{"sf1_id":252956,"sf2_id":"dmBxLOA1","title":"Aimless Fate: Chapter 1","author":"FeralFENRIR","words":5292,"posted_at":"2011-05-27T02:59:00.000Z","tags":["Coyote","Death","Fox","Friendship","Husky","Mutt","Red Wolf","Sad","Short Story","Suspense"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/252956-aimless-fate-chapter-1","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/dmBxLOA1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/51/f7/51f71636-3195-4264-b1ed-70be98f98738","description":"#1 of Aimless Fate","content":"\u0026nbsp;\n\nHey guys! Well here it is, my first post! XD \u0026nbsp;After what seems like forever writing the first chapter, its finally done and put up! \u0026nbsp;Hopefully you guys will enjoy it! \u0026nbsp;I went out on a limb with this story, trying to use a normal fur, instead of a soldier or something, and having interesting things happen to him. \u0026nbsp;Feel free to comment and let me know what you think. \u0026nbsp;I would love to hear your thoughts and get better as I write more. \u0026nbsp;:) \u0026nbsp;Hope you enjoy! XD\n\nAlso, a special thanks to my friend invudontseeme: \u0026nbsp;Thank you for being my friend, supporting me in posting my stuff, and putting up with all my questions! :) \\*hugs strongly\\* THANKS!!!\n\n-Feral\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; **Aimless Fate**\n\nChapter 1\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The canine turned in his bed.\u0026nbsp; He yawned, stretching for his phone on the nightstand beside his bed.\u0026nbsp; Pressing a button, the screen lit up.\u0026nbsp; The clock read 1:09 p.m.\u0026nbsp; Sitting up, the canine eased out of his bed and walked to his bathroom.\u0026nbsp; Along the way, he glanced at the few pictures he had framed.\u0026nbsp; His favorite was of himself, with his friends, Mike and Michelle.\u0026nbsp; It had been taken at the nightclub, Underworld, in the nearby city of Clearwater.\u0026nbsp; All three had their arms over each other, sweaty, covered with glowstick fluid, and with drinks in their hands.\u0026nbsp; Stray smiled at himself and his friends.\u0026nbsp; They were all smiling from ear to ear, in the picture.\u0026nbsp; He was the mutt between Mike, the fox, and Michelle, the husky.\u0026nbsp; Stray was actually happy in the picture, not pretending to be, as he usually did.\u0026nbsp; With his two best friends, alcohol, blinding lights, and good music, who wouldn't be?\u0026nbsp; Stray wished everything could be so nice.\u0026nbsp; He missed Michelle.\u0026nbsp; The three had been inseparable throughout school.\u0026nbsp; Even in college they had hung out frequently.\u0026nbsp; Now, Stray hardly saw Michelle.\u0026nbsp; A more recent picture showed her working as a bartender at Underworld.\u0026nbsp; She was spinning a bottle in one hand, while getting ready to pour with the other.\u0026nbsp; Michelle was pretty good, although Stray had no idea where she learned how to do that.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;He smiled remembering that night with his friends, as he went into his bathroom.\u0026nbsp; Looking into the mirror, he stared at his black fur.\u0026nbsp; He stretched, yawning loudly.\u0026nbsp; Running his hand through his hair, he saw his green eyes looking back at him.\u0026nbsp; His gaze was drawn to the white mark across his left eye.\u0026nbsp; A white crescent cut through his solid black fur, like a bright moon over his eye.\u0026nbsp; He sighed, looking over himself.\u0026nbsp; He was a mutt, a mix breed, looking like half coyote and half husky.\u0026nbsp; Stray wasn't even sure what mix he was!\u0026nbsp; His parents had died when he was just a pup.\u0026nbsp; He knew his mother was a husky, but his father. . .\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The canine shook his head, throwing off thoughts of his parents and splashed water on his face.\u0026nbsp; It felt good on his soft fur.\u0026nbsp; He began to dress, finding his clothes.\u0026nbsp; After putting on some torn up jeans and a black tee, the canine picked up his phone.\u0026nbsp; He slipped his keys in his pocket as he touched his friend's name.\u0026nbsp; \"Hello?\" the voice asked.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Mike, what are you doing?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Killing time,\" the voice replied, \"You just wake up, Stray?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yup,\" Stray answered.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Must be nice,\" the voice on the other side said.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey! We don't all have a mansion.\" he laughed.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"It's not a mansion!\" Mike said, \"Just a house.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Better than my apartment,\" the canine muttered.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hush! Are you coming over or what?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'm already down the stairs. Be in the truck in a few, later.\"\u0026nbsp; He hung up his phone, unlocking his truck.\u0026nbsp; Mike was his best friend, and really his adoptive brother.\u0026nbsp; Mike was a fox, from the East.\u0026nbsp; His family came from some desert country across the ocean.\u0026nbsp; Stray wasn't quite sure of the geography, but he knew the general area.\u0026nbsp; He also knew that he had money.\u0026nbsp; The canine wasn't sure how, but he did.\u0026nbsp; They didn't flaunt it, and his house wasn't a mansion, rather a large, nice house like Mike said.\u0026nbsp; The land it was on, however, was outside of town and not cheap.\u0026nbsp; There was also the fact that they had their own bodyguard.\u0026nbsp; Stray didn't worry about it though.\u0026nbsp; Mike's family had basically taken him in.\u0026nbsp; He thought of how he came to know Mike as he drove up his friend's long driveway.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He had been young, only a pup, when his parents were murdered.\u0026nbsp; His father had told him to run, find help, and get away.\u0026nbsp; Stray had listened.\u0026nbsp; Running, terrified and in tears, he fled into the rainy night.\u0026nbsp; He had no idea of what he was going to do.\u0026nbsp; The scared pup ran to the park, which was not far from his home on the outskirts of the city.\u0026nbsp; Stray never looked back, even after hearing the gunshots.\u0026nbsp; The pup ran, the rain soaking his fur, until he reached the park.\u0026nbsp; He finally came to a tree overlooking a small lake.\u0026nbsp; Collapsing, the young canine, cried under the tree. \u0026nbsp;The rain continued falling from the sky. \u0026nbsp;A fox, also taking refuge near the tree, noticed the distressed pup, and came over to him.\u0026nbsp; \"What's wrong?\" He asked, touching the pup's shoulder.\u0026nbsp; Stray flung himself backwards, splashing on the flooded ground, eyes wide at the tall fox in front of him.\u0026nbsp; \"It's ok little one.\" The fox said reaching out.\u0026nbsp; Having no energy to run, Stray had just sat there, cold and shivering in the frigid rain.\u0026nbsp; \"Come with me,\" the fox said, covering Stray with his jacket, \"Let's get out of the rain.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The fox had taken Stray to his place and Stray told him everything- everything but his name.\u0026nbsp; The frightened pup was afraid to let the fox know it.\u0026nbsp; The fox was named Sean, and he was Mike's bodyguard. He would later tell Stray that the tree overlooking the lake was his special place, where he went to think.\u0026nbsp; His fur was so light; it was almost white, instead of tan.\u0026nbsp; He gave the canine his new name, \"Stray\", when the pup refused to tell him his real name.\u0026nbsp; Years later, Stray chose to forget his real name, linking it with the loss of his parents. Stray became his permanent name. \u0026nbsp;Soon, he was adopted by Sean, and he and Mike became friends.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Stray smiled at how his life had been changed.\u0026nbsp; The furs who murdered Stray's parents were never found, but Sean had convinced him to let it go.\u0026nbsp; He had taught Stray about karma, and to let fate deal with certain things.\u0026nbsp; 'Look at what I have now,' Stray thought as he turned the truck's engine off and stepped out.\u0026nbsp; His boots crunched on the gravel, as he walked to the front door of Mike's house.\u0026nbsp; It was nice, large enough to be comfortable, yet small enough to be homely.\u0026nbsp; A large lawn surrounded the house, with woods bordering the property.\u0026nbsp; Stray remembered he and Mike had been scolded for running into them when they were younger. It was a nice place; he thought, away from the city.\u0026nbsp; It was a peaceful retreat.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Mike opened the door.\u0026nbsp; \"About damn time you got here!\" he said playfully, hitting Stray lightly as he stepped inside.\u0026nbsp; Mike was a brown fox, thin with black tattoos over his arms and shoulders.\u0026nbsp; The tattoos twisted and curved around, like artistic vines, with runes interspersed within them.\u0026nbsp; They were tribal and represented things in the foxes' culture, such as luck and wisdom, Mike had stated.\u0026nbsp; He wore a black tank top, showing off his tattoos.\u0026nbsp; The neck was cut low, allowing Mike's hourglass necklace to be seen.\u0026nbsp; He never took it off, for any reason.\u0026nbsp; It was some sort of family heirloom, or something Stray remembered.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Traffic,\" Stray shrugged, jumping at his friend and making him flinch.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Whatever, you just don't want to get dominated on Xbox!\" Mike jeered.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No crying when you lose, pup.\" Stray retorted.\u0026nbsp; As they made their way to the game room, they met Sean in the hallway.\u0026nbsp; \"Hello, Sean.\"\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Sean nodded, looking at Stray with his dark eyes.\u0026nbsp; He passed the friends and walked off.\u0026nbsp; When Stray looked back, the light fox had disappeared, a habit of his. \u0026nbsp;Sean had always been mysterious and would vanish occasionally.\u0026nbsp; Stray had lived with the bodyguard until he was old enough to look after himself.\u0026nbsp; Sean was a quiet fox.\u0026nbsp; He never really said much and it bothered Stray sometimes.\u0026nbsp; He was always doing something though.\u0026nbsp; If he wasn't working out, he was reading, or sleeping. He may not have spoken much, but he thought plenty, his deep eyes masking his thoughts.\u0026nbsp; Stray looked up to Sean, however.\u0026nbsp; The fox was pretty much his father and Stray had grown up thinking he was invincible, that he could protect him and his new family from anything.\u0026nbsp; Stray still somewhat believed that to this day.\u0026nbsp; He never got use to his disappearing act however.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Stray shook it out of his mind; he had a game to win.\u0026nbsp; \"Where's my controller?\u0026nbsp; I can't use those smooth sticks, you seem to like.\"\u0026nbsp; The black canine asked, sitting in his chair.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Here it is, douche bag.\u0026nbsp; Now, stop whining.\"\u0026nbsp; Mike said, handing his friend the controller.\u0026nbsp; \"What are we playing first?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Stray thought for a moment, \"How about that failure of a shooter everybody plays?\u0026nbsp; I need to rank up for my new gun anyways.\"\u0026nbsp; The fox turned the system on, and started the game.\u0026nbsp; Minutes later, the room was filled with gunshots, explosions, and obscenities.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"That's right! Sit down!\"\u0026nbsp; Stray yelled jumping out of his comfy chair.\u0026nbsp; Returning to his chair, he let out a high pitched scream as another player shot his character.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Laughing, Mike called out to his friend, \"That wouldn't happen if you didn't suck!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Shut up! Look at the board. I'm sorry, who's at the top?\"\u0026nbsp; Stray almost choked on his drink when Mike jumped up with a loud curse, and almost spiked his controller into the floor.\u0026nbsp; \"Who sucks now, noob?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Want me to kick your ass?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Please, I'd love that.\"\u0026nbsp; The canine smirked.\u0026nbsp; The two friends played for most of the afternoon.\u0026nbsp; They stopped to eat, after Stray almost broke a controller when one of their online matches lagged out.\u0026nbsp; Mike had some burgers that they grilled.\u0026nbsp; The fox threatened to stab his friend, when the canine acted like he was going to trip him in the kitchen.\u0026nbsp; He retaliated by shaking Stray's soda can when he wasn't looking.\u0026nbsp; He howled with laughter when the can spewed, spraying the canine with sticky fluid.\u0026nbsp; After Stray cleaned up, and hit Mike with a well aimed empty can, the two returned to their game room.\u0026nbsp; Instead of playing video games however, they decided to listen to music.\u0026nbsp; Mike pressed a button on his remote, and the surround sound filled the room with music.\u0026nbsp; The friends talked as they listened to metal and dubstep.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Stray spent the whole day with his friend, hanging out and not worrying about anything.\u0026nbsp; This was his and Mike's routine, ever since they were pups.\u0026nbsp; They did everything together.\u0026nbsp; Stray couldn't have asked for a better friend.\u0026nbsp; When he had been picked on in school for being different, Mike had stood up for him.\u0026nbsp; One day, some kid had been teasing Stray, calling him a mutt.\u0026nbsp; The pup kept saying Stray didn't belong, that he was different.\u0026nbsp; Mike had stepped in and, without hesitation, punched the kid.\u0026nbsp; Stray had never seen the shy fox do anything like that. It was usually the other way around, with him holding Stray back.\u0026nbsp; After the pup had run off, Mike hugged his friend.\u0026nbsp; Then he had told Stray that even though he was different, he was his brother.\u0026nbsp; It was the first time Stray had felt accepted.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;It was a great day.\u0026nbsp; First, the pair had played Xbox, filling the house with their raucous laughter and yelling.\u0026nbsp; Then, they had grilled burgers for dinner, eating until they could barely move.\u0026nbsp; Finally, they had put on the radio, listening to metal and dubstep, and talked about whatever came to mind.\u0026nbsp; After hours off relaxing and enjoying the day, Stray finally decided to leave. \u0026nbsp;He wished every day could be just as good, but it was the weekend, and come Monday, back to work.\u0026nbsp; \"Well, I guess I'll see you later.\" Mike said, walking Stray outside.\u0026nbsp; The sun was just sinking over the horizon, making the sky orange.\u0026nbsp; Stray's keys jingled as he swirled them around his finger.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, you better be ready for our next game though, that was just sorry!\" Stray taunted, smiling.\u0026nbsp; He opened his truck door.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You got lucky!\" The fox said, laughing and giving him the finger, \"and I still think the singer from Dearly Beloved is hotter than the bassist from Wolves of Eventide!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Whatever!\" Stray laughed, cranking his truck and heading towards home.\u0026nbsp; He chuckled to himself, glad he and Mike were friends, and imagining the hot, she-wolf bassist from his favorite band.\u0026nbsp; Stray didn't make many friends, but the ones he did, he kept for life and would do anything for them.\u0026nbsp; The drive back to his apartment was uneventful, just listening to metal while the city lit up for the night.\u0026nbsp; While the nocturnal city population woke up, Stray concentrated on what he would do for the rest of the night.\u0026nbsp; He had the morning off from work, so he could stay up a little later tonight.\u0026nbsp; The tired canine could prop up in his worn out couch, fix him some Long Island Tea, and watch movies or read until he fell asleep.\u0026nbsp; Sighing, Stray realized his life wasn't much, but he was content.\u0026nbsp; The bills got paid, he was free to do whatever he wanted, and nobody bothered him for the most part.\u0026nbsp; 'Although a female companion would be nice.' He thought, feeling kind of lonely.\u0026nbsp; Stray didn't date often.\u0026nbsp; In fact, he didn't interact with others if he could help it.\u0026nbsp; He was just happier alone, something most people couldn't understand.\u0026nbsp; The canine cast the thought away, arriving at his apartment.\u0026nbsp; Leaving his truck and heading up the stairs, he headed to his door.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The key slid into the lock and Stray twisted, unlocking his door.\u0026nbsp; Stepping inside his dark apartment, he slid his keys in his left pocket, shut the door, and hit the lights.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hello,\" a voice said.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Shit!\" was all Stray could manage, seeing a large, red wolf stretched out on his couch.\u0026nbsp; The wolf was smiling, looking directly into Stray's eyes.\u0026nbsp; In the wolf's paw, was a pistol, pointed at Stray.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Don't do anything stupid and you might live,\" the wolf said, still smiling.\u0026nbsp; Another wolf stepped beside Stray, holding a knife.\u0026nbsp; Stray's heart pounded and his blood ran cold.\u0026nbsp; He was beginning to shake.\u0026nbsp; Looking around his apartment, he noticed it had been trashed.\u0026nbsp; There was also a third wolf standing in his bedroom door.\u0026nbsp; \"Here, why don't you sit down?\" the wolf with the gun asked, motioning for Stray to sit beside him.\u0026nbsp; Stray walked towards him, having no choice, trying to keep his composure.\u0026nbsp; His thoughts swirled, trying to find a way out of this.\u0026nbsp; He sat, eyes locked with the wolf.\u0026nbsp; \"You look tense.\" the wolf commented, laughing, as his friends laughed with him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What do you want?\" Stray growled.\u0026nbsp; The wolf with the knife stood beside him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, we want you,\" said the wolf, matter-of-factly.\u0026nbsp; The wolf beside Stray pulled an elastic band from his pocket and slid it up Stray's arm, tying it tightly.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Why?\" Stray asked, trying not to show his fear.\u0026nbsp; He fought to keep his breathing steady and his body from shaking.\u0026nbsp; The wolf holding the gun never stopped smiling.\u0026nbsp; He leaned closer to Stray, giving him a good view of the gun.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Let us worry about that,\" the wolf smiled, \"is he ready?\" the wolf asked his companion.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yes.\" His companion answered, placing a syringe at Stray's bulging vein.\u0026nbsp; \"Night, night, pup!\" he growled, forcing the clear liquid into Stray.\u0026nbsp; Stray felt his heartbeat begin to slow as his vision faded.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\\*\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Stray could hear his own breathing.\u0026nbsp; He opened his eyes and strained to see.\u0026nbsp; Darkness was everywhere.\u0026nbsp; Something tickled Stray's face.\u0026nbsp; He realized it was carpet, old, musty carpet.\u0026nbsp; With a soft groan, Stray tried to push himself up.\u0026nbsp; Something rolled him over and a gun was placed inches from his muzzle.\u0026nbsp; \"Finally awake?\" a voice asked.\u0026nbsp; Stray gritted his teeth; knowing it was the smiling wolf, and remembering his predicament.\u0026nbsp; \"Good. Here's the plan, mutt.\u0026nbsp; We know you're close to the light fox, the family bodyguard.\u0026nbsp; You are going to call him and give him the routine, 'I'm being held hostage, do as they say or I die bullshit'.\u0026nbsp; Tell him to go to your apartment, unarmed.\u0026nbsp; Tell him to surrender to my guys.\u0026nbsp; If he does, he will be unharmed.\u0026nbsp; You will live, too.\u0026nbsp; After that, my friend with the knife is going to stay here with you, while we go inside your friend's house and kill him and his family.\u0026nbsp; Be a good pup and listen to us and you will live, I promise.\" The wolf said, teeth gleaming in the dim light.\u0026nbsp; Stray started shaking.\u0026nbsp; Mike, his brother, was in danger.\u0026nbsp; Sean couldn't help because of Stray.\u0026nbsp; Stray's stomach knotted.\u0026nbsp; He realized that _he_ was the reason his family was helpless.\u0026nbsp; No! They couldn't die because of him!\u0026nbsp; He wouldn't let that happen.\u0026nbsp; \"What do you say?\" the wolf asked, staring into Stray's eyes with his cold, golden eyes.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Fuck you!\" Stray spat, with every ounce of bravado he had.\u0026nbsp; The smiling wolf growled, kicking Stray hard in his ribs.\u0026nbsp; As he doubled over, trying to breathe, the wolf jammed the gun to his cheek, pushing his face into the floor.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Look you little bitch!\" he growled, fangs showing, \"You _will_ make the call.\"\u0026nbsp; The wolf reached up and slammed the butt of the handgun under Stray's ribs.\u0026nbsp; Stray felt the air leave his lungs, not able to make a sound.\u0026nbsp; \"Next time you defy me, my friend cuts you.\u0026nbsp; Understand?\u0026nbsp; Piss me off and I may just take you in with us and make you watch as we kill your friend.\"\u0026nbsp; Stray focused on breathing again, not the pain in his chest- or the fact that he was in Hell currently.\u0026nbsp; The smiling wolf watched as Stray lay, unable to move.\u0026nbsp; He took a cell phone from his jacket pocket and gave it to Stray.\u0026nbsp; Stray noticed it was his and, despite the events of tonight, the screen wasn't cracked.\u0026nbsp; \"Call the fox.\"\u0026nbsp; The smiling wolf commanded.\u0026nbsp; Stray managed to sit up.\u0026nbsp; It was hard to find Sean's name with his hands shaking so much.\u0026nbsp; He finally pulled the name up.\u0026nbsp; Stray just stared for a moment.\u0026nbsp; He was about to seal his family's fate.\u0026nbsp; After pressing this name, it was over.\u0026nbsp; They would die.\u0026nbsp; Stray's mind frantically searched for an escape, _any_ escape, but there wasn't one.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hurry up!\" the smiling wolf growled, threatening another blow to Stray.\u0026nbsp; Stray felt a knot in his throat.\u0026nbsp; He closed his eyes, letting a tear roll down his cheek.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'm sorry.\"\u0026nbsp; He whispered, pressing Sean's name.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Sean answered on the fourth ring.\u0026nbsp; \"Hello?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sean listen, I've been kidnapped.\u0026nbsp; Go to my apartment.\u0026nbsp; Go unarmed, alone, and surrender to the guys there.\u0026nbsp; If you do as they say, neither of us will die tonight.\"\u0026nbsp; There was silence.\u0026nbsp; Stray's heartbeats counted the seconds.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Stray-\" Sean started.\u0026nbsp; The smiling wolf yanked the phone away and hung up.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, that's that, let's go.\"\u0026nbsp; With that, he popped open the doors on the other side of the space.\u0026nbsp; Stray realized they had been inside a van the whole time.\u0026nbsp; The smiling wolf and another wolf got out, shutting the doors behind them.\u0026nbsp; Stray was left alone in the darkness, with the wolf holding the knife.\u0026nbsp; The wolf sat opposite Stray, playing with his knife.\u0026nbsp; While Stray sat there, something clicked into place in his mind.\u0026nbsp; They were in a van.\u0026nbsp; The smiling wolf and his partner were _walking_ to Mike's house.\u0026nbsp; That meant they were near!\u0026nbsp; Stray's heart lifted.\u0026nbsp; If he could escape, he could warn them!\u0026nbsp; One problem stood in his way - the wolf with the knife.\u0026nbsp; Stray's heart pounded and his breathing picked up.\u0026nbsp; He didn't have much time.\u0026nbsp; If he could move quick, knock the knife away, he'd have a chance.\u0026nbsp; Stray took a breath to steady himself.\u0026nbsp; He had one chance at this, if he failed, it was over.\u0026nbsp; He locked eyes with the wolf, keeping the knife in his peripheral vision.\u0026nbsp; The wolf just sat there, with a smirk, the knife in his hand.\u0026nbsp; When Stray focused his eyes on him, he leaned back, moving his hand- and the knife, to the side.\u0026nbsp;\n\n_\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;There!_\u0026nbsp; Without thinking, Stray kicked as hard as he could at the wolf's wrist.\u0026nbsp; His boot slammed it into the wall of the van with a loud _Thunk!_\u0026nbsp; Stray thought he felt bone snap.\u0026nbsp; As the wolf howled in pain, the knife fell from his hand.\u0026nbsp; Stray leapt forward, one hand curled into a fist aimed at the wolf's throat, the other grabbing for the dropped knife.\u0026nbsp; The wolf saw Stray coming, but Stray was too quick.\u0026nbsp; His punch landed in the wolf's throat.\u0026nbsp; The wolf fell over, retching, as Stray grabbed the knife.\u0026nbsp; With one last look at the wolf, struggling to get up, he slashed the knife across the wolf's throat.\u0026nbsp; Blood sprayed over the van's floor.\u0026nbsp; Stray stood, catching his breath.\u0026nbsp; He had just taken a life.\u0026nbsp; He had just knowingly killed someone else.\u0026nbsp; The wolf's eyes stared at him, as his blood poured from his neck. Stray's hands were shaking uncontrollably, and his heart felt like it would burst.\u0026nbsp; Shaking his head violently, Stray forced himself to forget about it for the moment.\u0026nbsp; 'Can't dwell on it, Mike's in danger!'He thought.\u0026nbsp; Opening the van's doors, he jumped out.\u0026nbsp; Looking around, Stray saw trees everywhere.\u0026nbsp; They had to be in the woods near Mikes' house.\u0026nbsp; The bastards had snuck in to get a quick entry and a quick get-away.\u0026nbsp; Now, Stray had to find Mike's house.\u0026nbsp; Glancing around, Stray noticed there were lights coming through some of the trees.\u0026nbsp; Stray sprinted in that direction.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Stray ran.\u0026nbsp; He crashed through the woods clumsily.\u0026nbsp; He didn't care. He had to reach Mike.\u0026nbsp; Stray's foot caught on a root and he fell.\u0026nbsp; Cursing, he pushed himself up and regained his momentum.\u0026nbsp; Branches clawed at his face and arms.\u0026nbsp; He did not care.\u0026nbsp; He had to reach Mike before it was too late.\u0026nbsp; Looking ahead Stray could see the house now, just through the next trees- _Bang!_ The sound echoed through the woods, sending birds to the night sky in every direction.\u0026nbsp; Stray nearly fell again, stopping in his tracks.\u0026nbsp; 'No, no, NO!' His thoughts screamed.\u0026nbsp; He ran again, as fast as he could.\u0026nbsp; Stray made it to Mike's lawn.\u0026nbsp; The front door had been kicked open, so he made for it.\u0026nbsp; Stray panted, he was halfway to the door- _Bang! Bang!_ Two more shots.\u0026nbsp; \"_Fuck!_\" Stray breathed, reaching the door.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The house was quiet.\u0026nbsp; Every light was on.\u0026nbsp; It was still, as if the house was empty.\u0026nbsp; 'If only it was- 'Stray thought.\u0026nbsp; It was like the gunshots had taken all the sound from the area.\u0026nbsp; Stray couldn't even hear his own panicked breathing.\u0026nbsp; His mind raced, trying to decide what to do.\u0026nbsp; It ran through the situation in less than a second.\u0026nbsp; 'The two wolves were here, still in the house.\u0026nbsp; Mike and his parents were most likely dead.\u0026nbsp; All I have is a knife- against two wolves with handguns'.\u0026nbsp; Stray didn't like the facts, but they were true.\u0026nbsp; He had failed- his family- his best friend- both were dead.\u0026nbsp; It was his fault.\u0026nbsp; Now- now the bastards were going to pay.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Stray slowly moved through the foyer, knife clutched in his hand.\u0026nbsp; Surprisingly, he was calm.\u0026nbsp; Nothing mattered now.\u0026nbsp; He was going to kill these bastards.\u0026nbsp; If not, they would kill him.\u0026nbsp; It didn't matter to Stray, either way; he knew what he was doing.\u0026nbsp; Suddenly, there was the sound of something breaking upstairs.\u0026nbsp; Stray focused his breathing, and crept up the stairs toward the sound.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Come on, let's go!\" A voice urged.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Shut up!\" the other growled, and Stray knew instantly who it was, \"We have time.\u0026nbsp; The mutt is still in the woods.\u0026nbsp; No one is coming.\u0026nbsp; Let's take what we can find before we kill him and leave.\"\u0026nbsp; The wolves were in the master bedroom.\u0026nbsp; Stray knew he could slip in the study, located before the bedroom, and not be seen. \u0026nbsp;He quickly snuck in the room, glimpsing the intruders, from a crack he left in the door.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"I'm going downstairs to look.\" The third wolf said, walking towards the stairs.\u0026nbsp; Stray had another wild idea.\u0026nbsp; Hell, it had to work, otherwise he was screwed. The wolf casually walked towards the stairs, getting nearer to the study.\u0026nbsp; 'Here we go',Stray breathed, 'now or never.'\u0026nbsp;Stray burst out of the study, right in front of the red wolf.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"What the-\", was all he said, before Stray grabbed the hand with the gun and twisted it behind the wolf's back.\u0026nbsp; Turning him to face the bedroom, Stray put the knife to the wolf's throat.\u0026nbsp; He glared at the smiling wolf.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Well well, this is unexpected!\" the wolf said with his sickening smile.\u0026nbsp; Stepping into full view of Stray, he looked at his partner, held by Stray. \"That's cute, you taking a hostage.\u0026nbsp; Do you want my gun?\" he smiled, offering the gun to Stray.\u0026nbsp; Minutes passed, as the two canines stood opposite each other.\u0026nbsp; Deciding he had waited enough, the wolf raised the gun with his cruel smile, \"Too bad, I don't care about him.\"\u0026nbsp; With that, there was a loud _Bang!_ and Stray's hostage cried out.\u0026nbsp; Stray's eyes were wide, as his hostage's lifeless body slid to the ground.\u0026nbsp; The wolf laughed.\u0026nbsp; \"Now what, mix-breed?\u0026nbsp; You're plan is ruined.\u0026nbsp; If you give up, I'll execute you like I did your friend.\u0026nbsp; Quick and painless.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Fury flooded Stray.\u0026nbsp; He wasn't sure what happened next.\u0026nbsp; He only knew that he had picked up the gun from the dead wolf and had leaped over the banister.\u0026nbsp; His boots hit the floor hard and he tucked into a roll, running for the kitchen.\u0026nbsp; The smiling wolf howled with laughter.\u0026nbsp; \"Run! Run little puppy!\u0026nbsp; You have nowhere to go!\u0026nbsp; I'll catch you, and when I do, you'll suffer, I promise.\"\u0026nbsp; The wolf made his way down the stairs, casually strolling to the kitchen.\u0026nbsp; Stray was taking cover behind the counter, praying he wasn't about to die.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The wolf stepped into the kitchen.\u0026nbsp; \"Hungry?\u0026nbsp; I hope you like whatever you're eating because it's your last meal pup!\"\u0026nbsp; Stray took a breath, readying the gun.\u0026nbsp; He could tell where the wolf was from his voice.\u0026nbsp; Once he broke cover, he had to be quick and accurate. 'Here goes nothing!'Stray thought, standing up.\u0026nbsp; It happened in slow motion.\u0026nbsp; Stray stood, looking at the wolf.\u0026nbsp; Their eyes locked.\u0026nbsp; Stray put the sights on the wolf, as the wolf's gun drifted towards him.\u0026nbsp; Stray squeezed the trigger.\u0026nbsp; Gunshots exploded in the room.\u0026nbsp; For a brief second, chaos erupted in the small room, and then the silence returned.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Stray stood, shaking immensely.\u0026nbsp; There was a sharp pain in his left shoulder.\u0026nbsp; Stray looked and saw blood soaking his shirt and running down his arm. \u0026nbsp;It felt like it was on fire.\u0026nbsp; Ignoring the pain, Stray made his way to where the wolf had stood.\u0026nbsp; The wolf lay on the floor, panting.\u0026nbsp; Blood was collecting on the floor.\u0026nbsp; Three holes were in the wolf's left chest.\u0026nbsp; He looked up at Stray, moving his right arm, the gun still in his hand.\u0026nbsp; Stray put his foot on the wolf's wrist.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The wolf _still_ smiled.\u0026nbsp; \"You-\" he coughed, \"You don't have the balls-\"\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Stray looked dead into the wolf's golden eyes, pure hatred filling his vision.\u0026nbsp; He brought the sights on the wolf's face.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \"Fuck- you!\"\u0026nbsp; Stray pulled the trigger.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Stray dropped the gun.\u0026nbsp; It was hard for him to breathe.\u0026nbsp; Pain burned in his arm where he had been shot.\u0026nbsp; The smiling wolf, the one who had started this nightmare, was dead.\u0026nbsp; None of that mattered.\u0026nbsp; Mike was dead.\u0026nbsp; Mike's parents were dead.\u0026nbsp; Stray's family was dead.\u0026nbsp; The worst part was that this was the second time it had happened.\u0026nbsp; Almost 20 years after losing his biological parents, he had lost his adoptive ones, too.\u0026nbsp; Stray closed his eyes, failing to hold back his tears.\u0026nbsp; He collapsed, sobbing.\u0026nbsp; When he could open his eyes again, he noticed something the wolf was wearing.\u0026nbsp; A gold hourglass, with two diamonds for the glass, on a gold chain was around his neck.\u0026nbsp; Stray crawled to the wolf.\u0026nbsp; He took the hourglass in his hand.\u0026nbsp; \"This doesn't belong to you, bitch.\" He growled, as he removed the necklace.\u0026nbsp; Standing up, he placed the necklace around his own neck.\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Stray searched the house for his friend's body.\u0026nbsp; Opening the doors to the living room, he found it.\u0026nbsp; Mike's body laid face up, staring at the ceiling.\u0026nbsp; His parents' bodies were in front of him, together.\u0026nbsp; Stray stepped over to his friend- his brother.\u0026nbsp; Kneeling, he saw the hole between his eyes.\u0026nbsp; Stray screamed at the ceiling, fresh tears flowing from his eyes.\u0026nbsp; He screamed for what felt like forever, howling until he was hoarse.\u0026nbsp; Why did Fate hate him?\u0026nbsp; Why did it torture him?\u0026nbsp; What had he done to deserve any of this?\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Stray screamed at the sky.\u0026nbsp; Wailing, he continued, cursing Fate and Karma.\u0026nbsp; When he was finally spent, he looked at his friend's lifeless eyes.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm sorry.\" He cried, \"I'm sorry I got you killed.\u0026nbsp; Sorry I couldn't save you.\u0026nbsp; Sorry for everything.\u0026nbsp; I never deserved you and your family.\u0026nbsp; I'm so sorry.\"\u0026nbsp; Stray closed Mike's eyes.\u0026nbsp; He made his way to Mike's parents, doing the same.\u0026nbsp; Finding enough strength to move, Stray decided he needed to get away from here.\u0026nbsp; He needed to leave and never come back.\u0026nbsp; He wanted to forget this nightmare ever happened.\u0026nbsp; Stray went to the garage.\u0026nbsp; Turning on the lights, he grabbed the keys to Mike's Corvette.\u0026nbsp; Stray yanked its door open and cranked it.\u0026nbsp; The engine roared.\u0026nbsp; Backing out of the garage, Stray turned towards the driveway.\u0026nbsp; For a few minutes, the only sound was the metal on the stereo and Stray's breathing.\u0026nbsp; Where was he going to go? He couldn't go to his place to get anything, and Sean- Sean was probably dead already.\u0026nbsp; Stray gripped the steering wheel and yelled.\u0026nbsp; He'd figure something out later, but now, he needed to get away.\u0026nbsp; Stray threw the car into gear, let off the clutch, and hit the gas.\u0026nbsp; Rocks flew behind the car as Stray sped out of the driveway, and into the night.\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Aimless Fate","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/257990-aimless-fate-chapter-2.json"}}