A Prey Among Predators

A fist hits the polished surface of Nolan’s front door three sturdy times.

Clayton pulls his first to himself as he stares up at the door. Brett stands next to him, gazing at the door with a slight frown.

The captain flicks his eyes to him. “I thought rabbits were quick.”

He peers at him. “Same thing happened yesterday.”

Clayton points his nose into the air and sniffs. “He’s here…”

“Okay, then he should be over here…”

Brett steps down the porch and leads him around the corner of the house. He pushes the gate to the side yard open and ambles up to the bedroom window, which is to his right.

The window displays the serene view of the lush side yard. Then, Brett’s curly hair and large eyes peels out from the bottom. Clayton’s shaggy brown hair and sharp eyes slip into view from the same direction.

Brett snaps his eyes downward and juts his chin forward. “Ah yup, there he is.”

The mountain of blankets are still sitting on the bed. Nolan’s head appears from the foot, his ears draped down his back. At one glance at his two teammates, he slips back into the blankets. Not even his tail is visible.

A concerned smirk stretches on Clayton’s face. “Aw-ha-huh, the poor thing…”

Brett turns to Clayton, spotting him staring down at the sight.

“He’s scared.”

Brett furrows his eyebrows. “Scared? Why-why would he be scared?”

“Why would I know?” He holds his hand out to the window. “All I can see is that he’s scared outta his wits. Something got ‘im good.”

“Hm…” Brett rubs his facial-hair-covered chin. “Well, I…” He halts his movements as realization grows on his face. “Oh. Okay, I think I know.” He turns to him. “Hartsy attacked in his animal form in front of him and me. Patty didn’t speak a single word and left quickly after that.”

Clayton whirls to him, his eyes wide. “‘Attacked in his animal form’? He turned into his subspecies?” He looks aside and murmurs, “Son of a cub…”

He musters up an uneasy smile. “Hah, yeah, I didn’t expect it at all. No one did.”

Clayton turns back to him. “Something must’ve ticked him off big time.” He places his hand on his chest. “That bear has a heart of a puppy and the patience of a sloth.”

“Well, the thing was that the relatives and friends of the penguins at the aquarium claimed that Carter stole their fish supply because their fish was missing. Carter denied it, yet they weren’t listening to him, so…” He shrugs with one shoulder.

Clayton peers up at the sky, deep thought churning in his eyes. “He didn’t do it.” He looks back at Brett. “He’s the worst liar I’ve ever known.”

Brett chuckles. “Yeah, you got that one right!”

“Someone framed him.”

Brett’s small smile melts into a gape. “Whoa, what? Seriously—? Like who?”

Clayton gazes out into Nolan’s window. “That rabbit would know.” He turns to Brett. “He’s been the closest to the bear ever since he joined the team.” He drums his fingers on windowsill.

“Okay...but...we can’t really…” Brett holds his hand out to the window. “...talk to him.”

“Yeah, but that can be fixed.” He halts his drumming and straightens up. “Just get another prey to open him up again.”

Brett’s eyebrows shoot up. “And Pat would be fine with that?”

“Yup; mutual instincts. Always a comfort.” He shoots him a quick smirk. “We’ll get the scorekeepers to do that.”

Clayton then whisks past him, heading to the gate of the side yard. Brett follows him with his eyes before coming after him.

Notes