The Next Day
Las comes to and tries to push himself up from his makeshift cot. He gets to his feet, steadying himself, and scans left and right through the trees. He rolls his neck in a slow circle and scratches his ear. Grabbing Sifu's staff, he braces it across his back for support and starts walking.
He moves through the camp, weaving between animals. All of them wait in line, clutching deep bowls. At the camp's center, five large black cauldrons simmer; beside them, animals with oversized ladles pour carrot-and-tomato soup into the waiting bowls. Steam curls upward as each bowl is filled.
When Las's turn comes, a hare dips a long ladle into the cauldron, scoops a small measure of soup, and pours it into Las's deep bowl.
Las takes the bowl and walks off without a word. He slips under a tree, sets Sifu's staff beside him, and drinks the meager soup straight from the rim. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
Directly across from him, several animals start protesting—voices rising, hurling sharp complaints at the hares who are ladling soup into the bowls.
Voices in the crowd
"What is this? Where's the rest—what are we supposed to eat?"
"Are you kidding us?"
Babies begin to wail. Animals shout over one another. A squirrel and a rabbit square up, arguing over portions.
—Rabbit—
"Hey, idiot—stop thinking only of yourself. Give me a little too!"
—Squirrel—
"The portions are equal. I don't know what your problem is—but I'm not sharing mine."
—Rabbit—
"You ridiculous fool!"
The squirrel drives a fist into the rabbit's face—whack! Bowls clatter, soup spills, and chaos breaks loose.
Eli steps forward, hands raised, voice steady.
—Eli—
"Please, stop!"
A badger snaps back at her with bitter sarcasm, shouting over the din:
—Badger—
"Shut up already! You don't have kids to feed, you stupid cat!"
Grov watches the chaos, then moves closer and sits beside Las.
—Grov—
"This can't go on for long. Something has to be done."
Las looks at Grov but says nothing.
—Grov—
"We'll need to search deep into the forest for supplies—and maybe find a better area. As long as we stay here, there's a risk the Black Wolf will find us."
Las rises to his feet. He glances at Eli, still trying to calm the fighting animals—then at Piu, Skav, and Vroom, who sit off on a hill. Skav says something to Vrum and Piu; they glance at Las and laugh in a cartoonish way.
Las turns back to Grov, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
—Las—
"Don't worry. Count on us."