FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Maddox spun around to find a man standing behind a counter who looked to be as the innkeeper. Maddox began to walk up the counter seemingly unfazed by the original outburst. The man raised his brow and looked almost appalled by his unmoved demeanor.

"Yes, sir... I would... Uhm... Like to purchase a room for the night," Maddox nervously inquired.

"You aren't getting shit!" The man nearly shouted back.

Maddox took a step back at his raised tone. Still confused yet adamant about finding a place to sleep he began to question further.

"Excuse me?..."

"You heard me," the man retorted. "We don't serve your kind here."

That's when he had finally realized that there wasn't a Sothren in sight. All he found as he glanced around were glaring eyes and whispers. He finally looked down and noticed he was still in his tiger form. He moved his eyes back to the innkeeper who had his arms crossed in a sort of 'you're still here?' look.

"But sir," Maddox piped in, breaking the silence. "I don't have anywhere to stay."

"Not my problem," he harshly retorted, not a hint of mercy in sight.

Maddox looked around trying to find anybody with even a tinge of sympathy for him. Sadly enough, nothing was found.

"Guards could you please 'assist' this man to the door?" The man sadistically asked, emphasis on the word assist.

Two men began to advance on him as Maddox backed away at a similar pace to theirs. His back touched a wall as fear completely overcame him. The men grabbed both of his arms and through him forward so his body flopped to the floor in a painful thud. He could feel the pain resonate from his shoulder as he tried to stand but was promptly grasped by the two men again and dragged across the floor by his arms. His arms felt as if they were about to be ripped from the sockets when he both of his arms were let go of. They slapped to floor as he tried to stand up by himself. He was hoisted up by his shoulders and turned around so he faced everybody in the lobby. They all had the same blank, merciless expression as he was shoved by his chest caused him to crash through the front door, trip down the inn steps, and land on his sound with another thud.

"Next time," one of the guards from the inn started. "Think before you enter you stupid animal."

Mumbling could be heard from bystanders who seemed to be more fearful than sympathetic. Some even started muttering about how valiant of an act that was.

"Maddox?"

He heard it. Somebody shouted his name. He recognized the voice as well. He sat up and looked to where the voice was coming from. His vision was a little blurry from being so shaken up but he was able to see that it was that girl he met hours ago. She was in a slight jog heading towards him with worry and confusion in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" She queried. "Didn't you notice the sign on the door?"

He looked up to notice a wooden sign right above the door frame with a cat, wolf, and lizard Sothren on it covered in a do not enter symbol.

"I guess I didn't see it," he returned, his cheeks turning red from embarrassment.

She let out a slight chuckle at the unfortunate misunderstanding but stopped when noticed the bruise showing through his orange fur on his shoulder. She looked up at the inn and the over to the sunset which was now almost nonexistent. knowing that he wasn't from around here, more trouble definitely awaited his search. There was also something about him that amused her. She shook her head knowing that this would only cause trouble at home, but she couldn't just leave him here.

"Come on, get up."

She grabbed him by one of his hands and helped him as much as she could. Maddox did most of the work, but appreciated the help he received.

"You're coming with me," she said as she turned and started walking.

Maddox was slightly taken aback by the statement.

"Where exactly are we going?" He questioned, not yet moving with her.

"My place. You need a place to stay for the night, don't you?"

"Well yes... I mean, I do... I just..." He stammered, still stolid in motion.

She stopped, turned around, and raised her brow in amusement at his stammering.

"Yes?" A smile grew on her face as she said this.

"...Thank you..." He finally forced out.

She gave another smile and waved her hand to motion him to walk with her. The walk was mostly silent because Maddox had so much on his mind. He spoke up when he could no longer hold it in.

"Why are you doing this?"

She jumped at this outburst.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you! I just want to know why you are helping me. I mean, we met less than a day ago and you are just openly helping a complete stranger."

She pondered the question for a few seconds before answering.

"To be completely honest," she began. "I had no intention to help you."

"Oh..." He slowed his pace once hearing this.

"But... There's something different about you. Something that strikes my interest. I also couldn't stand to see somebody like you get beat up anymore than you already were."

He didn't even seem phased at the last backhanded comment she threw at him, striking her interest even more.

"How did you even find me?"

"Well I was going back to retrieve something that I actually dropped during our first encounter." Her eyes suddenly grew wide. "Oh no! I completely forgot to get the book! My parents are going to kill me!"

Maddox quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of money and shoved it in her direction.

"Here," he waved the money once in front of her hands as he stopped moving for a brief moment. "Will this cover the book?"

She stopped and looked at the wad of cash that he was holding in front of her. At the sheer size of the wad there had to be at least four hundred dollars in there, way more than needed to cover a five dollar book.

"Maddox..." She stared wide eyed at him. "This is way more than the book is worth."

"Take it." He shoved it in her hands.

"I couldn't possibly take all this money."

"Just take it. You're the only person that has helped me and I need to repay you somehow."

She held the money for another second before finally putting it in her bag and smiling.

"Thank you."

"Thank you," Maddox returned, allowing a small smile to creep its way onto his face.

The walk to Averra's home ended in silence as she walked up to the door and creaked it open. The family was doing fairly well compared to all the other Sothren houses around. He didn't notice many luxuries as he entered, but she still seemed happy with what she had.

"Mom! Dad! I'm home!" She shouted, before clearing her throat for the next part. "And I... Brought a friend home.