FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

“Welcome home. Or should I say: welcome to our new home!"

Uma crossed the threshold as the cheers of her children filled the doorway. Michael and Cynthia had been good enough to delay entering in order for her to be the first one taking that monumental step. Donnie clapped. Tony came up behind the crowded kids and Jacob stood to one side, his face a washed-out colour.

“Well," Uma said, turning to the others, “we're here. At last!"

“I think we all need to spend some time looking around, getting used to this place. Yeah?" Tony stated. “Your mom's got good sense, so I'm sure the home she's picked out for us is perfect."

Jacob and Donnie were the first to follow, shuffling behind their father as he passed through the doorway, walking by Uma and spreading out over the ground floor. She waved them on, smiling all the while.

“Surprised ya didn't let us see the house earlier," Cynthia now emerged from the outside-in.

“Being 'surprised' is why I didn't," her mother replied, “not even your father."

“Really?" Cynthia questioned whether that level of secrecy was too drastic.

“I showed him some pictures, but that's about it. I had very specific requirements for finding a home and I didn't want any outside interference."

“Are you sure? Because that sounds kinda—" Cynthia was interrupted by Michael nudging past the two women, leaving behind a muttered 'sorry' as he walked across the hall.

After he left, she continued: “—kinda—"

Uma tutted. “Cynthia, do you remember where we lived? In a house too small for the six of us, never mind a dog! Granted, it would be great if one or two of you chicks flew the nest — give the rest of us some space for Christ's sake — but I never wanted to be that kind of parent who kicked her children out when they turned eighteen."

“Mom?"

“And that means I always want to do the best for you, to keep you safe and healthy. Believe me, it has led to some strange situations in my time. But, you're safe...away from the crime in our old neighbourhood...and healthy...your father and I aren't that bad at cooking! Can you argue with those results?"

“No mom, I can't."

“Take what you can get, honey," Uma hugged her daughter, “no matter how bad things are, take whatever opportunities you can get." Cynthia nodded. She'd learned from Michael that her mom had done more than just house-hunting to get to where she stood now. No...calling the seller's bluff was something she didn't have to do, but did anyway, damn the consequences. She missed, of course, the subtler implications of Uma's words.

“Now run along and fetch Axel outta the car. He's probably bouncing around in there. Your father does not want dog hairs all over the seats!"

Uma tossed the keys over to Cynthia as she returned to the car, releasing the beast. Axel ran rings 'round the lawn, tens of seconds at top speed exhausting him. The panting mutt trotted over to Uma, then brushed by her legs and went exploring like the rest of them.

Once she was alone — the family taking in every inch of their abode — Uma leaned back against the doorframe. Today had been a rollercoaster. She was able to relax now. Peace and quiet...hopefully it'd play nicely with changes still to come.

Checking her arms and legs, she found no trace of bruising from her stumble in the forest. Her limbs were as pristine as ever, completely healed since her encounter in the forest. Is that another part of—

Uma's thoughts were cut short when she noticed a sealed envelope on the floor, to the right of the door frame, sitting nonchalantly at the base of one of those long thin decorative windows that flank a person's front door.

We've got mail?

Picking up the envelope, Uma flipped it over to read the name. “Great," she growled, “it's from Kianna." She threw her head back, admonishing her luck. “Ugh!"

“You okay?" Tony had returned to her. She forced a smile.

“Just this," she handed him the unopened envelope.

“This?" Tony read the sender's name. “Wait...Kianna? Kianna...as in my cousin?"

“Yeah."

“Why did she send us a letter. Kinda old-fashioned. Wait..." he paused, the cogs whirring in his head. He leaned in close to his wife. “How does she know we moved?"

“We met at the hospital. Apparently she heard about Donnie. Did you tell her?"

“No."

“Weird," Uma tutted, “didn't give her an address, just mentioned to her that we were going to Carlyle. She made an incredibly lucky guess, or she's spying on us. At least I don't think I told her the address..."

Tony grumbled. “Wouldn't put it past her. She's a weird one, I'll give you that. But this," he handled the envelope, running his fingers along its coarse exterior, “is out of nowhere."

“Yeah," Uma glumly replied.

“Wanna open it?"

“Go ahead."

Tony split the seal and peeled back the paper, breaking off flecks of dry glue. “Here," he said, giving it back to her, “you read it. Seeing as you've made a new friend..."

“What's that supposed to mean?"

“...nothing...just think whatever's inside is between you and her. I'm staying outta it."

Uma read the letter:

Hi Uma,

Dropping you a line, wanted to say I'm very excited about seeing you again! After our little catch-up I just couldn't stop thinking about how things are going to change for you now that you have me around. I've lived in Carlyle for years. Great place, good for the kids. Even teenagers. Safe.

Would it be okay if I swung by? For a housewarming? There's some other things that I'd like to talk to you about. You know what I mean. By now it should be obvious I've helped you get things shored up.

I'd like a little quit pro quo if you know what I'm saying.

Best wishes,

Kianna

“She writes like she talks." Fake.

“Anything important."

“Nah," said Uma dismissively, “except...I did forget she lives here."

“She does?"

“Well I thought you might've brought it up when you saw the letter — she's your cousin after all."

He shrugged. “Like I care what my extended family does."

“I hope she's not close, I don't wanna have to put up with her."

“You won't have to, tell her to respect your boundaries."

Uma snorted. “That's rich coming from—" she stopped immediately after realising what she was about to say. “Sorry," she muttered.

“Not going there," Tony sternly replied. “You do you, I do me. Let's keep it like that for a while. I'm gonna help the boys carry their stuff inside."

Her husband wandered onto the front yard. Uma balled up the letter once he was out of earshot, nearly swearing aloud at the nerve Kianna had. Does she think I'm gonna be her BFF!? ' Best wishes'? She can go fuck herself! I'm not gonna play any games.

The crumpled rustle of the page came to an end once the invasive mail had been compressed into a ball of anger.

Tonight, she recalled, something's gonna happen tonight.

A yearning to know what she was capable of, what forces had awoken inside her, stalled her tirade. The events of the past few days were a constant reminder that her life was floating away from normalcy. The dreams, the thoughts, the vivid and domineering sense of uncertainty eating away at her — and the coming changes.

Maybe I could use this...get on her side for a time...see the extent of what's happening to me? A thought...

Uma scanned the letter once more, woefully uncrumpled.

Well, suppose I have to deal with this sooner or later.

* * *

Michael and Cynthia had exhausted their desire to explore. They leaned against the rear wall on the second floor, on the landing at the upper end of the stairs, peeking outside. “We've got a back yard," he said.

“Not just a dirt patch," she added.

“You can see another part of town," he pointed at the horizon, across the enclosed field that followed from their property, “think that's another suburb."

Interest in the environment was lost quickly. “Can't wait to eat," Cynthia groaned, her stomach joining in with a supportive grumble, “I'm starving."

“Me too."

Their chat stopped when they heard Uma approach, her footsteps against the creak of the staircase.

“Hey mom."

“Oh, hey kids," she huffed, reaching the top step.

“Mikey and I were thinking about food," Cynthia blurted out.

“We can order take-out in an hour," their mother said, dismissing her daughter's immediate hunger. She wouldn't be grocery shopping today.

“Okay," she said. Cynthia winked at Michael. “Now's your chance," she spoke quietly to him, reminding him of their talk in the car.

Stepping aside to let her daughter descend the stairs, Uma looked confused. “Did she say something to you?"

Michael said nothing, outstretching his arms and bringing his mother in for an embrace. Uma stammered at the surprise. “Mom, you've been our rock," he said, a heartfelt 'thanks' for everything she'd done for them.

“Oh! Thank you sweetie!" she reciprocated, wrapping her arms around him and holding him tightly against her. “Mmm," she sighed, sensing a pang of desire blossom — not yet rivalling Jacob. The corrupted part of her stoked fires in her depths. Her heart ached as she held him close. She ignored it as best she could.

They broke contact. “You liked that hug," Michael gushed, his face red after feeling his mom's bosom squashed against his chest.

“Guess I did!" Uma laughed, in a manner flirtatious, enjoying the momentary teasing she'd inflicted upon her son. Michael discarded any thought that this was more than mere embarrassment, the moment purely sentimental. He left the landing, and his mother, to find something to pass the time. Uma trailed his exit with greedy eyes. Jacob was one thing, but what about...

Competition.

* * *

As the day passed, Uma wondered when the next 'unusual' incident was going to occur. After a brief hiatus, when her mind wasn't fixed on more pressing matters related to the move, she could no longer keep it from polluting her thoughts. I want to know, she repeated, I want to know how I've changed...it felt so real...so...amazing...

Pacing in her brand-new bedroom, alone, she fidgeted with her hands — a presentation of nervous energy to any who might walk in. It was real, she reminded herself, it couldn't have been imagined. Taking a deep breath, she sensed the surrounding room, its comforting semi-furnished structure blocking off any unwanted entreaties by the outside world, keeping the environment subdued and safe. She stopped walking the length of the room, instead closing her eyes, and concentrating. Focusing on the memories of her encounter, the shattered shards of Kianna's gift bursting before her. The images flashed in her mind, the imprint of Axel's demonic visage burned into her vision. Power, she echoed — the word resonating with the ambient thrum of the bedroom — power that belongs to me...

Tonight.

She paused. That'd jumped into her mind; that word...what did it mean?

Intrigued by her innermost conscience restlessly swirling in the back of her head, Uma paid no notice to the door opening behind her until it was enough to startle the woman. She leaped back with a fright, emitting a yelp.

“Whoa, Uma, honey—!" It was Tony. “I didn't mean to startle you."

“I...uh...what is it?" she asked in a daze. Something surged within her.

He quietly shut the door as he moved into the room. His hand-wringing didn't go unnoticed.

“Uma," he began, stumbling over his wife's name, “there's something I haven't told you."

“Haven't told me?"

“Yeah. It's about work." He shuffled his feet, making a coarse noise on the carpet that crawled down Uma's spine. She locked eyes with him. “What is it?" she asked again.

“They need me. The office needs me. I got a text yesterday asking me to come back in." Tony watched for changes in Uma's expression. So far she hadn't visibly reacted. He continued: “then two texts, three, then more...I brushed them off with a response but I can only ignore them so long..."

“You 'brushed' them off, how noble." Uma sighed. Expected more from you. Barely a week after your son was in dire straits and now you're treating it like a distant memory.

“I know leaving is a shitty move," he pleaded, “but it's my job! I gotta! I put 'em in a tight spot and there'll be hell to pay if I delay it again. Listen," he advanced, hoping to help her see reason, “I made it all of yesterday, yeah? I was with you and the kids the whole time. Was supposed to come in this morning but I made time to help with the move! Doesn't that count for something?"

“For God's sake Tony, this isn't a numbers game!"

“I'm sorry."

Okay Uma, calm down. “If you absolutely have to, then go. But—" she held up her hand, delaying his exit, “but...my warning still applies: if I find out anything's happened between you and that secretary it's over."

Tony turned away, a deep sense of shame building up inside. “Hell," Uma spat, “keep away from her completely and I'll forget you dropped this in my lap. What would you miss anyway? Find another bimbo..."

Tony hesitated. A storm brewed. Who was she to ask him to discard someone close to him? Uma knew nothing about what he was feeling, what pulled his heart in opposing directions. “I'll thank you to let me manage my workplace. If that means she stays then she stays. End of story," he said, too forcefully.

Uma glared at him. He'd tripped up.

“You bastard! You piece of shit!" she cried.

“I'm going, right now."

“No you are not!" She grabbed him by the arm, seizing his full attention, instincts spurring an overwhelming feeling of purpose, renewed by her anger. She knew what to do...

Tony protested. Their argument grew, voices desperately hushed to not let the kids know. Tony met his wife eye-to-eye once...just once during the bickering. But once was all it took...

“ENOUGH!"

A flash of violet in her eyes — irises scorched by amethyst fire. The room rumbled. He tripped backwards, struck dumb, after catching sight of the sudden shift in colour. Finding the wall he propped himself up, staring at the floor. Uma gasped. She'd felt it emerge, her vision blurring as she'd issued her command. The tinge of purple, hidden behind her natural eye colour...just like Kianna!

She studied his face; a glazed-over expression told him the obstinate adulterer that was her husband had been...domesticated. Broken by her will. His own eyes had greyed, slight and subtle enough to be unnoticed, but indicating a great change in the amount of free will he had at his disposal. Uma smiled, realising what she'd done. That soon became excitement, discovering she really had been granted powers beyond the mundane. Oh God, it was real!

“Yes!" she celebrated with a raucous cheer. Her devilish smirk grew broader. It's all real, she purred.

Returning to her bewitched husband, she decided to explore her hold over him. “Tony," she said in a sultry voice, “are you mad at me?"

“Mad?" he asked, tilting his head like a confused animal. “N-no. Should I be?"

“No, that's not necessary," Uma spoke normally. I can make him do anything, can' t I?

“Tony...would you do anything I ask?"

“Of course hon, why wouldn't I do anything for my beloved."

Ooh, laying it on a bit thick sweetheart, Uma giggled at his doting words.

While her husband stood mesmerised, Uma racked her brain to come up with something to do. Could she reverse the process? If she practised, maybe she could learn the ins and outs of this ability...practice on whom, though? She dreaded the now-evident truth: that what she'd done in a burst of anger was permanent. “Oh no," she blurted out, a hand clamping over her mouth, sniffling as tears welled. I didn't mean for this to happen! I didn't...I didn't know this would happen!

One moment of hatred was all it took to forever alter her husband's psyche. This wasn't Kianna's gift...this was her curse!

Pact.

She swung around to find the voice, clearer than ever, speaking to her. Repeating Kianna's rotten phrases.

It's more of a pact.

“Aggh!" Uma cradled her head.

Conflict raged.

I never wanted to hurt you...but you hurt me...I...I don't know what fixes that.

“I don't hate you, Tony."

What am I saying? It doesn't even register with you anymore. And now this...

She paused, her anguish departing suddenly.

“You know...you should go."

“I should?"

“Yeah," Uma whispered, “you've had a hard day. Your wife is a pain, and you want to run away back to her arms...yes?"

“Uh—"

“It's okay," she said, stroking his arm from shoulder to elbow, hovering millimetres above the skin, gently tussling the hairs to excite him, “you can tell me the truth." She was beyond angry. It'd spilled over into the rest of her senses, corrupting everything bar her twisted logic.

“I do," he answered truthfully, struggling to lie under her spell.

“It's fine, honey, I don't care anymore." Uma held his hand, continually stroking him, speaking in a soothing voice. “I want you to play the part of a good husband...work, win bread, stay as long as you need over there — you can rent a room. A hotel perhaps?"

“Okay."

“I won't be mad if you turn to her," Uma spoke cautiously, unsure if her orders would break her influence over him when he realised she'd taken a completely different tack to their troubles, “all I care is that you're out of sight, out of mind. FUCK Brittany's brains out...take her over and over and over if that makes you comfortable away from home."

Where is this coming from? That question materialised from the sane portion of her mind. The answer was in the rush of control, the waves of excitement flowing through her as she exerted power over another. It was intoxicating.

Tony, muted in subservience, followed her every word to the tee — collecting his clothes, re-packing his bags, and walking straight through the front door. Uma cared little if he ever darkened it again, for all practical purposes he was gone. The grass on the lawn looked greener once he drove off, the grey-black of the driveway becoming softer in her eyes. She watched it all from the bedroom window, a pleasant feeling bubbling inside. She never expected this, but she did it, she'd kicked him out. Under abnormal terms, but those were still terms. She wondered why she'd been upset by his affair. Win some, lose some. There were plenty of willing partners in the world. Some of whom may be living beneath her roof right now...

B __uh-b_ ye Tony,_ she growled, creeping naughtiness finding its way into her almost-silent timbre. She stared out at the lawn for several minutes. Deciding to wait instead of acting on her burgeoning lust, she collapsed onto the bed, revelling in its softness.

Tonight, she heard her sinful self whisper.

She bit her lip, drawing a tiny droplet of blood as she lay in sensual solitude.

“I can't wait for tonight."

* * *

Darkness surrounded the house, the dying light unable to hold fast against the encroaching night. Tony was on the road again — making the overnight journey back to his place of work. Uma headed straight for bed after a long and tiring day. Cynthia was unpacking, adorning her new room with her most important personal effects, before enduring the drudgery of bed-making with clean sheets. This left the three brothers hanging out in the living room, their butts sinking into the sofas, marking territory with the imprint of their rears. If not careful, months would pass, and they'd find their sofa-places sculpted for them.

Jacob, having recovered, hopped up from his spot. Impatient energy coursed through him. The others saw it in his face: restless abandon. “Gonna find the nearest bar," he said, unlocking his phone and flicking open directions to downtown Carlyle. Ten minutes would get him to a bus stop, which seldom ran but was enough to get him from Oak Drive to a more densely-packed portion of the town. “Got a fake ID with my name on it!" After searching his pockets for some dollars, he addressed Donnie: “wanna swing by and score a few beers from your big bro?"

“Nah, I'm good," he answered, happy to work on his ass groove.

“Okay...Mikey, you up for it?"

“You're full of shit Jacob, you'll get caught."

“Hey now — perfect track record so far, and my luck ain't turning anytime soon. Only need to keep up the charade for another half a year and I'm in the clear age-wise. I'll even give one of you my old ID as a souvenir. For all the times you doubted me and I showed you!" Why either of them would want it, no-one knew, but Jacob had committed to a particular line of chatter and couldn't navigate his way out at the time.

“You're not borrowing my car."

“Don't need to." He flashed the phone at his brother. “Gonna take the bus."

“A bus? At this time of the night? When it's this dark?"

Didn't even think there was a bus service in this neck of the woods, Michael thought.

Jacob narrowed his gaze. “What?"

“Isn't that dangerous?" Donnie asked.

“Pfft! I'm not weak, I don't need protecting." He knelt beside Donnie. “Think you're stuck in the past bro...this town isn't filled with rough assholes like before. Don't you guys worry your little heads, it's just until I work out a better route. After I have the lay of the land, y'know?"

“Bye then," Michael remarked.

Jacob left the house with the essentials: keys, coat, phone, wallet. Michael and Donnie merely glanced at each other with incredulity. Thirty seconds after the door slammed shut they burst into bouts of snickering.

“Oh God, does he think he can act like he's in charge of this town already!?"

Michael let his younger brother know that he wasn't alone in his thoughts. “Expect him back at three o'clock with a bloody nose for talking smack to some barfly."

“So...his usual behaviour?"

“Yep. But he was capable of picking his fights properly...who was too tough for him...knew the tricks they'd pull...depending on the clientele here it's a coin toss if he comes out on top. Who knows, maybe 'round these parts they're deceptively weak, and he gets his ass beaten for that mistake?"

“When I was in a coma, did he try to sort himself out?" asked Donnie.

“Said it before, and I'll say it again," Michael mumbled, reluctant to explore his older brother's motivations, “he was less Jacob than normal, but if you wanna say he put any effort into it? Nah..."

“Hope he's okay."

“Not particularly torn about it myself."

“It's only...we don't want to leave a bad impression in the town by one of us gettin' into trouble our first night here."

“Good point. Someone clocks him and takes a peek at his cards and it'll filter back to me, you, even mom." Michael sucked his cheek. “Ah, he'll get away with it. The dickhead always does."

“Never heard you call him that before."

“Dude, was there not enough oxygen heading to your brain when you were napping? I call him a dickhead 'cause he is one."

“That's harsh Mikey...and you call Jacob an asshole."

Michael sulked. “Ugh. Yeah I came on too strong. He's on my nerves recently."

Don't wanna be awake when the phone rings asking for a pick-up, he muttered under his breath.

* * *

Donnie was asleep. In his new bed. Not a hospital bed, located in a depressing room, trapped with the tumult of patients and doctors rushing to-and-fro. No, this was calmer place. Somewhere safe after the day's end.

Axel had chosen his room to sleep in tonight. The dog was still learning his way around the new house and hadn't yet settled on the cosiest spot. To be fair, Donnie wasn't used to the living arrangements either. There would be time to adjust. Then he'd return to the daily grind of school and homework. Wonderful.

He rolled over in his sleep. Dazed and drained, he cracked open a single eye to check the time...

10:38 p.m.

Wasn't that late, but his body at present bore an uncanny resemblance to a series of lead weights in the shape of a person. Complete and utter lethargy, crushing his will to budge under the sheets. At least his bed was comfy.

The upturned canine wriggled in his matting. Axel's paws pointed towards the ceiling, lying on his back as he shifted side-to-side. Whimpering, like in the throes of a nightmare, he tossed and turned. Donnie caught wind of his discomfort and — in his semi-conscious state — brought his attention to the dog's whining. As if Axel noticed an unwanted pair of eyes directed at him, he hushed his cries. Donnie closed his eyes, forgetting the commotion.

When the coast was clear, Axel began to turn. The human's sleep kept him ignorant. His canine form bulked up, stretching the skin 'neath his fur until it grew with him. Thicker fur, more muscles, a larger frame — each change came in spurts, accompanied by strained growling. Donnie remained asleep. Axel felt his perception broaden, under the influence of an external power. Past his animal nature, into the realm of a toddler's intelligence, then a bit more; the mutt's mind grew in lock-step with his body. He fell to one side, back facing one of his slumbering masters. His paws expanded, his tail followed suit, and other parts as well — bigger sheath and member, ripe for breeding. He flexed in-place, his formerly average-sized body matching his appearance in Uma's soul-swallowing vision, minus the roiling flames. Larger, and more fearsome-looking, he let out a deep, resonant growl. A rumble that finally roused Donnie, who held his head up and stared at the murky surroundings, seeing the faint outline of Axel in the dark.

Casting his head over his shoulder, the enlarged hound met his eyes. Two beads glowed in the dark, and an overwhelming feeling of drowsiness manifested. Sleep, Donnie thought, you're dreaming...sleep...

Tired. Forgetful. He rolled again, the crumpling of cloth the sole noise made.

10:42 p.m.

Catching a glimpse of his smartphone's screen, he noted the time. Barely managing the push the phone further than the windowsill, he let his arm drop, hanging over the side of the bed.

10:43 p.m.

Sleep, go back to sleep.

10:44 p.m.

His eyes shut for the rest of the night.