100 Aching Would's part 1: Introduction to Insanity
The dew shimmers in the morning sunlight as a gentle wind sweeps across a plane. A figure lies prone in the field. Upon closer inspection, the figure is discovered to be a female feline with jet black fur. Her body is soaked and is only covered by a thin jacket and jeans. She shivers in the cold air.
A few miles away, two rangers get dressed for their daily patrol.
"Hey, Smokey, you ready for a brand new day?" a small weasel asks.
"Please don't call me that, Jason, it's too early for jokes," responds a large brown bear.
"Oh calm down, Boris, it's just some typical morning fun."
"The morning came to soon today, and don't call me that either."
"Fine, Blake, what's wrong."
"I just spent the night with too many thoughts as company again."
"You've got to stop doing that to yourself. Find a nice man to live with."
"Yeah, still not gay."
"You'll come around."
The two finish preparing and head out to the jeep. Blake turns the key, and techno music comes blaring out of the radio.
"What did I say about changing the station?" demands Blake.
"Oh calm down, besides it's much better than your rock music."
"You had better take that back, or you're riding off the back of this thing."
"Fine, fine. Whatever."
Blake changes the station, and a rock ballad starts. The duo travel down the muddy trails until the jeep comes upon one particularly large puddle. The jeep gets caught in the hole, and refuses to move.
"Great," moans Blake, "I'll get out and push while you give it some gas."
"I know the drill."
Blake jumps out onto the mud, and places his shoulder on the rear bumper while turning his head. He spots an odd coloration in the nearby field as the jeep lurches forward. Blake doesn't notice, and falls forward into the mud.
"You okay back there?"
"Yeah, just go on without me, I'll catch up."
The jeep goes further down the trail as Blake walks out into the field, staring at the odd shape. Suddenly, he recognizes the figure, and sprints over to it. The feline doesn't respond to his calls, and Blake picks up his walkie-talkie.
"I need you over here now!"
"What's wrong?"
"Just get your ass over here!"
After what seems like hours, Blake finally picks up on the familiar buzz of the engine. He picks up the feline, and runs back to the trail.
"Finally find yourself a woman?" Jason asks.
"Not the time for jokes," Blake responds, "I'm going to regret this, but you have permission to floor it."
They rush back to the cabin and take the cat inside. Blake gently lays her on the table and tells Jason to find some blankets and to grab his extra clothes. Blake goes off to find the first aid kit.
"Aha! Found it!" exclaims Blake as he pulls down the kit from the top shelf. Jason comes back and undresses the wet mystery girl. Blake spins around and instantly blushes at the sight. He turns his back again and waits for Jason to finish
Blake removes the thermometer from the kit, and places it into the feline's mouth. Soon, the results are in, and the cat's temperature is only slightly below normal. Both men sigh in relief. Suddenly, the cat stirs herself from her slumber, and jumps at the sight of her new surroundings.
"Wh...where am I?"
"Well, you're currently in the ranger's station, but we have two better questions for you: who are you, and why were you out in the field?" asks Jason.
"If I tell you, will you keep it secret?"
"Of cour-" Blake starts.
"Tell us, and then we'll see." cuts in Jason.
"Well, I was running away."
"From whom?" asks Blake
"My life. I just couldn't take it anymore. It was all just too much. I wanted to live like a feral, and just be able to have some peace."
"Well, that sounds pretty bad," Jason responds, "but we still have to get you back to your family."
"I don't have one."
"None at all?"
"None."
"Well, I can't have her stay here or with me, my house is too full as it is. You want to take this one, Blake?"
"M-me?"
"No, the other brown bear named Blake in the room," Jason sarcastically answers, "don't worry, it won't be long. We'll find you a place to go to soon enough. Oh! What is your name?"
"I'm Shannon. I don't really have a last name though..."
"Well, Shannon, you don't need to worry about this big guy. He's just an overstuffed teddy bear!"
"'Overstuffed'?"
"You heard me, Smokey. Well, I'll contact the shelters and see if there's an opening somewhere. Sadly, during this time of fall, it's not too likely. Well, I guess we should get you out of here before you freeze even more. The blankets can only do so much, and I'll bet you want to sleep in a real bed."
"Shannon, are you okay with all of this?" Blake inquires.
"Well, as long as I'm not forced to go back to the factory..."
"Factory?"
Shannon tenses up and gives the impression of having said too much. She shakes her head vigorously and nearly breaks into tears.
"Woah! Okay, we don't have to talk about it." says Jason. "Well, it looks like it'll be a few days before any of the shelters will have an opening, so you two should get going. Blake, treat her like a lady and get her something better to wear."
Blake and Shannon walk out of the cabin, and enter Blake's personal truck as Jason watches from the window.
"I have a feeling this girl is going to be trouble," Jason mumbles to himself.