Burning Passion, Settling Ashes: Chapter 1; A Celebration to Forget
#1 of Burning Passion, Settling Ashes
Yay! This is my first story on SoFurry! I plan to do a great deal of stories and such, so expect more. Do wish me luck, in these stories, but by all means, enjoy yourselves! Also, any help is appreciated, thanks!
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Thick, cold drops of rain fell to earth in a rythmatic beat. The trees rustled, as if restless, in the downpour. I sat there, on a park bench under the old oak tree that which stood in front of my apartment building. I shivered at the cold, and contemplated going in, but no, the cold was my escape. The freezing rain and high winds took away the phantom burn, if only for a while. A piece of ice landed in my lap, announcing its presence. It was a small piece, no bigger than an eraser, but it was hail nonetheless. I got up and headed to the cover of the building and to my apartment, number 261. I briefly wondered what it would be like to be pelted to death by these seemingly harmless balls of ice.
I shut the door quietly and turned the lock with a satisfying click. I walked past my kitchen counter to the fridge and retrieved my prize. I lit the candles, sat at the table and sat in silence. It was my birthday, April 22, 2024. My name is Brandon; I have no friends, with the possible exception of my neighbor, Ivan, a gray wolf. I was born in 2001, thus I am 23.
I make my wish, the same one I have made since...since...
I shake the thought from my head and blow out the candles. The sound of thunder crashes outside. The lights flicker and short out. I relight one of the candles and walk to the couch. A knock comes to my door; I stumble through the dim light and open it. My neighbor Ivan appeared in the doorway, moonlight glinting off his shiny silver fur.
Anthros, Homo animalias, as called by the scientists, started appearing during the baby boom in the 50's shortly after World War II. They had had no rights at first, but unrest led to worldwide civil warfare from 1973-81. At the end of all the blood, they had gained right in most areas of he world, and the population of the earth had dropped by 1/16. As a human the aspect of fur constantly intrigued me.
It must make sex interesting.
"Are you going to let me in, or just stare at me?"
I snapped back from my dazed and stepped aside. He stepped inside and sat down on the couch.
"Your birthday?" He said, noticing my uneaten cake.
"Yeah...you know about my family," I replied with a sigh.
"Oh, that's right, sorry man..."
"It's alright, you want some?" I asked him, with a smile.
"What?" he exclaimed, looking at me wide-eyed.
"Cake, do you want some" I stated, rather confused.
"Oh..." he said meekly.
We stared at each other for a few seconds, then I turned and retrieved him a piece of cake and a fork; we ate in silence.
I turned to him and asked, "What was that about?"
He sighed and whispered "I'm...well...uh...how do I put this?
"Just say it," I told him.
"I'm gay," he said, rather sadly. It really didn't surprise me, he had hinted at it ever since we started hanging out. I figured he must be rather crushed at me not feeling the same. I realized my response has the ability to crush his spirit if I chose the wrong words.
"Ivan," I said looking him in the eye, "I am not gay myself, but I like having you as a friend, and I will help you with anything, including finding a boyfriend for you.
"Thanks dude, that means a lot," he said with a smile. He had a tear in his eye; perhaps he had a dark past like me. Life was never kind to the best of us.
Ivan was rather happy, though still on the verge of crying; he thanked me for the cake and left in one swift maneuver. I was kind of praying I would be able to find him a boyfriend before he started hitting on me more than he did already. Oh well, another for the to-do's.
I finished my cake, and slinked off to my bed after tossing my plate into the sink. As I laid my head on the pillow, a low thump, thump, thump, perforated the plaster ceiling. Apparently couple that lived above where having a good night.
At least someone is feeling better than me...