FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter-2-

Infiltration

December 8, 2023 - 11:54 pm EST Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean ...

** Rufus hurried from out of the underbrush, ** scooped up Sinopa, tucked her under his left arm and rushed back into the trees and knelt down besides Evan. "Hey there, foxy. Can't go back to th' ship. They've been unloadin' it. It's almost totally empty, now."

The three-tailed fox wiggled out of his arm and moved towards Evan. To the boy's surprise, she spoke. "I'm glad you're alright. Did they hurt you?"

He watched her muzzle open and close and her tongue curl and move. His jaw went slack, completely astonished. "Uh, I just ... I'm sorry to stare. But animals don't have the right equipment, let alone the mouth structure to ... and you're just ... the ease with which you can speak English."

"Hai. Watashi mo nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu." She said the words quickly. To Evan, it sounded like it was a short mundane statement, as if spoken on a sigh.

He responded with a blank stare. "What?"

"I clearly said that I could also speak Japanese. Evan-san, are you hurt?"

He blinked, rubbed his eyes with the backside of his forearm then said, "No, uh, they just caught me by surprise with a sucker punch and so I laid low in the cell to weigh my options."

"Very well." She turned back to Rufus. "Did you remember my clothes?"

"Ayup. Reckon I needed the kid's help t' get'em, though. What'cha find out about this here island?"

"Its only purpose is to ship supplies underneath the water."

Evan and Rufus exchanged glances then looked back at Sinopa.

She tittered softly then continued her explanation. "There is a factory here. I went inside. They process the shipping containers and the supplies that come in on multiple ships. Then they put them into a submerged container and run the supplies down to a place that is a great distance beneath the water."

"Well hot damn, girl. Did'ja learn anything else, foxy?"

"Hai. The island is a little less than ... oh dear, what is the American conversation ... the perimeter is a little less than six miles. There is a landing strip on the far end. People are flying in by the dozen."

"People? Like what kind of people?" Evan asked.

"Falcon's mercenaries sans black gear. That is my guess, gentlemen. They are very organized and they are processing people."

Rufus arched his brows. "What kind of processing?"

"Very thorough scanning. It is as though they do not want any germs brought to wherever they're going. Also," Sinopa trailed off, licked her lips then tilted her head a bit. Her ears lay back along the top of her head. Her whiskers went neatly down along the svelte contour of her muzzle. "They're looking for people, like the two of you, amongst those who are coming in. They found one and they executed him brutally with extreme prejudice. It happened some time yesterday but was recorded and is now a promotional advertisement video showed to new arrivals throughout the facility."

"Christ almighty."

"Anyone with germs is being sent to a hotel located on the other side of the supply facility. They stay there until they're decontaminated and well, then they go wherever the rest of the people are headed."

"This," Evan said with a sigh of frustration, "This is getting weirder by the minute."

"Watashi wa doi."

"We got two options." Rufus pulled her clothes out and draped them over the fox's back. "We cin tear this island apart. Or we's get outta here."

Evan lifted his hands. "Wait, wait ... we have to find out where here is, first. We have to be able to come back and spy more. This place is irrefutable proof that something enormous is taking place. We need to finish gathering evidence and information before we leave. And it's not like we can just run, anyhow. We need to find out the shipping schedule, use a cellphone to photograph the map chart of one of these container ships ... we have a lot of work to do."

"Yes, so I brought coffee!" The female voice caused everyone to turn around, startled.

The fur on Sinopa's back bristled up then her ears perked. "You!"

Karla curtsied, fingers at the hem of her skirt, knees bent. "Me! And yes, I really brought coffee. ... and a thief. He's on lookout." Kuda leapt from Karla's shoulder and dashed across the ground and rubbed up against Sinopa, who appeared completely surprised by the animal, half her size.

Karla giggled, "Oh, look, Kuda has a friend!"

Rufus laughed and ran his fingers back through his hair. "Well damn! Didn't you just get the sneak on us, darlin! How'd the hell you sneak up on a fox, or a nose like mine?"

Karla grinned and lifted a Dunkin' Donuts box by its handle. The lettering on the side read, 'Box of Joe,' in large font. "Because after four centuries, one learns the difference between upwind and downwind darling. And you don't have to worry about discovering coordinates to return to this place. I've already done that job, that's how I got here."

Sinopa nuzzled the small animal. It returned the affectionate gesture. She lifted her head and asked, "You said you brought someone?"

"Yes, oh small woodland creature," Karla said with a playful tone, only half surprised that the fox spoke. "His namesake is such that you'll find the irony to be most amusing. You'll have to give him a few minutes, though. He's throwing up. Air-Karla long distance is only for the most steely of pilots and passengers. Now! Who wants coffee while we talk about getting down under."

Rufus shook his head with an airy chuckle. "Too bad Bull ain't here for yer pun."

"Pun?" The demoness withdrew a collection of paper cups. Within them were packets of sugar and non-dairy creamer.

"Ayup. He's from Australia. Ya said 'down under.' Anyhow, where in the Sam-hell are we?"

"In the Atlantic Ocean," she said, adding, "and for those of you who aren't Evan, I'm Karla Howard. I'm here with a message from a friend back in San Francisco. I met with someone in Florida named Eric Loupe and a friend of his named Patience Ubysh. They're going to charter a boat to pick us up. After all, I can't take all of you back with me. Groups are beyond my ability after a certain distance. It's exhausting. Mister Parker, my friend, is tasked with infiltrating the security line of the facility on this island. He'll find a way to get us down to this supposed secret-squirrel place. Evan, I found you a friend back in San Fran - he's a cop-turned-superhero. You need to train him."

Evan blinked and reached for the stack of cups, taking one off the bottom. He took a creamer packet and three sugars and a stirring straw. "Train him to do what? Be a superhero? I'm not even that good." He poured the sugar and creamer powder into his cup and reached for the box of coffee. "Johann keeps me from getting into too much trouble."

"Ah, Johann. I take it he's back in Florida somewhere?"

"Yeah. He's been telling me that we need someone like you to help us. And now here you are."

"Oh, Evan Balmoral, you're so sweet."

Evan blinked. "How'd you find out my last name? That's the one thing I didn't tell anyone back west."

Karla lifted her hands. "I didn't mean to spoil your ... wait, you were using your first name without your surname as some sort of hero name? If you really didn't want people to find out your last name, why use your real first one? Anyway, Lance told it to me. Why does it matter?"

"Because I'm adopted. If people in California know my last name, they'll know how to find Jerry, my step-dad. I don't want him involved in this crap. He's a cop and he's close to retiring and I just want to leave him alone to his life."

"Let's not dwell on that." Her eyes dropped to Kuda and the three-tail fox twice his size. She smiled. "Isn't that too cute." Her gaze lifted to Evan. "Lance is one of the oldest people I've met. He has ways of learning things. Don't worry about it. He also knows that the United States Government has a black budget hand in this island. There's a Coast Guard quarantine that keeps boats out."

Rufus shifted his hair from his shoulder, down his back and asked, "Then how's yer pals Eric 'n Patience gunna come for us?"

"Leave that to me," Karla said with a smile. "We'll commandeer a vessel then head out to the meeting point. When the Coast Guard approaches us, I'll leapfrog us out to Eric's boat. The Coast Guard will arrive, board the boat that came from the island and find it empty. They'll break the perimeter and pull people over to search it because ... let's face it - empty boats are a little mysterious. Then we get away with Eric, unnoticed." She waggled her brows.

"Wow." Evan rubbed his chin. "That's one heck of a strategy."

"It was Fox's idea. Something about 'misdirection' and such. I'll work out the small details. Actually, I may just be lazy and wait to see how things play out instead. Nothing says living in the moment like planning later."

A smile tugged at the corners of Sinopa's muzzle. "I had a feeling the first time we met that you were an important person. I'm glad that Kuda brought you here to help us."

Karla rubbed her forehead then thumbed back a lock of her bangs. "We've met?" She paused, recalling the conversation with Lance, then snapped her fingers. "He called you, uh, Sinopa, right?" Karla tilted her head. "Wait, you already know Kuda?"

The fox trotted towards the nearest tree. "One moment." With the clothes draped over her back, she disappeared behind the tree and, a moment later, reemerged, adjusting the lay of her clothing. She wore a form-fitting camisole with an open blouse overtop, layered in colors. She had equally form-fitting denim jeans with her tails behind, and a lengthy skirt draped over her right forearm. "Now do you recognize me? We last met and I wore a kimono."

Karla's eyes widened and she laughed in spite of herself. "Fire girl!" Karla disappeared much to the delight of Rufus and reappeared adjacent to Sinopa. "I've been looking for you! I knew as soon as I met you that I'd need your help! Damn, this is a trip!" She wrapped her arms around Sinopa, much to the kitsune's surprise.

Sinopa Crevan gently hugged Karla in return, surprised at her affectionate response. "Hai. I only vaguely recall it because I had a temporary bout of amnesia. I suspect something similar may have befallen you to an extent." She held her right hand down and the small fox clamored up her forearm and settled on the kitsune's human shoulder.

"Yeah, things are a little blurry, but a lot is starting to come back, you know? So ... he's yours?" Karla frowned thoughtfully.

"Hai. Kuda is my spirit familiar. My sensei instructed this kanko," she paused to reach up and rub Kuda's face with her fingers then added, "to find you and bring us together. The circle is nearly complete. I see he has developed a fondness for you, though."

Karla replied with a soft smile. She placed her hand on Sinopa's elbow and they both disappeared, reappearing adjacent to Evan and Rufus. "Okay, Evan, now we're like the Avengers. We even have our own demigod." She then turned back to Sinopa and grinned. "Love your choice of color layering - you look like a candy wrapper." Karla leaned forward and peeked at the three tails coming out of a hand-tailored cut in the jeans. "And the ass of a goddess."

Sinopa blushed. Evan swallowed. Kuda lowered his little triangular ears.

Rufus laughed. He offered his hand to Karla. She took it and he brought her knuckles to his lips. "Rufus Darken. And you are?"

Karla smiled brightly, delighted by the kiss on her hand. She ran her thumb over the side of his hand. "Charmed. But you can call me Karla. Why are you so surprised I was able to sneak up on the lot of you?"

"Cause I'm a werewolf. I should've detected the scent. You got ridiculously close. But now I see you cin teleport. Damn, though. Ain't you just the belle of the ball, Blondie."

Karla leaned close, keeping her hand in his. "Yes. I am. I love southern boys. I love southern boys." She held her free hand outwards, palm up, and a coffee cup appeared. "Cream or sugar?"

"No cream, but lots'a sugar, sugar."

Karla grinned at Rufus' playful banter. The box of coffee appeared hovering just above the cup. The cap rotated off and floated off to the side.

The box tilted and coffee poured into the cup. A stirring straw moved in a circular motion. The cap moved back into place and the box slowly descended back down to Evan's side.

"That's right impressive, darlin'."

"I've never met a male werewolf before. Maybe we can go out for drinks later on. So," she passed the coffee cup to him. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

Evan immediately plugged his ears with his fingers, coffee cup between his knees, and softly said, "La, la, la, la."

Karla asked, "Do you fuck like an animal?"

"Oh, dayum girl, you almos' make me blush. And ... ayup. It's right true. The whole package. Fangs, claws, and soft, silky fur." He took a sip from the cup then said, "My oh me, where's the manners momma' gave me?" He opened his pinky and held it out while holding the coffee cup.

Karla brought her hand to the side of her face and laughed. "Oh, you're funny too! Perfect! The perfect man - funny and able to protect a lady."

"Ayup. Tha's me. I'm a regular clown ninja. Chicks dig the big shoes."

Karla reached a hand back and casually brushed the backside of her wrist against Evan's hand, unplugging his ear. "Any man with big shoes," she replied, adding, "Evan, dear, the Nine Inch Nails reference has already long passed, sweetie. Let us all go meet Mister Parker."

"I'm here." Fox dropped down from a tree branch. He silently landed on the ground in a crouch, then stood up and offered Evan a hand first. "You must be Mister Balmoral. I've heard a lot of really good things about you from Karla. And she doesn't impress easily." They shook hands.

"It's a pleasure." Evan looked up at the branch above them then back at Fox. "That was a really awesome entrance. Isn't your dad famous and rich? Jon Parker?"

"Yeah, that's him."

"My condolences."

"I appreciate that." Fox turned to Sinopa and took her hand. They shook. "Fox Parker."

Sinopa's ears perked, causing her hair to shift. A sly grin tugged at the corner of her face. "Well, now. Karla was right ... I _am _amused at the irony. I'm Sinopa Crevan."

Fox tilted his head. "Irony?"

Evan spoke over Fox's shoulder. "She's a Kami spirit-fox. She can even turn _into _a fox. See her tails? She's basically a demigoddess."

Parker leaned to the side, looking around Sinopa's waist then he offered a thin, semi-confused smile. "That's a new one. A pleasure. I'm glad my family didn't make my middle name 'Hunter.' That might not have gone over well." He offered a slight smile again then turned to Rufus. "Fox Parker."

"Rufus Darken." He took Fox's hand and they shook. "Werewolf and flirty deviant."

Parker responded with an equally firm handshake. "Master Thief and technology-kinetic freak of nature."

Evan lit up. "Whoa, you have techno-kinesis?"

Fox turned back to the Evan and asked, "Wait, wait ... you've heard of techno-kinesis? I thought I'd just coined that term. I was feeling clever about it."

Evan shrugged. "It's been an internet term for fiction and role-play characters as long as I can remember being online. It's an ability that can control electronic devices with the user's mind."

"Oh." Fox nodded, humbled. "I see."

Karla clapped her hands together then rubbed her palms in a playfully dramatic way. "So! Now everyone has met, it's time to come up with a plan! We need to make like Aquaman and discover what's fishy."

Evan winced. "I thought mine were bad, Karla."

She succubus offered a broad grin. "I thought it would amuse you, hon. Anyhow, Fox, here, is going to break in and find a submarine." Karla turned to Sinopa and asked, "Can you really turn into a fox? That wasn't some sort of totem astral projection or anything, was it?"

The kitsune nodded. "I can transform with but a thought."

Karla smiled and turned to Parker. "Fox, I need you to take the fox, and make like the clever creatures you are ... and bring us a sub. From the plans I saw, this island is pretty unique. It's a circle on the top, but only the northwest section connects with the ocean floor. That means part of the island is a shelf. This means there will be a need for submersible vehicles to be used for various reasons. I want you to find one and bring it to us."

Parker nodded then asked, "How can we take a sub to their base?"

Karla offered a dull look. "Because if this 'base' is underwater like we think, they'll maintain the outer hull with small submarines. We'll move in close, I'll teleport some pocket change through the bulkheads, find a gap my size, then pop over for a look. If it's safe I'll bring each one of us over. We'll spy, get into trouble, and then leave the way we came."

"I understand."

She smiled. "Good, good. Make sure you find us something that will fit four people and a fairly small animal. A small crew of two - maybe three - usually mans those things, so we'll all pack in there like sardines. Full tank of gas is preferable."

"I've never piloted a sub before."

Karla put her arm around Fox and turned him away from the group. "You have the ability to control technology, dear. It's just like a video game. The sub will control itself. So long as you don't bump it into anything, you're good to go. Remember, subs use water to sink and expel water to float. Just familiarize yourself with how it works, interface with the controls and ... bring us ... a sub."

Sinopa came up alongside of him. "It will be easy and fun. Let us get underway. I see you have a pack. Do you have room in it for clothing?" She passed him the ankle length skirt still over her forearm. "I may need to give you the rest as well. I'll be more useful to you in a smaller form."

"Are foxes jumpers?" he asked.

"Hai. We make felines look like amateurs."

Fox patted Karla's hip then slipped from her arm and nodded to Sinopa. "I have room for your..." Before he could finish his sentence, she disappeared into a pile of clothing then stepped from it as a three-tailed fox. Parker swallowed then licked his dry lips. He stared at her for a moment then picked up the clothing and folded it.

"Did I surprise you?"

Fox's eyes widened at the sound of the fox speaking in plain English. "How ... how the heck do you ... you're an animal now. You have a brain, like, the size of a strawberry. You have an animal's throat and mouth and physiology. How do you retain the ability to think and speak?"

"Because, my dear, as Evan so kindly pointed out, I am what you call a 'demigoddess.' Let us go, our adventure awaits!" She sprinted off. Fox finished stuffing her clothes into his pack then took off after her.

Karla grinned, watching them go. "Our adventure awaits!" she repeated then grinned at Evan. "You hear that, babe? She speaks your language."

Rufus chuckled. "Ayup. But she's taken. Swell gent back in Miami named Jules. She like the spicy Cajun flavor."

Karla rubbed her chin then grinned. "I think we met. Cute guy, but his accent is a little too French-y for my taste. But _yours_is hot." She reached a hand and patted his cheek. "I'm going to scout the perimeter. Stay sexy, wolfman." She disappeared.

Silence.

"Hoo-hoo! Boy that girl's a live wire for sure!"

Evan offered an awkward chuckle, placing his hand on the nape of his neck. He cleared his throat. "Yeah. Uh, well, yeah, she's a succubus."

Rufus stretched with a grunt, closed his pinky around the little white cup then took a sip of his coffee. "Yeah? Wha's that?"

"She's a sex demon. She, uh, she has sex for energy and health. It keeps her from aging. I mean, yeah, she fancies you, but we both technically have an equal chance with her. I'd rather wait for the 'right' girl, personally."

"Son, the 'right girl' is the girl you're with at the time you're with'er." Rufus took another sip of coffee, finished his cup, then poured a fresh one. "People change, too. So the perfect girl might only be perfect for a little while. That's why relationships don't always last. You date while everything is perfect and move on when things come unglued. That's why some relationships are called 'stepping stones.' If the perfect wife was that pretty lil' thing ya met in grade school, how could you ever appreciate the girl you marry? You gotta have love 'n loss together first. You gotta learn what sucks so you can appreciate what doesn't. And if you're lucky, you marry the one that is perfect fer you, and puts up with all yer flaws. Kn'aw mean?"

"Yeah, I know what you mean. You have to experience the crazy emotional girls so you can appreciate the calm stable ones. You have to date the shy girl who never speaks a word in order to appreciate the talkative ones, or vice-versa. I get it, Mr. Darken."

"Just Rufus or Rue'll do, bud."

"Okay." He refilled his own coffee cup.

"So ... Sinopa's thing is pretty cool huh? Shape shiftin', fire conjuration. Said she was born with it, but only in the past hundred years was able to create and control fire. I got mine after puberty. Late bloomer. Seems to be a trait in my family. What about you? Always had the glass thing?"

Evan reached over and touched Rufus' paper coffee cup and turned the cup to glass. "I discovered it when I was fourteen but I kept it a secret for a long time. More recently, as an expert glassblower, I've learned how to shape one glass object into just about anything else." He traced his finger on the side of the glass, giving it a handle. "Here, hold it by this so you don't burn your hand."

"Well damn. That is just too much. Do y' have to touch the object to turn it to glass?"

"Not anymore." Evan shrugged, paused, and shrugged again. "If someone points a gun at me, I can turn it to glass. But if I do it from a distance, everything turns to glass. The magazine, the bullets, the spring, the trigger. All of it. If I tried to turn your cup to glass without touching it, the coffee in it would turn to glass, too. If I touch the object, it gives me more control. So I can turn your cup to glass but not the coffee in it. I, uh, am practicing so that one day I can be more selective with objects at a distance. But right now ... sorry, I'm rambling, Mr. D."

Rufus ignored the boy's long-windedness. "Well that's just damn fancy, champ. And, hey, why d'you always call people by their last name? I mean, you never do that ta Johann."

"It's a respect thing. He's my best friend, so ... yeah. I call Jay by his first name. And, for the record, I do believe in the prospect of a 'First-Time True Love' scenario. It's rare, but it's not impossible. If my first girlfriend does something annoying, I'll learn to be accepting."

"Aw, shucks, ain't that sweet. You'll make some girl verra' lucky, hoss. But not everyone in the world can be that mature all the time. Relationships are hot buttons to yer emotions. When people get emotional, they don't always act rational." Rufus took another sip from the glass mug then paused. He sniffed at the area.

"What is it?"

"I dunno. Just a fleeting scent on the wind."

"I've never seen you change. Does it hurt?"

Rufus grinned, finished his coffee then nodded. "If I change quick, yeah. If I change real fast, it's messy as hell. It rips up my clothes, and it hurts like a mother- ... uh yeah. Like a mother."

"You can change slowly?"

"Y'ever seen Loony Toons as a kid?"

Evan drank his own coffee and nodded. "Yeah, of course, who hasn't?"

"Remember when Bugs Bunny used to get into the cauldron or stew pot and pretend like he was gettin' into a hot bath? And he eased into it real ginger-like? Reckon I can change that way, too. Very controlled. No mess and no ripped clothes; almost no pain. Just a lil' achy in the joints until the change is finished. Dun' worry, 'Mister Balmoral,' you'll see it before we head back to Florida. Gut feeling."

"Okay, you're right, being called by one's last name _is _annoying."

"See? Tolja." Rufus narrowed his gaze and sniffed again. "You might get to see the furry side a lil' sooner than I expected, though."

"You smell something out there?"

"Sure do. I smell freshly oiled guns and," he trailed off and sniffed again, then said, "the smell of green."

"Green?"

Rufus grinned. "The stench of rookie is strong. Adrenaline, perspiration, n' fear. Training patrol is stalking the island. But they're the most dangerous because they mash down the trigger 'till nothing is left of ya. Y' might have to take lives tonight. You gunna be okay with that, hero?"

"If I can disarm them..."

"Evan." Rufus frowned. "These are th' people that have no problems with genocide against our kind. Look, you disarm'em. I'll do the killin'. Fair?"

"No one has to die."

"If they live, they learn. And, more immediately, they warn the rest of their buddies. Anything they learn about you means they have an advantage. Best solution is no witnesses. That's kept me alive. You ready for a fight?"

Evan's heart thumped in his chest. "Now?" he asked, trying not to crush the paper cup in his hand.

Rufus set his glass mug down and stood up slowly. "Yup. Now. We're surrounded just beyond the tree line."

"Crap."

"Here they come." Rufus unbuttoned the front of his shirt, then his cuffs. Next, he unfastened his pants, kicked them off and folded them. He shrugged off his shirt then folded it neatly and placed it overtop his pants, alongside his shoes and socks. "This sure is awkward, but I dun' have any spare clothes. Maybe I should start wearin' gym sweats on these outings so's I only stretch'em out."

Mercenaries in vests and gear belts came from the trees, aiming their guns at the two. Evan cleared his throat and said, "No one is wearing face masks this time."

"It's their turf, buddy boy." Rufus hopped up and down several times, while shaking his hands outwards to loosen up. "You ready to rumble?" he asked, still hopping and wiggling his fingers and hands rapidly. "It's gunna get messy. Lotta' meat starin' us down, junior."

"Man. My hero career is at an all time low, fighting bad guys with a nearly naked dude."

Rue smirked. "Ayup. Gotta put on a good show in case yer pal, Blondie, is watching." He made one last hop then opened his stance and stretched like a runner warming up before a hard sprint. "Fast changing is achy business. Dun' gimmie tha' look."

"They're all staring at you like you're an idiot."

Rufus grinned brightly. "Tha's cause I am. Redneck pride. Y'know, tha' term started in West Virginia involvin' worker's unions? It was a very proud word back then."

"What, you wanna talk about that now? I thought rednecks were just racist jerks."

Rue laughed, stood up straight and rubbed his palms together. "We southern folk are big on culture 'n heritage. But no, rednecks were laborers; they stood up to corporate drama by wearin' red handkerchiefs 'round their necks. Dun' get offended; I ain' no racist. Hell, did'ja know I was raised by a black nanny? Had all the respect in th' world for tha' lady. If she said 'jump,' you didn't ask how high, you just said, 'yes'm!' and jumped."

"You really get riled up before a fight," Evan murmured. "Hyper, like Karla. You probably could have changed by now and it wouldn't have been painful."

"Nah. If I'd done that, it'd have spooked these guys. They'd have open fire by now. Cain't chance it." His eyes panned about the circle of soldiers, surrounding them. "Boy, there're a lot of dudes."

Evan turned about, careful not to knock over the remaining box of coffee by his feet. "Yeah. They're thickest over there," he said, nodding to the left. "I have an idea. When you're a werewolf, you're strong 'n stuff, right?"

"Not like Collobulous, but yeah. Feral muscles come with the package so to speak. Why?"

Evan nodded forward in the direction of a nearby tree. "I'm going to turn the base to glass. I want you to slam into it when you change and knock it over there." He nodded towards the left.

"Right. Good plan, kid. If'n we knock it over yonder, we take out a whole mess of dudes. Good distraction, too. Ready?"

"Ready." Evan watched as the mercenaries moved into flanking positions, closing in on the two. "And now," he whispered then dove towards the tree. His hands connected with the trunk, turning the bottom three feet into a transparent, semi-hollow glass base.

Rufus darted to the right, pivoted, then sprinted towards the left and put his hands out. He jumped into the air and, all at once, he transitioned fully.

His face elongated from the snout to his jaw. Along with the muzzle, he had the pointed ears, a tail, splotchy fur and enormous padded feet and hands. The werewolf collided with the tree.

The glass base shattered and the tree trunk came down towards a line of rookie soldiers, flattening them. Rufus stood up on the horizontal log, howled long and loud, and then turned towards the other side.

He faced the remaining wall of incoming mercenaries, snarling with a menacing curl of his upper lip. His body, now fully covered in fur, resembled an enormous wolf but with the limb structure and torso of a large human.

Rufus' tail came out from the backside of his boxers, half-pinned down where it emerged along his left thigh. He gnashed his teeth, making eye contact with the gunmen. They lifted their rifles and opened fire. Rue winced and shied back at first only to realize that the rounds didn't hurt.

He stood up on his hind paws, towering over them. Glass bullets pelted his chest harmlessly. He looked down and brushed the chintzy glass from his chest-fur. "This's like cheap Christmas tree ornament glass. Kinda' tickles."

They continued to fire. Their ammunition had no effect.

Evan waved a hand. The top layer of dirt, beneath the attackers, turned to solid glass. The glass panel began to curve until it angled itself to look like a ramp. Seven remaining gunmen slipped and tumbled to the ground.

Rue's left ear flickered listlessly. He approached with a slow and methodical gait. Some of the mercenaries rolled over trying to dash away but couldn't get their footing.

Rufus closed his powerful jaw over the soldier in the middle of the pack. He shook his head from left to right, rapidly, bowling over the three remaining men on either side, six in all.

He opened his large maw. The seventh man dropped to the ground with a broken neck and crooked spine. The nearest soldier's hands made squeaking noises on the glass surface, unable to get away. He started shouting in fear, "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"

Rufus brought down a large paw on the man's back and flipped him over. A smirk tugged at the werewolf's muzzle. He leaned forward until his moist nose brushed against the mercenary's cheek. With a deep, guttural snarl, Rue said, "My friend doesn't like your language."

Rue smashed him against another mercenary, flattening both. Of the four remaining, he snatched another and pinned the man by his shoulders.

With scrunched brows, the man exclaimed, "There's no damn moon out tonight! I thought you things need the moon!"

Rufus laughed aloud, cackling saliva over the mercenary's face and forehead. "It doesn't matter if the moon is new, full, or in perigee, dimwit. That's all myth." He opened his large muzzle, leaned forward, and bit down firmly.

Evan closed his hand, clenching his thumbs into his palms. The three remaining men exclaimed in fear as the island sand rose up from the ground and created four walls of thick glass. "Okay, Rufus, stop!" He looked back then quickly regretted the sight. "That's ... God, that's freaking macabre. Just ... stop, please. I put the rest of them into a cell with no roof. The walls are tall, they're not getting out." He approached the cell and put his hand on the side, creating thick glass bars across the top. "Okay, now they're not going _anywhere. _Just don't crush, maim or _eat _anyone else. It's ... just stop."

The werewolf eased up on his haunches, breathed in through his nose, then forcefully spit out the head of an attacker. It thudded against the ground and rolled a bit. He laughed. "What? I like my stakes rare! Screaming isn't so bad, either."

"Dude, please!"

"Oh, alright. Still. Genocide against our kind. Just sayin'."

"Rufus, please. Please, Mr. Darken. Just ... stop killing them."

"Oh a'ite. I guess, just this once, we can leave a few guys to tell horror stories." He moved back towards the glass prison, leapt atop of it then stuck his head down into one of the ceiling gaps and barked and snapped at them ferociously. "See this blood dripping off my fangs, you pussies? That's what you get for murdering my friends! For attacking werewolf clans! For killing that village in Iceland! How's it feel!?" He snarled with a smirk, watching at them cower at knee level to duck away from him. "That's right ... squirm on your bellies like worms." He stood up atop the thick glass cell and howled then leapt back down.

"Jeeze. I was so impressed to know a werewolf but," Evan shook his head and sighed. He started walking away from the thick glass prison.

"But what?" Rue chuckled. "And will that thing hold them?"

"Yeah, it's bulletproof glass. Look, I'm just disgusted with the way you ripped them apart. We're the good guys."

"Bloodlust, son. I cain't help but be consumed by the passion of bloodlust when I get like this. I won't apologize for being who I am but I will apologize for you having to see it. It's a disgusting habit and I'm trying to quit."

Evan threw his hands into the air. "THEY AREN'T CIGARETTES! They're freaking PEOPLE, okay?"

Rufus sighed heavily through his nose. His ears lowered flat atop his head. "Evan, they're murderers who killed every werewolf I've ever known. They hunt us so we transform, and then _kill us, and they hang our hides up on a wall. You asked me to spare those last three, I did. I'm not without humanity; I'm just a messy fighter. I. Am. Sorry. You're a great kid and you didn't need to see blood 'n guts. But when _I fight, I love the gore. It's a little dark, a little twisted, yet they totally deserved it. I've got two sides. A civilized man and an animal."

Evan ran his hands up over his forehead, clenched his fingers into the short black hair atop of his head then groaned in disgust. "No one deserves to have their head bitten off! If you give in to the beast, you're going to lose sight of your humanity!"

"Say what? Wha's that even mean?"

Evan stuffed his hands into his pocket and glared at the ground as they walked. "Nothing. It's ... it's just nothing, okay? I'm in shock, I'm disgusted, and I'm upset."

"Boy!" came a feminine voice from behind, "Did puppy ever make a mess or what!"

"Karla," Evan said with a sigh, "It's not funny. He destroyed them."

Karla came up alongside the werewolf and elbowed him in the rib. "Messy form! I just stick them into a wall, tree or the ground ... any solid object will do. No mess, no fuss."

Evan turned around to face them both and threw his arms up in the air. "I remember that, back at your old apartment! You teleported several people down into the street and they all materialized inside of one another and it was grotesque! No wonder these people want to make us extinct! They see people killed in disgusting, violent ways! Then they tell each other that it has to stop, for the sake of their children, and their wives, and their religion! They get angry and motivated and then they come for us!"

"Yes, yes, dear," Karla said. "With their pitchforks and their torches. The weapons have changed but the people haven't. All the king's horses and all the king's men ... can suck my freaking clit."

Evan's jaw dropped, eyes wide. Words failed him.

Karla shrugged it off and put her hands on her hips, elbows out. "I'm tired of being attacked just because I'm a demon. They saw in a book that demons can't be on the same side as God, so they decide they wanna smite me. They attack me when I'm leaving them alone. They come into my home when I'm asleep and harmless. They planned to rape and murder me. Why? Because when aggressive, narrow-minded soldiers want to dominate something, they cram their dick into it then they kill it. Well I won't stand for that! So yes I teleported them outside ... oops, they died, so sue me. Karma's a bitch. And so am I. NOW!"

All at once, the succubus' tone changed. She smiled softly then offered a gentle pleading tone and said, "Let's not argue, Evan. Please. We all have good intentions and we're all capable of good deeds, no matter how misguided our methods may be. Can we just agree to disagree? Please?"

Evan looked down at the ground and continued to walk. "I've rarely seen dead bodies. But I just saw several of them turned into ... they're all..." He rubbed his face but there were no tears. "Kibble. They're kibble. I can't even throw up. I want to. I feel like I'm _supposed_to throw up. Like, that's what normal people would do after seeing that. What's wrong with me that I can't shed a tear for them or get sick over what I just saw?"

Karla swatted Rufus on the tail, playful yet discrete, then moved away from him.

She approached Evan and put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, hey ... don't be upset over that. It's just adrenaline right now. It'll happen later. And if it doesn't, it just means you have a strong stomach. The fact you mourn their loss means you're deeply in touch with your humanity. That's an important thing, right? I understand your gamer heart. And I understand your devoutly 'good vs. evil' thing. But those guys hunt people like us for sport. Their paycheck is just icing on their cake. We may relish in fighting them but only because..."

Evan shrugged her away. "Just stop. From here on out, we're injuring, maiming and mostly imprisoning. Okay?"

"I saw that Superman-looking house you made back there," she said, folding her arms. She continued walking alongside of him. "Impressive work."

"Yeah. Thanks. That's the way it should be done."

"Okay. Fair enough. Who is going to feed them, Evan? Rescue them? Where will they use the bathroom? They're going to suffer in there. They'll kill each other. Whoever survives will die of thirst or starvation. If there's another hurricane, they'll drown in that thing. So who is the monster?"

"Whoa, whoa," Rufus said, coming up between them. "Let's not attack each other."

Evan drew his top lip between his teeth then he nibbled on his bottom one. "No, Rue, she's right. I didn't think about that." He cleared his throat then said, "But there are three of them, and I left gaps large enough for a werewolf to wiggle in and snap at them. They'll eventually boost one another up to the top or find a way to dig under the walls. But it will take time. They won't escape until we're long gone. We're the good guys. We need to act like it. We have to be the bigger person."

"Okay." Karla lifted her hands, palms outwards. "Okay. But I'm not a good guy here. I'm an antihero, Evan. I'm an ally but I'm not aligned 'Lawful Good.' I'm more, 'Chaotic Neutral' most of the time, but because of what's at stake, I'm working 'Chaotic Good.' We on the same page here?"

Rufus furrowed his black bushy brows. He reached down and plucked some foliage from the fur around his right ankle. "Wha's any of that supposed to mean, ladybug?"

Karla shrugged then cast a grin at him. "It's geek-speak. Evan gets it. I get Evan." She winked at the wolfman then turned back to Balmoral. "I'm not going to fight with you boys. Sinopa would have been appalled, too. Same as you, Evan. But we're all that's left of the supernatural community. Well, it's more of a club, now, but we're all on the same team by default. So let's learn how to get along, okay?"

"Okay, I'm sorry I got upset," Evan murmured. "I'm _not_sorry for the reason I got upset because that was just messed up, but I'm sorry I flipped out." He looked back at Rufus and said, "I understand you're an animal, but you're sentient and I need you to understand that turning human beings into kibble is _not _going to solve anything. There are better ways."

Rufus scratched a finger behind his left ear and frowned. "A'ite, hoss. No more intentional gore." His eyes widened and he face-pawed with a groan. "The coffee!"

Karla rolled her eyes. "I saw it back there. I finished the box. Don't worry, it didn't go to waste."

"Well, that's good then, I reckon. Thanks for thinkin' about us, by the way."

"Yeah," Evan agreed, "I appreciate it, too. How'd you find us anyhow?"

Karla ran her fingers back through her hair, strutting between them. "Steven, back in Miami. I found Ubysh, and Loupe. They're on task to come get us soon. We have a window of opportunity to see what's under the ocean first, though. So let's get our asses..." she glanced back at Evan then coughed. "Err ... tails in gear. I checked things out all around this place. It's a lot of interesting stuff going on here. Let's head towards the beach. C'mon, follow me."

Evan stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Can't we teleport?"

Karla chuckled. "The forest is dense. You don't wanna end up inside of a tree. The ground is uneven. You don't wanna reappear with an above-ground root through your ankle. No, we're hoofing it. C'mon."

X

Next chapter: https://www.sofurry.com/view/649041