My Scout is gone...

Doug's POV
     Alexi, Scout and I were ushered out of the raccoon's office after giving her a brief summary of Mia's capture. It seemed to go pretty well. But then I saw Alexi; she looked absolutely enraged. Why? We just got one step closer to getting Mia back. Scout seemed to share my confusion as we glanced at each other, stumbling slightly along the cobblestone hall.

     "Keep moving," the guard behind us growled lightly, shoving me forward. We passed many crossroads, following a winding path that seemed to go on for a long while. Several times we turned down new tunnels, the lightning beginning to dim. By the time we reached an open cell, we had passed a few others with seemingly cross inhabitants. The guards nodded, one blocking the path we had come from and the other unlocking the cell. I entered first with Scout, unworried before I saw the room. This doesn't seem that great anyone... The second guard shoved a hissing Alexi in after us, quickly locking the barred door.

     "So THIS is the dumb place we're being forced to stay?" she growled. The room contained two medium-sized piles of dry grass meant to serve as beds as well as a small, deep pool in the far corner with a small break in the wall connecting it to the adjacent cell's water. There was an old log laying up against the wall in the opposite corner, reeking of the cell's past inhabitants.

"It's... certainly not what I was expecting," Scout squeaked, glancing around. The guards began padding back down the hallway and away from us. "Pardon me!" I called. "Are you... certain this is where we're meant to stay? I mean, at the very least can we get a new log?"

"Tough luck fox," one of the guards replied, turning his head back as he walked away. "No one feels like switching it." He turned back and quickened his pace to catch up with the other guard, and the two vanished around a corner and out of sight. "Good call Doug," Alexi scoffed. "Food definitely isn't as important as a new log. You may as well have asked about getting an upgraded room."

"Hey Alexi, calm down!" squeaked Scout. "Sure, it isn't what we were expecting, but we shouldn't be fighting! I'm sure they'll bring us dinner eventually, and we won't be here forever. They'll HAVE to let us out eventually."

     "Or not!" Alexi snarled. "I don't understand how you two can be so ignorant!" She turned away, tail flicking, and stomped over to her nest. Scout and I glanced at each other, shocked at her outburst and extremely confused. "What are you talking about Alexi?" Scout asked, nervous. She sighed and turned to face the wall. "Well-"

     "For Rhuan's sake, you youngsters chatter more than a nest of starlings in the morning!" a gruff voice called from the pool of water, making me jump. Scout and Alexi also started, and I quickly trotted to the pool. "W-we're sorry we disturbed you sir... but who are you?" I asked, nervous. The creature sighed. "One moment please."

     Alexi trotted over to me with Scout, crouched in front of the pool. As we watched, a dark brown figure appeared from the depths. It's head broke the surface, revealing the greying muzzle and beady eyes of an otter. I stepped back, half in surprise and half to let him up. He shook out his fur and droplets scattered everywhere, a good deal of them hitting Alexi and Scout. Nearly soaked, Scout squeaked indignantly before attempting to groom herself.

     "The name's Tillow," he said, shooting Scout an amused glance. "We're sorry for disturbing you, Mr. Tillow," I said, hanging my head a bit lower. "I'm Doug and the other fox is my sister Alexi. The guinea pig grooming herself is Scout." I motioned towards each of them as I spoke. "We came here to report the fox-napping of our friend Mia, and things went a bit differently than expected."

"Mia? Well there's a name I haven't heard of in ages!" Tillow exclaimed. "You say she's been taken? We certainly have to get her back then! There's a chance she may be able to escape herself, but one can never be too careful. Give me the details on her capture and we'll bust out of here!" Alexi looked uncertain. "Why should we trust you? For all we know you could be working with the guards," she growled, crouching down as if to attack.

"Alexi, calm down! He hasn't given us any reason to believe that; could you at least let him talk?" I yelped in alarm, jumping in between the two. Alexi glared at me and I thought she might turn her rage on me, but she eventually looked away, tail waving in agitation. "I'm sorry again, Mr. Tillow," I yipped, turning to him. "Alexi has been extremely on edge since we got here and I can't fathom why. She does make a good point though. The last time we-"

"Finally, an animal with some sense!" he exclaimed, brushing past me to reach her. "You must have sharp senses; did you hear anything important? Can you remember the way you came? Oh Rhuan, you're the hope I've been waiting for!" Shocked, I joined Scout as Alexi was bombarded with questions. "Hey, get off me otter!! I have no reason to share anything with you!" Alexi snarled, ears back in alarm and eyes wide. Tillow, ignoring her, showed no sign of slowing his inquiry. Scout looked at me in confusion. "What is he talking about? I don't understand why they don't trust the guards; sure they seemed cold but I don't think they meant anything by it!"

"I really don't know, Scout," I whimpered, hurt by Alexi's cold attitude and Tillow's fast abandonment of our conversation. "I just want Mia back..."

FINALLY ANOTHER CHAPTER OUT! Seeing as the last chapter managed to get five reads, the bar is going to be set much higher this time. I hope you enjoyed this longer filler, and I apologize for the accidental early publish!
-Cavy
9/12/17