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This Forsaken World

By Mantrid Brizon

Episode Sixteen: Winds Of Change

Standing in a field and looking up at the sky, Grey holds a hand over his brow. For the past four days, he's aided Carol, Sam and Max with their repairs of the windmills. Sam, who'd nearly broken his arm falling from a windmill with a damaged ladder, left the climbing to his brother Max, who was more than eager to claim the glory of wiring the turbines on his own. It's obvious to everyone that Max just wants Grey to be proud of him; the brothers have taken to the human, who teaches them all of the tips and tricks the he's learned nearly from two decades of walking the roads.

“It's so high!" An awestruck Augustine exclaims.

“Yeah. I guess that's where the wind is." Carol replies.

Climbing down the last ladder, Max pausing partway to wave a signal to Sam and Grey, who stand below. Responding to the signal, Sam opens a box near the base, pulling a lever and allowing the power generated from the windmill's spinning turbine to flow through and toward the substation. A faint, electrical hum signifies that Max had done his job.

“Is she singing?!" Max yells out, still climbing down the ladder.

“Oh, yeah!" Sam shouts back.

Dropping down to the ground, Max looks to Grey, a wide grin on his face.

“I told you I could do it!"

“I never said you couldn't." Grey retorts.

“Yeah, well... I did it..." Max murmurs.

“Did you want a hug?" Grey teases him, holding out his arms.

“Fuck you too." Max smirks.

“You did good, Max. You and Sam both. You're learning a lot."

“What about me?" Carol asks.

“You're learning too, but you're definitely better at management." Grey replies.

“Of course! I'm a girl." She chirps.

Stepping up to Grey, Augustine slips an arm around his torso, giving him a little hug. Glancing toward the twelve-year-old, white tigress Voeldahn, he drapes an arm over her shoulders. She smiles warmly, an expectant look in her eyes.

“Can you three handle the rest of these? We have to get home."

“Sure thing, Grey!" Sam chirps.

“And be careful. Please, don't break anything." Grey teases.

“Good luck with that." Carol murmurs, glancing at Sam.

Saying goodbye to his three friends, Grey leads Augustine away, walking together through the grassy field while the three, blonde minks carry on with their work. Returning to the city proper, the pair pass people in the streets, where the adult human and pre-teen Voeldahn girl attract considerable attention. Augustine is well known, effectively a younger clone of her mother, while Grey is slowly becoming a familiar face to the townsfolk. Some snicker behind his back, amused by the human who seems to be April's willing pet. Most, however, can appreciate the effort he's displayed in bringing them electricity.

As one of only two humans, however, there is a mystique about him, and a prejudice. Few approach him to converse, but those who've bothered to speak to him are even more surprised by how polite and friendly he is to just about everybody. It's in stark contrast to April, who's often equally cold and hot-headed when dealing with her people. When faced with confronting April, even Tyson secretly hopes that Grey will be standing there to keep her calm. Passing a shop, Augustine glances inside, seeing Rodge Rock and Kane speaking to the family who've claimed the building for their own.

They appear calm; nothing looks out of the ordinary. The father reaches for a box of canned food kept behind the counter. Maybe they're trading?

“We're only asking for a fair share." Rodge speaks calmly.

“But... We claimed this building. It's ours! We need all that we have!" The man pleads.

“Hey, we need things to!" Kane growls.

“Easy." Rodge instructs, holding out a hand to his friend. “Let me handle this, bro."

“Whatever you say." Kane replies, immediately backing down.

“It's a dangerous world out there. We keep you safe, and we expect some compensation. If you don't want to give us a measly six cans of food..."

Rodge Rock stops mid-sentence, turning his brown eyes toward the man's teenage daughter, who stands behind the counter with her father and younger brother. He visibly looks the fourteen-year-old feline Voeldahn from head to toe, admiring her cheetah-like colorations and her developing figure. His gaze pauses at her budding breasts. Seeing this, the girl takes a step back, her brow softening with fear.

“Well, we can always take payment some other way." Rodge smirks.

“Fuck yeah! I bet she's got a real tight pussy!" Kane steps forward.

“Daddy!" The girl whimpers, turning to her father.

“No! Not that! Y-you win!" Her dad exclaims.

Swiftly taking a box of canned food, from behind the counter, he passes the entire thing to Rodge and Kane, hoping to placate the two, armed men. With a wave of his hand, Rodge instructs Kane to collect the box. Lifting the box, the muscular, black wolf with yellow painted biceps glances at the teenage girl. He scans her figure, focusing his vision on her pelvic region.

“When you're ready to be a woman, come to us." Kane blows her a kiss.

“Kane!" Rodge growls. “Let's go."

“Coming!"

With box in hand, the duo leave the store. Heading outside, Kane looks around to see if anyone has noticed what they've just done. He pauses as Rodge seems focused on something.

“Son of a bitch..."

“What?" Kane turns to him.

“There he is. And the little skank is with him." Rodge replies.

Shifting his gaze to match the dreadlocked human's, Kane can see Grey and Augustine walking down the street, half a block away from them. Neither know that they're being watched by the two men.

“Holy shit, he isn't even wearing a gun!"

“What do you want to do?" Kane asks.

“Follow my lead, and be ready to back me up." Rodge instructs.

“Always, man. You know I've got you." Kane replies.

The dark-skinned human unbuttons the retention strap of his holster and starts walking. He picks up his pace as Grey and Augustine turn a corner. Following along, Kane's box clanks as the contents shift. Drawing his Hi-Power pistol, Rodge keeps the weapon close to his leg, flipping off the safety. He's fully prepared to execute Grey and Augustine, just to get back at April, who rejected and humiliated him. The more pain she feels, the better. Turning the corner, he's very close to his targets, who continue to walk in blissful ignorance. He lifts his arm and takes aim.

“Grey!"

Stopping in their tracks, Grey and Augustine look over their shoulders.

“Hey, Grey!" Tyson exclaims.

Dashing out of a building, the front door at an angle, Tyson doesn't see Rodge near the corner, who quickly lowers his arm and turns around. Rodge nearly runs into Kane as he retreats from the armed Tyson, who's just ruined his chance at assassinating Grey and Augustine.

“Go, go, go." Rodge speaks under his breath to Kane.

“What? Did you lose them?"

“Shut up and move." Rodge growls.

Running across the street with his hand held high above his head, Tyson, the red fox Voeldahn waves.

“What's going on, Tye? Are you alright?"

“Oh, I'm fine! I was just wondering... I uh..." Tyson hesitates.

“What's wrong now?" Augustine sighs.

“Well, we've tried charging some of those hovercar batteries we found... And they blew up."

“Uh oh!" Grey exclaims, a little smile on his face.

“Yeah... Could you-"

“I'll tell her for you." Grey interrupts him, resting a hand on his shoulder.

“Thanks, man. You have no idea what that means to me."

“I'm pretty sure I do. I'll make sure she doesn't kill you, but expect a savage beating." Grey jokes.

“I always do." Tyson murmurs.

“I'll see you later, buddy." Grey smiles.

“You too, man." Tyson grins back.

Patting Tyson's shoulder, the pair bump fists as they depart. It's something that Tyson had seen in old photographs and decided to use. As the closest friend that Grey has outside of April and Augustine, it's become their trademark; Tyson doesn't do it with anyone else. Heading back to Searchlight Tower, Augustine grows increasingly excited. Taking Grey's hand, she pulls him along as she powerwalks, then jogs, then runs toward the building, through the lobby, and up the stairs. Using his key, Grey opens the top floor penthouse, pushing the door open.

“Mom! We're home!" Augustine chirps as she bounds inside.

“Oh, good! I'm in the kitchen!" April replies.

Locking the door behind him and taking off his boots, Augustine's footpads are already thudding softly on the floor, her claws clicking as she races for the living room. Only recently has her hard work at figuring out the picture screen paid off. With an internal hard drive containing thousands of shows and movies from various decades, the mystical device proved that the girl's dream wasn't just a fantasy borne from her youthful mind. Approaching the wall mounted screen, she uses the buttons on the side to select a film from the massive collection.

“What do you two want to see?" She asks.

“You pick, sweetheart!" April replies from the kitchen.

“Yeah. Whatever you think sounds good." Grey adds, walking toward April's voice.

“Okay!"

Stepping into the kitchen, Grey can't help but smile. Wearing her bodysuit, which shines in the soft glow of the recessed, amber lights, his eyes scan her magnificent form. She stands before the electric stove, using a pan to cook canned mushroom slices and another can of ground beef. Reading from a cook book that's propped against a knife block, she carefully adds archaic seasoning. Crossing his arms before his chest, Grey leans against the archway, watching her for a moment. Feeling his eyes upon her form, April turns her head, flashing a warm smile at her beloved, before returning her focus to her cooking.

“Hi, little bear! I was hoping you'd be back soon. How did it go?"

“Hey, sugar." He replies, stepping further inside. “They learn fast. They've got the inverters plugged in and the wiring finished. With the booklets we found for the windmills, we should have enough power to light up the whole town without a problem. The stalks are so high that we might even have some power at night too."

“That's great!" April exclaims.

“But then I saw Tye..."

April sighs, setting the metal spatula inside of the pan.

“... What now?"

“So, they might have blown up some of those hovercar batteries."

“What the ff-... RRRR!" She growls in a rage.

“Woah, there!" Grey rests a hand on her back, gently petting her. “It's alright! It's nothing we can't handle."

“God, those fucking idiots... I bet they'd be more careful if I killed one of them!"

Grey stands behind April, who turns her head and glances back at him. He leans in, kissing her cheek.

“Don't go doing that. People make mistakes. Cut them a break. We can find more batteries."

Slipping his arms around April's waist, Grey pulls her close, his hands resting upon her belly. He kisses her cheek again, then her neck, nuzzling her lovingly with his nose. April's lips curl into a delighted grin, her teeth showing as she leans her head back and against his body. Her black claws rake the skin of his forearm, while another hand reaches back, her fingers weaving through his long hair as she holds onto his head. Augustine watches from the couch, a little grin on her face. How she loves to see April and Grey together; they're always so happy, and her mother is genuinely warm. Turning around in his arms, April and Grey share several long, passionate kisses.

“Fine. I'll be nice to Tyson and those braindead idiots, but you have to do something for me." She coos, between kisses.

Grey gives her tight butt a little smack, making his lover's tail jump. It swishes faster through the air as she giggles.

“That, too."

“Oh? Then what do you want in exchange?"

Pulling back, April turns her sapphire eyes toward him, leaving her arms around his neck.

“Irvine..."

“Uh oh..."

“What?!" She asks.

“I know I'm in trouble when you use my birth name."

“You're not in trouble, little bear! I could never be mad at you!" She exclaims, nuzzling his cheek with her snout. “Also, I like your name!"

“At least one of us does." He murmurs.

“I just want to make a request."

“Who do you want me to kill?" He teases.

“Want me to get the list?" She chuckles. “Seriously, though. I love you, little bear. I love you so much."

April's arms tighten as she rests her cheek on his shoulder, brushing his neck with her pink, feline nose.

“And I love you too, sugar."

“I love it when you call me that." She sighs happily. “I just worry about you. I want you to start carrying your gun when you leave. Do that, and I won't be mean to any of those dumbfucks who blew up the batteries."

“Oh, alright." He says with a little sigh.

“You promise?!"

“I'd never lie to you, sugar."

“And neither will I, little bear. That way you know, if any of them end up dead, just ask me. I'll be honest."

She rests the tip of her feline nose against his, looking up so innocently at him. He cannot help but chuckle as he stares into his lover's eyes. Leaning in, he kisses her lips. One kiss becomes two, and April's jaw slowly opens. Their tongues caress as their passion builds. Watching from the living room, Augustine sighs and rolls her eyes.

“Come on! You can save that for later!" She growls.

The couple continue to kiss, and April tauntingly waves her clawed fingertips in her daughter's direction.

“April! Irvine! Get in here!" Augustine shouts.

“See?" Grey ends the kiss. “Now we're in trouble."

“And you say I have a temper." April softly giggles.

Returning to her cooking, Grey gives April's butt a little smack, making her jump and coo. She looks lustfully at her human companion, her eyes scanning his body. They both know that this will continue when they're alone. Their passion and their love for each other only grows with each passing day. Sitting on the couch by himself, Grey lifts an arm, resting it on the backrest. Standing beside the television, Augustine waits for her mother, impatiently tapping her black claws against the wall.

“... Are you coming mom?!"

“Go ahead and start without me! I'll bring dinner in there!"

Pressing the button, Augustine plays the movie before swiftly dashing toward the couch and leaping onto the furniture. Her tail whips through the air as she spins around. Scooting closer, she presses her shoulder into Grey's left side, and he responds by draping his arm over the girl. As the film begins, Augustine relaxes, laying against the human. She softly sighs as she grows increasingly comfortable, replicating the position from her dream.

“I never had a dad before..." The girl suddenly speaks.

Looking down at her, she gazes up at him, an ear and a pigtail hidden by his clothes as she leans into his side. She wears a little smile as she stares into his eyes.

“I imagined it being nice, like this."

“Well, I've never had a kid before... But I imagined it being nice, too."

Leaning over, he gives Augustine a little kiss on her head, only to playfully ruffle her hair. Standing in the archway, with several plates carefully balanced on her arms, April watches, listening to their heartwarming dialogue. Understanding this forsaken world, she knows that she and Augustine are lucky to have the life that they do, sharing it with a man like Grey. Taking a deep breath and calming her emotions, April emerges with the plates, passing them out to her little family before taking her rightful place at Grey's other side. They eat their dinner and watch the film, enjoying each other's company. It's a life that's far better than most.

“I can't believe you almost did it." Damian remarks.

“I was so close, too... If that little bitch, Tyson hadn't popped out of nowhere like that... They'd both be dead." Rodge growls.

“I'd have shot them anyway." Kane remarks.

“I think the plan is to be alive afterward." Damian snickers.

Looking into the can of cold beans, sitting on his ratty bed roll, Rodge imagines Grey sitting beside April on comfortable furniture. His blood boils as he envisions the human holding the woman that he wishes were his; cuddling with her, kissing her, probably even fucking her. It makes him shake with rage. Rodge claimed April, whether she knows it or not, and whether she wanted it or not. It's how things always worked for him before. You see what you want; you take it. He slams the half empty can of beans on an overturned milk crate, which he uses as a table. Taking his pistol from a holster, he draws the magazine, checking his battered Hi-Power.

“What're you doing?" Damian asks.

“I'm going to kill that mother fucker, one way or another..." Rodge growls.

“Yeah, just walk into that tower. That'll show them." Damian snickers.

“The next time I see him, I'll take the shot, no matter who's watching."

“I can always kill him for you man." Kane remarks.

“Fuck that..."

“Just be smart, alright?" Kane grows concerned. “You're always telling me to use my brains, and I'm not half as smart as you!"

Rodge turns, facing his friend.

“You're not dumb, Kane. You don't give yourself enough credit; don't be a self-depreciating pussy."

“I'm just telling it like it is, man. Take your own advice; plan your next move." Kane continues.

“He's got to die. It'd almost be worth getting killed, just to see that bitches face when I take her pet and her daughter!"

“Look!" Kane leaps from his seat. “If you want it done so bad, then let me do it for you! I can do it right and you won't have to do shit. You know I lo-... Er... I'll look out for you." Kane remarks.

Damian's brow raises in surprise, but in his seething rage, Rodge doesn't seem to notice. Kane glares at the black furred rabbit Voeldahn.

“No, I need to do this myself... When I make my move, just hang back, bro."

“Hey... Whatever you say man." Kane sighs.

Rising to his feet, Kane stands before Rodge.

“But if you need me, you know where I'll be."

Suddenly giving Kane a benign embrace, Rodge pats Kane's cheek, his hand that holds the gun resting atop his shoulder as he pulls away.

“Thanks, man. You're a true friend."

“Yeah... A true friend..." Kane murmurs.

Rising from the couch, Augustine turns off the television.

“That was amazing!" She chirps.

“Yeah. It's weird seeing things the way they were before." Grey remarks.

“So many Voeldahn had very... Colorful fur." April remarks.

“I like it! The colors are pretty." Augustine interjects, rejoining the pair on the couch.

“I'm happy with your fur." Grey coos, his fingers slowly stroking April's arm. “You're both perfect; I wouldn't change a thing."

“Aww! You're so sweet, little bear."

Kissing her cheek and holding her close, April sighs, her eyes closed as she softly purrs.

“I want you to be my hand." She suddenly speaks.

“Do you have a ring?" Grey smirks.

Turning her eyes up to him, April chuckles.

“I mean, I want you to take a bigger role in the tribe. I want you to be my hand. I want you to replace Tyson." She explains.

“Oh..."

“What would happen to Tye?" Augustine asks.

“He's already leading a scout team. He'll just answer to Grey instead of me." Her mother replies.

“I'd feel bad taking Tye's job." Grey replies.

“You don't have too!" April swiftly adds. “I just... I'd rather you did it, little bear."

“I don't think Tye would mind." Augustine interjects. “I don't think he likes it much, anyway."

“Alright, sugar. I'll do it for you."

“Yay!" April chirps.

As she snuggles with her lover, Grey looks past her shoulder, watching the sun set through the large windows. It sinks beyond the horizon. Sitting up on the couch, April turns her head and looks outside. It'll be dark soon, and she looks forward to another night with Grey. Immediately after the first time they'd made love, he'd moved into her bedroom. Sleeping beside him every night, she loves how he holds her and how easily she sleeps. It isn't a one-sided scenario; Grey has found peace in her bed, sleeping soundly and throughout the night. Neither are plagued by the nightmares that used to haunt them, before they reunited.

Taking the plates, Grey and Augustine head into the kitchen to clean them. April watches, eagerly waiting for them to finish. Setting the dry plates aside, she walks up to Grey from behind, slipping her arms around his waist and leaning in. She pushes her snout through his long hair, hopping up and kissing the side of his neck. He turns around in her arms, taking hold of her, and returning her affection two-fold. Shuffling half blind out of the kitchen, through the hallway, and toward their bedroom, the fused couple manage to bump their way into their room and close their door.

Augustine retires to her own room, taking the charged MP3 player and some earbuds. Even if her mom and Grey weren't about to be intimate, she would listen to her music anyway. It's become one of her new passions. She sits on a ledge, behind her bedroom window, her sapphire eyes peering down at the streets below. The dusk brings the night, the light fading into obscurity behind the trees. Turning on her little device, she inserts the earbuds and picks a song.

“From this day, in this war that I face, I'll pray through this rusty cage. I must wake, though you burn me away, to slave for your dying fire!" The man's voice sings. “The lost and forgotten, without a sound. The fear in the speaker to hunt you down. There's too much hate for us to live this way. Do you suffer? Because it's killing me that we're fighting. When I bleed like you. Are you happy? With the knife you keep, and the words cut deep, and I'm bleeding just like you."

Closing her eyes and bobbing her head with the beat of the music, Augustine retrieves a book she'd left on the ledge. Using what little daylight is still left, she continues where she'd left off. Reading and listening to music, Augustine enjoys her time alone. Rarely does the pre-teen girl isolate herself from her mother or the human, who's rapidly become a father figure to her, but when she does, she makes the most of it. Changing into her night clothes and moving into her bed, she closes her eyes, turning down the volume as she retreats into a world of her thoughts. What was it like to live before The Ending, and what will this world become?

Drifting off to sleep with her music still playing, Augustine never knows that April and Grey have since finished. Lying in bed, the lover's hold each other, their unclothed forms hidden beneath the ruffled sheets. Basking in each other's warmth, April presses the matted fur of her sweat drenched back against his chest, his arms wrapped around her waist and tucked beneath her ample breasts. Though she feels unclean, the smell of their passion and her damp fur flooding the room, he rests his nose against her shoulder, taking in her feminine musk and nuzzling her. He is never anything but warm and affectionate.

She's wanted this for so long, to express her love for him to the fullest extent possible. Before he returned, she'd thought about this moment more times than she dares to count. Envisioning every touch and every stroke, she's fantasized about the most minute of details. Now that it's happening, and regularly so, it's even better than she'd ever thought it would or could be. It isn't just the act itself, but how he is afterward. He holds her throughout the night, as if afraid to let her go. Is he worried that she might not be there when he wakes up? April would never leave him; she cannot live without him, and she's told him as much, dozens of times.

“I love you, Grey." She says, stroking his forearm with her claws.

“I love you too, April." He kisses her cheek.

“Are you excited about tomorrow?" She asks, looking over her shoulder.

“Nervous."

“Why?!" She rolls, facilitating a better view of him.

“I don't ever want you to be mad at me or to fail you... I can't fail you, too." He murmurs.

“I could never be mad at you, little bear! And you haven't failed me yet. I don't even think you can."

“Anything can happen..." He speaks under his breath, a pained look in his eyes.

Leaning in, she kisses his lips and nuzzles his cheek, eager to comfort her lover.

“Go to sleep, little bear. Everything will be fine."