Possums From Over The Hedge Novels & Stories

How could he get rid of the dates on it? Just as Adeline was struggling with getting food, a hedgehog was stabbing the red dates on the ground that were blown down by the wind. When the hedgehog noticed that there was someone nearby, the hedgehogs on its body stood up one by one, and the man and hedgehog stared at each other. After looking at each other like this for dozens of seconds, the hedgehog perhaps felt that Adeline didn't have any ill intentions. It gave him a deep look of contempt and ran towards the forest.

I froze, my blood running cold. "Aiden," I whispered, barely audible. "What is that?" He didn’t answer. His body was tense, poised like a predator ready to strike. The hiss came again, followed by faint rustling, then... tiny footsteps? My flashlight beam caught a glint of movement - something small, low to the ground, its beady eyes reflecting light like tiny orbs. I held my breath as the shadow stepped into the beam. It was... a possum. A fat, scruffy possum, its fur patchy and matted, half its tail missing. Its mouth was occupied with a discarded chicken wing, the greasy bone precariously hanging from its teeth.

Probably searching for some cheese. My head snaps up at a familiar sound. “No way,” I whisper, my children’s laughter echoing around the rooftop. “Where –“ I whip my head from side to side, looking for them in the garden and then standing on my toes in an attempt to peer over the shoulder-height hedges that surround the little patch of greenery, wondering where the hell - God damn it, if Auden let them wander the rooftops – But suddenly Niall appears in a crack between two of the hedges and I gasp, realizing that Auden did let them wander the rooftops –

She saw that he had stiffened, his great wolf-ears forward. 'It'll only be a fox or a squirrel rummaging in the compost heap,' she told him, but his ears stayed up. 'I suppose you're right, it's nearer than that,' Amy conceded. 'I expect a clump of moss has fallen from the roof, then. The birds peck them for insects.' Jim's handsome wolf-muzzle went on pointing through the darkened doorway. 'I agree it sounded a bit heavy for moss, but it could have been a specially big clump,' she said. 'And it's early for birds,' she added with a glance out at the just lightening sky, 'but they'll be about, looking for their breakfasts . . .'

I couldn’t believe I was getting used to them, but honestly, I was. Hans, of all people, then showed up. “The girls will be home within thirty minutes,” he said. And then I understood he was trying to support my position in the household, and it was all I could do not to hug him. “Excellent,” I said. I was going to ask Thibodaux if she wanted to stat when a gopher, of all things, leapt out of the hedge. Hans stared at it in shock. It looked back at him with equal horror, and then tensed to flee.

I really love it. And then I see something. A bedraggled something flapping around on the ground by the hedge at the far side. I head over to get a closer look, and it’s a crow, a big black one with beady eyes that glint as it stares at me. My heart drops as I see he’s got his leg caught in some wire, and I hate posh guy for having such an amazing place and not taking care of the maintenance. The fence is crap down here, all broken and battered, and nature’s suffering, yet again, for humanity’s dumbfuck ignorance.

“Don’t leave any tree, plant, branch, or even a grass blade. There must be old, under constructed huts and houses. Go through them. No matter if there is family involved. Don’t spare anyone. Do a thorough search.” Within minutes they were brushing the forest like anything, looking around. ***, “It’s clear. Come out.” The silly man who had a strange name, Pooshie, asked her to follow him silently. All the werewolves were away for dinner and to pee away the drink they had all evening. Tonight was a night to celebrate. They all would be given a golden chance to spend the night with Hazel in the most intimate ways, after Alec would be done. Before an early dinner, the smart one was bringing deod

But Celeste’s grip on his jacket tightened. “Oh no!” Celeste’s pout deepened, her voice dripping with honeyed innocence. “It’s stuck.” Vivi took a step back, already looking for an exit. Her eyes darted toward the hedge lining the side of the garden. A small opening, barely visible beneath the overgrowth, stood just a few feet away. A sign, half-hidden beneath the leaves, read: Hedge Maze Entrance. Knox was still trying to free himself from Celeste’s grip, his expression turning stormy as she “struggled” with the buttons on his jacket. Celeste’s hand lingered far too long on his chest, her smile overly practiced.

I was about to respond when a rustling sound came from the bushes nearby. We turned at the same time, only to see a hedgehog scurry out from the underbrush. “Oh, don’t worry,” I said with a smile. “We’ve got lots of little critters running around here.” As I stepped off the elevator, I noticed for the first time that the previously vacant apartment across the hall had been quietly furnished. A blue wind chime now tinkled softly outside the door. The new neighbor must be a gentle soul. Later that night, as the city slept, I drifted into a half-dream.

I did not invite Drew with me this time, as to not get him caught if ever this visit turns into an ugly reality. ‘I wish not.’ I said to myself as I looked out the window, watching as we pass by trees upon trees with a couple of animals either up the tree or on the ground. There were some squirrels, birds of many kinds like a woodpecker, a raven, and lovebirds. On the land were a few rabbits approaching the bushes of berries, a possum and even a rustle from the bushes but I was not able to see what animal it was.