you're okay." Ozzie spoke. "But who was this Zachary?"

Heather would let out a sigh in response. She didn't want to talk about Zachary, for obvious reasons, but she did at the very least owe it to her father. Especially since he believed her.

"He was this mouse that apparently had a crush on Luby, and I was going to help him confess." She spoke. "I went with him because…well…"

Heather trailed off at that last bit because again, she wasn't even sure why. She didn't like him even as a friend, she didn't think that Luby and Zachary weren't going to work, so what made her do this? What made up her mind to help Zachary when Luby and RJ were clearly more interested in each other?

RJ. It was RJ. That was the reason.

She was jealous, she realized much to her horror. In her mind, she pretty much told herself that while it wasn't fun to lose your crush to someone, if it helped them, then so be it. This was the price that had to be paid to help RJ, and again, he was her friend first, crush second.

And yet, she completely went against her own view on RJ just out of some misguided jealousy that almost got her killed.

It's almost shocking that the worst part wasn't even telling her father the truth.

"Heather, I know you like RJ."

Heather let out a noise that sounded like a brief choking sound. Obviously she was caught off-guard by this, considering that she believed that she was able to keep her secrets safe. Maybe Stella wasn't as willing to keep quiet as she thought?

"Sorry." Heather spoke, in reference to the frightened face Ozzie made upon hearing that noise she made. "How do you know?" She asked.

"Heather, I'm your father, I know how you act around him." He replied. Heather shifted uncomfortably in place, not sure how to process this. On one hand, Ozzie was taking this surprisingly well, and considering what just happened, she was happy he wasn't making a big deal out of it. On the other hand…it's still awkward, at least to her anyways. Ozzie seemed to pick up on this, based on what he said next.

"Heather, I want you to know I have no problem with you liking him." Ozzie spoke. "I just want you to be careful, that's all."

Heather couldn't take it anymore. After everything that happened recently, from being tricked by Zachary, to nearly dying, to pretty much ruining a shot at RJ getting better, she needed at least some form of comfort. Hearing Ozzie say that resulted in her letting out a sigh of relief, and doing something she hadn't done in a while.

Hugging her father.

"Thank you…" She mumbled, before letting go and looking up at the night sky.

"What's going to happen now?" She asked. Ozzie paused for a moment before replying.

"I'm not sure, but all I know is that life is going to be a lot more dangerous if that Taxidermist isn't taken care of."

Ozzie was right. With that Taxidermist out there stalking the woods and the neighborhood, their way of life and survival was at risk. It would only be a matter of time before the Taxidermist found their home, and once he did there was no escape. Even if they did escape, who's to say that they would find a new home without suffering a bit?

No, this wasn't going to happen, Heather declared. That Taxidermist had to be taken care of one way or another. It was risky, heck, it was pretty much borderline suicide to take the fight to him, but maybe there was a way.

Heather knew what she had to do.

Finally, for the first time I've managed to complete an episode in less than a month. I wish I could say it's not a big deal, but considering my schedule that's saying something.

By the way, this is officially my longest chapter and story with the most words. Wow.

So, I'm probably going to take at least a week or two off from writing. I'm about to start a new job working with animals which is fun, but not only that, I really want to actually plan out episodes in more detail rather than making them up as I go along. I mean, I liked writing the story, but it was also really difficult considering that this episode is honestly lacking a bit in humor outside of the first chapter. It's not a bad thing, but considering that the Taxidermist had some funny moments on top of genuine horror, it's not as good in my book.

Thankfully, next episode should be a bit funnier. Until then, I'll see you next time!