A week passed with the city under Ravog control. The citizens of Habiun could not afford to stay in their homes any longer; they had bills to pay and families to feed. After a few days, the hares left their homes and returned to their daily activities. Wolf sentries prowled the streets at all times.
For a few days, things were unpleasant but not out of the ordinary. Hares left their homes and managed to return to them day after day. The average citizen grew accustomed to their captors. They walked with their heads low and their shoulders hunched. They did this in utter silence. The chatter and bustle of normal days ceased to exist.
As the second week began, everything changed. Around midday, an elderly hare named Grosby Cray set out to visit his grandchildren.
He never arrived.
Two days later, there were whispers about a doe named Elir Gep. Several witnesses said they saw her go running past them with several wolves in full pursuit. Another day passed with several more reports of missing hares.
After the second week passed, Breck decided it was time to go back home. The Flop children begged him not to go. After several minutes of begging Breck promised to walk the boys to school that morning. Molly was about to protest but changed her mind when she saw their little faces light up with excitement.
Flop had to get to work. He kissed each child goodbye. He reserved the biggest kiss for Molly, ignoring the oohs from his girls and ewws from the boys and Breck.
Molly pulled each child close and then turned to face Breck.
“Breck, we let you into our home, and we were happy to do it. We never asked anything of you, but I’m asking something now. Keep my boys safe, and bring them back home to me."
Breck held her gaze without blinking, then winked and said,
"I’ll bring them back safe before you know it, Molly."
She watched Breck and the boys walk toward the door. A nameless dread gripped her and she almost called them back. Then B.B. started to cry, and Molly turned to soothe her.
When she turned back, they were gone.