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Panting and heaving, I tried to rise back to my paws, but my strength gave out almost instantly, and I slumped back down to the concrete floor. The Flame had left me once more, and it couldn't have picked a worse time to dissipate.

A dozen humans encircled the Vixen and the man changing underneath her, each wearing stunned expressions at the sight before them, incidentally locking their shopping carts to cordon off the deli department from the rest of the store. How she could be so blatantly violating the secrecy of the existence of the fox's magic in front of all these people was beyond anything I could rationalize. She had spent the day with me trying to hide our presence as much as possible. Now that I had lost the aid of the Flame I needed her help more than ever.

The fox beneath her screamed once more in terror and extasy as he shrank into his Big Club employee uniform. His human frame was gone, no longer able to fill the polo shirt, and a plastic name badge clattered to the floor, emblazoned with the name "James." Pulling the last bits of humanity from him, the Vixen turned to me as if she finally noticed my presence.

Vixen, I pleaded once more. Stop! Make them all forget what you just did!

The fox underneath her started to thrash and kick, trying to get my mate off of him, but he was still weak from his transformation, and couldn't muster the strength to move away.

What happened to me?! He gekkered. Oh god, is that my voice?

He placed his black forepaws against her chest and tried to push her off, but the sight of his padded digits in front of him only caused him to scream louder in terror.

Finally letting off of him, the Vixen turned away from me with disinterest, letting the new fox roll to his side, whimpering and sobbing as he wrapped his paws over his muzzle. Looking up at the humans surrounding us, the Vixen's eyes flashed purple, and the closest human, a woman, stumbled forward.

They. Mine, She said, her voice coming out as a deep growl that was unlike anything I had heard from her before. A deep, sultry voice that unnerved my subconscious.

An ounce of strength was returning to my limbs, and I shakily got back up onto all-fours. Alright, one is more than enough, I demanded with a growling, threatening tone that my strength wasn't prepared to back up.

Turning toward me, I could see a purple ember still glowing in her golden eyes. Growling deeply, she spoke, Why no more? Human have food here. Human have chicken. No need feed from forest food. Fox here first. Human come make city. Fox only have small forest!

Damn it, Vixen! I didn't bring you here to settle a vendetta no one else remembers! I gekkered. The woman she had summoned was standing over her, awaiting her next command. Use your Flame now and make them all forget what they saw here!

Human no understand what do, she barked. No see. Invisible like us. All waiting for turn now. Her attention shifted to the human woman standing over her. Eyes flashing and tail held proudly in the air for her victory, the woman began to kneel down on the concrete floor, obeying her command.

No! I screamed, and despite the protests of my body, I leapt forward, closing the distance between me and the Vixen. With my head lowered, I bowled into her, knocking her away from the human woman.

My mate recovered her footing almost instantly, and reared up on her hind legs, shoving me back with her forepaws. I had little strength left to resist with, but while panting with agony and overexertion, I rose to my hind paws, pushing back against her and letting her defiance hold me up.

Naughty fox, she hummed cheekily to my face. Quickly, she licked the tip of my nose, leaving an electric tickle of golden energy buzzing on its rough, black skin. She didn't consider me a threat, especially while the Flame had left me. It was the one advantage I knew I had: she couldn't use the Flame against me either.

Release them now! I growled menacingly, pulling back my lips to show my fangs. I didn't want to fight with my mate, but she was leaving me with no other options. Opening my maw wide, I showed her I meant it, as only a fox would understand.

She wordlessly screeched loudly back at me, no longer playful as I tried to assert myself over her. The weight I leaned into her only infuriated her further and held her in our dance of vulpine combat.

Distracted momentarily, I turned to look at the first fox she had changed. I saw him putting his paws on the floor for the first time, and testing what his rough pads felt like on the cool concrete. Carefully, he extracted himself out of the oversized polo he had been wearing just minutes ago, still shaking and weak from the shock of changing. My lack of attention gave the Vixen an opening to lunge at my neck, threatening harm if I didn't let her continue.

Not stop! she gekkered loud enough to alert the whole store. Let me make foxes!

Hey buddy, I barked to the fox formerly known as James, causing him to jolt in surprise, she's going to keep doing this to everyone here if we don't stop her!

His ears pricked up at my suggestion, and the Vixen shouted in betrayal, No! No talk to fox! You have magical powers now. Use them to make the humans go away! I continued.

This was too much information for James to handle right now. He shook his head, and stammered, I- I don't know how to use magic! Why can I hear you talking? What did she do to me?

I should have known it was too much to ask him right now. Look, I know you're dealing with a lot right now, but I lost my powers, and she's going keep doing what she did to you if you don't stop her! Now focus hard on how much you want- "Yiiiip!"

I didn't get to finish the sentence. In a rage, the Vixen shoved me to the ground. Kicking and clawing, I tried to shove her off of me with all of my paws, now feeling marginally stronger than when I had rose up against her. Fox stupid! She gekkered at me in the tussle, forcing me back down. New fox will use Flame wrong like you! Before I could free myself from her pin, she snapped at my right forearm, clamping down hard and piercing my skin.

Shrieking in pain, I kicked at her with my hind paws to knock her aside, but the sudden shift of her weight only tore my flesh deeper while she was still clamped on. For a moment, as I threw her off of me, I saw the mortified look on her face as she realized what she had just done.

I stood up on all-fours and looked down at my wounded paw. Blood was running profusely down to the cement, matting my fur, and leaving a bloody pawprint where it stood.

Stupid fox, she said, gekkering. If no fight, not get hurt! There was regret in her voice, but she couldn't hide the glee at her victory over me.

Vixen, I can't heal this right now, I rumbled quietly, looking down at the growing pool of blood around my paw.

I know. A grin played across her muzzle. Share your essence now. You heal if you have mine! She took a step closer, licking her chops at the thought.

The offer put my hackles up, and I leapt back from her, spraying flecks of blood all around. No! You stole that essence. I'm not taking it!

Wound deep. You bleed. Fox die! She reminded me. No time for wait.

I'm not letting you help me until you release all these people, I barked. It was a bad plan. Already, I could feel my right paw getting cold and numb, and I didn't know how much longer I really had without medical treatment. Still, it was the only leverage I had to save these people from her.

Stubborn fox, she said crossly. You heal first. Then humans go. She took another step closer, trying to infuse her excess essence into me with a kiss.

Alarm bells and klaxons started blaring overhead, followed by flashing lights from the alarm system. Both the Vixen and I jumped in surprise and then pain as the loud siren drilled mercilessly into our large vulpine ears. Over to my left, behind the deli counter, I caught sight of James removing his paw from the fire alarm. The noise was too much for him too, and he ducked under the counter, trying to shelter from the painful sounds.

All around us, the humans snapped out of their stupor, and started milling about in a daze, attempting to resume their shopping from before the Vixen had enchanted them. A few were alert enough to realize something was strange about the alarm with how people around them weren't immediately concerned about it.

No leave! The Vixen called out over the siren, and an immense wave of purple light washed over the crowd. Quiet now! She yipped again, and the alarm overhead sparked and shorted out, leaving us with a silent audience once more.

Turning back toward me, she bargained again, Let me give essence. No let you die. Human will live good life as fox.

There was no negotiating with her, not even with my own bodily harm. She knew she was in control of everything, and she wasn't going to give it up. With the essence she held, she could revive me from going fully Flamestarved just as the Apartment Vixen had only days ago. Yet, her attention on me was the only thing holding her back from changing the next human in line. I glanced past her, and the woman absent-mindedly kneeling where she had left her.

When I get my Flame back, I'm fixing this myself, I yipped defiantly. I said we weren't turning anyone into a fox today, and I meant it. A sudden lightheadedness washed over me, and I looked down at my mangled forearm. Flame or not, I needed to stop this bleeding soon.

Carefully, I limped over to the hot rack where the roasted chickens rested. You already stole enough today, I continued. I'm not giving you any more reason to take another!

Taking care to not think too much about what I was doing, I reared up on my hind paws, and shoved my bleeding paw against the blazing heating element in the warming shelf. Searing pain flooded my body, and I screamed out loud as the smell of burning fur and smoldering flesh filled my black nostrils. Shaking from the shock to my nerves, I pulled my arm out and surveyed the damage. I had cauterized the wound successfully.

Falling back to all-fours, panting, I locked my gaze with hers, challenging her to make her next move.

Concern was etched in her expression, but also anger. I no get opportunity for many years. Foxes need more essence in forest. Forest need protection from human. You bring food. I bring essence for clan!

It was a hollow justification. No one was suffering back at the clan. There was no one that could absorb the humanity from the dozen people around us. My experience going Flamestarved confirmed as much.

From around the corner of the deli countertop, the new fox poked his head out. Looking around at the stunned crowd, he said, Damn, I thought that would have woken them up!

She used her magic, I yipped over to him, favoring my right paw as I stepped forward. You have to use your own if you're going to save these people.

There was a purple flash from the side of my vision. The Vixen had used her Flame once more.

A start realization hit me that her power would be immense, and James would be no match for her. It was foolish to keep pushing him into fighting her.

But give it up, I whimpered as my ears drooped. Anything you can do, she will undo, and you will hurt yourself fighting it.

Turning to her, I said, okay, you win. I'm going to sit outside while you do your thing. I can't be here to watch this.

She didn't say anything in return. Instead, she stared at me with shock and wonder, probably amazed that I had changed my mind.

My man, what do you want me to do here!? Barked James frantically. How do I use magic?

There was nothing to be said. Slowly, I limped off into the nearby pet food aisle, and left the crowd of people surrounding the Vixen.

As I slowly padded my way through the towering shelves, I saw the massive stacks of dog and cat food once more. The Vixen was right about feeding all these new foxes: she could turn every customer in the store into animals, and they would be able to eat for the remainder of the year with the stock on hand. The forest would be getting more food as well; a happy ending for all of fox kind as they would joyously fill their bellies as much as they wanted.

I reached the end of the aisle and left the magically hidden deli department, joining the people that were slowly wandering around shopping down the store's arterial path. Carefree, but doing my diligence to not get hit by shopping carts, I trotted off toward the checkout lines, causing a few customers that hadn't been picked up by the Vixen's enchantment to jump back in surprise to see the wild animal milling about the store. It was okay that they could see me. They would be foxes soon enough if they stuck around. No one was going to do anything to stop me from being here.

Passing the freezer section, I paused at the mouth of the aisle, wondering if I could grab a bag of chicken breast while I was here. Surely, if I grabbed a frozen bag now, the hunks of meat would thaw quickly in the hot afternoon sun while I waited for the Vixen to finish up, and then there would be food for everyone!

Hesitantly, I decided against it. Stealing was wrong, and I had already concluded my business with Ray. I had no Flame to convince the checkout stand that I was paying legitimately, and in a day or two, we would have plenty delivered to the forest.

My paw began to sting sharply from the motion I was putting it through. I looked down at the burnt fur and seared flesh. The Vixen sure did a number on me with her bite. As soon as I got my Flame back, that was the first thing I was going to fix.

All around me, customers moved out of the way of the injured fox that was plodding through the store. No one was interested in impeding my progress toward the exit, and I sensed a few brave souls were hoping to herd me out the door, but they kept their distance. Occasionally, I would hear a yelp of surprise from one of the humans once they saw me, but I paid them no attention. As soon as I was outside, I would be out of the way for everyone.

At the end of the artery, the checkout stands loomed ahead. Lines and lines of humans waited for their turn to pay for their goods, but they all had their backs turned toward me. Instead of drawing any more attention, I selected one of the closed stands and limped under the corded off queue. The exit was only a few more yards away.

A Big Club employee stood in front of the wide rollup door, prepared to thank shoppers as they departed. The moment she saw a fox limping toward her, she jumped to the side of the threshold to give me as much room as I needed. Finally, I had left the building, but the hot sun now beat down on my orange fur once more, and my paws began to sting from the heated pavement. Immediately, I was missing the air conditioned climate of the store.

I meandered to the side of the doorway, finding a small amount of shade in a decorative alcove to plop down and curl up in while waiting for the Vixen to come out. It could take a while. If she wanted, she could start again with a new group of humans after she was done with the batch I left her with. As long as we made it back in time tonight to tell Big Mike that a shipment of food was incoming, I didn't have anything else pressing to deal with today.

Customers filtered in and out of the building, most oblivious to my presence in the alcove or too busy to care. I sat in the shade, panting both from the pain in my wounded arm and the hot air of the outdoors. It would have been nice to have a bit of extra water: the trip had been long today, and I never got any sort of refreshment.

Suddenly, I felt something shift in my gut, and like a dam breaking on a river, the magical energies swirled and flowed back into me, once again filling the void there. Excitement overwhelmed me, and I wagged my white-tipped tail against the pavement, and started lifting myself back to my paws, ready to heal my wounds, and perhaps, find a drink...

That bitch! I barked out suddenly.

Realization and fury flooded back to me almost as fast as my excitement had just a second ago. She used the Flame on me! I didn't know how, but she was able to use the Flame on another fox! Me! There was no way I ever would have left her to turn all those humans into foxes, but I had walked away without caring at all. Now that my powers were coming back, I was immune to her enchantment, but how much time did she buy herself? How many people were foxes now?! I had to stop her, and by any means necessary!

Quickly, I cloaked myself with the Flame again, and scampered back in through the entrance. My sense of time had been completely warped by her magic, so there was no way to be certain how much time she had without me to interfere. If she was hasty, it could take only seconds to make any of the humans start transforming.

As I hobbled past the Guest Services desk, I overheard the clerk on the phone. "-overrun our deli department and scaring the customers! Get someone down here immediately!" he called into the receiver irritably.

I stopped. The Vixen was no longer containing the situation if humans were finally noticing things were going wrong at the back of the store. If she let the humans know that we could do to them, there was no telling how fast all of this could spin out of control. I had to know what the clerk knew.

My eyes flashed. Excuse me, what's going on in the deli? I asked.

The clerk looked over the counter at me, covering the phone receiver with his hand while a faint voice spoke back to him on the earpiece. "You! You said you're from that animal sanctuary! Did you bring a bunch of foxes with you?" He lifted the receiver back to his mouth. "Excuse me a moment," he said to the person on the other end of the line before placing the phone back on the counter.

I didn't intend for him to recognize me as the same person as before, and now that he had, this whole mess was going to look like my fault.

No sir, I yipped. Focusing harder, I thought about getting the answers I needed from him.

His eyes narrowed suspiciously, but his expression was still glazed over and unfocused from the magic affecting his perception of me. "In any case, I'm on the phone with animal control right now. There is a bunch of foxes in our deli making all sorts of noise and wrecking the place. None of the staff can get near because of the crowd of customers watching them. One even set off the fire alarm!"

That sounds terrible! I growled, taking a step away from the counter so I could get back to the deli. If he didn't know that those foxes were humans a few minutes ago, then I wasn't too late!

"I wouldn't go back there," he continued. "If you didn't bring them with you, then we don't know where they all came from. They could be dangerous!"

It's okay, I wagged. I handle animals for a living. He was getting eager to hold me at the counter in conversation. I may have focused the Flame too hard to draw out information from him.

"Yes, I suppose you would know how to handle yourself," he responded. "Do you have anything with you to take them back to your preserve?" As soon as he finished the question, his gaze landed on my torn-up and burned forepaw, and his mouth dropped open.

"What the hell happened to your arm?!"

A fox bit it, I said flatly. I had been in such a rush to get back to the Vixen that I forgot to heal it. As soon as he was done looking at me, I needed to mend my damaged flesh.

"Let me get our first-aid kit for you," he insisted. Ducking below the counter, he rummaged around for the medical supplies.

I didn't wait for him to come back up. Instead, I ran full speed away from the desk, barely making it fifty feet before I started limping again. A bandage wrap would have been nice right about now, but there was no need. Looking down at the mangled fur and blisters, I focused on healing the wound.

*WISH*

Blue light shone out of my vision, and it wrapped itself around my burnt and lacerated flesh. Cool, like a soothing balm, it soaked into the wound, and the oozing and seared holes started to mend shut. Angry burned skin turned to a healthy pink, followed by new black fur follicles sprouting from it.

Renewed vigor flowed through me. Now unhindered by my mate's rending bite, I scampered across the sales floor as fast as my paws could carry me. The clacking of my claws on the cement flooring was barely audible over the racing of my heart in my ears. I could only hope I wasn't too late to save some of the humans she had enthralled.

As I arrived at the deli, a grisly sight awaited me. Strewn about the floor was piles of clothes, as well as a pair of puddles of blood. Encircling the area, abandoned shopping carts corralled off around a dozen new foxes, with only a handful of humans remaining entranced and waiting for their turn to become foxes. Next to one of the puddles of blood lay James, weakly breathing and barely moving. All the other foxes cowered against the deli counter, making themselves into a fluffy orange and white amalgamation of fur.

In front of all of it, sat the Vixen with her back turned toward me, holding her paw up to lick the blood from it, and sparking blue light at the small puncture wounds under her fur. Sensing my presence, she turned around, holding my gaze with her golden slitted eyes.

Haven't you done enough? I demanded, not giving her a chance to speak first. Swiftly, I dashed over to where the fallen fox lay, keeping an eye on the Vixen the whole time.

A puncture wound was oozing blood from his neck. He wouldn't have much time left if he couldn't heal it.

Fox fight me, the Vixen snorted. Not stop. Had to bite.

Scowling at the Vixen, I leant down, and prodded the fox's ear with my nose.

Hey buddy! Can you hear me? I whimpered softly.

His eyes fluttered and opened slowly. I couldn't stop her, he moaned weakly. She kept going after you left. A gurgling rumble issued from his mouth as he coughed, and his vision lost focus.

Hey! I barked, sharply stabbing his ear with my snout. Stay with me! I need you to think about how much you don't want to die!

I watched in horror as he stopped moving, and the life in his golden eyes faded.

Placing my paws on his shoulder, I shoved him harder, screaming loudly into his ear, Don't die! I tried to focus my Flame on him to heal him just as the Vixen had managed to use hers on me, but my desires wouldn't resolve into the magical energies of the Flame. If he couldn't heal himself, there was nothing else I could do for him.

Raising my head to the Vixen, I glared at her with loathing accusation. You killed him!

Why no heal? She rumbled hesitantly. Her ears were tilted back in disappointment. I no want die. Fox always use Flame! No strong enough for forest if no heal.

She had stolen this man's humanity, and then murdered him, all because she wanted to continue a longforgotten war between foxes and humans. She had used me to get into the city safely and betrayed my trust. I could feel a seething anger rise in my chest. Now I had a dozen new foxes to guide back to the forest where we could only hope we would still be safe. I had given the humans our address, and if they put it all together on how so many foxes got into the store...

Burning fury ripped down my back and my hackles raised. With a snarl, I dashed and leapt at the Vixen, clamping my jaws onto her shoulder before she could react. Flashes of blue and purple erupted around me, and the Vixen squealed in shock and pain as my teeth sank into her flesh.

No hurt! She shrieked out as I tried to pull her to the floor. Stop him!

I didn't know what my end goal was, but all I knew was I had to stop her from hurting anyone else. Twisting around, I pulled her down and slammed her to the cement floor. Unlike when I had recoiled as she bit me, she moved along with my motion, letting us hit the ground hard, but also saving her from the severely torn flesh I had suffered.

The hard impact stunned both of us for a moment, but I recovered faster, and removed my fangs from her shoulder. Quickly, I rose back up over her and pinned her down with my forepaws, holding her with all my weight. At the corner of my vision, I saw the cluster of foxes watching us in horror, while two of them started to pull away from the huddled group, looking like they were building up the courage to help me. Then, to my left, I saw the body of James start to twitch, and then heave a huge breath before starting to struggle back to his paws.

Surprise and relief filled my chest in a swell of emotion at seeing him return to life. For a brief moment, I let my weight off of the Vixen. It was all the opening she needed, and she used it to roll out from under me and put a few feet of distance between us.

Before I could lunge again or she could counter-attack, a firm grip seized me from behind, and grabbed my scruff, lifting me into the air. Thrashing and dangling in mid-air, I tried to twist around, only to see a

burly human she had under her control holding me aloft, his eyes glazed over like a mindless automaton.

Blue light flashed from the Vixen below me, and the bite I had left her with began to shimmer and heal. You no wait. Fox not dead. I not here to hurt fox. But you make fight. Get foxes hurt!

Completely immobilized by the human gripping me, I tucked in my paws and tail and yipped back at her, I'm not worried about the foxes, Vixen. I'm trying to save these humans from you!

Stupid fox! She barked, and the human gripping me shook me furiously, obeying her as if he was an extension of her mind. Human like grass in field. Too many to count! Never go away. Grow everywhere! No need your help to live!

My scruff stung from the human's vicelike grip, and his shaking didn't do me any favors either. Arching my back and thrashing to loosen his grip, I commanded, Drop!

A flash of purple, and I fell back to the floor, all four paws making a light thump as I landed. Quickly, I turned around and flashed again, Grab her!

Spinning back toward the Vixen, I approached her to pin her down again, growling, I don't care how many humans are around! You put me through hell when you turned me into a fox! None of these people did anything to deserve this. You're the only one that remembers the war!

Behind me, I felt the footfall of the human as he lumbered forward to grab the Vixen for me, but instead, he seized my scruff again, no longer under my command.

Drop! I wished again, but this time, he held me airborne without any response.

Padding forward below, the Vixen approached the feet of the human, looking up at my dangling form. You say today you want to be fox. Everyone happy to be fox. Take time to learn fox better than human.

I glanced over to the other foxes behind the Vixen. James, panting with thirst, was struggling to claw open the plastic wrap around some cases of bottled water that were stacked on an endcap. Turning my eyes to the Vixen, I warbled, Never in my life did I hurt anyone as badly as I hurt Tyler and the Apartment vixen after you changed me. You made me into a monster! I only said I was okay after I got a handle on it.

The Vixen's tail thrashed furiously at my admission. Fox not monster! She screeched. Human is monster, she asserted instead.

Mate, I used to be a human, I whimpered calmly, reminding her who she was talking to.

Her ears dipped, and she dropped her gaze to the floor. Slowly, she turned her back toward me, her fluffy tail flowing along with the motion. Go outside. You save human that take you. The rest will be fox soon.

Responding to her will, the human robotically spun around, and started marching toward the exit on the far side of the building.

Vixen! I screamed aloud as the distance between us widened. Flailing as hard as I could against my captor, I desperately barked out, I will do anything it takes to stop you!

The grip from the human carrying me tightened from my threat to her, and his second hand latched onto my thick hide below my scruff to keep me from thrashing any harder. Already, we were out of the deli section and several aisles away from the Vixen.

"You caught one!" an excited voice rang out to my right. A customer was leaving the freezer section, and was wearing a hopeful expression. In front of her, a bag of fish sticks sat prominently on top of her cart. "Take it outside before it causes any more of a nuisance!" she added unnecessarily.

My automaton carrier barely reacted to her directions, slowing only for a moment to acknowledge her words. Quickly, I barked out, He just called you a bitch, what are you going to do about it?

*WISH*

My vision flashed purple, and her face immediately dropped into fiery anger. "What did you just say?!" She demanded to the silent human holding me, before grabbing the bag of fish sticks from her cart and swinging it about with full force across the man's face.

The force of the blow caused the man to drop me to the floor. Now awakened from his magical stupor, he shouted back, "The hell is wrong with you, lady! I didn't say anything!"

They continued to argue, but I was already three aisles back toward the deli and wasn't interested in how their fight was going to continue. Running as fast as my paws could carry me, I reached the loose barricade of shopping carts and bolted between them to find the Vixen's attention fixed on the next human victim as she called him over. Without hesitating, I leapt through the air and bowled into her before she could realize I had returned. Clamping my jaws down hard on her neck, I wrestled her down, trying to hold her away from making another fox.

She screeched beneath me, and started to kick madly with her hind legs, clawing and gouging at my soft belly. Sharp pain wracked my body, and rather than let go of her, I clenched my fangs and bit harder into her hide; a coppery taste of blood washed over my tongue.

At a disadvantage, rather than continue lacerating my stomach, the Vixen shoved hard with her hind paws, creating enough space to get out from underneath me. Holding fast with my jaws, I shook my powerful neck to try to rock her off balance, but she managed to break free, leaving clumps of her fur sticking to my tongue.

I tried flicking her fur from my mouth by licking my nose, but without hesitation, she reared up and lunged forward, maw gaping wide as she gekkered wordlessly. Quickly, I rose to my hind paws, and caught her before she could land on my head, gekkering loudly in return.

Stupid fox! You get in way! She screeched. In the blink of an eye, she snapped her jaws at me, lunging forward like a striking cobra.

Dodging her attack, I shoved her sideways with my forepaws, throwing her back to the ground, off balance once again. Before she could recover, I pounced on her once more, pinning her to the floor.

You've lost your damn mind! I gekkered into her black furred ear. We're leaving the store, and going back to the forest now. Don't make me bite you again!

Bite not stop me, she panted between angry coughs. Too many human to punish! A gleeful smile played across her face at the thought. The dark and sultry voice she had been speaking with took on an even more sinister tenor.

Her tone filled me with dread. If I couldn't force her to cease her attacks on the humans, the only outcome would be unthinkable bloodshed.

Don't make me do this, I choked, tears welling up in my golden eyes.

Her face flashed between an expression of concern and anger, then sincere determination. Taking advantage of my hesitation, the Vixen rolled hard, and slid out from my pin again. This time, she bolted away from the deli as fast as her paws would carry her.

Stop her! I barked at the pile of cowering foxes.

The fox James, now slurping as much water as he could from a punctured bottle, managed to leap out to bodycheck the Vixen as she scampered past, knocking her sideways a few feet. It wasn't enough to slow her, and she continued bolting for the exit.

Before running after her, I quickly alerted the foxes of the stakes, If she gets out into the city, we won't be able to stop her!

A few of the new foxes turned to look at each other, and then peeled themselves from the pile to help with the pursuit. Joined by James and three other victims she transformed while I was outside, we scampered down the arterial aisle after the Vixen, our many paws clacking and tapping on the smooth concrete in a staccato rhythm as we dodged between customers and carts alike.

The Vixen was a good ten yards ahead of us, and I couldn't tell if she was spending any effort to keep herself imperceivable to the customers, but I took no chances and thought hard about the rest of us not being seen.

Suddenly, the Vixen broke hard-right down an aisle and dropped out of sight.

Keep going! I'm going to head her off, I yipped to the other foxes as I jumped down the next right turn, hoping to catch up with the Vixen in the back aisle at the mouth of hers.

Cold glass doors surrounded me as I dashed through rows of frozen food. It was only a half hour ago I had ordered a hundred pounds of this stuff for the foxes back at the forest. Now, I was starting to wonder if there would be a forest to go back to if the humans caught wind of the danger we posed them after the Vixen's carelessness.

Reaching the end of the line of freezers, paws scraping and scratching, I slid sideways across the floor as I tried to round the corner at full speed. Ahead, the Vixen had reached the end of her aisle, the white tip of her tail held high as she ducked back into the next left turn down the line, trying to zig-zag through the store to evade her pursuers. The maneuver may have worked if we all followed her down where we lost sight of her from the artery, but I was onto her tricks.

Chasing ever faster, one of the new foxes nearly slammed into me as I passed the end of the Vixen's first aisle. His paws were braced against the floor as he slid across it, unable to slow down and break his momentum.

She's doubling back, I barked out, unbothered by the fox's clumsiness. Running on four paws was still a new experience for him. Get down the next row and stop her from trying the same thing twice!

Weaving between a pair of oblivious customers, I reached the aisle I saw the Vixen disappear down. Behind me, the other fox flew past, following my directions. We were closing off paths for her in a pincer maneuver. She wasn't going to get away! I just hoped I would be the one to catch her. There was no telling what would happen if the other foxes got to her first. James was beyond lucky that he figured out how to make his magic work at the last possible second. These new foxes had just as little in their favor as him.

She had chosen a very busy aisle to double back through. I couldn't see the far end through the droves of customers wheeling their carts around each other. Careful to not place myself where I could be stepped on or get my tail pinched, I bobbed and weaved through the shoppers, trying to reach the other side where the rest of the foxes would be catching up. Finally finding a break in the carts, I made it to the other side, only to see a trio of orange foxes dash past, each looking as confused as the other as they galloped out of sight.

A feeling of being duped tickled at the back of my brain. Just then, I heard the coarse scratching of a claw on cardboard behind me. Spinning around in time to avoid an oncoming cart, I caught the Vixen extricating herself from a pallet of coffee beans, her bright golden eyes locking with mine as she realized she had been caught hiding among its strong odors.

Enough running, I snorted to her. Let's go home before you make this any worse.

She didn't say anything in reply, scowling daggers as if I was something disgusting and beneath her. Swiftly, she pulled herself free of the pallet, and began running straight towards me.

She was quick, but not as quick as I was. As she reached the end of the row, I lunged out, clamping my jaws around her black hind paw. She faltered, and stumbled sideways as I pulled her leg. Before I could react, she twisted around, kicking out with her other paw and landing a hit square across my muzzle, forcing me to drop my grasp.

Regaining her footing, the Vixen's eyes flashed purple, and a loud *CRACK* sounded from the endcap of pasta looming over me. I barely had time to curl up defensively as I was showered with an avalanche of noodles and oversized jars of tomato sauce from the collapsing structure. I yelped painfully as something heavy crashed onto my hind leg.

Loud gasps of shock sounded out from the shoppers in the area at the suddenness of the failing shelving. Pulling myself free of the packages of food, I stood back up on all four paws, and saw the Vixen thirty feet away across the arterial path, fluffy tail held high while scampering between tables of clothing as she made for the exit. For a moment, my heart sank, thinking I wouldn't be able to catch up with her before she made it out of the store, but out of nowhere, another fox crashed into her at full speed, forcing her into a round clothing rack and knocking it over with the two of them thrashing and biting at each other on top of the mess.

Quickly wishing for my hind leg to mend, I limped over toward them before letting the blue light fade. It was impossible to see who was winning the fight as they snarled and snapped atop the jackets and fallen rack that held them. As I closed the distance, a flash of purple shone out from the Vixen.

Ignoring all the rules of nature, a padded jacket leapt up, and wrapped itself around the attacking fox, hugging and tangling him into submission. The Vixen wasted no time, and clambered out of the mess, still intent on escaping the big store.

Feeling the pain and numbness subside in my paw, I stopped hobbling, and broke into a full dash after the Vixen. Removing herself from the rack had slowed her considerably, as the slippery polyester jackets offered her no sure footing while she made her hasty escape. Paw over paw, I closed the gap between us, and with a mighty leap, I soared through the air, pouncing on top of her moments after she freed herself.

Gripping her scruff in my jaws, I pulled down hard, dropping her to her side, and swinging her hindquarters around as the momentum from the collision carried us together down the rows of clothing and slowing to a stop some yards away. She yelped out in pain, but didn't hesitate to kick and thrash against me. Keeping my jaw set and firmly gripping her, I winced against her assault and tucked my ears back as her claws penetrated my fur coat and dug into my flesh.

Stop, I growled through clenched fangs, shaking her and trying to get her to hear some sense once more.

She didn't stop. She instead continued to thrash harder, but her motion was limited by my jaws pinning her face to the floor. Worry crept into the back of my mind, wondering how badly she would hurt herself while I held her steady. Letting her go wasn't an option, but I didn't want to hurt her any further. Maybe, if I could get her back to the forest, she would settle down again, or the other foxes could help her out of her madness.

The other fox that had been wrapped in the jacket barked out, You got her! His paws now up on the fallen frame as he had proper motion of his limbs again, but the jacket still clung to his hindquarters like a rejected lover. A moment later, the three other foxes that had given chase trotted up to us.

Before any of them could offer their congratulations, I rumbled through my clenched fangs, Get the rest of the foxes out of the deli and prepare to leave. No one can stay, or you'll end up acting like her.

Two of the foxes nodded and trotted off toward the back of the store again. Only James stayed, looking for any way to assist. Do you need help there, my dude? She's doing a number on you, he asked.

I had been too focused on preventing her from getting up and I had shrugged off the pain of her claws. Now I felt something wet trickling down my shank, undoubtedly blood drawn from her claws kicking me.

Try laying across her legs and tail, I wagged at him. Thanks, I added.

Following my command, he placed himself on top of the back half of the Vixen, preventing her from causing any further damage to my side. Closing my eyes for a second, I wished for my healing to start. A blue flash, and then the wounds started to mend.

Is that what I did? He asked from behind me, getting a close-up view of the magical process. His brush with death was still prominently on his mind.

Undoubtedly, I whimpered, but I was a bit busy with her to see it happen.

Now completely restricted and incapable of retaliation, the Vixen started screaming out as loud as possible. I pinned my ears back at her loud voice next to my face, trying to prevent myself from getting a full blast of it with every breath she released.

We have to figure out how to get her back to our forest without losing control of her, I growled over the din. She was completely sane when we got here! She's not even speaking properly anymore.

My ear twitched as I heard his muzzle open to retort with something, but I never heard what he was going to say. In response to explaining my plans, purple light shone out from her eyes, and a nearby table stacked high with books and DVDs tilted over on top of the three of us. I winced against the shower of media, instinctively lurching backwards from its onslaught. The other fox gracefully leapt out of the way, leaving the brunt of the damage to fall on me.

It was all she needed to get free. Kicking and twisting with all of her might, she threw me aside onto the smooth concrete. Hastily, I tried scrabbling back to wrestle her down again, but my paws wouldn't get the traction I needed for the quick lunge, and I slipped in place. Before I could remember to override my natural instinct to use my claws for gripping the ground, she bowled into me, an orange blur shoving me flat into another table full of books. Another mass of tomes fell upon me, pummeling my furry head and causing me to see stars.

Frustration and despair throbbed in my chest. There was nothing I could do to stop her from leaving the store, and she had all the essence she needed to take what she wanted from the world. At this point, the best I could hope for was to hound her relentlessly and prevent her from turning anyone else in the city into animals, much like what Tyler did for me on the bus. For him, it was an excited accident, but for me, every waking moment would have to be spent on holding the stalemate until we could return to the forest together. I had a nose to track her with and the will to see this through to the end, even if my use of the Flame would force me to become a mindless animal.

Steeling myself, I got up from the mess of books and scurried after her. I didn't have to go far: Around the next line of pallets, I saw the Vixen standing in front of two men that had just walked past the Guest Services desk. She was arching her back, fur bristling out and her fluffy tail drooping straight downwards. The two men were dressed in beige uniforms and navy slacks, and were holding an animal carrier and a looped catch-pole. It was Animal Control! They didn't look like they could see the Vixen standing in front of them, but they were focused on finding the place where she was screaming mere moments ago. A horrifying thought jumped into my brain: if she wanted to control them against me, they would have all the tools they needed to hold me while she made her escape. She would be free from me before I could make good on my pledge.

Without wasting another second, I said to myself, I wish the Animal Control officers and their gear were immune to the Flame!

*WISH*

Purple light flashed. It was a hasty wish, but I couldn't wait for her to puppet them around like she had so many others already. This time, neither of us would be able to control them!

"There's two right there!" the man on the right said as he pointed with a gloved hand. His mustached face locked eyes with mine.

Oh shit, I said, forgetting that they would be able to see me if I couldn't use the Flame to hide anymore. I started to turn around to go hide, but the Vixen stood between us, still arching her back in warning. Her eyes flashed purple as she tried to control the two men, but I could immediately see that nothing was happening.

"That one is acting aggressive," commented the other officer, gesturing to the Vixen. "It'll attack a customer if it's not scared."

The light flashed again from the Vixen, but this time she took a cautious step backwards, not really grasping that her Flame wasn't working anymore. Carefully, the two men raised the catch-pole and thrust its loop at the agitated Vixen. She tried nipping at the steel corded loop as it reached her, but it was around her neck before she fully realized what was happening. Again, her eyes flashed, and again nothing happened. She began to yelp and scream, thrashing wildly as the two men pulled her toward them. Yanking side to side, and flashing purple in every direction, the Vixen was lifted by her neck and lowered into the animal carrier the other official had upended for her capture.

"Easy, easy there," the mustached man cooed at her as he released the loop and closed the door tight.

Mate! Help! She cried out with a distressed bark. More purple light flashed from within, but nothing happened. The carrier rocked sideways and shuddered as she threw herself against the bars of the door in desperation.

She was speaking again, and her tone had changed. No longer was it angry, maniacal, or sinister. It sounded like she was herself again, and she was terrified.

The Animal Control officer was resetting the loop on the catch pole and keeping a close eye on where I stood. I was next for him to capture.

"She's thrashing pretty hard in there. The injector is still in the truck, go ahead and use it if it looks like she's going to hurt herself," he commented as he finished looping the cord to the release hook.

Help me! The Vixen screamed out again as the second officer hoisted up the carrier by its handle, preparing to take it outside and presumably retrieve an empty one for me. Hesitation froze my limbs in place. My mate was in trouble and I couldn't simply leave her, but if I was captured, I wouldn't be able to help her any more than she could help herself.

Cancel the block! I barked out, welling up my desires to stop the magic I had put upon the two men.

*WISH*

My eyes flashed purple for a moment, which caught the attention of the man holding the pole.

"This one is acting a bit weird too," he said to the other. "Make sure you bring two carriers this time."

The other officer wordlessly raised his gloved hand to his temple and gave a quick salute before marching off, carrying the Vixen with him.

"Easy fella," the man said in a low, calming voice as he slowly approached me with the catch pole. "I'm not gonna hurt ya!"

Like hell you aren't! I screeched at him. Without the aid of the Flame, he wouldn't be able to understand my vulpine vocalizations, but I wasn't about to let his lies go unchallenged.

Before he could take another step forward, I spun around, fluffy tail flowing behind me and I darted back the way I came. James was sitting there, watching me and the animal control officer from afar.

Scatter! I yapped at him. It hadn't registered that the man was coming for both of us. The magic isn't working on him!

His ears perked up in alarm, and he darted under a nearby table and out of sight. Onward I dashed, hoping to keep the officer following me into the crowd of shoppers that still could be affected by my Flame. Reaching the end of the row of tables and clothing racks, I halted before diving into the hordes of customers going about their day. The control officer was lagging behind, completely unable to match my vulpine speed. Making sure he could still see me, I leapt in between a couple of passing shopping carts, disappearing into the traffic of the arterial row.

I wasn't terribly worried about the consequences of getting caught. Most likely they would release me and the Vixen back in the forest, just as they had for the Apartment Vixen, but all the new foxes my mate had made would be stuck in the city without any guidance. We had come here to prevent the catastrophe of Big Mike's foxes needing to return to the human population. Leaving this new batch to fend for themselves was no better a solution to our problems.

Sidestepping another cart, I dove into an aisle of baked goods as the basket clipped my tail. The foot traffic wasn't nearly as dense here, which left me exposed to my pursuer. Behind me, I heard him grumble "Excuse me. Excuse me!" as he waded in my direction through the carts and holding the catch pole aloft. Speed was still my advantage over him, so I turned around and dashed down the row of breads and sandwich fixings. Together, we each reached our respective ends of the aisle, and neither of us wasted any time resuming the chase.

He was relentless. I was surprised he was taking his job this seriously. Chasing a fox through a busy store should have been a game of patience and corralling me, but I could hear him running full bore down the bread aisle as his boots slapped heavily against the floor. Maybe he was worried I was a danger to the customers if left alone? In any case, I had to reach the deli again and tell the foxes that it was time to leave.

Taking a page out of the Vixen's playbook, I doubled back around the back of the next aisle, expecting to be out of sight as soon as the officer reached the end of the one I just left. I had to hope he didn't know I was heading to the deli, because it wouldn't be hard to head me off before I got done with zigzagging across the store's layout. Just then, I heard a high-pitched bark sound out from the back of the store.

What do you mean animal control is here for us!?

It was a loud enough outburst that anyone would be able to hear it, though, only foxes would be able to interpret its meaning. More importantly, it was loud enough to reveal to the officer where we all were hiding in the store. I had to reach them first and get them to follow me!

Behind me, I saw the officer pass the mouth of the back aisle as he marched dutifully toward the deli; catch pole in hand and unaware that he had just passed me. Even if I ran as fast as I could, it was unlikely I would be able to reach the deli with enough time to tell the foxes to leave. Some of them had

been transformed only minutes ago and would still be trying to understand that they aren't human anymore. I needed more time. In a snap decision, I let out a loud, squeaky bark.

A sound of heavy boots scuffing and squeaking came from around the corner as the officer tried to reverse his momentum. His head poked around the endcap to see me standing in the middle of the aisle waiting for him. Just for good measure, I barked one more time at nothing in particular and then turned around to go for the center of the store with my fluffy tail flowing behind me. Catch me if you can, I taunted.

Exasperated, the officer barreled down the aisle toward me, but I was already weaving in between the other shoppers and their carts in the artery. Once clear of the traffic, I let out another loud yap, making sure he still knew the direction I was heading in, and that it wasn't near the deli.

I was in the midst of the clothing section again. A few shoppers were idly perusing the tables and none of them were aware of my presence. Just as I was about to pass through and onto the opposite side of the store, one of the shoppers caught my eye: It was the lady with the fish sticks! Immediately, I knew how I was going to buy myself enough time to save the foxes.

Calling out from under one of the racks, I yipped, Hey lady, tell the animal control officer that there's a fox hiding under that table over there. My eyes flashed purple as I indicated the clothing table furthest from us.

The light flashed in a purple glow, and she stood rigid for a moment before looking with trepidation at the far table. She turned around and rushed toward the arterial aisle, greeting the officer right as he finished weaving around the carts. Gesticulating wildly in the wrong direction, she guided him to the table I wanted her to believe she saw me under. The officer took her advice and walked over to it, and she returned to her cart next to me.

Careful now, he's a slippery one, I added. He could be under any of these tables, I said with a chirp to her, purple flashing once more at her. Be sure to help with finding him!

She nodded idly and went back to looking at the blouse I had interrupted her from inspecting, but after a moment, she looked up at the officer and then shuffled over to help him look for me. Praying that would be enough to keep them busy while I evacuated the foxes, I slank off and headed toward the deli.

The deli was in disarray. It had been effectively cordoned off from the public by all the shopping carts left by the former humans. The few that had remained human had wandered off, no longer under the Vixen's control, and hopefully still oblivious to what had happened in front of them. As for the foxes, they were in even worse of a mess.

Half were somewhere in the various stages between lying on the floor in a catatonic state and openly sobbing. The other half were gekkering among themselves and arguing about what to do next. No one seemed to notice my approach.

Listen up! I barked, trying to keep my tone low enough that the clothing department wouldn't be able to hear me. I know all of you are very confused and angry right now, but we need to get out of here immediately. There is a forest outside of town with more like us, and I can get you there.

The arguing foxes stopped their gekkering, and turned toward me. A rather surly looking fox addressed me first. Why would we want that? He barked. I have a family waiting at home for me to return with the groceries! They will take care of me, even if I'm a fox!

Do you plan on turning them into foxes as well? I asked flatly. No, I -

You will if you try to go to them, I cut him off before he could continue his thought. That vixen was completely sane this morning. Anger and sorrow swelled in my chest as soon as I mentioned her. Humans and foxes can't be together. Even I accidentally changed two people only a few days ago!

The fox looked taken aback. You can't expect my wife to just forget me. She'll file a report with the police!

And the worst thing that could happen is if they find you, I retorted with a gekker and a prod of my paw to his chest. Never mind if you do or don't end up changing your family. What's going to happen to the rest of us if the humans learn that foxes can transform them? What would you do to a fox if you saw one that posed that kind of threat to you and your family?

He opened his mouth to protest more, but no sounds or words came out. Instead, he closed it, and his ears and tail drooped in defeat.

Now, everyone, I yipped to the crowd, pick up all of your clothing and take it with you. It will be filled with loose fox fur, and we can't leave any clues to why you all disappeared. The store knows foxes were here, but we can't give them a reason to believe they were all human.

What do you want us to do about the blood? James interjected. There's puddles of it here. It looks like someone died!

In actuality, he had, and I very nearly could have too. Leave it. It's fox blood, not human blood, I wagged dismissively. Once they figure that out, they will think it was from when they heard us fighting.

He nodded his head side-to-side, realizing I had a point.

Hesitantly, the foxes started collecting their human clothing, some more urgently than others. Two different foxes collapsed in dismay and panic when their tails brushed against another fox.

Hurry up, I commanded. If animal control shows up back here, I won't be able to distract them!

Within a minute and a half, the foxes were now holding their various articles of clothing in their fangs; some haphazardly dangling where they had to do a sort of a four-foot waddle to avoid stumbling over a loose pantleg.

Leading the foxes down the back aisle, we made our way to the front of the store; unimpeded by the heavy traffic of the arterial aisle and hidden by my Flame. Ahead of our group was the line of checkout stands and the droves of waiting humans. Just as I had passed through earlier, we chose an unused lane to leave without being noticed. We only had to reach the opposite corner of the store to exit the building.

Stay close! I ordered as I dodged a cart departing from another checkout line. The foot traffic was heavy on this side of the store, but everyone was moving slower than in the main aisle. Summoning my will to the Flame, I kept the humans around us from noticing the large area of the floor filled with foxes. As long as I concentrated, no one was going to step on us or run their cart over an invisible furry body.

Casually, we all slank toward the tall chain-link partition that divided the entrance and exit queues, partially because it was out of the way, but also there was ample space for our small vulpine forms. Over the cacophony of the customers around us, I heard an agitated voice ring out from the Guest Services counter on the other side of the divide, causing me to pause and listen.

"Only one customer mentioned being bit," said the clerk to the animal control officer that had carried out the Vixen.

The officer's back was turned toward us, so he didn't see the mob of foxes leaving behind him.

"Be sure to collect their contact information and forward it to us," the officer chided. "The fox likely has rabies, and we have resources that we can pass on to them."

Horror flashed across the face of the clerk. "Let me call a manager to make the announcement," he said. "Have you already confirmed that it's sick?"

"Not yet, but we will take it back to HQ and perform the tests there."

No! I screamed out in panic and terror, heart sinking into a bottomless pit within my chest. They weren't going to take the Vixen back to the forest at all. They were going to kill her!

Both of the men turned toward the sound of my voice, but only the animal control officer locked eyes with mine through the fence. Without breaking eye contact, he dropped one of the kennels he was holding, and lifted his hand to the radio looped on his breast pocket. "I have a dozen leaving the building. Do you need me to pursue?"

Whirling around, I dashed for the exit, nearly crashing into the last trailing fox as he left through the wide rollup door. I barely registered the buzz of a radio replying as I dashed past all the other foxes as fast as my four paws could carry me.

Hey! Where are you going! A muffled bark sounded from one of the foxes from behind me.

Whirling around and bouncing alternately on my fore and hind paws to try to slow my momentum, I squealed back with a distressed bark. I have to find her!

The fox had stopped on a few paces outside the exit. Why? He wheezed dismissively, cocking his head to the side, almost dropping the clothing he held in his mouth.

"Eeek!" An exiting shopper called out from behind the fox.

I had lost concentration on keeping the foxes hidden, and I didn't have time to keep the Flame covering them.

All of you, concentrate on not being seen, I yipped urgently. Make it your strongest desire. Find somewhere to hide and I'll catch up with you. With those words hanging in the air, I turned around and dashed out into the parking lot.

Finding where she had been taken was going to be like finding a needle in a haystack. When the Vixen and I had arrived earlier, we had spent our time in between parked cars to approach the building. Staying in such cover would only hamper my ability to find the animal control truck, and only now was I realizing exactly how large the lot was for a small fox such as myself. Lifting my black nose into the air, I tried to catch a whiff of her on the breeze.

Nothing. All I could smell was the humans, the exhaust of the vehicles, and the hot tar-like odor of the scorching asphalt. Luckily, I was still standing in the shadow of the extended marquee over the store's entrance, and my paws hadn't started to burn yet. Quickly, I wished for my paws to stay cool as I stepped out of the shadows.

Vixen! I called out with a squeak, hoping I could hear her distressed barks back. My ears twitched, primed to catch any calls from her over the din of the customers arriving and departing around me. Vixen! I called out again, running toward the center of the lot and dodging around the cars leaving the store. Mate! I called out once more, hoping I could finally be in earshot.

My heart was racing, and I could feel my hackles tickle in the breeze, raised in terror and alarm. I couldn't just leave her here. Even with all she had done, I couldn't return to the forest without her!

I lifted my nose to the air once more, sniffing for even a whiff of her scent, but I couldn't smell any trace of her, nor the foxes that were scurrying single file across the parking lot downwind from where I was. It was like she had disappeared entirely. The animal control officer wasn't out of the store very long. He couldn't have taken here anywhere off-site, she had to be around here somewhere!

Downwind! Realization hit me like a slap to the side of my muzzle. If I couldn't smell the foxes from where I was, then the Vixen would have to be in their direction! I could eliminate searching the rest of the parking lot if I only went downwind from where the foxes had left the store.

Triumphantly, I barked out as I ran toward the group of foxes, paws scraping and scuffing across the pavement as I flew. Panting and huffing from the heat, I dodged between cars and scurried past their clustered forms, hearing a few confused yips at my erratic behavior.

I didn't care what they thought about me. Saving the Vixen and taking her back with us was the most important thing right now. My search reached the rear of the building, near the loading docks where the customers rarely parked.

Being downwind from the rest of the foxes was proving my theory correct. As soon as my olfactory senses could smell the group of foxes I had passed, I saw the beige open bed truck parked up ahead. Emblazoned on the drivers door was the city logo with Animal Control painted in block letters under it. There were cages neatly lined up in the back of the truck and plenty of storage for all of us foxes had we all been caught.

Scampering over as fast my paws could carry me, I leapt up into the bed of the truck and started sniffing and peering into each of the cages. Everything smelled overwhelmingly of hot carrion, as one closed container marked "Road Kill" reeked of it. Finally, the last cage on the right was closed with a orange furry lump nestled inside.

Vixen! I found you, I barked out excitedly, but she didn't stir an inch. She was completely still. Disturbingly still.

Joy and elation sank into sheer panic, griping my chest like a vice. Vixen! I screamed at her, placing my paws on the cage and shoving it to try to move her within. Wake up! We need to get back to the forest! Knowing the Flame wouldn't work, I placed my fangs around the pinching release on the door to try to free her.

A light breeze rustled the fur on the body in the cage, but that was her only reply.

Tears started welling up in my eyes, and I looked around the bed of the truck I was standing in. It was only then I noticed the syringe pole laying discarded next to me, its contents used up.

No! No no no! I whimpered. They had already done it! They had killed my mate, all because they thought she was rabid. My paws shook and my legs felt weak. Slowly, I collapsed against the plastic lining of the bed, overwhelmed by grief.

How did everything fall apart so fast? It was only this morning we were boarding the bus together! From the moment I knocked that tree over, everything kept getting worse and worse between us. And then to cap it all off, I told the clerk she had bit me. If I had kept my mouth shut and left the clerk alone, animal control wouldn't have needed to intervene.

My head swam and the lump in my throat threated to choke me. I could barely breathe.

Motionless as the Vixen, I laid in the bed, unable to will myself to move from her side. Minutes dragged on in an eternity, and I found myself caring less and less if the officers came back to their vehicle. They could euthanize me as well. I deserved it all the same for taking her here. For letting this happen.

The faint sound of someone approaching caused my black ear to twitch back. I wondered what the officers would do seeing a live fox sitting in the back of their truck.

Is she... okay?

I propped myself up on my paws and turned around. It wasn't the Animal Control officers, it was James. Hanging my head, I didn't reply.

Oh. He looked around nervously, not sure what to say. After a moment, he said, You cared about her a lot, didn't you?

His words tore at me like daggers through my heart. Yet, I still found the strength to nod back to him.

He cocked his head to the side, trying to come up with something helpful to say. I-- he trailed off, looking for the correct way to approach his question. Taking a deep breath, the fox pushed through his thoughts anyway.

I died today too. Why can't she come back like I did? Can't you use your magic to help?

A wry smile played across my lips. His naivety was just the distraction I needed for the moment.

Swallowing hard, I spoke with a raspy squeak, Each fox has to use the Flame to help themselves. You used it when you came back to life. She... she didn't. Couldn't.

Something about my answer didn't sit well with him. Couldn't?

Tears started to well up in my golden eyes once more. I blocked the Flame from working on the officers and their equipment because she would have used them against me if I didn't. I dipped my nose toward the pole laying next to me. But that means she couldn't handle that any better than a normal fox.

Oh, he said, understanding the differences now. Pausing for a moment he suddenly blurted out, I don't mean to be insensitive, but is hanging around the one truck that can kill you such a good idea? We need you right now: you're the only one here that knows what's going on!

I turned to look at the cage that held my mate. There was truly nothing I could do for her now, but I still could guide and protect the last humans she would ever change. Sitting next to a crate of sunbaked road kill wasn't doing my nose any favors either. Maybe some fresher air away from the truck would help with the overwhelming nausea.

Goodbye Vixen, I finally whimpered out. Following James, I leapt from the bed of the truck and went to catch up with the others.

---

Flagging down a bus was a lot easier in the city. However, keeping thirteen anxious foxes comfortable on the scorching sidewalk and out of the way of foot traffic was a lot more complicated. Most seemed unaware of the effort I was expending to keep them all hidden from the humans, while a few others were beginning to test the limits of the effective invisibility I was providing. After one fox began to yip and bark to a confused passing woman, James, knowing the distress I was in, stepped up to chastise them for their recklessness.

By the time the bus rolled up, I was reaching my limits. The bus doors swung open, and I leapt up inside before any of the other foxes could try to board before me. Two flashes of purple from my eyes, and suddenly every passenger thought they had arrived at their destination and began to disembark while the driver was reaching for the sign controls to take the bus out of service. Once the humans were out of the bus, I hopped up onto the seat behind the driver and curled into a ball on the seat, placing my tail over my face.

I listened to the numerous sounds of paws pattering on the flooring past me, and finally the hiss of the doors closing. The bus lurched forward, and then we were on our way back to the forest.

Managing the foxes up until now had been a welcome distraction, but left alone to my thoughts once more, the gravity of losing the Vixen started to savagely tear at my insides, much like how the void would each time my control of the Flame would fade.

It had been some time since the last phase of losing my magic powers: it cadence had slowed over the course of the day. Now I wondered what kind of punishment I would be in for after all the flagrant use of the Flame caught up with me. Would I be nearly Flamestarved once everything balances out? Could I be destined to return to the city soon to claim another victim to save myself?

No.

Like last time, I had done a horrible thing to someone I cared about. I wouldn't compound my mistakes. It wouldn't fix anything. My mate wouldn't come back, and I would only hurt myself and others for trying.

I heaved a sigh through my dark nose, and the fur on my tail rustled from its breeze, which let a ray of light shine through briefly onto my face. The sigh let a soft whimper escape my muzzle as I tried to hold all my emotions in just a little longer; just long enough to find some privacy, I hoped.

The faces of the foxes congratulating me last night for fixing the den swam to the front of my mind, only this time I was picturing them as I delivered the news that the Vixen wouldn't be returning to them. My aching heart lurched in my chest as the vision only helped twist the knife in further. Desperately, I tried to think of something else, as another choked yip left my muzzle.

From behind me, I heard the thud of paws hitting the floor in the aisle, followed by a few clacking steps of claws on the flooring approach me. I lifted my tail off my face to see James climbing up onto my bench seat and sitting upright.

Are you going to be okay? He asked, leaning over and gingerly prodding my ear with his nose. I think you had a worse day than the rest of us.

I lifted my head to face the fox, relieved for the distraction. Dismissing his question, I stated with a whine, You're taking this fox thing pretty well. Not everyone picks themselves up like you did.

His black ears dipped back for a moment at the compliment. Chuckling, he replied, Haha, well, it wasn't the worst thing to happen to me today. He turned away to look down the row of seats, not wanting to dwell on his own death.

What was it like? I rumbled with morbid curiosity. Was there anything on the other side? Hope swelled within me at the thought of knowing the Vixen could be in a good place.

He snapped his neck around to look at me again. I didn't actually die, you know. My white chin returned to the seat, and the feelings of hope started to fade.

But I did see something, he finally added. Waiting a moment without replying, I let him continue.

Everything was black for a bit, but then I saw something bright in the distance, like a white sun coming over the horizon, but still surrounded by the dark.

He paused for a moment, trying to collect his memories.

It seemed peaceful, but then there was a black fox standing on two legs between me an the light, and she asked if I wanted to die. Of course I said no, but then the light turned blue and I woke up next to you fighting... he trailed off, not wanting to dig my wounds any deeper.

Quickly, he decided to change the subject. My name is James, by the way, he somberly yipped while raising his paw toward me.

I looked at his padded digits dangling in front of my nose and didn't stir to untuck mine from under my prone body.

Oh, he said sheepishly, withdrawing his attempt at a handshake. I guess that doesn't work anymore.

Thank you, James, I rumbled quietly. Hearing that there was a peaceful rest for my Vixen was helpful, but that description of the black fox stirred some sort of feeling of déjà vu in my subconscious, and yet a sense of understanding with it.

A silence hung between us for some time as the bus rolled down the road and left the city limits. The foxes in the seats behind us were mostly quiet, but some did shuffle around and make an occasional whimper or yip when the bus bounced or shook. Suddenly, I spoke out to the fox next to me.

James, I need you to take these foxes into the forest for me. You'll find some foxes there waiting for us. Tell them you need to see Big Mike. They will know what to do.

Who is Big Mike? James chirped out, cocking his head.

A guy that's been a fox for only a few days too, I rumbled. Tell him for me that our mission was a success.

You're not going to be with us?

No, I said. There's someone I need to see first.

---

The sky had turned a brilliant orange as the sun hovered over the horizon. Still in a magically induced trance, the bus driver pulled up along side the stop at the edge of the forest. I watched the procession of foxes while they disembarked in a barely orderly line. Once the last fox had left the bus, I hopped down from my bench and asked the driver to go about his day. I wouldn't be needing his help any more.

As soon as my paws hit the pavement, the door gave a pneumatic hiss and slid shut behind me. The engine revved up as the driver pushed the accelerator, leaving only the musty stench of exhaust to bite my nose and running lights dimming in the distance as they traveled down the road and out of sight.

I padded slowly off the asphalt toward the dark, imposing tree line, taking in the silence of the country road. James had already led the foxes into the forest for me, leaving me alone once more to my thoughts.

What a shitshow, I whimpered aloud to myself, disgusted at the debacle behind me.

The trees of the forest were supposed to be my home. They were supposed to be a sanctuary for me to dwell in and keep the foxes separated from the humans. Yet, as I stood in front of them, I couldn't bring myself to enter them again: I knew I wouldn't be welcome. Turning the setting sun to my back, I trotted east down the road, skirting around the edge of the woods and putting as my distance between me and the den.

I had traveled down this section of road countless times, and its familiarity was comforting. A lifetime ago, I had a home that I worked hard to earn, a job to support me, friends, family, and almost enough savings to buy a car to free myself of the wretched bus schedule. All of that changed as much as I had once the Vixen found me here, and now that she was gone, I didn't have anything left.

Despite the familiarity, I didn't know where I needed to break from the road. Nearly a mile ahead would be my old home. There was no need to go back to my house--that life was over--but somewhere between here and there, I could find a new place to call my own. Perhaps, a lonely life in exile was all I really needed.

The tree line broke and my ears twisted to greet the sounds of rushing water in a culvert under the road. Other than a few bushes and shrubs at the edge of the pavement, the grassy field stretched far back into the wilderness.

This was far enough. Only days ago, I had tried using this field to shelter myself at the command of the Leader Fox. Now I would return to it, voluntarily this time, rather than face the fury of the clan. Quickly, I veered off the road and leapt into the tall grass, disappearing from view to any would-be onlookers.

As it was days ago, the grass was tall and dense; rising to be at least two shoulder heights above me. Closing my eyes, I listened to the rustling of the wind, and sniffed the scents aboard it to collect my bearings. It would be a long distance to travel while blinded by the tall grass, but I instinctively knew which direction to head.

Mid-way through the field, my path intersected with a path that had been carved between the blades with frequent use. Lowering my nose to the ground, I confirmed I was on the right trail and picked up pace toward the back of the field where the trees grew once more.

Without warning, the untrodden grass only feet away from me rustled sharply, followed by a quick squeak of a rodent. My hackles rose and I stopped in my tracks. Whatever made the sound was nearly my size. I held still for a moment, unsure of what to do next, but prepared to use the Flame if threatened. The grass rustled softly, and a tabby cat the color of the dry grass emerged from the tunnel wall.

Toby! I squeaked, and my tail gave a short wag.

The cat looked at me with a large field mouse hanging from his mouth. His slitted eyes slowly blinked at me before turning away and heading down the path ahead, his tail held high in the air and nearly rubbing against the tops of the blades as he strutted forward. If Toby was here, the Apartment vixen wouldn't be far. Wordlessly, I followed the cat through the final leg of the journey.

The tunnel of matted grass ended and was replaced by the sparce arrangement of pine trees that boarded the field. Instinctively, I put my nose to the ground to sniff out signs of where to go next, forgetting for the moment I could follow the cat back to the Apartment vixen's den.

What are you doing here, a cold voice suddenly barked out.

I quaked in surprise and stumbled over my paws as I tried to backpedal for a moment. It was the Apartment vixen. She had been waiting at the edge of the field and I had been too distracted to notice her sitting quietly only a few paces away.

Poorly regaining my composure, I lifted my tail to wag a proper greeting, but it drooped back down as well as my ears. I knew I needed to see her, but I wasn't entirely sure why.

Did you lose your ability to speak? She snorted sarcastically to my silence as Toby circled around behind her with the mouse still in his mouth.

Finding my voice, I asked courteously, Having your cat do your hunting for you?

He's a lot better at it than I am, she stated flatly. Now, what do you want? Are you here to blow up my den again?

Her gekkering tone encouraged a fight, and I nearly blurted out that I was the one that made her den, but I held back.

I... I wanted to let you know that everything is going to be alright with the newcomers, and you should join them now, I stammered out, trying to find any reason why I guided myself here.

Hmph! She scoffed. Why would I want to? The moment they find out it was me that turned that crazy guy into a fox, they will rip me to shreds!

Big Mike didn't seem like he was holding that much of a grudge, I retorted. They were more bothered by the mistreatment the rest of the clan was giving them, which is something I know they did to you too.

Damn right! She barked sharply, opening her mouth wide in another angry gekker. They didn't give me a chance!

Which is why you should go meet Big Mike. They are all from your apartment complex, and they are all dealing with this mess together. Maybe you'll find yourself a proper home with them.

She turned her head away in thoughtful disagreement, so I continued.

I know being a fox wasn't anything you planned for, but going through it alone isn't easy. Trust me, I tried.

I'm not alone. I have Toby, she squeaked thoughtfully. Bringing her muzzle to face me, she added as she locked her golden eyes on me. And you aren't alone either. You have that Vixen watching over you!

A stiff lump formed in my throat at those words. If she had lunged forward and ripped out my heart with her fangs, it would have hurt less. Mentioning the Vixen so suddenly broke down my resolve, and I lost the strength to stand. Slowly, I sank down to my stomach with my eyes welling up. Drawing in sharp huffs of air through my nose, I tried to control myself once more, but the tears were already flowing.

The Apartment vixen sat on her haunches and cocked her head, unsure of what she was seeing. What-- What's wrong? she finally asked. Did she break up with you?

I couldn't reply. The lump in my throat was too heavy, and my whole body quaked while I sobbed.

Concerned, she rose to her paws and gingerly padded over to me. Giving Toby a glance as if looking for insight from him, she prodded the back of my neck with her pads.

There, there, she cooed with unrehearsed compassion.

Her effort was sincere, even if she didn't sound like she knew if she meant it or not. It was enough to help me regain some composure. Between sobs, I shook my head and was able to whimper out, We went to the city... She didn't make it.

Understanding dawned on her furry face, and she pulled her paw away. I'm very sorry. She seemed liked she really cared about you.

Dusk was settling on the edge of the field while the three of us remained there. Toby had wrapped himself against the side of the Apartment vixen while she stood patiently over me, waiting for me to regain some of my composure. Once the sun dipped below the treetops of the adjacent forest, she finally spoke once more.

Do you have a place to stay tonight? She asked calmly.

I was exhausted: Physically, mentally, and emotionally. If I couldn't return to the den tonight, I didn't know where else I could stay. Weakly, I shook my head to her question.

Letting out a sigh through her dark nose, she said, Toby and I were getting an early start on night hunting. You can sleep in my den while we are out.

She lifted herself off her haunches, and casually strode toward her den, forcing Toby to quickly follow. You can stay as long as you don't blow it up again, she added with a frustrated gekker.

Preferring to not fall asleep at the edge of an open field, I gingerly climbed back to all fours and gently shook my coat to free it of the loose dirt I had been laying in. Without further comment, I followed after her into the tree line. Despite my anguish, exhaustion would make rest come easy, if only for a short while.

---

Night had fallen while I sat in my sanctuary within the forest. Darkness threatened to envelop me, but the glowing golden orb I playfully balanced on the tip of my nose held it at bay; illuminating my homewithin-a-home in the forest as bright as day. The orb itself, once the size of a golf ball, had now grown to the diameter of a bowling ball. Its light bathed me in a familiar warmth, like a morning sun.

Letting the ball roll off my muzzle and to the ground, I pounced upon it, cradling it, wrapping my forearms clumsily around it and holding it fast with my hind paws. I could feel its golden glow penetrate my vulpine body, relaxing every muscle and soothing every worry and every ache.

A snap of a twig sounded from the path in the blackness at the edges of my sanctuary. Instantly, I lifted my head from the dirt, ears at attention. There was someone coming. Without wasting another moment, I untangled myself from the golden ball and sat in perfect posture, tail curling around my haunches, and the ball rising into the air above my head, like a balloon on a tether.

At the edge of the light stood the black fox, once again taking the form of the Apartment vixen and naturally holding herself up on her two hind paws. Her slitted eyes reflected the golden light above me, as well as the lust and greed she held for it. Fixated on the orb, and only the orb, she walked forward, placing one black paw in front of the other.

"Stop," I commanded, the orb scintillating with the spoken word.

The black fox almost fell over onto all fours as her paws were rooted to the forest floor.

Fury, disgust, hate, shone in her expression as she finally looked at me. "You dare bring your essence to bear on me, child?" she spat between her fangs.

"I have done as you asked," I said coldly. "The foxes are safe and under your care. Stealing from me again was not part of your plea."

Staring daggers at me, a purple light flickered in her eyes. "Retaining your essence was never part of the deal we struck. Had I known of the spark you held, I would have plucked it from your breast like an apple from a tree!"

Her gaze returned to the orb above my head, a savage hunger for it reflected in her face as she licked her chops in anticipation.

Her malicious intent should have unnerved me, but she was no longer a threat. "Well, it's too late for that now, isn't it." I proclaimed boastfully. "It was never your essence, and I never gave it to you."

"It became mine when you were relieved of its burden," she hissed. "She wasn't supposed to return it! No fox ever has!" She stomped her paws in impotent frustration. Realizing she was no longer rooted to the spot, a dark smile played across her blackened lips, and she boldly took a step forward.

She was bold, but it never was going to work. I focused my will once more, stronger than before. "You may not come closer," I said calmly, with finality.

The golden glow in the sanctuary brightened to a brilliant white for a moment, forcing the black fox to wince and shield her eyes with her paws. She tried approaching again, and was stopped by the air forming a solid barrier in front of her.

"Now," I said politely, "I would like it if you would leave me alone from now on. You're not taking this from me, and you're wasting your effort trying."

She screamed and howled in anger and desperation, bashing and clawing with her forepaws against the invisible wall in front of her. "If you do not offer recompense for the damage to my forest, I will make you suffer! I will make all around you suffer! You will be a pox on those you hold dear, and I will torment you for as long as you live!"

"I already lost what I hold dear," I murmured darkly. Your tree will grow back, my mate will not.

"One retaliatory reaction for another, child," she smirked devilishly, regaining some composure at the opportunity to tear at my emotions.

My golden eyes widened at the realization."You! You forced her into it, didn't you!" Blood-red anger flooded my vision, and the orb above began to glow hotly. I rose to all fours and started to stalk forward, pushing the barrier forward against the dark vixen, wrapping it around to crush her.

She didn't flinch, she cast her gaze to the side, looking like she had me right where she wanted me, but I didn't care. I had the power to fight her now.

The invisible barrier closed in, wrapping the dark vixen and plastering her fur to her body. Still, she did not flinch or fight back. Right as the last chance for her to retreat closed, she spoke.

"It is still within my power to save her, you know."

My heart leapt with hope in my chest, and the barrier fell, releasing the black apparition. "Then why haven't you?" I demanded. "Are your trees more important to you?"

She continued to smirk, pearly white fangs showing from under her muzzle. "My forest is more than mere trees to me, child," She cooed softly. "But in this case, I lack the essence needed to revive your precious vixen."

She glanced longingly at the golden orb once more, then tilting her ears back with a sinister smile at me. "Perhaps, you would be willing to part with yours to resurrect her? It would be just enough to give you all that you ask for."

It was a tempting offer. Taking my eyes away from the fox, I looked at the essence above me, deliberating on the wisdom of taking the offer. It was mine by birth; cultivated from a small ember within my chest, and it represented everything I was. But what good would it be to me if I didn't have my Vixen to share my life with? If the shadow could control everyone around me, would I ever know peace while I held onto it?

Carefully, I reared up onto my hind paws, and grasped the orb between my forepaws and chin, bringing it down to ground level.

Only feet away, the shadow vixen's eyes glowed with anticipation and the light that I held before her.

"You've made the correct choice, child," she spoke soothingly. "With your contribution, I will ensure her safety as she journeys home."

A spark of hesitation snapped in the back of my mind, and as the black form reached out to touch my orb, I commanded, "Stop."

The vixen recoiled as if burned, hissing dangerously. "Why do you still resist? My power will give you what you desire!"

"Take a step back," I commanded. The orb flashed. As if held by strings, she obeyed.

"You orchestrated this whole debacle for my essence, didn't you?" I took a step forward, menacingly. Her eyes went wide with fear.

"You made her go crazy and attack everyone in the store." I took another step forward. She took another step back, this time on her own volition.

"You made her your puppet just to get at me." The orb raised above my head again, glowing brightly.

She tried backing off further, but stumbled into the bush at the wall of my sanctuary instead, falling to all fours, and tail lashing back and forth in fear.

"All because of my essence and a tree?!" I screamed loudly, now only inches from her face.

Her ears dipped backwards from the volume, "They are all I could save!" she protested. "My children are not to damage them so!"

I took in a deep breath through my nose, pulling back and giving her more space. Heaving out a sigh, I said, "I will not give you my essence today, not ever," I said with finality. Giving in now would give her the power to do it again and again. "If you can't save my Vixen with the essence she held, then I doubt mine would help her."

Howling with rage, the dark vixen lunged at me, but I didn't need to speak to control her. She stopped inches away from my muzzle, clawing the air furiously. "You know nothing, child! The ancient magics work only at my command! Never yours! Never another's!"

The ruse was up. "This was only ever about power and control, wasn't it? You never were going to revive my Vixen with my essence, were you?" I accused. "I wish you would stop lying and tell me the truth!"

*WISH*

The orb shone bright, growing dimmer for a moment before returning to its luster. A smile played across the vixen's face, only inches away from mine. Slowly, the smile turned into a grimace, then pain. She stood up onto her hind paws again, crossing her arms over her stomach as she screamed out in agony. She began to retch and heave, and the vixen slowly morphed into a woman, roughly in her forties, with graying salt and pepper hair and wearing a a lace-covered antique dark gray ball gown.

The woman towered over me, but she was in too much pain to put up a fight. Screams issued from her mouth, flowing out as wisps of darkness and flying toward me, filling my mind with visions.

A fox at the den. Trying to cook a vole like that other fox he saw. A fox in the forest. Calling a rabbit out of its burrow for the hunt.

A fox in a dead tree. She is making a green bud blossom amid the decay. A fox in the den. He wants to read the arcane texts.

A fox near a hen house. He doesn't want to be seen by the humans A fox near the other fox at the house. He also doesn't want to be seen.

A fox inside a kennel. She is asking the unfamiliar human to open the bars.

Slapping her hands across her mouth, the images stopped flooding my mind. Whatever pain she had been in had subsided, and there was no longer a need to resist. I had seen what she knew, and she wasn't able to hide anything from me anymore.

Calmly, reluctantly, the woman stood at her full height, no longer doubled over in pain. She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Now that you have witnessed its power, will you shed the shackles I placed upon you and return to your old life?"

"I'll keep that secret to myself," I said, a tickle of elation starting to build within me.

Dissatisfied with my response, she turned on her heels and walked out the tunnel to the forest, disappearing into the blackness of the void.

---

A warm golden glow bathed my face, and I opened my eyelid just a crack, only to wince back as sunlight shot straight into my slitted pupil. I had expected a short, restless night of sleep, but the emotional and physical turmoil of the previous day had exhausted me completely. Withdrawing from the threshold, I opened my eyes once more in the darkness. The Apartment vixen and Toby were resting quietly on the far side of the hole, leaving a healthy amount of space between us. They must have returned from the hunt sometime in the middle of the night.

As quietly as I could, I rolled over onto my paws and pushed myself out of the hole. The sun was rising over the horizon, beaming its warming rays directly into my furry face. I took a few breaths of fresh air in through my dark nose, and looked out through the tree cover to the distant field. Despite what I had been through, something told me today was going to be okay. Climbing out of the den and shaking the dust off, I scurried down to the field, making my way back to the forest.

---

"*Hiss*... Authorities are searching for... *Hisssss* ...residents that went missing at... *Bzzzzzzz* residential complex....*sssssssss*"

Reaching over to the radio, Miles twisted the knob until it clicked off. The trees surrounding the service road he was driving on was blocking the signals, and with how dark and thick the foliage had become, he very nearly would need his headlights to see any potholes or other treacherous obstacles in his path. Leaving the radio on as an idle distraction was asking for trouble.

The order he was delivering was a strange one: some rich tycoon had ordered an immediate shipment of several pallets of pet supplies to the middle of some god-forsaken woods, and the only address to deliver to was a service road that looked like it hadn't been used in ten years. He only hoped there was a suitable place to turn around once he got to the end of the road. Backing up was hard enough in the open with these trucks. Doing it over a distance of nearly a half mile would be impossible.

"I really don't need this today," he said aloud to himself, cursing his luck of dispatch sending him on this trip. It was only this morning that he found an eviction letter nailed to his door. The holding company that owned his apartment complex was selling to recoup their losses. It turns out, the property manager had embezzled over $250,000 and had skipped town to the Philippines or something. Considering how little the guy did for the complex, it all started to make sense. It appeared many of the other residents had gotten tired of the problems he had been causing, because there were hardly any occupants left. No one had come by to retrieve their smashed car when the lamp post fell on it the other night while those foxes fought in the parking lot. It was like living in an eerie ghost town!

There was a loud bump as the shocks of the truck bottomed out from the pothole Miles drove over, its shaking throwing him hard against his seatbelt harness. He had to slow down. Thinking about his problems after work was not helping him concentrate on the road ahead.

Foxes. A shiver ran down Miles' spine and he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Everything had started to fall apart when he found those two foxes in that woman's apartment. He had gone to check on her apartment yesterday, but it looked like it had been vandalized and the occupant hadn't returned. Likely, the foxes had let some miscreant in accidentally. After all, they had managed to find a way into his own apartment and had ransacked it themselves. But whatever had happened upstairs was quite a bit different: furniture and lighting fixtures had been utterly destroyed.

The truck turned a corner, and Miles was greeted with the sight of a fenced off cellular relay station, his headlights reflecting brightly off the slatted chain-link fence.

Miles breathed a sigh of relief. Not only had he finally arrived at this strange delivery destination, but there was enough of a clearing surrounding the fenced area that he would be able to turn around and drop the lift. In preparation, he swung the steering wheel hard to the left, and threw the transmission into reverse, pulling a quick Y turn to get the front facing back down the service road.

Once properly parked, Miles grabbed his clipboard and manifest, and popped open the cab door to exit the truck. Looking around the small clearing, there was no sign of life: Even the trees seemed unhealthy in this area around the tower. An eerie silence hung in the air, leaving Miles to feel nervous and alone.

Walking his way to the back of the vehicle, Miles unlatched the sliding door and held down the switch to deploy the lift. The buzz of electric motors and hydraulic pumps filled the clearing, but it did nothing to distract him or put him at ease. It felt as if he was being watched by a crowd of people that were hiding in the trees.

With the lift unfolded and ready to properly dispense the truck's cargo, Miles hoisted himself up to the deck and then checked his clipboard to verify which pallets were being unloaded.

"Care of Big Mike," he read aloud, rolling his eyes at the mounting absurdity of the order with every fine detail. There was a bright flash of light in the clearing, the kind that preceded a heavy rain shower.

"I'm Big Mike," a voice chimed out below him.

Miles nearly jumped into the pallets of dog food in shock. Looking down at the ground behind the truck, a scruffy looking man sat cross-legged on the dirt. He was wearing a brown bomber jacket, and a black baseball cap, with a white shaggy beard covering his face. He had an appearance closer to a passing transient than an animal caretaker.

Recovering his composure, Miles grabbed the safety handlebar and jumped down from the deck of the truck, landing with a light scuffing sound in the dirt. "Uh... hi, Mr. Mike," Miles said, putting on his best customer service face. This was the part of the job that he disliked most. "I will need your signature here," he continued, handing the clipboard to the man sitting in the dirt.

The strange man reached up with his hand, trying to grasp at the approaching clipboard as if he was trying to do his best impression of a crab. Once the clipboard reached his mouth, Miles released his hold, letting Mike's crab-grip take over, only for him to carelessly drop it to the ground so he could read

it. Leaning over the paper with both hands on the ground, Mike brushed his coon-skinned cap idly as he read, letting the attached fox tail flutter gently from the motion.

"Is this all that is coming? I was told there would be appliances." Mike finally said, finishing his inspection of the list.

"Those will arrive on a separate shipment," Miles said. Looking around the clearing, he didn't see anywhere that would be able to accept appliances.

"No matter. This is already a big help. We ran out of food this morning and there's lots of hungry mouths to feed around here!" Mike conceded.

"I imagine," Miles replied conversationally. The trees around him held no life, but he still couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched by them. Where these mouths were to feed, he didn't really need to know. Turning around, he climbed back into the truck and untethered the pallet jack, using it to move the stack of feed bags that were piled up to chest height.

"It's nice being able to talk to a person again," Mike said from outside the truck. "It's been a while and I didn't think I could do it anymore."

"Uh-huh," Miles replied absentmindedly and he pumped the jack handle up and down to elevate the wheels. "Are a lot of your warehouse orders going automated?" he asked turning around to reply. Again, Miles jumped in surprise. Mike had climbed aboard the lift, and was sitting cross-legged right where he needed to roll the pallet. His orange and white hazard jacket brightly contrasting his clean shaven face and the dingy and lifeless backdrop of the forest outside.

"Sir, please get off the lift. It's against company policy to let customers aboard," Miles asserted. "I'm sorry," Mike said, bowing his head shamefully. "Figured I'd offer you some help."

"No need, I have what I need," Miles said, tugging on the handle of the jack to pull it toward the lift. The immense weight of the bags of food rolled the pallet forward with its momentum.

Seeing the incoming pallet, Mike, hands at his sides, rolled off the lift face first and disappeared from view. Miles watched him, thinking he surly broke his neck with the way he saw him fall, but there was no following crash of a heavy body hitting the forest floor. Quickly, Miles put the brake on the jack and rushed over to the edge of the lift. "Are you all... right?"

Mike was sitting in his cross-legged fashion at the bottom of the lift, looking up at Miles with piercing yellow eyes, but no worse for wear. "Quite alright. Thanks for asking!" he chirped cheerfully.

Confused, but no longer alarmed, Miles returned to the pallet, and dragged it to the lift without further interruption. Pressing the switch, the lift gave a long whir and he and the pallet descended to the ground.

Mike continued to stay out of Miles way while he worked. Finding a suitable place for the pallet was easy, as there was no place that was better than the next. As soon as Miles finished packing up the lift and rolling down and latching the cargo door, he turned around and pulled out a pen to hand to Mike.

"I'll need your signature on the manifest," he asked.

Mike sat next to the clipboard, his cleanly pressed Parks and Wildlife Services uniform almost hiding him among the dark dirt. Reaching out with his crab-claw motion again, he snatched the pen from Miles' hand, and then began to stab with both hands at the paper on the clipboard. Shaking his head side to side, and dabbing his hands against the page, Mike returned the pen to Miles with his awkward crabclaw grasp.

As soon as Miles took it, he noticed how moist it was; Mike's hand had been extremely sweaty. Without mentioning it, he returned it to his breast pocket and tried to remind himself to not chew on it later.

"That was an experience," Mike said, prodding the clipboard toward Miles' foot for him to pick it up. Obliging, he bent over to retrieve it, noticing the signature of one Michael Kulakov scrawled neatly on the page.

"I expect we'll be seeing you once the next shipment arrives?" Mike asked as soon as the clipboard was in Miles' hands. Another brief flash of lightning filled the clearing.

Miles contorted his face thoughtfully. "Depends on dispatch, but I can put in a request to handle your shipments if you'd like." It was an odd offer; Miles had never volunteered to handle specific deliveries before, but Mike was cool, and now that he knew the area, it wasn't too much to ask.

"I would appreciate that greatly," The ginger-bearded man at his knees responded.

With one more expression of gratitude and farewells, Miles climbed back into the cab of his truck and started the diesel engine. Right as he pulled his seatbelt over his lap, motion in his side mirrors caught his attention: the pallet was swarming with foxes, each tearing and gnawing at the bags and plastic wrap that bound them all together. Hastily, Miles threw the transmission into drive and pressed the accelerator just a little harder than he should have. He didn't like the feeling of the hairs raising on his neck again.