The birds chirped peacefully, the night was coming soon, and a cool breeze blew through the trees, wafting the leaves softly. Everything was serene, beautiful, peaceful. And then, through the bushes broke two rabbits, racing quickly as shouts could be heard behind them.
"Where is he?!" Gerry screamed, as he and Kevin quickly turned and dashed through another number of bushes, the vial strapped to Kevins back, "Where did Number Two go?!"
"I don't know! I saw him go in another direction, but I don't know, I lost him!" Kevin shouted back.
"Did you hear that scream?" Gerry yelled, "That was him! That scream a few minutes ago! That was Number Two! Where did he go?!"
"I don't know, Gerald, just run! JUST. FUCKING. RUN!"
Number Two was, in fact, not that far behind them. Sitting on the edge of a tree trunk dangling precariously over a waterfall, licking his paws and watching Minerva, the fox, hang on for dear life. He wanted to help her. He wanted to be kind. But after what had just happened...after she'd just hurt them like this and helped Richardson betray The Collective...no. She had to be taught a lesson. Number Two looked up at some birds perched in a tree nearby and sighed.
"You know," he said, "I think logically. I use reasoning and rational thought before I make a move or a decision about what to do. Today was the first time I really instead acted on emotions, rushing in there and attacking the way that I did, and look...it almost got me killed. I'm right to act logically."
"Oh yeah, you're a genius," Minerva said, grunting as she tried desperately to cling to the bark, "We can make a deal. Help me up and we can make a deal. I know a hell of a lot about Dodger, trust me, and I can help you destroy him once and for all. I know where all his hiding places are and-"
"And you think he's not going to change those once he's left you for dead? He's always one step ahead," Number Two said, "He's going to vanish into the night and we won't see him again until he WANTS us to see him again."
"Then think about my child, my partner...what would they think if I just never came home?" Minerva said, "Please, they're my family, they mean the world to me. You have to help me up, you're not like them, you said so yourself, and I can sense it. You're a better rabbit than they are."
"Don't put me on a pedestal," Number Two scoffed, "We're all alike. That's why we've worked so well to survive together for so long. Because we're each one part of a whole. Turns out Gerald was right the entire time. We really ARE one entire being."
"Haven't you ever done something for someone you love?" Minerva asked, "Richardson wanted his sister back. It wasn't like he was setting out to hurt you guys, that wasn't the goal he had in mind, he simply wanted back his only family. Don't you have-"
"I have no family except the rabbits you tried to kill today," Number Two said sternly. As their eyes locked, the branch cracked a bit more and Minerva screamed for a moment as it got lower, closer to the waterfall. She glanced down at the rocks and water below. It was a very long fall, likely to kill her. She looked back up at Number Two, whose ears were now down.
"Number Two, I'm so sorry, I was doing what I thought was best for me," Minerva said.
"I know that. That's why anyone listens to Dodger. Because he preys on your hope," Number Two replied, "But in the end, it isn't hope that he delivers. It isn't salvation that he gives you. It's death. It's always been death and it'll always be death."
***
Gerry stopped, needing to catch his breath, as Kevin also stopped and looked around for some, any, water for them to drink. He spotted a puddle nearby and quickly hopped towards it, quenching his thirst as Gerry tried desperately to regain his energy.
"How much....further...do you think?" Gerry asked in between inhales.
"Not much," Kevin said, "Mipsy and some others are going to be scanning the nearby woods for anyone else who ran, so they're likely to find everyone before nightfall."
"Kevin...I'm proud of you," Gerry said, "I...I know everyone gave you crap back at The Lab but...I'm proud of you. Look at you. All that time you said you couldn't be a leader, that you couldn't do what was needed or necessary, and look at all that you've accomplished."
"I only accomplished it because of Number Two," Kevin said, looking at his reflection in the puddle, "God I hope he's alright. We need him, Gerry, desperately. He's the sole reason we've both survived as long as we have, because Number Two has been our standing moral compass and our logical thinker. I...I doubt I ever would've made it this far out here without him."
"Kevin," Gerry said, "I missed you so much. I know the other rabbits didn't really take too kindly to seeing you, but...I really was happy to see you."
Kevin smiled, "I was happy to see you too. We better get going, Number Four needs this medicine pronto."
And with that, the two friends continued on their way, with Kevin glancing over his shoulder only once at the direction from where they'd heard Number Twos screams.
***
Number Two sighed, thinking about The Collective back at The Hollow...thinking about Kevin and Gerry and Number Four. Thinking about what he'd tell them, how he'd make sense of it all, how he'd defend his decision, when they finally knew that he'd let this poor fox die. Minerva was still hanging on, but it was clear the log wouldn't last much longer. He blinked and looked off into the early night sky.
"Minerva, was it?" he asked, "How old is your cub?"
"She's not old, only almost 2," she said, "Number Two-"
"Paul. My name is Paul," he said softly.
"Paul," she corrected, smiling a little, "You know him. You know Dodger. He said he could give us food. It was such an easy arrangement. I never knew it would turn into this, or that he had so much history with your group. Had I known how complex this whole thing was, believe me, I NEVER would've gotten myself mixed up in all of it."
"He's a manipulator. I know what he does. I get it," Number Two said, "You don't have to explain or apologize to ME. I get it. But I would like it if you would apologize and explain to everyone else. Would you do that?"
"You...you mean you'd-"
"Yeah. I'd help you up, take you back to The Hollow, have you apologize to everyone and then, when the time comes, help us hit Dodger right where it hurts," Number Two said, "I...I can't let you die. I'm not that kind of rabbit. I'm not like him. I have too much of a conscience. I'd feel the guilt forever. But if you make things right-"
"I will," Minerva said.
Number Two nodded and hopped onto the log, carefully coming over to her and leaning his head down so that she could grab it for leverage and pull herself up further, when, finally, the log cracked, and he stumbled backwards as the end she was on began to fall towards the waterfall.
"Number Two!" she screamed, "Help me!"
Number Two stared at her. If he didn't save her, he'd feel guilty, if he did save her, he might die, and she might die, and it might all be worthless anyway. The log cracked more, and she slid more, and he shut his eyes, thinking back to the first time he'd spoken up in The Lab regarding Gerry, his plans, and when he and Kevin first came to run The Burrow together. How nobody ever really questioned him, how they'd all trusted him, and how he'd, in turn, helped them trust themselves. He heard it crack, and she began to fall. Number Two opened his eyes, inhaled, and took off running to the edge of the log, leaping off of it, grabbing onto her paw in midair, much to her shock.
"Hang on!" he shouted, "Just hang on!"
"What're you doing?!" she screamed, "You're going to die!"
"I'm doing what I've always done!" Number Two shouted back as they plummeted towards the rocks and water, "I'm helping someone!"
As they neared the water, he shut his eyes tightly and flashes of everyone he'd ever loved, ever helped, ever known ran across his eyelids, and he smiled as he saw them all in rapid fire succession; Number Six, Number Four, Gerry, Kevin, Mipsy, and all the others. And as they hit the water, they all vanished into a heartbeat.
***
Coming through the treeline and into the hilltop area, Gerry was taken back by the beauty surrounding them. He'd expected it to be pretty out here, but he never knew they were surrounded by such natural beauty. Taking a few more steps into the area, they heard someone shouting, and before they could even see their face clearly, Gerry was tackled by Six, the both of them laughing. She'd pinned him to the ground on his back, both so happy.
"You're okay!" he said, giggling.
"Yeah, thank god! I didn't know if I'd ever see you again!" Six said, "Gerald, you did it. You promised you would and you did it!"
"Six?" Another voice called, as Crisp, Melvin behind her, came bounding into view with others.
"I'm here! I found Gerry and Kevin, they're alright!" she called back, before looking back down at Gerry and beaming down at him, "I know, I know it was a group effort, I know that Kevin came back and really got us out, but...you kept saying we would feel the grass underneath our paws and I am! I am, Gerry! I'm feeling the grass! You were right, the whole time, and I'm so sorry that I ever doubted you for a second!"
"It's fine, Six," he said.
"Denise," she said, "My name is Denise."
"Denise," Gerry repeated, "That's pretty."
"Thank you Gerry, for everything," she said, kissing him, the group celebrating as Kevin continued to make his way towards The Hollow, only to find Mipsy at the front, jumping up and down in circles, repeating his name, making him chuckle to himself. Other rabbits came out from inside, all of them pouring out to celebrate the return they never thought would be possible, and especially ran past him to see Gerry, Six and the others. Kevin stopped in front of Mipsy and they pushed their foreheads together for a moment.
"You came back!" she said loudly, "You came back!"
"I said I would," he replied, "I have the medicine, where is she?"
"...she inside," Mipsy said, "I take you into hole."
Kevin and nodded, following her. Walking down the halls of The Hollow, it felt like such a victory, but as they approached the area Number Four was waiting, a cold chill came over Kevin. He thought about Number Two, about what may have happened to him, and then quickly shook it off as they came into view of her. She was laying on her side, facing them, as Kevin looked at Mipsy, who glanced away from him. He pulled the vial off his back and rolled it over to her with his nose.
"Number Four?" he asked, getting up to her and nosing her cheek, "Number Four?"
The cold chill return.
"Ellen?" he asked, his voice cracking.
This wasn't a victory.
"Ellen?"
"Where is he?!" Gerry screamed, as he and Kevin quickly turned and dashed through another number of bushes, the vial strapped to Kevins back, "Where did Number Two go?!"
"I don't know! I saw him go in another direction, but I don't know, I lost him!" Kevin shouted back.
"Did you hear that scream?" Gerry yelled, "That was him! That scream a few minutes ago! That was Number Two! Where did he go?!"
"I don't know, Gerald, just run! JUST. FUCKING. RUN!"
Number Two was, in fact, not that far behind them. Sitting on the edge of a tree trunk dangling precariously over a waterfall, licking his paws and watching Minerva, the fox, hang on for dear life. He wanted to help her. He wanted to be kind. But after what had just happened...after she'd just hurt them like this and helped Richardson betray The Collective...no. She had to be taught a lesson. Number Two looked up at some birds perched in a tree nearby and sighed.
"You know," he said, "I think logically. I use reasoning and rational thought before I make a move or a decision about what to do. Today was the first time I really instead acted on emotions, rushing in there and attacking the way that I did, and look...it almost got me killed. I'm right to act logically."
"Oh yeah, you're a genius," Minerva said, grunting as she tried desperately to cling to the bark, "We can make a deal. Help me up and we can make a deal. I know a hell of a lot about Dodger, trust me, and I can help you destroy him once and for all. I know where all his hiding places are and-"
"And you think he's not going to change those once he's left you for dead? He's always one step ahead," Number Two said, "He's going to vanish into the night and we won't see him again until he WANTS us to see him again."
"Then think about my child, my partner...what would they think if I just never came home?" Minerva said, "Please, they're my family, they mean the world to me. You have to help me up, you're not like them, you said so yourself, and I can sense it. You're a better rabbit than they are."
"Don't put me on a pedestal," Number Two scoffed, "We're all alike. That's why we've worked so well to survive together for so long. Because we're each one part of a whole. Turns out Gerald was right the entire time. We really ARE one entire being."
"Haven't you ever done something for someone you love?" Minerva asked, "Richardson wanted his sister back. It wasn't like he was setting out to hurt you guys, that wasn't the goal he had in mind, he simply wanted back his only family. Don't you have-"
"I have no family except the rabbits you tried to kill today," Number Two said sternly. As their eyes locked, the branch cracked a bit more and Minerva screamed for a moment as it got lower, closer to the waterfall. She glanced down at the rocks and water below. It was a very long fall, likely to kill her. She looked back up at Number Two, whose ears were now down.
"Number Two, I'm so sorry, I was doing what I thought was best for me," Minerva said.
"I know that. That's why anyone listens to Dodger. Because he preys on your hope," Number Two replied, "But in the end, it isn't hope that he delivers. It isn't salvation that he gives you. It's death. It's always been death and it'll always be death."
***
Gerry stopped, needing to catch his breath, as Kevin also stopped and looked around for some, any, water for them to drink. He spotted a puddle nearby and quickly hopped towards it, quenching his thirst as Gerry tried desperately to regain his energy.
"How much....further...do you think?" Gerry asked in between inhales.
"Not much," Kevin said, "Mipsy and some others are going to be scanning the nearby woods for anyone else who ran, so they're likely to find everyone before nightfall."
"Kevin...I'm proud of you," Gerry said, "I...I know everyone gave you crap back at The Lab but...I'm proud of you. Look at you. All that time you said you couldn't be a leader, that you couldn't do what was needed or necessary, and look at all that you've accomplished."
"I only accomplished it because of Number Two," Kevin said, looking at his reflection in the puddle, "God I hope he's alright. We need him, Gerry, desperately. He's the sole reason we've both survived as long as we have, because Number Two has been our standing moral compass and our logical thinker. I...I doubt I ever would've made it this far out here without him."
"Kevin," Gerry said, "I missed you so much. I know the other rabbits didn't really take too kindly to seeing you, but...I really was happy to see you."
Kevin smiled, "I was happy to see you too. We better get going, Number Four needs this medicine pronto."
And with that, the two friends continued on their way, with Kevin glancing over his shoulder only once at the direction from where they'd heard Number Twos screams.
***
Number Two sighed, thinking about The Collective back at The Hollow...thinking about Kevin and Gerry and Number Four. Thinking about what he'd tell them, how he'd make sense of it all, how he'd defend his decision, when they finally knew that he'd let this poor fox die. Minerva was still hanging on, but it was clear the log wouldn't last much longer. He blinked and looked off into the early night sky.
"Minerva, was it?" he asked, "How old is your cub?"
"She's not old, only almost 2," she said, "Number Two-"
"Paul. My name is Paul," he said softly.
"Paul," she corrected, smiling a little, "You know him. You know Dodger. He said he could give us food. It was such an easy arrangement. I never knew it would turn into this, or that he had so much history with your group. Had I known how complex this whole thing was, believe me, I NEVER would've gotten myself mixed up in all of it."
"He's a manipulator. I know what he does. I get it," Number Two said, "You don't have to explain or apologize to ME. I get it. But I would like it if you would apologize and explain to everyone else. Would you do that?"
"You...you mean you'd-"
"Yeah. I'd help you up, take you back to The Hollow, have you apologize to everyone and then, when the time comes, help us hit Dodger right where it hurts," Number Two said, "I...I can't let you die. I'm not that kind of rabbit. I'm not like him. I have too much of a conscience. I'd feel the guilt forever. But if you make things right-"
"I will," Minerva said.
Number Two nodded and hopped onto the log, carefully coming over to her and leaning his head down so that she could grab it for leverage and pull herself up further, when, finally, the log cracked, and he stumbled backwards as the end she was on began to fall towards the waterfall.
"Number Two!" she screamed, "Help me!"
Number Two stared at her. If he didn't save her, he'd feel guilty, if he did save her, he might die, and she might die, and it might all be worthless anyway. The log cracked more, and she slid more, and he shut his eyes, thinking back to the first time he'd spoken up in The Lab regarding Gerry, his plans, and when he and Kevin first came to run The Burrow together. How nobody ever really questioned him, how they'd all trusted him, and how he'd, in turn, helped them trust themselves. He heard it crack, and she began to fall. Number Two opened his eyes, inhaled, and took off running to the edge of the log, leaping off of it, grabbing onto her paw in midair, much to her shock.
"Hang on!" he shouted, "Just hang on!"
"What're you doing?!" she screamed, "You're going to die!"
"I'm doing what I've always done!" Number Two shouted back as they plummeted towards the rocks and water, "I'm helping someone!"
As they neared the water, he shut his eyes tightly and flashes of everyone he'd ever loved, ever helped, ever known ran across his eyelids, and he smiled as he saw them all in rapid fire succession; Number Six, Number Four, Gerry, Kevin, Mipsy, and all the others. And as they hit the water, they all vanished into a heartbeat.
***
Coming through the treeline and into the hilltop area, Gerry was taken back by the beauty surrounding them. He'd expected it to be pretty out here, but he never knew they were surrounded by such natural beauty. Taking a few more steps into the area, they heard someone shouting, and before they could even see their face clearly, Gerry was tackled by Six, the both of them laughing. She'd pinned him to the ground on his back, both so happy.
"You're okay!" he said, giggling.
"Yeah, thank god! I didn't know if I'd ever see you again!" Six said, "Gerald, you did it. You promised you would and you did it!"
"Six?" Another voice called, as Crisp, Melvin behind her, came bounding into view with others.
"I'm here! I found Gerry and Kevin, they're alright!" she called back, before looking back down at Gerry and beaming down at him, "I know, I know it was a group effort, I know that Kevin came back and really got us out, but...you kept saying we would feel the grass underneath our paws and I am! I am, Gerry! I'm feeling the grass! You were right, the whole time, and I'm so sorry that I ever doubted you for a second!"
"It's fine, Six," he said.
"Denise," she said, "My name is Denise."
"Denise," Gerry repeated, "That's pretty."
"Thank you Gerry, for everything," she said, kissing him, the group celebrating as Kevin continued to make his way towards The Hollow, only to find Mipsy at the front, jumping up and down in circles, repeating his name, making him chuckle to himself. Other rabbits came out from inside, all of them pouring out to celebrate the return they never thought would be possible, and especially ran past him to see Gerry, Six and the others. Kevin stopped in front of Mipsy and they pushed their foreheads together for a moment.
"You came back!" she said loudly, "You came back!"
"I said I would," he replied, "I have the medicine, where is she?"
"...she inside," Mipsy said, "I take you into hole."
Kevin and nodded, following her. Walking down the halls of The Hollow, it felt like such a victory, but as they approached the area Number Four was waiting, a cold chill came over Kevin. He thought about Number Two, about what may have happened to him, and then quickly shook it off as they came into view of her. She was laying on her side, facing them, as Kevin looked at Mipsy, who glanced away from him. He pulled the vial off his back and rolled it over to her with his nose.
"Number Four?" he asked, getting up to her and nosing her cheek, "Number Four?"
The cold chill return.
"Ellen?" he asked, his voice cracking.
This wasn't a victory.
"Ellen?"