I began to follow the Efrafan guard to have my daily meetup with Captain Orchis. He was one of the Efrafan Owsla's feared captains, next to Captain Vervain. The two brothers worked together to put the fear upon their prisoners. We came to a halt at the chamber, where the council often meet, or some Owsla officers meet up with their prisoners. That part of the warren was no different to me. It was the occasional meetup with Captain Orchis. I waited until he made his appearance. His fur color was gray with black rims and spots on some parts of his body.

"Well, hello hlessi." he charms me with a warm greeting.

"H-hello." I stuttered, as I slightly shivered.

"Hello?"

"I mean, hello sir." I corrected my way of greeting him. "I'm here as you have requested."

"I hope you're doing fairly well... as well not causing any trouble I presume." he smiled.

I nodded in obedience. "I haven't caused any trouble sir."

He was starting to clean his face with his paw. "Do you know anything about Hyzenthlay attempting to escape? Along with her fellow does?"

"No!" I immediately answered. "I don't know anything about a new attempt."

"Are you sure... she didn't say anything to you? Hasn't she?" he stopped as he turned towards me.

"I assure you. I haven't been told about any escape plan, honestly."

He took a minute to gather his words and thoughts, as I told him about Hyzenthlay's escape attempt. I only remember one attempt that I didn't share, after she told me. I wasn't sure if she was serious, until she was caught. Apparently, I was accused and brought in a cross fire. I was punished and it was the worst experience I've ever dealt with.

"Of course." Captain Orchis spoke. "We just have to make sure you inform us, if any attempt is being made. You don't want to go back into the dark pit, right?"

I gulped. The dark pit was where everyone receives their mark. However, I was given some punishments of being put in there, due to my fear of the dark at night fall. The longest I've been in there was four days without food.

"What do you think about the new prisoners?" he changed the topic.

"The new prisoners? You mean guests from another home?" I questioned.

"Yes." he answered. "I understand from what I've been told you began to make a full acquittance with the captain of the group, yes?"

"We just met and he..." he turned and began to come towards me. "... I could say that we might be friends. Just to have someone to talk to."

It suddenly became a concern upon Orchis, when I said that. "Why hlessi, don't you like our meet ups like this? I give you food, under The General's order, you haven't been bullied by another guard. We ensure you to have good conditions here. You're our guest."

"Well... of course and I'm grateful. It's just that- I don't really talk to everyone as much. Even Hyzenthlay." I expressed myself.

Captian Orchis tsked. "Oh, my dear poor vahra. You don't want to be mangled with those does... don't you?" He came up to my face, as he placed his paw on my cheek, as I placed my paw on top his paw. "There are dangerous bucks and does that would take advantage of you. Wanting to put you in harms way, sending you to The Black Rabbit herself... you don't want to be sent to her?"

I gulped, as his blue eyes stared straight at me, as his smile wasn't sincere. "No sir."

"As a matter a fact... why don't you make 'friends' with the new guests." Captain Orchis came up with a new idea. "To see where they're from."

"You want me to spy on them?"

"Spy?!" Captain Orchis shockingly exclaimed. "Of course not. I said, I want you to be friends with them. Know who they are, where they came from. Get important information to relay back to us. You'll receive a better accommodations for your own well being. As well, as providing the does better food and care." I wasn't sure to his proposal. "He and his two fellow bucks well be brought to this chamber to find out more."

I than acknowledged his plan. "Yes, sir. What about the others?"

"It's only for your well being... others don't apply unfortunately." Captain Orchis rejects. "And I don't have to remind you what the penalty of disobeying my order, don't you?"

"No sir." I assured him and obeyed.

"Guard!" Captain Orchis shouted for the guard, who brought me here. "We're finished." The Efrafan guard entered the chamber, as he began to escort me. "And remember, hlessi..." We were stopped by Orchis' voice. "... in Efrafa... you're my only friend. Remember that." I nodded, before I was being excused.

It was the late afternoon, when I was taken outside for silflay. During every silflay, there're always guards keeping watch over their prisoners. When I silflay, I often intent to be alone. Best to be alone, and not cause trouble. I watched to see the other does scattered, tending to themselves. I even saw Hyzenthlay with her fellow sisters. As I observe, I don't want to be part of the group, only to bring anything up to Captain Orchis. The weather started to cool down after a heated weather scorched Efrafa.

As I lie by next to a brick wall ruin, I noticed this "Captain Holly" with his two accomplices. The three were having a discussion among themselves. I wanted to join in with them, especially Holly. However, I don't want to get them into trouble. Especially, since they're new arrivals. I began to let the sun hit my back and I would start to fall asleep for a short nap.

It lasted for short minutes, until a shadow was hoovering over me. It disturbed my sleep, yet I feared if I was being caught by a Efrafan guard. Without even thinking, I rose up and struck the shadow. My eyes began to clear... it was the new rabbit... Holly.

I gasped. "Frith have mercy on me!"

The captain shook himself and looked back at me, as I lowered my head in shame. And with the fear to be stricken back.

"Are you alright, vahra?"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for striking you! I didn't see you!" I apologized hastily.

Oi, what is goin' on here?! an Efrafan guard noticed the altercation.

I began to shake, as he would report this altercation to Captain Orchis. "Nothing happened sir, a wasp flew by him." I turned to hear what Captian Holly said. He than turned back towards me.

It didn't convince the guard. "Captain Orchis will hear of this, hlessi." The guard left his post to report to Captain Orchis.

The dread started to dwell on me. "Oh, no. What have I done!"

"It's not your fault, you reacted hastily." Captain Holly spoke.

"I'm sorry for striking you, I didn't know who you were." I apologized again.

He dismissed his injury. "No apology needed. I do say, you do have a strong paw."

"Oh." I didn't thought I was that strong, ever since I was brought here.

"Have you joined the Owsla?" he asked.

"No!" I exclaimed. "Not the Efrafan Owsla."

He tried to settle me down. "Easy, I meant from another warren."

"Oh. No, I haven't." I began to stutter, as my paw shook. "I was... I was forced to dig at some time."

"I see." He than came to a sitting position. "I was wondering if I could join you. You're silflaying alone."

I looked at him. "Really?"

"If I may?"

I nodded to accept of having company. "I never had too much company, except forced upon company."

He turned his head around to see any guards nearby, before he whispered. "You mean, one of the guards give you company?"

"Not just any guard. You might have heard Captain Orchis." I whispered back, as I scooted closer.

"Yes, he was the one, who took me, Blackberry, and Bluebell."

"I'm terrified of him." I spoke of fear. "He's the one of the officers that brought me here too."

Captain Holly noticed scars on my paw and some parts of my body. He placed his paw on mine, but I retract away. "What has he done to you?"

"I can't speak of it. Not here." I refused to give away. "As Hyzenthlay said, 'there's too many ears here.'" I recalled from what she had said from an occurrence.

His face show something that I never thought anyone else could have shown to me. "Listen to me... if I could tell you this, you mustn't repeat this."

"What is it?" I asked.

"We're planning to make a break for it, tonight-"

"Don't tell this, please!" I pleaded. "I don't want to bring this up."

"What do you mean?" he questioned.

I looked around to see no guard nearby. "Captain Orchis always expects me to relay information around the does, if any escape will occur." I spoke up. "That's why I avoid Hyzenthlay and her sisters. If I endanger her, not only the wrath she'll face, but others will face punishment." Holly began to realize that it was lot more that I was nothing but a pawn to Efrafa. "I just wanted someone to make an acquittance or someone that I could get along with. Instead of someone using me to get information."

He let out a sigh. "Alright, listen to me. My offer stills stands. We'll be leaving tonight."

"Where are we going to go?" I asked.

"We came from another warren, away from here. I'm sure they'll be willing to take you in. Especially, our chief rabbit." he went further. "If possible, I could show you around and get you settled, once we return."

Hlessi! A guard called out for me. Your presence is requested by Captain Orchis.

I began to shake in fright. Captain Holly than placed his paw upon mine. "I just want to go home."

"Tonight... once we escape. I'll give you home. I promise." he assured me. "Just stay strong."

I composed myself, before I stood up and began to head my way to the guard. Not before, I turned back around to face Captain Holly, as he warmly, yet firm. He gave me a smile with a nod.