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COMM - Something For Everyone

COMMISSION FOR TUNECHARMER

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

17thOctober, 2021

All Rights Reserved.

Authors Note: I, Cederwyn Whitefurr, do hereby lay claim and all rights to the literary works contained within. It was my great honour and privilege to be commissioned by Tunecharmer on Sofurry, who commissioned me for this tale. I hope you enjoy this Tunecharmer and thank you for letting me write about this adorable character!

**

Tyler Kangaroo, Ty to his closest friends, walked down the pavement, the kangaroo's feet clad in old, worn out sneakers with holes in the toes of the sole. His furred hips and legs were clad in old jeans, the knees a bit worn but not threadbare and a faded t-shirt covered his chest, over which was worn a nice warm woollen jacket. It was almost two sizes to big for him, but it kept the young kangaroo warm. He didn't mind, if anything, they were amongst his most valued possessions. He sighed as his left foot come down in a puddle and the icy water squelched into his striped sock and chilled his foot.

"I got to get some new shoes - " Ty grunted, then used his tail and other foot to hold his balance as he shook the other one. He'd owned these shoes for for five years now. They were worn - sure, but super comfy!

No other shoes he'd ever tried on fit his long, slender feet. It was hard being an anthropomorphic kangaroo - couldn't just walk into Walmart or something and buy shoes just off the shelf! No! Had to shop as specialised stores for just the right shape, length, width and feel for them.

Of course, such come with often exorbitant price tags...

He idly kicked a aluminium can, one ear flicking forwards, the other back as he whistled a tune he'd heard a few days ago on the radio - something upbeat and catchy and...

"Hello!" He squeaked, as he skidded to a halt outside a slightly run down, but still respectable store. In the window was a variety of things, some he knew from his childhood - some were esoteric and bewildering. But what caught his gaze and made him push the spectacles up his pale blue muzzle was the most beautiful pair of kangaroo-shaped sneakers he'd ever imagined could or would exist!

Flicking his crimson scarf back from his chest where an errant wind had blown it, he brushed down his shirt and straightened his coat. Looking at his reflection in the glass of the shop, he smiled lopsidedly and grinned.

"About as good as I'll get!" Ty laughed quietly.

Stepping up to the door, he cleared his throat then reached out with a gloved paw and pushed the door open.

Above his head tinkled a concealed bell that tinkled merrily....

*

"Just a moment kind sir," Come a quavery voice from behind a tattered curtain at the back of the store. "I'll be right out!"

With a chuckle, Ty looked around the store with the awe filled face of a child. It was almost as if he'd stepped into some kind of dream! There were things from his earliest memories as a Joey, through to the most exotic and intriguing. His gloved left paw trailed over a beautiful crystal ball of clear quartz that looked like it was straight out of some carnival fortune tellers tent.

Gazing into it, he almost felt like he could make out _something_as it seemed to swirl and captivate then...

With a startled squeal, he felt a withered paw touch him lightly on the shoulder. He jumped as only a Kangaroo can, then spun about, his tail smacking against the counter with a loud thud.

"Good afternoon - " Came a voice that sounded, well, older than dirt itself!

It was quavery, almost breathless, and he pushed the spectacles back up his muzzle as he blinked and looked straight ahead.

"I'm down here lovely..." Whispered the woman.

"Eep!" Ty squeaked, then blushed and his tubular ears flattened as he looked down.

I'm short, only five feet six...this Vixen lady must be all of... four feet two? Like a Hobbit from the Lord of the Rings... He thought to himself.

Feeling embarrassed and ashamed, Ty crouched down, once again, as only a Kangaroo could. His knees were almost level with his shoulders, his gloved paws nearly touching the ground with their tips.

"Courteous if clumsy!" Cackled the old Vixen. "Welcome young one! A Kangaroo! I haven't seen one of your kind in oh, seventy years or more!"

Ty smiled lopsidedly, tilting his head and giving her his most adorable, charming smile.

"Not many of us around I'm afraid, but please, I'm Ty, a very great pleasure to meet you, Mrs..."

Holding out his right paw to her, he frowned as the old Vixen cackled and touched his fingers. There was a loud crack and Ty squeaked and nearly fell backwards as a brilliant blue spark leapt from her hand into his.

"Sorry sonny, static electricity..." Snickered the Vixen. "It's Ms. Ms. Drakenalis! Owner of this fine establishment you find yourself in! Now, what may I interest you in young man? As I like to say - in this shop, I have something for everyone..."

Ty shook his paw that tingled, before he chuckled and pushed the spectacles back up his muzzle.

"Silly things keep sliding down, they're not really designed for a nearsighted kangaroo! Oh, yes, I apologise! I saw a beautiful pair of sneakers, sorry, I mean sneakers in your store window! I'm a size..."

"Fifteen long, four wide and three high!" Snickered the Vixen, as she tapped at her pale cheek with her index finger and nodded. "Yes, I would say so!"

"Uh..." Ty's muzzle hung open and his spectacles slid back down towards his nose. "How'd you do that?"

With a smile, the Vixen waved a paw, then thought for a moment. Turning about, she muttered to herself and when she turned back, Ty saw a perfect pair of new sneakers exactly the right shape, colour and size clutched in her palsied paws.

"Like these?" She asked, holding them up.

"Ooo - " Ty moaned, eyes wide and ears slicking flat. "They're - perfect!"

He reached out with his paw, then snatched it back, tucking them behind him as he scuffed his right foot on the floor.

"Please, may I?" He asked sweetly and innocently.

"Of course! I never have a dissatisfied customer - they'll fit just as well as those beautiful gloves on your paws!"

"My...gloves? Oh, these are because, well, my paws aren't very dexterous and the claws! Oof! I'm always accidentally scratching things, or knocking them over - these are made specifically for we kangaroo's! They..."

"Give you added dexterity and let you handle things easier, don't they?" Smiled the Crone as she nodded. "I'm not unfamiliar with your kind, as rare as you are!"

_Ware..._Came a sibilant voice, like a winters breeze that Ty swore come from somewhere over his right shoulder. He could almost feel the air ruffle the fine hairs of his back-swept ears.

He began to turn around, when the old crone smiled at him and held up the sneakers.

"Would you like to try them on? I'm sure they'll be a _perfect_fit!"

"May I? Please?" Ty murmured.

"Of course!" Cackled the Crone. "You could say I insist upon it!"

Ty leaned back on his tail, lifting up one foot as he slipped off his worn sneaker, placing it on the floor. Quickly, he done the other one, setting it beside the first.

Taking the new sneaker from the old Vixen, he twisted his foot and placed the sole against his foot, surprised and pleased to see she was right. It was almost perfect!

Eagerly, he undone the laces and slipped his foot into it before standing up and stamping his foot on the ground. Flexing his toes he felt the new sneaker fit almost like a glove to his slender foot.

Quickly, he slipped on the other one, then done up the laces and crouched up and down, curling his slender toes and relaxing them again.

"How do they feel?" Asked the Vixen, as she watched the excited young kangaroo flex and stretch.

"Perfect, almost too good to be true! So comfortable and snug! I hardly even notice they're there! So light and the heel, great cushioning - why haven't I ever heard of these before?"

"I pride myself on having something for everyone... now, do you wish to take these with you? I think they'll bond to you, as you will with them!"

Something n that strange choice of words caught Ty up, but he shrugged it off and smiled at her.

"They're just perfect, I couldn't imagine living without them! How much are they?"

With a grin, the Vixen merely smiled and patted him on the head like he was a joey. Usually Ty would object to that, but hey - she was old enough to be his great great grandmother! He didn't begrudge her the gentle head pat.

"I'm an old crone, I have no real need for money anymore young one! I've lived a long and full life. Bah, take them, think of it as a closing down sale, everything must go!"

Ty looked down at the new, glistening sneakers, then back up at her, his eyes wide and ears flat.

"I couldn't - these must be worth..."

She merely grinned at him and placed a paw under his chin, then lifted it up so she could look into his eyes.

"You will take these sneakers - " She whispered.

Ty blinked, then shook his head and frowned. "Pardon?"

"Nothing, young one!" Cackled the Vixen, as she looked down at his old ones. "Oh, one last thing..."

"Sure!" Ty grinned and looked down at wonderment at the new sneakers.

:"I've lost touch with a dear friend, a sweet, innocent young otter - he used to stop by my shop once a week, regular as clockwork! If you see him, tell him I miss him so much! He's got a white spot, right...here..."

Reaching out with a claw-like finger, the Vixen touched Ty right between the eyes, making him blink, before he shuddered and crumpled to the floor...

*

When he woke, he found himself sitting on a bench, well, lying on it would be more accurate! It was as if he was some homeless vagrant. He snorted and sat up, his new sneakers slapping against the concrete as he stretched and yawned, feeling like he'd just sat down to rest - then nodded off. With a startled gasp he looked up at the night sky, then glanced hurried at the old pocket watch he kept in his coat pocket.

"Ten forty-five!" Ty yelped. "What..."

He frowned, then stood up, feeling stiff and sore as he flexed and twisted as warmth slowly come back to his muscles. Quickly, he hopped off the bench and began walking, soon, jogging, then out right running, as he made his way home.

*

Exhausted, Ty slumped in through the door then leaned back against it, his ears ringing as the door slapped shut behind him.

"Oops..." Ty winced and pushed his paws against the door as he stood upright. "Probably just woke up everyone on the whole block..."

Quickly, he peeled the gloves off and set them on the small half-table that hugged the wall near the door. Adding his keys, then the pocket watch and wallet, he shrugged out of his coat and hung it up on a hook. His scarf was next, folded over and hung beside the coat. Flexing his neck back and forth, he felt his stomach rumble within him.

"Dinner then shower, or shower then dinner..." Ty pondered, idly scratching at the back of his neck with his blunt claws.

_Water..._Came a whispered voice.

"Hey? Whose there?" Ty yelped, as he spun about, then nearly went nose first into the door.

Shaking his head, he chuckled to himself. "I'm tired, I need a shower, something to eat and sleep!"

Ty peeled off his shirt, then his jeans. Nearly stumbling, he giggled and sat on the edge of his bed and unlaced his hew sneakers. Setting them on the floor, he slid the jeans down his thighs and shins, before slipping them off each long foot. Standing back up, dressed only in tight fitting boxer shorts, Ty rolled his shoulders and then pushed them down and stepped out of them. He moved off to the small bathroom and half shut the door behind him, as he turned on the shower and looked at his reflection in the mirror...

Out in the bedroom, his sneakers shrank and began to twitch. Something began to form in them, filling them out and pressing the tongue of the sneaker up as it materialised into a spectral foot. More formed - a shin, knee, thighs...

As Ty obliviously sung in the shower, cleaning himself from ears to feet, he was completely unaware of what was happening in the bedroom...

Quicker and quicker, the ghostly form seemed to be summoned from the ether itself, It manifested as that of a young, frightened looking male otter, who clasped his webbed paws against his whiskered muzzle and screamed - but nothing was heard.

As the shower turned off and there was the rattle of the shower screen being retracted, the otter stumbled towards the door. He stumbled, the shoe laces seeming to wrap themselves around and under his feet.

He fell and as his paws were about to slap the floor - it was as if he melted straight through it and disappeared right as Ty opened the bathroom door and stepped out.

"Wait..." Ty squeaked. "How'd you get here?"

He picked up his sneakers and put them back beside the bed again, as he pulled back the coverlet and slid between the sheets. His blue furred head touched the pillow and he was out like a light...

*

My shoes...my beautiful shoes... Came a faint whisper voice.

Once again, the silhouette of the otter reformed, as he knelt down and reached out with his webbed paws towards the shoes. His spectral paws passed through them and he sat back on his rudder like tail and sniffled. After a few moments, he dried his eyes - or at least tried, then stood up and began exploring the room.

"My shoes - " He murmured to himself, as his paws trailed over Ty's possessions. "They were mine..."

Frustrated, he slapped a paw down on the bed, only to watch it phase straight through and slap him on the furred thigh. With another sniffle, the otter sat on the bed and rested his chin on his paws. His eyes downcast, small ears flattened, he sulked petulantly as he stared down at the sneakers.

"I loved my shoes..." He whispered, then sighed softly. "They did not love me back..."

Slipping off the bed, he paced the room again, then turned back and stared at the sleeping kangaroo who dreamed whatever dreams he had. Silently, the otter crawled up onto the bed and knelt over Ty's hips. Staring down, the spectral otter frowned and studied the sleeping kangaroo. Cautiously, the otter reached out and placed a webbed paw lightly on Ty's cheek and ever so gently caressed him.

"Such a handsome young buck..."

Oblivious to the ghostly caress, Ty blissfully slept on.

"I knew a buck like you - " Sighed the otter sadly. "He was my love, my life... my best friend and my soul mate. You... are not he."

Ty mumbled something then idly reached through the ghostly otter and scratched himself before going straight back to sleep.

"I miss him..."

"Mmm...wha?" Ty's left eyelid split apart and he blinked sleepily. "Wuzzat?"

Both eyes opened as he sat up and looked around, then trembled.

"Brr, its freezing! I don't remember turning down the thermostat!"

Slipping out of bed, Ty's long feet slapped the floor as he yawned and shuffled his way over to the entry hall and squinted owlishly at the thermostat.

"That's where I left it..." Ty scratched back of his head, then tapped the thermostat a few more times.

It didn't move.

"Must be dreaming..."

Turning about, he was oblivious as he walked straight through the otter - then Ty froze and felt a chill run the length of his back.

"Eep! Feels like someone just walked over my grave! I hate that feeling!"

Quickly, he ran back to bed and rolled into it, He snatched at the coverlet and pulled it up to his chin. Then, like a frightened joey, he grabbed the other pillow and clutched it tight to his chest with his forearms and paws squashing it tight against him.

Again, the spectral otter climbed up onto the bed, then lay down beside Ty and reached out, placing a webbed paw on the coverlet covered Kangaroo's thigh.

"No, you are not the one I loved..." Sighed the Otter. "Mayhaps you may become him..."

Feeling silly, Ty rolled over and stretched out, his long toes curling and uncurling, before he felt sleep tug at him again and he drifted back into his deep, restful slumber.

*

Next morning, Ty woke with a snort and sat up, then shook his head. Rubbing at his eyes with the leathery palms on his paws, he Yawned widely and ran his paws over his tubular ears.

"What a dream..." Ty muttered, as he threw aside the coverlet.

Placing his feet on the floor, he curled his toes into the carpet and stretched again, before he frowned and blinked, then looked down again.

"Where'd I put my sneakers last night?" Ty frowned and shook his head. "It was late, I was tired and..."

A loud series of growls come from his stomach, reminding him he hadn't had supper last night and he was famished. Standing up, the looked around and then shook his head.

"Clothes, I had some of those..."

*

After his morning routine of a shower, he felt refreshed and willing to face the new world that lay outside his apartment. He dressed in a nice polo shirt, pale shorts and rummaged through his cupboard for a clean pair of mid-shin length socks. Sitting on his bed, he tugged one of the three toed socks on over his left foot, then the right one.

Picking up the TV remote, he flicked on the television as he hunted around for his errant sneakers.

"It's going to be a beautiful day today, temperatures in the mid to high 60's, a lovely breeze - "

Ty frowned and flicked his ears, before he picked up his discarded shirt from yesterday. Underneath, he found those lovely new sneakers.

"There you are!" He squealed, snatching them up and hugging them to his chest, before he giggled and walked back to his bed.

He was completely oblivious to the otter that stared open muzzled at him...

They're mine! Squealed the otter, but again, not a word was heard in the apartment.

Ty sat on the end of his bed and slipped one sneaker on, then the other as he once more flexed his toes and tightened up the laces.

"They feel _so_comfortable!" Ty giggled.

Walking to the front door, he picked up his gloves and slipped them on over his paws before flexing the fingers experimentally. Glancing at his scarlet scarf, he shook his head.

"Nope, won't be needing you today - how about..."

Walking back across the room, Ty gasped and shuddered as that strange sensation rippled up his spine again and made his nape hairs stand on end.

I WANT MY SHOES BACK! Screamed the otter as he lunged at Ty and passed straight through him.

Blinking, Ty shuddered again, then that adorable smile spread across his muzzle as he slid open a drawer and removed the red ribbon he kept there. Standing before the mirror, he slipped it around his neck, Quickly, he mentally recited the words on how to tie a bow. After a few moments, he smiled as he looked at the ribbon which formed a beautiful and perfect bow tie around his furred neck.

"Perfect!" Ty exclaimed happily.

As he turned back from the mirror then froze like a deer in headlights. Slowly, his head rotated to the mirror again and he stared. For a single beat of his heart, he swore he saw the shape of an otter standing behind him...then it was gone again.

"I'm fantasising, its because I'm so hungry! That's got to be it!" Ty told himself, then walked to the door.

He picked up his pocket watch, affixing the chain to his belt and slipping it into his shorts. Taking his keys, he reached for the door handle then froze again, as he frowned and patted down his pants pockets.

"Wallet!" Ty moaned, his ears flattening as he turned about and moved back into the apartment.

Picking up the leather wallet, he slipped it into the back pocket and then satisfied, he left the apartment, the door closing behind him and the ghostly otter left all alone...

*

After a lovely breakfast at a local diner, Ty idly walked around town, taking in the beautiful sunshine and surprisingly clear sky day. He strolled through the park lands, spending two hours just sitting on a bench and watching the wild birds. When he grew weary of that, he left and walked aimlessly and without purpose. Curiosity began to nag at him, so he mentally retraced his steps from the previous night.

Pausing at an intersection, he idly tapped his index finger against his chin and unconsciously took a step forwards. There come the screech of brakes and Ty squealed when a large bear grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back onto the pavement.

"You trying to get yourself killed?" Exclaimed the bear.

Ty stood shuddering, then heard the car drive off, the wolf behind the wheel swearing fluently. His heart thundering in his chest, Ty could only tremble and pant helplessly. He'd never been so scared in his life!

"Be careful kid, next time, there might not be someone to save you - " Growled the bear as he looked both ways then crossed the road.

Ty quivered and frowned. He'd been standing here, waiting for the walk sign then... With a yelp, he ran across the road just as the DON'T WALK sign began to flash. Breathless, he pressed a paw against the wall of a building and swallowed the apple like lump in his throat.

When he'd recovered himself, he shuddered once more and continued his walk towards where he'd bought the shoes. He wanted to thank the old Vixen in a more personal way, intending to buy her some flowers for her kindness and generosity.

*

Stopping at the flower stall, he spent a few moments looking over and smelling the various bouquets. Finally, he settled on some lovely red roses.

"Someone special in your life young Kangaroo?" Asked the stall holder, as she took the money and put it in a pouch at her hip.

"Huh?" Ty gasped, then giggled nervously. "Oh, no, nothing like that! Just a thank you gift for someone who showed me a kindness. Think she will like these?"

"Of course! What woman doesn't love to receive roses?"

Clutching the bouquet to his chest, Ty inhaled the sweet aroma, then smiled adoringly and nodded.

"Thank you, they're lovely!"

"Have a lovely day young one!"

*

Ty walked in bliss, the scent of the roses overpowering and sweet, before he turned down another road and quickened his pace. As he drew close to the shop, his smile wiped from his muzzle as he frowned then come to a halt before the shop front.

Dead flies and at least an inch of dust coated the bottom of the large plate glass window which was covered with old newspapers from over twenty or more years ago. They were yellow with age and some tape had been used to stick them there - but it'd long unglued itself and a sheet had fallen away. Presumably, it lay on the floor of the shop.

Ty stood up on tiptoes to peek through the window and his frown increased. What little he could see of the shop inside, was dusty, dirty and decrepit. An ancient cash register sat on the filthy counter and the dilapidated cloth that had covered the doorway? It was now rotted and shredded.

"No..." Ty shook his head. "I... I was here last night! This is the shop, I'm certain of it!"

He dropped back onto the soles of his sneakers, Walking away a dozen paces, Ty turned about then walked back. His frown increased further behind his spectacles, as he tilted his head back and up. His eyes focused in on the ragged remains of the marque that hung like a banner over the stores front door.

Soetn F Eere

Ty blinked, taking his glasses off. He used the hem of his shirt to wipe at them before placing them back on his muzzle. As he squinted through them again and re-read the faded lettering.

No... It can't be! Ty thought to himself, his mind reeling, the roses falling from his limp, nerveless fingers and into the curbside drain.

Finally, his mind filled in the ripped and torn lettering, to fully understand what had once been printed on the marquee.

Something For Everyone

*

Shocked, Ty had made his way home in a daze. His mind could not, no, would, not, believe what his eyes had seen. He flat out refused to acknowledge it! How was it possible? A store he was in last night - now derelict and in ruin?

Passing the neighbour at the mailbox, Ty was oblivious as he walked up the stairs and unlocked the door to his apartment then stepped through - his eyes widening in disbelief and shock.

His apartment was trashed! It was almost as if a tornado had torn through it! His bed was smashed against the wall, sheets and coverlet torn from it and cast-off. Even the mattress was crushed and twisted.

"What the hell?" Ty squeaked.

As he stepped further in, he took it all in. He'd been at some wild parties in his youth - sure - but this? _THIS_was a whole new level and then some!.

"No, no, no!" Ty moaned, wringing his gloved paws together.

With a sigh, he pushed the bed back down and sat on the base, clutching his head in his paws.

"Why would someone do this? I don't have anything they would want to steal from me! Apart from..."

Where the television once sat, it now lay in the far corner, its screen smashed and the television ruined.

"Oh, that's just great!" Ty moaned. "They couldn't even do me the courtesy of..."

His door slammed shut with a ear shattering boom- almost as if it'd been blown shut by a hurricane. Ty jumped at the sound of it - he couldn't help it. Again, the room chilled then turned visibly cold as Ty's ears began to ache. His ear-tips felt like they were burning, so cold it suddenly become!

His nose ran like a tap as he stared wide eyed and watched rime-frost form on the remains of the shattered mirror.

"What..." Ty whispered, then stared as his breath turned to fog.

He squealed and backed into a corner, as _something_rushed at him, paws outstretched then just as it touched him the room flickered and Ty flinched before he blinked again.

Everything was exactly as it'd been when he'd left that morning... No smashed mirror, no destroyed and rumpled bed and sheets, television still on...

Ty slumped down onto his bed, then peeled his gloves off his paws and pressed them to his eyes as he shuddered and moaned in disbelief.

"I must be going mad, completely off my trolley - I _have_to be..."

Ty tried to make sense of everything...

That - whatever it was he'd seen in the mirror that morning!

A shop that he'd visited the night before - just gone, looking like it'd not existed for twice his lifespan!

That awful chilling cold of his room, when the thermostat was set at 62 degrees Fahrenheit...

Worse - was that... vision? Premonition?

Ty didn't know, he only knew one thing, he wanted desperately to get out of his apartment. NOW...

He didn't actually believe in ghosts, spirits, call them what you will. He'd never seen or experienced one - but this? This was enough to make his nape fur stand on end...

He grabbed the keys from the table beside the door and fled, the door closing behind him.

*

Ty wandered the streets until well after nightfall, wishing he'd brought a coat with him as a chill wind blew through the city. Hungry, he'd stopped by his favourite diner and he'd only picked at the salad and vegetables he would normally have ravenously devoured.

"You need something else hun?" Asked the Badger Waitress, as she looked down at the trembling kangaroo. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

Ty didn't know how to answer her, he only dropped about twenty dollars on the table and left the diner.

"I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid, I'm...afraid..." Ty murmured to himself, as he clutched his gloved paws under his armpits to warm them. "Go home, there's nothing there! You're acting like a frightened little joey!"

"Pardon?" Asked a Wolf, who looked up from a park bench. "Hey Joey, can ya spare a quarter?"

Ty jumped and dug into his pocket, before he dropped a handful of change into the old battered cup.

"Hey, thanks!" Smiled the wolf, revealing yellowed and broken teeth. "Bless you!"

"Yeah..." Ty muttered as he shuddered and began walking home.

*

His paw trembled as he reached out to unlock the apartment door, the key clattering against the lock.

"Get a grip, stop being so...childish!" Ty admonished himself, then forced himself to calmness.

This time, the key slipped home into the lock and he turned it, opening the door. Expecting _something_to happen, Ty's heart was in his mouth as he carefully pushed open the door to reveal...

An empty apartment...

What were you expecting? Ty's mind asked him.

Slipping inside, he shut the door quietly and leaned back against it, breathing heavily and trying to control his thundering heart rate.

I need a nice calming cup of tea, that'll be perfect!

Placing his keys, pocket watch and wallet on the sideboard, he moved over to the small kitchenette. He opened the cupboard, taking down a bone china cup, then set it down carefully on the counter. Checking the water in the kettle, he set it on the stove to boil and walked back into the main room of his apartment.

Sitting on his bed, Ty leaned over and began untying the sneakers. When he was done, he slipped them off, setting them beside the bed.

"That feels better!" Ty sighed, laying back on the bed, then wincing as he felt the crick in his tail that was squashed beneath him. "Urgh, nope, not laying like that..."

Sitting up, he twisted left and right, working a few stiff muscles in his back and shoulders.

"A nice cup of tea, maybe some Netflix and..."

Something made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. His ears rotated too and fro, as his muzzle fell open.

"Whose there?" He squealed.

Snapping his head around, Ty blinked. Climbing off the bed, he looked down at the curtains that covered the balcony window, then yanked them apart savagely - nearly tearing them off the rods.

Balcony was empty...

"Get a grip on yourself Ty!" He admonished himself again, then stamped his left foot on the floor with a loud thump.

Hearing the whistling from the kettle, he rushed back into the kitchenette and turned off the gas burner. Pouring the hot water over the tea leaves, he leaned close and inhaled the sweet, calming aroma.

"Just what I need..."

As the tea drew and turned to a dark colour, Ty added a little sugar, not much, then a splash of cream. Wrapping both paws around the cup, he headed back into the main room. Out of curiosity, he pulled the chair away from the small desk, then sat down. Setting his tea to the side, he pushed the button on his computer and heard it beep and start up.

Taking up his tea again, he sipped it and sighed softly.

"That's good...just what I needed alright. Oh, its ready..."

Using his claws, he carefully typed out his password and his finger clicked enter. He smiled as he seen the desktop picture come up. Placing a paw on the mouse, he scrolled over to the web browser icon and clicked it.

"Now, what was I...oh, that's right!"

His claws clicked on the oversized keys as he began typing into the search engine box.

Something For Everyone ...

He nodded to himself, then reached for his mouse again and clicked 'search'...

His eyes slammed shut like window shades and his head fell on his chest as he began snoring loudly.

*

Again, the ghostly otter materialised from seemingly thin air. It wrung its webbed paws before it, as it paced and seemed to be in a deep argument as its muzzle twitched and formed words, but nothing was heard. It gesticulated and waved his paws, like he was trying to make a point, or perhaps to reinforce some firm belief, before he sighed and hung his smooth furred head in seemingly acquiescence.

Fur spread from his webbed feet, slowly climbing up his shins, his groin and down the rudder-like tail. It spread like oil over his spectral stomach and chest. Down both arms swept the sable like fur and up the neck and head, until he dropped to his knees and gasped, drawing breath into lungs that hadn't existed until mere seconds ago.

"I'm...alive?" Came a timid whisper from the otter, as he held his webbed paws up, turning them back and forth.

He frowned, then blinked as his paws turned semi-translucent.

"NO!" He squealed in fear. "Please!"

Remaining semi-corporeal, the young male otter, naked as the day he'd been whelped, trembled.

One rounded ear twitched and he tilted his head, as if listening to a voice only he could hear.

"I don't..." He whined, wringing his paws before him in a pleading gesture.

Again, he become a little more ethereal, his body barely even recognisable so thinned out had he become.

"Alright!" He squealed in a beseeching cry.

Looking at the sleeping Kangaroo, the Otter sniffled and used his small paws to wipe away his tears that tried to spill down his whiskered muzzle. Carefully, he gripped the back of Ty's chair and turned it around. It was harder than he expected - then again - with much of his corporeal body dissolved, he shouldn't have been surprised.

Ty slumped in the chair in a most unnatural position. Leaning to the left, he would be very sore in the ribs in the morning. With a sniffle, the otter placed his paws on Ty's knees and took a few shallow breaths.

"I hate you..." Came the quiet whisper from the otter.

Another spectral entity manifested - that of a old, bent and withered looking vixen who glared at the otter defiantly. It was the same vixen who'd gifted these cursed sneakers to Ty.

"I did not ask whether you liked it or not..." She growled quietly, then pointed a withered finger at the otter accusingly. "Do that which I have commanded, or you'll linger in your current state forever!"

Eyes wide, the otter's muzzle fell open and his whiskers drooped. "You're not joking...are you..."

With a cackle, the vixen grinned, revealing her sharp, yellowed teeth. "No, I'm not..."

Tearfully, the otter turned back to Ty, then he shuddered. Timidly, he looked up at the sleeping kangaroo, then down at the pants he wore.

"I still hate you..." Whispered the otter.

Again, the vixen cackled. "I know...now, hurry up! We don't have eternity...well, actually, we do..."

Carefully, the otter curled his blunt clawed fingers in to the waistband of Ty's shorts and he tugged them down his thighs. Quickly, he pulled harder and the slid down Ty's shins.

"Good, good!" Cackled the Vixen, her eyes widening in pleasure. "Now, hurry up..."

Timidly, the otter slipped them off Ty's long feet and dropped them, as he sniffled and glanced over his shoulder at the vixen.

"I..."

She glared at him, then began tapping a foot paw on the carpeted floor.

"I will not ask again, so this will be the last time I tell you. Do that which you were so good at... or what you've suffered will seem like heaven, compared to what I'll do to you. Do you understand?"

His ears flattening, the otter shivered and nodded, then turned back to face Ty. Carefully, he spread Ty's furred thighs apart and looked at the furred scrotum and the modest length that lay upon it.

"Please forgive me young one..." Whispered the otter remorsefully, as he reached out.

Taking Ty's length gently between his webbed paws, the otter began to sensuously caress and stroke.

"Mmph..." Ty grunted in his sleep.

Impatiently, the Vixen paced back and forth, watching the otter, who only had eyes on what he was doing.

His fingers interlaced and he carefully caressed and stroked - feeling the kangaroo's firming length with each gentle touch.

"Yes... I can smell his pleasure building within him, the blood engorging that lovely treat..."

Trying to block her out, the otter leaned forwards and tickled Ty's length with his whiskers, down one side then up the other. His lips parted and he kissed from the base to the ridged head and down the other side.

"More, more!" Hissed the impatient vixen, as she looked down at her paws which had turned from dry, almost desiccated flesh and fur, to a brilliant black and luxurious fur.

Fearfully, the Otter opened his muzzle, wrapping both paws around Ty's penile length, then he squeezed his eyes closed. His soft tongue swirled and flickered over the tip with a gentleness and care. Mindful of his razor sharp teeth, the otter pulled his paws down as he moved his head inwards.

His whiskers tickled Ty's thighs, his warm breath rippled the fur on his stomach and he shuddered as he closed his mouth and began suckling with strong muscular contractions.

Each moment that passed in this unnatural pleasuring, brought Ty closer and closer to his orgasm - and in turn - brought the vixen closer and closer to returning to a youthful state. Her upper body was revitalised, breasts pert yet well formed, black tipped ears and a russet fur with the creamy white from the underside of her chin down almost to her belly.

"Excellent little one, you truly have a gift..." Grinned the vixen as she writhed in sensual pleasure.

Ignoring her, the otter continued to orally pleasure Ty, who groaned and trembled. Swallowing, the otter squeezed his eyes closed and splayed his fingers out on Ty's thighs, as if he was sensing what was coming.

"Oh, so much youthful power in this one...do it, finish it!"

Tears sliding down his muzzle, the otter intensified his oral pleasuring, the Ty gurgled and bucked twice as the otter buried his nose against Ty's belly and copiously swallowed the gift that was spurted down his throat.

"Ohh..." Moaned the vixen.

She collapsed to the floor, her blunt claws gouging at the carpet. Her whole body trembled as she felt the stolen spiritual energy transferred from Ty, through the otter, and into herself.

Slowly, she got back to her feet, feeling muscles, tendons and fur that prickled with life and energy. Something she had not experienced in over a century.

"I feel so...invigorated..."

Whimpering, the spectral otter carefully lifted his head and leaned back, kneeling on the floor as he shuddered and moaned in misery and disgust at what he'd been forced to do.

"Oh, don't cry little one, its so unbecoming!" Chuckled the vixen.

Carefully, she rose and stretched languidly, raising her paws up over her head as she interlaced her fingers and stretched. Bending forwards, she pressed her paws flat against the floor, her brush of a tail rising up over her back.

Wiping his muzzle on the back of his wrists, the otter looked longingly at the discarded sneakers, then when he reached out for them, the Vixen growled and yanked him back, her claws gripping the scruff of his neck.

"Uh huh little one..." She breathed against his left ear.

"You promised!" He wailed.

"First thing about we Vulpine's you never learned little one..."

She tightened her grip and with a backwards thrust of her paw, she tore his spectral form from the corporeal body that crumbled to dust.

"We lie..."

Silently, the otter shrieked as the Vixen dragged his spectral form down the hallway, then out the door which shut quietly behind her...

*

Ty awoke the next morning, sore, aching where he'd laid against the hard armrest of the chair and feeling drained, physically, mentally and sexually.

"Urgh...what...what happened to me last night?" He mumbled, as he weakly got to his feet then felt something sticky on his thighs. "What the..."

Shuddering, Ty shook his long eared head and headed for the shower, before he paused and looked down as he felt something gritty beneath his feet. Lifting up one foot, he brushed at the dust that clung to the leather pads and sighed.

"Great, now I got to clean the carpet too..."

END