This journey begins, simply enough, in an orphanage that is located in a land called the Crosslands. Up on the third floor, down the hall, and in bed number twenty-two sleeps a young rabbit named Gabriel, but his friends called him Gabe for short. Gabriel was a black haired rabbit with a few white spots dappled around his face. The freckle appearance usually left him open to teasing, however, he was always apt to return the gesture with a hostile retort or a cuff upside the head. His ears were long and at the ends they were split in three. He was the oldest of the orphans in the building, so he carried a lot of authority among his younger companions.
On this night, the young hare slowly crept out of bed to awake two of his friends: Tobin, a dog, and Alban, a young tiger. All three went downstairs into the kitchen with the intent for a little mischief.
“We shouldn’t be down here," said Tobin nervously, "If Ms. Galestone finds us-”
“She’ll only find us if you keep talking," replied Gabriel, covering the dog's mouth, "You can’t tell me you don’t want a taste of those candies she brought in yesterday.”
“You mean the chocolates with the jam inside?” the tiger said as his mouth watered.
“Yes," replied Gabriel, " Now, here’s the plan: one of you go over to the counter, bring the box back, and then-”
“Hey how come you’re always making one of us do the dirty work?" said Tobin
“Yeah," Alban said concurring, " last week I missed out on dessert because of one of your bright ideas.”
“If you wouldn’t have taken so long you--- look forget it!" Gabriel said, " Which one of you is going to get the box?
Alban and Toby folded their arms.
“Want me to go, eh?” the hare said grunting, “Why that’s absurd. I’m not putting myself in danger.”
“I dare you to do it,” Alban said pointing.
“I double dare you!” Gabriel said, not to be outdone by Alban's challenge.
“Oh yeah, well I dare you to- to infinity!” said the tiger.
Just then, the ceiling began to crack and creak. The three stood quietly, listening to the
footsteps. Once the stepping ceased, they returned to the plan.
“That was close," said Tobin "So, Gabe, are you going to do it or not?”
“Nah, he’s a chicken," replied Alban.
There were three things Gabriel hated: boiled asparagus for dinner, going to bed early; and lastly, he loathed being called a coward. Gabriel gave Alban an icy look.
“You’re such a pain," said Gabriel.
“And you’re a chicken," Alban said.
♦
The tiger and dog flapped their arms wildly and made clucking noises.
“BE QUIET! YOU’LL WAKE HER UP!” said Gabriel in a harsh whisper.
Gabriel stood idle for a moment, and then he made his way over to the counter. Before, the counter seemed closer; but now, since his anxiety was taking over, the table seemed to draw further away from him. He was quiet as a mouse, but with every step the floor squeaked, which made the hare even more unnerved than before. He stopped just a few paces away from the counter to see if his friends were still there. They were, giving him the encouragement he needed to finish the journey. Gabriel grabbed the box, opened it and took a bite of one of the sweets.
“Delicious,” the hare said, licking his fingers.
He turned around to head back when he made a eerie discovery: Tobin and Alban were gone.
“W- What?" said Gabriel, looking around. "Where did they go?”
“They?” said a familiar voice. “Who are they, Gabriel?”
Gabriel turned around, hoping that whom ever was behind him really wasn’t there, but his fears were answered as the giant panda looked down on him. Ms. Galestone was a plump panda. She was wearing her favorite nightly cloak, which made her look plumper than usually.
“How did you- I didn’t hear--”
“I have my ways,” she said with a smile. “What are you doing with that box?”
“What box?” Gabriel said putting it behind his back quickly. “You're--You’re seeing things.”
“Lying!" she shouted, "I taught you better than that.”
“I’m a slow learning," he replied rolling his eyes.
“Enough of your foolishness. Put the box back and get upstairs. We’ll discuss your punishment in the morning.”
The black hare returned to bed, mildly dismayed from the reproach. In the morning, Gabriel and the other orphans were dressed in their fancy cloaks and stood in front of their beds awaiting an appointed inspection. Gabriel walked over to Tobin and Alban.
“Some friends you are. Couldn’t give me a warning?”
“We tried," said Tobin, " but you didn’t turn around."
“So you ran!”
“What would you have done?” replied Alban.
Gabriel thought for a moment and with a smile he said,
“Ran.”
All talking came to a halt when Ms. Galestone came into the room. She was wearing a long maroon cloak and she held a long stick under her arm. She walked down the middle of the room, and as she did she would say things like: “Button that top button” or
“Straighten that collar out.” When she came upon Gabriel she only glowered. Gabriel gave her a sleazy grin
“We still have that business of last night to talk about," she said ignoring Gabriel's expression. "You will be in my office after breakfast. Is that understood?”
“Yes ma’am.” the hare said, lowering his head.
After breakfast and before he went into the office, he plucked a daffodil from the garden in order to appease Ms. Galestone’s anger. He took a deep breath and went inside.
Immediately he presented the flower to her, and without even looking at it, she crushed the flower in her bare hand, tossing it to the floor. Gabriel tugged at his tight collar, knowing he was in for a brutal chastisement. Ms. Galestone was fumbling with some papers as she spoke.
“I was prepared to punish you for that raid last night, but I won’t.”
“YES!" he said jumping in the air.
However upon seeing the panda's vacant look, Gabriel sat down and once again provided his infamous sleazy grin.
“I’m not going to punish you because something has come up," replied Ms. Galestone. "
The law in the Crosslands states that an orphan upon the age of fourteen must leave the welfare of the orphanage to learn a trade.”
Gabriel was nervous. He tried to change the subject.
“Have I ever told you that you look smashing in that dress, ma’am.”
“No, but I’ve heard you’ve called me an overgrown rat.”
“Oh please," Gabriel said, trying to dispel the truth of his words, " you can’t believe everything you hear.”
The panda rose from her seat.
“That’s not the point. I have arrange an apprenticeship for you with Mr. Wilford, the local tax collector. You will be leaving bright and early tomorrow.”
“I don’t want to be a tax collector," replied Gabriel.
“You should be thankful. Once you learn how its done you’ll be very prosperous. Now go upstairs and begin packing your things.”
The rest of the day Gabriel moaned and complained about the turn of events. A
punishment would have been better than leaving the only home he knew. The night came quickly and Gabriel found it hard to sleep. Tobin and Alban came over to his bedside.
“Get some sleep," said Alban.
“Can’t.”
“Why?” said Tobin
“I’m being sent away," Gabriel said sitting up. "The stupid law say I have to go and learn to be a stupid tax collector.”
“So that’s what you’ve been mopping about," said the dog, " Hey, I thought tax collectors were pretty smart.”
“Yeah, it doesn’t sound too bad," replied Alban.
“Not too bad?" cried Gabriel.
The hare's voice stirred some of the other children in their sleep. He lowered his voice as he continued.
“It’s horrible. Last week one of them was nearly hit by a chair, and a few days ago one was thrown from a window. I don’t know about you, but I’m to young to die. I not going.”
“So, what are you going to do?” asked Tobin.
A perky grin came over Gabriel’s face.
“I’m going to live an adventure. I’m going to travel the world and make lots of money too! I’ll figure out a way to trick Ms. Galestone and make my way to Giliga.”
“Giliga!" said Alban, " That’s far from here.”
“Yeah, but its worth it. In that city, I will be able to find some kind of adventure. I know,”
Gabriel said snapping his fingers, “I’ll join the Crossland navy- you’ve seen them all dress up in uniform, I’ll travel by sea. It’ll be great.”
“Are you old enough for that?” asked the dog.
“Ah, I’m sure I am. That’s the plan. Tomorrow my adventure begins.”