Chapter Nine: There's Light and There's Death

You two travel through the empty underground mining tunnel. While still riding on his back, you pretty much don't see anything but darkness. Jake, however, is able to see perfectly in the dark. He is a rattlesnake after all. Then, all of a sudden, Jake stops making you think if you reached a dead end.

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Y/n: Did we reach a dead end? I can't see anything.

Rattlesnake Jake: I smell someone else in these tunnels. Stay on me Y/n:

Y/n: Okay.

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He slithers down the tunnel while preparing himself in case he needs to attack whoever's on the other side of the tunnel. You two finally reach the other side of the tunnel and there's another construction area where there are other tools left to rust all over the ground. You're starting to hear a voice. Just as you gain your sight back, you see an old beaver just standing there playing with an old rusty hammer.

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???: And then I'll build a diner right over there and then-

Y/n: Excuse me? Mister?

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The old beaver turns around and smiles.

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Old Beaver: Oh hello there.

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You then hop off of Jake and walk towards the old beaver. You're honestly surprised to see that he isn't afraid at the sight of Jake. Maybe he's seen some snakes in his time, as this is still the desert after all.

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Y/n: I'm so good we ran into someone, we were hoping if there's another exit.

Old Beaver: Oh yes, there is another entrance as well as another exit.

Y/n: Can you please show us where it is please?

Old Beaver: Why certainly. I guess this old mining facility isn't quite a romantic way to spend the evening, isn't it? Why you lovebirds are looking for somewhere else in particular?

Rattlesnake Jake: Lovebirds?

Y/n: O-Oh no! We're not dating!

Old Beaver: Come, let me show you two the exit.

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Still blushing by what he said, you try not to let that in your mind too much as you and Jake follow the Beaver down a specific tunnel out of five. As you walk, you wonder just why is he doing in the abandoned mines by himself. Maybe he was looking for something, or maybe he wanted some time to himself. Who knows? But all you know is that it's a miracle that you guys did find someone who knows where he's going to help you exit.

The tunnel gets steep as it seems like this tunnel is heading up towards the surface. Too steep for you to walk slower, but you try to speed up your pace. The old beaver and Jake, on the other hand, have no problem walking up this steep tunnel.

Jake notices your pace in walking and catching you by surprise, he wraps his tail around you before settling you on his back again.

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Y/n: (Smile) Thanks, again Jake.

Rattlesnake Jake: You're welcome.

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You all see a bright light, which only means one thing. It's the sun, the rays of the beautiful sun shining down in this dark tunnel. Then you all make it outside the tunnel and into the desert.

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Rattlesnake Jake: I told you we'd get out of here bunny.

Y/n: We made it! We got out Jake! Thank you so much, mister.-

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You turn around to thank the beaver who got you out, but he's now nowhere to be found. You hop off of Jake and look around to see if you can find the beaver anywhere.

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Y/n: Where'd he go? Can you smell him anywhere?

Rattlesnake Jake: No, I don't. Impossible, my sense of smell never failed me.

Y/n: What the?... That is so weird. He was right with us. You don't think he went back down mines, do you?

Rattlesnake Jake: If he did, then he knows the way out. Come on, we need to get back to town.

Y/n: You're right, alright let's go then.

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As you and Jake begin to walk away from the mines, the old beaver appears again by the entrance of the tunnel. He smiles at the sight of you two together, side by side. Knowing that he jumped into the mines for you and though he's a dangerous predator and you're a sweet rabbit, even the old beaver can see that there's a small spark in his eyes when he looks at you. The old beaver then fades away into the sky, leaving nothing behind to remind anyone of him.

After making it back to town, you say goodbye to Jake for now before heading inside from the back door while he heads towards the mayor's office building. It's probably the afternoon right now since you don't know how long you and Jake have been in the mines. But it shouldn't have been over three hours.

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Y/n: Mrs. Belle! I'm home! Sorry I took long, I was helping the search for the water and I kind of got lost.

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You don't hear a response. Maybe she's out buying more yarn or something like that for her knitting. But just to be sure, you walk to her bedroom. Knocking on the door before slowly opening the door, you see her still lying in bed.

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Y/n: Hey Mrs. Belle? Are you still sleeping? I'm sorry for waking you up.

Mrs. Belle: No no, (Coughs) come here dear.

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You quickly walk to her bedside and kneel down to reach down to her level.

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Y/n: What's wrong? Are you sick? Should I go get the doctor?

Mrs. Belle: (Coughs) No no, I'm alright Y/n. I'm alright. It's just... it's time.

Y/n: T-Time for what? You already have an appointment?

Mrs. Belle: No, I mean... it's time for me to go dear. The final step of my life.

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You start to tear up as you're starting to realize what she means by that. No... no... no.... this can't be true... no...

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Y/n: G-Go? N-No! (You hold her hand) You can't leave! I-It's... It's still too soon, I need you here a-and...

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You couldn't even get the words you wanted to say as you start to cry on the blanket by her side. She smiles as she reaches for her other hand to brush through your hair before placing her hand on your head.

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Mrs. Belle: You've done so much for me and I am so grateful and happy to have you here.

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Now facing her in tears, her hand goes down to your cheek, wiping your tears with her thumb. All while still holding her other hand with both hands and close to your chest. There's no way... you don't want to lose her... she's been like a mother to you since you got here.

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Mrs. Belle: I am so proud to call you my daughter, Y/n.

Y/n: (Sniffs) I-I'm proud to call you m-mom.

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She smiles at you, and as much as it hurts... you smile back at her, though it was a sad smile and it doesn't last for more than three seconds before you hug her as gently and tight as you can. She hugs you back to the best of her ability, but she knows there's not much left of her strength. The last time she sees you and to say goodbye, she is so happy that you came into her life.

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Mrs. Belle: Thank you, Y/n. You've given me a chance to be a mother all over again. I'm so proud of who you've become. And promise me one thing...

Y/n: (Sniffs) Y-Yeah? What is it?

Mrs. Belle: Wherever you go, let your heart decide your passion.

Y/n: O-Okay...

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You continue to hug her... until a minute later... she takes her final breath. You slowly rise but still keep her hand in yours and see that her eyes are completely shut... she just passed away... You start hyperventilating as you let go of her hand and run out of the room. Tearing streaming down your face, you run out of the building and into the bar where everyone, including the doctor, would be.

You swing the doors open, which gets everyone's attention. They all turn to you and see you crying as you try to make out the words...

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Y/n: I-It's Mrs. Belle... S-She's dead...

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You cover your face with your hands as everyone stands up, and you didn't see that Beans was also there, but she hurries to your side and holds you in her arms while the doctor and everyone else leaves the bar and into the building where Mrs. Belle is.

Beans helps you walk back to the home and into the room where Mrs. Belle lies in her bed. The doctor holds her wrist to check for a heartbeat. There's none...

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Doctor: I'm sorry ma'am.

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The men take off their hats in respect as they all lower their heads for the loss of a good soul. You start to cry again, and while crying against Bean's chest, the men carefully wrap Mrs. Belle in her blanket, covering her completely. Beans leads you out of the home, out the back door as the doctor along with two other men carries her corpse to the graveyard.

There are a couple of empty graves in set for death in this town, so that means no one has to bury a hole. The men gently place her body on the ground next to the hole.

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Doctor: Mrs. Belle was a kind woman. An angel to those who knew her as she was one of the native locals in this town during its golden era. Would anyone else like to say a few words?

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You're still crying in Bean's arms and she knew you're not strong enough right now to say anything, so she says it for you.

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Beans: She was like a mother to Y/n, and to me. We're more than grateful to have met her and make fond memories. She'll always have a special place in our hearts.

Doctor: Well said. Alright, come on gentlemen.

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The men help lower the body down the grave before coming back up to the surface and the doctor hands two of them a couple of shovels. While they began to shovel the grave, you turn your head to rest on Bean's shoulder as you continue to cry. She can only comfort you as no words will ever be enough to make you feel better at this moment.

It takes over twenty minutes, but the grave is finally filled. One by one, the people start to leave the grave after paying their respects. Until it was just you and Beans at the grave. You finally let her go and kneel down in front of the grave while Beans stands behind you and places her hand on your shoulder.

You feel like you just ran out of tears, but that doesn't stop the attempt to continue to mourn. You didn't notice the mayor and his men walk up towards the grave until you feel Bean's hand slip away from your shoulder and began to speak.

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Beans: What do you want?

Mayor: I just wanted to pay my respect is all. I'm deeply sorry for your loss Y/n.

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You don't face him, or anyone really, and just continue to stare down at the grave. This is seems too soon. Just this morning you saw her smiling and talking but... now thinking about it... every now and then she would let out a cough. And she was sleeping more often compared to when you first met her. How could you not see the signs?

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Y/n: Thank you Mr. Mayor.

Mayor: If you like miss Y/n, we can have a memorial service in honor of her and her memories here in this town. That is, if you want.

Y/n: (Sniff) I'll think about it for a bit.

Mayor: Alright, well you come by anytime to my office when you're sure. Let's go gentlemen.

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He and his men start to walk away, leaving you and Beans alone. She's pissed at how he acts like a good man when really she knows his true intentions. But her anger towards him isn't important right now. She turns around and kneels down next to you and comforts you for a little while longer.

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...Night Comes...

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You walk alone to the grave, holding a handful of small knitted flowers you made. It took you all day to make, but you finally finished them. Who knows what time it is. You just know that it became night, probably a couple of hours, and everyone should be asleep.

It feels so quiet and lonely without hearing her voice throughout the day. Hearing one of her stories or her humming to a song you don't recognize. Now you're alone. You don't have a mom anymore. At least you have good friends but...

Arriving at the grave, you kneel down and place the kitted flowers on her grave. You've cried so much today that you feel like you can't produce any more tears. You then hear a familiar slithering sound coming toward you. Due to the fact that you know it's Jake, you don't move. You're not scared of him. Even if you were you still felt too sad to move.

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Rattlesnake Jake: I heard the news, I'm sorry Y/n.

Y/n:... She was the closest I had to having a real mother... and now...

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He lowers himself to be next to you and sees the grave you're kneeling in front of.

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Y/n: (Sighs)... When I first came to this town, she took me in. She didn't have to, but she did. She took care of me. When I was with my human owner, I thought she was like a mother, but Mrs. Belle made me realize what a real mother is.

Rattlesnake Jake: Ya plan on... going back? To that human?

Y/n: Oh no, I still haven't changed my mind when I said that I have more freedom and independence here. But... it's sure going to be lonely now.

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Jake has grown fond of you in the time you two spent together. A part of him thinks it's weird of a beautiful rabbit like yourself could ever be friends with a deadly snake like him. He feels your pain as though it was his pain. He doesn't like seeing you like this, but he knows it's going to be a while before you can fully heal from this. But then, he gets an idea.

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Rattlesnake Jake: If ya want I... I want to show you something.

Y/n: (You turn to him) Sure, what is it?

Rattlesnake Jake: Hop on, I'll show you.

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Confused, but curious to know what he wants to show you, you hop on his back and move your body further up his back with the base of his tail. So now, you're where the back of his neck would be, close to his head. You hold on tight as he slithers into the desert.

Going further and further away from town, you turn your head, seeing just how far you are from home now. Under the full moon, the tiny stars shine as bright as they can, making this a stunning scenery. Just where is he taking you?

Minutes go by and he takes you to a cliff. After finally stopping, you see the view he wanted you to see. You can see the desert for miles from up here, and with the moon and stars shining bright in the sky. It's a beautiful sight.

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Y/n: Woah... Jake, it's beautiful up here.

Rattlesnake Jake: I knew you'd like it.

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He puts you down before he circles his body around and signals you to sit on him. You gladly take his offer and hop on him. His head is now closer to you and his tail is resting on the ground by your feet. You knew that this must be his way of trying to make you feel better, and honestly, and does make you happy knowing that he cares about you.

You scoot closer to his head and lean yourself against him. A comfortable silence fills the air as you watch the stars together for a little while.

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Main Owl: A special connection is formed between them as they sit under the starry night sky. Who would have thought a death-dealing snake could have more sympathy for a rabbit? Showing compassion and solace to the woman he cares about. And our fair Y/n definitely feels the same way. As we shall see, what fate has in store for these two.

Second Owl: Will they be lovers?

Main Owl: Soon compadre, soon.

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You look down at his scales, getting a closer look at his colors and patterns. You stroke his scales and he instantly notices your soft touch.

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Y/n: I really like the color of your scales. A variety of colors. Brown, black, light brown, and in the sun I noticed how some of your scales even look like a very light color of gold.

Rattlesnake Jake: (Chuckles) My colors ain't nothing special. It's my normal colors.

Y/n: Really? I've never seen anyone with more than one color, let alone two. And your diamond patterns are really cool too. And so is your metal gun rattle. That is the coolest thing I've ever seen.

Rattlesnake Jake: Ha, I should be the one to compliment you. You're beautiful. Your white fur is the softest thing I've ever felt. Sweet, kind, honest, (chuckles), and innocent. And your eyes...

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You look at him, now seeing how close you two really are to each other.

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Rattlesnake Jake: Your eyes are... beautiful.

Y/n: (You smile and blush) Thanks. Ha, you know, I used to be scared of your eyes.

Rattlesnake Jake: (Smile) I remember, and I don't blame ya. Everyone's scared of me, hell, it's my job to be scary.

Y/n: Well, I'm not scared of you. In fact, I really like spending time with you. And when I look into your eyes... I feel safe. And I feel better now because of you. Thanks Jake.

Rattlesnake Jake: I really like you too Y/n. I'm glad I could help ya feel better.

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You lean your body forward and rest on him in the space between his nostrils, practically hugging him without your arms since you don't want to cover his mouth. At this moment, you close your eyes, feeling really happy to be with him like this. Being this close to him. Then that's when you hear your heart beat faster. There's that feeling again. You feel this euphoric feeling in your chest again. You even blush a little redder when you realize this. But this feeling when you're with him feels good. It feels great. You can't explain this feeling, but... you find your heart beating faster.

And you didn't know this, but he's feeling the same way about you too. He never thought he'll meet anyone that he could care a lot for. Knowing that you're the sweetest, most caring, and most honest person he's ever met. He enjoys your company and is more than willing to protect you. He doesn't know what exactly this good feeling about you could mean. But he finds himself at peace when he's with you. There's even that same feeling in his chest again as you lean against him like this.