Tales of the Room by Luke and Zach. (comprehension books txt) 📕

into the water. Don’t go into the water…” said the snake.
“Why?”
“I have seen who’s done it…” it coughed and it began to pant. “Sor… Sorg…” it said but before it could pronounce the word a rat flew out of the grass and killed it. The rat was one of Rorcoon’s, the purple rat, and it was furious. Two more captured the two rabbits behind and the one facing Thonpor snarled low.
“I did not come here to look for trouble rat!” said Thonpor holding up his paw and cautiously looking behind at his siblings. “I only came to visit my cousin; Peter Rabbit.”
“Heheheh!” the rat laughed low and mockingly as if knowing something the rabbit did not. The others behind also laughed. But then his expression turned cold and he extended his neck down at the rabbit. “Go back the way you came! If we catch you in the Dark Forest again, we’ll roast you!”

Before the rabbit had a chance to answer, a giant green blur erupted in their midst and the purple rat was heaved twenty feet backwards. He rolled uncomfortably to a stop and looked up bewildered. A mighty roar shook the trees of Crickowillow, as Talrock the Terrible picked up the other two rats and squeezed them so hard they began to plead for mercy. His face was fierce, raindrops pouring down it as he glared at the rats. He hurled the two rodents toward their leader and snarled viciously.

“IF I EVER. . . EVER SEE YOU THREATEN ANOTHER TOY IN CRICKOWILLOW AGAIN, YOU WILL HAVE WISHED YOU WERE BACK IN YOUR CRADLES WITH YOUR MOTHER!” Talrock spat in disgust. He despised any form of bullying and especially disliked the ways of rats. The rabbits were shaking with fear near their cart. Thonpor, the larger of the males, seemed to have kept composure and looked ready for a scrap. The rats, deflated and terrified by the sudden appearance of the menacing goblin fled without another word. Talrock turned and looked up into a black pine overlooking the scene. A small gorilla sat watching the excitement. Grath was known in these parts of the wood. Son of the impressive Kerjack who dwelled deep in the forest, he enjoyed helping out where he could. He was young and longing for adventure.

“Grath. Follow them and discover their plans. But be careful my friend. They are extremely dangerous. Give me a distress howl if something goes wrong. I will be there in a matter of minutes.” Talrock nodded at the young gorilla who smiled back excitedly and began swinging off in the top canopy of trees.

Refocused on the situation at hand, Talrock turned his attention back to the trio of rabbits he had saved. They were still awing and gaping at the monster in front of them.

“Don’t be alarmed. I am sorry I am not as attractive as most toys. . .” Talrock turned his face away shamefully. This was the one very reason he kept away from the toy societies. He knew himself a hideous beast. He felt like running away. He couldn’t take their shocked stares much longer. He was about to do so, when he felt something on his leg. Stepping back and peering down, he was surprised to see Drankle, the female rabbit who appeared to be hugging his leg out of gratitude. She was weeping quietly. Talrock looked up at the males who were bent down on one knee bowing out of respect to the powerful creature. A single tear fell from his eye and rolled down his gruesome cheek. Talrock smiled and patted Drankle kindly. He rarely felt acceptance, but he enjoyed the sensation immensely.

“I apologize for your rude welcoming to our neck of the woods. Let me introduce myself. I am Talrock, keeper of the trees and guardian of Crickowillow. What brings you fine animals to our mysterious land? I don’t believe I have ever laid eyes on the three of you.”

Thonpor stepped forward and pried Drankle from Talrock’s leg. He bowed again courteously and told him their story. He then asked the goblin for accurate directions to Benjamin Bunny’s cottage. Talrock wholeheartedly agreed to take them there himself as he needed a word with the wise rabbit.

The rain continued even harder as the small group trudged along, only this time Talrock picked up their cart effortlessly and walked with it, keeping it from becoming stuck in the mud-filled path. He smelled confusion in the forest. Confusion and unease. Where were the answers to these problems?
He led the way blocking all view from behind because of his grotesque appearance. His staff was longer than all three of the rabbits on top of each other. They stared at the ax that hung nimbly by a strap from his back. As he went he pushed the leaves and brush out of his way and the three newcomers were uneasy about the rough feel of the forest. Maybe it hadn’t always been like this, maybe it was only rough because of the situation at hand. Talrock could say, but they did not ask. The cottage came in full sight and Talrock stopped. The rain could not reach them from where they were under the great trees. He gently put down the cart and listened to the uproar coming from inside the cottage. He walked up to the door and the three rabbits knocked. Shrew answered the door. She had a handkerchief in her paw and she was sobbing. A scream of excitement came out of her when she saw the three friends from so long ago. She welcomed them in from the cold and then saw Talrock who towered almost as tall as the house. She did a clumsy curtsy, for she was trembling, and greeted the master of Crickowillow. He bent down and looked down into the mouse’s eyes. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes,” she said taken by the creature’s eyes. There was something about them that intrigued her. Was it the sadness? Was it the joy? Was it the horrid beast he was? Or was it all together?
“Where is Benjamin Bunny? I would like to speak with him.”
“Oh! Oh!” she cried coming back to her senses, “that is the problem!”
“What?”
“Our meeting has gathered but Benjamin is nowhere to be found! He says the rats have him!” she said pointing at a dragonfly across the room. Talrock was infuriated. He stood up and drew his ax. He leaned his head back and roared! His veins bulged out and his muscles were majestic. A lightening flash lighted the forest for the inkling of a second. But that was all it took for Talrock to be off. Talrock raced furiously through the trees and through the grass toward the crops Bunny had planted. His face was fixed and now the horror in his face was sheer proof of the way toys saw him. At this moment he was the beast everyone had taken him for. He sprung from branch to branch from rock to rock until he landed in the center of the enclosed plantation. His feet were planted in the ground firmly. He was not even breathing hard. His body was calm. His breath was steady. Behind him he heard rustling in the leaves and out of the brush came the two rats Grath was supposed to follow. Grath seemed out of breath but Talrock was at his prime. The rats stopped in their tracks and Talrock roared them in the eyes. His face was not one foot away. The rats squealed in terror and the great goblin took them by the necks and advanced to the building. He tore apart the whole front part of mound of dirt and stood with the rats between his claws staring at a company he did not suspect, with Benjamin Bunny in the center of them.

Peter pulled off his green cloak and wrung it out. It was completely soaked. Thrainkain did the same, shuddering and cursing at the cold and bitter weather of the night. They had been traveling for two days now and it was starting to show. Both rabbits were exhausted and frozen to the bone. Yet Peter was determined. They had already come so far. He felt bad for dragging Thrainkain on this journey, but his cousin insisted. Ahead of them the path split and went two directions; one toward the mysterious Mostorocol and the other toward the dangerous Nafrandan. Hobbit Inn was located on the border of Crickowillow and Mostorocol, so Peter quickly took the path to the right. Strangely enough, a shadow appeared in the middle of the path and abruptly stopped. The pair of rabbits watched it closely. The shadow turned slowly and appeared to be looking at them. Peter felt the fur on the back of his neck begin to stand up. The dark silhouette put a finger to his lips and softly whispered

“Ssssssssshhhhhhhhhh.” It smiled maliciously, reared his black head back began to laugh; only no sound came out. It was a silent laugh. Thrainkain grabbed Peter’s arm and slowly began backing away. His entire body was trembling in fear. Peter was focused on the strange appearance. He had never seen anything like this. Black magic was the only answer he could think of. Thrainkain’s grip was growing stronger and stronger to the point that Peter finally snapped out of his fascination. He was about to bolt in the opposite direction, but the shadow figure suddenly froze, staring right at them with a deathly cold gaze. His mouth began to open and with it a deathly scream that brought the rabbit’s fear to its maximum level. They turned, frantic and ran as fast as they could down the path they came, not daring to look behind them. After what seemed like hours, Peter fell and was too tired to get back up. He remained there unconscious for quite a while.

He awoke to the sounds of voices. A small moose sat around a small fire talking to a muscular miniature black bear and a white Playmobil owl. Thrainkain was nowhere to be seen. Peter sat up suddenly and looked at them. Before any of them had time to speak, a crow soared through the top canopy like a missile sending a shower of black leaves on the group. He landed gracefully and its rider a small metallic toy dismounted, caressing the bird’s head lovingly.

“U found’im ey?” said Pippin beaming at Peter.
“If you’re speaking of the sha…” began Peter.
“Yes we found him layin’ in the woods.” replied the moose. “A little too near to the border if you ask me.”
“Where’s the other rabbit?” cried Peter.
“Oh, he went further than you. He thought you’d lost ‘im so he went on and on without ONE breather!” said Pippin in disbelief of his own words. “He’s half way through Crickowillow by now. We’re close enough to the inn. But we’re movin’ out for the time bein’.”
“Why? Where’s my friend?”
“Calm down, we just told you he’s closer to safety than you.” said the bear. “There’s too much happening in these woods, which is why these two birds have come. To take what people they can, back to their forest, Aslan is being very gracious. He’s heard of our conditions in the woods with everything dying an’ all and now all the black magic coming from Nafrandor.” All of the others moaned at the sound of it. Out of some bushes came Pippin’s cousin, Merry.
“There y’are Merry!” cried his cousin.
“Allo Pip, could ya give me a hand?” he said pulling a cart. “Ain’t that vulture comin’ too aye?”
“Yes,” replied the crow.
“So Peter what’s your business out here in