So, I'm not sure what I think about this chapter; I also admit that my brain refused to work until now as I realized/remembered that the sixth district was where all the 'rich' rabbits lived, and that the fifth is the lepers district... whoops!! 🤦‍♀️ So, after rewriting a little bit, here is chapter 4! Let me know what y'all think! A. R. ---------------------------------‐-----‐------‐-------‐--‐- Laurel finished the last of her work near sunset. Her whole being throbbed in pain and her eyes felt heavy. She just wanted to go home and go to bed. But then she remembered Dylan and his strange request. Meet me at the sixth district wall. Tonight. What did he want to talk to her about? Why there? All the lepers lived there, and who knew what else.      Laurel realized she was daydreaming again and quickly finished putting all the equipment away. Some of the servants were finishing up master Brown’s dinner, but they wouldn’t need her help for that; only the most ‘sophisticated’ among servants were allowed to cook. That wasn’t Laurel.      She caught one of the older does eye. Delta offered her a small smile and motioned towards the back door with her head. Go on, she beckoned. Laurel nodded and mouthed her thanks as she headed out the door and into the dusk. The walk home was quiet; there hardly was any noise, except inside the richer part of Akolan. But Laurel knew it wasn’t worth it in there; it was a prison. But, she thought ruefully, they all were regardless where they were located.      The sky above was a deep crimson, streaks of grey and plenty of ash to accompany it. A single star unveiled itself and twinkled above her. Laurel smiled, allowing herself a moment to stop and enjoy the beauty that she was gifted to see. Her mind wandered as she stood there transfixed, not hearing anything. Wait, was that-      A hand grabbed her arm in a painful, death like grip and yanked her towards one of the districts. Laurel was about to shout in shock and pain when another hand clamped over her mouth. Whoever this person was, he knew what he was doing. He was behind her as he dragged her into a small cut-out in the thick stone wall surrounding district 4. Laurel squirmed as she tried to get loose, but the person who held her whispered in her ears. She recognized that voice.      “Laurel, its fine; just don’t scream.”      Laurel nodded and he slowly moved his hands from her mouth and arm. She closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing. “Lieutenant, you are trained in the arts of giving poor does a heart attack!” She hissed, though she wasn’t angry. She was breathless, but relieved it wasn’t anyone else. But still… it was Dylan! Of all rabbits! He was going to get them both into trouble if he didn’t keep his place. Then again, was she keeping hers?      Laurel turned around to face him and regretted doing so. They stood nose to nose. His uniform was still unruffled and pristine. The only difference from earlier that morning was he now had a satchel slung over his shoulder. His expression was hard to decipher. No smile. He just stared at her. “How was your day?” He asked in a low voice. Laurel could only nod. She didn’t like how close she was to him. Dylan glanced over her head and set his jaw.      “Once we're inside, turn right immediately into the alley and run full speed till you reach the corner house. Do not stop until you’re inside, do you hear?” He instructed. Laurel panicked. “We’re going inside the fifth district?” She asked, absolutely flabbergasted. He gave her a small smile and nodded. “But you told me to meet you at the sixth…” she trailed off, grimacing at the fact that she had been daydreaming halfway between the sixth and fourth districts, not paying attention to anything, Dylan’s instructions included. He stepped forward a few paces until they were side by side, the fifth district straight ahead. Dylan inhaled slowly. “In about ten seconds, the guards on all the walls will be switching for different shifts. That gives us just enough time to get in.” Laurel gaped at him until he gently turned her to face the open space. She could see the gate to the lepers district as well as all the smoke that rose from within its walls.      “Ready?” He whispered. Laurel set her jaw and nodded, staring at the gate. She didn’t know why she trusted Dylan, of all rabbits. She didn’t know why she was running with him into one of the dirtiest places in Akolan. Was it just a trap? Maybe he was using the fact that he was with her father at the end just to settle a score with someone else. Maybe-      “Go!”      Laurel bolted as Dylan charged ahead. Her heart pounded as she ran across the empty space. Was he telling the truth about the guards changing shifts? Or were they using this moment to load their crossbows? Laurel's fur rose on the back of her neck at the thought. She didn’t dare look back to find out. Dylan was ahead of her and she panicked. Would he be going the same way as her? He disappeared inside the district and Laurel pushed herself faster. Once she was through the gate, she careened to the right and barreled down the alley.      The buildings were in disrepair she noticed as she headed down the road. Only a few torches were scattered here and there, but they offered just enough light as she looked ahead. Was that the house Dylan meant? She didn’t care. She ran in one final burst of energy and crashed through the door, slamming it behind her. She tumbled against the wall opposite the door and fell to her knees, her breathing loud and labored. Her head pounded and her whole being felt like wax.      As she caught her breath, she studied the house. It was empty, besides a flimsy table and bench. Wait, where was Dylan? She jumped to her feet and looked around again, wondering if her exhaustion was confusing her. It wasn’t. She was alone. Her blood went cold as she realized she didn’t know what was going on, or what to do. All Dylan had said was he had to tell her something. But how could he tell her when he wasn’t even there?      Laurel cautiously approached the door and opened it a crack. The alley was completely empty. She groaned as she shut the door and walked over to the bench. She sat down and leaned against the wall, trying to think. What could she do? She could go back home… but the shift had just changed. Getting back would be near impossible. And besides, mother would skin her hide if she found out where she was. Who she was with.      Footsteps.      Laurel froze as she heard faint footsteps from outside. They were getting closer. No! They were approaching this house! Laurel started to tremble as she clenched her fists. She heard shuffling from outside. She panicked. “Laurel?” A voice whispered. Dylan! The door opened and the tall buck slipped inside, shutting the door behind him. He was dressed in a short sleeved tunic, a jacket over top and a simple Prey mark. No uniform. No badge.      He gave her a smile as he withdrew a small bundle from his satchel. “This is one of the secret entrances that serves as a common house. No one on the outside knows what’s in here, but we plan on keeping it that way.” He explained as he withdrew some fruit and dinner rolls. Laurel’s eyes widened as she saw all the food. Dylan smiled and motioned for her to take something. “Is it more delicious to look at it?” He asked.      Laurel looked up at him and smiled, picking up an apple and biting into its rosy flesh. It tasted so sweet. Laurel savoured the fruit between bites. When had she ever eaten something so delicious? She glanced at Dylan who was nibbling on a orange, his gaze downward. Silence followed as they ate this rare treat, and Laurel wondered what would happen if rabbits found out. About a lieutenant hanging around a mere servant, telling her to meet him at the most feared places in Akolan, and feeding her food that no one had ever seen, heard, or tasted in so long. Laurel wondered why she was doing this. Why Dylan was doing this. He said he had to tell her something, and Laurel was desperate to find out what was going on. She needed answers; answers that hopefully Dylan had and would be willing to share.