FtF Anthology 2022

Prompt 1

He never imagined it would come to him, a mere rabbit. It was absolutely unheard of within the animal kingdom. Normally, the honor would have gone to someone larger, far stronger than himself. Someone like Yasin the tiger or Ciaran the panther, but not himself. Not a little white rabbit that valued peace and tranquility. 

As he stood there, he couldn't help but wonder if he was the most lucky rabbit alive or he had the worst luck ever out of everyone within the animal kingdom. 

As Andy rabbit looked at the enchanted rock in his paws, he could feel his stomach quiver in anticipation. Anticipation for what, he had no idea. What he did know was that something exciting was awaiting him on the horizon. 

"Andy, what have you got there my child?" 

Even as he was asked a question, Andy didn't budge from staring at the rock. The sudden iridescent blue glow it was emitting had him completely mesmerized, entranced by the blue light that sparked with his beady black eyed gaze. Something about the glow called to him, something deeper than any normal feeling. This ran deep within him, spiritually. 

"Andy?" 

A second attempt was given to try and gain the small white rabbit's attention. The twitch of his little pink nose, however, was the only response given. Even if it was involuntary, it was still given that some part of him knew he was being called to. 

"Andrew Hopkins, do not ignore me!" 

The sudden raise in voice had him jumping in surprise. Andy spun around quickly to look at the person calling out to him. His large feet stumbling backwards, getting all twisted within one another and sending him onto his bottom. His beady eyes shot upwards to meet with equally black eyes that stared back down at him. The only difference between his and the other pair, the rabbit that looked back at him was brown with a black patch around her left eye and she looked none too happy. 

"Den mother! I didn't know you were there." 

"You didn't? I called out to you three times before you actually answered me." 

"Oh-" 

The female rabbit crossed her paws in front of her, looking none too amused at the little white cotton tail. Andy only relaxed when his den mother sighed, lowering her paws and smiling gently at him. He wasn't sure he could trust the smile, not after having been yelled at to gain his attention. 

"I can't stay mad at you. . . " 

She took a couple of hopping steps forward, stopping right in front of Andy and extending her left paw out towards the rabbit kit. 

". . . lets get you up, then you can tell me what has you so distracted." 

"It was nothing, really. I was just thinking on some things, I'm sorry I didn't answer right away." 

Taking hold of his den mother's hand, Andy stood from his seated position with her help. He brushed his bottom and fluffy white cotton tail off while turning his gaze onto the older rabbit. Andy had an apologetic and slightly guilty look upon his face, feeling rather bad that he hadn't heard his den mother speaking to him at first. Especially since he would usually answer immediately out of respect for the woman who had taken him in. 

Andy was orphaned at a very young age, left to fend for himself. If it wasn't for the woman who had taken him in, he probably would have starved to death or gotten himself killed. As a young rabbit kitten, he had found out very early on in life that there were more dangers out there than he could count on his paws. 

"Don't look at me like that, my child. You've done. . ." 

As the den mother's attention dropped to the paw where he clutched the rock tightly, his only quickly followed. He made a quick glance down himself, eyes widening when he caught sight of the blue glow peeking through the tiny spaces between the toes of his paw. His black beady eyes shot up to meet with the older rabbit once more, immediately hiding his paw and the rock he held behind his back, hoping that she wouldn't press further about it. Somehow, Andy didn't think that would be the case in this situation.