FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Pax and Russet were sprawled on the pull-out couch in the abandoned Horndogs' clubhouse up in the mountains overlooking the desert to the east, and on a clear day, you might even be able to make out a hint of the coast on the horizon to the west.

Sam strode quietly out the back door, boots creaking on the weathered old floorboards. He paused to reflect, Thoughts of one or two of the parties he'd made it to up here. He was proud of his time in the club, and flew its colors still, but membership had been in steady decline, much like the cabin which had so graciously offered it's shelter to two non club members.

His hands moved across the mantlepeice and touched the head of a small wooden figurine glued there.

"Thanks Frank. They're here under my aegis. They are friends.." Sam mumbled quietly under his breath. He gave a whistful sigh, an old club tradition he still kept.

Sam picked up the manilla envelope, smeared with a little sweat and grime in places, tucked up against Pax's belly for the ride up the mountains. The old bull moved onto the old, weathered, deck outside, and gently put one of the Dobe's Cigarillos in his mouth. Flicking open his zippo, he lit it, and took a long and steady drag as he opened the envelope.

Inside were a photocopy of locations and times for a meeting going down between a couple of shipping and construction firms. Likely fronts given the associates of the goon Pax had to work over to acquire these documents. The location was a place about sixty miles out from San Destro.

That was all Sam needed to know. He tilted his head back, and took another long drag, staring up at the moon and the stars through the long-needled pines.

He spoke quietly to the wind. But seriously, and honestly. Choosing in this moment to believe that it would carry the words to their destination, having stolen others so many times on the road.

"Some day, when this is all over.

We'll ride by the sea, you and I.

Amid a family of the friends and lovers we chose, and that chose us in turn.

A strand of Oaks, growing old together. shaped by the wind in our hair, and the sun on our faces.

Even though right now, it is dark, and cold, and we cannot see the way, so all we can trust in is what little light we throw in front of us,

I swear to you:

We will watch the sun rise among clouds the color of wisteria.

And I swear to you: you will have reason to smile, again."

Sam took another long drag, down to his gloved fingertips, before dropping the but in an empty beer can. The old bull sighed, and his hand gripped the railing of the deck. Steadying himself. Plans will have to wait till morning. Right now, he needed sleep, and he'd be no good to anyone dog-tired come morning. He put the papers back in the envelope, and closed it, walking back inside as quietly as possible in his gear, and slowly sprawled out on one of the cots they had brought.

As he laid there, slowly letting sleep take him after a very busy, very tense day. All he could think of, is how empty his grasp felt. And the doubts and insecurities that slowly nipped at his heels, felt more close than they had in a long long time. But this only made his way forward more clear. But for now, he had to bear the emptiness. The separation. The rage, bubbling inside him would need to be spent in measured, focused, bursts on the journey ahead, and this was no time to-

"Hey Sam..." came Pax's soft whisper, the Bull shifted a little quicker than he would have liked.

"MMhm?" He mumbled to the mouse.

"We've got your back, and we'll all bring him home. Together." Pax said, leaning off the side of the couch to pat the bulls' leather clad shoulder. "Like that." finished the mouse.

"Like that." Sam replied, and closed his eyes, and drifted into a dreamless healing sleep.