{"sf1_id":2018920,"sf2_id":"dmBQJrQe","title":"Chapter 8: New Villain, Same as the Old Villain","author":"HeatherOBunn","words":6827,"posted_at":"2023-07-05T15:02:00.000Z","tags":["Armadillo","Cat","Chapter","Doe","Duchess","Fox","Government","Guns","Love","Novel","Predator/Prey","Rabbit","Thriller","Vixen","carnivore","cult","pine marten","serial killer","speech","tom"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2018920-chapter-8-new-villain-same-as-the-old-villain","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/dmBQJrQe","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/ce/91/ce915c67-bfd6-4392-85bf-c1b87955047a","description":"#8 of The Murderess of Maplesburg: Reign of Terror\n\nEllie and Jason learn about the Duchess' new position as Interim Governor and plan to do something about it.","content":"Chapter 8: New Villain, Same as the Old Villain  \nEllie blinked her eyes and yawned under the blankets. Jason's warm body was still  \nwrapped around her, and she wasn't in any hurry to leave his soothing embrace. His sultry,  \nslightly tangy scent filled the air under the blankets and embraced her just as his body did. Ellie  \ntook a deep breath and pressed her back closer to his chest. Jason's left arm moved up from  \nher middle to stroke her long ears, which were tucked back under his jaw and against his neck.  \n\"I love you, Ellie,\" Jason murmured.  \nEllie sighed contentedly and closed her eyes again. There was nothing she wanted to do  \nthis morning more than snuggle in bed with her handsome kitty. She had almost drifted back to  \nsleep when a hiss disturbed her and caused Jason to start.  \n\"Pst! Ellie!\"  \nEllie yanked down the blankets to poke her head out and saw her mother's pink eyes  \nand long white ears poking up over the edge of the bed. Her white hands gripped the purple  \nbedclothes tightly as she held herself up on tiptoes to address her daughter. Jason shifted, and  \nEllie glanced back at the embarrassed-looking tabby before irritatedly responding to her mother.  \n\"Mom! What do you want?! We're still in bed!\" Ellie complained.  \n\"You have to see this! On the television, it's the Duchess! She's giving some kind of  \nspeech in a few minutes!\"  \nEllie glanced back at Jason again, and he looked at her worriedly. They both sat up, and  \nEllie led the way down the back of the lofted bed. Her mother led them down to the living room  \nwhere her father was sitting on the light blue loveseat, watching the tv. Edgar was on the dark  \nbrown couch, and Jason and Ellie joined the pine marten whilst her mother joined her father.  \nOn the television, the Maplesburg channel 5 newscaster, Ferdinand Gamboa was  \nspeaking to the camera from his studio desk. The plump black and white cat looked  \nuncharacteristically chipper as he relayed the news.  \n\"Rumors have been flying, and I'm glad to confirm that they're true!\" he meowed. \"The  \nterrorists, the monsters who held Maplesburg hostage, and worse, murdered so many of our  \nprey friends and neighbors have been routed! Have been almost completely wiped out! Those  \nwho aren't dead are in custody, and we have not only our brave officers but Her Grace, the  \nDuchess of Gooseberry herself, to thank!\"  \nEllie exchanged a surprised glance with Jason. I thought she was a hostage. What does  \nhe mean, \"We have her to thank.\"? Edgar let out a joyful little gasp on Ellie's right.  \n\"In a few moments,\" Ferdinand went on happily. \"Her Grace is going to address the city.  \nWe'll be going live to the front of the Regina Hotel, where Her Grace is staying following her  \nheroic triumph over the terrorists!\"  \nEllie shifted uncomfortably and glanced up at Jason again, but he was staring intently at  \nthe television, appearing stunned. As positive as the news was, Ellie hardly wanted to hear  \nabout the murderous vixen's \"heroic triumph\" whether it was over terrorists or not. The last thing  \nshe needs is an ego boost. More importantly, the vixen was a literal serial killer; she was the  \nfarthest thing from heroic. First Lily and now her.  \n\"Did you hear that?\" Edgar squeaked excitedly. \"Her Grace won! She defeated the  \nterrorists! She's so brave!\"  \nEllie eyed the pine marten sidelong. The last thing he needs is another reason to think  \nshe's wonderful.  \n\"I'm being told she's on her way outside!\" Ferdinand declared. \"We'll take you there  \nnow.\"  \nThe view shifted to one some distance in front of and above the glass and copper front  \ndoors of the weathered limestone structure. A podium and microphone had been placed a few  \nsteps from the hotel doors, and while the camera was zoomed out, Ellie could see the street in  \nfront of the hotel, which was crowded with predators: cats, dogs, foxes, ferrets, stoats, badgers,  \nwolverines, skunks, and fishers waited, chattering excitedly. The joyful atmosphere was obvious  \nfrom their toothy grins and happy chirps, barks, and meows. Ellie found their elation contagious,  \nand she had to smile. However it had happened, she was glad the vicious cultists were gone,  \nand even though there apparently weren't any prey left in the city to attend the celebration, it  \nwas good to see the predators of Maplesburg celebrating the end of their occupation.  \nSuddenly, the tall left door swung open, and the vixen strode out, followed closely by a  \nred squirrel. The crowd cheered uproariously, and the vixen raised a hand to wave, causing the  \ncrowd to cheer even louder. She trotted up to the podium, climbing a few steps, and tapped the  \nmicrophone to test it. The camera zoomed in on her, cutting out all but the front two rows of the  \ncrowd, which was pressed almost to the podium itself. A pair of uniformed officers, a badger and  \na raccoon, standing to either side just in front of the podium, held the excited animals back. The  \ncrowd continued to cheer, and the vixen raised her voice to chirp into the microphone over the  \nruckus.  \n\"Citizens of Maplesburg! I, your Duchess, have eliminated the terrorist threat!\" The  \ncrowd cheered louder, and she was obliged to pause until they'd settled down. \"Maplesburg is  \nnow safe, and all prey should return home!\" She paused again for more cheering. \"However, my  \nwork here is not finished, good citizens! Your City Council has asked me to oversee the  \ntransition as you prepare to elect new leaders, and I cannot shirk my duty to Vulpineva.\"  \nThe crowd cheered, but Ellie felt a stone drop into her stomach. Oh Zeus! They put her  \nin charge!? She glanced at Jason, and he looked back at her worriedly.  \n\"I shall take charge,\" the vixen continued. \"And I shall ensure nothing like this ever  \nhappens again!\" The crowd cheered, but the vixen went on in a somber voice, \"I'm afraid you've  \nbecome complacent, good citizens. You've given over to decadence and impropriety. How else  \nwas this deadly threat able to come against your neighbors so easily?\"  \nThe crowd seemed less ecstatic at her scolding; some of them exchanged guilty  \nglances.  \n\"I shall root out the rot, good citizens!\" the vixen proclaimed. \"I shall expunge it! I shall  \nmend that which has become broken and renew the bond that holds us together! We are one  \nVulpineva, and together, we are strong!\"  \nThe crowd cheered again, and the vixen turned and trotted back through the doors to the  \nhotel. Apparently, she wasn't staying to answer questions about what any of that had meant.  \nEllie felt sick to her stomach. What did the capricious vixen think \"rooting out the rot\" would  \nentail? Who had decided to let her oversee the transition? Had City Council really asked her to,  \nor had she decided to grab the opportunity to take a more direct role in ruling Maplesburg on her  \nown? What's she planning? The only answer Ellie could come up with was nothing good.  \nThe red squirrel climbed up on the podium and waited for the crowd to quiet down before  \nspeaking. \"I want to let everyone know that the remaining members of City Council are also  \ncommitted to ensuring this never happens again, and we'll be working with Her Grace to make  \nthis chaotic time as orderly as possible.\" She paused while people applauded. \"I also wanted to  \ntake a moment to remember those we lost, the Mayor and all of the prey besides myself on City  \nCouncil as well as all of the other innocent prey who were murdered by these monsters. It may  \nbe some time before everyone is accounted for, but please join me now in a moment of silent  \nremembrance for the victims of this terrible violence.\" She paused and quietly looked down at  \nthe podium for several seconds while the crowd remained respectfully silent. She looked up and  \nwent on somberly, \"Thank you. We'll keep everyone updated on the plans for the special  \nelection. Obviously, we want to give prey time to return before we start taking candidates, but  \nwe'll try to have more information soon.\" She climbed down and followed the vixen inside.  \nThe view switched back to Ferdinand, who was dabbing his eyes with a powder blue  \nhandkerchief. He blew his nose then tucked it back into the pocket of his dark blue jacket. \"So  \nmany innocent prey. It's too horrible to think about!\" the cat whined, distraught. \"Her Grace and  \nMs. Fletcher are right! We have to make sure this never happens again! We have to make  \nMaplesburg safe for everyone, whatever that takes!\"  \nThe station switched to the weather report, and her father turned the tv off with the  \nremote.  \n\"Well, that certainly was something,\" he commented awkwardly.  \nEllie glanced at him: he looked worried. He knows from our story what that witch is  \ncapable of. The problem is no one else does!  \n\"At least prey can return home,\" her mother commented. \"And I don't suppose the  \nDuchess will be able to cause too much trouble if the city council is there to check her.\" She  \nsounded like she was trying to be optimistic, but Ellie doubted she believed it herself. Her  \nmother turned to the three of them, \"You're welcome to stay here until she's gone as well. We  \nhave to go back to work next week, but I'm sure you don't need us around to feel at home.\"  \nEllie nodded. She didn't want to go back to Maplesburg while the murderous vixen was  \nin charge. What if she put out a warrant for their arrest so that she could reclaim her pets?!  \n\"Her Grace said she was going to put things right, and that's what she'll do!\" Edgar  \nresponded fervently. \"She's a fox of her word! Sh-she may have killed prey in the past, but if she  \nsays she's going to make things better, then I believe her!\"  \nEllie suppressed a groan of frustration. \"It depends on whose definition of 'better' that is,\"  \nshe replied dryly. \"I don't really want to know what she thinks would make Maplesburg better.\"  \nEdgar frowned, \"I-I don't think she'd do anything bad. She said it's her duty to Vulpineva.  \nShe'll try to make things work out.\"  \n\"City Council would be better off without her,\" Ellie returned. \"Even if she has good  \nintentions, she isn't qualified to run a city. She's just a rich fox with a title; she has no  \nexperience.\"  \nEdgar looked away sullenly, and Ellie sighed exasperatedly. When would he realize the  \nvixen wasn't some kind of goddess? Who knew if she had even 'defeated the terrorists'? Maybe  \nshe had just gotten lucky and claimed responsibility.  \nThe rest of the day was uneventful. They spent their time reading, flipping through tv  \nchannels, or playing cards. All of the news was about the Duchess' speech and her \"heroic  \nvictory\" over the terrorists. They really seemed to be going out of their way to emphasize that  \nfact: a fox had saved the city, nearly single-handedly, it seemed. Ellie assumed the smugness  \namong the ruling class was unbearable. I wonder how fast they'd disown her if they knew what  \nshe really was.  \nEdgar didn't comment on the reports further. He might have been even quieter than  \nusual, and Ellie noticed he also didn't offer to do any more cleaning though there might not have  \nbeen anything left to do. When evening rolled around, he was the first in the shower, and then  \nhe disappeared into his room. Ellie didn't want to discuss the vixen with him further, so she let  \nhim be. He had to stop sulking eventually.  \nJason was still sitting up in bed and waiting for her when Ellie finished in the shower.  \n\"I hope you don't mind staying with my parents longer,\" Ellie remarked as she climbed  \nup with him. \"At least when they're at work, we'll be able to do things without them hearing. You  \nknow, we've never had sex when we weren't in captivity. We finally won't have to worry about  \nsomeone watching!\"  \nJason's ears reddened, and Ellie smiled amusedly. She liked that it still made him  \nembarrassed to talk about having sex with her. It was almost coy though Ellie was fairly certain  \nit was genuine. Regardless, it had the effect of exciting her desire to have him, to make him  \ngasp and moan as they shared that intense pleasure.  \n\"Yeah, that will be nice,\" Jason murmured embarrassedly. \"I, uh, actually, I was hoping  \nyou'd let me groom your ears tonight. It's been a few days, and-\"  \n\"Of course, Jason, just because we can't do what I want, doesn't mean we can't do what  \nyou want. I know it makes you happy, and I like to hear you purr.\"  \nShe crawled up next to him, and he pulled her into his lap. Wrapping his arms around  \nher, he nuzzled her ear and then began lapping. Ellie relaxed in his arms as his warm, rough  \ntongue rasped over and around her ears. He began to purr, and she sighed contentedly. The  \nDuchess wouldn't be in Maplesburg forever. If they were lucky, she might even get bored with  \nthe bureaucracy and go home after a few days. However, Ellie knew Jason was concerned  \nabout their house and office, and that worried her too. Maybe I'll ask Flora to check in on them if  \nshe's going back. Thinking of the gray fox made Ellie wonder if there was anything like this that  \nshe and Pete did. Maybe I'll discuss it with her sometime. Flora had been doing this predator-  \nprey relationship for years, so maybe she had a few tips on how to spice things up when they  \nbecame routine, not that Ellie was concerned about that yet. Jason moved to her left ear, and  \nEllie sighed contentedly again. As long as she was safe with her sweet kitty, everything would  \nbe alright.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \n\"Ellie! Ellie get up!\"  \nJason was jolted awake by Evelyn's anxious yelp. His eyes popped open, and he  \nembarrassedly studied the distressed expression of the albino rabbit hoisting herself up over the  \nedge of their bed. Under the blankets, Ellie jerked against him and her arms shot up to yank  \ndown the lavender sheets and dark purple quilt.  \n\"Mom! Again?! I was sleeping! And you ought to knock before you just barge in here!  \nWhat if we were in the middle of something?!\"  \nEvelyn eyed Jason uncomfortably, and he felt his ears getting hot. He didn't think either  \nof them wanted to think about such a mortifying encounter. However, her glance was brief as  \nshe continued agitatedly to Ellie.  \n\"Edgar's gone!\"  \nEllie shoved herself up in front of him with one arm to look down at her mother, \"Huh?  \nWhat do you mean?!\"  \n\"He took your car! There was a note on the table! He said he's going to find the  \nDuchess!\"  \nEllie's arm folded under her, and she flopped back down. Putting her hands over her  \nface, she laid back her ears and moaned in distress, \"No no no no, Edgar, why? You can't. We  \nwere taking care of you. Please tell me this isn't real.\"  \n\"I'm sorry, Sweetheart,\" Evelyn murmured. \"He's really gone.\"  \nJason stroked Ellie's head. \"I'm sorry, Ellie. We did everything we could,\" he consoled  \nsoftly.  \n\"No! I should have taken him to meet Flora. I should have talked to him after that witch's  \nstupid speech. I should have made him understand that he deserves better than that, that we  \nwere going to look out for him,\" Ellie reprimanded herself.  \n\"You did your best. You showed him friendship. It's not your fault if he gave that up,\"  \nJason comforted.  \nEllie pulled the purple covers back over her head and groaned dejectedly. Jason stroked  \nher head again.  \n\"We'll be down in a little bit,\" he told Evelyn.  \n\"Alright. It's Saturday, so we're not going anywhere. We'll be there when you come  \ndown,\" Evelyn replied worriedly. She dropped down onto the floor and slowly plodded out of the  \nroom, casting a final glance back at Ellie's lump under the bedclothes before exiting.  \nJason pulled the blankets over his own head and nuzzled Ellie between the ears. He  \npushed his right arm under her waist and wrapped both forearms up over her chest to hold her  \nclose. She clasped his left hand, their fingers meshing together, and he squeezed hers  \ncomfortingly.  \n\"It's not your fault,\" he whispered consolingly.  \n\"I failed him,\" she grumbled.  \n\"You did what you could. You couldn't force him to stay.\"  \nEllie snorted angrily. \"I could have though. If I had known he was going to do something  \nso stupid, I would have chained him to his bed!\"  \nJason let out a small chuckle.  \n\"I would have!\" she protested irately.  \nJason nuzzled her head again, \"I believe it. If we ever see him again, I'm sure he'll regret  \nthwarting your beneficent intentions,\" he teased.  \nEllie sniffed testily.  \nJason nuzzled her again and purred soothingly, \"It's not your fault.\"  \n\"You keep saying that,\" Ellie returned irritatedly.  \n\"I will until you believe it. You gave him a chance to start a new life. He chose to go back  \nto his old one. He knows what the Duchess is, but he chose her over us. You can't save  \nsomeone who doesn't want to be saved.\"  \n\"She won again,\" Ellie muttered gloomily.  \nJason squeezed her hand, \"We're still free, and we'll find a way to show people what she  \nis.\"  \n\"Who's going to believe us now? She's a 'hero'.\"  \n\"We know she's not, and we just have to get the evidence to prove it. Fitzie will help us,  \nmaybe Katya. We'll prove she's a murderer even if she can't be prosecuted.\"  \n\"'Fitzie',\" Ellie scoffed. \"He left us to die.\"  \n\"I know he let us down, but he's still my friend. He'll want to help when he realizes  \nthere's something he can do.\"  \nEllie sighed resignedly, \"I guess I can't deny him another chance after I gave one to  \nEdgar. I hope it works out better with him.\"  \nJason rubbed his cheek against her ear, \"Thanks, Ellie.\"  \nEllie sighed again, \"I guess we'd better get up.\"  \nJason hugged her. \"We don't have to.\"  \n\"I want to read Edgar's note.\"  \n\"Okay.\"  \nJason released her, and she pulled down the sheets. He followed her down the back of  \nthe bed and to the dining room. Ellie's parents were sitting in front of their empty plates at one  \nend of the long table. They looked up as Jason and Ellie entered, their expressions concerned.  \nEvelyn pushed a piece of ruled paper toward the end as Ellie reached the table. Jason stood  \nbehind Ellie and read the note over her shoulder as she did. The note was scrawled in a sloppy  \ncursive in black ink and contained the following.  \nDear Ellie, Jason, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennett,  \nThank you for your hospitality. You took me in when I had nowhere else to go, and I'll  \nalways be grateful. I'm sorry because I know this will upset you, but I'm going to Maplesburg to  \nfind Her Grace. I know she's done a lot of things that were wrong, but I know she can be better.  \nI believe she wants to help now, and I want to help her.  \nEllie, I know you'll be mad, but I want you to know I'm grateful for how you helped me be  \nbetter. I'm going to keep trying to be better, and I'm going to try to make Her Grace be better,  \nand when it's hard, I'll remember you and keep trying.  \nYours Truly,  \nEdgar  \nP.S. I'm sorry about taking your car, Ellie. I'll try to get it back to you.  \nJason wasn't sure how to feel about the note. On the one hand, he didn't think the  \nDuchess could change, but on the other, he could appreciate that Edgar wanted to try to help  \nher change. He was sorry that the pine marten had decided to go back to her, but he didn't feel  \nthere was anything more he could have done.  \n\"We have to go back,\" Ellie muttered.  \nJason turned to regard her curiously. \"We do?\"  \nEllie nodded slowly, \"She's dangerous. She knows how to control people. We can't leave  \nher in charge of Maplesburg.\"  \n\"What are we going to do about that?\" Jason probed.  \n\"At least we can warn people. Who knows how many prey she might kill before people  \nrealize what's going on? We can't let prey come home unaware of who's in charge.\"  \nJason nodded, \"Alright, we'll have to be careful, but I agree we should warn who we  \ncan.\"  \n\"It's too dangerous!\" Evelyn yelped. \"Stay here until she's gone! We almost lost you  \nbefore, Ellie!\"  \nEllie looked at her mother resolutely and shook her head, \"We can't hide while others  \nare in danger. Even if she catches us again, it's unlikely she'll kill us. The same can't be said for  \nany other prey she might get her claws on.\"  \n\"That's not your responsibility!\" Evelyn protested. \"It's not your responsibility to risk your  \nlives going up against someone so dangerous!\"  \n\"It is our responsibility,\" Ellie returned. \"Other people don't know she's a murderer: they  \nthink she's a hero. We have to warn them, or they'll be easy prey for that witch.\"  \n\"You can warn them from here! Call the people you know and warn them! Don't put  \nyourselves in danger!\" Evelyn pleaded.  \n\"We can't just warn the people we know,\" Ellie replied. \"We have to warn as many as  \npossible. No one will believe a voice on the phone. They'll think it's a prank call. If they report it,  \nshe could track us here. Maplesburg is a big city; she won't have an easy time finding us if we  \nlie low.\"  \nEvelyn looked at Eli desperately, \"Eli, you convince them!\"  \nEli turned to his wife sympathetically, \"They have to do what they think is right, Evelyn. I  \nknow it's a risk, but our girl can handle it. And she has her partner to help her. They'll be okay.\"  \n\"And if they're not?!\" Evelyn shot back.  \n\"They have to make their own choice, but if they get into trouble, at least we'll know  \nwhere to look this time. We won't leave them at that monster's mercy.\"  \nEllie gave Eli a small smile, \"Thanks, Dad.\"  \nHe regarded her proudly, \"I know you can do it, Ellie, but promise me you'll be careful.\"  \n\"I promise,\" Ellie averred sincerely.  \nEli stood and grabbed Ellie in a tight hug. Evelyn hopped up and hugged both of the  \nsmaller rabbits with Ellie in the middle.  \n\"I want you to call me everyday,\" Evelyn murmured. \"I won't be at ease until I know  \nyou're safe.\"  \n\"Alright, Mom,\" Ellie murmured.  \nThe three rabbits broke apart, and Evelyn turned to Jason fiercely, \"You'd better keep  \nmy daughter safe!\"  \n\"I won't let her out of my sight!\" Jason swore.  \nEllie scrunched up her nose in an amused smirk, \"I hope I'll be able to get a moment of  \nprivacy, unless you're planning to join me in the bathroom.\"  \nJason felt his ears getting warm, \"I didn't mean it that literally!\"  \n\"Anyway,\" Ellie went on more seriously. \"We can't leave just yet. We'll have to look into  \nrenting a car, and there are some things we need before we go back, like phones for example.\"  \nJason nodded. They couldn't rush back unprepared. The Duchess was no fool, and even  \nif she didn't know they were in Maplesburg, Jason wouldn't put it past her to put out warrants for  \ntheir arrest. Still, he agreed with Ellie that they had to do something. They couldn't let her use  \nher new position to gain even greater access to prey victims.  \nAfter breakfast, they visited a strip mall in downtown Willowdale, again taking Eli's  \nconvertible. Jason purchased a new cell phone and holster while Ellie purchased a blue satchel-  \nstyle purse and a cell phone large enough to be a tablet. Jason also bought a white shirt collar  \nand cornflower blue tie.  \n\"I guess that's everything,\" Jason commented as they climbed back into the red car after  \nbuying his clothes.  \nHe finished tying his tie as they sat down, relieved to finally not be the only adult at the  \nmall without clothes. In the driver's seat, Ellie was wearing a red Willowdale Pirates t-shirt.  \n\"We still need a couple other things,\" Ellie corrected. She backed out of their parking  \nspot at the mall and pulled out onto the road.  \nA few minutes later, Ellie pulled into the parking lot in front of a small, windowless cinder  \nblock shop. The sign above the door had a picture of a rifle and read \"Owen's Armaments and  \nSelf-defense Training\". Jason followed Ellie through the heavy metal door. The shop was lit by  \nrows of harsh white tub lights, and locked glass cases displayed guns and knives of all sorts.  \nJason was no expert on weaponry himself, so the various lengths and sizes of the guns was the  \nmost he could discern. Behind a black counter at the back stood an armadillo wearing a tannish  \ngreen utility vest and matching flat top cap. He was a little bit shorter than Jason, but the beady-  \neyed glare the armadillo gave him as they entered made the fur on Jason's tail stand on end.  \nJason had to force it to lie flat.  \nEllie didn't seem to notice the armadillo's suspicious glare and hopped over to a case of  \nhandguns, studying them through the glass. She pointed to a small one, similar in size to the  \none she'd lost when they'd first confronted the Duchess, \"I'd like to see this one.\"  \nThe armadillo slowly tromped out from behind his desk, his long, striped, furless tail  \ndragging over the cement floor behind him. However, he squinted at Ellie as he approached,  \nand his face lit up in happy recognition, \"Ellie Bennett?! I'll be; I thought you'd left Willowdale for  \ngreener pastures.\"  \n\"Hi, Mr. Walker, we're just here visiting my parents. I need a new gun. I lost my old one.\"  \nThe armadillo frowned concernedly, \"Lost? Don't tell me you misplaced it. I-\"  \n\"Not misplaced. You could say it was confiscated. I still have my license though. At least,  \nI think I do.\"  \n\"'Confiscated,'\" the armadillo spat. \"Damned fascists. You have a right to defend  \nyourself!\" He glared at Jason again, \"Not everyone's got razor sharp claws on hand.\"  \nJason flipped his tail awkwardly.  \n\"This is Jason by the way,\" Ellie responded. \"He's my partner. You knew I became a  \nprivate detective, didn't you?\"  \nThe armadillo nodded, \"Made me proud to think one of my pupils was out usin' what I  \ntaught her. Self-defense training's come in handy, I expect.\"  \n\"More than once. There's a dog who'll have a limp to remember me by, assuming he  \nforgets who put him in jail.\"  \nThe armadillo grinned gleefully, which Jason found a bit unsettling, \"Wish I could've seen  \nthat. Anywho, you say you need a new one.\"  \nEllie nodded, \"Yes, I think that one will do.\" She pointed again.  \n\"Nice little gun,\" the armadillo commented. \"You sure you don't want something a little  \nbigger? You could handle it, and a higher caliber's better for puttin' down larger predators.\"  \n\"I liked the one I had before,\" Ellie stated. \"This one is the most similar.\"  \n\"Alright.\" He unlocked the case and handed Ellie the gun. \"How's it feel?\"  \nEllie hefted the gun then held it aimed toward the far side of the store. She lowered it  \nand handed it back to the armadillo. \"I like it. How much?\"  \n\"With the trainee discount, two hundred credits.\"  \nIt sounded expensive to Jason, but he didn't know how much such things cost.  \nEllie nodded, \"I'll take it. I also need ammunition, and do you have a holster that'll clip to  \nthe side of my bag?\" She lifted her light blue satchel.  \n\"Yup, I'll get you all set up. Meet me by the register inna minute.\"  \nEllie perused the other firearms while the armadillo busily collected the bullets and  \nholster. They met him at the register where he scanned her left hand.  \n\"You're good to go. Let me know next time you're in Willowdale, Missy.\"  \n\"That's it?\" Jason queried. \"Don't you have to do some sort of check?\"  \n\"She's in the system,\" the armadillo stated. He turned the screen on the register toward  \nthem. \"See? Says her license is good, no violations. Won't even go through if it's suspended.\"  \nHe peered at the screen again. \"That's weird. This box says 'deceased'.\" He pointed to the  \noffending line then looked back at Ellie, \"Don't look dead to me.\"  \n\"We'll have to get that fixed at some point,\" Ellie stated. \"For the meantime, maybe it's  \nfor the best if we're recorded as dead.\"  \nThe armadillo gave her a curious look, but Ellie didn't elaborate. \"It was nice to see you  \nagain, Mr. Walker.\"  \n\"Same. See ya 'round.\"  \n\"It was nice to meet you,\" Jason meowed politely.  \nThe armadillo didn't seem convinced and didn't reply. Jason quickly followed Ellie out of  \nthe shop. In the car, Ellie loaded her gun then slipped it into the holster and clipped that into her  \nsatchel: a long metal clip securely fastened the holster to the inside edge of her purse.  \n\"He didn't seem to like me,\" Jason commented.  \n\"Sorry about that. He's kind of a wacko,\" Ellie apologized. \"But his is the only gun store  \naround.\"  \n\"It sounded like you took his self-defense class,\" Jason noted.  \n\"Yeah, it didn't hurt. Listening to his comments on predators wasn't fun though. I think  \nhe'd like someone to attack him so that he'd have an excuse to fill them full of lead. Like I said,  \nhe's a wacko.\"  \nJason was glad they hadn't had to stay any longer. \"Now what?\"  \n\"Now lunch. Then we'll figure out how we're getting to Maplesburg.\" Ellie started the  \nconvertible and drove them back to her parents' house.  \nAfter lunch, Ellie called Flora. Jason was doing the dishes, and he listened to her side of  \nthe call as he washed.  \n\"Hi, is Flora there?\"  \n...  \n\"This is Ellie Bennett. Flora's friend from high school. We met the other day for lunch.\"  \n...  \n\"Thanks, Mrs. Mason.\"  \n...  \n\"Hi Flora, I assume you heard the news.\"  \n...  \n\"I know. I can't believe they put her in charge. Are you planning to go back?\"  \n...  \n\"They did? Did you warn them about the Duchess?\"  \n...  \n\"Well, I hope they'll be safe. When were you planning to go back?\"  \n...  \n\"I think we should. We need to help warn other prey. Otherwise, they won't know how  \ndangerous she is.\"  \n...  \n\"Do you have room?\"  \n...  \n\"Alright. What time?\"  \n...  \n\"Bleh, so early.\"  \n...  \n\"Yeah, I know. Okay, we'll see you then. Thanks, Flora.\"  \n...  \n\"Yeah, maybe it will be kind of fun. I hope you drive faster than Jason.\"  \n...  \n\"Haha, okay, see you tomorrow. Bye.\" Ellie hung up the phone and turned to him. \"Flora  \nis going to pick us up at eight tomorrow. Pete's parents already went back. Apparently, they  \nwere anxious to get away from their in-laws.\"  \n\"We're riding with Flora and Pete then?\"  \n\"Right, she said there's plenty of room, and she already rented a car. So that will save us  \nhaving to rent one. As long as she doesn't drive as slowly as you, it should be fine. I'd like to get  \nthere tomorrow,\" Ellie teased.  \nJason rolled his eyes. \"As long as we get there, that's all I'm worried about,\" he replied  \ntestily.  \n\"I've never had a wreck,\" Ellie reminded.  \nIt only takes one, Jason thought but didn't vocalize. He hoped Flora was a less scary  \ndriver. He'd find out tomorrow.  \nEllie told her parents their plan. Her mother wasn't happy they were leaving so soon, but  \nshe didn't try to argue again. They spent the rest of the day just visiting, chatting with Eli and  \nEvelyn about this and that. After dinner, they played Scrabble, and then they sat together in the  \nliving room and chatted some more. Jason sat on the armchair while Ellie sat between her  \nparents on the couch. Evelyn stroked Ellie's head while they talked, and Ellie leaned against her  \nmother's shoulder. Jason could tell Evelyn was worried. Eli was too though he tried to hide it.  \nJason wished he could assure them that he'd keep Ellie safe, but he knew he couldn't  \nguarantee that. They might be captured again, and if the Duchess knew they'd been warning  \nothers, mightn't she be angry? As much as she'd seemed to grow attached to them during their  \ncaptivity, her affection was nothing he could count on. She was capricious and cruel; she might  \nkill them if she caught them again. That thought made Jason want to reconsider their return.  \nFlora and Pete knew the truth and could warn others. But how can we ask them to take that risk  \nif we won't ourselves? Ultimately, Jason knew Ellie was right: they couldn't hide while prey were  \nin danger, and even if they couldn't count on the Duchess' affection, it was a measure of  \nprotection that neither Flora nor Pete nor anyone else who went against the powerful vixen  \nwould have.  \nThat night, as Jason held Ellie tucked close in the curve of his body while she slept, he  \nconsidered that this could be the last night they were really safe for a long time. This week with  \nher parents had been a reprieve, but tomorrow, they would be back in the Duchess' domain. He  \nhoped she'd have more important things to do than chase after her lost 'pets', but they would  \nnever be truly secure like this again until she was no longer an issue. Will that ever be the case?  \nThe thought disturbed Jason because he wasn't sure he could see a conclusion to their conflict.  \nIf she were censured by the King and put under house arrest, maybe they would be safe, or  \nmaybe she would grow bored of looking for them and find some other way to entertain herself.  \nProbably by murdering prey again. And if she returned to her murderous ways, what could they  \ndo but attempt to expose her as the vicious killer she was? They could never be done with her  \nuntil she was imprisoned or they were. If she wins, will we really end up as her toys forever?  \nJason didn't have answers to these questions, but he knew one thing: he and Ellie would face  \nthese struggles together. He tucked his head over hers and breathed her warm scent. As long  \nas they were together, there was always hope.  \n\\* \\* \\*  \nEllie had set Daisy's alarm clock to go off at seven, so she was only annoyed by the  \npunk rock when it functioned as expected and switched on the radio at the appointed hour.  \nJason yawned behind her, and Ellie nudged her head under his chin.  \n\"Time to get up, kitty.\"  \nJason pushed himself up, and Ellie rolled onto her front to crawl to the end of the bed.  \nJason followed her to the kitchen where her parents were already waiting to see them off.  \n\"I made you some oatmeal, and Eli fixed Jason some of his sausages,\" her mother told  \nher as they entered. \"There's also coffee if you want it.\"  \n\"Thank you,\" Jason replied. \"I hope fixing them wasn't too horrible.\"  \n\"Nothing I couldn't handle,\" her father stated.  \nEllie glanced at her mother whose expression betrayed the dubious veracity of that  \nassertion. Ellie decided it was a nice gesture even if it had probably been unnecessary. She  \nwas glad her father had been so accepting of their relationship even if he likely had his doubts.  \nEven her mother was warming up to Jason. Ellie was a bit sad to be leaving when they were  \nstarting to see her sweet kitty the way she did, but she knew they'd have more opportunities in  \nthe future. The vixen wouldn't catch them again, and they would prove to all the world that she  \nwas a monster! Ellie wouldn't be satisfied until the fox was dragged away in chains, duchess or  \nnot! If enough people knew, even the King couldn't let her go free.  \n\"I don't know what you're going to do with all of the meat that's left,\" Jason remarked  \napologetically.  \n\"We can donate it,\" her father answered. \"It won't go to waste.\"  \nEllie and Jason had their breakfast at the kitchen table. When they were finished, they  \nbrushed their teeth, collected their things, and returned to the table to watch the street in front of  \nthe house. Promptly at eight o'clock, a black SUV pulled up, and Flora hopped out of the driver's  \nside door.  \n\"Flora's here,\" Ellie announced. She slung her new satchel over her shoulder and led the  \nway to the front door, opening it just as Flora pushed the doorbell.  \nFlora gave a little start as the door swung open, \"Oh! Ellie, you startled me! You're ready  \nto go, it looks like.\"  \nEllie nodded. She turned around to hug her parents, who had followed her and Jason to  \nthe door.  \n\"Be careful, Honey,\" her mother murmured thickly as she squeezed Ellie to her chest.  \n\"I will, Mom,\" Ellie promised.  \nHer mother released her and her father took her place. \"You're my brave girl. I know you  \ncan do it,\" he stated confidently.  \nEllie hugged him tightly, knowing that he too was worried. \"I'll be alright, Dad. We'll tell  \nyou all about it after that witch is behind bars.\"  \nJason also hugged her parents, and Ellie was glad to see that her mother didn't seem  \nnervous this time. Finally, they turned back to Flora, who was waiting patiently.  \nFlora smiled at Ellie's parents, \"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. It's been a while.\"  \n\"It has,\" Ellie's mother stated. \"You should have come to visit. We would have loved to  \nhave you.\"  \n\"Maybe next time,\" Flora replied cheerfully. She turned to Ellie, \"I put your seat behind  \nmine so that Jason would have more leg room. I assume that's fine.\"  \n\"Er, yeah, I don't care where I sit,\" Ellie replied, confused.  \nFlora glanced back at Ellie's parents again, \"It was nice to see you. Take care.\"  \n\"You too,\" Ellie's mother replied.  \nFlora turned and trotted back toward the SUV, and Ellie and Jason followed her across  \nthe yard. Jason went around to the passenger's side while Ellie opened the door behind the  \ndriver's. In the seat behind Flora's was a small booster seat, a square base with short handles  \nsticking up on the sides. Ellie hesitated to climb in, eyeing the car seat disconcertedly. On the  \nother side, Jason hopped into his seat and also looked at the booster seat next to him. His eyes  \nmet Ellie's and his whiskers twitched. He quickly turned away with a cough that Ellie suspected  \nwas covering a guffaw.  \nFlora turned around in her seat and regarded Ellie curiously, \"Is something the matter?\"  \nshe asked innocently, too innocently.  \nEllie glared at her, \"I don't need a car seat, Flora!\"  \nFlora's mouth spread in an amused grin, showing off her pearly white fangs. \"Safety first.  \nThe seats weren't made for someone of your stature. Pete doesn't mind his.\"  \nFrom the front passenger's seat where he was indeed sitting higher than he otherwise  \nwould have been, Pete turned to regard Ellie embarrassedly, \"I, er, I tried to convince her not to  \nmake you, but, um,\" he paused and shrugged helplessly. \"Sorry,\" he concluded.  \n\"I'm not sitting in it!\" Ellie declared. \"Put it in the back.\"  \nFlora shook her head. \"How would I explain it to your parents if you were injured in a  \nwreck because I didn't have a proper seat for you? If you're coming with me, you're sitting in  \nyour seat. I went back to the car rental place to get it specially for you.\"  \nJason snorted back a laugh, and Ellie glared at him.  \n\"It's not that big a deal, Ellie. I won't think any less of you,\" he told her strainedly. The  \nfact that he was obviously fighting the urge to burst into laughter didn't make his statement more  \nconvincing.  \nEllie glared at him another second before turning her annoyed visage back on Flora,  \n\"You're really not leaving unless I sit in it?\"  \nFlora shook her head again, \"Safety first,\" she repeated.  \nEllie sighed exasperatedly, climbed up into the booster seat, and pulled the door shut.  \nShe pulled the seatbelt across and clipped it in. It probably did fit across her hips and chest  \nbetter than it would have without the booster, not that Ellie was willing to verbally concede that.  \n\"It seems somehow I've fallen under the paw of another capricious vixen,\" she grumbled.  \nFlora grinned at her in the rearview mirror, \"Good bunny.\" She started the ignition and  \npulled away from the teal house on their way back to Maplesburg.  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"The Murderess of Maplesburg: Reign of Terror","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2018517-chapter-7-bloodbath.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/2018922-chapter-9-interim-governor.json"}}