The Story of Tiberius

Chapter 111

"That ball of fluff's got a screw loose," Pops murmured, his eyes wide with shock while he and the rest of the search party watched the white rabbit laugh evilly. Terror lurked in each of their hearts. Leaning towards the other pets, the elderly basset hound whispered, "Let's skedaddle." No one bothered to protest. They didn't to be down here any longer anyways. While the rabbit and his comrades discussed plans of revenge, the search party turned and left.

Once there was enough distance between themselves and the mourning animals, Mel turned towards Pops and asked, "Um, excuse me sir but... how do you know a giant snake and a bunch of psychopaths?!" Sweetpea chirped and tweeted, hopping around a little on the pug's head. His head hanging low, Pops stopped in his tracks and looked back at the pets following him. Sadness glistened in his eyes, a sign of mourning. Having been there before himself, Tiberius spoke quietly, "You knew the snake, didn't you?"

"Back when I lost the feeling in my legs, I was abandoned by my owner. The Viper, I called him Red, he helped me out. I never thought I'd ever see him again... guess I was correct in a way..." Pops mumbled, his voice hoarse. Feeling pity for the old dog, Norman bounded forward and gently patted him reassuringly on the shoulder. Tiberius watched in dead silence, not sure of what to even say to something like that. Then again, what could one even say in a situation like this? Deciding to start simple, the old red tail murmured, "Sorry."

"Thank you Eagle Eye," Pops replied, glancing over at Tiberius. The hawk looked away, his head bowed slightly. Nearby, Mel and Sweetpea were already in tears as the pug whimpered, "That is one of the saddest things I ever heard... right Buddy?" When he didn't get a reply from his best friend, Mel looked around, "Uh, Buddy? Chloe? Gidget?" Noticing that they were missing three members, Pops muttered, "They were just with us, weren't they?"

"There they are!" Norman squeaked from where he was on top of a wooden post. Following the guinea pig's pointing paw, Tiberius found himself overwhelmed with dread when he saw that Gidget, Chloe and Buddy were back where they had just left. The three were talking to each other and watching the animals. Silent as mice, the rest of the search party went to fetch them, praying they wouldn't get caught. However, the moment they got over there, it was too late.

His voice raised in anger, the rabbit shouted, "GET THEM!"