Changes We Make - Chapter Six -
Story by Cederwyn Whitefurr on SoFurry
Turning their attention to the sanctuary, the two hunters exterminate the ferals, searching for Nicole and the Joey. Frustrated, they ensure, once again, no one shall know they were there... Nicole battles the Therian within her, but it might have a real fight on its paws, as Nicole promises not to give into it, as not only for her own sanity and life - but that of the young joey who has bonded to her - and she to it.
Changes We Make
Chapter Six
© Cederwyn Whitefurr
28th September, 2021
All Rights Reserved.
You have been given a rare gift – That voice continued, implacable, irresistible and completely unblock-able. You do not realise what I offer you, strength, resiliency and above all...
Horrific images filled Nicole's mind as the Therian within her giggled in malicious glee.
Fight young one, your kind have always tried – and failed – human is as human does...
Nicole screamed and clawed at her head, shaking it violently as Jennifer was motionless, before she grabbed Nicole and shook her roughly.
“Nicole, what is going on – please, stop hurting yourself!"
Nicole, caught in the pain and terror, instinctively lashed out, her claws curled and if it hadn't been for Jennifer's quick movement, Nicole's claws would have slashed deeply. Without thinking, Jennifer slapped Nicole sharply across the muzzle, snapping her head to the side.
With a squeal, Nicole shuddered and blinked, before tears welled in her eyes and she stared at Jennifer, who shuddered and felt her own tears begin to trickle down her face.
“What has gotten into you?" Jennifer wept. “You're not a cruel, violent person!"
Nicole shuddered then looked about, before she grunted and coughed, her claws tapping at the couch.
“Your...the laptop? You want that?" Jennifer sniffled, as she backed away, watching Nicole closely.
Nicole nodded and tried to get off the couch, but with the joey in the pouch and her own exhaustion, all she could do was nod again. Quietly, Jennifer left, returning a few moments later and setting the laptop on the table, then nervously looking at Nicole.
“You won't just lash out again? Are you alright? Really? Did I frighten you or something?"
Nicole, frustrated, shook her head violently as Jennifer watched, then between them, Nicole was helped off the couch and crouched down, crawling over to the laptop where she began hurriedly pecking a the keys again.
Inside me... Come the words.
“Inside...what? What is inside you? I don't understand, what do you mean?"
Slapping her paw on the table with frustration, Nicole watched Jennifer flinch, then she sniffled and struggled to type out the words.
Inside my mind – a – another voice? Something, something terrible, dark and filled with such cruelty and malice. It's like how I imagine someone with a split personality, or even schizophrenia must live... It called me a Therian...
“Therian? So...that article...it really is true? Not some made up..."
Its true, what it showed me, what it is trying to make me do... I'm dangerous Jennifer, more than you can imagine! It is trying to take me, force me to kill and …
Jennifer watched, wide eyed, as she looked from the screen to Nicole, then back at the screen again.
It is fighting me for control, I won't give in, I can't give in – it's...literally like a...
Nicole smacked her paws on the table again, frustration growing, as she tried desperately to convey her thoughts and feelings.
I will not let it take me, I promise, if I feel myself slipping, losing control... then you need to do what I probably can not. As it struggles to overpower me, I am learning about it as well. It, they, have a high tolerance for tranquilliser, I understand that now... We carry enough in the van to euthanise a horse, if we had too – I want you to get some, prepare it, just in case...
“NO!" Jennifer squealed. “I will not do it, I won't!"
Tears sliding down her muzzle, Nicole sniffled and quickly pecked at the keyboard again.
Please... you must do this for me, if it takes me... I will not be able to stop it, it views you as... Do it, please? You must get enough to euthanise both myself and the joey, but only, as a last resort. You've known me since you were a first year veterinary nurse. You know how strong willed I am when I set my mind to it, this beast within me, will not find me easy prey, I promise...
Nicole suddenly clutched at her head, then with a look of pain and suffering, she unclenched her paws and panted.
It's trying again, now, please, hurry! Come the frantic words on the keyboard.
Jennifer burst into tears and fled the living room, the sound of a door slamming behind her. Nicole shuddered from ears to toes and squeezed her eyes tight, summoning every ounce of mental strength and will she could, trying to suppress the Therian's control it was trying to exert over her.
You can't fight me forever young one... It mocked her.
You'd be surprised... Nicole mentally snarled back. You might be in for more than you think, as I not only have my own life to protect...
Reaching down, Nicole placed both paws on the still sleeping Joey, gently pressing her palms inwards and feeling the Joey twitch and move inside Nicole's pouch.
My love and compassion will win out against your cruelty and hatred – besides – I know you have your most basic of instincts. You are a doe, just like me, you would do anything to protect your joey, and she is your joey, isn't she? This harmless, sweet, gentle creature I guard and protect...
She will be just like me, when she gets older... Come the thoughts in Nicole's mind.
No, she will not – she may be a therian, I can not change that, but I can raise her with gentleness, love, compassion and kindness! My true nature will overcome whatever cruelty and depravity fuels you and yours...
With a snort, the Therian's influence faded again as it temporarily gave ground.
We will see little one...we will see...
*
At the sanctuary, the two men dropped the last of the corpses and one cursed vehemently.
“That stupid girl, she has no idea the tiger she has by the tail with that thrice-cursed joey and that stupid veterinarian!"
Holding up a gloved hand, the other one waited for his partner to calm himself.
“We had to check, we can not allow a single one of those godless beasts to live, its been our way for centuries. We're not about to give up now! Right, we'll call the others, I want a full cleanup crew, now, not a trace left! We were never here, understand?"
“I find that..." Muttered the other one, as he kicked one of the corpses and growled. “I'll make her suffer horribly, before I kill her..."
With a snort, the other man gripped the first by the collar and slammed him hard against the wall.
“You're new at this, so I'll say this once... We are professionals, experts at hunting and killing these beasts. Sure, have your fun, you'll get sick of it sooner rather than later – trust me. Now, for the first and last time – these..."
He gestured at the corpses with a sigh.
“These were just normal kangaroos... one of those we're hunting? They're dangerous, smart, cunning and cruel. They'll fight with their natural claws and teeth, it just takes a single drop of their blood in a wound or a bite even... You'll turn, there's no cure – only one..."
With a click, he cocked his pistol and held it under the smaller mans chin and looked into his eyes.
“We don't make mistakes – you either do as you're told, when you're told to do it – or you'll find yourself in an unmarked grave, where no-one will find you... Now, we'll get the video footage from their CCTV, get the cleanup crew in here, now, and we'll find out just who took that doe's offspring...and we'll make them regret it – for the remainder of their very short lives."
Point made, he released the hammer on his pistol and set it back into the holster at his right hip, leaving the smaller man trembling and pale.
*
“I don't agree with this Nicole - “ Jennifer told her, as she set aside the large syringes and capped needles.
I know you don't Come the words on the screen. Is it not wiser to be safe, than end up like me? Do you even begin to comprehend what I've become? I'd rather die, quickly and painlessly – than turn on you, my friend and savior. If she could, I'm sure the joey would agree with me. Speaking of...
Nicole reached into the pouch and awkwardly, dragged the sleepy joey from her pouch and put her on the carpet. Instantly, the Joey cried and clutched at Nicole's pouch, but Nicole growled and pushed her back. A strange discussion come between joey and doe, which left Jennifer confused. Noticing the expression on Jennifer's face, Nicole turned about and typed on the laptop again.
She understands me, I told her she needs to drink, I can not, at least I don't think I can, provide the milk she needs. It's been longer than I'd expect for a joey between feedings, so can you go make her milk formula please?
“She...I mean, you can talk to her? Does she understand me? I mean, can she comprehend english?"
Not yet, Come the words. I realise now, somehow, they must learn from their mother, but I think of what I need to tell her, then rely on – well – instinct isn't right, but that -other- to talk to her for me. I don't trust it – yet the joey seems to understand, whether it is instinctual or whatever these... whatever those growls and clucks and grunts -mean- they must be some kind of language I don't understand.
“I thought that might be the case, but I wasn't sure. There's so much we can learn..."
Do NOT get complacent Jennifer. Come the angry words, the expression on Nicole's face stern and frustrated. This -creature- would, if even half of what its thoughts are true... it would...
Nicole shuddered and flattened her ears.
Go on little one, tell her what I'll do to her... Come the mocking voice in Nicole's mind.
No, I will not! Nicole snarled. You will not hurt my friend, I'll die before I let you lay a single claw on her.
So you say, we'll see little one, oh, the pleasure I'll feel when I show that silly girl what you really are...
I'm nothing like you! Nicole's strength filled her and she mentally faced off against the Therian within her.
Jennifer watched, seeing the very real stress and pain it was causing Nicole. Thinking discretion was greater, Jennifer reached for one of the syringes, then she squealed as Nicole placed a paw on her forearm and shook her head, then panted and shuddered.
“Nicole... what can I do?"
I need water – please? Nicole shuddered and her claws clattered against the bowl.
“Water? You want water?" Jennifer frowned.
Nicole nodded, then looked down at the joey and back at Jennifer.
“Oh, I forgot...give me a moment, I'll get you your water then I'll get her the milk..."
Jennifer left the room, returning quickly with a fresh bowl of water that she set down, then left again. Nicole held the joey close against her furred belly, her paws crossed over the joey's forearms as she gently cuddled it against her.
Looking down at the joey, Nicole sniffled and used the back of her paws to wipe away the tears that threatened to spill as she cuddled the joey tighter, feeling her squirm and look up at her.
I won't let anyone hurt you little one. Nicole thought, as she held the trembling joey. Not even me...
A few moments later, Jennifer returned with the bottle and teat, and Nicole gently pushed the joey towards Jennifer. She trembled and made those strange chattering sounds again, so Jennifer knelt down and held out the bottle. After some awkwardness, the Joey seemed to smell the milk, then timidly crawled forwards and her lips sealed around the latex teat as she began feeding.
Nicole sat back, bracing herself on her tail, as she watched the joey at first begin to timidly suckle, then grow increasingly eager as she tilted her head back and suckled with vigour.
“She seems to be quite hungry..." Jennifer smiled. “Hey, easy little one, there's plenty more..."
I wonder just what that milk tastes like... Nicole pondered, as she watched the thirsty joey suck the bottle dry then gently claw at Jennifer's fingers.
“More?" Jennifer asked, as she tenderly wiped the joeys mouth with a wet cloth.
Clucking at her, the joey clawed at Jennifer's fingers, and stood up on her toes, as if seeking more milk.
“Alright little one, easy!" Jennifer laughed quietly then as she stood up, the joey placed her paws on Jennifer's shins and grunted at her.
“Is she still hungry?" Jennifer asked, looking at Nicole.
Listening, one ear forward, Nicole frowned and nodded.
Jennifer shook her head slowly. “Alright, if you want another bottle of milk, I'll get you one, you will be alright for a moment?"
Nicole twitched, as the joey chattered again, then she squirmed and urinated in a long stream on the floor.
“Hey!" Jennifer squeaked. “Oops, I guess that was bound to happen...I'll clean that up, I never thought to figure out..."
Scent of the urine made Nicole twitch and she grunted and placed a paw on Jennifer's leg.
“You need to go to the...wait, you can't use a bathroom, you need to go outside? Oh gods, I feel like such an idiot, talking to you like a dog..."
Nicole lifted her head up, ears flattening as she stared at Jennifer.
“Yeah, I'm sorry – I deserved that, I know you understand me, why I...come on, I'll open the door for you."
Nicole grunted and the joey fled back to her pouch. This time, Nicole crouched down and she shuddered as the joey clambered in, the heavy weight nearly dragging the pouch to the floor. Once she was sure she was secure, Nicole began crawling after Jennifer, who made her way to the rear door of the house.
“I need to get my head on straight, its just... so confusing! You look like a, forgive me, a feral red kangaroo doe – yet you understand me perfectly, I know inside there, is the real you, with your thoughts, feelings and human self... Yet..."
Nicole paused and a thoughtful expression come over her face as she timidly reached out and placed a paw on Jennifer's hip. Jennifer stopped and turned about, then crouched down and took Nicole's paws in her hands, her thumbs lightly caressing the fur on the back of them. Nicole stared into Jennifer's eyes, and almost, but not quite, her expression grew more thoughtful and concerned.
I wish I could tell you how thankful I am – Nicole thought, as she gazed into Jennifer's eyes. With words, not these... animal like growls, grunts and... without that laptop.
Jennifer frowned, then smiled and leaned forwards, lightly kissing Nicole on the forehead.
“I think I understand what you're trying to say to me, and, you're welcome..."
Jennifer gently released Nicole's paws, then stood up and turned about, pulling the door open, letting Nicole cautiously crawl outside.
To Be Continued...