The Three Little Pigs of NIMH (part 2)

The sun was just rising on the horizon as the three pigs began their trek out of their campsite from the night before. Louie, as the smartest of the three, led the trio as usual. He didn't trust either of his brothers to lead afraid they find out they had marched in a big circle. Louie was also the first born and slightly taller than his brothers. He became the natural leader of their group with the other two instinctively following him.

Hughy followed closely behind his older brother. He was secretly afraid of every little noise or movement he heard. He didn't want his brothers to find out though. He would never outlive the misery they could cause him if they found out he was deathly afraid of bunnies and owls. The only distinguishing mark Hughy had was a small scar behind his left ear caused when a scientist came to work drunk and screwed up a simple physical when he was first brought to the center.

Dewey was once again lagging behind his brothers. He was the slowest of the three. The scientists always had to keep an extra eye on him due to his accident proneness. Since being outside though he came to realize his love of nature. He had already gotten poison ivy twice, been stung by bees atleast half a dozen times, and been stuck in a rabbit hole. Still nothing could ruin his curiosity.

They were all very anxious to reach their goal. None of them had ever known any family aside from each other and desperately wanted to meet their grandmother. They had heard this movie at the NIMH Research Center that said that Grandmother lived on the other side of the woods. Unfortunately they could only listen to it, the television was facing away from their cages. That was why they escaped though; the video said she was lonely so their long lost sister Little Red Riding Hood went out to bring her cookies. They were excited about the possibility of meeting her too.

They had been searching the forest for nearly two weeks and still they had nothing to show. Their hopes were still running strong. They knew that eventually they would find their family and all would be well.

This day luck seemed to be on their side. Just after thier midmorning snack break, Dewey noticed a little dirt path branchnig off from the one had been following for a few days. There was a piece of wood on the ground a few feet down the path so he went over to see what it was. It looked awfully strange in the middle of the woods.

SHORTCUT TO GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE ------>

"Louie! Louie! Come here!" Dewey could barely form the words he was so excited.

"What did you find some more of those flying things to sting you?" Louie muddered. These constant interuptions to their journey were beginning to get to him.

"Umm.. I'll wait here Louie" Hughy wanted to stay as far away from those monsters as he could. They might be poisoness for all he knew.

"So Dewey, what is it that you found this time?" His eyes fell on to the sign. "Hughy you have to see this! Get over here! He found the way to Grandma!"

Hughy, ever the cautious one, thought this sign was more disturbing than anything though. "You don't think this is a little too convenient?"

"What? Maybe some nice guy put the sign up so we wouldn't have to walk around so much," Dewey rationalized.

"We don't know if we were even going the right way to begin with Hughy. This way is better than none. We might as well check it out."

This time it was Dewey who was following Louie closely when they began down the path. Hughy being faced with staying behind all alone and walking down the creepy path, chose the less lonely choice.