I had this chapter finished but I decided to share it now... Hope you enjoy!

Fritz woke late the next morning, and when he managed to get down the hall to ask Cottney where Marisa was he said she was taking a day long tour around the village and its woods. Fritz had asked where they were now but Cottney had shrugged, unsure. Now Fritz sat on his bed, head in his hands, wishing the world away. How had his whole world fallen apart so quickly?

His head turned swiftly to the door, he was sure he had heard something. And he had. He heard almost silent sobs from the room across from him and his brow furrowed. His conscience got the best of him and he stood to check on whoever it was. He knocked on the wood door, and it opened, though the sobs didn’t subside. William, the buck from yesterday stood in the door. His face was flushed and a scowl was on his face. “What!” he barked. “Sir, I just hear crying and-”

“That's my ungrateful son, a disgrace to the rabbit kind I tell you! I’m sorry he bothered you. I’ll tell him to shut up.” William's eyes scrunched, “Shouldn’t you be down with the pretty doe?”

“Yes sir. But-” Before he could finish the door had slammed shut in his face.

Fritz decided to take William’s word for it, and after changing he headed down to the lobby. Only one doe sat around the fire, a thin blanket wrapped around her. She was roasting an apple, which nearly matched the color of her fur. Her strawberry gold fur shone in the fire along with her deep brown eyes. Fritz looked her up and down, wondering if he should go say hello to the beautiful doe. He shook his head violently. No! He was with Marisa. At least he thought. They had never made it official after their moment on the star struck night… But that didn’t make a difference. He bolted out the front door before he could change his mind.

He let the cool air fill his lungs causing his nose to tingle. The courtyard was busier than yesterday, rabbits bustled around in shops and ran to greet each other. Older does whispered to each other excitedly, most likely spreading gossip, and younglings played with a large ball, bouncing it back and forth. Fritz smiled slightly at them before looking around for a friendly face that he could ask where he could find the tour. He spotted two bucks, one looked slightly younger than him, and the other was turned away, though he was taller. He walked over to the grey and white bucks, who were hunched close in conversation. The grey buck, who was facing the white one grinned and waved him over. “Come eer!” he shouted. Fritz looked behind him, expecting to see someone rushing up to them, but no one was there. So he stalked over to them, smiling. But as he neared the buck expression changed from friendliness to utter shock. His mouth fell open and he stuttered, tapping his friend's shoulder. The other buck turned too, and his reaction was slightly more animated. He stumbled back, gasping. “OH MY GRAVY!” he exclaimed, getting back to his feet. “WOW!” he practically shouted. The grey buck grinned wildly. “It's you! They said- but oh! Wow!” Fritz backed away as they inched nearer to him. “What the he ck is happening!”

“Come with us.” the white one suddenly hissed. “Come now!”

“Why!”

They both flinched. But the grey one spoke. “Because, we know where he is!”

“Who!”

“Your brother. He survived.”

Survived? Cory? What???

Fritz stood shocked. His mouth open. He felt tears come into his eyes. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed his perfect brother. He remembered the buck’s standing awkwardly in front of him, and brought himself to the present. “Okay.” he said. They smirked happily and grabbed his arms, pulling him into the nearest forest entrance. As they walked Fritz began to regret his decision. It really was stupid of him to randomly find these strangers and then follow them into a forest because they said they knew where his brother was. But he didn’t really care anymore, he would give anything to see Cory again. They walked for about ten minutes before the smell of smoke filled the air. A fire was burning nearby. Fritz felt like running now, wanting to see his brother. He bolted into the clearing where the fire was and his breath was caught in his throat. Seven tents were pitched, and the largest was the closest. “He’s in there.” The grey buck whispered. Fritz bolted in. “Cory? Cory!” he said, spinning around. “What are you-” the new voice caused Fritz to spin with a yell. A hooded figure stood behind him, his face was not visible. “Cory?” Fritz squeaked, now sure this was a trap. “Wow.” the figure said, walking over to him. Fritz stood frozen in fright. “You look exactly as I remember.”

“Yah! It's only been a week Cory! What's wrong with you!”

“I’m not Cory.” The voice said. “Cory's dead.” His voice cracked at the last part. “Then who are you!” Fritz shouted. The figure flipped back his hood and Fritz scrambled back, his eyes wide with shock. He could recognize that face anywhere.

That was his face.

😏