The nightmare came back….I thought it was gone that I was ok but apparently the trauma remains. My friends don’t believe what happened a year ago. I wouldn’t have believed it if it didn’t happen to me. Crazy murdering rabbit?? I mean, seriously?! Who had even heard of that or would even think it possible. The nightmares remind me of it. The grin on the feral beast, still not sure how I made it out of that cursed forest and alive no less.
It’s been a year and then some, but the image is so fresh and clear in my mind! Maybe going on a little hike. The weather is nice and sunny and hardly a cloud in the sky. With a deep breath of fresh air I set out. Decided to traverse my favorite place, a small canyon not too far from home. It was going to be good day, I needed it to be as on edge I had been.
Everything was going well, was having a great hike, resting in the shade of a tree I started to dose off when it face appeared in the darkness of my mind, snapping my eyes open. I was getting tired of this. I growl screamed as I quickly got up, mood and day ruined. I started to head my way home, grumbling all the while when I started to hear what was approaching steps.
At first I didn’t think much of it but as they grew closer I couldn’t help but dread what I would meet. This is how it happened last year, and the devil bunny….. Just as you were breaking a cold sweat of fear frozen as the steps got closer until an ear turned a corner. Oh god!! It’s happening again! A rabbit ear is all I saw and I closed my eyes wishing the nightmare to end.
After a few seconds the steps stopped, had it been in my head? I slowly crack an eyelid and peak out. First the left eye, nothing on the right…..”Ah!!…..”, I screamed when a pawed bunny eared stallion is a couple feet from me, head cocked. He jumps back when I scream and he helps in surprise! He continues to stare, looking me over as if I wasn’t real.
I relax, but ever so slightly. Seeing this the bunny boy’s ears perk up a bit and he slowly asks, “Are….are you ok?” I stare dumbfounded for a split second and shake my head a little before stuttering out. I….Immmm o-kay.” He stills seems wary but unsure as well. He almost seems lost? I study him and that’s when I notice the small rabbit on his back.
I freak for a second seeing the fluffy, floppy ears, twitching nose! Bunny boy’s sees my panic and steps back as a courtesy before he speaks. “We mean no harm….Its just that…..just well we are lost. We are new around here and I think I got turned around in the canyon. Can you help or are you lost too?
The innocence, he definitely seems different from that monster. I’ve still never seen anyone like him, though it’s true you have heard passing remarks of soq with paws that aren’t blood thirsty killers but he seemed sweet and clueless. I have a half smile before responding. “Forgive me I was just uh….lost in thought! Yeah! Anyways, yes I can help, you just got turned around a little.”
Bunny boy’s sees my beamed a bright smile, and swear hopped on his feet a little. This made me giggle. Maybe I was freaked and worried for nothing. I know what happened was real, but that didn’t mean all rabbits or bunny boys were evil too. It was a freak incident that is all! No more cowering, time to be brave and fight. At least fight my fear and against the trauma of the past. It will not define who I am or will be!!
With my newfound resolve I stepped forward with a genuine smile. “I was just headed out from a hike, I’ll lead the way! It’s not too far.” This time he really bounced on his feet making his rabbit friend hang on. I couldn’t help but laugh, he was kinda cute. I walked past him and nudged my head signaling this was the way to go. We chatted casually all the way through and the canyon. He showed me where he got turned around. It was an easy place to lose your bearings. Told him I grew up in the canyon so I knew it like the back of my hoof! We became fast friends. I even told him what happened a year ago. He was mortified and was wowed saying I was brave to escape. No one had said that to me, they had only doubted me. A complete stranger believed me and praised me? I felt a weight lift, almost as I had been set free. A felt tears of relief fall down my face. It was the best feeling. We met up everyday after that to hike the canyon. It was the start of a wonderful friendship!
WC:857
