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My Breakfast with Androcles

Chapter Three - Betrayal and Breakfast

Ho. Lee. Shit.

If I've ever in my life had a more what-the-fuck, jaw-dropping moment, I can't recall as I stare in uttermost shock at the headline of the Eagle's Nest. I don't even feel the cold as I stand barefoot outside my dorm at the little distribution box where I had planned on snagging extra copies of the paper. I woke up a short time ago expecting this to be the day that my skill as a student reporter would be recognized for an article about the heinous, unwarranted treatment of the anthros on campus and how Androcles the lion is striving to bring humans and anthros together, and also help calm the hysteria over yesterday's news of Russell the bear eating Peter the no-longer-missing student. But this... I feel my legs almost buckle out from under me as I grip the edges of the paper; its blasphemous headline virtually stabbing me through the heart.

_ADOPTEES OR APPETIZERS? ANTHROS' PLAN: EAT ALL HUMANS!

Reporter barely escapes hungry lion, verifies that anthros eat people - and enjoy it! Claims adoptions are vile trick!_

by James Olson

It can't be real. It has to be a sick joke, or something like stepping into an alternate universe! This isn't my story, even if the byline has my name. Everything I wrote - so careful to ensure that I was sympathetic to the anthros' customs and spirituality - has been twisted and morphed into a hate-filled faux exposé. Everything I said has been turned into an outright lie. And it has my name on it. Claiming I wrote it. Another lie.

My God, what will Andro do when he sees this? He was really counting on the article to balance out yesterday's fiasco caused by Russell's deathbed confession of eating Peter. That news had already caused a shitstorm because, well, people just don't wanna hear about their new neighbors eating their old neighbors. But with enough information and explanation about the beliefs of anthros, Andro hoped that most humans would remain rational and not rush to judgment. He understood that Russell's admission would bring this nasty business to light and preferred it happen now to get it out of the way. Bad bear eat human; bad bear dead; let's move on.

I knew it was a tenuous plan at best, but something about Andro's optimism had me believing it could work, along with his 'Adopt a Human' plan to get everyone together and comfortable with each other. But now - because of the article I supposedly wrote - everyone's gonna think that the only reason the anthros want to adopt humans is because it's part of their plan to eventually eat them.

I'm so close to vomiting that I sit down on the cold concrete, still gripping the offensive paper in my shaking hands. I glance up - more to get my bearings than to see what's going on - and notice that there are a number of people - humans - clumped together in heated discussion - about what, I can guess. But I see no anthros. Yesterday there were anthros all over, cheerfully mingling with the human students. Now there are none. I know I have to get over to Andro's dorm to see how he is, but first I want to check the news and internet to see how bad the situation is.

My roommate mumbles something to me when I get to my room, but I ignore him and plop myself in front of my ancient PC, quickly scanning news sites. It only takes a moment to realize that the combination of a student being eaten and "my" anti-anthro article have put Eaglespoint in the national crosshairs. The local sites are stating that Anthro Alley is again in lock down (voluntarily this time, to avoid the legal hassles) and officials request that all anthros stay there, skipping classes, so the human students don't have to worry about any 'incidents'. Based on the revelations of "my" article, other colleges are taking similar precautions. Gun groups are demanding that all anthros be rounded up and detained, and the Westbrook Freedom Church wants "the Godless anthro population euthanized for the sake of America". Holy fuck!

I feel dizzy from taking in so much raw bullshit at once, until a nerf football hits me in the back of my head. I angrily spin around in my chair, growling, "What the fuck, Marty?!"

My roommate is sitting on his bed with an idiotic grin on his face. "What the fuck yourself, dude! How can you write that shit? That's fucked up, man!"

"I didn't write that! It was..."

"Dude, it's got your name on it!"

"I DIDN'T WRITE IT, GOD DAMMIT!" I jump up like I'm about to attack him, but only succeed in knocking over my chair. "Someone must've switched the articles! I'm not...!" Jeff, I think to myself. It had to be Jeff my editor. He never liked anthros and didn't want my article to run in the first place. Jesus, that should've been obvious to me right away but I guess I'm so shocked by it all that I wasn't even looking at who to blame. My mind immediately starts running various scenarios of how I'm going to confront Jeff and get him to admit he's an asshole, but then I realize Marty is still talking to me.

"Did the lion really try to eat you?" he asks, tossing the nerf ball into the air.

"What? No!" The question pisses me off, but I know Marty got it from the fake article. "Andro's my friend! He's not gonna eat any...!"

Marty tosses the football at me and I catch it, squeezing it into my fist as he continues, "Do they really believe it's pleasurable to be eaten? I mean, fuck, man! Pleasurable? To be eaten alive? Dude, what the fuck, ya know?"

"FUCK!" I yell back, firing the foamy ball at him so hard that he can't raise his hands to block it before it smacks him in the face. "THEY DON'T EAT PEOPLE! OKAY?!"

Marty stares at me and I see his eyes well up, and I don't know if it's from the sting of the ball hitting him or my abrupt outburst. We've been roommates for a year and a half - never close friends, but always friendly. And I've never yelled at him before. But I've never had my work turned into a falsified pile of dung for the world to see before either, and I gotta admit I'm not handling this well. Struggling to regain my composure, I pick up the ball from the floor and hand it to Marty. "Man, I'm sorry," I say in a much calmer tone. "I'm just... The article isn't mine, okay? It's all wrong... all lies. Okay?"

"Yeah, okay, man. Whatever."

I can hear the hurt in his voice and know my actions created more than a minor rift between us. And I'll do something to fix it later, but right now I need to make sure Andro is alright. Not only messing up his hope that the article would mellow out public opinion, this totally counters his "Adopt a Human" plan; assuming people believe what they're reading. And why wouldn't they? It's the freaking front-page story of the paper! I fight my re-energizing anger and turn to my roommate. "Look, I didn't mean to yell. I'm just pissed that my stuff got swapped out for this shit. I'll be back later and bring pizza, okay?" I look at Marty hoping my peace offering will let him know I'm not a total ass.

"Yeah, okay... We're cool, Jimmy," he responds hesitantly. Then with a faint grin, adds, "Pepperoni?"

"You got it!" I smile back; hoping the damage I caused has been forgiven. With a wave I'm out the door, clutching a copy of the bastard paper responsible for my anger.

Jogging past the other dorms, I feel uneasy about the groups of people who now seem to be arguing with each other - about anthros? About the lies in the article? About whether the hate groups were right all along? I can only guess at their debates and count on enough of my fellow students having the intelligence to realize the truth and attempt to convince others that they're being misled. I also see a number of hired security vehicles slowing patrolling. Great. Nothing like a bunch of bigoted rent-a-cops on campus to keep the tension down!

Not being the keen athlete I always imagine myself, I'm reasonably winded by the time I get to Anthro Alley, and stop in my tracks when I see it littered with law enforcement. Squad cars and sheriff's deputies have it completely surrounded, with no furs in sight. This is their way of establishing a voluntary confinement? As my initial ire passes, I consider that this might be a move to protect the anthro residents from radicals who believe all the false information that's polluted the news sources for the past day. One way to find out, and I pant my way to a deputy near the dorm's entrance. He eyes my approach with obvious irritation, and crosses his arms.

"Excuse me, sir," I say, catching my breath. "Am I allowed to go in? I have friends here."

"Who?" the deputy responds flatly. "In what room?"

"Um, Andro. Androcles." I feel intimidated and put off by his blunt tone, but don't want to react in any way that might interfere with my getting in to see my lion. "He's in room 206."

"Andro. From the article." the deputy practically spits the words out. "Mister Popular today. What's your name and what's your business with him?"

His attitude and questions both grate my nerves, and I feel pissed that I have to justify anything at all. "James Olson. _Eagle's Nest_reporter. Andro's my... " I pause, not sure what word to use, and also concerned how a sheriff's representative will respond. "Andro's my partner."

"Olson? The guy who wrote that article?" His expression shifts from curiosity to skepticism. "I thought that animal tried to eat you."

My hands unconsciously grip into fists and I feel like I want to lash out, but I keep myself under control. I may be able to take on my roommate with a nerf ball, but I doubt any scuffle with an armed officer of the law would end pleasantly for me. "He's not an animal, Deputy." But I can still sound stern! "Andro is the most gentle person I've met! The article was changed to make it all bad! That wasn't what I wrote!"

The deputy raises an eyebrow at me and then turns to a rent-a-cop standing by the door. "Go see if the lion in 206 wants to see Jim Olson." Turning back to me, he says, "For their protection, I need to pat you down."

I'm momentarily startled, but quickly realize the necessity for it. I nod and turn, spreading my arms and legs. He does a thorough frisking, obviously looking for more than just a gun. "Has there been any trouble yet?" I ask, as he indicates he's done.

"Other than a few idiots claiming they want to be eaten, no." My mouth drops open in response and he continues, "Yeah, who woulda thought, huh? A few emo kids."

"Wow, that hadn't even occurred to me..." Even if the original article had been printed, I hadn't considered that some people might want to be taken in by an anthro! And outside of the reasons Andro had expressed concerning his friend Bahrku, I still don't get why someone would just offer himself up like that. "What did you guys...?"

""They're being checked at the hospital," he interrupts, giving me an evaluating look. "So, that wasn't your story, huh?"

"No!" I exclaim quickly. "I'm totally for humans and anthros getting together! It's Andro's dream, but now it's..."

"He didn't try to eat you?"

"Of course not! He..." I look the deputy directly in the eyes. "He loves me."

"Huh." He responds with a slight smirk. "That bear ate the kid though. You don't think that makes 'em dangerous?"

"Less dangerous than most human killers," I reply with a slight sarcastic tone.

The deputy looks like he's thinking of a way to counter my statement when the rent-a-cop returns, noisily pushing the dorm door open. "The lion says to send him up, chief!" He stands next to the deputy and acts more buddy-buddy than the deputy seems comfortable with. "Gee-zoos! He's a big fucker, too! Eight feet if he's an inch! Yup!"

"Seven feet," I say flatly.

"Seven? You shore?"

"Oh, there's another foot, but it isn't part of his height." I know I shouldn't have said that, but it gives me a good exit line as I dart past them into the building.

The foyer is eerily quiet and I pause to glance around, recalling how busy it was here yesterday with the anthros all energized about helping Andro's plan of adopting humans. But now, there was only a lone tiger standing by the stairwell door. "LaRoque!" I say cheerfully as I recognize him, but receive a curled lip and glare in return. Oh shit, do the anthros believe I wrote that article too?

"Here to gloat?" the tiger snarls at me. "Here to document how well you fucked up our lives?" He begins slowly walking towards me and I feel like I'm being stalked.

"What? No! LaRoque, it wasn't me! That isn't what I wrote!" I feel genuinely scared as I stand in place and watch the huge tiger circle closer to me, staring intently into my eyes.

"Lying runt! I should show you just how pleasurable it is to be eaten, but you'd hardly make a satisfying meal." He brings his face down to mine and I feel his hot, angry breath on my cheeks.

As terrified as I am, I think I'm more surprised by the shift in his behavior from yesterday, and I defensively put my hands on his massive, furry chest in an attempt to push him away. He immediately grabs my wrists and applies downward pressure, forcing me to my knees. "LaRoque, please!" I'm nearly crying from the pain as he increases his grip. "I'm trying to help! I didn't write that article! I swear!" Fear and my desire to make the tiger believe me momentarily let me forget that there are a number of sheriff's deputies right outside the door. But then I realize that if I call out for help, it will only make the overall situation worse for the anthros - and I can't allow any more damage to happen to them, even if it means my own safety.

With his lips pulled back into a vicious snarl, I see razor-sharp fangs and wonder if LaRoque is actually planning on killing me! But I don't get to ponder long before a brown blur slams into him, knocking him sideways, taking me down with him until he releases my wrists to deal with his attacker. I quickly throw myself backwards, away from the tiger to see him pinned by a hyena. Conroy!

"Don't you mess with my friend!" Conroy growls before the larger tiger swipes him off. The hyena is immediately back on his paws, looking ready to attack again as LaRoque cautiously stands.

"Your friend is a traitor to furs!" the tiger snarls. "Did you see what he wrote about us?"

"I know what he wrote!" Conroy growls as I recall the timid, vulnerable image he presented yesterday. "And what you read isn't his! He's our ally and my friend and if you hurt him I'll rip your guts out, LaRoque!" He positions himself between the tiger and me, giving me a chance to get back on my feet.

LaRoque shifts his gaze between Conroy and me, looking confused. "The paper had his name...!"

"The paper changed my article, LaRoque," I say quietly, trying to calm everyone down - and appreciating that Conroy is still between us. "I don't know how it happened, but I'm going to find out."

The tiger looks unsure of himself, but his anger seems to be fading. "Why would a newspaper do that?" he asks skeptically.

"I don't know yet," I say, feeling my frustration over the whole situation rising again. "But I'm going over there as soon as I know that Andro's okay." Realizing that Conroy seems aware of the bogus article gives me a sense of relief that Andro must also know. One less thing to worry about.

As LaRoque drops his threatening stance, Conroy relaxes and turns to me. "Hi, Jimmy," he says, smiling. My only response is grabbing him in an emotional hug, which he returns. "I think you're safe now," he whispers in my ear.

"Thank you," I whisper back.

"Well, fuck me," LaRoque sighs loudly. "Does this mean I have to apologize again?"

"Ah, no worries, LaRoque," I say, letting Conroy go from our hug. "Under the circumstances, I think it's understandable."

"Well, I feel bad about it," the tiger says quietly. But then he gives me a slight smirk. "If you want, we could go have make-up sex."

"Um, maybe another time?" Although I appreciate his joke (he is joking, right?), it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. "I still need to..."

"Yeah, yeah," he interrupts. "I know. Andro."

"Yeah. Andro," I smile.

"Go." The tiger says good-naturedly, shooing us away with a paw.

As Conroy leads me up the stairs, my mind reels with everything I've been through today, and it's still morning! It's like a high-speed roller coaster ride of emotions, and I usually only have to deal with shyness and insecurity - not all this anger and confusion. Anger. I suddenly remember what Donner the bear said yesterday - in this same stairwell - that my anger would keep Andro and me together. Was that how he put it? It still doesn't make sense, unless this situation causes me to... what?... fight the system? In anger? Or something? Fuck, I have no clue, and for all I know Donner was full of shit anyway. Fucking bear spouting nonsense. I do not have anger issues, I tell myself angrily.

There are quite a few anthros on the 2nd floor and they glance at me cautiously as Conroy guides us around them. At least no one else is attacking me, and I'm probably in the hyena's debt again for that. Bursting into Andro's room, I see the big lion quickly turn and stand from his desk where his laptop is scanning the news. God, just seeing him again sheds pounds of worry from me, but all the other emotional influences pour to the surface and I feel tears soak my eyes. "Andro!" I can barely get his name out before emotion takes over and I fall into his waiting arms, blubbering like a little baby.

"Jimmy," he whispers back, wrapping his paws around me, holding me tight against his warm, furry body - so safe again; so secure. I'm not sure, but I think I hear Conroy say "mush".

With my face buried in his wide chest, my arms squeezing him as tight as I can, wanting him to envelop me in his protective embrace, I have to know how badly he's been affected by all this and softly ask, "Are you okay?"

I feel him take a deep breath as his chest expands against me. "I'm... disappointed," he replies, lightly rubbing his chin on the top of my head. From his tone, I can detect that it's much deeper than that though. I can tell he's hurt by these events, watching his hopes crumbling apart. "But I'm alright. What about you? I can see this has darkened you."

Darkened me? I imagine my aura must appear much less bright to him - however it is he views it. But I don't want to be 'dark', especially to my lion! "I gotta admit I'm pissed as Hell about this, and I'm going to get it straightened out. Somehow. But I had to see you first - to make sure you didn't think... didn't think I..."

Andro leans back as he holds me so he can look into my eyes. His expression is a mixture of concern and amusement. "Jimmy," he whispers, "I knew the moment I saw the paper that someone had changed it." His tongue slides out to give my nose a wet lick. "I love you. And you love me."

His absolute lack of doubt hits me with another wave of emotion and I hug myself back into him. "Oh, God, yeah, Andro! I love you so much!" I'm totally blubbering again, and this time I'm sure I hear the hyena say "mush" from where's he's now playing X-box.

"I've been following the news," Androcles says after a few moments. "The fake article has done a lot of damage, not just here but all over the country."

"I know," I keep my head pressed against him. I need his strength to pull me back from the darkness he sees in me. "Even if I can get a retraction printed, it won't have the same impact."

"You might not need a retraction," He looks down at me, smiling. "Did you see that all the cable news shows want to interview you? You can tell them the truth."

My mouth falls open. I hadn't heard that yet, but it makes sense. The phony article claimed I was almost eaten, so naturally the news would want to talk to 'the reporter that escaped from the hungry lion'. I smile back at Andro as my imagination runs wild with scenarios of how I'll be able to tell the world about the lies and deceptions, and proclaim how wonderful anthros really are. "Wow," is all I'm able mumble in response.

"It could be our silver lining," Andro continues. "Not that I would've ever wanted your real article to be replaced, but this'll give you a chance to reach a lot more people."

"You're gonna be on TV, Jimmy?" Conroy asks, excitedly rejoining us. "You're gonna be famous!"

All the negativity I had been feeling has washed away, replaced by visions of telling the world what really happened - being able to share Andro's plan of unity between humans and anthros. "I don't wanna be famous," I reply, nearly chuckling at the thought. "I just want to help." I smile at my lion and give him a light kiss, gazing into his emerald eyes a moment. "If Larry King calls, I'm taking you with me."

He responds with a gentle squeeze before letting me go. "Heh, well, before that can happen, we need to get past our 'voluntary' lock down. Even though everything may turn out in the long run, things right now are still looking bad."

My momentary elation dwindles as Andro's comment sinks in, reminding me that I still have to find out what happened with the Eagle's Nest article in the first place. "Yeah. I'm gonna go talk to my editor and see what his story is." I can feel myself getting irritated just imagining how I'll react if I find out Jeff deliberately swapped my article for the trash that appeared in its place.

"Jimmy," Andro whispers with a concerned expression. "Don't let this get to you. We'll work past all this and we'll succeed. But I'm worried about this darkness I'm seeing in you."

Darkness. Anger. Donner's prediction. "You're right. I'm sorry. I need to get a grip on myself. I'm just so... I just hate seeing your dream get all screwed up like this." How does my anger bring Andro and I together? Maybe he helps me work through it and that makes us closer? Damn, I wish Donner hadn't said anything. It's got me second-guessing myself. But Andro's right; I need to get my objectivity back and approach this like a reporter, not as an over-emotional participant. I pull him back onto a tight hug. "I'll be back after I get the article straightened out, and let ya know how it went." Andro's only reply is to return the hug and purr.

"Do you want me escort you out, Jimmy?" Conroy asks. "Just in case?"

Andro shoots the hyena a confused look. "In case of what?"

"Oh, some of the furs think the fake article is his," Conroy puts a paw on my shoulder. "And they're kinda pissed."

Andro glances quickly between Conroy and me. "I'll take him down, buddy," he says contemplatively. "I'd rather you make the rounds and let everyone know what's going on."

The hyena smiles broadly and giggles, apparently happy with his assignment. "Okay, Andro! I'll let everybody know! Bye, Jimmy!" With a squeeze of my shoulder, he's out the door.

Looking down into my eyes, I can see that my lion is concerned. "Did any of the furs...?"

"I'm fine," I interrupt, not wanting the situation with LaRoque to be a sore point. "It was nothing and Conroy straightened it out." I smile reassuringly as I feel his paws rubbing my back. His eyes narrow slightly and I wonder if he's reading my aura, and I have no idea what my aura would tell him since I didn't state anything that wasn't mostly true.

Downstairs, LaRoque gives me a sly smirk as Andro looks out at the number of sheriffs and cops. "Gotta love freedom," the lion mumbles before turning back to me. "Good luck with your editor. And stay calm, please."

"I will," I grin, rubbing his stomach. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"I love you, little human reporter guy."

"I love you more, big strong cuddly lion."

LaRoque coughs noisily as we hug. I touch my finger to Andro's nose and leave, opening the doors slowly so I don't alarm any of the uniformed people standing outside that have loaded weapons. I smile at them as I stride past, confident that they won't be needed there at Anthro Alley much longer.

As I head to the journalism-slash-art-slash-law building, I can't help but notice how my mood has improved since my initial shock a few hours ago. I attribute most of that to Andro and his positive influence and calming manner, and also because I'm still fantasizing about being interviewed by all the cable news icons. I know I'll have to investigate the facts of the article swap in order to discuss - and condemn - it intelligently. And I also need to think up a lot of mental bullet points about anthros so I don't simply go on and sound like some love-struck idiot blathering about how awesome anthros are just because they're so awesome. Andro's really counting on me to help get his dream back on track by blowing the lid on all the media disinformation. And I have to consider that I'll be asked about Russell the bear eating that poor student, and obviously I can't let on that it was really Donner who did it to save him from years of hopeless agony. Russell will just have to remain the villain so that humans can focus one bad anthro instead of viewing them all with distrust. I'm not comfortable with the deceit, but looking at the greater good I figure it's worth it.

Still feeling euphoric, the jaunt up to the 3rdfloor journalism classroom doesn't even wind me, and I'm whistling as I enter the outer office. Rebecca, the assistant editor, seems startled to see me, nearly dropping a pile of folders.

"Um... Jeff's in the back office," she says haltingly, as if expecting something from me other than my smiling presence. "If that's, um, why you're here?"

"Ohh, yeah!" I reply with a smirk. "That's why I'm here." I give her a quick wave as I pass and head straight for Jeff's office, closing the door loudly behind me to muffle what's sure to be an enthusiastic discussion. "Hey, Jeff! You'll never guess what happened!" I say in mock surprise. "Some fucking asshole switched my article on the front page!"

Barely looking up from his monitor, he cocks an eyebrow at me. I know he's been expecting me to confront him on this and figure he's got some line of bullshit all prepared. "I would be that fucking asshole, Olson," he says firmly without raising his voice. "That overly biased, slop-filled, love-fest diatribe you turned in wasn't fit to line a parrot's cage."

"Overly biased...?" So much for my good mood. It's not only what he said, but the overtly smug way he says it that pisses me off. "What do you call that series of outright lies you replaced it with? My article was completely factual!"

"Your article conflicted with the current opinion of the general populous, Olson. A bear ate one of our students and you try to wash it all away with happy renditions of peace and love as if nothing happened! An animal killed a human and you want me to run a front-page feature about how we should all be adopted by them? They're dangerous and that's what people need to be reading!"

"You can't judge them all on the actions of one! I understand the seriousness of the student's death and that's exactly why rational information about anthros needs to be conveyed! You're doing nothing but contributing to a mob mentality which could result in a lot more harm than just one kids' death!" I hadn't intended on yelling, but Jeff got to me so fast that my frustration was too hard to contain. "Do you realize there are groups out there threatening to kill anthros now?" I pound my fist on his desk but it doesn't faze him.

"Well then, they shouldn't go around eating people, should they?" He sits back in his chair and smugly glares at me.

"It was one bear! One fucking bear! And you've helped condemn them all! They can't even come out of their dorm now for fear of being shot!"

"They shouldn't be on campus in the first place. Animals in college! It was just a matter of time before something like this happened."

"Anthros, Jeff!" I'm nearly screaming at him now. "They aren't animals! They're intelligent and caring and have every right to be here!"

"Intelligent and caring? Oh, there's an unbiased opinion! Face it, Olson; people need to know the dangers they face by mingling with these creatures."

"Have you even met an anthro yet, Jeff? The only danger you'd face is being hugged! And, Lord knows, Jeff, you could probably use a hug, you repressed asshole!" I'm so pissed that I'm leaning over his desk and yelling at him as he leans back in his chair looking detached and uninterested. "You know you're on the wrong side of this, right? I'm gonna be exposing your fake article on the news! Everyone's gonna hear the truth about anthros! Ha!"

"Oh, that reminds me..." he raises an eyebrow as his smirk returns. "A number of TV news agents called wanting to set up interviews with you. But I told them all that you were unavailable and not interested."

My mouth dropped open in shock. "You did what?" My fists clenched and I felt like jumping over his desk and pounding his face in as hard as I possibly could. But instead, I stood there in utter disbelief that my only chance to reverse all this bullshit and help Andro's dream had just been destroyed. "YOU DID WHAT?!"

"Settle down, Olson. We can't have you going on TV and contradicting the esteemed views of the Eagle's Nest now, can we? People might get confused and start believing that those furry animals are actually harmless."

Everything in my field of vision starts to take on a red tint and I know I'm close to losing control. As my body literally shakes with rage, I fight to maintain a sense of cohesion so I won't just start yelling nonsense or punching holes in walls. Slowly turning towards the door, I furiously mutter, "That's too far. You've gone too far. I'm going to the dean about this. I'm reporting you..."

I hear him jump out of his chair. "Fuck that! You're not reporting anything, Olson!"

Jeff grabs my upper arm, sharply jerking me backwards, and everything explodes red in my mind. I defensively thrust my arm back with as much adrenalin-enhanced force as I have, ramming him in the chin. It's so abrupt that he doesn't even have a chance to cry out as he tumbles over the edge of his desk, slamming his head onto the sharp corner of a metal filing cabinet. His body lands on the carpeted floor with a heavy thud as my mind begins to register what just happened. I stare down at him and see a pool of blood oozing from behind his neck.

"Oh my God! Jeff!" I feel panic building. What have I done? Did I do that? Oh my God! Noting the weird angle of Jeff's neck, I'm too afraid to touch him, so I grab the phone on his desk and dial 9-1-1. As the line rings, I hear the door open behind me and Rebecca scream. Any rational thought I had remaining is replaced by blind terror as I drop the phone and push my way past Rebecca. Flying down the three flights of stairs, I burst outside in a cold sweat, running as fast as I can away from the building. I need to think! I need to hide! I have to know if I killed Jeff!

I end up by the physical education building, which is on the border of the campus, leaving its backside usually deserted except for trash barrels and some shrubs growing by the fence. I throw myself behind the barrels, falling onto my side in a near-fetal position and begin sobbing. My mind is a jumble of events, and I can't grasp that I hurt - and maybe killed - someone! And I ran away like a coward! I should've tried to help! Should I go back? I left the scene! I'm a fugitive now! Oh fuck, what have I done? As I cry to myself, I hear sirens racing to the journalism building. I have to know how Jeff is, but if I go to my dorm, they'll probably be waiting for me. To arrest me. Oh God, what's Andro going to think of me when he finds out?

Andro. My lion. I wish he were holding now, somehow making all this go away. I'd give anything to be in his embrace again - safe and secure. But Andro can't make this go away. In one angry moment I've possibly killed Jeff and destroyed my life. How can I even be with Andro again if I'm a fugitive? Or worse, in jail? Oh, Andro, what have I done? I sob quietly, wishing Andro could hold me forever.

My eyes open to darkness and I realize I must've cried myself to sleep. It takes me a moment to recall where I am. And why. Cautiously peeking out from behind the barrels, the campus seems unusually quiet, leading me to wonder just how late it is. I assume I'm being hunted but I don't see any law enforcement vehicles or people near the building. Calmer now, I consider that I need to do the right thing and turn myself in. It was an accident, after all. I didn't plan on hurting Jeff. He shouldn't've grabbed me. How many years will I get for manslaughter?

Standing in the chilly night, I feel faint as I think about what my future holds now. I may have decided to turn myself in, but I have to see Andro first. Andro. My lion. Will he still love me when I tell him what I've done? Will he wait for me when I go to jail? I don't want to be without him. I don't know if I can make it without him. I need him to hold me, to share his strength with me. Share his kindness, his humor, his gentleness, and his love. I want him to embrace me forever, but if I'm taken away, that can't happen. Andro, my actions have hurt you too. Oh God...

If the authorities are looking for me, the cover of darkness makes it easy enough for me to blend in with the other students as I head to Anthro Alley. But once there, the only humans around are sheriffs and rent-a-cops. There's no way I'll get in through the front entrance, so I sneak around to see how heavily guarded the back is. To my surprise, there's only one rent-a-cop, sitting in a fold-up chair a few yards from the door - and he's asleep! If I weren't in so much trouble, I'd consider writing an article about the shoddy employment practices of Eaglespoint law enforcement, but as it is I thank whatever deities are still smiling on me and stealthily tiptoe to the door. It creaks just a bit as I slowly open it, but not enough to disturb the dozing wanna-be cop.

I turn to see a number of anthros curiously watching me, and I gasp at being so easily caught off guard. A small, blue fox extends her paw to me. "Jimmy," she whispers, "Andro is waiting for you." Speechless, I take her paw and she leads me upstairs to room 206. She taps what I interpret to be a coded knock, and opens the door without waiting for a response. Ushering me in to the darkened room, she closes the door, leaving me alone with a hulking figure sitting, hunched-over, on one of the beds.

Andro turns to look at me and I see his furry cheeks wet with tears. My lip quivers as I rush to his side and throw my arms around him. "Jimmy," he says in a hoarse voice, "I've been so worried." He wraps me up in the safety of his arms and I burst into tears.

"Oh, God, Andro! I messed everything up! I'm so sorry."

"Shhhh, shhh," he whispers. "None of it is your fault. We're all caught up in events we didn't start. Shhh, you're with me now."

"Don't let me go, Andro. Please," I sob.

"I've got you, Jimmy."

"Just hold me."

"I will."

"Forever."

"Forever."

I wake up with the sun shooting a few muffled rays through the curtains. Andro has a paw draped over me as we lay spoon-like atop his bed, and I can hear his steady, easy breathing. It's Saturday morning and I'm still safe within the embrace of my lion. For now. He must've heard the news last night to know what trouble I was in and figured I'd come here - something the authorities probably hadn't guessed. As gently as possible so I don't wake him, I snuggle in closer to his warm body and I hear a faint "erf erf" as his paw wraps tighter around me. Within the security of his embrace it's so hard to imagine what I have to face today. I nearly cry again as I think that I'm going to be sent away and not be able to feel Andro's paws around me any more. The idea of life without my lion just seems impossible to imagine. And what about him? Is it fair that I even consider Andro waiting for me? He still has his dream, which will take so much more effort now. And I won't be able to help him. I'll be a distant distraction to him if I'm off in a jail cell while he tries to repair the damage to his plans of unity. I'm lost as what to do - I can't live without him, and I need to help him succeed. How can I do either now?

How can I not?

Andro's paw lightly rubs my chest letting me know he's awake. "Good morning, my lion," I say softly, rolling over to face him.

He shifts himself up on an elbow, his eyes narrowing in a concerned look. "You've made a decision, haven't you?"

I glance down, smiling faintly. His instincts amaze me. "I wish I could do the right thing..." I take a deep breath and close my eyes. "What happened was an accident, and... I can't leave you. I just can't."

"He's not dead, Jimmy," Andro softly interrupts.

Oh, thank God. Relief of not being a killer removes a degree of guilt, but even so my career as a reporter is over, as is my being a student. I take a deep breath as Andro's emerald eyes appear so worried. "I can't go back. There's still too much to answer for. I can't take the chance of them taking me away from you." My hand unconsciously rubs his chest and belly. "Andro, you need to continue your dream. It's too important, especially now. And I want to be with you, helping you, supporting you. Andro, I can't leave you."

The lion's eyes widen and he touches his paw to my lips as if to stop me from saying anything more. "Jimmy..." he whispers with concern.

"Andro," I take his paw in my hand and tenderly kiss it. "I love you." I have to stop to swallow because my throat tightens up as I mentally run through the few options I have. Jail would take me from him, as would trying to run away - and I have nowhere to run anyway. I really see only one way to stay with my lion. "Andro," I whisper, "I want you to take me into you."

I expect a loud objection with hundreds of reasons why it's a stupid and crazy idea. That's what a human would do. But Andro quietly gazes into my eyes, deep into my soul, and after a moment simply nods solemnly. "Okay."

I nuzzle into him as we lay there, a flurry of emotions sifting through me, the reality of our agreement sinking in. "My God, Andro... I was afraid you'd tell me you wouldn't." I hug him tight as tears stream down my face.

"Maybe it's a bit selfish of me," he whispers, rolling onto his back and pulling me on top of him, "but I don't think I can live without you either." He gently laps my nose and gives me a faint smile. "With Bahrku, the circumstances were different, and I did try to talk him out of it. But he eventually swayed me. And now he's always with me. As you will be. I love you."

I lean forward and tenderly kiss him. Logically, I should be terrified; I just asked a lion to eat me alive. But I feel serene knowing that no force can ever separate us after this. I'll always be with my lion. Letting my lips lightly caress his, I stare into his eyes; the dark emeralds that seem able to know my thoughts. Whatever he sees my aura as, I concentrate on my desire for him to love me one more time. And silently, he slides his tongue into my mouth as I feel his claws gently shred my clothes, leaving us both natural. I grind my crotch into his fuzzy belly and feel his arousal pressing against my ass. Andro's lips cover my mouth as I attempt to swallow his tongue. His paws hold me in place on top of him as he deftly glides his lionhood into my puckered hole. Relaxing as best I can, I push back onto him to encourage his thrusting. It seems a beautiful irony to me; taking him into me before he takes me into him.

We spend the next hour passionately and aggressively making love. Between his orgasms, he attacks my stomach and navel with his huge tongue, and I do the same to his. With my face buried deep in his belly, I can't help but think I'll be inside him soon, very possibly with my face pushing outward in the same spot. I'll be in my lion soon. Completely. Forever. God, I love him so much! I bite hard into his abs and he growls his pleasure back at me. We've both cum multiple times and as I finish exploring his fuzzy navel with my tongue, I chew my way up his chest to face him and look into his emerald eyes a last time.

"I'm ready, my lion." I smile warmly, surprised at my own calmness. Andro smiles back but I see a tear slowly trail down his cheek. "Promise me one thing," I whisper. "Don't ever give up on your dream. I'll always be supporting you."

"I cannot fail, having your love to give me strength. Jimmy, I will love and honor you forever."

Andro's tongue, wide and wet, slides out and covers my face. I feel his warm breath as his jaws stretch impossibly over my head, his lips closing gently around my neck. I peer uselessly into the sudden darkness of his maw as his massive tongue washes over me, coating me in warm saliva. I can feel suction as he tastes me and realize that I forgot to tell him that I want him to enjoy this and not feel bad about it. But it appears that he's going to take his time as he did when he swallowed my arm. I smile to myself knowing that he'll make this as pleasurable a journey for me as he can. If I'd known before how wonderful it felt to have my head in his mouth while he sucked on it, I would've asked that he do it before. I think about the rabbits he told me about, and wonder how they felt while they were in the mouths of the anthros that took them in. A little rabbit could easily fit in Andro's mouth, and it makes me wonder how the rest of my body will fit within him. I don't have to wonder long before I feel his soft paws lifting my torso as my face is moved towards his open, gasping throat. I feel the tightness of the narrow opening as his strong paws slowly work my shoulders into his maw. My head squeezes downward into the fleshy, wet tube and all I can think is how incredible it feels. He's taking slow, steady breaths, which allow me to breathe, even in the squishy confines of his esophagus. This is so much more intense than when he swallowed my arm, and that had caused me to cream my boxers! My arms are now pinned to my sides, and I consider trying to reach over and stimulate myself, assuming I could have another orgasm, but Andro seems to have plans of his own. With a huge gulp, I feel myself pulled further into his throat, my face and head being massaged downward by the muscles as his long tongue slides across my chest and onto my stomach, probing deeply into my belly button. The eroticness of it nearly prevents me from giggling, but his fetish is just too cute to not enjoy and I feel my muffled laughter vibrate through him. And with his tongue busy, his paws keep me suspended upward, with one paw softly moving to my erect cock. With an indescribable gentleness, he fondles me until I shower him with hot semen.

Reaching orgasm literally takes my breath away in the restricted, fleshy space, and I feel myself nearly faint as I pant. Andro's tongue slides out of my navel and wraps around my still throbbing erection, causing me to loudly gasp. He had said that being taken in was a pleasurable thing, but I had no concept that it could be, well, orgasmic! If these are to be the final moments in my physical form, I can imagine no better way to shed this mortal coil. My only regret is that I can't somehow write about the experience. But I suppose some things are not meant to be known until they happen.

Andro manages to bring me to orgasm again before he lets my body slide further into him. My abdomen is in his mouth and I feel him tasting me, savoring the soft, smooth skin of my stomach. As he holds me in that position, his tongue wildly probing over my belly and navel again, I feel a faint, rhythmic movement along with stronger breathing. With his throat still attempting to gulp me downward, I smile as I realize he's pawing himself. I was worried that he might feel guilt or something about taking me in, and am relieved that he's making the most of this for himself, along with giving me as much pleasure as possible. I try to say, "Andro, I love you!" but his throat is pressing against my face and it comes out as a mumbled blur of noise. But he may have understood anyway because a moment later I can hear the rumbling of his deep roar and feel hot lion semen splattering against my still-exposed legs. Yes! I smile and wiggle my toes.

His breathing is rough for a few moments, and his tongue presses against my belly. I hear him purr loudly or growl, and it sounds like he might be saying something but I can't discern what it is. But a moment later I feel his paws gently grasp my ankles and push as he gulps quickly, sending me deeper into his undulating throat. My hands pass his lips and I rub them against his hot tongue as it laps methodically at every inch of my bare skin. The pounding of his heart reverberates against me as I slide past it, inch by inch. I feel pressure against the top of my head and know where I am; When Andro takes another swallow, I'll be entering his stomach - the end of my physical journey. The end of my physical life. But I've thought a lot about his beliefs and spirituality and have no doubt that my inner being will somehow continue within him. I wouldn't have asked him to do this if I thought he'd simply be eating me. I know that my soul - or essence, or whatever - will still exist within the lion I love.

The opening to Andro's stomach relaxes, allowing my head to slide in. Compared to the tight throat, it's roomier, but I can still feel the wrinkled walls against my face. It's a bit harder to breathe, and what I do breathe is slightly unpleasant, but I kinda expected that. I catch my eyes straining to see even though I realize that it's as dark as I've ever experienced. I calmly close them. My shoulders pass through the opening, making the area tighter. I can sense that the rest of my body is following much faster, so I tuck my head into my chest so I can curl up in what seems would be the most comfortable position. I can hear Andro gulp loudly, and as expected, my body slides quickly down, rolling me into a fetal ball. My God, here I am in Andro's belly! My lion has taken me into him.

Sensing movement, I assume he's laying himself down on his bed. The following stillness seems to support that, along with what I'm sure are his paws rubbing over his belly, rubbing my head. His pounding heart has settled in to an even rhythm, and it creates a very calming effect. No longer restricted by his throat, I wonder if he would hear me if I spoke to him. "I love you, Andro!" I say as loudly as I can, but it comes out soft and muffled. I feel him take a sharp breath, and a moment later hear the low rumble of his reply, "I love you, Jimmy."

The spongy stomach walls press and push against me and I feel thick, hot moisture increasing on them and puddling under me, but rising slowly. It feels foamy and tingles, but doesn't burn, and I recall Andro had explained how his body would alter things to absorb the living beings taken in, as opposed to digesting a hamburger. Suddenly I feel his entire body shudder, followed by thunderously loud outward rush of air. Breathing becomes difficult, and I take shallow breaths. The foamy stuff is all over me now, tingling and prickling at my skin, and the squishy walls press tighter onto me. I start to see colors in my mind as memories flicker through quickly, one by one. Within moments I feel incredibly tired, like I haven't slept in weeks and I sense I'm about drift off. My thoughts fill with images of Andro, my lion. I love you, Andro. The mental colors change to sparkles of white, like flickering stars, or sparklers. It's hard to concentrate and I can't really tell if I'm breathing anymore. Andro, my lion, I love you so much. Waves of deep blue shimmer and swell through my mind. I can't feel my body. But I can feel Andro's embrace. I feel his love for me. I feel nothing else. The blue waves seem to buffet my mind, scattering my thoughts.

And then there's a voice, but it's not speaking and there's nothing to hear. It's a sensation within me, within Andro. "Welcome, Jimmy," I perceive it saying, and somehow I know it's Bahrku. Andro's friend Bahrku - with him forever. If I still could, I'd cry from sheer joy. I love you, Andro. Always and forever, my lion.

As the blue waves fade to black, I feel my journey is complete. And I know I'm smiling. This has been Jimmy Olson reporting...

** end **