Judy managed to shake herself from the desire to just spend the rest of her time in the forest, holding, kissing, and cuddling her fox. However, they did have something to do. They reluctantly continued up the path through the very dense forest to where the hyena was supposed to have gone so she could wash up after her fight with the visiting ZPD officers. They took their time, and Judy was pretty sure it was because Nick was slightly more injured than he wanted to admit. His back was sore after being used as a wrecking ball. He didn't complain; they merely took longer to get there.
The sound of birds that could not even be seen was a constant reminder of how pristine this place was. The rush of wind over trees occasionally unsettled them, and shadows could be seen flitting through the treetops. The sheer size of these behemoth trees made Judy feel smaller than she already was, but she was getting a little more used to it.
After about fifteen minutes of walking, they came to a slight clearing. It was still shady, with a dense canopy overhead, but enough light filtered through the slightly less dense treetops to allow them to see a picturesque, crystal clear lake. It was not terribly large; maybe the size of the Munch field in Bunnyburrow that Judy and Nick had played on. They did not see Motti anywhere near it. Nick padded to the edge and sank to his paws and knees and put his muzzle into the water.
"Nick, I'm pretty sure they bathe in that," Judy informed.
The thirsty fox lifted his head after gulping down a bit more, "Look how clear it is, Judy. It's pure, natural, unpolluted mountain water. It's fed from a stream coming from that cliff. See? The water I get in our apartment's not as clean as this, even with hyenas splashing around in it, I assure you." His head went back down and Judy continued to look around. It was odd not to see anyone near this place. As beautiful as the scenery was and as cooling as the water must be, she expected it should be crowded. Judy looked at her partner. He was still face down in the lake.
"Did you drown?" the bunny asked.
"Mpaahh! Oh Judy you have to try this." he huffed. "It tastes great. And it's so cold!"
"I will remind you that Jack wanted Aggie to drink the unfiltered water from The Interior. I suspect this was not for her health." Judy crossed her arms. "You just got over a mess inside you from drinking bad water, remember? They had to give you antibiotics at the hospital from drinking 'natural' water."
"That was really bad water. This is really good water. I'd not be much of a mammal at all if this was gonna be what gets me." He stood up, wiping his muzzle on his forearm. "Suit yourself, Fluff! Leave all the neat experiences to your partner." Nick wiped off his paws and his knees, and then he looked around. "Maybe she took a different path down? Or she didn't actually go? We can check back by her hut." Judy nodded to that, considering having a drink of the water because Nick was so excited by it. She ultimately decided that if there was something wrong with it, she would prefer that at least she remain healthy enough to get help if it was needed. She turned and headed back down the path.
There was a soft thump ahead of her and she looked ahead, having been peering up at trees for a moment when she heard the sound. She thought that perhaps Motti was up ahead, but instead her heart froze at what she did see. It was a spider. The arachnid was very furry with bright blue legs and body with a lemon yellow abdomen. It would have been strikingly beautiful if it were not also about the size of Nick if he were curled into a tight ball. The thing was ready to jump by the looks of it.
"Nick..." Judy said as she stood utterly still.
"I'm seeing it. Don't move. Maybe it hunts things that run."
"I can't move, Nick. I'm not moving." Judy felt a deep and primal fear unlike anything she'd ever felt around a predator. There were warning signs about these spiders on the path. She wished she had asked more questions when Jack was clarifying the size. He had not been exaggerating. It remained right in the middle of the trail for a moment, its many shiny black eyes appearing to be locked right on the two mammals.
