After his bold declaration, Tarou disappeared inside the log again. As Mina studied the plants Tarou brought out, she was amazed. No one would think that plants would grow inside the log. Sunlight could peek through the small holes from one opening and through the tiny holes, but it seems impossible for plants to grow inside. Before Mina could launch into a scientific study on how those plants sustained life, she heard Nightmare"s impatient neigh.It has been a while since Tarou disappeared inside again and so far, she did not detect any movement. Mina was about to shake the log to see if Tarou was still there but she hesitated.
What if she changes something and the portal becomes useless?
She let out another meow and called out again. This time in a more impatient tone.
"Taroooooouuuuu!!!!"
The log shook and a familiar head appeared. The mouse was chomping on a bunch of items greedily as if someone would steal it away from him. After a loud swallowing sound, Mina could hear annoying squeaks.
"I deserve to eat up first right? What if I get lost in that maze again? I need nourishment!"
After his bold declaration, Tarou disappeared back inside. Left without a choice Mina looked at Nightmare helplessly. Unfortunately, the horse who instigated her to call out Tarou refused to look at her and walked stealthily away, pretending to chomp on a random plant.
"Fine! You win! Eat up! I don"t care if you die of gluttony!" Mina muttered as she lied down to look at the sky under the shade.
*****
Tarou was happily gathering items inside the log to prepare another bunch of items. He cleared off a section of the log and felt satisfied with his work. While he took a break to munch on some of the most delicious plants, he sensed some movement.
"I should do this quicker! Boss is an impatient cat, who knows what that vicious creature would do if I delay further."
Tarou quickly munched on his food but he paused when he sensed movement inside the log. This time it seems like the object in motion was closer to him than earlier. His grip loosened over the plant he was chomping on when he saw a familiar pair of hateful eyes.
"Rat?"
Tarou blinked, not knowing how to react.
"Impossible! The rat should be miles and miles away."
Tarou sniffed and as he suspected, the animal had the same scent and feel like the one who attacked him earlier. As the rat"s ears stood up, Tarou could feel impending doom. This rat would devour him. He had to think quickly. With a dead end on one side and a vicious rat on the other, there was nowhere to run.
There was no chance of rescue either.
Thinking hard, he finally came up with something.
There was only one choice.
Crawl over the enemy.
As the mice rushed forward Tarou looked for the perfect time to slip beside the rat.
Running towards the exit, Tarou pushed himself to run away from the enemy. Boss and Nightmare were waiting for him, he would be safe as long as he made it out of the log.
Unfortunately, before he could get out of the log he slipped and fell.
Tarou didn"t even have time to think about how he fell or why. As he hung in mid-air there was excruciating pain as if his body was being torn and twisted apart. As he fell the pain was all he could think about.
*****
After a few more minutes, Mina finally lost her cool. The sun was almost out and Tarou has been inside the log for a long time.
"Could that mouse be sleeping when he is supposed to be looking for the portal?"
Mina couldn"t help but look at the pile of food Tarou brought out earlier.
"This mouse is too greedy! I should teach him a lesson when he gets out of that log."
Mina tried to be patient for a few more minutes but her annoyance won. Despite her misgivings, she went over the log and shook it gently to get Tarou"s attention. When nothing happened, she gave the log a more violent shaking, this time calling out Tarou"s name.
Mina detected some movement from inside. Shortly after, a huge head with a large gash appeared. She caught a whiff of blood from the creature. It took her a few seconds to realize that the head didn"t belong to her underling.
"Where is Tarou?" Mina was starting to panic in her head although she continued to eye the creature who appeared. Gazing intently at the animal, she had a sense of familiarity.
"This rat seems to be the one who attacked Tarou earlier. How did it get here?"
She was about to attack the rat when but the rodent hopped out of the log and disappeared under the bushes. Knowing any pursuit would be in vain, Mina didn"t pursue the creature. However, the black cat walked around the log, while juggling her thoughts.
"If the rat came from inside, Tarou may be in serious danger."
"Tarou!" Mina called out while peeking inside the log. She did not hear any reply or sense any movement.
"Something is wrong! Tarou could be injured!" Mina couldn"t help but imagine the small grey mouse bleeding from rat bites. She shook her head and looked at the log. Mina never attempted to enter the hollow log because she wouldn"t fit in comfortably. But looking at the situation she didn"t have much choice.
Eyeing the size of the opening she knew this was not going to be an easy feat.
Entering the log would be like squeezing into a pair of skinny jeans when you have thick thighs. Possible but totally uncomfortable.