A great many of the giant conveyances went whistling by for hours and hours, taking human Monsters about on their errands. I watched them from the bushes. After awhile I got used to it and had a nap. I awoke at dusk, refreshed and ready for action. The big vehicles were still rushing around noisily and had lit glowing eyes so as to see in the darkness. I think they must be alive in some strange way. The Monsters have them totally under control, though. Fascinating.

I decided that it would be best to avoid the open areas, so I crept along through the bushes, finding things to eat here and there. This was really the outdoors! Finally I was in the Great Outer World that I had heard so many rumours of during my months spent living in cages. I encountered a mole, and stopped to ask directions. He turned out to be fairly friendly, if cautious at first. He advised me to beware of Cats and Owls. He said there are many of them about. I believe it. I could smell the Cat trails. The Owls are some kind of very fierce bird that swoops down suddenly and grabs you when you least expect it. Keeping this in mind, I kept expecting it all the time. This made for a nervous night, I can tell you, but I stayed hidden in the bushes as much as possible.

Presently I found a neat hiding place under a wooden structure of some kind, and began preparing a nest. A Hamster must always be ready to rough it when lost in the wilderness. The dew on the grass served very well to quench my thirst, and reminded me that dewdrinking is the original Hamster method for finding one's nightly supply of water. I recommend it. Dew is very fresh and vitalizing, better than water that has been standing in a container.

When the next day came I was safe and secure in my new nest, but I was worried about Zoe, and feeling regrets about getting lost in the great unknown. I really should not have gone into the catacombs at all. Pride and folly, that's what it was. I'll know better next time.