FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 2:

WNC data entry: D23-002.

Employee# P64-81F

Name: Lochlann Fitzpatrick

Assignment: Job Order#R7812

Location: The Crossing Lake in Umbra (I’ll explain to the Project Manager when I get back to the office)

_Day 9: _

Right now there is no connection to the office. My satellite phone is fully charged, but there is no signal. The laptop is functioning. Even though I cannot establish a connection, I’ll continue my data logs for prosterity.

The anomaly outside the cave was an old woman(?). She provided me with food and shelter. I did not provide compensation. There is no update on the expense report.

I lost track of the elephant herd. But I have observed several other groups of native wildlife. Their behavior is strange, as all of them are traveling in the same direction; seemingly in unison. I have taken a total of 234 photos of this behavior. Please note, there are more anomalies within the herd. Please note photo #PL203456. You’ll notice a group of African painted dogs walking upright, and if you zoom in, you’ll notice field mice riding on their shoulders. Please review the photos #PL203800-897. There seems to be various mammals riding on the backs of Zebras. Note some of these Zebras have harnesses. The last few photos from this group also show a few Zebras pulling a carriage. Please forward this to the marketing department. We may have something that could get major ratings at the WNC.

I’m logging off now. I’ll provide more information when I can.

Packing up my laptop, I looked back at the Crossing Lake. The water was just as still as it was twenty minutes ago. I didn’t include my experience of being pushed into the lake by Ok’wana in my log report. I heard her say, “His name is Rafiki,” as I fell backwards into the lake. My initial thought was, "oh crap, the purchasing department's gonna kill me for destroying their equipment.”

But once my body pierced the surface of the glassy water, there was no splash. No cold moisture. In fact, I didn’t feel a thing. Just a sudden shift in gravity and some crazy vertigo. After I passed through the surface, the feeling of falling down instantly became falling up, as if I was being thrown upwards to the lakeside shore.

Not a drop of water on me. Just me, face-first in the dirt.

Yeah. I wasn’t putting that in the report. I would be designated to the company’s therapist. I hated him. After my wife died, I was assigned to have sessions with him on my lunch break. All he did was try to relate his experience of grief to mine. Really? You lost your fish. You didn’t scratch the surface of grief.

I packed up my camera. These photos are going to be invaluable to WNC. My pay rate for this particular assignment is going to increase dramatically. I couldn’t wait to get more photos.

I sat and observed all of the wildlife moving south. Yeah. All of it. All of the wildlife in the region was moving south. Wildfires in the plains could really cause chaos, but the way these animals moved seemed... deliberate. They were moving towards something. Not away from it.

I examined my surroundings. I needed to find Ok’wana’s brother. Uh, what was his name again? Ranini? Rakiki? No mandrill was in sight. I really needed to get the message across so I could get home. I couldn't miss my flight.

“Rakiki!” I yelled out.

Nobody answered.

The second time I yelled it out, someone behind me spoke up, “You mean Rafiki?”

I turned to face what looked like a shorter human. Maybe four feet tall.

I completely forgot where I was, so I casually answered back in the local dialect, “Yes. Rafiki. I was told he was...” I paused in my speech.

I was startled by the details I hadn't noticed before. The speaker was not human, but rather… a jackal. That is what its head looked like at least. In fact, the markings proved to me it was a black-backed jackal specifically. They stood up after filling their drinking bladder from the lake I just crossed through. They took a swig, wiped their muzzle, and walked up to me. I noticed they had been wearing a combination of figure-fitting cloth and leather, decorated with beads and shells.

“You’re looking for Rafiki?” they asked.

The dialect was similar to the village I was in not a week before.

“You’re in luck. He’s going to be performing the royal ceremony at Pride Rock. The prince, and our future king, has been born. So, I’m afraid he’ll be a bit indisposed for the time being."

I continued listening intently.

"He’s going to be very-” this time they paused to look up at me, "you're... different."

They pulled at my vest and touched my bare arm, “Hairless ape. I have not seen your kind. Your hue is quite extraordinary. Where is the rest of your tribe?” They looked around inquisitively. “We’d love to be introduced to your elders.” They put a hand just below their neckline as if it was a salute, “By the way, my name is Crix.”

I scratched the back of my head, “I, uh…I’m here on my own. I just need to get to Rafiki. I don’t have much time.”

“Walk with me,” Crix said, “I have to catch up to my family. They are just ahead.”

I looked back at the lake. Was Ok’wana waiting at the other end? Would I get what she needed? I had second thoughts, and figured I should just jump back in and head home. Forget all of this. After a long exhale, I turned back south, and headed towards the human-looking jackal.

“How long is this ceremony?” I asked as I caught up to the creature.

Crix looked up at me, “I don’t know. This is my first one. All I know is that Rafiki himself will be presenting the new prince. For all of the kingdom to see.”

Crix closed their eyes and smiled, “It is going to be such an honor to witness this moment.”

We crested a hill, and just beyond was a village. It was a decent size. The huts seemed to be constructed well, with some rising higher than others and featuring more than a single floor. They all seemed to be surrounding a series of shaped boulders protruding from the ground, creating a fortress-like structure. This towering monolith was massive.

I stopped in my tracks and removed my camera from the backpack. I snapped several pictures.

The jackal looked back at me, “What is that you're holding?”

“I’m just documenting for my boss," I replied.

Then I remembered that some cultures around the world abolished photos of their communities, and thought I might be breaking a rule.

I decided to ask for permission, “Would it be okay to take photos of this ceremony?”

Crix shrugged their shoulders, “I’m sure there are plenty of things to take at Pride Rock. I haven’t heard of "fotes" before. But I’m sure the market might have something similar.”

I was reminded again that I was not in my own world. There seemed to be a level of advanced culture, but probably a lack of modern technology I was so familiar with. I didn’t comment.

I walked onward, letting the jackal catch up to their family. As I looked around, I noticed several familiar animal species. If it weren’t for half of them walking upright or wearing various leather and cloth-based outfits, I wouldn’t have felt so uneasy. The funny thing was, most of them didn’t pay attention to me. A pack of gazelles walked past me on all fours. Nothing out of the ordinary, except that a few of them were having conversations in the same dialect as the jackal. I snapped a few photos.

A family of cheetas walking upright strode past me. I noticed the litter of young cheetas watching me intently. I stole a few photos of them as well.

The herds of animals and I marched into the village. I got a closer look at the huts and their inhabitants. If the jackal was any indication of prosperity by what they had been wearing, this village must've been considered very wealthy by comparison. Their clothes and jewelry were finely crafted. They even wore gold headbands, piercings, ringlets and trim.

The village opened up to a large square; large enough to fit a few thousand bystanders to gaze upon the stone monolith. The height of this stone fortress was the tallest structure for miles. This must have been the centerpiece of this community.

About fifty feet up from the base of the fortress was an opening carved into the side that faced the morning sun. Another stone slab protruded from the base of the opening, creating a balcony or stage of sorts. It was a wonder how long it took to carve all of this from just stone.

The crowd got quiet, as one of the sections parted to create almost a hallway of wildlife. Then a small figure glided through. Not more than four feet high.

A mandrill.

Wait... the markings proved it to be a male mandrill. The reds and blues were much brighter in color.

Good lord, I had already found Ok’wana’s brother! This was going to be a quick trip after all. I stepped forward. I’ll tell him about his sister. Then he’ll give me the mito fruit from the original Tree of Life, I’ll jump through the Crossing Lake to give her the fruit, and I’ll be able to catch a red-eye flight back home.

My stride was halted by a hand clasping my wrist. It was Crix, the jackal. They were with their family.

One of the jackal’s children smiled at me, and asked, “Who’s that, daddy?”

Still holding my wrist, he gave me a look as if I needed to be patient. Now was not the time. Without looking down at his child, he spoke while smiling up at me, “He’s a friend of Rafiki, so he is a friend of ours.”

The child giggled. I swear I had seen similar smiling animals this size on the shelf at toy stores. This was unreal. I knelt down and padded the child on the head. The child grinned at my touch and said, “Daddy, can we have him as a guest tomorrow at our home? I like his face.”

Crix put a hand on my shoulder and chuckled softly, “Don’t mind my kids. Sometimes they want to make friends with the entire circle.” He looked at his wife standing a few feet away, “But, I’m sure if…” he paused for a moment, “I never got your name.”

My demeanor relaxed a bit. The creatures here seemed to be very friendly and sociable. “Lochlann. My name is Lochlann.”

Crix and his wife gave the warmest of smiles. Crix continued, “Well, I’m sure if Lochlann would like, he can come to visit our home whenever he wants.” The sentiment was punctuated by a hug from the tiny jackal child.

The crowd grew quiet, so I stood to turn my attention to the monolith.

I stood still, watching as the mandrill began walking up a staircase carved into the side of this stone monolith. When he reached the top of the staircase which connected a long balcony to a large entrance within the stone tower, he stood at attention

Then I saw them. The king and queen I presumed.

They walked out gracefully, glistening with jewels and gold. The King was fairly large. Well-built with a strong jaw. His mane was decorated with stone and silver rings, creating an array of dreads. He was the epitome of power. He carried himself knowing full well he had the respect of the kingdom in its entirety.

The queen was... ahem. Uh....

Well.

In my career as a wildlife photographer for the most successful nature network on the planet, the most popular images to come from my portfolio had been of a specific lioness. The photos had always grabbed the attention of the marketing team. The one I tracked was a beautiful specimen, and even though she never knew I was taking photos of her, she always seemed to take the most perfect shots. I would walk through grocery stores and occasionally see my photos of her on magazine covers from time to time. She even had her own featurette on a documentary last year.

The queen’s graceful walk on the stage put my lioness to shame. She was beautiful beyond words. Thousands of photos of various lions in my career, but none of them came close. I could tell she was part of a superb bloodline. Her amber eyes nearly glowed in the morning light. Each angle of her feline face was elegant. Her royal outfit form fitted her toned body. Silk sashes and ribbons of blues and pinks hugged her waist, allowing her to become the living embodiment of grace while she sauntered alongside her king.

The king and queen were also accompanied by a retinue of lionesses. Each one just as elegant and attractive as the other.

The queen was carrying a small bundle of blankets. A small arm protruded from the bundle, playing with the queen’s jewelry. This must have been the prince everyone was talking about.

Since I found myself in my natural workspace, I continued taking more photos. I loved this new camera model, I was able to zoom in and see the royal family - especially the queen - in fine detail.

I felt a tug on my vest. I looked back, and immediately became flustered with embarrassment. The jackal let go, and only then did I realize that I was the last soul on their feet. All of the other attendees were kneeling with their heads down.

Shit!

I turned my attention back to the ceremony, and noticed I was being glared at by a few of the queen’s retinue. Quickly, I knelt down as well, my face probably cherry-red.

The mandrill walked up to the queen and the bundle she held. He took out a gleaming piece of fruit. It was bright pink, and the size of a coconut. He cracked open the fruit, and made the baby drink from the bowl-shaped half.

Finally, he took the bundle from the queen and unwrapped it. It appeared to be a humanoid cub.

The mandrill slowly walked to the edge of the balcony, held the cub up to the sky, and announced, “I present your prince...your future king...Simba!”

The whole crowd jumped and cheered. A mess of fur, beaks, claws, feathers and scales all hugged and hailed one another. The excitement was palpable. I was grabbed and hugged by various creatures in the commotion.

There seemed to be buffets, games, booths and various activities planned to keep the energy of the ceremony in a positive swing. It was rather enjoyable to witness. I took a few more photos of the party.

How was I going to explain this in the data logs tonight? Well, the photos would help for sure. I could maybe even meet the CEO. Explain why the marketing department just blew up. I’m sure I'd get a bonus.

Through all the excitement, I looked back up and noticed the royal family had walked back in. And the mandrill - Rafiki - where’d he go?

Oh crap! I couldn’t lose him.

I ran to the monolith and began to climb the stairs. He must be up there still. Two panthers armored with thick, layered leather (made for movement) stopped me using their spears. They didn’t seem angry.

One spoke casually, “Off limits, uh...ape. The party is back the way you came.”

“But I need to speak with-“

“There is nobody up there for you to speak with,” the other panther said, “besides, they are a boring lot. I hear the new hippopotamus crew that showed up today is a hoot.”

I tried to push past them, “It will only take a quick second.”

I was shoved back with some force this time, “Did you hear me? This area is off limits.”

The panther displayed his long white teeth with those last few words.

For a split second, my ego kicked up into overdrive. I was slightly larger than these panthers. They were slim and streamlined. I bet I could overtake those bastards.

But that was a split second. I knew better than to create more problems in a world where I didn't know the culture, nor the people.

“Sorry about that. I thought this was the bathroom.”

They both looked at me confused. I walked away. I didn’t know what to do.

Maybe the Tree of Life was nearby. I could try asking around. Maybe I didn’t need Rafiki. Just the mito fruit. I saw the small yellow bulb that Ok’wana carried. The same one I ate. I knew what it looked like. I just needed to find the tree and pick one.

A group of African painted dogs walked by. Yeah... that's right. Walked by. I had to get used to this.

“Hey, dawg, ” I greeted.

Oh Jesus. Did I actually say that out loud? One of them looked my way.

“I don’t mean to bother you, but I need to get to the Tree of Life.”

They all looked at me and laughed. I laughed back.

“The Tree is three days travel northwest of here,” one of them said, “or so that is what the rumor is.”

“Wait, what?” I inquired, taken aback by his response.

Another one spoke up, “We all know it exists, but I don’t know anyone who’s been there. We just know that is where Rafiki comes from.”

“Rafiki, yes!” I replied with some excitement.

“Is he going back today? I need to ask him something important.”

They shook their heads, “We don’t know when he’ll leave. In fact, we don’t really ever see him until he needs to be seen.”

Great. I wonder if Ok’wana knew how hard this was going to be.

I took a seat on a stone bench built nearby. I sat and gazed upon the monolith. Hoping for something. I didn’t even know what I was looking for anymore. Goodbye red-eye flight. HR is gonna have a field-day writing up a report on my no-call/no-report tomorrow.

Head in my hands leaning forward, I felt lost and defeated. So much joy around this village, and I couldn't even crack a smile. While my body slumped, my eyes got heavy. I just realized I had been up for more than twenty-four hours straight. Before I knew it, my head was on the bench. The distant cheering of crowds became a relaxing lull while sleep took me.

“Lochlann?”

I turned around. My wife Sandra was in her sundress holding her phone out towards the sunset. I was at a beach in Florida.

An oh-so-familiar voice rang in my head once again, “Lochlann, what are you doing?”

She beckoned me to come. I tried to move in the sand, but I was stuck. She rolled her eyes, and came to me instead. She held the phone in front of us so the sun was at our backs, posing for a sunset selfie.

“Hey, wake up silly,” she said.

She began poking me in the forehead, “It’s the sunrise. The sunrise opens the bridge.”

She raised her hand to slap me, and when it came down, the slap woke me up from the bench. It wasn’t my wife, but a thin-looking mandrill perched on the backrest of the stone bench.

“Ahhhhh,” he said to me, “the bridge-walker has blue eyes.”

It was Rafiki. He was staring down at me, with starry night sky behind him.

Oh shit...had I been asleep that long?

Immediately, I began to rattle off a long, winded explanation:

“Rafiki, your sister's in trouble, and she is stuck in my world. She needs me to bring back a mito fruit from the Tree of Life so she can return. I got here through a lake that was a bridge between-” I paused, “wait, why did you call me bridge-walker?”

The mandrill cackled, “Oh, my large cousin... the winds told me of your arrival.”

He swung his lithe body around and landed on the ground in front of me.

"And don’t worry ‘bout my sister, bridge-walker. Ok’wana will have her place in the circle once again.”

The streets had been lit up by strategically placed fire lamps, which lit up Rafiki's face with a warm glow. He wore a robe that hugged his skinny form. Little to no decoration. A bit different from the patrons of the village. He also carried a walking stick; it was very similar to his sister’s. One difference I noticed was the very large yellow bulb tied at the top.

He followed my gaze. A big toothy grin cracked his face.

“Look upon the cherished mito-fruit, bridge-walker. I have been saving this one for a special occasion.”

He reached up with his long arm and untied the fruit. As he held it out, my excitement got the best of me and I reached out for it.

The mandrill pulled the fruit back, just out of my reach.

He casually spoke, “So, the Tree tells me her twin is weak, and she is having trouble getting her roots deep into the ground of your world.”

I didn’t know there was more to this. I was growing frustrated. This was a strange world, and I just needed to get back.

I anxiously answered, “I don’t know. I don’t care. Your sister sent me to get that,” I pointed at the bulb in his hand, “and bring it back so she can get here.”

“Has the tree grown enough to bear any fruit?” he asked, ignoring my frustration.

I thought for a bit, and snapped my finger, “Yes. She has a few small ones with her. Uh...a purple one and a blue one. But they were only half the size of that one,” I explained while pointing again.

Rafiki rubbed his chin in thought, “Ah, the fruit of rebirth, and the fruit of life.”

He glanced at me, “The tree here hasn’t bore fruit like that in one-hundred years. Her tree is stronger than she thinks.”

Without warning, he tossed the yellow bulb in my direction. I awkwardly juggled the bulb before I secured it.

He began to walk away, and said over his shoulder, “It’s the first moment of sunrise that opens the bridge, my cousin.”

His form was disappearing into the night, and his voice was distant, “You may give the mito-fruit to Ok’wana, but let her know the twin tree is growing deeper roots.”

I grabbed my backpack and reached for my camera. Wait...it wasn't there.

My camera.

My fucking camera?!

Oh shit! I had hundreds - if not thousands - of shots of this place. And if I came back to the office without a camera, with no documentation or photos to back up what I had witnessed in this world, I would be sent straight to HR’s therapy program and potentially even lose my job. The camera was probably taken by some children while I slept.

I looked at the sky. A deep red haze began to peak up from the east. Shit, I needed to move.

While I ran through the village, the festivities continued on through the night. This future king must've been a big deal.

I broke out of the village limits and into the rolling plains. I double checked to make sure I had the bulb.

Still there. At least I got something right.

While I jogged towards the lake, I watched the eastern horizon to see the sky getting brighter. There still should've been enough time to make it to the lake. My mind was occupied by how I could possibly try to explain this to my department. Should I tell them everything? Should I lie and make up a story about my camera getting trampled by angry elephants? Should I delete the documents of my experience here?

I crested the hill to see the Crossing Lake. Phew. I made it, and with some extra time to spare.

I slowed my jog, and started to catch my breath.

I noticed something different. There were some others present. The light of the early sun revealed to me that they looked like...hyenas... with human bodies. One of them held a large sack over their shoulder with something kicking inside.

I walked over casually to the side of the lake and gave the group a friendly wave, “Hey guys, just here to get a drink. Don’t mind me."

I bent down, pretending to grab a drink while my eyes looked at the sky. Probably about ten minutes left until the sun came up. Could I keep up this facade for that long?

Then, a gentle, smooth voice spoke up from behind me, “Well, well, I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

I stood up and turned towards the voice.

It was a humanoid lion. I had a height advantage over several of the upright walking types there, but this specimen was my size, maybe even taller. He looked a bit like the king I witnessed earlier, but much thinner. He was wearing a fair amount of jewels and piercings to show he was royalty. His mane was not decorated to show a full body of hair, but more slicked back, and out of his face. What stood out to me was the scar that cut through the left side of his face. He wore a jeweled patch over the wounded eye.

The other thing that stood out was his toothy grin. His sharp feline teeth appeared to be polished pure white; they seemed to even glow in the early morning light.

I did my best to hide my shiver.

“No,” I had to clear my throat, “Ahem, no. I’m just parched. Just need a drink of water.”

His grin grew wider, splitting his face almost in half, “Oh, by all means, I wouldn’t want to interrupt you,” a pregnant pause, “especially before the first light of dawn.”

I grew stiff.

He stepped closer, while a few hyenas flanked his sides.

“Listen, hmm...what were you called?”

Without breaking his glare, his ear twitched towards one of the hyenas.

The hyena giggled, and spoke, “Bridge-Walker.”

“Right,” he continued, “Listen, Bridge-Walker, I think we both have something that the other wants.”

I glanced at the horizon. Maybe eight minutes left?

“A voice in the wind told me that you might know someone who has access to a bright blue fruit, as well as a purple fruit. We here call them the Fruit of Life and the Fruit of Rebirth.”

He continued to speak as one of the hyenas walked up next to him, “These are what I want.”

I replied, “Hey listen, buddy. I’ll be out of your hair soon. Besides, I don’t think you have anything I-”

I paused.

He held out my camera, and looked at it curiously.

“I’m also told that this is rather important to you....”

He turned it over to study it, “This box. A lot of noise it makes. And you love to look into it, don't you?”

“Hey, uh, listen, I can trade you something for that,“ I proposed, beginning to open my backpack.

“You don’t seem to get it,” his voice began to lose its casual tone, “it is quite simple really. You give me the fruit, and you can have your...box.”

I thought for a moment. I thought I might just take my losses.

“You know what? That's alright. I don’t really need it.”

I turned around, ready to leap into the water.

“Then it seems I might have to sweeten the deal...” he spoke while the hyena with the sack approach us.

I turned my head to see.

The hyena opened the sack. A familiar jackal and a smaller jackal child spilled out, both bound and gagged. It was Crix and one of his children.

I turn directly towards the group, my shoulders square, “Don’t you lay a finger on them.”

“Ah, there is the backbone I wished to see from the Bridge-Walker.” He seemed to relish this moment. “Get me the fruit, and they are set free. And you get your box back.”

He stood there, unmoving, “Deal?”

I stood for a moment, glancing at the upcoming sunrise. The anger and hatred for this creature was way too real in my heart. For a fleeting moment, I thought I could just lunge at this lion and beat him senseless. But the safety of Crix and his family seemed to keep me at bay. “So, I get the fruit, and you let them go?” I surprised myself with this sentiment, knowing I wasn’t even thinking about the camera at this time.

The lion took a few steps closer to me, not showing an ounce of fear, “Listen, Bridge-Walker. My patience for stupidity runs thin. I really don’t want to hurt these poor tiny creatures. But sometimes, there are things that force me to do something,” the black claws quickly sprang from his this furry hands, “that can be truly cruel and horrifying.”

I turned my focus to Crix who was tearfully looking up at me with fading hope. I snapped my attention back to the vile scarred beast, “I will bring back the fruit, but if you hurt a hair on them, then all of my violent attention will be focused on you alone.”

The smile on the lion’s face almost split his head. Through his white glistening teeth, he spoke, “Oh, I love dangerous foreplay. It makes the blood pump through my veins.”

I turned back to the water. Not looking at the lion, I said, “We have a deal.”

The sun’s first light cut into the sky, and I reluctantly jumped into the lake.