That light must be central to the illusion that we find ourselves in. It is probably the rabbit itself. Why else would it run away from us as we closed in? But now for how to catch it…

Without a good plan of attack, I do what I can think of, an ambush. Beep eyed the rabbit with his hungry, beady eyes as it raced off in the distance. Like a rabid dog being left off its leash, Beep charged at the retreating light once I gave him the go ahead while I activated my stealth. Beep would act as a distraction since I doubted that tactics would trump his ravenous desire to eat the light. His relentlessness would completely take over the rat’s attention if everything goes to plan.

While Beep took the straight path to the light, I went a moreso curved path towards the enemy. Too focused on the light shining through the dark forest, the ground suddenly collapsed beneath me. Looking down, I saw a wide open mouth threatening to swallow me that looked similar to the ‘destiny class’ worm fucker I fought. Although I know this is in all likelihood some kind of pit trap, I am no less afraid. Can you blame me? The thing that it is impersonating almost killed me if it was not for the sacrifice of my first dagger (rest in peace). Hyperventilating due to my terror, I just manage to grab the edge of the pit. With all my willpower and strength, I pull myself up.

Just how the rabbit knew of my fear however eluded me. Did it watch me? Did it hear about it somehow? Neither was incredibly likely but it was the only explanation I could think of at that moment.

I was patting myself on the back within my mind about how I surpassed my fear only to be scared shitless within only several steps away from the pit trap. From out of sight, the worm barreled towards me. I fell to the earth in flight as it passed merely only a few centimeters from my nose. Okay, maybe that gloating was a bit premature.

I regained composure and resumed my chase. I tripped trap after trap, all still disguised as the worm. It felt like I was going through a haunted house with all the jumpscares I got. I am going to make this rat into a stew after this. While the others inspired my hatred, this one took first place on my hit list, just barely passing the damn worms.

While traveling at a more cautious pace, I noticed that the rabbit took a sharp left turn and started veering slightly left as it ran. Did it hit its boundary? Excellent! Rather than go towards it, I rush to set up an ambush where it will be. Waiting in silence, my nerves are tested by the anticipation of the rabbit’s terror. It is only right that I gave it a scare as it did me. Eye for an eye.

The surroundings of this forest shrouded in shadow was almost totally, unnervingly quiet. Only the sounds of Beep’s war cries that grew ever closer could be recognized in this foggy expanse. I drew my dagger and postured myself for a sneak strike behind a tree as the rabbit drew near. I steeled myself and held my breath to minimize my presence. I gained another level in ‘stealth’ in the unbearable wait. It was like waiting to unbox a present.

I dove with my dagger in hand as it came within a close distance. Clearly shocked by my sudden appearance, it screeched and attempted to push itself to the side to dodge my attack but it was too little too late, my dagger stained its white fur in red as blood poured out upon stabbing it in the torso. It rolled across the ground from its momentum, further dirtying its coat with dirt and even more blood trickling from new scratches. I stood over the heavily injured being studying it. The fact its black fur turned white intrigued me. I thought about where I heard that before. Searching through my mind, I come across a certain memory. I know now! This is a two-faced rabbit. They usually inhabit the much more dangerous portions of the island so it is odd that it is in such a low level area.

Unable to maintain the illusions, the fog receded and sunlight returned. Various traps dot the surroundings. So these are the traps that gave us so many problems. But returning to the trickster who created these traps, I felt a feeling of regret and apology invade my mind. I knew these were not my thoughts, but the rabbit. It was telling me that it was sorry for all it did. I did not buy its deception. To test it, I asked with my mind if it was truthful. Too terrified to think about it, it nodded without a thought. So it can read minds, I never heard of this. So this was how it found out my fear. But with that power, it must know my secret. For that, I cannot allow it to live.

Drawing my dagger ever near, an unexpected variable arrived, Tom. “Nicolas, what is going on here? Why are you pointing your dagger at that poor rabbit?” he asked with a shocked voice. “That thing is a monster,” I replied. Unable to think that such a small and defenseless thing was a monster, he scooped it up in its arms and looked at me with incredulous eyes as Beep arrived on the scene eyeing the rabbit.

I could feel the snickering of the rabbit in my mind as it acted like it was an abused animal. I felt angry before a certain thought formed. The rabbit, sensing my sudden turn in emotion, would express confusion both mentally and physically. “It was a joke, Tom. I was simply trying to dig out an arrowhead in it. It seems to have been shot by someone but escaped.” I am not sure if my lie was good or Tom simply could not think bad of me, he took the lie hook, lie, and sinker. His face turned to relief as I uttered those words. While I did feel bad about lying to Tom, I could not afford to let this thing run free.

Beep attempted to correct me on the fact that he shot it as a challenge from me but I covered his mouth before he could say it. I whispered to him that I would treat him to lunch if he said nothing of this incident and stayed quiet. It nodded his head very vigorously upon that juicy offer. “Actually Tom, do you want to take it as a pet? I doubt that it could survive like that in the wild. Didn’t you say you always wanted a pet?” I would say. Tom also vigorously nodded at my enticing idea. Upon his answer, I stated, “You cannot let it out of sight at any time. It must always be with you, you got it?”

The rabbit looked at me with horrified eyes. From reading his mind, it probably knew of his power and, more importantly, his zeal in killing monsters. If it revealed itself in any way, it is dead. Tom would slay it without a single thought and it will be with Tom at all times on top of that. It is stuck within my sights. I can feel it pleading to save it as we walk back to base but I ignore it. This is payback, you rat.