Lemme know what you think and if there is anywhere I can improve! Blessings, A. R. ----‐-------------‐----------------------‐---------------‐- Laurel’s jaw dropped. He’d called her by name. He must’ve known her father. Her father must’ve told him about her. She tried to stop her racing thoughts. Of course they would’ve known; Dylan said her father had been a part of this group and had also given Dylan a mission to complete that somehow involved her. Maybe her father had requested this group to help her understand as well. She hoped she would get some answers tonight.      She looked over at Dylan and he smiled, nodding.      “Thank you,” she expressed, bowing her head towards the buck at the head of the room. All the rabbits turned to watch her and Laurel suddenly felt self conscious and she fidgeted with her apron. The old buck nodded in her direction and sat down, everyone sitting as well. But Laurel sat very stiffly, feeling on edge despite the smile the doe beside her offered.      “You might think us a strange group, miss Evergreen, with all our secrets and our ways. So we apologize if we cannot answer all your questions and so quickly. We will however ask you questions, in order to determine whether or not we will accept you into our mission.” The Tunneler began. Laurel nodded and tried to hide her trembling hands.      She didn’t know why she felt scared; she shouldn’t be. This was where the few rabbits in Akolan who desired the coming of the Mended Wood, gathered; their small resistance. They wanted what she wanted: freedom. If that’s what they wanted, then a few questions wouldn’t hurt. It would help them understand each other to a better degree… hopefully.      The Tunneler coughed slightly before beginning. “Who told you about the Mended Wood and Jupiter’s Heir, Laurel?” She smiled slightly at the thought. “My parents, Linden and Fern Evergreen; once I was old and mature enough to understand and recognize the injustices we lived in." The Tunneler nodded. “And what did you think of it?”      Laurel pondered this for moment. “At first, I didn’t know what to think. But as I began to see the horrible things rabbits, wolves, and birds did to us, I began to see such a dream becoming reality. It became my anchor, especially…” Laurel trailed off, wiping her eyes. “It became my anchor when my dad died, and when my mom lost all hope.” She answered, emotion choking her words. The Tunneler wore a pained expression, a tenderness gradually adding to his features.      “Does your mother still believe in it?” He asked gently. Laurel shook her head. “No, she doesn’t. Just this morning she told me there was nothing to believe in. That’s… that’s why I went back to work when I didn’t have to. I couldn’t stay at home to hear more of my mother’s comments.” She heard a sharp intake of breath and looked up. She met Dylan’s gaze. He looked at her with surprise but also with a deep respect.      The Tunneler continued. “Are you willing to put your life at risk for the sake of our freedom, Laurel?” It seemed like such an overwhelming question; but she answered without a moments hesitation.      “Yes.”      The Tunneler gave a small smile but frowned as he turned to the rest of the gathered rabbits. “We all will vote on this matter, whether we accept Laurel Evergreen, or whether we reject her. But before that, do we have any other matters to discuss?”      The doe sitting next to Laurel nudged someone  beside her and another doe stood, exactly identical to the other. Twins, Laurel realized. The doe stood tall and proud as she addressed the Tunneler. She was a fighter, Laurel decided, based off of her confident bearings.      “Sir, our idea of working within Morbin’s palace and uncovering information in regard to the younglings is going forward. I’ll be going for an interview with the head of staff later this week. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be in service for a couple months and will have plenty of time to get information.” She explained, a hint of pride in her voice. Laurel was amazed at her assurance, but she was slightly worried. Where had she been working previously? Sure, Laurel was stubborn too; but she learned to keep it from jeopardizing her family and her life. This doe however, she didn’t know what she was getting into.      The Tunneler’s face twitched slightly and he frowned. “Melody, it is a good idea and we all hope for the best. But you must keep yourself as quiet as possible, without drawing any attention to you or Harmony.” The doe, Melody, pressed her mouth tight, a sense of  boiling anger in her countenance.      “Yessir, I know that. But we can’t let the younglings be taken again. Not this year, and never again. We need to take action!” A few whispers were spread and Laurel could feel the tension from this matter as more rabbits muttered to one another. The Tunneler shook his head.      “We do take action, Melody; but it takes more than an idea in order for it to work. You cannot act out on your own brash opinions and decisions, regardless how we all feel about them.” Laurel noticed the doe beside her flinch at the word “brash.” She glanced around the room, trying to translate what each rabbit was thinking. They all looked tense. Laurel regretted sitting so close to these does. Sure, it was great to know that there were other feisty rabbits around her age. But to have others find out so soon might not leave a good impression. Especially since her life could be - and was- on the line.      The doe beside her stood up suddenly, her eyes flashing as she stood next to Melody. “She won’t ruin a thing, sir; we’ve already rehearsed everything she will have to go through. You can count on us.” Someone snorted. Laurel turned and saw an older buck shaking his head.      “Count on you? Harmony, you do realize how careful we must be? Your brothers were killed in an effort to aid the resistance, and now you and Melody want to work from within Morbin’s walls. It’s a suicide mission as it is; don’t be trying to get our hopes up. Some of us would like to escape with our lives.” Another voice broke the tense silence.      “But who says we are even going to escape? We all are divided over if and when-" the Tunneler struck his pickaxe on the ground and everyone fell silent.      “It is a closed matter. And we will not quarrel about ones opinions. We must work as a team if we are to pull through!” The Tunneler reprimanded, looking at each corner of the room from whence came the arguments. “We all must stick together. And I do not want to hear another word about what you think about the possible escape. It’s been the work of generations and no one should say it was a poor decision. If anyone does say such a thing, then that person better come up with a better plan!”      The Tunneler sat down and tried to slow his breathing that sounded dangerously airy and rattled. Laurel wondered if he was ill. She looked at the different rabbits who had spoken. Some were vaguely familiar, others complete strangers. Yet, they were a team. Well, she wanted to believe that. She still had to get out of here, dead or alive.      “Now,” the Tunneler began, his voice calm and reserved. “If that is all, let us vote. We all knew Linden Evergreen, and his efforts to help the Seventh District will always be remembered. We have heard from his daughter, the words from her heart. Now, think carefully and decide what you think. If anyone says she is a danger to our efforts, speak now and let it mean death.”      Laurel closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing. This is it. These rabbits would decide her fate. They would either accept her into the Seventh District like her father had been a part of, or they would reject her and have her killed. She waited, expecting someone to draw a breath and begin to rattle off the reasons why she shouldn’t join the resistance. To her surprise, not a word was spoken. She opened her eyes and looked around, trying to see some sort of reaction.      Some rabbits met her gaze and held it, offering her a nod with a hesitant sort of trust in their eyes. Laurel looked at Dylan and he too nodded, his blue eyes full of assurance. Laurel turned back and saw the Tunneler smile.      “And all in favor of accepting Laurel Evergreen into the Seventh District, to serve and aid the Resistance, the Cause for Jupiter’s Heir until the rising of the Green Ember?” Everyone nodded and spoke “aye" in low unison. Laurel couldn’t believe her ears. She was being accepted into the Resistance. She was going to help in bringing her people to freedom. She smiled. There were so many questions filling her mind, but one stood out in stark contrast to the others.      What will I do?