FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

All right, so this is the second Chapter of my Story "Afterlife", if some parts may seem confusing, tell me which, and I'll rewrite it ^_^; This part is a little shorter than the first.

Chapter two

After all the nights sleeping in a bedroll or in cheap motels the bed felt heavenly comfortable, but Ben, who had finally stopped thinking about their temporary hosts, could not find happiness in things like comfort or the serenity of a quiet room, his own room, not the street with it's noises or the motels with all the other people who apparently didn't buy a room to sleep. At least not alone.

Then, all of a sudden, the night was over and Eric woke him with a nondescript expression on his face and reminded him that they had to be at the club called "Raging Storm", which he had found earlier yesterday, at eight o'clock. Until then, they still had ten hours of free space, even though neither of them had a clue what to do with that time.

"Oh, by the way", Eric added as he left the room, "Ask Chime for some clothes, then go take a shower. You should also put your clothes in the washer. We don't have such a chance everyday, you know."

As he got up, Ben didn't even bother to put some clothes on, no one in this house would be offended by things like seeing him in his underwear, that, he was sure about.

Trying to remember were Chime's room had been, the Half-Fur stumbled into a person he had not yet seen, a Fur, slightly smaller than himself, with sparkling yellow eyes and cream-colored fur with beige stripes.

The feline gasped and avoided him with the velocity of a cat, which, after all, she was.

Once both of them recovered, the female Fur grinned at her opposite, remarking: "So you are the Half, that Chime was all eager to tell me about. I imagined you taller, since your friend was. But I guess this works, too."

Ben felt abashed by her wicked smile and stumbled something cloudy before speaking under his breath: "Need to get clothes.. where's Chime?"

"In his room", she looked at him estimating before pointing on a door behind her, "There."

Ben felt really uncomfortable as he slipped past her, squeezed against the wooden cladding of the hall, in an attempt not to touch too much of her, and then rushed off through the door she pointed at, closing the door behind him and hoping that she wouldn't come after him.

"Woah, what happened to you?", Ben cringed, he had almost forgotten about the fact that it was Chime's room he had just entered, and was startled as the Fox, who sat on his bed and wrote something down in a notebook, started talking.

"I... Eric told me that I should ask you to get some clothes", having overcome his shock, Ben managed to talk in a casual tone, he imagined that people who needed stuff would ask other people for it, even though he had never done it before, so this wasn't any awkward moment.

Chime watched the hybrid for some time, then broke the silence: "Yeah, sure.. let's see what fits you."

After he chose some random stuff, since he didn't care for fashion and Chime's clothes all looked the same to him, Ben walked back into the hall, realizing that he hadn't been in the bathroom yet. Aimlessly he walked through the corridor, opening some doors but only finding empty bedrooms, as he reached the door that lead to the living room he heard noises. Hoping to see Madhu or Eric, Ben entered said room, only to find the cat he had met before, laying on the couch and watching the news, her gaze rested upon him as he approached, still she didn't say anything.

"Uhm...", Ben didn't want to think about their first encounter, because even the memory of his failing at conversation made him feel uncomfortable, "Do you know where the bathroom is?"

She thought for a moment: "We have plenty... there's one at the end of that hall", her finger pointed towards a door, which led into another part of the house, "One is there", this time she pointed to the third door in the living room, "But Madhu's using it. The only other one on this floor exits into Chime's room."

Mumbling a thanks Ben turned round and went back where he came from, entering once again the room of the light tinted Vulpine. "Oh, you're back? Stuff doesn't suit you or what?", Chime raised a brow as he spoke.

"No", Ben felt like this day was going to suck, he hated stressful mornings, "I just wanna use the bathroom."

Chime looked back to his notebook, and continued writing: "Sure, it's right there."

As Ben got rid of his boxers and stepped into the shower, he thought about the last time he had used one. Back home, before they had run away. He remembered how his hands were coated in blood, how his whole life had been shattered, and how he had hoped that everything would be alright after a hot shower.

He had been wrong, wrong about many things.. the next day, he and Eric skipped school and left town, to refrain themselves from the whole situation, as they said. If they were asked why they were drifting through the country they would say 'to reach the ocean'.

The ocean, a symbol of freedom and the peace of mind, the melancholic creature that calls itself Leviathan, full of mystery, full of answers.

"What happened?", was that Eric's voice? What was he doing in Ben's bedroom?

"I don't know, he suddenly collapsed!", Chime... this wasn't Ben's bedroom, was it?

"Maybe something circulatory?", what was Eric talking about?

"I don't fucking know all right? I'm no doctor!", Chime really sounded irritated, but Ben couldn't get his eyes open for some reason.

"What should we do?", Eric sounded worried, what had happened?

"Bring him to bed, he needs rest and food. This doesn't look like something serious. He looked weak to begin with, he's just exhausted", that was Madhu, she talked a lot calmer than the two boys before her, which calmed Ben down a bit.

Then, he was finally able to open his eyelids, just as he felt himself being lifted from the floor.

The ceiling, he remembered jumping into the shower, but did he even turn it on?

"Hey, he's awake", Madhu had spotted his movement and came over to him, checking his eyes for any signs of feedback.

"What happened", Ben felt numb, only his head hurt like hell.

"You fell", that was Chime, as Ben looked up he saw the fox's face, watching him still not fully calm, "You were unconscious until now."

"Well, he seems alright, can you stand?", Madhu smiled at the hybrid, who tried to move.

Ben laid one hand on Chime's shoulder and panted as his head felt like it was about to explode: "I don't know, let's try it."

The Fur let him down, still supporting Ben's shaking body. "I think it'll work.. just give me some time.."

"Hey, Ben", Eric walked up to them and laid a hand on the half's shoulder, "I need to do some stuff, will you manage alone for some time?"

"It's okay", Ben made a shaky step forward, "It's nothing."

He hated it, being cared for. Everyone at home would always make sure everything was alright with him, everyone would always thrust themselves upon him, divest him of even the easiest tasks, without ever really asking if he even wanted it. It was only another form of placing him under disability, of controlling his every move. They didn't take him seriously, treated him like an infant.

Slowly Ben tried to walk, he knew his room was only a few doors away, he could make it if he only tried. Without somebody helping him.

"Well, then, I'll be going", Eric waved at him and left through the door that led to Chime's room. Chime himself followed Ben, still he refrained from helping the half in any way, much to the latter's relief.

Madhu watched them some time, then she went past Ben, telling them that she had to settle some things regarding the house.

Through Chime's room to the hallway, constantly supporting him with a hand on the nearest object or wall, Ben was positive that he would make it alone.

Through the door of his own room, on his bed, as soon as he sat down his vision stopped turning and he relaxed, closing his eyes as he did so.

"You need water or anything?", Chime stood in the doorframe, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Ben didn't look up as he answered: "No, just leave."

Silence, Ben still felt Chime's gaze upon him.

"What?", he looked up and saw the Fox raising a brow.

After a short moment of Silence said Fur asked: "Why do you hate me so much?"

Ben cocked his head and replied: "I don't hate you... I just don't like you.. I guess."

Chime huffed: "So, why don't you?"

A strange question, Ben didn't even think about it himself.

"I guess there are just people you don't like... it's not even that I 'don't like' you, I just don't -like- you...", Ben tried to sort things out, feeling like he failed at that.

"So you just don't concern yourself with me", at least Chime seemed to understand him.

Ben averted his gaze from Chime and said: "Yeah, I guess that's it."

This time Chime chuckled before remarking: "That means you don't know yourself doesn't it? I mean, every time you look at me it comes out as a glare, you avoid talking to me if you can...."

"I do that with everyone, it's nothing personal", It was the truth, at least as far as Ben knew himself.

"So, if you don't hate me, mind to have a talk with me for a second?"

Ben focused on his interlocutor again, didn't he just say that he didn't like talking?

"About what?", his voice showed his reluctance, what could someone like Chime talk to him about, anyways?

"Well", the Vulpine began talking, "Mad and I just wondered where you came from, where you're going, why you are on this journey, all about that. Even Sang was interested in that."

Ben let his thought flow for some time, he saw no harm in telling these people about that part of his life, and Eric surely didn't ,mind either.

"Fine, what first?"

Chime pushed himself from the wall and turned around: "First we go into the living room. It's a better place to talk, isn't it."

"Let's start at the beginning", Chime sat down on one couch, looking at Ben in a defiant way, crossed his legs and waited for him to start talking.

Ben on the other hand felt unsure were to start at, unsure he sat down on the couch across from Chime's, so the two boys were facing each other over the coffee table.

"I won't tell you anything about the time before we went on this journey, just so you know", he felt a strange sensation, finally talking about this part of his life to someone.

"That's alright", Chime leaned back, still focusing on Ben, "Start wherever you like."

Ben huffed. Then he sorted out his thoughts, finding a good sentence to begin with.

"Well, we ran away from home for many reasons, some of them are difficult to explain, however we originally came from Griess, a small town northeast from here."

"Oh, I know that town", Chime interrupted, "Only rich people live there... didn't know you were wealthy though."

"I'm not wealthy", Ben stared at the table, a little bit pissed off, "My family is. Don't confuse me with them, ever", he sighed, "Well, anyhow, we're headed for the coast because..."

Why were they headed for the coast?

Silence, almost suspense as Chime waited patiently for him to finish his sentence.

Then: "Hey, guys, we got company!"

Both boys instantly spun their heads to the door, which was smashed open a few seconds later by Sangmo, who entered the room, followed by two awfully familiar looking women.

"Well, that's what you call a surprise", Megan mused as soon as she spotted Ben, who in return was abashed by the presence of those two women, who had helped him and Eric without complain, those two women he was supposed to meet later that day, at the 'Raging Storm'. Jessica gave him a nod as she went across the living room and disappeared through the door Chime ans Ben had entered before.

Sangmo looked confused by the situation: "You know each other?"

Megan laughed and put an arm around the cat's shoulders: "We know everyone there is, didn't you know that?"

"No seriously", Chime began speaking, "How did you meet?"

Ben hoped that the woman would answer, but as she didn't reply he felt the need to say something: "Well, the two of them picked Eric and me up as we were walking the highway towards town... why are you here?", the last part of the sentence was directed towards Megan, who directed her attention towards Ben and answered: "Well, we knew Sangmo for a long time now, and since she lived with those two for a few years now, one gets to know such people. In fact we're here to pay them a visit, among other things."

Now the cat, who had remained mostly passive up to that point raised her voice: "So, aunt Meg, how long will you stay?"

"Aunt?", Ben couldn't suppress the question. Chime answered for Megan: "Meg is a half, much like yourself, she is the half-sister of Sangmo's mother."

"Really?", Ben watched the woman, who was now leaning on the back-rest of Chime's couch, "You don't really look like a half."

Megan laughed pleasantly: "Not all halves have tails or fur on their body like you do... in fact the more human-like halves are much more common than the obvious hybrids like you. Because of that people don't know how many of us exist."

"Why didn't you tell me?", Ben didn't really felt offended, still he would have liked to know those things earlier.

"There was no need to, I don't see my state as something that needs explanation. It's perfectly natural", with that, Megan closed the situation and turned to Sangmo: "We won't be staying long, sorry.. we still got some things to do and we need to get those boys as close to the ocean as we can, too."

Ben felt Chime's gaze resting upon him, but ignored it as the fox told Megan: "They won't be going too soon, Ben collapsed and still needs to take things easy."

"Well, that's not a problem it'll give us some more time to prepare", Jessica had returned, now standing in the doorframe she cocked a brow and asked Chime: "Where is Mad at? I thought she'd be in her room."

Chime looked at Sangmo: "No idea... you didn't see her when you entered?"

"If we did I wouldn't ask", The human grinned faintly and dropped herself on the couch, next to Ben. Megan followed her example, as Ben moved over to make place for her.

The half watched Sangmo as she winked at Megan, turned and left the room, following some silent urge to do something somewhere else.

Ben watched the people surrounding him and thought that this really was a strange circle, two furs, three humans and two halves, together in one house, as far as he could have imagined it a few days ago, there was no way in hell that a constellation of people like this would work, still it all felt strangely right while it happened.

Maybe he really just his own shortsightedness, his own prejudices, which lead to the thought that the race determined one's circle of friends.

Then again, he didn't see any of those people surrounding him as friend, save Eric, and except him and the two women, he wouldn't see any of them ever again after he had recovered.

Deep in thoughts he hadn't notice Eric who had entered the room and was now standing at the door, surprised by the presence of Megan and Jessica.

„Eric, was it? I was wondering when you'd show up", Megan greeted the boy genially.

A small glance was all Eric gave him after he concentrated on the two women and gave them a casual "Hi", before instantly asking: "What are you two doing here?"

"Visiting", Jessica leaned back, completely relaxed, "I heard your little friend here is not so well? When will be going, then?"

Eric sighed: "I guess as soon as possible... the day after tomorrow?"

"Let's just give him time to recover, all right?", Chime gave him a concerned glance, again, which did it for Ben.

"I'll be outside", ignoring Eric's startled face he rushed past the other boy and out of the door, finding himself in the hallway that lead to the stairs. Down to the first floor, out of the front door, he didn't stop, before he felt the fresh air on his skin, the fresh breeze in his hair and fur, even the sun burning down on him felt good at that point.

As he stood there he didn't hear anyone following him, so he decided to leave the property for now and take a walk, that way he wouldn't have to deal with the people inside the house for a while.

As he passed the gate, he felt a bit of regret leaving Eric like this, but he should have known how Ben felt. He should have considered being a little more sensitive.

He didn't walk down the road into town, but took a turn left and plodded along the fence of Madhu's garden.

At the end of that small path was a blind end, but since he had left the mansion-district, and had entered the open hills, Ben could just leave the tarred route and continue his way through the tall grass. He went uphill, until he reached a forest, then he searched for a good spot and finally came to rest on a big rock from where he could see the whole town, including it's barren surroundings.

Even the fine line of the road that they followed here was clearly visible, it felt strangely nostalgic to look at the way they had come from.

He didn't know how long he had sat on that rock, until he finally fell asleep.

When he woke up, the sun was already close to disappearing beyond the horizon, his stomach ached and he concluded that he had calmed down enough to return.

Finding his way back wasn't hard, but when Ben stood in front of the gate, he suddenly felt childish for running away in the first place, so it took him some time to get himself to open the iron doors.

"You're back", Chime's voice, only this time with a cold tone to it, turning around Ben spotted the white vulpine leaning against the fence a few meters apart.

"Yeah...", he broke up, he just couldn't find any retort that sounded remotely adequate for this situation.

"You know, it is not a nice thing to do, running away like that without warning, without cause and then staying away for hours, worrying all people around you", he really seemed angry this time, although he didn't show it.

Silently Ben let go of the door he had just opened, and made a step back, feeling guilt, rage, all swelling up inside him, waiting to burst out, but he couldn't do it.

He couldn't shout at the fox, he didn't want to. He realized that he wanted to scream at himself, even though he would never have admitted it.

"Come, let's not worry them any longer", Chime seemed calmer now, that the first shock was overcome, as he lead Ben through the gate, to the mansion he seemed to pay close attention to not being too rough with him, always keeping an eye on his reactions and avoiding to invade his comfort zone.

"It's okay, you don't need to do this. I'm fine just don't worry", Ben was surprised as the Fur instantly reacted to his words, leaving his side and walking in front of him, leading him into the house and upstairs.

"We're back!", Jessica and Sangmo, who were sitting on the couches, in front of each other and played cards, looked up as Chime entered, the human regarding Ben with a warm gaze and a nod, the Fur grinning and remarking: "I won the bet, gotta remember to make Mad pay me."

"What bet?", Ben wasn't even interested, still he found it appropriate to ask.

Sangmo concentrated on placing a card in front of her, answering: "I bet you would come back today, Mad opposed me, saying you wouldn't return until at least tomorrow."

Chime smirked, then remembered something and turned to Ben: "You're still worn off, right? You should go to bed before you...", he stopped and gave the half a knowing look, "It's better if you go to bed now, isn't it?"

Folding his arms, Ben considered his current condition and then answered: "I've been asleep all day, I don't think I can right now."

He didn't want to worry these guys too much, but he didn't want them to think of him as vulnerable any more, either. He could handle a night without sleep.

"Fine", Chime went over to the couches and dropped next to Sangmo, "But I'll be staying up, too, just in case."

"Shouldn't we tell Eric I'm back?", Ben stayed at the door, not wanting to appear like he was clinging to the fox now.

"We can inform him tomorrow, he was tired and is probably asleep right now", Jessica stood up, "And I'll be going, too... I already lost and I, as you may know, have someone waiting for me... sleep well", giving them a grin she put down her remaining cards and left the room.

Sangmo watched her leave, then reclined and stretched her back, groaning: "You know why they're here, Chim?"

Chime leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs. "I don't know. Maybe they're just here to see how you're doing..."

Madhu snickered:" Oh come on, I know Meg loves me as an aunt, but she is to occupied to just ‚look after' me."

"Yo, Ben, sit down, you're making me nervous when you're just standing there", Chime turned to the cat, remarking: "you know, how 'bout we ask them tomorrow? It's not like they ever kept something important secret from us."

Ben slowly scuffed over to the sofa and sat down in front of Sangmo and Chime, eyeing the beige feline, before relaxing,

"All right, let's ask them... you wanna play poker?", Sangmo lifted the cards of the table and gave the boys a wicked smile.

Ben had never liked card games, nor was he good at all that gambling stuff, also his tiredness wasn't helping much, so he simply shook his head and tried to melt into the soft fabric of the sofa.

"Sorry, but I got to refuse, too.. after all those times you beat me my motivation to play is not very high you know", Ben could hear Chimes apologetic grin as the fox spoke.

"I could let you win", Sangmo's offer made Chime chuckle and say: "Well, that's no fun, is it? How 'bout we postpone this 'till another time?"

Ben imagined Sangmo pouting as she answered: "Fine.. well what should we do then?"

"I think I'll just relax a little... t'was a pretty unpleasant day after all...", Chime said in a tired voice, making clear that he wouldn't be induced to do anything today.

"Fine... I'll go to bed then if you're just gonna be sitting here all boring", Ben heard a shuffle as the cat stood up and walked to the door, "Sleep well."

"Good night", The vulpine sighed, then, after the noises of Sangmo getting herself ready for bed had vanished: "Fine, they're all asleep now."

"So what", Ben raised his eyes and focused on the fox, who countered his gaze.

After a moment of silence the latter commented: "Well, you don't really want to stay up all night, do you. I know it, they know it. No need to hide it, too, everyone got their weak moments."

"Oh really?", Ben spoke under his breath, being figured out he felt vulnerable once again, "But you seem to forget that every weak moment shows everyone around you that you are in need of help, now take a person who has a lot of weak moments, that person would become a continuous burden to everyone around him. This person, even if it one day gets stronger and is able to help herself, will always be regarded as weak."

"But that didn't happen to you", Chime looked at him, with those eyes that seemed to pierce Ben's skin, "Because if it did, you wouldn't have gone on that journey with no one else but Eric. You couldn't in fact, because if you were the way you described, you wouldn't want to be a burden for Eric by being alone with him."

Ben lowered his gaze: "No, I'm not the person that was once weak and get's worried about by all people. I'm more of a person that grew weak because of everyone else. I...", he stopped, this was getting out of hand, "I'll go to sleep now."

He was relieved as Chime kept sitting on the sofa while he went out of the room, into the corridor, into his bedroom, under his blanket and was finally fast asleep.