FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Harold slowly became aware of his surroundings through the lethargic haze of cotton that wrapped his brain. He dimly noted that he lay on the carpeted ground on his back, that the morning light shined through the window, that he had a pillow under his head, that he hurt, and that he was naked. He tried to roll over, which took three tries to do. Pain throbbed in his belly, but eventually he managed to prop himself up on his paws and knees. He used a chair to somewhat stand up, staggered toward the bed, and landed with in a loud 'WHUMP'.

Harold nuzzled into the pillow as sleep tickled his brain. That's better, he thought to himself. But, where's Cutie...

The previous night's events flashed through his thoughts and he bolted up, with adrenaline coursing through his body. He jerked his head around and confirmed that all of Cutie's belongings and items were missing. Noooo, he thought. I've got to rescue Cutie! He's going to live with me! I've got to...

His mind trailed off as he thought of his obstacles. A quick glance at the hotel clock confirmed that it was already morning. He didn't have time to call Zippy, since he was two hours away, and a call to the local police would sound like the ranting of a lunatic raccoon. 'Help me! I'm in love with a rabbit who wears a dog collar, and is a love slave to a bear!' Oh yeah, that work's... Harold figured that he would have to do things himself. He would have to...

The escape scenarios that filtered again through his head lacked any viable favorable outcome. But, I have to do something, he thought to himself. And... that first involves... Harold squeezed his eyes shut while he wringed his tail in his paws, and tried to come up with a first step... get as much information on Steven as I can.

With something finally in place, Harold raced through the hotel room, dressing himself and packing everything up. He even consumed the instant coffee packet in the bathroom and drank a glass of water, to combat the last effects of the drug in his body. He raced downstairs and checked out in record time. He then trotted to his car and loaded his stuff into his backseat, and his laptop on the passenger seat.

He repositioned his car so that he possessed a good view of both hotel entrances, so that if Steven came, he would be able to easily spot him. He also realized that Steven could be long gone, having picked Cutie up when Harold was still asleep... one disaster at a time, he thought to himself. I'll... I'll... follow 'Steven Pistlor' to his house, find out where he lives, get as much information as possible, tell Zippy, he comes in with guns a-blazing, I rescue Cutie, and Cutie and I will live happily ever after. Harold mentally bonked himself on the forehead for how lame his plan sounded, but it was all he had.

Harold watched the conventioneers leave the hotel. Most conventions ended on a Sunday, but due to an unfortunate scheduling issue, this one ended on a Monday morning. But that didn't matter to Harold, since he had no job to go to.

Harold hunched down in his car and occasionally peeked out to the hotel entrance. After a ten minute wait, a big luxury car pulled into a parking spot close to Harold's own car, blocking his view of one of the hotel entrances. Harold began to curse his luck when to his surprise Steven Pistlor stepped out of it. He was a trim bear who dressed in a very nice pin-striped suit, prim and proper, with an immaculate persona and presence. He held himself up straight as if the world was beneath him, and he didn't have time to waste on trivial small things.

Steven walked to the hotel entrance, got out his cell phone and began to talk on it. Fortunately for Harold's good luck, Steven didn't pay any attention Harold's car when he passed by. Harold could see that he appeared to be angry. He talked into the phone with wild agitation and paw gestures. He promptly hung up the phone and marched into the hotel.

Not believing his good luck, Harold got out of the car holding his laptop, and examined Steven's car. Putting his laptop on the hood of his own car, he typed in every detail of the car, including make, model and license plate number. Oh boy, Harold thought. I'm doing P.I. work! Won't Zippy be proud of me? Then, Harold imagined that Zippy would yell at Harold for being so stupid. Well, I'm desperate, he thought. I have to do this.

After Harold finished, he got back into his car, put the laptop on the passenger seat again, and hunched down. He remembered what Dennis said about Steven being dangerous. He did not want to be on the wrong end of the bear's wrath. Just the brief encounter in the hotel lobby scared him. I'll... I'll just get information, he thought to himself. I won't do anything stupid. Just follow him home.

After a fifteen minute wait, Harold watched as Steven briskly walked out of the hotel holding two suit cases. Behind him strode Dennis, with Cutie in his arms. Harold's heart skipped a beat when he saw Cutie. Cutie appeared to be lethargic but awake. He was wrapped in a blanket. He rested in Dennis' arms and lay nuzzled against Dennis' shoulder.

Harold's heart ached to rush out there and snatch Cutie away and run off, but his better sense held him back.

Steven loaded the suit cases into the backseat of his car. He paced around and stood in front of his car next to Harold's car, holding a small remote control device. Steven eyed it with cold eyes.

Dennis gently placed Cutie into the passenger seat, blanket and all. Cutie opened his eyes and gently caressed Dennis' cheek with a smile. Dennis smiled back, lightly gripped Cutie's paw and kissed it.

After Dennis shut the door, he returned to Steven. He saw the device that Steven fingered and winced. "Do you have to use that thing on Cutie?"

Steven jerked his head toward Dennis and glared at him. "I will NOT have my Cutie run away again!" he yelled at Dennis.

Dennis pleaded with him. "But, he doesn't deserve it. Please..."

Steven stepped toward Dennis. "He's mine!" He waggled a finger at the rabbit. "He's my Cutie! I love him!"

When Harold heard Steven say 'My Cutie', Harold tensed up. He loves me, he thought to himself. He glared at Steven with hatred,

Dennis backed away half a step from Steven, in fear. "I just don't want to see him hurt."

Steven glared at Dennis with the same angry look that Harold experienced from him two days ago in the hotel lobby. "This isn't your concern, you fat fur-ball!"

Dennis silently nodded.

Steven yelled at Dennis in that same gruff 'no-nonsense' voice. "What the fuck went on here?!? I get that call from someone named 'Peter Bently' from this hotel, asking about Cutie, and you don't have any idea who the fuck he is?!?"

Dennis answered in a calm and measured voice. "Steven, it's a large convention. 'Peter Bently' is probably a guest here. I don't know..."

Steven stepped up closer to Dennis, very angry. "Then how the fuck did he get my number?!? Who gave it out?!?"

Dennis took another step back in fear. "I don't know, Steven. I really don't know."

Harold thought that Dennis would have sold him out. He appreciated Dennis' bravery.

Steven continued to yell. "Well then, who the fuck is this 'Harold' character that Cutie keeps raving about?!?"

Dennis put on his best attempt for a brave face. "I think he's a convention attendant that Cutie may have spent time with. I don't really know."

Steven's rage seemed to increase. He poked a finger at Dennis' chest and said in a deadly dangerous voice "If you are fucking with me..."

Dennis cut him off in that same calm measured voice "Cutie enjoyed himself. That's what's important." He held his ground. "Just like we agreed."

Steven silenced down as he stared at the large sized rabbit. After a pause, he stepped back and stiffly said "Our arrangement is over." He forced himself to calm down as he straightened his suit. "Cutie and I are off to the airport. We're spending some alone time together."

Harold panicked at this information. But... but... how will I find out where he lives? He felt his plan tumble apart.

Dennis slowly nodded. He glanced at Cutie, sighed, and headed back to the hotel.

Harold's mind tried to work out what to do, but came up empty. I could... lose Cutie... *gasp*... Genuine panic gripped his heart. No... I've... I've got to get him now... It's my only chance... He slowly reached for his laptop.

Steven turned toward his car, leaned into the driver seat with his back to Harold and talked in a much calmer voice. "Oh, my beautiful Cutie, you are back with me. I missed you. I love you."

Cutie responded in a small child-like voice while he squirmed in his blanket. "St... Steven... I... I... love Harold..."

Gripping his laptop, Harold silently exited his car. I've... got to just... take out Steven... and grab Cutie... Fury raged through Harold. It's now or never...

Steven shifted about, uncomfortable by what Cutie said. He spoke up in a bit of an edgier voice "My Cutie, my beautiful Cutie, I did everything for you. I let you come here. Please, I love you. Why can't you love me?"

Cutie whimpered "But... but... I love Harold..." He began to shiver in fear as he looked at Steven.

Harold slowly crept around his car, keeping Steven's back to him. He held his laptop like a lethal weapon as anger coursed through his body. He loves me... he's mine...

Steven tensed up, visibly angry. "Who the fuck is this 'Harold'?!?" he yelled out.

Cutie continued to whimper as he pressed himself against the inside of the car door, away from Steven. "I... he... I love him..."

Harold zeroed in on a spot on the back of Steven's head. He held his breath as he stalked up behind Steven. Just one smack, and Cutie's mine, Harold thought to himself. Harold wasn't that good at violence, but he felt pushed over the edge. This is for you, Cutie... He raised his laptop to take a lethal swing at Steven.

Steven barked out "Enough, you insolent rabbit! I bought you, so I'll just sell you!"

Cutie softly cried out "Nooooooooo... not that..."

Harold froze when he heard what Steven said. Suddenly, a piece of information about Steven flashed in his head, that Dennis told him. 'But one thing about Steven is that he always keeps his word. To a fault.' He also remembered in his psychology class about the psychological make-up of over achieving furs. They tend to restrict themselves to their own barriers. And, when Steven lost that poker game to Dennis, he kept his word, but Harold guessed that Steven hated doing so. If I could trap Steven in his own words, then I could get Cutie. Before he could think about how stupid his plan was, he lowered his laptop and said "I'll buy him."

Steven jerked around, completely startled by the intruder. "Who... who... who the fur are you?" he muttered out.

Cutie's eyes lit up with joy. "Harold! My love!"

Steven snapped his head back at Cutie, then back to the raccoon. His face twisted up in anger. "You... you're the one... who was eyeballing my Cutie... in the lobby..." He pulled out a gun and pointed it at Harold, with absolute anger on his face. "You... you..."

Harold's eyes lit up in fear. He tried to position his laptop between himself and the bear, but it fumbled out of his paws, fell to the ground and cracked in two. He stammered out "You said you would sell him... you said that... I... want to buy him..." He forced his mind to focus on the psychological analysis of Steven. It has to work, he thought to himself.

Cutie whimpered out "No... don't hurt him... pleeeeease..." He began to get out of the car.

Steven kept his cold gaze on Harold while he snapped out "Cutie! Stay in the car!" He jammed his finger onto the remote control device in his paw while he kept his gun focused on Harold.

Cutie screamed out in pain, and got back into the car, closing the door.

Harold yelled at Steven. "Don't hurt him!" He twitched in anticipation. He considered tackling Steven, in spite of the gun. He pointed a finger at Steven. "You... you said you would sell him. I said I would buy him..."

"You play a dangerous game, oh Harold." Steven snarled at Harold. "You can't afford him, ring-tailed tubby!"

Harold snapped back at Steven. "I can!" He glanced at the gun, and then back at Steven, still afraid but growing more determined. "State a price!"

Steven's eyes narrowed on Harold. He paused, as if calculating a figure in his head, and then stated a monetary amount.

Harold's eyes went wide. The amount stated by Steven was his entire life savings, plus his grandmother's inheritance, the money he wanted to use to go back to college and get his degree. With that price, he would be broke. He wouldn't even be able to pay next month's rent. But he didn't hesitate on what he said next. "Deal!"

Steven growled at Harold. "You don't have that kind of money."

Harold nodded his head rapidly. "I... I do... it's at the bank... you have to give me a chance to pay you..." Two days ago when he drove to the hotel, he recalled passing by his bank branch. He spoke fast and nervously. "We... we can go to my bank... and I can... pay you... for Cutie..."

Steven grimaced as he considered the situation. After a pause, he slowly said, in a careful forced voice "OK... we will go to your bank." He backed up to his car while he fumbled for the door latch. "But if this is a trick..." He gestured with his gun at Harold. Cold hatred dripped off his face.

Harold knelt down and retrieved the broken remains of his laptop, while he kept his eye on Steven's gun. "It's no trick... no trick..." With broken laptop in his paws, he backed away from Steven toward his car. "Follow me." He said as he opened his car door.

Steven and Harold both got into their cars. Harold tossed the laptop to the rear seat, started up his car, and pulled out. He glanced at Steven's car, and saw that Steven followed Harold. Harold breathed out a sigh of relief. He saw Cutie still lethargic, but alert enough. His innocent face shined like a beacon to Harold, filling his heart with a warm love.

Harold carefully drove to the bank parking lot two kilometers away, with Steven behind him. Harold got out of his car and saw Steven motion for him to come near. Harold approached Steven.

Steven handed Harold a business card with banking information. "Transfer the money to this account."

Harold took the card and glanced at it. "OK." He looked at Steven. "But... how do I know that you will keep your word?" Harold was confident that Steven would, but there was always that air of uncertainty.

Steven's eyes narrowed on Harold, as if he was horribly insulted. In a dangerous voice he said "I... always... keep... my... word!" He enunciated each word.

Harold's eyes went wide with fear. "OK, OK, I will." He stepped back.

Steven said "You have fifteen minutes before I call my account to confirm the transaction. If there is no transference of money, then you are a liar, and I drive off."

Harold held his paws out in panic "No... don't do that..." With a brief glance at Cutie, he ran to the bank entrance.

Harold rushed into the bank and went to the 'Customer Assistance', behind a canine wanting assistance with her account. After thirty seconds of agonizing wait for the clerk to help the customer, Harold stepped up to the counter and rushed out "I need to make a cash transfer! Quick!"

The perky chihuahua smiled at Harold as she said "One moment..." and typed on the computer while Harold danced with agony. After another minute of agonizing wait, she directed Harold to a desk clerk.

Harold bolted over to the desk, whipped out his ID and bank information, and said hurriedly "I need to do a cash transfer! Quick!"

The desk clerk, a well-dressed border collie, smiled at Harold and 'all-too-slowly', brought up Harold's bank information, while Harold kept nervously glancing at the clock.

After several more minutes of typing (and a few 'hurry-up-the-bank-transfer' charms chanted by Harold in his head), the clerk glanced at the computer screen and said "And... done." She printed out a receipt and handed it to Harold.

Harold snatched the receipt, and glanced at the clock. One minute to spare, he noted. He collected his information, rushed out of the bank, and back to the waiting car.

As Harold approached Steven's car, he saw Steven put down his cell phone. Steven glared at Harold, with icy cold hatred dripping off his face. With a low angry voice, Steven said to Harold "So, you actually did it... Harold..." He continued to stare at Harold while he clenched his jaw tight.

Harold nodded nervously. "Yes... yes... I did... please, give me Cutie..." He hoped with all his raccoon might that Steven was a bear who kept his word.

Steven kept his angry eyes on Harold as he barked out "Cutie! Get out of the car! You belong to that loser now!"

Cutie weakly stumbled out of the car, still wrapped in the blanket.

Steven reached over to the blanket and yanked it away. "That's not part of the deal!" he yelled out. He tossed the remote device onto the ground at Harold's feet, which caused a jolt to Cutie. Cutie clutched his neck as he yelled out in pain.

Harold quickly snatched up the device in his paws. He walked toward Cutie with elation in his eyes.

Naked, except for the dog collar, Cutie staggered around the car to Harold. He fell into Harold's arms and shuddered with relief. "Thank you, Harold." he whimpered out in a very scared voice.

Harold wrapped his arms around Cutie's body and shook with happiness. "I love you, Cutie." he whispered into his ear.

Shaking with anger, Steven gave a brief glare at the couple before he jammed his car into gear and drove off.

Cutie panicked, and wormed his way out of Harold's arms. He turned toward the fleeing car and screeched out "Hey!!! What about Bumper?!?" He staggered toward the car. "I want Bumper!!!"

Harold followed. 'Bumper'? Who is 'Bumper', he asked himself.

The car skidded to a stop right before the street turn-off. Steven stuck his arm out the window, clenching a stuff doll in the shape of an animal. He yelled back "You want your 'Bumper'?!?" He threw it to the pavement. "Here's your 'Bumper', you long eared freak!!!"

Cutie's eyes lit up with joy. He said one word, "Bumper!" and staggered toward the doll on the pavement. Harold followed behind.

Steven pulled his arm back into the car, and stuck it out again, holding a gun. He yelled with rage "I did everything for you, and you never loved me!!! I hate you!!!" He pointed the gun at the doll and shot it. He gunned the gas, skidded out to the street and sped off.

Cutie's face lit up with terror. "Nooooo!!!" and staggered toward the doll. Once there, he slowly sank to the ground and laid his paw gently on the doll while he wailed with grief. "Nooooooo! Bumper! Nooooooo!"

Harold finally caught up to Cutie and gasped in shock from what he saw. Cutie lay bent over on the ground with one paw lightly on a stuffed doll, while his body shook with grief. The doll was an old toy stuffed raccoon doll that any kid would cherish with love and devotion. It lay on the pavement with a bullet hole through its head, and stuffing strewn about. But the thing that struck Harold the most with cold shock was that the doll looked exactly like Harold. It possessed the exact same masked fur face, the same ring tailed pattern, the same coloring and shade that Harold held, the same fur pattern, and the same general body shape as Harold's own body. It even had the same smile that Harold generally possessed.

Cutie shook with grief as he wailed. "Bumper! Bumper!"

Harold somberly gently knelt by Cutie's side, as the rabbit continued to cry. He reached out a paw to try to comfort the distraught rabbit. His mind swirled with the information as he tried to hug Cutie. Cutie slowly clutched Harold while he kept one paw on his toy, sobbing with grief into Harold's chest. What have I done, Harold asked himself. What have I done?

A crowd began to form around the disturbance, at the parking lot entrance.