FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Sanctuary Shadows

Chapter Two

(c) Cederwyn Whitefurr

28th February, 2024

All Rights Reserved

Patreon Reward story for Vincent

Misty stirred in the unfamiliar surroundings, her eyes blinking and blurry, as she shook her head and shuddered at the residual pain. A soft, natural light filtered through a large window high in the wall, a gentle breeze coming through it brought scents that reminded her of home. As Misty regained full consciousness, she sniffed the air. It carried the scent of straw and a hint, barely perceptible, of others like her...but not like her. It spoke to her of sanctuary – but not a sanctuary as she knew her home was. Carefully, Misty rose, then lay down, taking in the large enclosure with curiosity and interest.

The lingering scent of her caretaker, Rachel, reached Misty's nostrils, and she half-sat up, watching closely. As she unlocked the cage door and opened it, Misty saw she carried a tray with two large bowls.

“Good morning, brave one!" she greeted Misty, then crouched down and set the bowls close to the wall. “Are you hungry this morning?"

Misty rose, then crouched, coughing and backing away from the stranger.

“Hey! It's alright, I understand, that building trust will take time. Here, I've prepared some nutritious food for you. You haven't eaten in days, you must be hungry."

Misty's eyes travelled from the woman to the food, then back to the woman, as she retained her nervous demeanour, her hunger winning out as she carefully approached and sniffed at the food. Her large, dark eyes flickered with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity, as she snatched up a piece of broccoli and clutching it in her paws, began to nibble on it.

With tentative nibbles, Misty tasted the food, her jaws moving as she took bite after bite, her senses on high alert. Her nurse observed her, her presence a gentle reassurance in the quiet enclosure. Misty's instincts warred with the comfort she found in the human presence.

“Easy girl, it's alright..." Rachel gently comforted Misty, her hand reaching out to caress Misty's fur.

Misty tensed for a moment before yielding, a conflicted mixture of wariness and the need for comfort evident in her eyes and quiet grunts.

“There you go, good girl, it's alright, I won't hurt you. You're really so... feral, aren't you? How did you, a red kangaroo, end up so far from your outback home?"

Misty flinched, then shied away, retreating back to the corner of the enclosure, the nurse frowning and glancing at her.

Interesting... Rachel pondered quietly. Although, not unexpected in a feral, wild kangaroo. I'm surprised she even allowed a tentative touch!

Quietly, Rachel left locking the gate behind her again. Once she was gone, Misty's tense, fearful reaction eased and she quickly returned to the bowl of offered food, devouring it hungrily. Once her hunger was temporarily slaked, Misty cautiously explored her new enclosure. She could smell the outside air, hear the sounds and the wind – scents that were semi-familiar, and many were not. Laying herself back down, the crinkle of the straw slowly became acceptable, as she crossed one forearm over the other and one leg following suit – half-sitting up and just trying to sort out the confused and conflicted images in her young mind.

*

A few days later, Rachel, keeping a careful vigil on Misty, maintaining a regular feeding routine and spending longer and longer with her, studied Misty almost as much as Misty in turn, studied her.

“It's been a week," spoke Rachel, as she sat, stroking Misty's neck and back gently. “I'd never have imagined, in a week, you'd be laying here, like you are! How are your wounds? They're not hurting as much? Dr. Kale would like to give you an examination, to ensure there are no infections and that you're healing well."

Misty suddenly tensed, growling and making strange vocalisations as she dragged herself up and retreated, then held her paws up in a defensive gesture, her ears flat.

“Woah!" Rachel exhaled in startled fear. “Hey! What...easy girl, easy!"

Why does mention of an examination cause such primal, instinctual fear? Rachel pondered again. There's no tag on her or microchip – like she's escaped from another sanctuary or a zoo. She's too wild, far too wild, to have been someone's pet, or...

Something about Rachel's compassion slowly wore Misty's defences down, and she cautiously approached, then crouched and coughed in submission, seeking reassurance and comfort once more.

Rachel, still puzzled by Misty's intense reaction to the mention of an examination, decided to approach the situation with more care. She gently comforted Misty, feeling the young kangaroo trembling in her gentle grasp.

Misty looked up at her, their eyes locking, revealing a complex mix of fear, curiosity and a desperate, almost intense, need for understanding.

Rachel, realising that Misty had undoubtedly been through traumatic experiences before arriving at the sanctuary, chose to tread lightly. Rachel had made significant steps in earning this frightened marsupial's trust – and it could be so easily shattered with a false move.

“Alright, easy girl," Rachel spoke softly, wondering if this kangaroo even understood a word, or whether it was more the gentle touch and reassurance of her presence. “No examinations, I promise. We'll take it slow, and you're free to decide what you're comfortable with, okay?"

Misty quivered, then broke her gaze, looking at the gate, then back at Rachel.

“No, I don't think you're well enough yet to go outside, you're much stronger than you were when you first came here – but you still need to heal! I know, being confined isn't nice, but I try to spend as much time with you as I can when I can." Rachel murmured, lightly caressing Misty's ears.

Misty grunted, then stood up, before looking at Rachel and then leaning back on her tail, placing her paws at her throat.

“Wait – what are you trying..." Rachel asked, confused.

Again, Misty's paws touched her throat, making strange noises. She dropped back down, shaking her head innocently.

“Can I... please?" Rachel murmured, carefully reaching towards Misty's furred neck. “I'll be gentle, I promise. Is there something wrong? Something we missed?"

Timidly, Misty quivered in fright. Rachel, with a furrowed brow, gently began feeling Misty's neck, her fingers digging into the fur and touching the skin beneath. She moved slowly, working her way closer to the front, a sense of concern growing within her. As her fingers traced a slight ridge, Rachel gasped, her heart sinking as she felt the curved scar across Misty's throat.

A rush of emotions flooded Rachel – pity for Misty's pain, anger at the unknown assailant who'd caused this harm, and a deep empathy for the silent suffering Misty endured. She parted the fur, exposing the scar, and her eyes welled with tears. The realization struck her like a blow to the chest – Misty had been through unimaginable trauma...

Rachel's hands trembled as she uncovered Misty's scar. The red kangaroo's eyes held a look of fear and vulnerability. It was almost as if she was reliving a painful and traumatic memory. Rachel's mind raced, searching for answers and understanding.

“What happened to you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Around them, the enclosure seemed to close in, as Rachel grappled with the weight of Misty's past.

As Misty met Rachel's gaze, there was a silent plea, a yearning for someone to comprehend the unspoken agony she carried. Rachel, driven by compassion, gently stroked Misty's fur, offering a soothing and comforting presence.

“I'm, we're, here for you," Rachel reassured her, her voice comforting. “Whatever happened, you're safe now. I promise. We'll help you heal."

Misty's guard gradually lowered, and she leaned into Rachel's touch, a subtle acknowledgement of her solace in the nurse's kindness. The revelation of Misty's scar added layers to their connection, weaving a tapestry of trust between kangaroo and humans – one that benefited them both as they reached a shared understanding.

Rachel knew there were untold chapters in Misty's story, and she was determined to never let anything happen to her again, only to help her young, wounded charge begin her healing process. She glanced at Misty, then gently took the young doe's paws in her hands, holding them tenderly.

“We'll get through this together," Rachel vowed, her commitment unwavering. “I promise."

Misty wanted to believe her, for the first time, she truly wanted to believe...

*

Weeks passed, and Misty received a clean bill of health, marking the time for her introduction to the other residents of the sanctuary. With hesitation, Misty crawled into the spacious paddock, Nurse Rachel by her side. As Misty exhibited peculiar behaviour, the other kangaroo's cautiously approached, and detected her scent, only to turn and disperse suddenly, reminiscent of a gunshot.

“What the..." Rachel frowned. “They're usually so friendly and eager to come to say hello..."

Rachel observed the frightened kangaroos as they hastily distanced themselves from Misty and her. They emitted fearful sounds and calls to each other. Misty, staying crouched and subdued, felt a gentle touch of Rachel's comforting hand on her neck.

“It's alright, something frightened them. Grey kangaroos can be quite easily startled. How about you come with me? Would that be okay?"

Misty glanced up at Rachel, then quivered and made a quiet noise, that Rachel assumed was acceptance.

“Alright, come on, it'll be alright, I promise..." Rachel smiled, reassuringly petting Misty's shoulder.

*

Misty followed, crawling along behind Rachel like a loyal and faithful dog, her nervous, fearful glance all around as she was led to Rachel's office. Here, Rachel had thoughtfully provided a large soft mattress, similar to what was in the recovery room. It was covered with thick blankets and two bowls. One containing the marsupial mix and another for water.

“Here you go, lovely – nice and quiet place for you. You know, I'm still fascinated, by how – trusting – you are around me. Why? You should be terrified of humans, of me, yet you're... not. I guess it's because I drew the short straw on nurturing you post-surgery and have spent the most time with you or... you don't understand a word, do you?"

Rachel sighed and laughed quietly, as she sat at her desk and rolled her chair forward, touching a key on her laptop.

“You know, I never got around to writing up your report..." Rachel muttered, then sighed. “I guess, no time like the present, right?"

As the laptop started up, Misty picked through the mix, chewing slightly, before she curiously watched Rachel, who began typing.

Subject: Female Megaleia Rufa (Red Kangaroo)

Overview: The subject is a young adult female Megaleia Rufa, commonly known as the red kangaroo. Approximately five years old in kangaroo years, she exhibits feral behaviours, suggesting an extended period of self-sufficiency in the wild. The subject was discovered following a vehicular incident, where she was the sole survivor. She currently resides in a wildlife refuge.

Physical Characteristics:

• Species: Megaleia Rufa (Red Kangaroo)

• Age: Approximately 5 years (Kangaroo years)

• Size: Within the average range for a female red kangaroo of her age.

• Coloration: Typical reddish-brown fur with distinctive markings.

• Feral Traits: Displays feral behaviours, including wariness of human presence, heightened alertness, and a preference for solitude.

• Behavioural Traits:

• Instinctual Behaviour: Exhibits natural feral instincts, indicative of a self-sufficient life in the wild.

• Communication: Limited communication skills with humans; relies on body language and vocalisations.

• Medical Assessment:

• Injuries: Suffered injuries during the vehicular incident, including contusions and abrasions.

• Recovery: Currently receiving medical care at the wildlife refuge, responding positively to treatment.

• Psychological Assessment:

• Trust Issues: Displays wariness and reluctance to trust humans, potentially due to past experiences.

• Stress Indicators: Exhibits stress-related behaviours in confined spaces, given the suspected feral nature, is to be expected.

• Interactions:

• Sanctuary Keepers: Initial interactions with sanctuary keepers have been challenging due to feral tendencies, seem to be developing a bond with me, faster than expected.

• Bonding: Slow progress observed in establishing trust; requires patient and non-intrusive approaches. Quite flighty and fearful still, but surprisingly, once again, attaching self to me, as a primary caregiver.

• Future Considerations:

• Rehabilitation Plan: Develop a tailored rehabilitation plan focusing on trust-building, communication enhancement, and gradual integration into sanctuary life. NOTE: Initial integration failed. Others of sanctuary seemed flighty and afraid of her. Investigate possible causes.

• Observation: Continued monitoring of behavioural changes and health status.

• Public Awareness: Consideration of public awareness campaigns to educate about the unique nature of such beings and the importance of wildlife conservation. If bonding continues and experimentation with socialisation, might be the perfect candidate, will investigate.\

• Conclusion: Megaleia Rufa presents a unique case requiring specialised care and understanding. The successful rehabilitation of this red kangaroo hinges on the sanctuary's ability to bridge the gap between feral instincts and human interaction while ensuring her physical and psychological well-being.

• Additional: Post-surgery examination of the subject revealed startling and horrifying revelations. Signs of abuse are evident. The throat has been cut, and the injury healed. Unable to ascertain assailant – injury is old, unable to estimate exactly how old, but given approximate age of said patient, would assume was committed when young adolescent. Unknown how/why. The initial examination is not of wire entanglement, scar is too clean – seems intentional. Will discuss this with the Veterinarian Doctor at earliest convenience. Subject when mentioned examination, reacted negatively. Will need to broach such with caution and more trust building.

Misty watched in silence as Nurse Rachel diligently typed up the detailed report on her. The soft hum of the laptop accompanied by the light tapping of Rachel's fingers on the keyboard echoed quietly in the spacious office. Curiosity glinted in Misty's dark eyes as she observed Rachel's focused expression. The nurse's genuine care and concern for Misty were evident in every keystroke and carefully chosen word. The rhythmic sound of typing seemed to lull Misty towards a state of contemplation.

Rachel finished the document and let out a sigh, turning her chair around and her eyes briefly meeting Misty's. There was an unspoken connection between them, a bond that was slowly forming despite the challenges. Misty, in her own way, acknowledged Rachel's efforts by offering a gentle grunt, a flicker of trust amidst her lingering wariness.

The nurse gently closed the laptop, the soft click echoing in the office. Misty remained lying on the bed, her eyes watching Rachel's every move. There was understanding there – that went beyond words – Misty's history was complicated, a puzzle with missing pieces that Rachel had no way of piecing together.

Rachel smiled, then gently reached out to Misty. Misty, after a moment of hesitation, leaned forward, allowing Rachel to gently caress her ears. The touch conveyed a silent reassurance, a bridge that was being built one girder at a time, based on patience and empathy.

As the day unfolded, Misty found herself more at ease in Rachel's presence. Their bond between them deepened an unspoken agreement that Misty was not alone in this journey of healing and rediscovery. The report, now safely stored on Rachel's laptop and the Veterinary Surgery master computer, became a testament to Misty's resilience and Rachel's commitment to being her caregiver.

Veiled within the sanctuary's digital heart, Rachel's report was filed and backed up, but a copy was unwittingly transmitted via encrypted data to a secure system, the sanctuary's computer logs electronically altered to reveal no trace, as the computer returned to its idle state once more.

TO BE CONTINUED