First posted on alt.devilbunnies 11 October-2 November, 1999. Most of this takes place during or after Maine Battle '99 and concerns Catherine Blake during her captivity (if you can call it that) at Torbique Warren, New Brunswick.
©1999 by Scott BernierAs with the rest of my stories to date for 1999, this one is interconnected with the rest to some extent.
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| Fitting In 1 | Fitting In 5 | Fitting In 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting In 2 | Fitting In 6 | Fitting In 10 |
| Fitting In 3 | Fitting In 7 | Fitting In 11 |
| Fitting In 4 | Fitting In 8 |
Cathy sat alone in Torbique Warren's cafeteria as she had done for most meals for the past several months. She nibbled half-heartedly on a garden salad with peppercorn dressing. Occasionally, she sighed to herself. The other buns eating their meals kept their distance from her, none even glancing near her direction if they could help it.
A charcoal gray doe hopped in, dinner tray in paw, scanned the room, nose twitching. She homed in on Cathy and hopped over to her table. She sat down and dug into her Spam™ chef salad. Cathy briefly looked up at the newcomer with a distant look in her eyes, like she didn't even see her there. (sighfluff) Cathy looked back down at her own plate and played idly with a cherry tomato.
(concernfluff) "What's wrong?" the newcomer inquired.
Cathy ignored her, unsheathed a single claw, skewered the tomato and popped it in her mouth. She chewed slowly. After an awkward moment, the newcomer tried again.
"You look like you could use a friend. I'm here...and I do owe you so much..." she added as an after thought.
Cathy swallowed the tomato. "You owe me nothing, Greyling," she replied quietly, looking up from her plate. Hatred burned in her eyes.
Greyling (shudderfluff) under the glare and bowed her head. (humblefluff) "Forgive me, Catherine, I didn't mean to offend you."
Cathy's glare doubled as her eartips turned bright red. Her claws dug deeply into the table top. "Offend me?" She replied in a quiet, icy tone. She leaned over the low table until her nose nearly touched Greyling's. "Your very existence offends me." Buns began to clear out of the room in a hurry, not wanting to be caught in the middle of the impending fight.
Tears welled-up in Greyling's eyes and she wept quietly. (snifflefluff) "I'll never fit in. My teachers warned me that converts have a hard time at first...and the mentat warned me to keep clear of you. She said you were dangerous..."
Cathy froze for a moment. "The mentat?" she asked in a more polite and surprised tone.
(snifflenodfluff)
(fangygrin) "She's right in some ways," Cathy replied, "but not like you think. Come." (thump) Cathy pushed her plate towards the center of the table and got up.
Greyling so very much wanted to fit in with the warren. She knew she was to obey orders from all the Alphas. She was sure Cathy must be one from the tone of her order to follow her. She did so, leaving her salad unfinished on the table.
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Cathy led Greyling to her room and entered. Greyling (hesitantfluff) stood in the doorway.
(wellfluff) Cathy glanced at here. "You going to stand there all day?"
"I...I shouldn't. This is the Alpha tunnel. I'm only a beta..."
Cathy glared for a moment, then softened her expression, rolling her eyes. "Oh, pull-eese, not that. Are they calling me an alpha behind my back?!" (gigglefluff) "Do you think I care about a silly thing such as social class?.." (pausefluff) "of course you wouldn't understand..."
(bowhead) "Because I'm a beta..."
(STOMP!) "No! Because you don't know me, Greyling!" Drop the social silliness. It's a bunch of pellets designed to prevent people like you from achieving your full potential. You said you wanted to be my friend, enter my room already, for Frith's sake! Learn a bit more about me and then decide if you still want me as a friend."
Greyling hopped in and Cathy shut the door. Greyling looked about nervously. She had been told stories. There was the typical Wynn fan club poster on one wall. A spider plant in the corner by the terminal. Her eyes froze upon the grizzly sight in Cathy's sleeping hollow. She nearly fainted dead away at the sight of the pelts. The stories were true!
"It's...it's" (gulp) "true..." Greyling stuttered when she found her voice again staring in horror at the pelts. "Are...are you going to do the same thing to me?" She backed away from Cathy slowly until she bumped into the corner. She shook all over, watching Cathy warily.
Cathy kept her distance so as not to threaten Greyling. "What's true, Greyling?" (curiousfluff) "What half-truths did they tell you? That I converted a symp, torturing him in the process and then killed him with glee?" She stated all of this as matter-of-fact with little emotion in her tone.
Greyling mumbled something trying to get her mouth to work. She eventually got control of herself and stared at Cathy. "Is it true?"
Cathy picked-up the brown pelt to display the trophy better. "Yes, this is all that remains of the symp, Don Charette." She paused as Greyling stared in horror at her. "I've got a video copy of his tormented conversion and execution if you can stomach it. I don't suppose the mentat told you why I did it? Don't you find it odd they didn't punish me?"
Greyling pulled her eyes from the pelt and looked at Cathy. "The mentat said you hate converts..." Cathy laughed to herself at the reply, cutting Greyling off. Greyling shuddered some more. She felt trapped.
"Did she tell you I'm a convert? Don here," she tossed the pelt back in the sleeping pit. "had a lot to do with that."
Greyling stared in at Cathy in surprise. "You're a convert?! But you're an Alpha! Converts can't be Alphas..."
"You'll have to explain this Alpha-pellet stuff later, I don't want to be sidetracked. During your 'reeducation', did you learn about 'Vengeance Rights'?"
Greyling (noddled)
"Don was mine to do with as I pleased because of what he did." Cathy sat back and continued quietly, "He murdered this ten-year-old's parents. He torched the house...Mom & Dad perished in the blaze....in the meantime, the mentat here infected me with bunnyvirus claiming it was a sleeping aid..." Cathy stared off into the distance. "I don't have a name for the other pelt. It was a buck who tried to rape me near the Grand Canyon, earlier this year..."
Greyling lost most of her fear as she sat mesmerized listening as Cathy laid out her life story in pieces before her. A part of her remained nervous as Cathy talked about her career as a Fudd.
"...I don't hate you for who you are, Greyling, you're just as much of a victim here as I am." Cathy added at the end, staring at the other doe. "I hate what you remind me of and what I can't have again. I don't want to stay here, but there's no where else for me to go..." Cathy trailed off, bowing her head. She felt spent, yet she felt as if a heavy burden had been removed from her shoulders.
She tensed for a moment, and then relaxed as Greyling gently (bunnyhugged) her. She returned the hug.
"I see there are things I've been lied to about," Greyling whispered in Cathy's ear. "I'll be there if you need me. If you decide to leave, I'll join you."
"Be careful, don't let them know you know the truth."
Greyling winked as she let herself out. "I'll be a good Beta."
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"Enter!" Sugartail replied to the scratching at her office door.
Greyling quickly entered, looking about outside briefly before closing the door. (bowedheadfluff) "You asked to see me, Counselor Sugartail?"
"It's been a week now since you befriended Catherine. What kind of progress have you made?"
"I've learned nothing new, Counsel.."
"Sugartail, just Sugartail when we're alone."
Greyling nodded and continued. "Catherine told me her life story in brief, but I learned nothing that you hadn't briefed me on in advance. If she trusts me, she doesn't trust me with much, yet. She has loosend up around me at meals and chats quite happily at meals. She has pointed out several observed weaknesses in warren security..." She pawed forward a written report for Sugartail to look through.
"Excellent! She'll be a regular member of the warren in no time with your help."
(encouragefluff) "You think so?"
(praisefluff) "Why of course, Greyling. Counseling bunnies with mental problems isn't much different then counseling humans as you use to do. I'm sure that you'll have her working as a productive member with time." Sugartail added an encouraging smile.
"Yes," (noddle) "yes, I will."
"And I think we'll bump you up to Alpha-hood early thanks to this report," Sugartail added as she glanced through it. "The burrow across from Cathy is available."
"Really?"
Sugartail nodded. "But we don't want Cathy to get suspicious. Here's the plan my sisters, Plumflower and Berryblossom, thought of..."
Greyling nodded in understanding as Sugartail explained.
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Catherine still hadn't made any friends other then Greyling. True to her word, Sugartail and her sisters had left her alone. Still, Cathy didn't feel half as lonely as she use to. She looked forward to chatting with Greyling at mealtimes. Greyling, however, was still quite hesitant to come down the alpha-wing unescorted.
Cathy listened more then talked these past few days. Greyling had more to say in what she did, especially after Cathy didn't react negatively to Greyling admitting she had been a mental health counselor back when she was human. They had an unspoken agreement (or so Cathy believed) that Greyling would not try to 'help' Cathy.
However, the two of them sitting together at meals didn't please other buns. These buns would grumble to themselves about the social standings. Cathy never heard a word of it or chose to ignore it if she did. Finally, one day, two alpha bucks couldn't stand seeing a beta in the 'alpha area' of the mess hall and hopped over.
Catherine glanced up, sized the two bucks briefly, dismissed them in her mind and went back to chatting with Greyling. Greyling, on the other paw, became quiet and shrank back from the table a little.
"That's right, beta, you shouldn't be here, should you?" One of the bucks taunted. "It's bad enough we have to put-up with the presence of a known Fudd," The buck glanced briefly at Catherine. The hatred in the return glare forced the buck to glance back at Greyling. "Personally, I think Councilor Sugartail is off her rocker for trusting this Fuddling, and granting her alpha hood at that!" (STOMP!) Catherine tensed her body as if ready to leap.
The other buck cut in, "Go for it, Fuddling. We're forbidden to start a fight with you by Councilor Sugartail, but if you should lash-out first... well, then we can claim self-defense." The buck chuckled and turned to Greyling. "As for you, what right do you have, beta, to be eating in the company of an alpha, Fuddling or not, as she may be." The second buck points to the other side of the mess hall. "Get over to the other side where you belong." (STOMP!) "Now!"
Greyling got up and intended to obey with her head bowed, but Catherine's paw on her shoulder stopped her. "Stay where you are," she stated loud enough for the bucks to hear and added in a whisper to Greyling, "Run for it when the fur flies."
Greyling looked at Catherine briefly.
"Well?!" (STOMP!) "Are you deaf, beta?"
"Greyling is not deaf. Do you bucks all turn in your IQ for so-called alpha status? Greyling is my guest at *my* table. You have a problem with that, you can take it up with the Council or..." (SNICK!) "we can take it outside. I don't suppose either or you heard about the incident at the Grand Canyon?"
The two bucks laughed hysterically. "Pant...pant...you think...," the first one spat-out, "that we'd want to mate with the likes of you, Fuddling?!? The thought sickens me that anybun would want to mate with the likes of you. I'd rather bed a tree rat!"
Catherine leapt for his throat, knocking the other aside.
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Chaos ensued as buns tried to clear out of the mess hall, while others watched and cheered on the bucks or Catherine. The two bucks were getting a good beating as Catherine kept her claws sheathed throughout the fight. She had a few gashes on her as her two opponents didn't fight so clean.
(STOMP!) The sound was so loud that everybun in the mess hall fell silent and turned towards the main entrance. Catherine paused with her back to the entrance, but kept her guard up as the two bucks stopped and stared at the entrance. "Pellets," one of them mumbled under his breath. Catherine stole a quick glance behind her.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Sugartail's voice bellowed-out from the entry way. She hopped in flanked by six guards.
The two bucks cowered back, pointing to Catherine. "She started it!"
Sugartail gestured to the three of them. "Escort all three to detention."
"But..but..." the two bucks cowered under the icy glare the councilbun gave them.
"We'll get to the bottom of this after you've had some time to cool off." She glances at Catherine. "It seems you got the worse of this fight, we'll have somebun from medical treat you in detention."
"I think you'll find that the buck to my left needs it more then me," Catherine stated cooly as two guards started to lead her out of the room. The buck she indicated limped out with help.
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Sugartail nodded her head as Catherine concluded her version of what happened. Catherine flinched as the medbun behind her applied a little more antiseptic to one of the claw wounds. None of them were deep enough to require stitching.
"Your account and Greyling's, up through when she ran from the scene to get help, match. Of course, the buck's version favors them. You have admitted to leaping first..."
Catherine nodded.
"...though clearly, the other two did start the problem, BUT, they did have a legitimate argument. You shouldn't be associating so freely with a beta."
Catherine glared at Sugartail. "I can't stand so-called social classes that have nothing to do with someone's actual potential...." Catherine trailed off a moment thinking. "I've been classified as a so-called alpha though I am a known Fudd agent...."
"An alpha who chose to stay here of her own free will..."
(STOMP!) "Regardless of that. Yet, Greyling displays the same qualities but she's been classified as a beta. She's looked down upon due to this classification and is belittled by alphas..." she paused again gathering her thoughts. "Thinking about it now, I don't know why I'm arguing against it. If you buns didn't give such a damn about social standing, you would have won the war long ago...I wonder how many potential mentats you've thrown away due to misclassification whether on purpose or because somebun wasn't confident enough to challenge his/her classification as a beta."
Sugartail yawned, indicating she was tired of this subject. "I've been patient with you up to this point, Cathy, but I can't grant you special treatment over this incident. There were too many witnesses. It is true not many like the idea of a Fudd in the warren, one who can't seem to make-up their mind if they're still Fudd or bun. You were smart not to draw blood..."
Catherine stared at her. She started to reply, but Sugartail cut her off.
"Briefly off the record, in your place I would have lashed out also...'A tree rat would be more appealing...'" (indignantfluff/STOMP!) "They wanted to start a fight and you complied with their wishes. You will receive two days solitary confinement and then provided a week's community service for Mentat Greystripe. You will be confined to your burrow in your off time from the mentat's assignments. You will not be allowed to leave the warren if you should choose so until after you have served your sentence. If it's any consolation, the two bucks received a similar sentence."
Catherine bowed her head and nodded. "I never knew the mentat's name, Councilor Sugartail, just her title." She turned to leave under the escort of two guardbuns.
"Catherine," Sugartail stated. Catherine turned back briefly. "I will reopen Greyling's case."
"Thank you," Catherine replied, relief on her face.
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[Three days later]
Catherine's escorts dropped her off at her burrow after a long, hard day of cleaning test tubes and a couple of storage closets for Mentat Greystripe. She was thankful that the mentat never asked much more then that from her. She feared being asked to infect another symp. She hopped into the shower and cleaned-off the grime from working. As she toweled off, there was a scratching at her door.
"Enter," she replied, "the door's not locked. I'll be just a moment." She heard the door open and close as she passed a brush briefly over her pelt. She then hopped into the other room and stopped. Greyling, beaming happily, sat waiting for her.
"Hello, neighbor," Greyling said. "I hope the mentat wasn't too harsh on you today."
"It was a long day, but nothing difficult...neighbor?"
Greyling hopped back to the door, opened it, and pointed to the door across the way. "Just moved in today. My old burrowmate is jealous, but understands."
"But that would mean..."
Greyling nodded gleefully. "I was called into the classification testing. They have reviewed my case upon request from Councilor Sugartail and found that I was misclassed as a beta. They apologized profusely and told me I am an alpha." She grinned from ear-to-ear. "Isn't this wonderful? No more complaints where ever we're seen together."
"I'm happy for you, Greyling. I'm just sorry I won't be around for you, though I'm sure it won't take long for you to make other friends."
Greyling's ears drooped. "What do you mean?"
"I'm tired of hiding here. I need to go home and face the consequences of what I've done. Those two days in a cell of just me and my thoughts gave me time to think things through. I could never fit into devilbunny society. I just can't support a society bent on world domination and the wholesale murder of humans." Catherine just shook her head. "I couldn't live with myself if I took that road. As soon as I've served my sentence, I'm going home."
Greyling bowed her head a moment. "I understand, Cathy," she replied quietly. "I'm going to stick it out here a while. This isn't a bad warren...it's main purpose is conversion, not military. For some, its salvation....I had come close to taking my life several times as a human. I felt so helpless. There's only so much a mental health worker can do for the consumers1 under their care...and we are...well..were all overworked. The resulting stress was too much for me..."
Catherine nodded. "You're one of those rare cases where the buns have truly helped-out." They hugged. "We've got a few days yet. Let's celebrate you're..." (sighfluff) "I don't like the word 'reclassification'... let's calling it a promotion." (alasfluff) I'm confined to quarters on the 'honor system' when not working for the mentat."
(gigglefluff) "Not a prob, Cathy. I'll go get us something." Greyling ducked-out and headed down the hallway towards the kitchen and mess hall.
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"Councilor Berryblossom," (surprisefluff) "it's not like you to pay me an unannounced visit," Menat Greystripe stated, bowing (honoredfluff). "How can I help you?"
Berryblossom looked about. "Where is your extra helper today?"
(sighfluff) "Same place as the last two days. I'm running out of rudimentary tasks for her to do, Councilor. I've got three humans I'd love to perform conversion experiments on, but I can't with Catherine underpaw *AND* I can't have her help in those experiments under the orders of your sister."
"I'll talk to Sugartail, Mentat. In the meantime, I can get Catherine out of your way for a while. We may end her sentencing early."
"Due to the message?"
Berryblossom nodded.
Mentat Greystripe lowered her voice. "Is that wise?"
"Catherine is Sugartail's project. If things go wrong, she'll be at fault."
Greystripe nodded and gestured Berryblossom to the other room.
Catherine turned from her task of cleaning petri dishes as the door behind her opened. "Councilor Berryblossom?" (surprisefluff)
Berryblossom nodded briefly. "Are you at a point in your tasks that you can take a break? If so, follow me. I have news for you, but it's not good."
"Greyling?" (worriedfluff)
(negativefluff) "I can't tell you here."
Berryblossom led her down several corridors and into a room with a terminal on a small desk. There was a bun-sized couch against the far wall. She turned to Catherine.
"When I leave the room, boot-up the terminal and access 'recent communications'. After you read the last transmission, you are welcome to trash the room as you wish. I'll be outside if you need me."
Berryblossom hopped out as Catherine stared at her, dread falling on her. What kind of news was she about to receive?
She did as she was told and watched the transmisison from DEWComm:
>*****BUNIX™ WIDEBEAM***** >TO: All devilbunnies >FROM: Commander Jerry CrimsonPaw, DEWComm, Maine > >VICTORY! This is a glorious time for devilbunnies >everywhere! What great news to pass on in this >Chinese Year of the Rabbit. >:)= > >Two days ago, a combined force of Maine, New Hampshire >and Florida buns did battle against the Maine Fudds and >decimated their force. It was a costly victory as we lost >many a good bun in the battlefield. Their bravery and >willing sacrifice for bun freedom will be remembered. >The Maine Fudd HQ is no more. > >(alasfluff) A pawful of Fudds including the traitorbun, >Blake, escaped with the help of Fouriers, (STOMP!) >denying us total victory. Don't believe their claims in >banter, the Fouriers and Fudds ARE working together. >Photographic proof converted to mpeg format is >enclosed. See the truth for yourself! (STOMP!) > >> >We have captured approximately seventy-five Fudds. >Frith has decided to redeem some and they are >undergoing conversion as I broadcast this message. >Many of the others will be prepared by our own >Cookie Lightclaws in a victory feast. Feast sample >packs will be shipped via Bunmover-overnight to >all major warren commanders so that all can join >us in our celebration. Those that don't become >part of the feast will be spammed, of course. > >Thank you for your time and please join us in our >victory celebration. It is a glorious time to be fluffy. > >Commander Jerry CrimsonPaw >DEWComm--Down East Warren Command > >*****END TRANSMISSION AND ENCRYPTION*****
Catherine stared in disbelief as the mpeg file played. Afterward, the terminal went blank. She continued to stare for a moment in shock....she had no home to go back to.
She had no home to go back to! (SNICK!) Her vision turns red as she thrashes about tearing-up the furniture and turning the desk into kiddling. A good twenty minutes later she collapses panting, the room around her in shambles. Councilor Berryblossom peaks in cautiously. She displays only a little surprise at the debris in the room.
"I'm sure you need time alone over this news, Catherine, but the council needs to know. Has Major Blake and/or the Army of Fudd sold-out to the Fouriers?"
Catherine glares at Berryblossom a moment. "You know my father. You nearly succeeded in seducing him three years ago. Would he ever willingly join a group known to kill kits?"
(negativefluff) "Your father was very honorable when he was here..."
"Yet, you have doubts."
"I and Plumflower saw the same video. Sugartail has not seen it yet. It wasn't faked as far as I could tell. Those where Fouriers fighting side-by-side with your father's men."
"As a member of the Army of Fudd I have vowed not to aid the enemy...." (hesitantfluff) "but I don't know who's the enemy any more. Yes, I saw the same thing you saw, but the Army of Fudd has no more control over the Four then those who created the Four do." Catherine lowered her voice, "Major Blake would never willingly work side-by-side with Fouriers. Trust me on this one statement. Dad didn't even know Wade and company were neighbors of sorts to us. Eugene kept that from him. Dad has to much to stress him already..."
Berryblossom nodded. "Your sentence is paid in full for the incident in the mess hall, but don't let it happen again." She turned to leave.
Catherine spent part of the afternoon in seclusion crying over the bun victory and wondering what she was really loyal to. A part of her also wondered what was on the missing part of the message. She didn't let on to Berryblossom that she noticed something was missing. Jerry suddenly shifted ever so slightly from one position to another instantly near the end of the transmission.
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"I'm leaving," Cathy stated nonchalantly as she brushed her fur facing the full length mirror in the bathroom, Greyling at her side doing likewise.
Greyling dropped her jaw. "What?!?"
"I don't fit in here. I'm not trusted, nor can I trust anybun here. I know I'm not welcome and what little welcome I have is wearing thin rapidly."
"Where will you go? You're sister's warren? What was it called again?"
Cathy paused this time, turned and looked at Greyling for a long moment. "I never told you before, and I can't tell you now for their safety and yours. I may eventually wind-up at my sister's, but I have business to attend to first."
(worriedfluff) "You're not going to try and take on the bun warren Down East all alone?"
Cathy did a double-take and started giggling madly. "How insane do you think I am? No, this is personal business. I plan on leaving first thing in the morning, provided Sugartail's sisters don't try to stop me." (STOMP!) "My invitation still stands, Greyling. If you want to join me at my sister's warren, I'll get you in." Cathy set the brush down and hopped out into her living quarters.
"How can I do that if I don't know where it is?" Greyling replied, following Cathy out.
Cathy wrote a code onto a piece of paper and pawed it to Greyling along with one of her sky blue velvet earbows. "If you decide to join us, enter a bunmover alone and type that code into the computer. Make sure you pack four days food and water for the trip, for the program will take you on the scenic route. Leave the warren you arrive at via the nearest exit from the bunmover terminal and hop due west for an hour. By then the sentries will stop you.
"Do as they say, your life may depend upon it as they don't take too kindly to strangers, especially the squirrels. Give the earbow to whichever sentry approaches you and tell them to show it to Julie. They may not recognize Julie's old name, but will bring it to the council's attention. Julie will probably come out and question you. Tell her the truth and that I sent you and you'll be all set."
Greyling (bunnyhugged) Cathy. "Thank you, and I'll think about it long and hard."
"It's not an easy decision to make, but they live up to the ideals the devilbunnies spout in the public propaganda."
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Cathy wasn't born yesterday. Her adopted father trained her well. She trusted Greyling little more then she trusted the others in Torbique Warren. She had told her only half-the-truth. Yes, she was departing on the morrow, but not during the day.
Cathy quietly got up in the middle of the night. She gathered her stuff together and opened her door a crack and looked about. Using stealth and caution she made her way towards one of the warren's two bunmovers. She peered around the final corner. Pellets! A group of guards.
"Come on out, Catherine. I know you're out there."
Cathy (sighfluffed). That was BerryBlossom's voice. So much for a quick escape. She came around the corner with her claws sheathed.
"Search her bag," BerryBlossom ordered.
Two guardbuns moved forward cautiously to do so. Cathy pulled the pack off and dumped the contents on the floor in front of her before the guards got to her: the two pelts, some pictures she had drawn, and three days worth of bunatarian BMREs (bunny-meals-ready-to-eat). The guards looked through the items and carefully searched the pack. They brought the pictures up to BerryBlossom who inspected them carefully and then ordered them returned to Catherine.
"You may go," she stated. The guardbuns stood aside.
Cathy couldn't hide her surprise. "What?"
"You heard me. You're free to leave, and not a moment too soon." (STOMP!) "I warned my sister that her plan for you would fail. However, she's still my sister and I will respect her wishes, thus you are free to leave."
"I assume the 'farewell party' here was to make sure I didn't take any thing of value with me?"
BerryBlossom smiled and nodded.
Cathy cautiously hopped past BerryBlossom and turned back a moment. "Thank you, councilor."
"What for?"
"For being at least half-way honest with me. You've been the only one here who has done that. I can see why Dad nearly fell for you."
BerryBlossom's eyes narrowed at the mention of Blake. "I suggest you leave before I change my mind, fuddling." (STOMP!) "As I said, I disagree with my sister in your handling. If it had been solely my decision, you would have been properly reeducated before you woke-up here."
Cathy didn't waste another moment. She got onto the first bunmover and sent it on a course into Northern Maine.
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Brown leaves scattered in the wind. Sleet began to pelt out of the sky. A brown doe made her way between tombstones in the small cemetary in the town of Caswell Plantation. She stopped in front of one stone and pulled a small backpack off. She pulled a parcel out of the pack, and unrolled it revealing a brown rabbit pelt. She lay this at the foot of the tombstone in front of her.
Catherine looked up at the inscription on the stone: Duquette. She wiped a couple of tears from her eyes. In the three years since their murder, she had never visited their grave.
"Mom, Dad. I know you're upset with me over what I did a few months ago at Torbique Warren. I very much suspect they drugged me, as I have been able to rebuild my resistance to the bun-urge for toes. I hope you'll forgive me. I lay here all that remains of the one who killed you. May you rest easier now that your killer has been dealt justice for his crimes.
"I've done a lot of soul searching since that incident. I now know where my path leads, where I can fit in. I hope you will approve of my decision. I don't know if I'll ever get up this way again." (snifflefluff) "Goodbye until we meet on the other side."
Catherine turned and hopped back the way she came as the sleet intensified and began to mix with snow.
End
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