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An Island's Tail - Chapter Five

Max woke up in a cold sweat and in total darkness. His head pounded and for a moment any vision he had was laced with red dots and white flashes. When he could finally adjust to the darkness, he realized he was in a comfortable reclining bed, and around him were various medical equipment. Attached to one arm was an IV feeder, and around his neck was a collar supporter. He tried to breathe and felt an irregular tube sticking from one of his nostrils, and could almost taste the stale, acrid air being forced into his lungs.

He shifted in the bed and his chest flared up in pain, causing him to wince and lie flat on his back again. The last thing he remembered was Caroline’s voice and Leilani was-

Thinking of the otter snapped him back to attention and the last of his hazy vision cleared, replaced once more with darkness, but this time discernable. He sat up painfully and looked around the dimly-lit room. He saw a small cot next to his bed – and nearly cried out with joy as he saw Leilani sleeping fitfully upon it, curled up into a ball, her legs tucked close to her chest in a fetal position.

He smiled though it hurt to do even that, and then coughed a few times, causing even more pain. He bit his lip against the hurting, trying not to moan, and reached out to stroke her thick tail before laying back down and falling asleep.

It was two days more before Max could sit up without too much pain, but was just happy to see Leilani alright, listening with him as the doctor, a friendly white Native Hawaiian tiger, walked them both through the status of his injuries. “Well, I believe no swimming for you for some time, neh boy?”

“It was not his idea, I can assure you.” Leilani growled softly.

Max looked at her closely and realized the otter was seething with silent rage. There was no trace of a smile, no usual lilt to her voice, no soft, sweet, usually-outgoing demeanor he had fallen in love with almost at first sight.

The tiger, unfazed, continued. “Well, he still has a bit of water to contend with. And we do have to continue some monitoring after the oxygen deprivation he suffered. His neck is sprained, but will heal with time. Other than that, I would say the boy will make a full recovery. Though there could be lung damage that could develop later on in life. I would suggest annual checkups to be sure.”

Max, who could only speak in hoarse whispers for now, asked, “Will I be able to breathe alright?”

The tiger grinned. “Oh neh, of course. X-rays did not reveal anything substantial. I was more worried about your throat. You nearly cracked your windpipe.” He became more serious. “I would suggest you seek to file charges against this rabbit. From what I have heard, there is no question this is attempted murder.”

Leilani’s eyes blazed. “I will settle matters with her.”

“That’s good, neh. As for you, pretty otter, are you sure you are okay as well?” The tiger looked dreamily at the girl. “I could give you…a full…um…physical examination if you desired.”

“I am fine.” She thought about the polar bears again, Carl and Hank, who had forced her to stay underwater while they had their way with her. She had been unable to break free and had felt Carl’s member savagely thrust into her at least a dozen times before they surfaced. He had been far too thick and long for her to accept fully, and her bubbly screams of pain as he slammed into her cervix had fallen on deaf ears. She could have easily drowned down there.

Her webbed paws rolled up into two clenched fists. She would find Caroline first. Then she would deal with the polar bears.

“Well, I shall let you two talk, neh? I have a full load of patients today. With luck, we can release you tomorrow.” As the doctor left, another otter came into the room.

Max saw the crooked tail and smiled, recognizing one of Leilani’s brothers, Hekelo. He watched the two otters embrace tightly and rub noses.

“Sister, I came as quickly as I could. You are alright?”

Leilani managed a smile and a shrug. “It is nothing, Hekelo.” She glanced over at Max. “He received more pain than I. Although…” She paused and winced, still feeling a bit of pain to her crotch, where she had in vain tried to fend off Carl’s huge member. “Perhaps I should rest too still.”

Hekelo helped Leilani to a chair and watched worriedly as she gingerly sat down and crossed her legs. “I will stay on the island a few days and look after you.” There was no dissuasion nor discussion, and Leilani knew her brother well enough once he was set on one course, the sea god help any creature who steered him from it.

Still, she tried. “That is not necessary. I will see to Max’s needs while he is here. The doctor seems certain I can take him home tomorrow.”

Hekelo bat an eye. “Home? To his, or to ours?”

Leilani sighed deeply and looked troubled at Max. “I suppose his home, for now. He still has his studies at university to contend with. But Caroline…” She became moody and sullen again, shaking her head. “I do not trust her. She could try to hurt him again if I am not here to protect him.”

Hekelo frowned. “Caroline? Who is this?”

Max felt he needed to speak up though it hurt his throat to do so. “She’s a real bitch of a bunny that doesn’t like me too much. I guess my parents caused her mother a lot of grief during the Hau`oli Moku Riots and she’s somehow got it in her head I’m out to hurt her too, that I hate furries of all types, which is certainly untrue.” He looked fondly at Leilani. “In fact, I…I love some of them…very much…”

Leilani shyly smiled and her ruddertail did a lithe sway before settling around her feet. “I love you too…”

Hekelo’s whiskers twitched and he chuckled. “Well, I still will stay. I hardly get to see my baby sister and it is a pleasure to visit with you Max as well.”

Leilani abruptly got up from the chair and winced, holding her hip, and Hekelo was quickly at her side, draping an arm about her. “I…I am fine, brother.” She said quietly, and nose-rubbed again. “I was just going to get some water. I have not been wet in quite a while and my fur is very dry.”

Hekelo nodded. “I noticed a warm spring in the front lobby downstairs. Perhaps they would allow you to soak for a few moments.”

“I will go there then. Please stay with Max until I return.” She started to pad out, tightening the sarong about her waist, then turned to the boy again, looking grave. “Where should we file a report on Caroline, Carl, and Hank?”

“Oh.” Max thought for a moment. “Um, maybe the police station, since this didn’t happen on the beach. But don’t worry, Leilani, the university has a bunch of cameras and drone stations. We’ll get them, I promise. Well, I hope so anyway…”

Leilani nodded and walked out without saying another word. Hekelo looked after his sister then excused himself, hurrying after her.

“Leilani,” he said gently as he met her by the elevator. “Are you sure you are well? You seem very…different than you usually are.”

The beautiful sea otter shook her head, and her green eyes filled with tears. “Nothing will be well until I deal with Caroline and her ilk. And I will…”

Hekelo touched her shoulder. “Sister. You were raised better than this. Let authorities handle this.”

She growled and shrugged him off. “To what end, brother? To let them possibly escape justice? They nearly killed the boy. And could have quite likely myself as well. The thought of them still roaming free…” Her paws tightened again into fists. “I could find Caroline on Hau`oli Moku. Confront her.” She began to smile but it looked hellish on her face. “Perhaps wait for her to get into the water. And when she was deep enough...”

She thought of how easy it could be. Caroline would be happily splashing in the ocean one moment, and the next, dragged deep, deep below the water in Leilani’s arms, fighting to break free for a breath as her tired lungs gave out. For good measure, Leilani thought about wedging her drowned body far enough inside an undersea cave, or under a reef, where she could never be found. And then there was Carl and Hank. From a strength standpoint, she was clearly at a disadvantage against even one of the bears. But Carl had wanted to have sex with her. She could be casual, friendly, seductive. Lure the bear into her domain, and then see how long his lungs would hold with her wrapped around his body and thrusting to meet his engorged member.

“Sister!” Hekelo hissed at her, breaking her out of her murderous notions. “What are you saying? Your answer to almost being killed is to possibly kill another?!”

Leilani looked down to the floor with a sullen expression, still fuming and not answering.

“Yes, perhaps this Caroline deserves a watery death, but it is not for you, nor I, nor any of us creatures to make that decision and to carry it out.”

“It would be justice,” Leilani replied quietly but the seething rage was already fading.

“It would be an execution,” her brother replied matter-of-factly and then sighed and stepped into the elevator with her.

“Stay with Max, Hekelo. I am fine, really.”

But the otter grinned and pushed the button to go down. “No. I will soak with you for a few moments. Then we will both visit this place further, and see if we can find some fish to take back for Max.”

Leilani smiled but said nothing. Her brother, always the voice of reason in the family, bore no ill will to anyone – even to Max’s parents, who were responsible for the injury to his tail. She longed to have his poise and outgoing, radiant attitude all the time, especially after such a horrendous experience.

Max meantime enjoyed a ginger ale and some crackers, which was all he could comfortably hold in his stomach at present, with the IV feeder providing the rest of his needed nutrients. He heard footsteps outside in the hall and thought at first Leilani or Hekelo was coming back. Instead, a tall, heavyset, bespectacled white rabbit came through the door, dressed in a silk black suit and tie, and carrying a small silver cane at his side.

“Ah, Mr. Lewis, you’re awake. Good to see that.” He sat down heavily on the chair beside his bed and puffed, wiping his ears with a handkerchief. “The name’s Thomas Carter. Mayor of Honolulu. How are you getting along?”

Max was surprised. “Um…okay, I guess? Wh-what does the mayor want with me?”

The rabbit chuckled. “I believe we need to speak at length about my daughter.”

Reality washed over Max and he stiffened. “C-Carolne?”

“Yes, Max. She told me quite a story a few days ago. How you got her alone in the university’s swimming pool and attacked her, and nearly drowned her, but she ended up fighting back and-“

“That’s not at all what happened!” Max roared and sat up, wincing in pain but surprised to find so much courage in himself to speak up against a person of power.

But Thomas raised a paw and shook his head. “Easy, son. I may be looked upon as a dishonest politician, but trust me when I say I didn’t believe a word she was telling me.” He waited for Max to lie back. “No, son, the cameras at the pool told me everything I needed to know.” A big smile formed, setting his white whiskers back. “Quite a lovely companion you have. Looked like you two were getting ready to break a few Decrees.”

Max blushed but said nothing, looking away.

“Oh, Max, relax,” the bunny chuckled, and reached over to touch his arm. “Believe me, I’ve seen many hot human girls at the beach I’d love to sink myself inside. There’s lust all around us.” He licked his whiskers and sighed. “I noticed my daughter trying to have sex with you as well.”

Max retorted, “I hope you noticed the attempted murder too.”

“That’s what I’m here about, Max. Something must be done about my daughter and her immaturity, her viciousness, her callous disregard for others. But…it needs to be handled delicately.”

Max didn’t like where the situation was going and sat up again slowly. “What do you mean?”

Thomas stared incredulously at the human. “You’re joking, right? Son, I’m the Mayor of Honolulu. If it ever got out my own daughter was guilty of so heinous a crime, have you any idea at all what that could do to my reputation?! I could be impeached!”

“Does it really matter? The cameras all-“

“Oh, I took care of the cameras already, and all footage from the drones. My people erased all the data the following morning. Right now, it’s just your word against hers.”

Max’s heart sank. Was Caroline going to get away with everything after all? “So…wh-why are you here?”

Thomas leaned forward. “First, out of kindness, I will pay all your medical bills. Secondly, as I understand, you are attending university. I will award a scholarship to you in order to allow you to finish your degree, whatever you choose, with no further expenses. Lastly…” He paused, shaking his head, “As much as I don’t want to…I will arrange for your parents’ prison sentences to be reduced. They could go free in under five years.”

Max swallowed hard over the lump in his throat. “C-could…Could I think about all this…please?”

Thomas smiled jovially and stood back up and headed out. “Of course, Max! Take all the time you need, my boy!”

“Leilani isn’t going to like this.”

Thomas stopped short at the door and turned to look at him. “Oh, your companion? I wouldn’t worry too much about her. She’s guilty of violating the second Decree.” He smiled smugly. “And that, my friend, I assure you is still recorded footage. And quite possibly the hottest pool seduction scene I’ve ever seen…” His eyes went distant and dreamy. “Maybe the otter would like to meet at my office personally to discuss this more.”

“What about Carl and Hank?” Max wanted to know. “After all, they gang-raped her. They get off scot-free?”

Thomas snorted. “I have already spoken to the bears and their parents. The two are being sent off to the mainland for a while to an internment camp for predators, and will be taught the finer aspects of respect for fellow furries.”

Max snorted. “Got that all settled, didn’t you? No witnesses, no footage, blackmail, and now if I don’t agree with your bargain-“

Thomas pointed at him and his friendliness was all but gone. “You will agree. Or I have you brought up on charges for attempted rape on my daughter. And I can guarantee you, Max, being as how you’re a Lewis and all, and it’s my daughter we’re discussing…you know which side a jury would take.” He smiled toothily again. “Get well soon, Max. Pleased to meet you.”

He walked out, leaving Max fuming and shaking. He was still out of sorts by the time the otter pair arrived back with a plate of sushi, and decided not to say anything about his encounter with the Mayor of Honolulu.

At least not yet.

To Be Continued...