FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It was midday as Daniel drove up to the parking side of the rest stop, about half a mile out from the main road. The sun was still set high above, the low 70 degree heat shedding down on the area as the door of the small white car opened, its sole passenger stepping out onto the gravel pavement. "Whew, I guess this is the place," smirked the youth with a flick of his leather jacket before closing the car door. Daniel relished the view before him, staring down a thicket of lush aspen and pine trees in the forest just off the side of the rest stop. The air smelt rather minty and cool for this time of year in late fall, a new sensation for him as he hardly ever got out of the city. Work was usually too much of a hassle at his IT job to do anything.

But today felt different, or at least he hoped as he popped the trunk of his car. Today he'd get to see a friend of old, one that he really missed. How long had it been: a year? Maybe even 3 since he last saw him? Daniel smirked at the thought when he got that text about 2 weeks ago.

[i]Yo Daniel, it's Felix. You know? From college, back when we did programming classes together? I know, it must feel like ages since we graduated and it's crazy for me texting you this out of the blue (still have your number you gave me ^_^). I hope you are doing well, and I hear you're still living in Colorado so I thought I'd hit you up and see how you've been; that is, if you...um....aren't too busy >.>. Anyways, just message me back when you can. I could really use your help with...something... I can explain more in person if you'll hear me out. Talk to you then, and stay classy![/i]

Part of him would've disregarded the message entirely. After all, why would Felix just suddenly message him out of the blue? Either way, Daniel wasn't the type of guy to judge those kind of things from his own experiences. He still remembered Felix helping him get through most of his classes out of the goodness of his heart, and already saw this as an opportunity to return the favor. It also helped that he had a few vacation days to spare and using a few of them now could be really good for him, since he rarely went on nature trips.

The black backpack was stuffed full of any supplies he could think of as he thrust it over his shoulder, putting the small sleeping bag under his arm before closing the trunk. Most of the gear he just bought from Academy, having literally no experience using it before. Daniel and nature never did seem to see eye to eye: he respected and admired it, but enduring time in the environment was a whole nother matter for him. Fortunately, it was three days at best he'd be out here. And at least he wouldn't be alone once he rendezvoused with Felix.

---

Two Hours Later:

"Great, I've probably passed that damn tree like 5 times now," grumbled Daniel, the frustration starting to set in. His eyes stared around at all the aspen and pine trees that blanketed the wilderness area, cool air rushing over his face and neck. "Ugghhh...this is hopeless." Though a simple task of reading a map for most people, this situation clearly wasn't the case for Daniel. I mean sure, he was certainly intelligent and could manage adapting to things well...in theory at least. But with no GPS or cell phone service this far out, he could only go by the map he printed out before leaving home.

"I still can't believe I agreed to this of all things," chuckled Daniel as he continued down the wooded trail, passing by a few thick branches before crouching under a large root from a nearby tree. "He has a cabin out here? Huh...never took him for being a nature boy." The youth mused as he adjusted his backpack, his supplies light for him since it would only be a few days up here with his friend. Felix was pretty shy when Daniel first met him, but they quickly became fast friends towards their last years after they found so many things in common with each other. A grin came across his face, memories returning to him from crushing Felix handily in several games of Super Smash Bros. Brawl or even having a weekend sleepover to play through RPGs like Xenoblade Chronicles and Ni No Kuni. Ah....the fun times of youth.

Sunlight poured through the treeline cracks, shimmering over the lush vegetation and green moss blanketing the tree sides as Daniel continued on, glancing around for a minute here and there to revel in the view. Only a few hours remained until night would come. Surely, there would be a clearing around here or a marker to give a better idea where to go. *SNAP!*

"Huh?!?," flinched Daniel, whirling about to glance behind at the noise he heard. It sounded like a tree branch being snapped, his brown eyes darting around the vicinity for any signs of movement. "Jesus...the hell was that?" The youth grimaced as he paced backward a few steps, his foot catching a pulled-out tree root that latched onto his heel. "WOA-!" A hard smack echoed into the trees from his fall, landing on a cold, hard mound of dirt as his backpack cushioned the tumble. "Mmmph, that's smarts..." With a sore rump, Daniel pushed himself to his feet, dusting the dirt off his backpack and jacket. "Heh...gotta be more careful around here. Last thing I want is to get hurt with no service or help out here." He was about to keep walking when another sound of cracking twigs echoed nearby, his eyes swiftly darting in its' direction.

"Hey!" he shouted in surprise, catching a glimpse of a swift moving object. Whatever it was, it was really big...and quick. Losing sight of it was bad enough, but now that he SAW it, it put him even more on edge as he back away from the area slowly. "The hell?!? G-great...that thing looked as big as a grizzly." Daniel couldn't wait around for it to come back. He had to flee fast, even if he was still lost!

The white sneakers dug in the dirt as he darted a 180 degree turn and bolted down the open brush trail, jumping over several branch/root hurdles as quickly as he could. The backpack shook violently with each step, smacking about on his leather jacket back like an alarm bell to tell everyone in the forest that he was here. But he didn't care. He wasn't worried about the things he knew resided here, or at least heard about; the youth knew damn well that THING he saw was no ordinary resident here.

"Crap...I...I...gotta find a clearing...somewhere," panted Daniel as he continued running, nearly spending all his energy in a sprint as he dug into the ground, making a hard right past several bushes. Or at least...that's what he only saw at first glance.

The moment his foot stepped past the first bush, his eyes went wide with shock. He felt something on his foot...soft...furry...and very big.

A loud growl came out of the black bear, instantly thrusting itself up from its nap to send Daniel and his bag flying back where he came. It might not be a grizzly, but that enraged look in its hazel eyes and the rows of knives on its paws were enough to tell Daniel he dun goofed. The terror splayed over his face as the beast loomed over him, standing on its hind legs with claws at the ready. The human shuffled quickly backwards on the ground as it cleared the brush, only a few feet from him as adrenaline set in. A swift charge came from the bear as it roared, leaving Daniel to instinctively deliver a straight kick from his shoe to its face. "YELP!" The bear reeled slightly from the blow, his soft black nose bruised with that sneaker heel mark as he gave it a quick rub.

Daniel huffed and panted in panic, pulling his backpack over his shoulder as he staggered to his feet with the precious seconds he had. How the hell did he expect to run into a bear of all things? With the pack open, he rummaged through it for anything he can find to defend himself when his eye instantly caught a large paw about to swing at him. The paw narrowly missed his face, Daniel having pulled his open pack as a shield in a split second to block the blow. The fabric tore to shreds with the sleeping bag inside, batted to the ground as its contents spilled over the area, including a few snacks he brought with him. "Crap..crap...e-easy now...I didn't mean to hurt you!," pleaded the youth as he quickly backed away. The bear wouldn't hear any of it, lunging forward with a powerful swipe. Daniel ducked, the claws digging into the tree trunk behind him as he dove forward to the other trail and ran, not looking back for a second. "Come on...gotta..gotta find help!," he panted. "I-ughh!," the words escaped as he fell forward. A damp patch of mud caught his sneaker as it slipped out from under him, falling forward with a hard smack.

"AAAAGGGHH!!!," yelled Daniel as a loud crack erupted from his back leg. Glancing to his side, he could already see the wound exposed to the elements, his knee all put shattered from the looks of it against the grey stone rock that jutted out from the ground. Sharp stabbing sensations riddled his nerves, the excruciating pain only being dampened by the adrenaline running in his system. Cool air shivered over his flesh, his eyes staring back now at the black bear advancing on him. "I...please....leave me alone!!," yelled the youth through tears. With each step the bear took, Daniel could only pull his fingers into the dirt, struggling as best he could to get away while his strength rapidly left his tired arms and legs. What could he do? He had nothing left to fight back. "I just..I just..." His eyes started get hazy, shock setting in as his vision rapidly got hazy. In a matter of moments, Daniel blacked out...resigned to his fate.

---

"Urrggh....what..where am I?" Daniel looked around as he lay on the floor, his leather jacket ripped along the back and completely dirty from debris. He winced slightly as he tried to get up to his feet, pain jolting along his lower right leg as he glanced down at it. "Damn it," cursed the human. His injury was still there, though not as severe in pain as earlier. But...something didn't add up as he looked closer at it. Instead of seeing a shattered knee, it looked completely fine now. The joint was fully healed.

"Wait, is that?," he started, reaching a finger out to touch the punctured lining along his upper thigh. From the shredded site along his jeans, it was obvious to him.

A bite mark. Possibly from a large dog or even the bear.

"Mmmmph, it doesn't hurt though." Daniel rubbed over it with his fingers, no blood coming out. Just an indention of teeth marks. With a wiggle of his leg, it felt fine to walk on, giving him confidence to rise up from the cold ground floor. "Huh...?!?" The human jumped in shock from the sight of his hand...looking slightly hairy with more black strands. And from the looks of things...the rest of his body started to appear in a similar fashion. Daniel's heart rate started to increase, anxiety coming over as he didn't know anything that happened after he blacked out. His skin felt clammy initially, his hand starting to shake some as the nails started to grow out an inch, turning to a black hue.

"Oh god...Oh god! W-what's happening to me?!?," stammered Daniel as he paced backward, gazing at his darkening skin and growing hair along his arm. The sun was already setting in the distance, light fading from the forest trail. With back against an aspen tree, his chest tightened with each breath as his muscles began to surge with more vigor; the chords along his arms and legs tensed up with raw strength pulsing into him as the bite on his thigh vanished in seconds. Whatever he was becoming, it had loads of benefits for the changing human, including advance healing and superhuman strength from initial glance.

Even so, Daniel's body trembled with the changes. He didn't ask for this. Crouching down on the a thicket of fallen leaves at the tree's base, his pants crunching on several pine cones, Daniel pulled his legs close. Already his arm was getting rather hairy and his chest felt more fuzzy that usual, giving him the urge to toss of his shirt with his tattered jacket if it weren't for the fear of seeing more of the monstrosity he was changing into. His nails began to lengthen out more on his hand, gaining a dark black hue as they extended into claws while his hand shivered some from the tingling vibes he was enduring. It was a foreign feeling unlike anything he ever felt, and why shouldn't it be. This stuff was straight out of a crazy horror film that he was a part of! With everything setting in, Daniel could only lean his head forward on his knees, sobbing into them as he cursed his predicament.

"Huh?! W-what was that?" He heard something, a crack or heavy footsteps on the ground near him. But how could he? His hearing wasn't that good.

Raising a hand along his head, Daniel freaked as he felt a few pointed tips with hair, realizing that those were his ears. At least...his new ones.

Whatever the sound was, he could briefly hear it approaching, causing him to shuffle more into the tree in fright. It could be the large beast he saw or even the bear from earlier. And in his current state, there's no way he could out run it, much less fight it off. A grey clawed paw gripped the side of the tree just moments before a grey snout started to poke out along with it.

"Hey Daniel," spoke the creature, it's tone rather high, but the voice sounded awfully familiar to Daniel. "S-sorry if I frightened you...I-I didn't know how you react if I-"

"Felix?!?," started Daniel, a surprise getting over him as his ears perked up, leaning forward to get a better look. "Is..is that you? Woah!"

A few feet from him stood the large grey beast from earlier, a werewolf from the looks of it or at least a really large wolf who could walk. It's fur was a dark grey with well-toned muscles along its legs and arms to go with those six-pack abs it sported. Despite the feral look, it was still wearing a tattered pair of khaki shorts that had several holes in them, possibly from being torn up some as it large tail poked out the back and swayed behind it. A strap was also fastened along his shoulder, a leather canteen holder secured along it. But what really gave it away that it was Felix was the handmade band of beads around the beast's wrist. Daniel always remembered seeing his friend wear it during lab, and never saw him without it; no mistaking those green and purple letter name patterns too. "It really is you!"

Looking up into its' light blue eyes, the wolf gave a warm smile as it shyly backed up a bit, rubbing its head as if embarrassed for something. "Heh heh, yep, you guessed it," blushed Felix some, despite the imposingly physique he had for a strong werewolf. "T-thanks for answering my message and coming out here. It really means a lot to me." He took out the water canteen, uncorking the lid as he gestured it out to Daniel who still rested on the ground, rubbing his hand on big tree root. "Here, you can use-"

"Stay back!" Felix's ear lowered from the sudden yell, watching his close friend back up more away from him in fright. "Don't come near me!"

"Daniel, what's wrong? Please, you don't have anything to fear from me," pleaded the big wolf, stepping forward with a look of concern on its muzzle.

"Fear?!? You were that thing I saw earlier, weren't you? When that bear attacked me; you jumped in front of me!," barked Daniel, tears in his eyes as his muscles tensed up more from shifting, feeling his bones pop a bit inside. "You...you made me this! You bit me didn't you?!?"

Those words hurt more than anything, like daggers sinking deep into his heart as Felix's ear drooped with his tail. In his mind, he did what he could to save his friend. Sure, he knew what would happen if he bit him, but he couldn't think of anything else when he saw that busted leg of his. If he didn't act, Daniel would be dead here, and no one would come to see him. A slow nod came from the wolf with closed eyes in response.

"I knew it! You were watching me too, weren't you? And yet you did nothing when that bear showed up at first," yelled Daniel, his body starting to ache more from the shift as his feet started to push inside the confines of his shoes.

"Please Daniel...," pleaded Felix with a paw out. "Yes...I was watching you. I caught your scent the moment you arrived, but...I was too nervous to approach," he said, turning away in shame. "This was my one chance to see you. I haven't seen anyone since I first changed into this form." A deep sigh came from his muzzle. "Out here for nearly two months alone and afraid was difficult for me. And I'd still be out here with no one and nothing, if it weren't for using the cabin my grandparents had." Daniel could only flinch more from the tingling sensations still creeping over his body, the pain very apparent to Felix now as the changing human started shivering more and more with arms clenched over him.

"Listen to me Daniel," approached Felix. "I can't explain everything to you...so I'll just be blunt. Yes, I bit you. And in another hour, you'll be a werewolf like me."

"Mmmph, god...ugggh it hurts all over," moaned Daniel as more of his bones started to stretch, his muscles tensing up more as his shirt and jeans started to strain from the growth. "P-please..make it stop! Arrrgghh!" The moment he saw his friend spasm his back, Felix couldn't take it anymore.

"Hold on, Daniel!," Felix remarked with a determined gaze in his blue eyes, swiftly scooping the cringing human up in his powerful arms. "I might have something that can help."

The wind blew swiftly over his new growing fur as Daniel shook in the arms of the bigger wolf, looking up with fear as he was carried through the forest. Felix moved at top speed, his claws digging into the cold dirt for more traction as they kicked up clumps with each step. The cabin was already in view from this point as he made a sharp left, the small wooden house made clearer by the buffs of smoke coming from its chimney while light glowed along the back windows. Night was setting fast, and Felix wouldn't dare leave his friend outside to face the night alone. Not like he had to before...

The door flew open from a swift kick of Felix's lupine foot, crashing on its hinge as marched past the carpet and towards the couch of the living room, a few soft feline fur hides decorating over it for warmth. A small table behind it still had a lamp on, the warm light illuminating the area along with the roaring fire blasting heat from the fireplace just several feet away.

"Alright," Felix said as he gingerly rested Daniel on the couch, placing a paw on his forehead. The changing wolf's body heat was scorching from activity, the no doubt releasing all that exothermic heat to fuel the changes needed for his transformation. "Errgh...your body is on fire," grimaced the big wolf as he stroked over Daniel's black coat, leaving the him shivering on the couch with closed eyes as the rest of his changes continued to run the course. A black nose rested on his face while his tongue could feel his teeth and canines extending in length. His coat was so beautiful, despite nearly ripping through his shirt and tearing his jacket from gaining more muscle mass.

As Felix stepped away to rummage through the cabinets nearby, Daniel rose up some, his head feeling groggy as he rubbed his head with a...paw? A low growl came out of his mouth, shaking his head some from a slight pain on his face. Inch by inch, the changing wolf gritted his fangs as his muzzle began to jut out more, stretching his face out as he leaned forward to cover it with a paw. Despite the slight pain, it felt so smooth to the touch. Daniel ran his cushioned paw pads gently along the stretch bone, the sensation so electric now. "Mmmmpphh...errrgh..this fe..eellss...weird to...ta..lkk with..," started the new wolf, nearly slurring his speech as he ran his meaty tongue along his gums to get used to speaking this way.

"Relax Daniel," chuckled Felix, stepping around the couch side to sit down next to his black-furred friend, mashing up a handful of herbs in some steaming hot water and cream.

"Wh...what's that?," pointed Daniel with a claw, not recognizing the purple leafed plant that was quickly grounded up and sloshed in the liquid by the wooden spoon. A quick sniff of the air gave off a minty, yet mellow scent from whatever it was.

"Heh heh, its wolfsbane actually," smirked Felix. "Ironically, despite the name sake, it's a good inhibitor for anxiety and pain receptors. At least...from what I read in biology." The grey wolf placed the spoon on the nearby coffee table before handing the cup over to Daniel, looking on with hesitation. "Here. Drink it up, and it should give you some comfort. In case any more aches come about."

"Oh uh....thank you, Felix," nodded Daniel, glancing over the light purple brew as it bubbled some from the hot water. The moment his tongue touched the drink, the wolf could only scowl in disgust. Despite the cream added, it tasted far to bitter for him...almost as if he was ingesting liquid grass. "Ggguhhhh...gods, this is gross." Felix could only chuckle slightly, leaning back into the couch as the young wolf stuck out his long tongue and rubbed over it, trying to get that bad taste out of his mouth. "W-why would you even drink this? I might even vomit it out later if I did."

Felix shrugged, resting his broad arms over his chest. "Well there wasn't much out here for me when I first went through these...changes. And this place doesn't exactly have the best first aid for these kind of..situations." Daniel looked on intently, realizing first hand that he was in a much luckier spot. At least he had company and help to endure this type of transformation; poor Felix had no one but himself to go through with it. The young lad probably wandered about for days in agony, all while here Daniel was with him resting in an abandoned cabin with a roaring fire and a comfy fur couch to rest. "I mean, at least I had a huge knack for biology. Plus I've been out here enough to know the wild game, the various plants and berries to forage, and how to scout the area." He smirked a toothy grin. "It isn't so bad once you get more acquainted with nature, you know?," glancing over as Daniel finally got the courage to take a few sips of the brew, flinching some from the horrid taste. Even so, he needed to take it. It would help ease the pain and show his gratitude towards his friend.

"Mmmm, I'm sorry to hear you had to go through this alone Felix," said Daniel as he gulped down another swig, his ears drooping before placing the cup with half the brew in it on the coffee table. The flames of the fireplace crackled and flickered, heat swaying over the room as the two wolves stood in silence, just staring forward as they each gathered their thoughts. It was an odd time indeed for them to meet up again, but none of them imagined it would be like this of all things. Finally after a few minutes of silence, Daniel turned to face the grey wolf with his yellow eyes. "Hey...," gestured the black wolf, scooting over closer to his friend as he put a paw on his shoulder, getting Felix's attention as he broke off his forward stare. "I'm...sorry about yelling at you like that earlier," Daniel frowned and sighed. "I felt so scared, and...I-I didn't know what to think honestly. Initially, I wanted to blame you for it all: for dragging me out here with that message, spying on me from the distance, and then turning me into well...a wolf." Daniel shook his head, ears flickering some as he continued. "But...that was silly of me," he chuckled. "You probably had your reasons for doing what you did, so I can't blame you for it. After all, you are my friend."

The moment those words rang in his ears, beads of tears started to roll down the lupine's face as he leaned over to give a big hug, surprising Daniel some. *sniffles* "Thank you Daniel...," sobbed the big wolf, rubbing his muzzle along the black-furred neck. "That...means so much to hear you say that!"

"Felix...?"

"I've...I felt so hopeless when I first started to feel the changes creeping over me a while back," Felix sobbed as he continued. "I noticed my hair was so much thicker one day when I woke up, and the next day my fingernails started to darken more and extend out. I looked online for anything, but nothing made sense...and I didn't want to be seen as some...freak in public. So I fled here, trying to make it to the cabin. But the pain was so intense that I ended up passing out midway down the trail, left out for a whole night with only my clothes and my torn up toat-bag." Felix sniffled as Daniel hugged him tightly, starting to calm down some. "I needed help...but I couldn't be seen. I still had my phone, managed to charge it late at night at the rest stop before running several miles out till I had some reception. Most of the messages I sent out got ignored....including my folks. I'm just glad you at least responded." He smiles as he leans back to look into Daniel's eyes.

"Heh, well...it's the least I could do," replied Daniel, smiling back. "It's been a while since we done anything together since college."

"That is has been," nodded back Felix. "Course while you're here, we can always catch up on things, if you want."

"Certainly! I've...never really gotten use to the whole life outside with nature, though I guess it's a perfect time to start," chuckled Daniel, glancing at his dark paw pads curling about in front of him.

"We can both get more used to it, together," hugs Felix, the black wolf smiling as the purple and green band still rested on his hand. "Thanks for being a close friend, Daniel!"

"You too, Felix!," smiled Daniel back in a hug. "It's what friends are for."