FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

“By the way, you haven't told me what you're gonna do now?"

“You're right Nick. I haven't."

“Some big secret huh?"

“I like the sound of that. Some big secret."

The two teens wandered the school grounds, exam results fresh in their minds. Huge 'Class Of 2091' banners hung from roof-edges, celebrating their coming exit from high school. Both were pleased with their results. Nick could prepare for college without fretting over his placement, and Tommy — well — Tommy proved to himself he could excel. That his once-impoverished background failed to impede him. Perhaps that knowledge will be useful for what he intends, perhaps not. A great unknown awaited him. Exciting on one hand, terrifying on the other.

“Can I guess what it is?"

“You can try."

“Ya wanna head back home, is that it?"

“Mmm...kinda."

“That's cheating! C'mon, either I guessed right or I didn't."

“Kinda...because you guessed half-right."

“Will you tell me then?"

“And defeat the point of keeping it a secret? Fat chance!" Tommy laughed.

“Will you ever tell me?"

“Maybe." He spent a moment thinking about what to say next. “In the future it'll be okay to tell you. Some day. But right now? It's not for your eyes."

“Geez," Nick sighed, “what's turned you into James Bond?"

Tommy smiled. It surprised Nick. It surprised him because it was the most genuinely happy smile he'd seen his friend make in a long time. “I've found a purpose," he said, “something I can do to help."

“Well whatever it is, I wish you all the best."

They hugged each other. That beaming grin Tommy wore hadn't faltered, and Nick found his happiness infectious.

When their embrace was over, both felt it had ended too soon. When Nick left for college they might never see each other again. There was a bittersweet finality to their mirth. Tommy's newfound calling or no, he wasn't pleased to see them split up.

“Graduation in two weeks. Think you can make it?" Nick asked.

“Possibly. I might not be able to show up it if what I have planned happens sooner."

“Damn that sucks. I'll save you a seat anyways."

“Thanks. And I hope you do well in college. I'll miss your...your...you-ness."

“Well hey, no matter what we'll keep in touch right?"

“Sure, yeah." Tommy thought about how best to maintain contact with his closest friend and safeguard his family's secret. Phone calls? Text messages? Internet chat? Definitely not video!

Someday he'll let Nick know. Someday. Until then, he had a lot on his plate.

* * *

Phone call number one, Tommy told himself, here we go...

“Carl, I've spent a lot of time thinking, and I wanted to talk to you. Right now, I...I don't belong anywhere, can't seem to escape the feeling of never fitting in. That's not just to do with the way everything felt back with my...uhm...parents, but things in general. The farm, and the world beyond."

“I see. This is way too much for someone your age to be dealing with kid, I'm sad to say..."

“I know."

“What is it you wanted to talk about? I'm not dumb, it's more than telling me your down."

“I'm going back."

“No kidding?" Carl was taken by surprise. He didn't reckon Tommy would be able to reconcile with his parent's so soon.

“Yeah. No joke. I want to help 'em, given their situation. Best way I can think of doin' this is coming home and working directly with Bovinex."

“Why on Earth would you want that. I haven't told ya much of my past but hot damn kid, if I had the choice again to work for Bovinex or fuck off into the sun, I'm grabbing as much SPF-50 as I can carry!"

Tommy chuckled at the older man's remark. “How long before any of y'all retire, leaving my parents — hell, my little sisters — in the hands of who-knows-what. That's my concern. They won't be safe and comfortable forever."

“Ya know, you may have a point there kid."

“Cut the 'kid' crap Carl, I'm eighteen and you know it."

“Sure, fine. Tommy. You have a point. So what do you intend to do 'bout it?"

“Join the company. Work from the inside to keep things on the level."

“I like your ambition ki—sorry, Tommy. But what makes you think we're hiring? Gonna need better qualifications than a high school diploma."

“No, not quite. I've thought of another way."

“Go on..."

* * *

Phone call number two, let's do this...

“Ms. Cain, before I go any further, there's a few things ya need to hear." Tommy composed himself. All the pent-up anger towards his situation was ready to explode. “Ever since you first knocked on my door, I knew you were up to no good. And by golly fuck was I right! You, and your lackeys, have done more to ruin my life than being poor ever did. I have been shocked, frightened, stressed, pissed, furious, at a fuckin' loss for words about damn near everything you've done."

“Who the fuck comes into people's lives and thinks: 'ya know what, I'll turn these good folks into monsters. I'll prey on their desperation by dangling cash over their heads. I'll fucking milk them like FUCKING COWS'! Not gonna lie, Ms. Cain, heck of a business plan ya got there. Shame it nearly destroyed my entire family!"

“I have had my face done in by my animal of a father for callin' everyone out on their bullshit! My mom, my dad, and especially you Ms. Cain. All so you and your corporate buddies can jerk each other off about how you're selling 'vitamin-enhanced' dairy products or 'organic' supplements or whatever the fuck you call it. Do you think anyone, anywhere, would be okay with learning they're gulping down milk from the tits of a bunch of genetically modified slaves? Oh yes, I know what arrangement my parents have with you, and the money they make doesn't hide the fact they're your company's property!"

“Oh they might prance around happy, my parents. Thinking they're all at peace with their wild sides. But I've seen how it affected their minds, how it fucked up my mom and dad. They're gettin' better, sure, miles better. Dad actually has the wherewithal to feel bad 'bout hittin' me. My parents are still there. Still breathin', still every bit my mom and dad as they were when you had them sign away their rights. Which in a way makes it worse, what's been done to them. If they were brain-dead or some shit I'd actually be able to deal with it better. Unbelievable right?"

“You...uh...done?" Lacey wasn't the best a taking abuse, she generally preferred dealing it.

Tommy calmed himself enough to answer, the rage subsiding: “Yes." Might've gone a tiny bit overboard. He needed to get that off his chest, so he could focus on the next step with Ms. Cain. “It's been while, but I'm getting over...most of what you've done. Still want to punch you square in the face half the time."

She started to apologise, her voice audibly cracking. “Listen. I know you're still angry with me...and I'm sorry, I am to blame. For everything. For starting this whole thing with your mom and dad; talking them into it. Them being fine with it now doesn't excuse anything."

“I'm not just calling to bitch at you, Ms. Cain (as much as you might deserve it), I'm calling to change things for the better."

“Mooh...I don't quite understand."

“It's not just coming home...there's another thing I'd like you to arrange for me. God knows you owe me a favour or two for puttin' me through your fucked-up 'Old MacDonald' freak show."

“This will 'change' things, how exactly?"

“When I come back to the farm—"

“Wait," she interrupted, “you're coming home? To Eric and Sandra...for real?"

“It won't be quite the same. Hell, I won't be quite the same." He paused. The second time today he dropped this bombshell. “I should explain, and...heh...you'll love this..." Especially after my whole rant there.

Hearing his revelation, Lacey swore like a sailor:

“You're fucking kidding me!?"