Chapter 17.

The Escape From the Hutch.

Night fell as Hazel, Bigwig, Blackberry and Pipkin Prepared their Plan.

"Alright." Said Hazel. "We go now."

They hopped down the hill to the Fence and Stopped. "Bigwig, You and Blackberry stay here, Pipkin, and I will go first, Follow after you lose sight of us."

Bigwig and Blackberry nodded.

"Alright, Pipkin." Said Hazel. "Come along."

"R-right." Said Pipkin in a skittish tone. "Coming Hazel."

Hazel and Pipkin crept Quietly through the Yard, Careful not to wake the Dog and slunk into the Barn, They searched for the Hutches, But they weren't there.

"What the Firth?!" Asked Hazel.

"Where are they?" Asked Pipkin.

Hazel then saw something in a Glass building.

"Pipkin." Said Hazel, Stamping his foot. "Over there."

"What is it?" Asked Pipkin hopping over.

"I think I see the hutch." Said Hazel in a hoarse voice. "It's in the House."

They hopped over to it and checked.

"That's them alright." Said Pipkin. "How do we get in?"

Hazel then noticed a small boxy portal in the Door. "This is how." He said and entered.

"I was afraid of that." Muttered Pipkin as he followed after.

When they entered the House, They got a good look at the interior.

It was a white and Dirty room, with High Columns and walls all around, Hazel and Pipkin crept their way through and found another room, A fireplace was lit and the Farmer's wife was found sleeping on the Couch, Next to her was a Door leading to the Hutch, Hazel could just see it through a Table, But he also saw the Cat Tabitha "Tab." sleeping in her Basket.

"Oh frith her again." Muttered Pipkin.

"Just keep quiet." Said Hazel. "She won't wake if we do."

Very slowly, Hazel and Pipkin crawled past Tabitha and reached the other room, Unaware of Tab's sudden awakening.

Hazel and Pipkin hopped to the Hutch, Clover was the closets to the wires, Their approach awoke her first.

"Hazel. Pipkin." She said. "Didn't think you two would come back."

"Well we are a bit desperate, I can say that much." Said Hazel.

"Did they move you in here Because of what we did to the Door?" Asked Pipkin.

"I suppose so." Said Clover. "They put pieces of Metal to hold it in place, If you can get them out I think we can push from the inside, It could give."

Hazel saw a loose nail jutting in front of the Door, He went over to it, Bit on it, and pulled it out.

"It's out!" He said.

Laurel woke up groggily. "Must you make noise Clover? Your upsetting my rest.

"Sorry, Laurel." Said Haystack. "But we're leaving."

"Leaving?" Asked Boxwood. "Why would anyone ever want to leave? It's perfectly fine here."

"For you lot Maybe, But Clover and I just want to be free, So that's that." Said Haystack.

And with that, She and Clover pushed against the door, It gave way and broke down part way, Creating a small opening large enough For Clover and Haystack to exit the Hutch.

"Alright, now we need to move quickly." Said Hazel. "The Woman and the Cat are in the room where the fire is."

"So we're free now?" Asked Clover.

"Not quite." Said Hazel. "We have to get out into the Fields, This isn't freedom yet."

Pipkin heard a noise behind him and looked back, he gasped quietly and nudged Hazel. "Uh… Hazel?"

"Pipkin?" Hazel looked back and Tabitha punched at him, Hazel kicked her off and knocked her into a Chair, She got back up and hissed. "Longears…" She yowled savagely, She swiped at Hazel again, But he jumped back, He, Pipkin, Clover and Haystack than scurried back into a corner, The cat Chased after them, Wehn Bigwig appeared and rammed her into the Side.

"Bigwig!" Cried, Hazel. "Didn't realize you were behind me."

"Hey, you gave the orders." Shrugged Bigwig, As Blackberry joined him, Tab got back up and hissed at Bigwig Fiercely.

"You're not so tough when you're backed into a Corner are you?" Asked Bigwig.

Tab sneered then suddenly looked up, She punched up to the highest shelf and stood near a Vase.

"What are you doing?" Asked Blackberry nervously.

"Just going to make you run…" Smiled Tab Maliciously.

And using her tail, She knocked the Vase off the Shelf and it fell to Earth with a Crash!

"Tab!" Called the Woman from the Other Room. "What is it now?!"

"Everyone run!" Cried, Hazel. "Quick!"

The Rabbits sped out of the room as fast as they could, With Tab on their trail, When the Woman saw them she gasped. "Oh my God!"

She ran and made a dash at the Rabbits, Calling. "LUCY! Wake up! Your Rabbits have gotten out again!"

Lucy had woken up from her bed when she heard her Mother call. "Mum? What's going- What the?!" She then froze when she saw the Rabbit run up the stairs with Tabitha chasing after them.

The Rabbits raced into the Parents bedroom and hopped onto the Bed, Hazel jumped to the Window and nearly toppled off it, Luckily it was over the Glass shed, So he safely jumped onto it.

"Hazel!" Called Blackberry.

Tab saddled up menacingly to the Rabbits, Bigwig stood protectively against her, Then retreated with the others onto the Window and onto the Glass shed, He shoved Blackberry out, But he Bumped into the others and they all slid down the glass, Pipkin Dangled over the Awakened Dogs.

"Pipkin!" Creid Blackberry and Hurried down to help him up, As he Did, Tab pounced on Bigwig, They slipped down the Roof and he Kicked over near the dogs, they Barked at her and She ran away. "Not so Clever now! You Embler Fefa!" Jeered Bigwig.

"Everyone Scarper!" Ordered Hazel. "Quick!"

They all jumped off the Roof and raced towards the Road, Just as a Hrududu drove up, It's lights blazing.

"Don't look into the light!" Cried Hazel as they ran off down the road.

The Farmer got out of his truck and got his Gun after his wife told him everything. "Just make sure you don't hit one of Lucy's." She said,

"Alright, but If they get shot they get shot." Muttered the Already Tired Farmer. "Damn Rabbits, They're a bloomin 'nuisance."

He then aimed his Gun at the Retreating Rabbits and Fired!

Hazel felt a sharp pain in his leg and tumbled right out of Sight, As the other Rabbits sped off, The Farmer took out his flashlight and searched for Hazel.

"You better not have shot one of Lucy's." Called his Wife.

"It was a wild un, I think." Said the Farmer. "He then saw a small trail of blood leading somewhere.

"Hmm, Must have shot him after all." Said the Farmer.

"Come on now it's late." Said the Wife. "If he's out there you'll find him in the Morning."

The Farmer turned off his light and walked back to the Farm, Meanwhile, the Rabbits scrambled together.

"We've searched everywhere." Said Bigwig. "There's no sign of him."

"We should go back." Said Pipkin. "He might still be alive!"

"No, Not in the dark, not tonight." Siad Bigwig. "We have to get these Does back to the down, Hazel chanced his life for them, And we're not gonna throw that away by having you wander away in the shadow of a farmer's gun, You understand?"

"I… I do," said Pipkin sadly.

To be continued.