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Chapter 7

Lou

I wasn't running away. Well, maybe I was. I don't know. I just needed to think. I held my horns, pacing through the scrub around the warehouse. I don't mind admitting that I was kind of scared.

"Hello there!"

I stopped and looked up. I'd wandered around the back of the warehouse without noticing. Now a rabbit was waving at me. She was standing in a garden in front of one of those streamline, art-deco trailers that were popular in the late forties. Well maintained and almost blinding with its polished chrome exterior. It looked so out of place around all these crumbling buildings.

"Um... Hi." I took my hands off my horns so she wouldn't think I was weird. But then again, who was she to judge? She was wearing a tiedyed sundress and farming in the middle of this urban wasteland.

She straightened her back with a groan and took off her gardening gloves. Her ears were a little floppy with age. Old enough to be retired.

"Are you one of Casey's friends?"

"Casey?"

"Such a nice young fox, but so loud sometimes. It's like he has a shooting range in there. I was telling Llyod, Llyod is my lifemate you see, that it's so nice to see a young fur with a hobby. Even if it can interrupt our yoga over here. So, are you?"

"Am I what?"

She smiled. "One of Casey's friends?"

"Y-yeah. That's me I guess." I can't believe someone named Casey got the drop on me. That's like a name for someone selling TVs or a fur that owns an ice cream shop.

"My name's Rebecca," she started walking towards me and I knew she was the talkative type.

"Moon," I held out my hand.

"Moon? Oh that takes me back. I used to go by Reflecting Oasis. Of course that was before your time and back then it wasn't as odd as you'd think."

She got a wistful, far away look in her eyes. God, I hoped she wasn't about to tell me a story.

"Um, nice to meet you," I hurried to cut off any reminiscing. "I'm a little..." I shrugged and looked around, "lost."

"Aren't we all, sweety," she grinned.

"Could you, maybe, point me towards a bus stop?"

"Of course. But I would be remiss if I didn't at least offer a friend of Casey a nice cup of herbal tea."

Her hands were small but her grip was firm. She started tugging me toward the trailer.

"I wish I could take you up on that, but I really have to sort some things out." And I did. Either I needed to get my ass out of town or come up with a hell of convincing story to tell the cops.

Rebecca was relentless. "There's no better place so sort things out than over a cup of tea."

"Yeah, but I-" Wait. Why was I arguing? I shrugged again and let her drag me away.

***

I'd walked onto the set of a old sitcom. The place was so... charming. Nicknacks, potted plants, knitted throws. You'd never guess it was a trailer if you were used to the trailer parks I've been in.

Rebecca led me to a little Formica table. There was another rabbit, Lloyd I guess, hidden behind a newspaper.

"Lloyd!" Rebecca laughed, "we have a guest. Show some manners. This is Moon. One of Casey's friends."

She pushed me into a padded seat and Lloyd put down his paper. The fur around his whiskers was starting to gray and he wore round bifocals, but the tie dye shirt that matched his lifemate's told me he was equally free spirited.

"So," he smiled, "I hear you're a bit lost."

"Sorta. How did you-"

He pointed to his large ears and then the window.

"We're good listeners, Moon," he chuckled.

I was vague and he didn't press me. I told him I was in the kind of trouble that had no good solutions, and he nodded sympathetically.

"Those are the times when we find out who we truly are," Lloyd said.

"Yeah. Problem is I already know who I am. I'm an asshole."

Rebecca came through the beaded curtain that separated the kitchenette. She carried a teapot and couple of cups hooked in her fingers. I could smell the aromatic blend already.

"Mmm," finally a decision I made paid off. "Is that keemun and oolong?"

"Very perceptive," Rebecca smiled. "Most furs miss what's under the jasmine."

My cheeks heat up. I wasn't used to compliments.

She started to pour the steeped tea. "Jasmine gives off a strong fragrance. Furs expect the flavor to overwhelm, but furs like you and I know it's just a mask for the tea's real qualities."

How the hell much did this rabbit know? My hands fidgeted. I picked up the cup and held it to my nose. I took another deep breath.

Wait.

I gave it another sniff. "Is... is that-"

"Just a hint of marijuana extract." She winked. "It calms the nerves and helps with the decision making process, I find." She pulled over a folding chair and eased into it. "You are cool with that, aren't you?"

I couldn't hold back the laugh.

***

"And that is the inherent flaw in our capitalist system," Lloyd stated firmly.

"Have to agree with him there, Moon," Rebecca nodded. "When we were your age, dealing was a far more altruistic enterprise. We dealt grass so other furs could expand their doors of perception. Now it's all about the bottom line."

She reached over to pour me my third cup. This tea was fucking awesome.

"Thank you, Rebecca," I sipped happily.

"My pleasure, dear. So, have you come to a decision?"

I shrugged. "I always wanted to see the country. I could go up North until this all blows over."

Lloyd reached over and squeezed my hand. "You might even like it up there. Some of the friendliest furs we've-" His ears twitched and he looked toward the door.

Rebecca nodded. "Sounds like Casey is back."

The screen door flung open with a clatter. The fox was panting loudly like he'd been running. His fur was disheveled and he was wearing a sweaty Superwolf shirt.

"Heya, Casey," I waved.

His eyes widened and his ears splayed.

"Join us," Rebecca chirped. "Moon was just telling us about a trip he'd been planning." She went to find another folding chair.

Casey stared at us for a moment before inching closer. He looked a lot more intense without the mask and cape. And maybe it was the tea that lowered my inhibitions, but there was a definite cuteness to the high strung vulpine.

"A... trip?" he asked quietly as he lowered himself into the chair next to me.

I kept looking at him, trying to imagine what I'd been afraid of yesterday. The fur looked so harmless.

"I believe that was the option we were leaningtoward," Lloyd said.

***

Chapter 8

Casey

Oh, this was not good. Not good at all.

I smiled awkwardly at Lloyd, wondering how I could ever explain myself if I had to knock out Lou should things go south. But Lou wasn't exactly acting the part of a villain. He was just swirling his drink and looking at the posters of dancing cartoon flowers that adorned the wall.

Rebecca set down a chair across from Lloyd, completing our semicircle. Then she set an empty cup in front of me.

"Oh," I put my hand over it. "None for me, please. But thank you for the thought."

"You sure, dear? It will relax you."

Lou started snickering for some reason.

"No thank you." The last thing I needed right now was to relax. Furs were dying out there. I needed to keep my mind sharp to catch the serial killer.

Lou managed to control his giggling. "It really is good tea, Casey. I recommend it."

I glared at him, wondering if he was using my name to tease me. He was sipping what was left of his tea, so, I don't know, he might just really like it.

Rebecca shrugged with a smile and set down the kettle. "Suit yourself. I might have some scones I could whip up, now that I think of it."

"Ooh?" Lou sat up.

"I wish we could stay," I cut in, "but we do have urgent business to attend to. Thank you for your hospitality, again." They really were nice neighbors. "And please send me a bill for any expenses Moon may have accrued." I slid back my chair and stood.

Lou let me stand looking like an idiot for a few moments before he sighed. "I guess I better get going. It was nice meeting you Rebecca," he patted her hand, "Lloyd," he gave a firmer shake.

"Hope it all works out, dear. And remember, you're always welcome to stop in for a cuppa."

The rabbits waved from the door of the trailer as I tried not to lose my cool walking the goat around the side of the warehouse. I spun on him the second we were out of sight but his words were quicker.

"Chill, alright? Your secret is safe with me. I promise."

"But-"

"It's been... interesting, but I've gotta get out of here."

"What-" he reached out and patted my head. I smacked his hand away.

He laughed softly before turning.

"Hold on," I smoothed back my hair. "They won't turn you in."

"I know," he called over his shoulder.

"Well, wait then. Stop!" I jogged after him and grabbed his arm. "You, you said you'd give me some time to clear your name. If you run, they'll think you're guilty."

"That was when it was just the cops after me."

My head tilted, prompting him to continue.

"There's this raptor... the one I deal for. He, uh, he's going to come looking for me if I don't turn myself in in..." he took one of my burner phones out of his pocket and looked at it, "twenty minutes. So sticking around is no longer an option."

"But running away is?"

He stopped and turned. "Yes. And it's a damn fine option at that."

"No it's not!" I tried to keep my ears up, it makes us canines seem more confident. "I gave you the best option. I'll catch the killer."

"Good luck with that," he said. "And I mean it. But I don't want to die and-"

"I can protect you!"

"Not from Vekt!" His temper was flaring again. Both of ours were. He took a deep breath. "Casey, Vekt is the kind of raptor that wouldn't think twice about turning me into pet chow and then keeping you as his pet."

"Ew," my nose wrinkled at the imagery.

Lou snorted and turned to leave again.

"Stop! I am so sick of no one respecting me. Have you ever wondered what kind fox I am? I'm the kinda fox that kicked your ass and then maced a couple cops to make his getaway. I'm the kind of fox who's hunting a serial killer. I am not the kind of fox that's afraid of some immoral, drug dealing raptor!"

I grabbed Lou by the coat and held tight as he tried to backpedal.

"Lou. Moon. Please. Give me one night. That's all I need. Vekt won't bother you again."

Lou opened his mouth but the words were slow to come. "How? How would you deal with him?"

***

I spent an hour explaining how being a superhero works. To be honest it sounded a little nuts when I just put it out there like that.

"Just walk up behind him and knock him out, huh?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, I'll work out the specifics when I get there, but..."

"What about the guns, Casey? The bodyguards?"

My tail bristled. "Could you not use my name?"

"For fucks sake. What the hell am I supposed to call you?"

I thought I'd made that clear. "The Reckoning."

The jerk laughed!

"Real funny? This from a goat who wants everyone to call him Moon."

He glared at me before suddenly turning away. "Fair point." He started stroking his horns and pacing.

"Cas- Rec, can you really get Vekt off my back?"

I put my hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Yes, Moon. I promised you I'd get you out of this mess. That includes drug dealing raptors. Just answer some questions and I'll take care of the rest."

He mumbled something under his breath. "One condition."

"What?"

"I come along when you go to take him out."