Inexperienced Heart

Chapter 4: Rescued At Last

The noise behind her heard her. It came towards her and asked, "Yes? How may I help you?"

Landa was shocked at what spoke to her. She expected to see a person, but she saw an oversized golden rabbit standing above her. The rabbit had a light green bow tied around his neck and he was carrying a black cane. He was wearing a little red vest. His fur was very golden, like the shining sun at its peak.

Landa, eventually managed to say, "Did you-did you just speak?"

"Yes, I did," replied the rabbit.

"What's your name? And are you a boy? I'm Landa."

"I am a boy. My name is Goldtin. It's good to meet you."

"How old are you?" asked Landa quickly.

"I am eight years old-" answered Goldtin.

Before Goldtin could say more, Landa interrupted him, "Is that old? And can all animals talk? This all came like a huge surprise to me. I expected a person, you know. It's amazing you can speak! Where did you learn English?"

Goldtin was overwhelmed. "That is a lot of questions at once. Being eight is pretty old for a rabbit. And of course, all animals can talk. You human beings just haven't let us talk to you. I didn't learn English. I knew it since I was born. It was in me. Now, how about you tell me how old you are?"

"I'm seventeen," replied Landa.

"Whoa, that's old! We rabbits never make it to that age."

"Actually, that's really young for humans."

"Well, okay. You may ask me one more question and then, we've got to get to business," stated Goldtin.

Landa had many more questions. She didn't know what to ask. Finally, she decided. She smiled and said, "Tell me your love story, please."

"I don't think so, my dear. That would take too long."

"Please, Mr. Goldtin. You said one more question."

Mr. Goldtin sighed. "Alright. You can call me just Goldtin, by the way. I was young once. I had my time when I was obsessed with girls."

"Really? I didn't know rabbits had crushes," interrupted Landa.

"Yes. Rabbits fall in love and have crushes too. Now try not to interrupt or we'll be here all day. Anyway I finally decided that it's not worth liking girls so much. I realized my time would come eventually. I felt a little jealous of my best friend, Ramy, because he had the most beautiful girlfriend. Plus, Ramy was the hottest guy in my time. I wasn't that cute. I mean, I was okay, but no where near as Ramy. Boy, he had all the luck!"

Landa giggled and replied, "Your story is very much like mine, Goldtin. But you know, I think all rabbits are cute. How can you tell that you weren't cute? Oh, I forgot I wasn't supposed to interrupt. Please forgive me."

"You are forgiven, Landa," he replied. "We rabbits are much like you humans. We have our standards of what is defined as cute and what isn't, just like people. So where was I? Oh yeah. Ramy had all the luck. Well, time passed by as it usually does, and I met a beautiful rabbit. But boy, was she ever arrogant! She kept saying, 'I'm so beautiful! I'm so perfect. I NEVER make mistakes!' Ramy teased me and said my girlfriend was very arrogant, but I just ignored him. I tried to tell Goldtale, that is the rabbit's name, that she shouldn't be so arrogant. She tossed her tail and ignored me. It went on the same way for a while. But one day, that all changed. That day, she was a little bit stupid. She was running and didn't look where she was going. She ran to the edge of the cliff and fell off the cliff. She is only alive today because I happened to be at the bottom of the cliff and I saw her falling, so I caught her in my arms. She was a little surprised, but then she praised and kissed me. And that is how my love story goes. Of course, I married her. And she was never arrogant again. As for Ramy, he thinks I'm a superhero now."

Landa's eyes were moist and as Goldtin noticed it, asked calmly, "Are you okay? Why do you cry?"

Landa answered, "I'm okay. It's just that your story is so touching." Then she continued, "Can you please untie me?"

The rabbit said, "No, I can't. That is not a rabbit's job. But I will get someone who can. First, though, tell me how you got tied up."

So Landa, though tired, repeated her whole story to Goldtin. When she finished, there was silence. Then, Goldtin, outraged, cried, "Who is this nasty boy? What a villain he is! And that Elliot? He should have helped you! I will go get help immediately. You just wait and get some good rest, Landa. I'll be back." And away he hopped.

Landa rested for what seemed centuries. When she woke up, she was surprised she was alone. She thought Goldtin should have been back by now. She became a little suspicious as she thought, "What if Goldtin lied to me? What if he was a bad little rabbit? Oh my, I must have lost my mind! What am I saying? A bad little rabbit? I'm so stupid! How could I ever trust a rabbit? And yet, this rabbit talked. He was a smart rabbit."

Landa was getting bored. If she was at least untied, she could take a walk. After what seemed a million years, Landa heard voices. She recognized Goldtin's voice. The other voice was one she had never heard before.

Before she realized it, the bonds that had held her for so long, came loose. She tried to stand up, but fell down right away. Goldtin seemed angry as he said, "Help her! Don't just stand there, looking at her falling! Do you realize she has been like this, without food, for several days? She needs help and I expect you to care for her like a gentleman, Logan."

The boy just looked down at his shoes. He was tall with black hair. Landa thought he was kind of cute, but would look better if he smiled.

"Why is he so sullen-looking?" whispered Landa to Goldtin, hoping Logan wouldn't hear her.

Goldtin shrugged his shoulders, then said, "Here, Landa, eat some food we brought for you. Logan, stay with Landa, while I go look for my wife." He walked away slowly.

While Landa was eating an apple, she noticed Logan looking at her intently. She offered him an apple, but he laughed sarcastically and said, "I don't want an apple. It probably has your germs anyway." He smirked and looked away.

Landa was offended and she replied sadly, "You have very bad manners, Logan." Then, she changed subjects, saying, "Who are you and where do you come from?"

Still looking away, Logan said, "None of your business. What's your name anyway?"

"Landa," replied Landa.

"Lenda? Lend me a hand, will you? You've got lots of land? Bet you get comments like that all the time?"

"I never do. If anything, I get 'That's a pretty name.' And anyway, my name is Landa, not Lenda. You are very mean. I'm going to take a walk."

"Let's see you trying, weakling," said Logan nastily.

But Logan's remark changed when he saw Landa get up and start walking. Then, he cried, "No! Wait, Landa! Come back!"

Landa turned around and declared, "And why should I listen to you, bully?"

"Because...well, I guess you shouldn't. I'm sorry. But please listen to me. I will get into a lot of trouble with Goldtin if you leave and he finds you missing. I'm supposed to be your guardian, Landa. Please listen to me. But I'll understand if you don't listen and leave." Logan sighed.

Landa sarcastically said, "I don't need a guardian, especially not one like you. But since I'm nice, I will stay."

Logan tried to hug Landa as a way to say thanks, but she didn't let him. She lied down and slept soundly.