Chapter Two
After the terrible events at Baron Fox’s
Edna Squirrel knew that for them to remain in that part of Watersedge would
certainly mean that they would be put in jail. Everyone they knew lived on the estate,
so there was nowhere for them to stay while they figured out what to do. The
mere thought of having to face the accusing faces of their friends was more
than she could bear. Edna Squirrel in her desperation could only think of
getting away. In the confusion she was able to leave Harold Mole at the woods
edge for a few minutes while she went out and hurriedly collected some of their
belongings in a bag. He submitted to her direction, passive in his pain. Then
they went through the woods and down to the train yard, which wasn’t too far
from the estate. In the dark it was hard going, but she was sure the roads
weren’t safe. When they arrived at the train yard it was clear that they would
never get on a passenger car. Constables were easy to see from where she
crouched with the injured Harold Mole at the point where the woods opened onto
the parking area. The constables stood at the steps of the station surveying
the arriving animals. Edna Squirrel was sure they were looking for her and
Harold Mole, believing that they had killed Baron Fox in an attempt to steal
gold from him. She had never been so frightened in her whole life.
When she looked down along the train
yard she saw that where the passenger station stopped there was a large dark
part of the yard where freight trains were standing. Through the gloom she
could see that several of the cars had their doors open. After stumbling
through the woods, pulling along their bag and the dazed Harold Mole the chance
to just be able to sit down for a few moments in a clean quiet place was too
much for her to resist. She hoisted up their bag and the moaning Harold Mole
and made her way toward the dark yard of freight cars. Normally such an idea
would have seemed to be madness to her, but at that point she just wanted to
get away, get away and also find someplace where she could let Mole rest. They made their way through the dark train
yard, the crunching of cinders beneath their paws seeming loud enough to rouse
the interest of all of Watersedge. At last they came to a car whose door was
open wide enough for them to climb through. They managed it, and with great
effort Edna pushed the heavy door closed. The wooden floor of the car was worn
and splintered, but a thin layer of straw covered the floor, and some old tarps
lay in a corner. She lead Harold Mole over to the
tarps and cleaned him up
as best she
could in the darkness. Then she changed his clothes, laid him down, sat next to
him, and put his head in her lap.
The darkness was nearly complete, with
just some slivers of dim light illuminating the car. Sitting there, gazing
apprehensively at the door of the boxcar, she cursed the night. How foolish she
had been. Hadn’t Ms. Ferret and Harold Mole both warned her about Baron Fox?
All she had wanted to do was make their lot a little easier. It seemed
unbelievable what her ambition had brought them to. Their good names ruined,
she was sure that everyone would believe they were thieves and murderers now.
Poor Mole burned as he was, it was horrible, and she couldn’t even take him to
a doctor. She also couldn’t help thinking of her friends at the estate. Where
would they work now? They had all been like a big family there. Now it would be
broken up, all the creatures scattered to do whatever they could to get by. She
felt her throat tighten, and hot tears well up in her eyes, “I am sorry, I am
sorry…” She muttered and stroked Harold Mole’s head. The silent gloom was like
still water all around them cold with her fear.
When Edna Squirrel had chosen the
freight car she didn’t realize that down along the line the engine was
preparing to depart, steam rising from its stack, the creature at the controls
waiting for word to make way. She soon learned this. In a few short moments
after they had settled in distant yells indicated that the train was starting
its departure. It bolted forward with a lurch, Edna
caught her breath with surprise, the cars clanked noisily, then the train
settled into a crawl that built in momentum. Edna Squirrel felt a great pang of
anguish overtake her. She had known that they needed to get away but the truth
of that moment was too hard for her to accept. Now outside in the dark, their
home was slipping away, the green trees and
hills were being left behind in the dark, their leaves turning idly in
the night. How she loved her home! If only there was a way the two of them
could stay. She thought of jumping up and pounding at that door, yelling for
the train to stop, but she knew there was no way she could. The looks of the
other creatures as she and Harold Mole had left Baron Fox’s burning study were
branded in her mind, the accusations and false assumptions.
The night wore on, the train swaying,
its wheels clattering noisily. Inside the box car Edna Squirrel’s fear waned
and her grimness grew. Not knowing where they were headed, or what they should
expect when they got there, she felt herself amidst the ruin of her life,
trying to summon up a strength that she needed to believe was there. She had
wanted so much for them, but the girl who had dreamt those dreams wasn’t there
any longer. Someone else was now sitting in the dark freight car, preparing for
a life that couldn’t even be guessed at. As she thought back to their idyllic home
by the sea she felt now like she was a thousand years older.
It took the train all the night and the
better part of the next day to reach its destination. As the journey had
lengthened and the sun rose, Edna Squirrel had become aware of how much hotter
the temperature was, the sun shining through the cracks of the box car was
brighter, and the air smelled dry and dusty. When she sensed the abrupt change
in the climate Edna Squirrel realized where they were headed, and that
knowledge filled her with apprehension. She was certain now that the train was
leaving behind their comfortable and prosperous home by the sea, and traveling
into the
While Edna
Squirrel was sure that she and Harold Mole would be far from the reach of the
authorities of Watersedge there, she knew also that it was possible they would
be in even greater danger in that land. They had no papers to travel outside of
Watersedge, and many tales were told about the cruel treatment of foreigners
who broke the laws of Lusk, most were never heard from again. She and Harold
Mole didn’t even know the language they spoke there. She tried to think of what
they would have to do to get by in that strange land, to come up with some sort
of plan, but all she could imagine was that they would hopefully find some kind
creature that would help them.
Late afternoon the train eased to a
crawl. Edna Squirrel lay Harold Mole’s head on the
tarps and made her way to the door of the boxcar, pushing it open a crack she
gazed out. Before her rose the innumerable grim buildings of a vast city. So this
was Lusk, sprawling and gray beneath the searing clear sky. A haze of dust
seemed to hang over the boulevards thronging with people. She could see the
arch of a great iron
bridge, and see the thick lines of motorcars and trucks making
their way over it.
Their train entered a large train yard
and her line vision was cut off by the other freight cars there. At last they
came to a stop. Edna Squirrel was relieved to see the mass of trains and tracks
there, believing it would make it easier for them to leave the box car and
blend into the crowds she had seen as they had approached the yard. She took up
their bag and roused Harold Mole. Looking critically at his face she saw that
his wounds were very sore, but she hoped that he could hold out a bit. “Wh-where are we?” He sputtered trying to open his eyes. “Shhhhh, love. We are in Lusk. The
train has stopped in Lusk.”
“Lusk!
Impossible, they’ll kill us here!” Harold Mole exclaimed, swinging his snout
about and trying to see through his burned eyes. Edna Squirrel suddenly clamped
her paw over his mouth and pulled him into a dark corner of the boxcar. She
could hear footsteps coming up the tracks outside the freight car. They came to
a stop, and didn’t move for what seemed to Edna Squirrel to be an eternity, then they continued on. She led Harold Mole forward to the
door, the heat and bright sun making her squint as she looked up and down the
tracks. Then she dropped out the boxcar and helped Harold Mole descend behind
her. When they were out of the car she shook her tail briskly and smoothed her
clothes as best she could.
They made their way through the train
yard, ducking beneath the cars. There must have been at least twenty lines of
freight trains, and a couple of empty passenger trains, but she didn’t see any
other creatures about. When they finally reached the last line she stopped for
there was a long empty space between the last train and the sidewalk, which was
full of creatures rushing about. Edna Squirrel was amazed at the strange
clothes they wore, their faces seemed hardened by the sun, and their
expressions were hard and weary.
Suddenly she heard shouting behind them.
Frightened, she grabbed Harold Mole’s arm and bolted out through the empty
space that separated them from the throng. Behind them a creature in dark
clothes jumped out from between some box cars, yelling in the strange garbled
language of Lusk and waiving its’ arms. They quickly made their way to the
sidewalk and joined the mass of creatures pushing their way along.
It was difficult for them to move through the
crowd. Edna Squirrel did her best to guide Harold Mole while he reached out his
paw to fend off the creatures he continually stumbled into. “Oh
my! Oh my!” he muttered as he tried to avoid tripping and keep up with
Edna Squirrel. She could hear the shouting behind them intensify and gain on
them. A whistle was heard sharply piping and creatures in the crowd started to
start to take notice of them. Edna Squirrel knew that they would never outpace
their pursuers at this rate. She looked out into the wide avenue, busy with
motorcars and trucks, dust rising thick in the honking mayhem. Yanking Harold
Mole’s arm she darted out into the traffic. A great commotion ensued as
motorcars screeched to a halt, one veering to the side
to avoid the young squirrel and her injured companion ran straight into the
side of a truck. There was a tremendous crash as the truck overturned and it’s
cargo of boxes spilled out onto the roadway. In the madness and commotion Edna
Squirrel and Harold Mole managed to make it to the opposite side of the road.
Here the crowd had stopped to watch the melee on the thoroughfare, some
pointing and shouting.
They made their way into the crowd on
the sidewalk. Several creatures shouted at them in their strange language as
they pushed in amongst the creatures. Edna Squirrel tried smiling and
apologizing as they hurried on, knowing that the creatures to whom she spoke
didn’t understand a word of what she said.
The accident on the road seemed to have
stopped their pursuers. Edna Squirrel made for a small side street. When they
moved off the main thoroughfare the pedestrian traffic eased considerably. She
was able at last to take notice of the city. Tall buildings rose on either side
off the narrow road, aged and whitened by the sun. She could see creatures out
on balconies, looking bored at the street, which twisted back and forth.
Shopkeepers stood outside their shops smoking, or haggling with customers. She
and Harold Mole seemed to attract many suspicious looks as they made their way
along, dirty and hot.
“I need to rest!”
Said
Mr. Mole gasping.
Edna Squirrel looked at him and into his
burned and swollen eyes, they seeped either of tears or the ooze of his wounds,
and despite her desire to steel herself against their situation her heart rent
at the pitiful sight of her love, but she knew that they still weren’t safe.
“Not now, sweetheart, please, we mustn’t let them catch us!”
“Dear lord, I am sorry!” He cried out,
attracting the attention of several creatures walking near them on the street.
“We deserve whatever they may do to us!”
“Shhhhhh!
Quiet, Mole. In a bit we can stop, and then you’ll feel better.” Edna
Squirrel said, trying to hurry him along.
For many hours the two creatures
wandered. Whenever Edna Squirrel saw a Constable she moved away, little
realizing that this way of progress was taking her into the worst part of Lusk.
As for her wish that they might find a kind creature that would help them, whomever
they came across would look aside when they drew near their eyes hard and
distant. They walked over the great bridge that crossed the river running
through the city. Here they stopped for a moment, Harold Mole resting while
Edna Squirrel looked down at the swirling water. On the banks of the river she
could see the shacks of makeshift shantytowns, impoverished creatures milling
about. After a bit they continued on across the bridge. On the other side the
buildings were much older and shorter, trash blew along the streets and
creatures in rags lay in front of the buildings, or even in the street.
After crossing the bridge the city they
found themselves in an older and more decrepiet part
of the city. Edna Squirrel was worried but they saw few creatures about, and
many of the buildings were boarded up and empty, so she thought that if night
came on they might still find shelter in one of them despite the grimness of
the neighborhood. They continued on until they came to a dingy park, where the
trees seemed dead and dusty. Here they stopped and sat on a bench. Harold Mole
sat without speaking, though his lips seemed to move without noise, his paws
lying limp in his lap.
Edna Squirrel looked at the low dark
buildings that circled the park, noticing the weakening of the daylight, too
tired to think any longer of the events which had brought them here. They also
hadn’t had anything to eat or drink all day. She was parched and she knew that
poor Harold Mole must also be very thirsty. There was an old broken fountain in
the middle of the park. Edna Squirrel got up off the bench, her haunches sore,
with the idea of seeing if there was any water in it. When she got up Harold
Mole hardly seemed to notice in his fog of pain and despair.
On a street corner at the edge of the
park some old creatures were building a sad smoky fire in a barrel. She walked
over to the fountain and saw that indeed there was some water in the bottom of
it, even though it seemed dirty and fouled she gratefully scooped up some in
her paw to drink. As she turned to head back to the bench to get Mole and bring
him over to the water she saw that two Rats had walked up Harold Mole. One was
holding him by the front of his shirt with one paw and smacking him about the
top of the head with the other. Meanwhile the other rat was rifling through
their bag.
Edna Squirrel immediately rushed back to
the bench. She ran up and shoved the young thin rat who had been accosting
Harold Mole.
“Heh you get
off him!” she shouted, and grabbed their bag away from the other rat. They
backed away, but she could see by the glint in their eyes that they weren’t
beaten.
“Well, they’re from Watersedge.” said
the one who had been going through their bag. From the way he stood Edna
Squirrel could see that he was the dominant one. Despite their threatening
nature she was more astounded that they spoke her language, even though it was
with a thick accent.
“You speak our language!”
“Yes miss…Got to know some to raft the
tourists. Get to be problem knocking them on the head and pulling they things
off. Much nicer when they hand it to you.” He stepped closer to Edna Squirrel.
“Not like the ladies, the small fight make the fun.”
Edna Squirrel backed away and narrowed
her eyes. These were dangerous creatures, but if they wanted a fight they could
have it. She wouldn’t allow poor Harold Mole to fall victim to these
impoverished street urchins. She pulled back her lips and showed her sharp
white incisors.
The leader of the two seemed to think
better of going toe to toe with the Squirrel who was obviously stronger and
more determined than the prey he was used to. He stood his ground, however, and
took a change of tactics. “You two can’t stay here. Bad, bad, part of town
this. Mr. Owl’s town. We work for Mr. Owl. I think you
come with us, we all talk to Mr. Owl now.”
Edna Squirrel was reluctant to go
anywhere with the Rats, but she also knew that what he said was true, left out
here alone, the next time they ran into other street creatures there might be
more than two. “We will go with you, but don’t dare think of trying anything!”
When Edna Squirrel tried to get Harold
Mole he jerked upright suddenly and shouted, “The fire! The
fire!” He would’ve torn away from Edna Squirrel if he hadn’t been so
weakened. She managed to keep a grip on him and he instantly settled down,
swaying perilously on his feet.
“Me think you got big problem already
there,
It didn’t take them long to reach Mr.
Owl’s. Though by the time they got there it was dark. The streetlights in this
part of the city still worked though by their faintness they seemed,
remarkably, to somehow add to the gloom of the neighborhood. The Rats, Edna
Squirrel had come to learn that their names were Floyd and Lenny, had been much
better behaved since their confrontation in the park. It was obvious that they
were to alerted to potential dangers of the city to
care much about the bedraggled travelers. They even shared some water with Edna
Squirrel and Harold Mole when they learned about their day. Thankfully this had
allowed Harold Mole to recover a little. During the walk through the rubble and
dilapidation they had seemed satisfied knowing that Mr. Owl would deal with
these creatures as was fit.
Mr. Owl’s place was a small brownstone
located in a neighborhood made up of somewhat better homes, at least they
seemed occupied. A large water rat sat on the steps outside the brownstone and
muttered a short hello to the Rats as they escorted Edna Squirrel and Harold
Mole up to the door. Floyd, who was obviously the leader, rang the bell and
waited until a smartly dressed Chipmunk answered the door and ushered them in. After some short explanations the Chipmunk lead the foursome down a
richly carpeted hallway to a large room at the end of the hall. The
Chipmunk disappeared inside the room for a moment and then came back out and
motioned the group inside.
The room that they entered reminded Edna
Squirrel of the estate of Baron Fox. It was obviously inhabited by a creature
of wealth and taste. There were several large comfortably upholstered chairs, a
couple of which were occupied youngish female creatures, and a large
overstuffed couch. A small fire was crackling in a brick fireplace. At one end
of the room was a large desk behind which sat Mr. Owl. He seemed imminently
comfortable, and in charge, his feathered bulk hunched behind the desk. He
looked up and leaned forward addressing Floyd Rat as the group approached him.
Mr. Owl and Floyd Rat had a short
exchange in the language of Lusk, Mr. Owl’s large eyes taking a second to size
up Edna Squirrel and Harold Mole. Meanwhile Lenny had wandered over and was
making small talk with one of the females, they kept
their voices low and unobtrusive. Then Owl leaned back in his chair and spoke
to Edna Squirrel and Harold Mole. He spoke the language of their native land
clearly and without any trace of an accent.
“So my friends have brought me two
lonely travelers.” His voice was deep and musical, and his eyes seemed to look
deep within Edna Squirrel as he spoke. “This is not a place for vacationing, my
dear Squirrel, and your companion seems to have had some misfortune. Floyd
please take the Mole to another room where he can
rest, and he seems to be in pain, perhaps you can get him something that will
help him sleep?” Owl smiled thinly as he said this. Edna Squirrel despite her
anxiousness for Harold Mole’s condition was glad when Floyd Rat came, took him
by the elbow, and lead him away. “And you Squirrel,
your name is?”
“Edna. Edna Squirrel.”
“Tell me your story, dear.”
Exhausted but alert Edna Squirrel related the
events that had brought them to Lusk. Now, standing there in the quiet
comfortable room, she could hardly believe how bizarre and amazing their story
was. If she were not actually there, in a strange land speaking to an Owl with
whom she had not known the day before she might not believe it herself. Still
she knew all the events were true, and it filled her with a great sorrow beyond
belief. To think of her homeland with it’s green hills rising up from the sea,
it’s gentle quaint towns and quiet prosperity, the people there that she had
come to know and love, and then to realize that she might not see any of them
again. If it weren’t for her resolve to care for Harold Mole she might break
down and weep uncontrollably. Still, she knew she had to keep her wits about
her. At this moment they at least had a chance to find a way to survive here,
if anyone could help them it seemed this Owl could.
When she had finished Owl cocked his
head to one side and hoo hooed
softly. “Quite the tale, Edna Squirrel, quite the tale
indeed. Even better, since I actually believe it.
Passion can lead to many things, a young creature such
as yourself would surely be a temptation to any male. You love this Mole I
believe, no accounting for taste there, but he is surely a lucky creature.
Still I have to believe at some point you will see the error of your ways.” Owl
looked over and smiled obliquely at a female Mink that lounged on one of the couches, she smiled back, looked knowingly at Edna Squirrel,
and gave Mr. Owl a little nod.
“The key to your difficulties now is
your lack of papers, you know this?” Mr. Owl continued. “I may be of some
assistance in this regard, perhaps yes, perhaps no. These things must be worked
out. It may be possible to get your papers, ones that allow you to be here
without fear from the authorities, and perhaps ones that would disguise your
identity so that you could return to your home. Still it may be premature to
suggest this.” Owl frowned looking at his desk, then looked back up his
expression softening. “Also I think you might find that our humble land has
charms to which you have yet to become acquainted.”
Edna Squirrel felt her heart leap in her
chest. “These papers, how-how can this be?”
“Relax, child, these things are
sometimes possible, but not without expense, perhaps great expense.” Mr. Owl
stood up and walked around the room, looking down thoughtfully. He then stopped
by the couch where the mink sat and sat down next to her. She automatically proceeded
to start smoothing Mr. Owl’s feathers affectionately with her paw. The great
Owl took little notice, and Edna Squirrel wondered at their relationship.
He settled back and looked over at Edna
Squirrel. “And there you have the problem. How does a young Squirrel, alone,
penniless, a temptation to the more unsavory elements of our society, those who
might attempt to take advantage of her;” he looked across the room pointedly at
Lenny who was whispering in a female’s ear, his paw resting high up on her haunch.
“and a crippled Mole. Neither of whom
understands the language of the land in which they found themselves, how do
they procure these papers? How do they even survive?” He said laughing softly.
“It may be that I am in slight position
to assist you. Your friend, this Mole, with his infirmity would certainly
elicit much sympathy with our bourgeoisie. Given that the chance he could make
a fair amount of money panhandling. His language deficit should be no problem,
why he could even feign muteness, if it was necessary. However ample members of
our citizenry have a working knowledge of your language. Doing this it’s not
possible to be wealthy by any means, but it is a start. I am just trying to
think of workable options for the both of you that might also show some reward
for me as your apparent benefactor. If your Mole can play the role correctly,
he may survive. As for you, my dear, the prospects might be infinitely more
promising, after all be certain, my dear, that a
creature of lesser charms would not be in my home at all. Once again providing
you can learn the role. I trust you won’t have any problem with that, given the
alternatives. Then, in time, perhaps the situation will be such that I can help
you find these papers which you so desperately need.”
Edna Squirrel felt both indignant and
grateful. While she was relieved beyond measure to find a creature who was
interested in helping them she had certainly hoped for more than this.
Panhandling? For her brave Mole? He didn’t need to be set out on a street
corner. He needed medical attention, some chance to recover from his wounds.
Still she kept herself in check as she addressed Mr. Owl. “Why do we need your
help to panhandle? You make it sound like you are doing us a great favor, but
it seems that to be a beggar a creature doesn’t need permission. And what of
Mole’s wounds, he needs a doctor.”
“You have come from a life of privilege,
so be it. Ignorance is not a crime per se. Still these creatures you see around
you, Lenny, Floyd, Tasha, my sweet Hope Mink,” he ran
a wing along her thigh and she smiled at him. “These creatures are living a
good enough life as you can see, employed, with housing and something to eat.
Many in this city don’t have that. Now,
they all showed up pretty much
like you, Squirrel. Lost souls. If you had ever seen
creatures such as them before you assumed their lives were a chaos, a
catastrophe of unrelated events. No. You see order must be applied to
everything, here I apply the order. In exchange for the security that I offer
them, they provide services for me. I care for these creatures, watch over
their lives, watch over births, watch over deaths. I
am offering you the same, to become one with our little family. Now let’s say
you were to go out and start begging, perhaps find some ideal little corner
where the wealthy pass by, you might be taking advantage of one of my people
who work there. I couldn’t allow that could I? Allow such an injustice to harm
our little family? No. I am sorry that wouldn’t do. That wouldn’t do at all.”
“So let us help you, become a member of
our humble group. In return for a share in your profits, we will set the both
of you up. We will provide you with housing, and protect you. As for your Mole,
I have someone looking him over right now. In the morning we can discuss what
his options are.” Then Mr. Owls voice became very
grave. “I fear your choices are strictly limited. You may say the decision of
whether or not to accept my offer is one of life and death.”
Edna Squirrel looked down, she was so
tired, so weary of this all. “O.K., What shall we do?”
“First go get some rest. Hope here will
take you upstairs were you can bath. That sounds good, yes? Then tomorrow we’ll
see what we can do for you.”
Hope Mink smiled at Mr. Owl. Then she
rose, came over, and gently took Edna Squirrel by the paw. Together they left
the room and started heading up the staircase that would take Edna Squirrel to
her room.
“Don’t worry,” Hope Mink said to Edna
Squirrel, her voice deep and silky. “Mr. Owl knows how to take care of
creatures such as yourself. He is an institution in Lusk, even the Constables understand what he does for us. By
the way your tail is gorgeous, what do you do for it?”
“Oh, thank you. That’s very kind of you,
considering it’s a mess right now, but normally I wash it with egg whites once
a month, at least I used to. I guess I wont be doing
that anymore, not on a beggars wage.”
They had arrived at a small room, Hope
Mink showed Edna Squirrel in, “the bath is at the end of the hall, don’t worry
there’s plenty of hot water. And, Sweetheart, I think you misunderstood, you wont be begging. You’re too fine to waste like that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh dear,” Hope looked at her sadly. Holding both her paws in hers. “You will be working with me,
I think. Entertaining males as it were.”
“You mean like dancing and all. I don’t
know how to dance.”
“Oh yes you do, all females know this
dance. You just haven’t had the chance to let yourself do it yet. We give these
males love, Edna. Do you understand?” She looked caringly into Edna Squirrel’s
eyes.
Edna Squirrel realized with a start what
she meant. “Oh, oh. Oh dear, you mean prostitution!”
She whispered surprised.
“It’ll be o.k. And just wait till you
see the money a creature like you can make. It’ll put to shame anything you
earned back in Watersedge dusting shelves. Just remember what Mr. Owl said,
it’s a role. Child, you’ll have all the egg whites you could want!” Hope
laughed lightly and, smiling, left the room, and closed the door behind her.
Edna Squirrel walked over and heavily sat on the edge of the bed and closing
her eyes tight. Home, her home, had gone so far away, weary and sore she
wondered what would happen to them now.