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Chapter 2: Phantom

Bunny woke up and franticly looked around and winced, partially closing his eyes. The morning sunlight was beaming in from the windows, Johnny was never a big fan of that. He felt groggy from the sleep but not restless, he then proceeded to roll out of the “bed". Johnny dusted himself off and decided to make himself a light breakfast. Toast with jam and some tea prepared with the electric kettle that Prismshire had, at least the electricity worked after the storm.

In the meantime, Alex made his way downstairs from his room dressed what looked like in more fancy attire as it gets for a metal head. Regular short sleeved shirt with a cool looking print on it and blue jeans, also looked like he showered or something, he looked like he was going to go out this morning somewhere. But his expression was that of worry and concern. “You good?" asked Prismshire. “Eh…" John looked over to the unicorn with still a bit groggy expression:", why? Is something wrong?"

“Well," the unicorn scratched his head: „you were kind of tossing about last night and I could hear it," rabbit raised his eyebrows “so I figured I should let you sleep and then I hear you yell “Shut up!" so I waited a sec for a response and well, here you are now drinking tea and munching toast…so yeah. You good?" John shrugged: “Its…complicated."

Alex sat next to him on the couch: “Listen, I know we just met but I believe that we are already on good terms, I mean hell we both are enthusiastic metal heads and I feel that we are friends." Unicorn breathed in: “So, I might not be the best hollow willow around but you can talk to me." Johnny was unsure of this situation, sure the Prismshire was nice in “bro dude" kind of way but still wasn't sure if he should share some of these things with him, in the end rabbit took a dep breath and said to himself: “Fuck it." And started to explain what he saw and felt in that dream, the TV head person included. Through the entire thing Alex was nodding and was just being overall a nice listener a question of two came up but those weren't that important, like how did the room look like and such. Once rabbit finished, unicorn had odd look on his face. It was look of surprise and processing the whole thing. “Geez," said the unicorn “did you…at least talk to your therapist about this." “Um, not really about this one. It´s quite new." Johnny explained that he was also keeping a dream journal since those nightmares started to pop up. Primshire suggested to Johnny that he should get his therapist on the phone, get appointment as soon as possible to discuss this, fast. “When you are right you are right." Said Johnny.

John got up and started to collect his things, since he noticed how Alex was dressed, he asked him: „What's the occasion? Got a date or something?" Unicorn peaked from the kitchen, he was getting himself a sandwich as a light snack, and said:" Uh, yes I indeed do."

“Who are they?" asked the rabbit with a light smirk: “Another metal head?" Unicorn peaked out again: “They are a he and yes." Johnny replied with: “Heh, figures. Metal heads flock together and headbang together." “The actual collective noun for metal heads would be "mosh".": corrected Alex. Bunny had a good chuckle at that: “I guess, I will take my leave now, I bet my apartment is getting a bit lonely."

They both got up and Prismshire seen him off. “Well, I will see you later, John." Rabbit nodded. “Oh, and by the way" said the unicorn: “if you are looking for, I don't know possibly tickets for a show just tell me, I might be able to sway some people." Johnny gave a thumbs up to that and waved goodbye.

The streets were now dry due to the bright sun, at least there was no chance for Johnny to slip on his bike and get a nasty bruise. Rabbit also regretted that he didn't bring any goggles or sun-glasses, he was getting ticked off by that sun. “I hate that ball of gas.": he muttered under his breath. He decided to stop by this pawn show he always from time to time stopped; the place was called “Riff´s Pawn Shop". Unsurprisingly, it was run by a good fellow canine, a borzoi breed. Tall and hairy, and also well-groomed fur, fellow nicknamed “Riff" for his laidback attitude and love for smooth jazz. Not many people knew his real name, there were whispers that his real name is Ulysses Berigan, rumour that he was a Jazz Player one time and then retired and he is also married to beautiful croc lady. The last one was definitely true, since John here saw her multiple times in the store chatting with Riff.

Rabbit entered the store, a small jingle above was heard, he saw Riff sitting back in a chair reading a comic book behind a counter, he was wearing a plain sleeveless white tee, beige pants and a pork pie hat. The entire store was filled with niche and odd knickknacks, like old CRT TVs, musical instruments, tools, paintings and all other kinds of antiques. Riff poked his long snout above the comic book and said: “Ah John, what's shaking maaan?" his voice was nice to hear, it had that laid back attitude tone and carelessness. He was happy to see him, he closed the comic book and set it down on the counter. “Quite a bit." Said John and started say what he recently went through. The stay at the Prismshire´s place plus the tarot reading and then the nightmare itself involving the TV head. “That sounds bad dude, have you patched it in your therapist?" asked borzoi. “Huh?" “The squirrel dude, what was his name again?" Johnny here indeed had a therapist although it wasn't the only one, he had, he went through couple of them before he found this one since his doctor recommended him. “Oh yeah, his name is Stuart Pines. Yes." Answered rabbit. “Shouldn't you like book him or something, better to tell him this stuff now, better than never." Said the canine, John nodded at that statement. He hoped he would be able to book one this day, hopefully.

They chatted for a bit to pass the time, what are that happs around the place and general gossip. “So how´s the wife?" asked the rabbit. “All good, dude." Answered Riff: “Gloria is fine, she lives with her mother for now before she can move in with me. Her mother is quite supportive with our marriage even thought it has been a bit unconventional." Borzoi was referring to that ritualistic wedding, lizards from the east had some weird religion and with that came rituals. Johnny recalled Riff telling him that it involved like a bloodstained cloth soaked in poultry blood, it had to do something with making their bound unbreakable since when they held hands during the cloth would be wrapped around the said hands. Bunny recalls calling it “Quite pagan" back then and Riff agreed. Not that it was anything terrible, still that only one of the things that were bit weird about. But still, marriage was achieved. “How about you?" asked Riff: “How is Annie?" Rabbit was confused, he didn't know what was Riff asking about. “Your girlfriend." Nudged Borzoi. “Oh that…" said John. There was silence for a second. “It didn't work out." Said bunny and then he explained the situation to Riff. “Sorry to hear that," he said: “still at least you broke up on good terms with each other, right?" “Something like that." Said John.

“But now," started Riff: “what are ya buying? This is a shop after all, you know." Oh yeah what here Johnny for? Ah yes. When he was staying at the Alex´s place he wanted a buy himself a toaster, it would be nice to have. Better than having a plain bread with some spread every day. “Yeah, you got any toasters?" “Let me check." Riff pulled from underneath a counter a large note book, it was his list of the inventory. It was for him a better way to keep a list of things, not that he wouldn't use a computer he just preferred how more physically it felt to flip through pages and check things like a one long to-do-list. He slid down his finger down the pages and eventually said: “Yeah let me have a look in the back." and then he disappeared in a small storage area behind the counter, for few seconds he has gone then he peaked out and asked: “How about one with a digital clock and settings to make you toast at selected times?"

Now that was one hell of a deal, Johnny thought about for few seconds and said: “Sound like some good premium stuff, what's the price?" “Um," canine checked the tag: “like six-hundred crowns." That was good acceptable price, it was worth like two trips to a grocery store or in a case for our rabbit here to a corner store. “I take it!" he said with excitement. “Alright, let me look for the manual." Borzoi pulled out a small plastic see-through file box, it was filled with manuals for old TVs and other appliances. “Got it, here ya go dude." Riff then put the toaster and the manual in a plastic bag, that he got from underneath the counter, and started to type on the cash register. Johnny handed over the money and with that the trade has been done. The toaster itself wasn't event that heavy, it was fine size and shape. One of those classic ones where you put the toast in the top and watch it fly off the top. They bid farewell to each other and Riff went back to reading his comic book and the rabbit went on his way home.

On his way he was thinking about what he should do for the day, he decided the best way to spend the free day is to call up his psychotherapist. He better tell his nightmares to him, maybe he will reach to some conclusion finally and also ask for more stronger pills that could supress the said nightmares or possibly get rid of them for good. “What did it mean by meeting soon?" He was referring to that nightmare he had and what the TV-head “said" to him. John thought to himself. He got back to his apartment, changed his clothes and then grabbed the dream journal he left on his bed post and started writing down the nightmare. He felt like he got down every detail that was needed and started to call the psychotherapist, he started to hope he is free spot today. Johnny didn't want to wait and it would be better to ask if he has at least half an hour to spare, just to skim over the journal and talk about the prescription.

Rabbit dialled the number and waited; a dial tone could be heard on the other end. “Please don't go to voicemail." Johnny mumbled repeatedly. Eventually someone answered: “Hello," they stuttered: “who is calling?" “Yes, good." John muttered at first and then said: “Hello this is John Temple; I am contacting you in hope that you have a spot open today for appointment." “Oh please, oh please, oh please.": rabbit secretly pleaded in his head. “Ah hello Mister Temple, yes let me have a look." there was un-easiness in his voice, then again you can't blame him. He is probably working on tight schedule at least that's much how bunny knew about him. “Actually," therapist started: “there is a spot open yes. Are you available today in like an hour?" John exclaimed one long: “Yes!" with excitement, he heard how the therapist jumped all startled. “Sorry," rabbit apologized “it's just that it goes well with my laid-out plans."

The squirrel on the other end said: “Very well, I will see you in about an hour." In that hour rabbit got something to eat and overall got himself prepared although after the shower he looked at himself in the mirror cabinet and stared for some time. Something was off in that reflection; sure, it was covered in a thin line of steam vapour but the smudged image on the mirror looked off. He squinted his eyes a bit, it looked he was wearing something on his head. He shook his head and it seemed like the image was gone to make sure John wiped the mirror clean and now that odd reflection was gone, he decided it was just nothing worry about he had after an appointment to attend to. He gathered everything he would need and head out, but he stopped for a sec and looked into the mirror besides his door that led out of his small apartment. Rabbit looked at his reflection for a sec and then shook his head, he thought about the smudged-up reflection and let it be again.

He got on his bike and went off, eventually John made it to the address where Pines worked. It was one of those complex buildings, brutalist design pale facade looking with several antennas on top, where you could find all sort of professions like masseurs, doctors, tattoo artist, designers and therapists but this one was catered towards medical needs so you find a dentists, ophthalmologist and orthopaedics doctors to name a few but it wasn't a straight up a hospital. Bunny parked his bike and went inside and checked the reception desk that Therapist Stuart Pines was expecting him, pale cat lady buzzed the therapist and he confirmed that I have a quick appointment with him. Cat let the bunny in and he made his way to squirrels office, he knocked on the door and waited for the answer. “Come on in!" he heard on the other side of the door. Rabbit twisted the door knob and walked in.

A simple good day and hello was exchanged plus a friendly “How are you?", to describe Pines wasn't that hard. Brown furred squirrel with a simple pattern of white fur on his front, with a plain pair of pants and a white button up shirt to top it off large pair of glasses but the Stuart´s behaviour was always off in person, to Johnny here at least. He always was stuttering and shaky, Johnny left it at as that Pine here was more of person comfortable talking with others behind a computer screen or through a phone than in person. Maybe the squirrel didn't like have his movements and behaviour judged or something. “So, I am sure you know the deal by now" said the therapist “may I have a look at the journal?" Rabbit handed over the journal. Pines started listing through the journal and skimming it, everything was fine until he read the latest entry. The squirrel's expression changed from light-hearted to more serious and stood up, he said: “TV head?" Rabbit nodded.

“Well, it definitely got bizarre and from what I can see" Pines paused for a second “there isn't really much to differ here besides" he proceeded to gesture at the latest page „few things." For a while both then talked about the latest nightmare and what it meant. Something about his childhood, maybe? Something else entirely? He then sat back down and asked: “Is there anything else?" John scratched his rabbit ear and said: “I think I need something stronger since it seems that I am gaining some immunity to them." Pines got startled a bit: “That's not good!" “Huh?" “Oh sorry," seemed that Stuart got bit of a jolt of panic there „it's just that…nothing. Let me have a look." Squirrel started to rummage in the drawers of his desk and pulled a bottle of pills and presented it to the rabbit, they looked very similar to the ones that Johnny was taking. “These are of a" he coughed:" stronger variety," therapist said “and before you ask anything, I already talked with your practitioner and they were very much on board." Johnny nodded and took the pill bottle.

He eyed the pill bottle for a while, just reading off the label what are the components, nothing really jumped out at him. But still a good question wouldn't hurt: “So does it have any side-effects, doc?" Squirrel rubbed the back of his neck and stammered: “Well the side-effects are..." he stopped and looked at the rabbit, he didn't look very pleased: “Yes?" intrigued the rabbit with a frown. Doc took a deep breath and in quick succession stuttered out: “Increase in anxiety, sudden dizziness and drowsiness, insomnia, weight gain-“ “STOP!" yelled John.

“Do you mean to tell me there's nothing else?!": Rabbit sat up in rage, sure he was willing to get rid of those nightmares but this was too much. He needed to focus in his line of work not to feel suddenly feel like shit and crash not to mention the other stuff, he already had trouble of sleeping due to nightmares and now it would get much worse. The weight gain would be a problem too since that would mean finding a gym plus a change of wardrobe, screw that noise! “I know, I know" replied Pines with frustration: “I also had objections but this is so far what we have. I am sorry." This was a tough situation, both options weren't great. Either stick with the nightmares at the cost of good sleep or start taking the new pills and deal with the these…side effects. “Great…": Johnny sat back down and slouched then fixed his gaze at the squirrel. “Listen," started Stuart “I will give you an advice. Keep taking the rest of the pills I and the practitioner described you last time and then take these once you make up your mind. Okay?"

As much as John wanted to throw them at him out of spite, he was right it would be better to finish the bottle since they had a coin flip of a chance of working and start to think about what to do next. Better than dealing with the side effects right away. Damn.

The rabbit went home he needed to take his mind of this whole situation he was in. John decided to watch a movie, he bought an old VHS Player a while back from Riff and a box of VHS tapes along with it. He was a bit of an avid collector of old junk. Since he was mainly at the orphanage, he believed that a part of things he would love as a kid passed him and he wanted to experience them, even though he was an adult. He decided to watch three movies: Headless Vigilante which was a story about a wolf who was betrayed by his criminal mob who then became a headless vengeful spirit and took them in a grand shoot out, this movie was inspired a by series of vigilante action that actually took place.

Second was a romantic comedy named Lucius and Petunia about a wolf and a rabbit falling in love, not the best choice due to John recently going through a break up but the jokes were great, made the bunny smile and laugh a bit, and the characters were charming. The last one was a documentary called Extraordinary Persons and their encounters with Gods, quite a title but it was a made in the west so some word glamour is expected. To put it short what it was about, it was about historical figures and important people such as artist, writers and such who had encounters with gods. Who for example inspired them to do great things or just helped them, recollections in their diaries and journals and witnesses. But this one spoke to Johnny in a certain way, it mentioned of some owl who had problems with visions that they had in their dreams and turned to a goddess for help and she indeed helped her. The name of the Goddess was Gaia and she was apparently of the pagan kind. This somehow captured the John´s interest and he started to think. Maybe the gods could help him. “Eugh, that's just stupid.": he thought to himself, he saw it as a wishful thinking. No way that gods would be interested.

The docu ended and credits started to roll, plus it was already late. “Time for the pill and some sleep.": he said to himself. He went to the bathroom to get his pills, he had them in the sink cabinet and pulled one out of the pill bottle and closed the cabinet. He stared a bit into the mirror of the cabinet, he recalled the moment he got out the shower and that image in that mirror. It still was on his mind. “What was that all about?": he thought to himself. Was it because of the pills? He gently shook his head and let it go for now again, he put the pill in his mouth and gulped it down with some water. Then he went to bed and threw his clothes into the bin for his clothes that needed washing up. Closed his eyes and rolled over in his bed and fell asleep.

He woke up, to his surprise he didn't have a nightmare. He was glad that the old pills still had that fifty-fifty chance of working, but still those new pills would eliminate those nightmares completely but those damn side effects. John got up and made himself a breakfast, in that time before the toast and tea was getting ready, he decided to put the dirty clothes in the washer, it was quite a haul but he managed to separate them into categories of colours and wash them individually. He then ate the breakfast and hanged the laundry to dry on a hanging rack, he usually put it in the middle of the apartment where sun shined and as a bonus it would fill the room with a smell of fresh laundry. It was somewhat a relaxing smell.

He decided to check on his neighbour Trevor but he wasn't home and Johnny decided to browse the web for a bit, Johnny had tendency to mainly look for obscure information sites. Local legends and urban folklore alike. It was his obsession of sorts for the time or at best a distraction. Time went by fast and it was noon already, Johnny looked into his fridge and grabbed one of those packaged microwave meals, today's kind was pasta with some tomato sauce. He got it for cheap too, its expiration date was close so why not take it.

After the meal he started to think what he would do for the rest of the day, wasn't in the mood for the TV. Nothing really worth watching. A thought shot through his head, a walk. Sure, he could use some fresh air, why not. It was a sunny day after all. He got dressed and went out, Johnny here always planned a route of sort. Sometimes though the entire beinghood, looping back at an old bridge and then to Big Debra´s for a quick drink or chose a completely different route. Today's flavour was just walk in a nearby park, however this park was a bit special. It was built as a part of a project headed by the higher ups of the Outskirts District yes, but it was also dedicated to well renown theorist of sorts. His name was Hugo Skinner, a mocking bird, and he had a theory of The Fake.

The theory was about doublegangers, a mythical creature associated with bad luck, paranormal phenomenon or an evil twin. Skinner theorized that such being existed and exist although he was challenge frequently on those claims. Such one time a noble was at two places at once, simple explanation for that was a body-double or a misprinted information. Such cases wary from obscure to straight up bizarre, nevertheless while his theory might have been nothing more than crazy talk his theory was a stepping stone to some other. Such its use in psychotherapy, where in one deep meditation technique a destruction or removal of one's evil self that represents all bad that happened to that person, be it a past they want leave behind or maybe something else that is damaging their mental health. In the end the park had a small monument that was his feathered bust of the head alongside a quote of: “Doppelgangers are not inherently vile, hear them out and you might just understand." He might have been referring to the ones one would find in their own psyches, at least that's what was Johnny here thinking when he was passing the statue bust of the bird.

After a while the afternoon, it was evening, Johnny figured paying a visit to Debra wouldn't be a bad idea and so he did. The neon sign with that bar´s name welcomed him as he entered it. He ordered a light drink and took a look around; he was expecting those two prostitutes to show up. He hoped to have a chat with them but no luck, they weren't here. Maybe they moved to find clientele elsewhere he through to himself. Still a chat with the Doberman lady wouldn't be a bad idea, Debra was always up to talk with the rabbit. They knew each for some time and the conversation would go for hours about some obscure topic there and there. This one was about reflections, “Debra, have you ever had a thought that when you look at yourself in a reflective surface you are not looking at yourself-self?" asked the rabbit.

Debra scratched her ear at that question, she thought it was setup to a joke: “Like one of those Mirror Mazes with distorted mirrors?" she asked. “No not like that," answered Johnny back “like…you are looking at someone else, like…not at yourself." Debra stayed quiet for a second, she was thinking: “Hmm, I suppose yeah. One time when I discharged and got back home to parent's place, I took a one long look in the bathroom mirror and well…I saw how I changed. I wasn't that wearing blue overalls, white tee with a print and a flat cap wearing tomgirl that I once was. Instead, I was greeted with a wide shoulders, muscular build and arms like toilet walls. Covered in tats of different kinds…" she went silent for a bit “I think I realized in that moment that I lost that sweetness of sort. I just might have to re-visit some friends from my neighbourhood and some from the army just to catch up with them." Debra despite her appearance was kind, a stereotype among the canines is that Doberman are quite tough as nails, but that wasn't Debra. Sure, she was a brute but a brute with a heart. Then she took a look at the rabbit, his face was in distress of sort. “Hey, kid." She said and the rabbit looked up. “Listen," she continued “if you are having problems, I am always here. You know where to buzz me right? You delivered some stuff to me as part of your work, right?" Rabbit nodded. “If ever would anything happened come talk to me, I will try to help out. Yeah?" Canine assured John. Rabbit nodded again and said: “I better go, it is getting late. Plus, I got work in the morning. See you later, yeah?" Debra nodded and said farewell to him.

Johnny went back home, checked his laundry if it was dry and folded it up. That thought of that that reflection in the mirror shot across his mind again, he went to the bathroom to look at the mirror again. He looked into again and squint his eyes staring at his own reflection, but there was nothing. Nothing wrong. Must have been the shampoo in his eye or something, he took one of the old pills and before he went to bed, he checked his courier app. Strange, no deliveries scheduled. He hoped it's gonna be a boring day full of paperwork or just making sure that everything is well in the storage room and with that he went to bed.

This time this dream felt weird, like he was kneeling and felt how his face cheeks were cold and wet. Was he crying? He was holding unto someone, another rabbit. It has a hare, looking older than him. She was also crying and sniffling: “I don't want to go." John felt awful, he felt like he knew her before but could remember, he just held her tight and said to her: “I won't let go I promise, I promise." A loud bang echoed through the room, someone slammed open a door. A large scary silhouette was standing in the doorway and it started to walk towards them, every step from them felt like an earthquake. “No! Please!" John begged. The figure reached out for the ears of the hare, “PLEASE!" John tightened his hug and yelled and woke up.

Bunny sat up, breathing heavy and felt something on his cheek. Something wet. Tears. He quickly grabbed his dream journal and noted everything down. When he looked back at the dream, noted down that the silhouette looked like a large feline. Panther like. He sat on his bed; this was something else. It was way too different from the rest of the nightmares, it felt too personal. He gathered himself, took a deep breath and focused.

“What was that all about?": Rabbit thought to himself. He tried to remember his time at the orphanage, he tried to remember but everything came up blank. He didn't remember any brown furred hares at orphanage, he was there the only rabbit there so who was that in his dream? Who was that panther? Again, just blank. As much he wanted to try to uncover this mystery, he just tucked it back in his mind to confront that later. Another visit to the therapist, maybe?

He got up and did his usual morning routine and decided to leave his hyena neighbour alone this time. Johnny checked his courier app, still no deliveries. He hoped now it's gonna be a slow day of sort especially after that odd nightmare. So unusual. It was noon, he ate his lunch and head out to work.

Once he got there, he clocked in and asked Bogwood what he is gonna do when it will be somewhat of a quiet day. Frog handed him some paperwork to fill, nothing really complicated just some simple stuff. In that time when he was filling the said paperwork and doing generally nothing, he tried to remember his time at the orphanage again. The panther especially, there were no felines as far as he can't remember the only caretake he could remember was an old crone raven that taught them and somewhat raised them. It still didn't make any damn sense. He was getting fed up with it and wished he could just switch his attention on something else.

His line of thought was fortunately interrupted by Bogwood, while Johnny was staring at one of the papers the frog grabbed rabbit´s shoulder and shook it lightly to get his attention. “Good news!" Bogwood said: “We got a delivery to make." “Oh, thank the gods, something to distract me." John thought to himself. Both made way to the Bogwood´s office and he started to explain: “Johnny, I want you pay attention." Rabbit nodded in response. “This what we are dealing here" frog tapped on his desk: “is quite an expensive cargo. Its medicine." Johnny was stunted by that and wanted to ask a question: “Is it dru-“ however he was cut off by Bogwood: “No, it's actually a combination of things. Vaccines, bandages and pills. And the ones who want these are a group of doctors in The Slums."

The Slums, quite a dangerous place depending on a place, street and time. This could get dodgy but Bogwood knew few things about it then Johnny. Johnny on hearing that froze for a second, not only out of fear but mainly the danger it could bring but then he nodded. He knew what he would have to do. “I see you understand, to offset it they would pay us quite handsomely and thanks to me I have picked a best safest route. Let me show you." Bogwood pulled out a map and set on the table. Same deal as before both were discussion about route, this time it was the length it would be long for the entire day at this point the supplies would get to the docs at night. The frog knew The Slums well, sure he wasn't a local there but he sent courier that way before and they always came back unscratched. Johnny took notes of few shortcuts that he could take although they would be deemed “dangerous" for many factors. If he would be quick enough, he could dodge those.

With that, Bogwood walked the bunny to his bike, handed the package and before he let him go, he said: “Don't do anything stupid now, boy. Ya hear?" Johnny nodded at that and rode off. As the rabbit rode on his bicycle the city around him changed, the further he went the more it changed from exposed brickwork to more run down. Streets became more darker due to how buildings were tall; the fog became more pronounced and everything felt darker. The Slums was definitely a place where you do not want to be caught after dark, and if you will be ready to throw a punch. In the end the route that Bogwood chose sure is safe but it was a long and confusing one, and even before the dark The Slums were still dangerous.

As much as he wanted to follow the path, he got a bit frustrated, the names of the streets started to blend together, plus the streets themselves too. It was like navigating a maze at times. Was it turn right of the Spilled Ale Street or the Silver Teeth Street? Turn left of the Constable Maurice memorial or Deacon´s General Store? Up, Down, West, North, thirty degrees? Fuck! Yep, Johnny just gave up and decide to do it the best option he had without playing this tedious maze game. One straight line to the point. From point A to point B.

He cut through one alley where he stopped to check the map for some other shortcut but then his gaze was drawn to some form of a mural or possibly a graffiti. It depicted a mare in a trench coat with gun holsters underneath, dark sweater, jeans, steel knight-like gauntlets with spikes and heavy laced up boots with metal tips. There was also a metal box of sort on her hip, scabbard with a two-handed sword and wielding an Al-Rune AR-16 rifle. But there was something off with an artwork of this mare, she had no head. Like it was decapitated and above the stump there was written: “Beware the Mare." Johnny connected the dots, he was looking at the Headless Mare, an urban legend and a nightmare story of every street criminal. It also served as a sign of a safe street. He was a bit at ease that he is in safe territory.

Unfortunately, he was quickly proved wrong by someone yelling: „Hey buddy!" Johnny turned his head and saw three figures. Two dogs and a racoon. On the left a hybrid of a dog, hard to tell of what breeds but definitely a hybrid wearing a purple bandana and normal street clothing. In the middle a strong looking shepherd, in a white sleeveless top and with a golden bullring in his nose. Definitely a head honcho of this rag-tag team of theirs. And finally, the last one was the racoon. Wearing a green flat cap and a purple trench coat, quite a hideous combo. Definitely a case for a fashion police.

Rabbit got off his bike and faced the trio, shepherd barked: “You a courier, scissors?" He was referring to Johnny´s ears, it was a low grade of an insult towards lagomorphs. “Who is asking?" replied John with a sneer. Rabbit sensed trouble with this trio. Shepherd smiled and spread his arms in a friendly fashion: “The customers." Bunny saw through their lies, “Bullshit! You are no doctors." “Listen you prey! This is our territory, you better hand over the package if you don't wanna end up in a blackbag!" Shepherd threatened the rabbit. Blackbag was a street slang for a body bag, just an empty threat. All bark no bite so far. “Only three of you?" rabbit smugly replied. The trio looked at each other and then back at the rabbit. “That's it!" feels like Mister Bullring lost his last nerve and pointed at the mutt. “Put him in the ground Riko!" The mutt nodded and walked towards the rabbit and tried to hit him with a right hook, too bad that he missed.

Johnny dodged it and what Riko got from that was a jab in the ribs. The canine got shoved backwards a bit and tried to regain himself and then got punched in a stomach which made it even worse, bending over what the last thing he felt was a sharp pain in the back of his head. Johnny gave him an elbow strike in the back of the head and he was out of the fight, mutt was now only rolling in pain on the ground. “Is that all?" Johnny said. Johnny was no easy target, Bogwood insisted that he take some self-defence classes. So, he did, plus the fights in his nightmares helped a bit.

Bullring clenched his fists with rage, and yelled at the racoon: “Get him Roger!" Racoon pulled out a wooden baton, probably purchased from black market since they were discontinued in use by the police. Johnny knew it would hurt like being hit with a rock. Rabbit stayed mobile dodging and weaving through the Roger´s swings and stabs with the baton, sometimes landing a lucky hit which made the racoon smile with sadistic glee. Eventually the racoon went for an overhead swing which left him wide open, John took the initiative and hit him right in the nose with an uppercut, racoon fell backward on his back. A thin crimson line started to pour from the racoon´s nostrils, broken nose. Roger laid on his back on the ground all tuckered out, practically defenceless and out of the fight. Rabbit made his way to him to give him a final last strike to knock him out for good. But suddenly racoon pulled out of his jacket something yellow with black stripes. Some pair of strings flew out of it and hit the rabbit. Rabbit felt a sudden rush of pain throughout his body, his nerves and muscle twitching uncontrollably and his consciousness slipping. He felt to the ground limp, twitching from time to time.

“That was awful." said the Shepherd. “Roger! Go and check on Riko!" “But, Mike!" “I don't care if you have a broken nose, walk it off!" Mike decided to pull out a small box of cigarettes and light one up with his zippo lighter. He took a drag and blew out a puff of smoke. “Um," Roger started to whimper “he is completely out of it, we gonna have to drag him." Mike swore: “Ah piss! Okay let me hold him by the shoulder you take the legs. And get that package that runt was carrying! Must be something of value." While this was happening Johnny could only see a bit of the conversation before the Shepherd stepped over his body as he felt he was fading, but then he heard something. Like if someone wearing heavy boots landed from a high up place. A roof? “Who the hell are you, pup?" Said Mike and then barked: “If you think you gonna get any scraps here then scram, finders keepers." There was a short period of silence. “You deaf or something? Roger take him down." There were sound of fighting but it was ended with loud slap like sound. A powerful punch. “Fuck!" Mike swore: “You son of a-“ Loud sound of a glass shattering echoed the street. Someone got him with a glass bottle Johnny then heard a sound of steps approach him; he saw a pair of heavy duty laced up boots in his view and a female voice saying: “You poor little thing." And then bunny slipped into unconsciousness.

While he was unconscious, he had a dream but it was all twisted. He felt bites all over his body and at the same time, he heard echoes of those mooks that confront him but at the same time there some others that he didn't recognize, like the ones when he stayed at the Prismshire´s place. “James you sure about this plan?" someone said. Johny looked behind him and all over the black void, but no one was there. He turned around and saw some…kind of glass vat filled with oddly coloured liquid. He decided to go towards it, or more like limp towards it. “It is a gamble but it will work, I know it." Another voice spoke. He then heard a sound of high heels clicking and all the fur on his back of his neck stood up, rabbit didn't know why but it…un-nerved him somehow. He finally made it to the glass vat but he was out of strength and collapse next to it and leaned against it. Johnny felt some…presence behind that glass. Rabbit reached and touched the glass, out of nowhere a paw touched the glass too. But it was way smaller than his and then he saw rabbit´s head. It was a kit but his face was wearing some form of breathing mask with a long tube. John felt some form of bond with it, he pressed his forehead against the glass. The kit swam towards him and also pressed it´s forehead against the glass too. Both felt some kind of…again an odd bond with each other. “Wake up!" he heard someone say. “Wake up for Tyrus's sake!" He felt he was short of breath, like if he was suffocating. Rabbit closed his eyes took a tried to take deep breath and woke up.

John was met a ginger face with a long snout, it was a fox. A vixen to be exact. Their snouts were almost touching, he could feel her warm breath. “Finally, was worried there for a sec." and took a step back. She sounded rough and monotone, definitely looked the same age as the rabbit and yet somehow younger. She was wearing heavy duty boots, the same ones that he saw, dark trousers, black short sleeved shirt with a weapon harness, on top of it a trench coat plus on her forehead was a gas mask. The type special forces would wear, C6 Type to be exact with a respirator port to the left of the snout but it was missing in this case, it had scribbles on it and odd symbols. He didn't recognize any of them, when she turned around there was a large white X painted on her coat.

“Stay put." He did as she asked, in the meantime he scanned the room, from what it looked like he was in an abandoned industrial building few stories high. It was outfitted and decorated like some kind of hideout. Workbench, make shift garden, bed, red neon sign that someone would hang in their room, stash with guns with a table for maintaining the said firearms and even a breaker box for all the lights, plenty of storage and containers too. There was also an odd-looking red altar. Bunny started to put together the picture here.

The vixen came back with a medical kit, she opened it up and pulled out some clean rags and iodine. “This might sting a bit." She said, John nodded in response. She placed the rag at the neck of the iodine bottle to soak the rag in the liquid and then applied to the bruises and light cuts that were all over the rabbit´s face. John winced, “I know, I know." Vixen said. The bludgeoning from the racoon left marks, nothing that some medicine and time wouldn't heal though.

“Looks like this isn't your first bruise, is it?" Vixen commented, Bunny shook his head. It definitely wasn't, Johnny wasn't known to get into fights more like he was dragged into ones. With courier work sometimes you get your hands on a quite a rare item and there happened to be sometimes parties who want that said item for themselves and with that came risks. Bunny got into few of these types of fights but they were usually one sided and on his side that is. “And I see this isn't your first-time taking care of wounds is it, ma´am?" asked John. „You got me" said vixen “so who are you?" Rabbit tried to sit up straight, emphasis on try. He felt sore all over and weak, wasn't sure if he could stand at all. “Name´s John Temple, I am a courier. Was delivering a package to some group of doctors here in the Slums and well" he rubbed back of his head in embarrassment “you saw how I ended up." Vixen pated the rabbit´s shoulder: “You did pretty good out there and well, be glad that racoon wasn't hiding a piece underneath that coat and it could have been much nastier. The Watch could show up." She stood up and took a few steps back to get a better overall look at the rabbit. “Who are you miss…" John asked with a long pause. “And who am I?" she said, “My name is Fiona, Fiona Reid is my name. And I am sure you have figured out who I am." Johnny again one good look around to solidify his hunch, “You are a vigilante." She nodded: “Correct."

Vigilantes as the name suggest were indeed conductor of Vigilante Justice, but not always. Some were just good folk who help the ones that need it but also a large portion of them were the once who committed the acts of violent vigilantism. Take a small apartment complex who is occupied and used by some criminals to store guns and drugs, pretty much anything that could sell on black market, the next day filled with bullet holes and several thugs' dead or injured. The Watch, which was established to curb the crime activity in The Slums but is having problems, wasn't fond of these individuals who decided to take justice into to their own hands. Mainly because they caused more damage where The Watch could minimize it with their units, but nevertheless due to vigilante action The Slums became more of a safer place to live.

“May I ask why?" asked John. Vigilantes always had some reason to become one, be it sense of justice or just out of charity. Fiona pulled out of her coat a cigarette and lit it with a lighter, took a drag of it and started to explain herself: “My dad worked in The Watch, always wanted best for me and this part of town and believed that it can get better but that was during the dark time of this district, organized crime where ever you walked or looked. Poor dad got shot because he wanted to act and stop it all." “By one of the mobsters?" asked John. Fiona shook her head: “No, by one of his own. Corruption and bribery ran rampart and it seeped its way into the law, that's how the crime spread here. But its spread was stopped by two things. Have you heard of The Headless Mare? The one on the Mural?" Rabbit nodded. Vixen was referring to the urban legend of it, how this spectre, wraith or a vengeful spirit stalked these streets. Cleansing it with sword, mace and fiery lead. Investigators were puzzled by the whole thing, she appeared and then disappeared, even the eye witnesses were puzzled by the whole thing. This entire event left the crime families severely weakened and scared, even inspired some early acts of vigilantism. Fiona nodded: “Good, now do you know of the Red Stache?"

Rabbit replied: “Yes, oh yes definitely. Who didn't? It was all over the news." And newspaper too. Detective Inspector Harley “Harv" LeMat the Second is one tough bastard of a badger. He was sent here in The Slums to “finish off the parasites" as they say, in other words the crime families since they were weakened by the acts of that mare. His personality of two-gun wielding, rash, violent attitude and yet being able to compose himself which made a him a perfect candidate for such task and plus was sent by the nerve centre of law of The Capital itself. Commonly knowns as The Block, but formally known as The Bureau of Law or simply known as the Head Police Station. He quickly cracked down on the corruption, re-organized The Watch and together with some bigwigs created a task force known as The Watch Raid Unit, W.R.U. for short, specialized in raids on crime infested areas such as drug dens. Highly effective and disciplined. Due to these actions Harv made a name for himself in finishing off the crime families in this place. So why the nickname? Good question, while confronting one of the mob bosses, both of them got into a hand-to-hand struggle. The mob boss pulled out a handgun but Harley was quick to grab it. In an arm-wrestling like fight the gun went off close to the mobster head, the bullet penetrating his jaw and bruising his eye leaving the inspector´s snout covered in blood. Once he got out of the building a journalist quickly snapped a photo of him still covered in blood, the photo made it into the paper and well that´s how he got his nickname. Due to this LeMat was thinking in stopping, not his job or his smoking habit but to stop reading the newspaper.

“Heh, look at you.", chuckled Fiona “You are quite a scholar." She took another drag from the cig “But now, can you walk?" “Eh," stuttered Johnny: “let me try." He struggled to get up and even bearing through the pain he managed it yes but he quickly felt how the strength in legs faded and started to fall. “Ugh, fuck.": he muttered, vixen quickly grabbed him so he wouldn't fall and sat him back down on the chair. “Yeah, that taser did a number on you. We better get you to the Docs, they probably have something to help you with this condition." Said Fiona, rabbit nodded in response. He felt so weak he wouldn't be able to lift really much or anything at all, he could at best limp a bit and if she would lend him her shoulder then he could make it. “What happened to my bike and the package?" He asked, it was a question waiting to be asked. Afterall, he had a delivery to make. “The medicine is stored safely here and don't worry about the bike; it is in one of those storage cages under lock and key. Surprisingly light. Good choice." Vixen replied. Bunny chuckled a bit, he was glad he could get that thing on sale from Riff. Plus, it helped him a lot more than one of the older rusty bikes that Bogwood suggested.

“So, now what?" asked John. “Now," said Fiona: “now we gotta get you out of here. This is a hideout after all, a safe a haven not a hospital. It would be better to get you to the Docs, since they have the whole Oath of Shaya of theirs should guarantee you some of their services." She took a drag from the cigarette: “And since you fought tooth and nail for that package, I am sure they would be more that glad to provide them." Bunny nodded, he tried to remember who these Docs were. The name Shaya rang a bell, some sort of deity of healing and doctors. The Oath was a dead giveaway, so-CRASH! His line of thought was interrupted by a ruckus downstairs, sounded like some kind of brute kicking down a door. “Shit!", exclaimed the vixen: “they must have tailed us." She took a quick drag of the cig, then threw it on the floor and stomped it out. She is surprisingly calm. She pulled some red piece of chalk from her coat and started to draw on the ground frantically. “What the hell are you doing?" yelled Johnny.

Vixen glanced at him, “Something that saved my skin a plenty and many others like me." She finished; it was some kind of pentagram. Rabbit had no idea what it was.

Vixen stepped into the pentagram, took a deep breath and exhaled. Suddenly it looked like something kicked or punched the air out of her lungs few times. A small line of crimson dripped from her snout. “You good?" asked the rabbit with worry, Fiona took a glance at him. She nodded and with a wicked grin said: “Never been better," she pulled down her gasmask “now I know what to do." She then pulled out her coat a pistol. Bunny noticed that it has been modified, with a brass knuckle grip and a longer slide. This girl meant business. “I will take care of our guests." Vixen said. “What should I do?" asked the rabbit. Without even turning she pointed toward the back of the room, right behind the rabbit, it looked like a small compartment of sort. “That´s a dumbwaiter of sort, a small elevator for meals, use that to get downstairs and stay out of sight. Hide!" She said, it was a combination of an order and worry. “But I- “rabbit stuttered, he couldn't move much and at best he could just slowly limp there. “Just go!" she yelled.

Someone barged into the hideout, some broad-shouldered male canine, his eyes locked with the vixens and he yelled: “She is her—" BANG! Before he could finish his words, hot lead viscerally entered his torso and he dropped dead. Vixen was calm, eerily calm, pointing her sidearm towards now the limp carcass of a canine. Her gun smoking. She headed off to towards the door of the room and what followed was a cacophony of sounds of hand-to-hand fighting and guns talking. In that time Johnny took that as sporting pistol going off starting a race, although it would a race of a slugs. Johnny was far beyond a point a fight, flight or freeze he was already in flight at best he could be. Limping towards the “meal elevator", gritting his teeth to bare though the pain he eventually made it. He sat unto the edge of it and then grabbed his legs and pulled them into the elevator. Bunny tried to tuck himself, he just barely fit in it, he saw a small control panel of the elevator. Rabbit pressed the “bottom floor" button, he thought by the time all this is going on majority of the intruders will be somewhere in the middle floors of the buildings. Letting find a spot to hide. As he started to descend, he could hear all that was going on, the guns blazing and sound of melee going on. He overheard

someone screaming about their arm and yelling cruses which then abruptly stopped, he tried to block them off. Ignore them. But then the elevator got stuck for a second. There was a crack in the wall in front of him and he looked through it. What he was a quick fight between two of the thugs and the vixen. The way she moved like…she done this before. Like she knew where the other thug would emerge and that he would grab one of the old chairs and try to take a swing at her. The elevator started to move again, going down somewhere. He hoped to find at the bottom some hidey-hole, he even though about making a run for it, but alas in his state he wouldn't make it past the door.

He made it to the bottom floor, but it seems that Fiona made her claim here. The room looked like a storage room of sort, in it there was a slumped-up carcass of a dead lizard. The Bearded Dragon with closed eyes with his mouth open and tongue hanging out, wearing a fancy bomber jacket and in his claw, he was clutching a heavy revolver. Johnny slumped down and braced his back against a wall, then he heard a nasally voice. “It just you and me reddy." Johnny crawled a towards the door of the room, it was a bit open and could see two figures. One was that vixen Fiona the other an avian, a green feathered duck with some tattoos on his flat beak. The duck was wearing a track jacket with a fancy patch on its back and had a snazzy haircut. The duck was pointing a low caliber handgun “You have NO idea how boss is gonna be happy with you offed. I got you all to by myself. You stupid ginger bitch!" He kept on running his beak, while Fiona stood in silence there. Johnny guessed she was looking for an opening to snatch that gun of his talons.

Bunny looked back at the heavy revolver; an idea hatched in that head of his. A very bad idea, an idea that he feaed. He grabbed the lizard´s revolver, it was heavy. Very heavy, definitely a two-handed type. Lifting the gun for him was extremely difficult, due to the injuries he sustained it was like pulling his arms through a barb wire. As he lifted it to his waist, he noticed the revolver itself was single action and cartridges in the cylinder were custom made, definitely of a high caliber. This thing could leave someone flat at their rear. He shuffled trying not to fall over to the small opening in the door, he had the angle. The moment of surprise, he had everything. Except he couldn't lift the revolver all the way, at the best he could only do a shot-in-the-dark from the hip. He started to feel…something. He discarded it for now, he was trying to focus and get into firing stance like he used to do at a range. Finger on a trigger. John shot few guns before yes, but never went hunting or anything like that or wielded anything like this revolver here. “Fuck." He silently muttered, he was struggling again and then what he felt became…hard to ignore. Rabbit started to feel cold, like it was minus degree cold. He could see his own warm breath form into small pale clouds. He felt someone behind himself, like a figure. Two figures. He didn't dare to turn around, he felt he is gonna get hit with blackjack or something worse.

He felt one of their arms on his shoulder, the revolver started to feel lighter somehow. He slid his eyes towards it, he saw a hand cupping his two hands holding the revolver and then another hand on his right elbow and then another one on his other elbow. Whoever they were they helped him lift the firearm, the barrel was now align aiming at the duck´s back. The hand that was cupping his two hands grabbed the barrel from the bottom and aligned it further so that the sight would be on the duck. No way the shot could miss now. The hand now came back cupping the both bunny´s hands so the revolver would remain straight. Now the hand that was on the rabbit´s shoulder and left elbow shifted, now one of them move to the top of the revolver and placed its thumb to pull down the hammer, meanwhile the cupping hand raised its finger behind the trigger on the bunny´s finger.

This entire time it felt like his body became…wooden. Mannequin like. Like he was some form of a puppet. Someone else was pulling the strings, someone else was behind the wheel. He didn't want to look at who was helping him, it felt…unnatural. Like if he would only look with his eyes alone on those two who were helping him, he felt like he would scream his lungs out in terror and faint. The otherworldly hand cocked the hammer of the revolver, it was loud. “Huh?!" exclaimed the duck. Vixen braced and covered herself. Before the duck could turn around and see who was that, the other hand pulled the trigger and a shot rang through the entire building. The caliber was so powerful it violently threw both the duck and the rabbit away. It looked like duck was kicked by horse and was thrown against the wall, slumped and dead. The hit from the gun caused several of his feathers to be scattered in the hallway. Such force.

The rabbit on the other hand was laying on the floor, he was hit by the gun from recoil. He started to feel warm again. The otherworldly figures were gone however he started to feel his consciousness slip again. Fiona stopped covering herself with her arms and noticed the slummed corpse of that duck, it looked like someone threw him with industrial force against the wall, the entire hallway was covered with his feathers. She smelled gunpowder coming from the adjacent room and looked who saved her skin. Johnny was just on his back, just lying there stunned with bug eyes. “You good, kid?" asked Fiona. John, heaving, with last ounce of his strength, sanity and will have left groaned and tried to get up but quickly fell again and fainted. He wanted to tell her about the figures but alas, he had no strength.

He faded away, feeling his body going numb from fatigue. He dreamt again, he felt the cold and rough floor below him he opened his eyes and saw…an ursa, a bear. He was wearing a patient gown like the rabbit, he looked young. But his eyes, something was wrong. An alarm was blaring and the room they were in was coded in red lights, Johnny felt burning after-pain around his wrists and ankles. Was he tied up? He didn't know. “Are you okay?" said the bear, rabbit nodded in response. The bear´s voice was surprisingly young despite his appearance but he was covered in bandages, band-aids and surgical scars. Were they in a hospital? “Listen," bear picked up Johnny and set him on his feet “just follow me and we will get out of this place. Okay?" Johnny again nodded, he felt he could trust him. Rabbit sensed that they somehow met before but couldn't place his finger on it. So, bunny followed the bear, while they were running through the corridors, he started to took notice of something. They were underground, it was some form of an underground facility.

“This way!" yelled the bear, he was now holding what seemed to be some form of an access card. Their ticket out of this concrete prison. They finally made it to what seemed like an air-lock. Bear insisted that he will go first to make sure it's safe, he swiped the card and entered the air lock but then it suddenly closed behind him. “CYKA! Listen Tiny, I can make it on my own but I am not leaving you behind! Try to stay out of sight, I will circle—" Rabbit interrupted him and banged his fist on the metal door and yelled: “Get out of here Michael! I will be fine, find somewhere to hide! JUST GO!" There was silence, only filled with blaring alarm sirens and then on the other side of the door the bear said: “Thank you, friend. I will never forget you!" Then only thing he heard was sound of chaos on the other side of the door, after than rabbit heard a stampede of boots behind him. There was a team of military personnel behind him, all wearing gasmask, helmets and full combat gear. One of them was wielding some kind of odd-looking rifle. “Light out, subject Oh-One." The soldier squeezed the trigger of the rifle and Johnny felt sharp pain in his chest. He looked at it, there was a dart sticking out of it. He felt how his body became numb and started to lose balance. He fell on his side with a loud thud and his eyes closed.

Johnny then awoke to a sound of…scratching? Like someone was scratching a top of something wooden. He opened his eyes and saw an avian clad in black, he was wearing what they call a “medical beak mask". An old head covering type of wear, the hollow beak was usually stuffed with herbs to combat the smell of diseases. The avian in question was a raven, wearing a dark trench coat and a leather hat with a large brim. Johnny adjusted his eyes and tried to get a better look at the bird, he was…scratching what looked to be a chess board with its beak? “Ahh yes," the bird said: “very fine uhhh ze material indeed. Must be a Pine." It was a he, he spoke in a Termanic accent filled with curiosity and warmth. The avian slowly turned his head towards the bunny, in the glint of the mask he could see friendly looking yellow-ish eyes. “Ah, ze patient is very much awake." The bird said.

Rabbit looked around and tried to get his bearings. He was sitting in what seemed to be a dental chair, in a room with old pale paint all around and the floor had a checkered tile. And the window that let some light into the room was of an old design, with iron knob and wooden framing instead of the today's more plastic material. “Where am I?" asked the rabbit with a groan, he felt a bit groggy. “You are in ze hospital, my good friend." Said the corvid, “To be exact, in ze as they say Krankenhaus of Saint Marian a Saint of Healing who founded the Order of Kissers of Wounds but I am getting carried away with its history again, apologizes." He chuckled. “It was us ze Free Doctors who decided to refurbish it and somewhat modernized it, ah!" he stuttered, “I am sorry where are my manners. My name is Doctor Cyril Lemons, it is good to meet you." He extended his hand claw for a shake and rabbit obliged to shake the said claw. “What happened to me?" asked John, Cyril then summarized what events unfolded. Fiona carried the rabbit over her shoulder and his bike plus the package underneath her shoulder. The hospital itself was just across the canal of the hideout she had, rabbit then got medical treatment with involved being hooked to an IV bag which helped combat the drowsiness and exhaustion he got and as for the wounds he got from the scuffle with the thugs. “Now," that doc started to speak “I believe it would be ze good if you would go and see your fox friend, she is a bit worried about you after all."

Cyril guided him through the hallways of the hospital, there were other patients and doctors walking around or waiting for their assignments or appointments. Cyril decided to fill the dead air with some talk: “I noticed while waiting for your recovery you were kind of, well trashing. Is there something bothering you Mr. Temple?" John thought about it for few seconds, it was just that he wasn't sure if he should share something like this. Especially after those two nightmares and that he isn't exactly qualified to know this. He felt the nightmares were somehow connected and he also felt it would be hard to make head or tails of them. John in the end decided to throw the caution to the wind and said to the corvid: “I have these nightmares, for years now. I recall I started having them since my adulthood and well…UGH!" Rabbit bumped into Cyril´s back. Doctor Lemon stopped in his tracks and was silent for a bit and then slowly turned around and said: “Continue..." and pulled out small notebook. Bunny felt off about this now, but then again, he already made a decision, he could trust him; sure, his oddness and manner of walking was a bit weird with his whole almost goose step style, like he was trying to match the weird checkered style the floor was. Not to mention his whole having his hand claws behind his back and fiddling with its nails but still there was some weird warm aura and intrigue that he could well trust.

Johnny shrugged and took a deep breath and said: “It's like this, I always felt that these dreams somehow connect to the past…but that past is not of my own and—" a doctor´s open hand claw interrupted his speech, “I do believe that's enough and I do believe that I know someone who will be able to help." Said the Doctor and put away his notebook in his own coat, “Once we find your friend, I will see if my ze colleague will help you, ja? Deal?" Rabbit nodded at that proposal. On their way Cyril started to mumble something: “Yes ze grey bauer is making its way across the ze board yes, on his way to become the dame. Having a greater control of the board, which will definitely get the attention of ze players above." John didn't know what to make of that, was he referring to himself? The rabbit? John discarded that, felt like the doctor just thinking out loud. Eventually they made it to the waiting room where Fiona was, she looked nervous. Constantly tapping her foot on the ground in a hunched position resting with her elbows on her knees and palms on her face cheeks. Once she saw the bunny, she quickly stood up ran over to him and gave him a hug. Vixen was glad he was okay, “Ehm," coughed the doc “I see that you are well acquainted, Mr. Temple I will see then if my friend is free and available to help you and as for you Fiona, from our little chat, I do believe that you have a lot of explaining to do to our little grey friend." With that he waved and he was gone.

The vixen and the rabbit sat down on the bench, both of them were silent for some time. Both of them were thinking what to say and more importantly how to start, they were processing what has happened. Fiona took the initiative: “Listen I guess I should explain somethings first, I am not your average vigilante." She then turned her head towards the rabbit: “I am somewhat of a witch." Rabbit asked: “So…that spell circle you drew, was some kind of short ritual?" Vixen nodded. “What was its purpose?" Both of them felt how the mood became…tense. Reid took a deep breath and asked: “Have you heard of, to be exact a Disciple of Thomos?" Bunny cocked his head to the side: “Sort of?" “Let me explain," Fiona started: “I am one of them, worshipper of God Thomos, God of Vigilantism and Streets. At least that's what I was taught. I was also given knowledge on some of the rituals, we are tight knit community and we help each other." Johnny asked: “I take it that it is written to defend the weak?" Fiona nodded. John could imagine what it was all about, a cult of people who want to keep the streets safe everyone. Usually resorting to violence to keep the gangs at bay. He could see it in her eyes, she done this for years. Brawling, shooting and probably more. “So…what did the ritual actually do?" he asked.

“You play video games?" asked Fiona, Rabbit nodded. She asked another question: “Have you ever memorized a stage or a level to a T? With all the enemy placements and items and such?" There was a moment of silence. “It was like that for me, I don't know how many times I died or what really, I did it's just…in one of those “tries" I knew everything, where every single thug was and what I had to do. Except one thing, you." And she pointed at the rabbit. “I saw it," said the rabbit: “like you weaved and turned like you done it many times." She asked him how did he saw her, he explained that the elevator go stuck for few seconds and he took a peek through a slit in the wall. “But, now…what do you mean by me?" asked the rabbit.

“You, shot that duck and that´s where the spell ended. It felt abrupt and I was stunned and then well…it felt weird. Like I was missing a piece of something, some kind of information." John wanted to tell her about those two spectres or ghost or whoever they were, but decided to keep it to himself instead. Bunny stared, he felt like he should say something: “I…I knew I wouldn't make it out of there with my sorry state, they would find me as a strangler later on and…who knows what they would do to me. And I just couldn't stand there and watch you getting offed so...I did it." Fiona asked: “Have you killed before?" John did…a combination of a shrug and shook his head: “I don't know; I feel bad about it yes and…yet somehow I feel…indifferent?" Vixen cocked her head to a side:" What do you mean?" Bunny rubbed and scratched his own shoulder: “Its like, I somehow done it before." He fidgeted a bit: “Like, yes, I shot a gun down the range before but also there was something else. Like I wasn't in control and then there are these dreams where…" John stopped, he feels like he hit a dead end with Fiona, and feared elaborating further. “Yes?" said Fiona. He then wanted to mention the nightmares to her at least.

John continued: “Like those dreams are not—" “Excuse me." But rabbit was interrupted by the corvid doctor: “Sorry to interrupt, but my colleague who could help you Mr. Temple is waiting for you." John nodded and bid goodbye to Fiona. “Wait," said Fiona as she grabbed his arm as he was leaving: “If you would ever need somewhere to hide or duck from trouble you can stay at my hideout. It's the abandoned building with the Mare graffiti." “Thanks," replied Johnny: “but why?" “I just feel, that you might be in some trouble soon and I just wanna extend my thanks that way. You okay with that?" Rabbit nodded; he was glad he made a friend in The Slums here. John then followed Doctor Lemons to the upper floors of the hospital, on the way Doc said: “She is very much specialized in ze problem you might have; they say dreams are like a window into ze subconscious mind or even a realm beyond ours. Sometimes they could be a way of communication of some…otherworldly beings. She will explain it ze bit more in detail to you when you meet her." In the end they made it to her office and Cyril showed John the door to the doctor´s office, on the door there was a plate that said: “Office of Psychotherapist and Spiritualist Petra Birch".

Rabbit cautiously entered the office; it looked like any standard doctor´s office but it had some decorations which contrasted it. Such as a dream catcher, banners with symbols and other such nick knacks. Almost felt like some form of a shrine. At desk sat a dove, clad in white coat and hat much like the corvid wore but this one had a smaller beak mask to accommodate its own head shape and beak shape and length. Not to mention that her entire outfit was decorated with different spiritual symbols such as black and white tear symbol or Lunaria´s Star and several more that rabbit recognized but also some which were unknown to him.

“Ah we welcome you," said the dove: “please take a seat. We will attend you soon." Her voice was ancient yet kind and calm and filled with intrigue not to mention sounded like some form of royalty. John, as asked by the lady, sat down in the comfy leather armchair and waited. Doctor Birch then produced a file from the desk and gave it a quick scan. She mumbled: “Yes, we see." Then she put down the file at the desk, grabbed a notepad and pulled out a small pen, flipped the first page and asked: “So let's start with who you are. Can you give us your name?" John did so and with that a short interview started. John was of a Temple family, small one. His father was a trucker and his mother a teacher in a local basic school, unfortunately his father was…abusive. This led eventually to John being separated from his parents and being placed into orphanage at young age.

“I mostly only remember my life at the orphanage until my adulthood when I was then released from it and well from on then it was just mundane stuff. Found a job and so on." John said. “We see," said Dove: “tell us what is the very first thing you can remember from your time at the orphanage." Rabbit dwelled for a while, he tried to go very far back and eventually remembered: “Cold, I remember cold like…my head being pressed against something smooth but hard." Petra asked: “Any idea what could it be?" Bunny was silent for a second: “Glass?" “Interesting." Said the dove and noted on the notepad. “When did your nightmares start?" she asked. John thought for a second: „When I turned eighteen." Again, the dove made a note. “Could you describe these nightmares to us?" asked Doctor Birch, John nodded. Rabbit then described them the best way he could in detail plus what types there are and what nightmares he recently had. Throughout this session she made notes and tore them from the note book putting them upon the table and producing several drawing pins and some form of ball of red string.

She started to throughout the session to put those notes down on the table and pinning them down with the pins and wrapping them in the string and connecting them. John felt there was some progress made, Doc was tracing the strings and mumbling herself the notes, she was looking for a pattern of sorts. In a while she sat down, took off her mask which showed her face. She wore some dark eye makeup and her short beak which was covered in spiritual symbols and then rabbit noticed on her cheek a small black heart tattooed. “We have a hypothesis," she said: “we might not be an expert at this but…you might be haunted. However! We might have a solution." Rabbit´s ears perked up with hope. “Are you by any means, spiritual or religious in any shape or form?" asked the dove. Rabbit shook his head: “No, I have never seen as kneeling before the altar much my thing." “Hmmm, we still do believe it would be worth a try." There was a brief silence between them. “We might not be much versed in the area of god or The Pantheon but does the name Gaia ring any bell?" John´s ears perked up again, it was goddess from that documentary he saw. “Yes," he answered: “she was in this documentary I saw and she helped like someone find reason for visions they had and then they felt much better and—" “Good," dove interrupted him: “then we believe you should start there." John asked if she knew where he could start. “Well," she answered:" our recourses are limited in that category so I believe you might be on your own. But again, we hope that you have to your disposal so places where you could find a thread to follow. You seem pretty smart; we do believe that you will succeed." She then looked at the clock she had on her wall: “Oh dear, it is getting late. You should be on your way home." John looked at the same clock, he realized he forgot something very important.

“My boss!" he exclaimed and quickly sat up. “Bogwood, he must be worried sick! I must call him! About the delivery! About eve—" Dove raised her claw hand to silence him: “We assure you that once you entered the hospital, we contacted your employer and told him everything, still you should call him that you safely recovered." John quickly nodded his head and headed for the door, but he stopped and ran back and grabbed a hold of Petra´s claw and said with glee: “Thank you so much. I feel I am finally making progress here." She then pated his hand and said: “No need to thank us, now run along. You have a call to make."

He went into the hallway and there was Doctor Lemon holding rabbit´s backpack, he handed it over to the rabbit: “Your backpack. Everything is in the same shape as the fox lady handed it over to us." John gave the corvid a thumbs up and briskly searched it, he was looking for his phone. Once he did, he dialled the Bogwood´s number and waited for the response and he saw that the Bogwood answered it rabbit exclaimed: “I am so sorry! I didn't mean to get you worried I—" “Its all-right boy!" frog on the other end interrupted him: “I thought that The Slums would be quiet this time of year and turns out I was wrong and, I am sorry. I should have probably sent Stan he knows the area better than anyone el—" “No sir," said the rabbit: “I am sorry, I was the one who went off the path we agreed on" he then squatted and continued: “and put myself in danger. I ran out of patience and basically put my life on the line for no reason. And I am sorry for that." There was a moment of silence between them, “Okay, I guess we both did some mistakes we didn't mean to do." Said Bogwood. “I heard what doctors said and I think I should give you some time off again."

Both of them then discussed when the time off should be, both of the agreed that it would best to have entire week off for John since he still had some of those vacation days left and it wouldn't be that bad since it is slow season for deliveries now and there's plenty of personal to spare. With that John went home on his bike that was parked in front of the old hospital, on his way he was thinking what he should do next. In the end he decided to check tomorrow about the goddess, that is if it would work at all. Eventually he made it to his apartment and just threw his clothes in the bin and just sat at the edge of his bed. He recounted what happened, so he got an order to deliverer medicine to Free Doctors then he got into a fight with some thugs, got his ass handed to him, got rescued by a fox with who is a worshipper of some god, then someone took control of his body and made him shoot someone, passed out like two times a total in this day, woke up to a corvid doctor who is obsessed with chess who then recommended him a dove doctor who spoke in third person somewhat who actually helped him and then finally got back home. One of the weirdest days he had. Sure, there were others but they paled in comparison to this one. He was so done with the day. Before he laid down, he thought about what to do tomorrow, he decided he will try to find out how to ask the gods for help. However, will that work and he wasn't really looking forward to it.