the Fox and the Bunny

Watching, waiting for right time, a fox lurks in the darkness. He creeps up fixating on the Bunny that will soon meet her fate. The fox is quite alluring with his scarlet hair, and slender dark brown eyes. The Bunny's round brown eyes hold a lost look as she appears to be falling asleep. The fox fills with anticipation as the Bunny drift away into the realm of dreams. Once she is deep into sleep, he makes his move and stalks up towards the sleeping Bunny. The Bunny awakes with a fright and bolts. The fox pounces like a predator during a hunt. About to make his kill he gets an idea. Some predators extend the hunt for the thrill of the chase before finally ending it. Usually just for a little while but the fox had an idea. What if he turned it into a little game and extended the hunt for a long time all while preparing for the end. The end that would be so satisfying after a long twisted game between the predator and the prey. The next morning Clarabell woke up on the floor of her living room. Her head was pounding, and her vision was blurry. She looked over to her table and saw a note, "See you again soon, Little Bunny". Her light brown hair is stained with what appears to be dried blood. Her memory from the night before is faint but she remembers being afraid. It was clear that someone broke in. She reached for her phone and dialed the only number she felt she could. It rung three times before her call was answered. Each ring intensified the pounding in her head. "Ryan, I need help. Please come. I need you to take me to the hospital." She said weakly. Ryan showed up in minutes used the spare key to get in. He found her on the ground barely sitting up. "Bell are you okay?" He asked in a worried voice. His eyes widened when he noticed the blood in her hair. " I think so. Something happened last night but I don't remember. I think someone broke in." She said tiredly. Ryan helped her up and walked her to his car. Driving as fast as he could he took her to the clinic. She suffered a minor concussion and will be able to return to class in around three days. Police have no suspects concerning what happened, but evidence suggests she was attacked. Nothing was missing and nothing other than the note was left. "You could stay with me while you recover if you want to." Ryan said "You're a good friend but no thank you. I don't want to trouble you." She answered. "Okay call me if you change your mind." Ryan responded. "Okay I will. Bye Ryan." Ryan hugged her before waving goodbye. His embrace was tight. It felt like he did not want to let go. He waited until she was safely inside before he left. Clara found another note left on her table. along with a vase full of flowers. It was a mixture of lily of the valley, and monkshood, also known as wolfsbane. Despite their beauty both plants are toxic. Monkshood can even be absorbed through skin and must be handled with caution. She felt a chill went she read the note, "Rest well Little Bunny." Toxic flowers and a creepy note were certainly not a pleasant combination, but she was honestly somewhat intrigued by her new predicament. Strangely she was amused by the danger despite being afraid. She decided not to inform Ryan in order to not worry him. He'd probably camp out in her front yard if she told him about it. Three days flew by with no other major events. There was a news report about a missing girl, but she didn't really give it much thought. The only one that came by was Ryan and it was only to check on her and keep her company. Her sister called once, and it was brief. She told her that she informed their parents and that she should hear from them. However, neither contacted her. She was partially glad about it but also hurt by their lack of concern. She didn't really know what she wanted when it came to them. She left her apartment to head to class. After her first class she went to the library. While reading the back of a book she found on the bottom shelf she heard a voice behind her. "False Reality, That's a good one." She looked up to see Jack. He was one of her classmates, but they never talked before. Jack was quiet but not the stereotypical quiet kid. Jack was also relatively new. He transferred from a different university around a week prior. He towered over her even when she stood up. "Most people think I'm weird for liking this sort of thing." She spoke. "It is a peculiar book. I'm surprised I found someone else who is interested in it." He responded. "Maybe we should hang out some time since we share so similar interest." He asked. She nodded. "Well, I have to go. See you around." He said as he waved goodbye. After he left, Ryan appeared. "Be careful, he gives off bad vibes." Ryan said as he approached. "Were you watching me." She asked. "No, I've come to make sure your injury isn't affecting you." "I'm fine, thank you. Are you sure checking on my injury was your only intention? I know you get paranoid and overprotective at times. I can see in your eyes that it's starting to bother you. I'm okay, I promise." She responded softly. "I admit I've been on edge, and you should be too. Someone hurt you, Bell. What if it's." He said before going quiet. "It's not. It can't be. He's behind bars. He can't hurt anyone." Clara responded. Ryan sighed and said "I don't mean that it's him specifically but rather someone like him. Someone who is dangerous." "Let's go for a walk. It will help clear your head." Clara said as she took his hand in hers. "I'd love too." he said while looking into her eyes. He then hesitated before saying " But I can't. I have to study for my classes. I uh just wanted to check on you." "Ok I'll see you later." Clara said. Ryan hugged her and whispered, "See you later. Just be careful Bell." He then let go and walked away. When Ryan arrived at his study group he noticed a new face. "Ryan you're here. I'd like to introduce a new member, Jack. Have you two met before?" Kassie said as she welcomed Ryan. Jack waved to Ryan and Ryan was certain he saw him smirk. "Don't be shy. Come on say hi to each other." Kassie said with a big smile. She was the lit of the room. She was basically the embodiment of a ray of sunshine. She always dressed is bright colors and flowy skirts and wore orange ribbons in her curly hair. "Hey" Ryan said reluctantly. " Hi, You're Clara's friend, right? I've seen you together before it's so nice to get to know both of you." Jack said with a smile. Ryan nodded. After meeting with the study group Ryan went home to practice painting. Unfortunately, Clarabell was busy at the time. If she wasn't he would have gone straight to her. He painted his favorite portrait to paint. From her long brown hair often worn in messy low pigtails, beautiful big brown eyes, heart shape lips, clear peach colored skin, and soft facial features, Clarabell was his favorite person to do portraits of. He painted her wearing her favorite outfit, a causal pink dress paired with a white cardigan, and a heart necklace. He took care to paint accurate detail. He painted the slight size difference in her eyes, the barely noticeable birth mark on her cheek, and even the small tear on her cardigan. He then placed the painting on a table next to his lily of the valley flowers. Meanwhile Clarabell returned home to find another gift. On her table there was a wilting marigold along with another note, "It seems you didn't like the deadly beauties I left you last time. Here's a dead beauty for a Little Bunny. " It may be a coincidence, but marigolds are her favorite flowers. Only a few people knew that. Even the most trusted can sometimes be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Her thoughts were interrupted by a message from an unfamiliar number, "Do you like the marigold? It's your favorite flower, isn't it?" "How did you get my number?" She replied. She got another message, "That's a secret. I'll let you rest for now. After all you had a bad head injury recently. You should be physically healed by now but something like that is bound to shake a person up. Sorry our first encounter was so harsh that's why my next visits were mundane. Don't worry though love. Tomorrow the fun begins. Bye,Bye Little Bunny." The unknown messenger replied.