Chapter Twenty Three : 

The Desert ( Part Two ) / 

The death of the coyote beast was quick; so it didn't manage to hurt me or the jackrabbit family. It did scratch Dolion, but as always, Dolion was unfazed.

I went back into the jackrabbits' tent. "Are you all okay?" I questioned. The little jackrabbits were huddled around their grandmother's rocking chair, their big ears quivering and large glimmering eyes fearful. Their mother called them all to her and snuggled them. "Yes, we're all right. Just a little frightened." She reported. "It's safe now, so you don't need to worry." I assured them. "Dolion's checking the remaining tents to make sure there's no other dangers... Can I talk to you alone, without the kids?" The mother jackrabbit nodded and sent the children off to bed again. We sat in the living room on carved wooden chairs. 

"Did you know that creature existed here - like, in your camp?" I asked.

"No," She confessed. "The other families were pronghorns, cottontails, foxes, lizards, and the sand cats. No coyotes. I have no idea where that beast came from - any other place of living is a very very far distance from here. Maybe even a week's walk away."

"And you said you hadn't seen the other families in kind of a long time... If the coyote killed them, why did it hide in their tents for that long? And why wouldn't it have killed you and your family, too? It doesn't make any sense." I shook my head, wondering. 

"There is some information that may help you. I don't have much knowledge about it, that's why I didn't bother telling you at first." She started.

I looked at her quizzically, a silent "go on" written on my face. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dolion's tall shape standing in the doorway of the tent. 

"There's a kingdom, about a week's walk away from here. It's the closest place of residence to where we are now - at least, creatures once resided there. I lived there just a few years ago - I think - but, I brought me and my family here to be safe, because an evil being took over everything. The other families had the same idea, and they came with us. This isn't just a camp, it's become our home. My husband was part of the kingdom's army, and he stayed to fight the opposing forces... I don't think he's on this earth anymore." She wiped at her eyes. "I'm not sure what things are like there, it got so bad before we left. And, the one that overtook the kingdom - She's a rattlesnake, and her name is Agni. That's all I know."

I got up and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Thank you... I'm so sorry, for everything you've been through. But you - you have done the absolute best to keep your family safe. That's amazing."

She smiled at me through teary eyes. "And thank you. You and your friend protected me and my family. I don't know where you reside, but you're welcome to stay here as long as you like. I quite enjoy your company."

"That's sweet of you to offer," I told her. "But... I 'll go to the kingdom, and see what I can do to help." 

"Are you sure? I think it'd be very dangerous there, considering - from what I last knew - that all the good forces have fallen." 

"I'm sure," I stated. "I can't thank you enough, for all your kindness. Dolion and I should probably start traveling there now, while it's still dark out."

She packed us a knapsack of food and water, giving us directions as she worked. "Stay safe," She pleaded. I nodded reassuringly. One of her children got out of bed as we got ready to leave, to watch his mother pack and the grandmother knit. The grandmother had finished another blanket, and handed it to the child. He wrapped himself up in it and walked over to his mother. "Sweetheart, they're leaving. Say bye-bye?" She murmured. The little jackrabbit waved. He came over to me and gave me a hug, and I petted his soft brown ears. Then the grandmother came over and handed me a few of her knitted throws. "Aw, thank you," I said. 

"You're welcome, dearie." She replied in a gentle, slightly raspy voice. "Be careful out there." She lit her pipe, a sweet smoke smelling like hay and flowers billowing from it. 

I said goodbye and stepped outside of the tent, Dolion standing beside me. I stole a quick glance back, and I swear I saw the little jackrabbit give a little shake of his head, a silent "no." Directed at me. I wasn't sure what that meant, but there was no turning back now. 

"This doesn't mean I'm pushing myself too hard, okay?" I told Dolion. It nodded. We started in the direction the mother jackrabbit had given us, across the warm sand and under the huge navy blue sky, sparkling with stars. Thoughts blew across my mind like tumbleweeds in a wasteland, but I couldn't reach out to catch them. 

I walked and walked until I didn't feel my legs. "I can't go any farther," I admitted. "I can," replied Dolion, picking me up. As it carried me I remembered how it was with my parents; they'd carry me when I couldn't go any farther in a store or at a park. I tried to stop the train of memory but it was already there, tearing through my mind, and my heart hurt like it was pricked with a pin. All I could see was my parents' sweet faces. 

This went on for awhile, until I was too tired to think anymore. So instead I relaxed, with my face on Dolion's shoulder. It was near silent, with only the swish of sand under Dolion as it walked, and the soft noise of its breathing. In the now deep purple sky, a large white moon shimmered.