Enter Jace Hardstripe
Part 1
The door to my locker closed with a loud bag as I kicked it with my foot. I just had another run in with Michael Walker, a human that lived just down the street from me. We never really got on well but recently he's really been trying to push my buttons. I don't know what it is but its really starting to piss me off. See, the school district I go to has just started to integrate humans and anthros into the same school in some equality for all bull shit. I think it's a bad idea and so do a lot of other people. So there are bound to have some "growing pains" as the mayor of the city put it. I didn't like it in the least. Humans were cocky, ignorant, smelly, and most of all rude creatures out on the planet right now. It's a wonder us anthros haven't gone to war with them yet for how they walk around like they own everything. *sighs*
Anyways, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jace Hardstripe and as you can tell from my name, I'm from a feline decent. A tiger to be more precise but don't get your hopes up. I'm not all big and buff like you see all those models on TV. I'm just your average run on the mill big cat. I'm about 6 foot even in human terms and I weigh in around 180lbs. I'm pretty athletic as I play half back on the high school's football team but I'm also in the drama club too. Yeah, a cultured jock... I'm a rare breed I guess. *chuckles*
Well, today so far was pretty much a typical Monday. I was kinda tired still from the weekend's festivities and that asshole Michael has already gotten me in a bad mood. I didn't realize how much of a grump I looked when I felt a big paw on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
"Looks like somebody's got a case of the Mondays. Hahah..." The voice was deep a gruff, so I knew instantly it was Kale. I turned and leaned back against the wall of lockers with a smirk as I looked up at the big black wolf.
"Yeah... No thanks to Asshole." I grumbled, folding my arms across my chest. Kale frowned.
"Why do you let him get to you? He's just a human and not even a big one at that. Why don't you kick his ass and be done with it?" Kale said and reached out to put a paw over my shoulder on the locker behind me and leaned in closer to me. I could feel his heat and despite my detoured mood, I couldn't help but start to get a little turned on. I had to look away to control myself.
"You know I'd get suspended if I got into another fight. Not to mention getting in a fight with a human. You know the principal has already put out he'd skin alive anyone who got into a fight with one. I'd rather just deal with the headache from some crumby boy than the wrath of Mr. Stallionton."
"Yeah... I guess your right. I'm just worried about you.." Kale said and he nuzzled his snout into my neck with made me shiver and have my hair stand on end. Just then I saw a human boy walk by with a look of disgust as he watched us. That was another thing that I found ridiculously annoying about humans. They were so close minded about relationships, love, and most of all sex. That it was something to be held all high and mighty. It was almost opposite to how most anthros felt about it. Relationships and sex were something to be enjoyed, not something to be hidden or found as taboo if it was deemed "wrong" by some church or media. Love between furs of the same sex was just as common place in our society as between a male and a female relationships in the human's. There were no rules or limits, just raw emotion and freedom to express it. But here I go again being all philosophical again. *chuckles* Allow me to get back to the story and feel free to smack me if I get side tracked again. Hehe...
"Yeah.. He can be a real stickler when he gets his mind on something. Anyways..... did you do your history homework last night?" Kale asked. I just gave disappointed grin and flipped through my history book until I found a folded up piece of paper. I gave it to the big wolf and patted him on his cheek.
"Just have it back to me before 4th period, Okay?" I said with a sigh. Kale licked me on the cheek and turned to head down to his class.
"Thanks and I will this time." Kale said over his shoulder before he began to trot, not wanting to be late. With that, I looked down at my wrist watch and cursed under my breath. I was going to late too if I didn't hurry. I started to run and wheeled around a corner and began to run up the stairs. That's when I ran straight into a gang of humans loafing around on the stairway of all places.
"Hey!! Watch where you're fucking going shit head..." One of the humans said. He looked young, maybe a sophomore or junior. The others looked to be around his age. There were 6 in all. I took a couple steps back and glared at them. I had to forcefully hold back a snarl as I felt my temper surge.
"Maybe if you fucks didn't hang out on the stairway where everyone walks, people wouldn't run into you. Now, if you'll excuse me...."
"Oh... Kitty's got a big mouth..."
My eyes narrowed, my ears pin back, and the hair on the back of my neck stuck up as I recognized that voice. It was Michael Walker. I didn't see him there but he pushed himself forward though and stood right in front on me, hands in his pockets and with his stupid smug smirk on his face. Just that look always made my skin crawl.
"Not now Michael...." I snarled. I could feel my tail behind me twitching back and forth in anger.
"Awe... Did kitty loose his ball of yarn today? Or did you loose it up your boyfriend's ass last night?" Some of the guys behind him snickered.
"Go fuck yourself Michael. We've gone through this already. Just get out of my way so I can get to class." I said and started to walk around him. Michael grabbed my shoulder and pushed me back. I hit the wall behind me with a thud. From then on I saw red. I felt my fist hit something repeatedly and I remember the crunching sound of bone breaking. Then the next thing I knew was the feeling of me being pulled back by a couple members of the faculty and I saw Michael Walker in a bloody heap on the ground in front of me. I was taken to the main office and put into a chair. More like thrown, but I didn't care at the moment. My blood was still pumping with rage.
I was in there for what felt like hours as I saw paramedics come and go. I actually smiled to myself as I saw that asshole leaving on a stretcher. I even laughed, feeling no hint or remorse what so ever. Just then the door to the office crashed open, making the two secretaries jump and yelp. It was Mr. Stallionton. Now he was an intimidating fellow to begin with. He easily could be 7 feet tall and weighed over 240 pounds. He was a horse not to mess with and looking up at him seeing how pissed he looked, I gulped as my heart sank down all the way to my toes.
"In.... my office.... now...." My Stallionton said in a tone that sent ice through my veins. I quickly got up and scurried in and sat down in the chair across from his mammoth desk, my ears about as far back against my head at they would since the fear of god had already clutched against my sole. I sat there motionless as I heard his heavy hooves walk into the office, the door shutting and him slowly walking around to sit in his chair. His eyes were glaring at me. I think my heart actually stopped for a second as I have never seen such anger in anyone's eyes before. And as I'm sure it was a tactful move, he just sat there, staring at me for what felt like an eternity. My mouth was going dry with nervousness. Finally he spoke.
"Would you mind telling me what that was all about? I have a student in the hospital right now with four broken ribs and his jaw broken in two places and a fractured cheek bone. He's going to be eating out of a straw for the next 4 months!!?" He ended with a shout but then took a deep breath to calm himself. I could tell that he was just on the edge himself to just reaching across his desk and doing the same thing I did to Michael to me. I was more than thankful he had more control than I did.
"I'm sorry Mr. Stallionton...." I said in a mumble, not really able to look at him as I spoke.
"I don't give a shit if you are sorry or not!" He was shouting again. "Just tell me why? What freaking possessed you to do something so stupid. You know the amount of attention that is on this school right now. All the media needs to see right now is a human student in a hospital bed with the reason why he's there is because of one of MY students beat seven shades of shit out of him." With that he picked up his coffee mud and chucked it against the wall. It shattered on impact, leaving a dent. I flinched and I think I even yelped. My heart was really racing now cause all I could think of was him kicking the shit out of me. "WELL!?"
I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. I was trembling right now I was so scared. But looking at his furious face, I took a gulp, knowing I'd have to say something otherwise I really think he would beat it out of me.
"I... See, He's been giving me shit all year. In the halls here... Back in my neighbor hood... It... It just wouldn't stop. A-and this time... *gulps* He was in the stairway with his friends... And well... I tried to get by and he pushed me and that's all I remember... Honest!! I didn't want to fight him but he left me no choice!!" I started to choke up, my eyes starting to well up with tears. "Y-you can ask the guys there... I didn't want to fight him... I didn't..." My voice faded off with a tremble as I looked down to the ground, tears running down off my cheeks. A few seconds later I was sobbing uncontrollably. I didn't understand what was coming over me but I had to let it out and boy it was coming out in the bucket load. I didn't even hear Mr. Stallionton stand up and walk over to me. He put a hand on my back to comfort me and I dedn't even jump. I looked up at him, eyes red and cheeks damp with tears. I must of looked pretty pathetic. Mr. Stallionton just rubbed my back and just that small sigh of compassion was enough to help me get myself back together. He sat back on the edge of his desk and looked down at me. His face was softer now but it still looked frustrated and moreover disappointed.
"Listen... I'm gonna suspend you for two weeks and in the next couple days I'm going to have a parent teacher conference with both your parents and Michael's parents to try to smooth this whole incident over. I'll probably need you there too. So go with Mr. Smith to get your things out of your locker. I'm going to call your parents and explain what's going on and also so they can come and pick you up." He helped me up and followed me out of his office. I tried to clean myself up as best I could so I wouldn't look too much like a mess as I left the main office with the watchful eye of Mr. Smith behind me. Luckily it was during class so there wasn't hardly anyone in the hallways and when there was and they saw me, they quickly went the other way. 'Great...' I thought. 'It's already getting around school. I'm sure by the time school it out today, I will have killed the bastard and all of his closest living relatives.'
A little bit later my mom showed up in the front office looking rather frazzled and a little worse for the wear. By that time I had pretty much regained myself and was just sitting there quite with my book bag. When she came in, I didn't have to look at her to feel her glair at me. I knew she didn't like me fighting so I was sure I was going to hear it on the way home. She was in the process of signing me out when Mr. Stallionton came out of his office and saw her. He headed over towards us.
"Ms. Hardstripe... If you aren't in too much of a rush, can I see you in my office for a few moments?" He smiled warmly and beckoned for her to join him. 'Great' I thought before I turned back around and slunk down into my chair. I watched my mother quietly walk into the office before it shut. They were only in there for a few minutes before I heard the main office door open which made me look up. It was Kale. He looked relieved to see me and hurried over.
"Dude!? What happened. It's all over the school that you put Michael Walker in the hospital. Did you?" He looked really concerned and worried. I just nodded my head and looked back down to the floor. "Damn dude... That's heavy. Did you uh... Get suspended?"
"Yup..."
"I take it Mr. Stallionton was pissed too, huh?"
"Yup..."
"Well... Don't worry. I'll get you all the school work while you're gone so you aren't too far behind when you come back, okay?" He put a hand on my slouched shoulder. "Are you okay?"
I took a deep breath and let out a sigh. I sat back up and looked up at him. It was great to have a friend as good as he was and seeing the genuine look of concern on his face lifted my spirits. At least someone cared about me.
"Yeah... I'll be fine. It's just a lot to process right now. I still don't remember everything. The last thing I do remember about it was him pushing me and then it's a blur. Then the next thing I knew was Mr. Smith and Mr. Proudfoot pulling me off of him. I guess I snapped. I... I don't know."
"Well, whatever happened, its don't and over with. I'll give you a call tonight to check up on ya, okay?"
"I doubt I'll have phone privileges or any privileges from now till the time I move out and go to college. Heh..."
Kale just gave a forced grin and nodded. "Well either way, somehow I am going to check up on you. Okay?" Kale's ear's perked up, hearing the door to the principal's office click open. "Looks like I got to get going. I'll see ya tonight. Later love!" And in a flash, Kale whisked out of the office just in time as my mother and Mr. Stallionton came back out. I was slightly relieved to see that she didn't look as upset as before. I wonder if she is even going to listen to my side of the story. I doubt it.
"Get your things Jace." My mother said softly as she walked by me. When she passed I smelled something that I couldn't put my finger on but it was something that I had smelled before. It was very distinctive. I looked back to Mr. Stallionton and he had a broad grin across his lips. Another thing I found perplexing. It wasn't an expression I usually saw on him. But just as I was starting to put two and two together, I felt a yank on my arm. "Lets go Jace! You're in no situation to make me repeat myself."
"Sorry mother..." I quickly picked up my book bag and a few note books that wouldn't fit and followed quietly out after her. It was a pretty much silent trip all the way back to the house. She never said a word to me which I think was worse than chewing me out. She didn't even put the radio on when we were driving. It was a dead silence that you could cut with a knife. I hated it. I opened my mouth a few times to say something, but I never did. I kind of figured me doing something like that would open up the flood gates of hell and I would end up regretting starting it. So I sat there in the front seat next to my mom with my hands in my lap, head down, ears back, with nothing but my thoughts to keep me company. And that was not a good thing because all the way home I was constantly thinking of the worst case scenario that kept of getting worse and worse as we drove about what was going to happen when I got home.
When we did get home I was even more shocked when she didn't even come in with me. She just pulled into the drive way and stopped, leaving the car running. She popped it into park and sat there looking at the steering wheel.
"I have to get back to work sweetie. We'll talk when I get off. Your father will be home later on tonight from his business trip. And I'm sure you know you're grounded. So it'll be on your honor that you hold yourself to that. Okay?" She leaned over to me and kissed me on the cheek. "I love you baby. I'll be home around 430."
I was totally shocked. It threw me for such a loop that she was being nice to me instead of chewing me another one which knew I perfectly well that she was more than capable of doing so. I just sat there with my mouth open and eventually blurted out. "Okay Mom... Love you too." I got out of the car with my stuff and waved to her as she backed out of the driveway and sped off down the road to her work place. I stood there kind of stunned for a moment before I turned and headed up into the house.
The rest of the day was pretty quiet actually. I kept to my word. I didn't get on the computer or play any of my video games. I did watch the TV but after sitting around doing nothing for about an hour, I was going out of my mind, so I just switched on the TV to the discovery channel. I can't really be cheating if I'm learning something while watching TV, right? It was a little after lunch time when I dozed off on the couch. Next thing I knew I heard a loud banging on the front door that jolted me out of my slumber. I jumped up, a little disorientated. I quickly scampered over to the door, glancing at the clock as I dashed by. It was about 3:30 in the afternoon. Another loud couple raps on the door. I peaked out of the peep hole and my heart caught in my throat. It was Mr. Walker from down the street and boy was he pissed.
"Open the door you little shit before I kick it down!!" He banged on the door again. I was starting to get frightened. "I know you're in there!! I'm gonna kill you for what you did to my boy!! You hear me!! I'm gonna FUCKING KILL YOU!!" He hit the door even harder now.
I didn't know what to do. My heart was racing so fast. I felt myself slowly backing away from the door and my mind frantically thought of what to do. The police!? I ran to the kitchen and picked up the cordless phone. About that time, I didn't notice, but Mr. Walker had run around to the side of the house where the kitchen door was that lead out into the driveway. This door had windows. I was facing the phone holder on the wall as I jammed in the 911 call and put it up to my ear. He had to of seen me because just as the lady operator picked up, I heard a window bust out. I screamed out, wheeling around in an instant to only find Mr. Walker's bloody hand frantically reaching for the door handle and lock. Time seemed to come to a stop as I looked into his crazed face and he looked back at me. At that point I honestly knew he was going to kill me if he ever got a hold of me. I bolted. I had just gotten to my front door when I heard the kitchen door slam open with more shattering glass.
I frantically fumbled with the lock, frightened out of my wits, expecting to feel Michael's Dad on me at any second. Finally I managed to get it open and I was out in a flash, running as fast as I could down the street. I never once looked back and when I got about half a block down the road I realized that I still had the phone in my hand. I put it to my ear.
"Hello!? Hello!? Please help me!?" I shouted in a panicked plea. Nothing... I must already be out of the phone's range. "FUCK!!!" I yelled and threw the phone. Just then I heard a car speeding up behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Mr. Walked behind the wheel to his 4x4 Ford pickup. He was coming straight at me at break neck speed. I had to literally dive out of the way at the last second otherwise he would of ran me over. The wheels screeched as he slammed on the breaks and tried to speed around for another pass. I quickly got up, wincing at my complaining muscles and strawberries on my elbow and knees from my dive. My chest was burning and I don't think my heart has ever gone faster but I hardly noticed. I dashed off into someone's yard, my sights on a small alley that lead back into another neighborhood. I glanced back and saw that he was following me, the engine raging as he jumped the curb and hurdled after me.
There was about 50 yards now between the two of us and he was closing the gap extremely fast. I ran as hard as I could and turned down the alley just in time as I felt a whoosh of wind blow by me as he must of just turned at the last minute to keep from hitting the other house. I stumbled into the narrow alley about half way before I slumped up against the side of one of the houses while I tried to catch my breath. It was then that the burning in my chest, the weakness in my thighs, the pain in my back was all catching up to me at once. I felt my head go weak as I stumbled forward a couple steps. Then suddenly I froze. My ears heard a very distinctive click that could only come from a gun that was being cocked.
"I have you now you little shit... I'm going to make your furfag ass pay for what you did to my boy." Mr. Walker said as he stood at the mouth of the alley holding a pistol in his outstretched arm. He was breathing heavy also and I could see the gun was shaking as he was pointing it at me. His face, which I doubt I'll ever forget, looked to be one hair's breath away from insanity. I just stood there looking at him. I knew there wasn't anything else I could do now. This was it. I just stood there looking at him as he looked back at me. Seconds felt like hours as they ticked by.
"FREEZE!!!" Someone shouted from behind Mr. Walker. It was the police. My phone call must of gone through enough before it got out of range. Mr. Walker just stood there, looking at me. His face slowly changed from its crazed lunacy to something sad, tired, and depressed.
"Drop the gun!! Do it!! Do it now!!" The police officer shouted again. I looked over to the officer with his gun drawn at Mr. Walker and then back to him with his gun pointed at me. I didn't know what to do. My heart was still racing. "I said drop it!!"
Mr. Walker hesitated for a beat then dropped the gun before he staggered back with his arms up in the air. In an instant, the police officer was on him, slamming him up against the wall and cuffing him. I still just stood there, watching, unable to move, dumbfounded from what just happened.