(originally posted September 30, 1996)

     BunnyHugger lay in bed -- her own bed this time, in her own burrow. 
She had been let out of restraints and brought back to her own room on the 
instruction of Dr. Flurry. She was not exactly sure when that was, as the 
days were melting and mixing into one another. From time to time Dr. Puff would 
come by and say some words and then she would sleep some more and then a 
nurse would come by and spoon some pureed carrot into her mouth and then she 
would sleep some more. She was not awake very often and when she was she did not 
always know it. 
     This time she stirred and looked up at her window. It was 
darkening twilight. Soon the stars would be out again. With great effort she 
managed to push herself over onto her other side. She was not terribly surprised to 
see a man sitting in her chair. She looked at him and he looked at her.  "Professor 
Kant," she said. 
     "You have done the right thing," he said gravely. "I know it was 
hard for you." 
    BunnyHugger sighed. "Yes, now I think I am in trouble, and I don't 
feel so well." 
    "I know," he said, "and that is why I am especially respectful of 
you. I believe you are good." 
    A slow drench of joy washed over the sick rabbit. Tears formed in 
her clouded eyes. "Thank you," she said simply. "But... what is going to 
happen to me?" 
    "I can't say," said the philosopher. "Remember that they can't 
destroy your freedom. It's not a physical thing." 
    "Am I still free?" 
    "I think you have shown that very plainly," Kant said. He and the 
bunny were silent for a little bit.  
    And then she said, "Professor, I'm scared." A tear streaked down 
her white fur. 
    "I know," he said. "I can't promise that things won't be bad. But 
you are not bad, and you don't have to be bad." 
    "Please stay with me," she said, and wiggled pathetically. "Or 
take me with you to your home. I'm scared and I don't want to be by myself." Her 
eyes blurred over with tears, and when she blinked them away, there was no one 
in her chair any longer. 
    "Don't go!" she shrieked. "Don't go [panicwiggle]! No, don't go! 
Don't go!!" 
    Then the door of her room opened and a nursebun came in. "Time for 
your pills, BunnyHugger," she said, and BunnyHugger swallowed them with a 
bit of water. 
    And then she slept again for a long time. 
TBC