"Doug!" Gerry screamed, banging his head against the vent paneling, but it was too late. Salt put her paws on his back, trying to calm him, while Six got to her feet and shook off everything that'd just happened. She looked at her now crunched temp foot and sighed. This was only going to complicate things for her...
"Gerry," Salt said softly, "Gerry, he's gone. There's nothing you can do. It's not going to come back up. The more time we let pass here the less time we have to leave. We need to get The Collective right now. Mourn your friend in the wild."
"...he just...gave it all up. His entire life. He threw it away, for us, for rabbits he doesn't even know," Gerry said, stuttering, "...I will make sure he is remembered."
"Of course you will, but for now, we have to get out of here," Salt said, "So let's get a move on."
She turned and scurried down the vent, Gerry behind her, and Six limping behind him. But it wasn't going to get any easier. No. Losing Doug was only the beginning.
***
"So how do you propose we get out of this place?" Kevin asked as Two opened the vent to The Sick, letting him inside first, then following behind him, shutting the vent quietly.
"I'm betting the same way anyone leaves," Two said, "Through the gates, but hey, your guess is as good as mine."
"Kevin?" Four asked out in the distance, as Kevin and Two approached her cage. Kevin put his nose to the cage and they nuzzled, which actually did make Two feel a little better. It was nice seeing someone at least had some hope left in them.
"We're going to get you out of here, and then we're going to leave," Kevin said, "I told you I'd get you out of here, Ellen."
"I always believed in you," Four said, smiling, "Once outside we can have a nice burrow in a peaceful meadow and it'll be so wonderful."
"That sounds all grand and dandy, but let's survive the escape first," Two said, looking around for something. As Kevin undid Fours cage bolts, he watched Two out of the corner of his eye, wondering what he was searching for.
"You need some help?" Kevin finally asked.
"I'm looking for someone," Two said, his brow furrowing, unsure of where Seven had gone. He was just here when Two brought Gerry, so where could he be now? It wasn't like he was going to get up and walk away on his own. The cage door opened and Four hopped out, pushing her face into Kevins neck while Two continued to crane his view around The Sick, not spotting a single inch of Seven anywhere.
"Alright, we have to go," Kevin said, "We need to get back to The Collective, and Gerry."
Kevin and Four started to head out, but Two remained. At the vent, Four crawling inside, Kevin spun around and looked back at Two.
"Hey, you coming or what?"
"...do you hear that?" Two asked, and Kevin perked his ears up.
"...what is that?" Kevin asked, hearing a low, gutteral growl sound.
Two spun around and locked eyes with Kevin, then started running at him. He headbutted Kevin into the vent, letting the vent hatch shut, as a large black dog leapt at the vent, snarling and barking at it, clawing to get inside. Kevin backed up and felt Four behind him.
"You're the one!" the dog barked, "You're the one who fucked up my ears!"
It was Richards, the doberman, the one who'd killed Fern during The Incident. Kevin felt a rage boil up inside of him and headed for the vent grate, only to feel him being held back by Four. He turned to look at her and saw the concerned look on her face.
"Don't, Kevin. It isn't worth it, just let it go," she said.
"But Two is-"
"Go, Kevin!" Two shouted, as he bit into Richards leg from behind. Richards yelped and turned, snapping his jaws at Two, gripping his right ear and tossing him against the floor, ripping the tip of his ear off viciously. Two struggled to look up from where he was on the floor, his eyes catching Kevins as Richards advanced on him.
"Two!"
"Just go!" Two shouted, and with that, Kevin turned and took Four back down the vents. All they could hear was the sound of metal crashing behind them, things being overturned, and yelps and screams. Kevin wished he couldn't hear at all.
***
By the time Kevin and Four reached the main lab, everyone except Salt was gone. She was pacing, as if waiting for them. When she noticed them coming through the vent and back into the lab, she headed towards them while Four glanced around, confused at the emptiness.
"Where is everyone?" Kevin asked.
"I sent them ahead, I figured someone should wait for you and...and where's Two?" Salt asked, and Kevin just looked away, his ears lowering as Salt shook her head and sighed, "Christ...this is a bad day. Alright, well, let's get you two there."
"Where is there, exactly?" Kevin asked, as they followed Salt back into the main hall, the alarms still going but THEM nowhere in sight.
"The trash heap," Salt said, "I'll explain when we get there."
They just continued to follow Salt as she lead them down the long hall. It was the first time Kevin had ever seen anything other than their own lab. He'd never seen any of these halls or other labs before, and tried not to take too much of it in as they passed by. Eventually they reached a room where they found The Collective standing by a large, round metallic looking container, the sound of water swirling and swishing. Gerry approached them, a look on his face, his voice lowered.
"...where's Number Two?" he asked.
"...." Kevin had no response, and Gerry understood.
"Alright," Salt said as she climbed on top of the container, "Everyone, up here! Here's the plan! The majority of you are going through this thing! Because it's designed to suction trash out through the ducts, it's big enough to allow you to pass through, and it'll dump you right outside the back of the lab. From there, you will simply turn and head for the forests nearby. The ride only takes about 3 minutes, so you will have to hold your breath until then. Trust me, you don't want to breath in trash water. It's disgusting. So, everyone line up and start jumping in."
The Collective started climbing up and lining up, excited, realizing this was it. This was their escape. Gerry turned and looked at Salt as she climbed back down. Salt hugged Gerry and, his lips to her ears, he whispered, "thank you" into them. She smiled and patted his back.
"I'll see you on the other side, Gerald," Salt said, and that's when they heard scratching at the door. Everyone turned to look, and could hear the sound of a dog barking through it. Salt turned towards everyone else and motioned towards the trash deposit, "Alright, this is it everyone, go go go! Hold your breath and jump!"
The Collective did as she said, and as Kevin and Four got up to the front, Four sighed and looked at him.
"This is really going to work," Four said, "You did it, you got us out of here."
"I said I would," Kevin said, kissing her forehead, "I'll see you on the outside."
Four shut her eyes, closed her mouth and jumped in. Just then the door burst open, and Richards entered. He'd jumped up and landed his paw on the door button, opening it. He saw the rabbits leaving and snarled as he turned his attention to Gerry.
"You goddamned rabbits are more trouble than you're worth!" he snapped.
"What is your problem with us, man?" Gerry asked.
"You think you're the only ones who don't want to be here?!" Richards continued, his teeth bared, "You think you're the only ones who want out?! Well you're not! And, if none of us can leave, then I'll be damned if anyone else gets to!"
He leapt at Gerry, but Salt jumped onto his nose and scratched at his ears. He whimpered and slammed his head into the side of the wall, trying to get her off of him. Just then Two came in behind them, bloody, half an ear missing and out of breath. He leaned against Gerry, letting his blood soak into him.
"Two," Gerry said, "Come on, get up on here."
Gerry took Two up onto the platform next to Kevin, as Salt and Six forced Richards out into the hall, fighting with him, a small portion of The Collective still huddled in the corner in absolute fear. Gerry looked at Kevin and realized there was only one option. With all his might, Gerry shoved Kevin and Two in, but before they could get sucked into the ducts, they realized something was clogging the system up. It needed maximum power. Gerry hopped in after them, holding onto a piece of plastic on the inner ring, looking around for something to make it work.
"Gerry!" Kevin said, "Gerry, what're you doing?"
"This thing is clogged! If I can get it on maximum, it can unclog it and take you and Number Two with it!" Gerry said.
"But...but you and Six, and the others, they won't.." Kevin started, but Gerry interrupted.
"Kevin," Gerry said, his fur rife with sweat and blood, "You have to do this, you have to do it now or it's all for nothing. Just please, do it for me. I believe in you. You can do this."
"Gerry," Kevin said, Number Two behind him, the tip of his right ear missing as he looked back and forth between the exit, Kevin and Gerry, "I can't...I can't just..." Kevin continued.
"Do it for me, Kevin. Be. a. hero," Gerry said, out of breath, on the verge of tears, "You have to do this now, because...because we're out of time, Kevin. We're out of time."
"I'm not going without you!" Kevin screamed, his face not even an inch from Gerrys, "Where is she, where's Salt?!"
"It doesn't matter anymore, Kevin, just go!" Gerry shouted back, his eyes, like Kevins, brimming with tears, "Just go, man, get them out of here! They're counting on you!"
"Gerry," Kevin said, looking in his eyes, "Gerry, you don't have to do this, you don't...it doesn't have to be this way..."
"...Goodbye Kevin," Gerry said, shutting the hatch, and his paws finally feeling something he could twist, turning the water on full blast. The water shot through the ducts, drenching Gerry as he watched Kevin and Number Two get blasted down the tubes. The last thing Kevin saw of Gerry, he was being lifted out by one of THEIR hands.
Then he lost consciousness.
***
Kevin could feel something soft underneath him. His eyes fluttered open, and he wondered if THEY had given his cage some fresh hay, perhaps? No. This was...green? This was...grass. He was laying on grass! Kevin tried to stand up, but soon felt a paw on his and looked up to see Number Four standing next to him, looking down, smiling.
"Don't try and move," she said softly, "You banged your head pretty hard."
"...where...where am I?" Kevin asked.
"We did it Kevin. You did it. Take a look," she said, stepping aside and allowing Kevin to see the cleared out forest area that the escape Collective had taken to. His eyes widened as he saw baby rabbits chasing one another, laughing, having fun. He saw adult rabbits relaxing, and talking peacefully, sunlight breaking through the treetops and brightening their lives. Kevin sighed as he finally managed to get up on his feet, and that's when it hit him.
"Number Two!" he said loudly, "Where's-"
"Hey," Number Two said, approaching him behind. Kevin spun around and did his best to hug him.
"I am so glad you're okay," Kevin said, "I thought I'd never see you again."
"Well, I lost half an ear, but otherwise, yeah, I managed to come through relatively unscathed, minus a few nicks and scratches. But you should really rest, Kevin. The Collective's going to need you to be well rested and ready," Two said as he and Four led Kevin to a nearby cozy burrow.
"Ready for what?" Kevin asked.
"Well, you're the one who made it out, so I guess...you're the leader now," Four said, "That's what Gerry said wasn't it? That you'd have to lead us if anything happened to him?"
"I...I guess he did," Kevin said.
"Well, you take it easy, Kevin, and I'll bring you some food," Two said, as he headed back out. Kevin snuggled into the warm burrow, Four snuggled right beside him. He couldn't believe it. He'd done it. They'd done it. A good portion of The Collective had actually managed to escape. It was a miracle, it was, a goddamned miracle.
"It's not over," Kevin said, "Not while THEY still have Gerry and Six and the others."
"What do you mean?" Four asked.
"I mean we have to rescue them," Kevin said sternly, "We can't let THEM keep them. We have to rescue them. We have to go back there."
"....well, not immediately, right?" Four asked, and Kevin chuckled, snuggling her.
"Of course not, no, we'll relax first, get our strength and wits about us. But....we are going to have to go back," Kevin said, and with that, he took his well deserved rest. He didn't dream much that night, but the one thing he did remembered when he woke the following morning was the image of the lab, but not as he remembered it. No. In his dream, his cage was empty and quiet, and while wondering why, for once he realized he was having a dream.
Not a nightmare.
"Gerry," Salt said softly, "Gerry, he's gone. There's nothing you can do. It's not going to come back up. The more time we let pass here the less time we have to leave. We need to get The Collective right now. Mourn your friend in the wild."
"...he just...gave it all up. His entire life. He threw it away, for us, for rabbits he doesn't even know," Gerry said, stuttering, "...I will make sure he is remembered."
"Of course you will, but for now, we have to get out of here," Salt said, "So let's get a move on."
She turned and scurried down the vent, Gerry behind her, and Six limping behind him. But it wasn't going to get any easier. No. Losing Doug was only the beginning.
***
"So how do you propose we get out of this place?" Kevin asked as Two opened the vent to The Sick, letting him inside first, then following behind him, shutting the vent quietly.
"I'm betting the same way anyone leaves," Two said, "Through the gates, but hey, your guess is as good as mine."
"Kevin?" Four asked out in the distance, as Kevin and Two approached her cage. Kevin put his nose to the cage and they nuzzled, which actually did make Two feel a little better. It was nice seeing someone at least had some hope left in them.
"We're going to get you out of here, and then we're going to leave," Kevin said, "I told you I'd get you out of here, Ellen."
"I always believed in you," Four said, smiling, "Once outside we can have a nice burrow in a peaceful meadow and it'll be so wonderful."
"That sounds all grand and dandy, but let's survive the escape first," Two said, looking around for something. As Kevin undid Fours cage bolts, he watched Two out of the corner of his eye, wondering what he was searching for.
"You need some help?" Kevin finally asked.
"I'm looking for someone," Two said, his brow furrowing, unsure of where Seven had gone. He was just here when Two brought Gerry, so where could he be now? It wasn't like he was going to get up and walk away on his own. The cage door opened and Four hopped out, pushing her face into Kevins neck while Two continued to crane his view around The Sick, not spotting a single inch of Seven anywhere.
"Alright, we have to go," Kevin said, "We need to get back to The Collective, and Gerry."
Kevin and Four started to head out, but Two remained. At the vent, Four crawling inside, Kevin spun around and looked back at Two.
"Hey, you coming or what?"
"...do you hear that?" Two asked, and Kevin perked his ears up.
"...what is that?" Kevin asked, hearing a low, gutteral growl sound.
Two spun around and locked eyes with Kevin, then started running at him. He headbutted Kevin into the vent, letting the vent hatch shut, as a large black dog leapt at the vent, snarling and barking at it, clawing to get inside. Kevin backed up and felt Four behind him.
"You're the one!" the dog barked, "You're the one who fucked up my ears!"
It was Richards, the doberman, the one who'd killed Fern during The Incident. Kevin felt a rage boil up inside of him and headed for the vent grate, only to feel him being held back by Four. He turned to look at her and saw the concerned look on her face.
"Don't, Kevin. It isn't worth it, just let it go," she said.
"But Two is-"
"Go, Kevin!" Two shouted, as he bit into Richards leg from behind. Richards yelped and turned, snapping his jaws at Two, gripping his right ear and tossing him against the floor, ripping the tip of his ear off viciously. Two struggled to look up from where he was on the floor, his eyes catching Kevins as Richards advanced on him.
"Two!"
"Just go!" Two shouted, and with that, Kevin turned and took Four back down the vents. All they could hear was the sound of metal crashing behind them, things being overturned, and yelps and screams. Kevin wished he couldn't hear at all.
***
By the time Kevin and Four reached the main lab, everyone except Salt was gone. She was pacing, as if waiting for them. When she noticed them coming through the vent and back into the lab, she headed towards them while Four glanced around, confused at the emptiness.
"Where is everyone?" Kevin asked.
"I sent them ahead, I figured someone should wait for you and...and where's Two?" Salt asked, and Kevin just looked away, his ears lowering as Salt shook her head and sighed, "Christ...this is a bad day. Alright, well, let's get you two there."
"Where is there, exactly?" Kevin asked, as they followed Salt back into the main hall, the alarms still going but THEM nowhere in sight.
"The trash heap," Salt said, "I'll explain when we get there."
They just continued to follow Salt as she lead them down the long hall. It was the first time Kevin had ever seen anything other than their own lab. He'd never seen any of these halls or other labs before, and tried not to take too much of it in as they passed by. Eventually they reached a room where they found The Collective standing by a large, round metallic looking container, the sound of water swirling and swishing. Gerry approached them, a look on his face, his voice lowered.
"...where's Number Two?" he asked.
"...." Kevin had no response, and Gerry understood.
"Alright," Salt said as she climbed on top of the container, "Everyone, up here! Here's the plan! The majority of you are going through this thing! Because it's designed to suction trash out through the ducts, it's big enough to allow you to pass through, and it'll dump you right outside the back of the lab. From there, you will simply turn and head for the forests nearby. The ride only takes about 3 minutes, so you will have to hold your breath until then. Trust me, you don't want to breath in trash water. It's disgusting. So, everyone line up and start jumping in."
The Collective started climbing up and lining up, excited, realizing this was it. This was their escape. Gerry turned and looked at Salt as she climbed back down. Salt hugged Gerry and, his lips to her ears, he whispered, "thank you" into them. She smiled and patted his back.
"I'll see you on the other side, Gerald," Salt said, and that's when they heard scratching at the door. Everyone turned to look, and could hear the sound of a dog barking through it. Salt turned towards everyone else and motioned towards the trash deposit, "Alright, this is it everyone, go go go! Hold your breath and jump!"
The Collective did as she said, and as Kevin and Four got up to the front, Four sighed and looked at him.
"This is really going to work," Four said, "You did it, you got us out of here."
"I said I would," Kevin said, kissing her forehead, "I'll see you on the outside."
Four shut her eyes, closed her mouth and jumped in. Just then the door burst open, and Richards entered. He'd jumped up and landed his paw on the door button, opening it. He saw the rabbits leaving and snarled as he turned his attention to Gerry.
"You goddamned rabbits are more trouble than you're worth!" he snapped.
"What is your problem with us, man?" Gerry asked.
"You think you're the only ones who don't want to be here?!" Richards continued, his teeth bared, "You think you're the only ones who want out?! Well you're not! And, if none of us can leave, then I'll be damned if anyone else gets to!"
He leapt at Gerry, but Salt jumped onto his nose and scratched at his ears. He whimpered and slammed his head into the side of the wall, trying to get her off of him. Just then Two came in behind them, bloody, half an ear missing and out of breath. He leaned against Gerry, letting his blood soak into him.
"Two," Gerry said, "Come on, get up on here."
Gerry took Two up onto the platform next to Kevin, as Salt and Six forced Richards out into the hall, fighting with him, a small portion of The Collective still huddled in the corner in absolute fear. Gerry looked at Kevin and realized there was only one option. With all his might, Gerry shoved Kevin and Two in, but before they could get sucked into the ducts, they realized something was clogging the system up. It needed maximum power. Gerry hopped in after them, holding onto a piece of plastic on the inner ring, looking around for something to make it work.
"Gerry!" Kevin said, "Gerry, what're you doing?"
"This thing is clogged! If I can get it on maximum, it can unclog it and take you and Number Two with it!" Gerry said.
"But...but you and Six, and the others, they won't.." Kevin started, but Gerry interrupted.
"Kevin," Gerry said, his fur rife with sweat and blood, "You have to do this, you have to do it now or it's all for nothing. Just please, do it for me. I believe in you. You can do this."
"Gerry," Kevin said, Number Two behind him, the tip of his right ear missing as he looked back and forth between the exit, Kevin and Gerry, "I can't...I can't just..." Kevin continued.
"Do it for me, Kevin. Be. a. hero," Gerry said, out of breath, on the verge of tears, "You have to do this now, because...because we're out of time, Kevin. We're out of time."
"I'm not going without you!" Kevin screamed, his face not even an inch from Gerrys, "Where is she, where's Salt?!"
"It doesn't matter anymore, Kevin, just go!" Gerry shouted back, his eyes, like Kevins, brimming with tears, "Just go, man, get them out of here! They're counting on you!"
"Gerry," Kevin said, looking in his eyes, "Gerry, you don't have to do this, you don't...it doesn't have to be this way..."
"...Goodbye Kevin," Gerry said, shutting the hatch, and his paws finally feeling something he could twist, turning the water on full blast. The water shot through the ducts, drenching Gerry as he watched Kevin and Number Two get blasted down the tubes. The last thing Kevin saw of Gerry, he was being lifted out by one of THEIR hands.
Then he lost consciousness.
***
Kevin could feel something soft underneath him. His eyes fluttered open, and he wondered if THEY had given his cage some fresh hay, perhaps? No. This was...green? This was...grass. He was laying on grass! Kevin tried to stand up, but soon felt a paw on his and looked up to see Number Four standing next to him, looking down, smiling.
"Don't try and move," she said softly, "You banged your head pretty hard."
"...where...where am I?" Kevin asked.
"We did it Kevin. You did it. Take a look," she said, stepping aside and allowing Kevin to see the cleared out forest area that the escape Collective had taken to. His eyes widened as he saw baby rabbits chasing one another, laughing, having fun. He saw adult rabbits relaxing, and talking peacefully, sunlight breaking through the treetops and brightening their lives. Kevin sighed as he finally managed to get up on his feet, and that's when it hit him.
"Number Two!" he said loudly, "Where's-"
"Hey," Number Two said, approaching him behind. Kevin spun around and did his best to hug him.
"I am so glad you're okay," Kevin said, "I thought I'd never see you again."
"Well, I lost half an ear, but otherwise, yeah, I managed to come through relatively unscathed, minus a few nicks and scratches. But you should really rest, Kevin. The Collective's going to need you to be well rested and ready," Two said as he and Four led Kevin to a nearby cozy burrow.
"Ready for what?" Kevin asked.
"Well, you're the one who made it out, so I guess...you're the leader now," Four said, "That's what Gerry said wasn't it? That you'd have to lead us if anything happened to him?"
"I...I guess he did," Kevin said.
"Well, you take it easy, Kevin, and I'll bring you some food," Two said, as he headed back out. Kevin snuggled into the warm burrow, Four snuggled right beside him. He couldn't believe it. He'd done it. They'd done it. A good portion of The Collective had actually managed to escape. It was a miracle, it was, a goddamned miracle.
"It's not over," Kevin said, "Not while THEY still have Gerry and Six and the others."
"What do you mean?" Four asked.
"I mean we have to rescue them," Kevin said sternly, "We can't let THEM keep them. We have to rescue them. We have to go back there."
"....well, not immediately, right?" Four asked, and Kevin chuckled, snuggling her.
"Of course not, no, we'll relax first, get our strength and wits about us. But....we are going to have to go back," Kevin said, and with that, he took his well deserved rest. He didn't dream much that night, but the one thing he did remembered when he woke the following morning was the image of the lab, but not as he remembered it. No. In his dream, his cage was empty and quiet, and while wondering why, for once he realized he was having a dream.
Not a nightmare.