The Primroses were over, Toward the Edge of the wood, Where the ground became open and sloped down to an old fence and a brambly ditch beyond, Only a few fading patches of pale yellow still showed among the dog's Mercury and oak-tree roots, The upper part of the field on the other side of the fence was full of Rabbit holes. In the places the grass was gone altogether and a hundred miles away at the bottom of the slope, Ran a brook with Kingcups, Watercress and Blue Brooklime the Opposite slope led to gate which led to a Lane, Where two men were putting up a sign.
"Along the edge of the wood there." Said one as he finished hammering the sign. "I used to play there as a kid you know."
"Can't hold back Progress.' Said the Other, As he flicked his cigarette to the ground. "Shame though."
The first man looked at his watch. "It's late, I promised Elizabeth we'd go to newbury this evening."
The two men made their way to their truck.
"Old sun sets so late in summer, It's morning before…" They got in their Truck and Drove away leaving a trail of dust behind.
In a bush not to far away, A small Orange Rabbit Poked his head out of his hiding place, He crept forward to see if the Men were gone.
"I think It's safe now Fiver." He called back to the Bush.
His younger Brother, Fiver, a smaller Rabbit crept out nervously.
"Hm, Still something Strange about Sandleford this afternoon." He said.
"Is it Dangerous?" Asked Hazel.
"It's not exactly Danger its…" Fiver began, Before he sighed. "Oh, I don't know, Something Oppressive, Like thunder, It seems safe enough now though."
Hazel Hopped ahead. " C'mon, Let's see if we can find a Vervain, If you can't no one can."
Fiver followed after his Brother, only to stop a brief moment to where a small scattering of Rabbits were silflying, He jumped startled at a dragonfly and bounded after his Brother.
"What's going on?" Asked a Nearby rabbit.
"It's only that Runt Fiver, Jumping at Bluebottles again as usual." Said His companion.
Hazel And Fiver made their way past a few more Rabbits, Who were eating the Grass and Conversing their own businesses.
"You wonder how many does will be out in the field this evening?" Asked A Golden Buck named Dandelion.
"Is that all you think about?" Asked His Friend A short Dark blue Rabbit named Hawkbit.
"Hello Hazel!" Called A young Rabbit Named Pipkin as he passed the two Brothers.
"Hello Pipkin!" Said Hazel.
Than two other Rabbits Hoped Passed, A Slightly Older Rabbit Named Blackberry and His Younger Friend Bluebell.
"The Duration of each season has to be calculated by light Values…" Said Blackberry.
"You do know I stopped listening a long time ago, right?" Asked Bluebell.
"Sometimes I don't know why I bother…"
Hazel and Fiver than Passed three Does, Dewdrop, Violet and Rosemary who chatting among themselves, As they passed all their fellow Rabbits they finally came across the Verbena, Fiver went to take a bite and For a large paw to slam down on it, Fiver looked up to see two of the Sandleford Owsla towering over him, Toadflax and Scabious.
"What are you gawking at runt." Said Scabious in condescending tone.
"Yeah, Move along." Added Toadflax.
"See here, Toadflax, Fiver found it first." Said Hazel.
"And We'll eat it." Said Toadflax. "Vervain is for Owsla, You know that Hazel."
Hazel gave one last glare at the two bullies before he and Fiver moved off.
"To tell you the truth, I'm starting to get sick and Tired of it." He said, Once they were out of their sight. "Sometimes I feel like Clearing out of the Warren all together."
"Never mind." Sighed Fiver. "The least we can do is forget about it and try to enjoy the Evening."
The two Brothers hopped off towards a distant part of the warren to eat in peace.
Fiver however smelled something, he edged closer to it and found a stamped cigarette, He then looked up and saw a large sign that he had not been there before.
"Hazel…" He said. "Oh Hazel, This is where it comes from, The thing in my dreams, The one from last night Remember?" I didn't know what it meant, But Now I do, A terrible thing is coming."
"What do you mean?" Asked Hazel.
"Look!" Fiver stared at the field in a horrified voice. "The field… The Field! It's covered in blood!"
"Blood?" Asked Hazel. "What are you-?"
But Fiver was lost in his own world, A dark one where he saw the Tree roots rise from the Ground, Large claws ripped the Earth apart as Bodies of Rabbits Crawled out and Died.
"It's only the light of sunset Fiver." Said Hazel, Snapping him back to reality. "Maybe we should go back to the Burrow.
"BACK TO THE BURROW?" Cried Fiver in alarm. "It'll come there don't think it won't! It's all Around us! We… We've got to get away from here, all of us!"
"Go away?" Asked Hazel. "The whole warren?"
"Yes before it's too late!"
"Don't be silly," said Hazel. "They won't come they'll think your out of your mind, They always do."
"You must listen to me Hazel." Said Fiver Pleadingly. "Something will come to this place, We can leave now or we can be destroyed with it."
Hazel considered his words. "Well… I suppose we could try asking the Thearah, You can tell him about it, Though I don't expect he'll like the idea at all."
To Be Continued.