FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Everett panted and wheezed as he finally rounded the last corner of the trail. Sam was true to his word and took the Jack Russell Terrier on a hike up the large mountain in the center of the research zone. Now that he was at the summit, Everett finally recognized that Sam had left him alone for the majority of the hike. What the hell was that about? Didn’t the human know that there were dangerous creatures behind every rock and tree?

The Dog walked up to the large, rocky indentation that fringed the rim of the summit and stopped in his tracks. Sam was nowhere to be found. Everett frowned and crossed his arms. There was no way he could have passed the human without seeing him, unless something scary had drug him off for lunch. Everett whined and looked around.

“Sam,” He began quietly, “Are you there?”

Aside from the errant chirping of a small and unseen prehistoric bird, the top of the mountain was silent. Everett whined louder and plopped down on a rock. The Jack Russell Terrier put his head in his paws and took a couple of deep breaths. If Sam was really eaten, he was going to need to be as collected and calm as possible in order to get out of this place alive. There would be time to mourn later, right now, it was time to survive.

The Dog composed himself and pulled his small, green pack off of his back. Everett opened it and started to pull his supplies out of it. He easily had enough water and food to make it back to the fence, but Everett had no defense against any of the dangerous creatures who called the zone home. The sun was already setting. Why in the hell did Everett let himself agree to camp out here with Sam? It could have never ended well.

Walking back to the fence in the dark was a surefire way to get killed. The Dog may not have been a scientist, but he knew that some of the far more nasty creatures were out and about at night. Sam had the tent in his pack, but that didn’t do Everett any good at all. Tonight, Everett mused, he would sleep under the stars and hope for the best.

Everett, in his heightened state of survival planning, didn’t notice the brush rustling behind him. The creature moved forward, using the mumbled words that escaped the Dog’s mouth as cover. Finally, when the creature was right behind the Dog, it slipped up. Everett jumped up and whirled around. A relieved gasp, followed by an exasperated sigh, escaped the Jack Russell Terrier’s lips.

“Where the hell were you?” Everett punched the human’s shoulder, “Don’t you know what I was thinking?”

Sam looked down at the Dog’s empty pack and the supplies strewn around it.

“Judging by the state of your pack,” Sam smirked, “I’d say you thought I got eaten.”

Everett huffed and crossed his arms.

“That’s exactly what I thought,” Everett replied, “I was trying to find out the best course of action.”

Sam chuckled.

“And what was your best course of action?” Sam asked, “As a search and rescue professional I’m very curious.”

“Well,” Everett smiled, his righteous annoyance forgotten, “I was going to spend the night up here and then hike back in the morning.”

“Hmm, interesting,” Sam started to repack the Dog’s pack, “I suppose you aren’t lost. Are you?”

Everett hesitated to reply. He wasn’t sure if he knew the way back.

“You already forgot the way back?” Sam chuckled and shook his head, “It’s a very good thing that I didn’t kick the bucket. What happens to the lost people when the search and rescue guy is dead?”

“I don’t know,” Everett smirked and looked over the human, “I wouldn’t have been totally lost. I could have found my way back.”

Sam held out the Dog’s pack and grinned. Everett smiled and put it back on. It felt much nicer and the weight didn’t sit awkwardly on his left shoulder.

“Did you get the campsite set up?” Everett asked, “I’d hope you got something done while you were up here waiting for me.”

Sam nodded and pointed towards the brush he emerged from.

“Why did you set it up in there?” Everett continued, “Isn’t the view better out here?”

Sam chuckled and looked over the Dog.

“We want to sleep in shelter,” Sam began, “In a place where other critters can’t get at us. We can hang out up here with the view, maybe have a fire, and do, well, whatever, but I’m not sleeping out in the open.”

“Okay,” Everett smiled, “Would you lead the way? I want to drop my stuff off before we get too crazy.”

The human put an arm around the Dog’s waist and walked him into the bushes. The Dog blushed, in spite of himself, at the thought of what this act must have looked like. Everett blushed even harder as he thought about Sam taking him in the bushes. Who knows, maybe that would happen tonight. After the Teal incident, Everett was eager to make things right. Sex was the best way to do that.

The tent took up the near entirety of a small clearing in the middle of the bushes. It was secure, quiet, and vaguely claustrophobic. Sam bent down and unzipped the tent flap.

“Well,” The human began, “There you go.”

Everett bent down and put his backpack against the front wall of the tent.

“I guess I’ll get the fire started,” Sam continued, “Care to join me? Maybe I can teach you a few things.”

The Dog smiled and nodded.

“I’d like that,” Everett reached down and took the human’s hand in his paw, “It won’t take too long right?”

Sam shook his head.

“It’s just starting a fire,” Sam replied, “The wood should be nice and dry. It’ll take maybe ten minutes, tops.”

“Good,” Everett began, “Cause I want to well, try something.”

“Oh?” Sam raised an eyebrow, “Something more interesting than fire starting?”

“Well,” The Dog chuckled quietly, “Something that we should probably do in the tent?”

Sam smirked.

“What?” Sam began, “Got a problem with making love under the stars? You and I both know that’s not the worst thing you’ve ever done.”

Everett blushed hard and walked past the human and back out into the open. Sam followed closely behind the dog, chuckling the whole way.

“I don’t know what it is that you’re worried about,” Sam continued, “There’s not any cameras up here. There’s no reason we can’t get up close and personal.”

The Dog sat down at where he gauged Sam would put the fire. He took off his shirt with a sigh and looked back at the human. Sam was shirtless too, and walking over with an armful of wood.

“Maybe I’m a little nervous,” Everett blushed as the human looked over him before bending over to build the fire, “You do know it’s been awhile right?”

Sam looked up from his work and in the Dog’s direction.

“I don’t care about that hon,” Sam began, “If I just wanted sex from you I would not have waited this long. There is no shortage of horny men in this park.”

“I just want to be able to perform,” The Dog stood up and moved to Sam’s side, “I mean, what if I suck?”

The human ripped up some newspaper and put it around the base of his fire. He then turned his attention to building a fire pit. The rock was bare underneath his fire, but he knew that it was better to be safe than sorry.

“That’s the point,” Sam chuckled, “Would you be a dear and get the matches from my pack?”

Everett blushed hard and reached into the human’s pack. He rooted around for a bit and pulled out a box, the wrong box. The Dog blushed hard and tried to stealthily put the box of condoms back into the backpack. They were a special brand, a kind sold only on the island, that were marked with a neon-green Tyrannosaurus. Sam smirked and stood up from his handiwork.

“Oh no, they’re in the other pocket,” Sam began, “I wouldn’t put something as trivial as matches in the same pocket as the lube and condoms.”

“You couldn’t just buy Durex?” Everett looked up at the human with a grin, “You just had to get the dinosaur condoms.”

The Jack Russel Terrier rummaged through the other large pocket and found the box of matches. He walked over to the fire and them to Sam.

“It’s not my fault,” The human struck the match and lit up the bed of moss, “That’s literally all I could get. I had to borrow condoms from Teal.”

Everett snorted and started to laugh.

“Why would Teal need condoms?” The Jack Russell Terrier chuckled, “Has he already got a boyfriend lined up?”

“He picked them up while we were doing the shopping for his apartment,” Sam put the matches away, “Teal thought they were dinosaur condoms because they had a dinosaur on the front of them.”

“That’s awesome,” Everett sighed happily and moved closer to the fire, “Has he got a boyfriend lined up though?”

Sam sighed and sat down beside the Dog, wrapping his arm around Everett’s bare shoulder. The sun was setting and the songs of creatures in the jungles below rang around the pair.

“He’s lonely Everett,” Sam began, “I don’t think he was too happy that we left him by himself.”

The Dog looked up at the human and nuzzled into his cheek.

“I shouldn’t have left him,” The human held the Dog tighter, “But there’s nothing I can do about it now.”

“Couldn’t we call him?” Everett asked, “Just to see how he’s doing?”

Sam smiled and kissed the top of Everett’s head.

“That would be a great idea,” Sam reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, “You don’t mind do you?”

“Of course not,” Everett laughed, “I get you all to myself for the whole night. One short phone call isn’t going to change that.”

Sam dialed up the Raptor and put the phone to his ear. Teal picked up a long time, at least thirty seconds, after the Human made the call.

“Hello?’ Teal asked, “Who is this?”

“It’s Sam,” The human chuckled, “We’re you having trouble with the phone.”

“Sam!” Teal said, clearly very excited, “Yes, I was. I didn’t know how to answer it.”

Everett chuckled quietly.

“Is Everett there too?” Teal asked, “Can he hear me?”

The Dog leaned in closer to the phone.

“I can hear you buddy,” Everett began, “How are you doing?”

“Much better now that I can hear you guys,” Teal growled quietly, “Weird things have been happening since you two left.”

Sam frowned.

“Weird things?” Sam asked, “Like what Teal?”

“I’ve been feeling strange,” Teal began, “My collar has been turning on and off since two in the afternoon. It was off for like fifteen minutes last time. It’s really freaking me out.”

“Did you ask Dr. Hudson about it?” The human asked, “You can just contact her through the collar right?”

Teal made a strange noise between a growl and a whine.

“She said it was all part of the plan,” Teal replied, “She told me not to worry about it.”

“Do you need us to come back?” Sam asked, “Everett and I can be there in a few hours.”

Everett sighed and nodded. He knew he needed to help, but tonight was supposed to be special. Oh well, there would be plenty more nights like this. After all, it wasn’t like Sam or Everett were leaving the island any time soon.

“Yeah Teal,” The Dog piped in, “We’re here to help.”

“I need you guys,” Teal began, “It won’t be an issue will it?”

“Not at all,” Sam replied, “We were going camping, but it’s clear that this isn’t a good night for it.”

“Okay,” Teal said after a quick pause, “Please try to hurry. I’m scared.”

“We will,” Sam rubbed the Dog’s arm, “Just stay in your room and be calm.”

“Okay,” The Raptor began, “Thank you guys.”

The human ended the call and put the cellular phone back into his pocket. He looked over at the Dog and sighed.

“Would you like to put the fire out or put away the campsite?” Sam asked, “We can’t leave this stuff out here.”

The Jack Russell Terrier sighed.

“I guess I’ll take care of the fire,” Everett replied, “I’d probably only screw up the tent.”

“Okay,” Sam embraced the Dog, “I’m sorry about this. I know you were excited to spend the night up here.”

“It’s alright,” Everett kissed the human’s cheek, “Teal needs us. We should be there for him.”

“I’m glad you see it the same way I do,” Sam broke the hug, “Let’s get this packed up.”

Everett walked over to the fire and kicked some dirt over it. It was still small, and it didn’t take long for the Dog to completely smother it. Everett pulled his pack back onto his shoulders and waited for the human to come out of the bushes. A short while later, Sam strolled out of the bushes with the neatly rolled up tent strapped down to his pack.

“That was quick,” Everett chuckled, “Do you think you beat the Guinness World Record for taking down a tent?”

“Hell no,” Sam smirked, “I’m just a second off last I checked.”

Everett turned to look down at where the fire used to be.

“Is this ok?” Everett asked, “I’m not sure if this is against the rules or not.”

“That should be fine,” Sam chuckled, “This whole camping trip is against the rules.”

Everett blinked.

“Then why did we go?” Everett asked, “Aren’t I already in enough trouble as it is?”

“I have friends in the security office,” Sam began, “Trust me. No one is going to know that we were here.”

The human pat the Dog on the back.

“Come on,” Sam put an arm around Everett, “We should start walking. I’m really worried about Teal.”

The human started walking down the rocky path. He kept Everett close and matched his pace to the Dog’s slower one.

“I hope we see some wildlife,” Sam sighed, “It was weirdly quiet walking out here.”

Everett scoffed.

“Seriously?” The Dog looked over at the human, “I’ve had my fill of the wildlife here.”

“Okay,” Sam chuckled, “Then for your sake, I hope we don’t see any.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Aside from a couple birds and awkward jokes, Sam and Everett’s journey back to the human’s Jeep was totally quiet and uneventful. The pair threw their packs into the backseat and drove off, speeding away down the narrow dirt road. Static played over the Jeep’s radio.

“That’s weird,” Sam fiddled with the radio as he tried to find a signal, “There shouldn’t be static on this frequency.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing Sam,” Everett replied, “Nothing is infallible, there’s probably just some technical difficulties up at HQ.”

Sam looked over at the Dog and raised an eyebrow.

“On a park filled with some of the deadliest creatures to ever live on this Earth the smallest technical difficulty is a big deal,” The Human slowed to a stop in front of the gate to the park, “If all radio is down something has gone very wrong.”

Sam’s eyes went wide.

“No wonder Teal’s collar has been acting up,” Sam gasped, “Oh my god. We have to get back there.”

“You don’t think..,” Everett whined, “You don’t think he’d hurt anyone do you.”

Sam gripped the steering wheel.

“I don’t know,” Sam honked the horn, “But there’s no one around to open the gate.”

The Human got out of the car, slammed the door, and stormed up to the gate. Sam waved his arms and scoffed.

“Looks like no one’s home,” Sam called back to the Dog, “Pull the car up. I’ll open the gate.”

Sam walked up to a small console beside the door and pressed his watch to it. The gate whirred to life and slowly opened. Everett slowly pulled forward and got the Jeep inside the gate. As it closed behind him, Sam walked in and stood beside the driver-side window.

“I’m going to check out the office,” Sam pointed out a small building just behind the gate for the Dog, “I’ll see if I can’t find out what’s going on.”

“Okay,” Everett looked up at the office, “Be careful. I have a bad feeling about all of this.”

Sam smirked.

“Don’t be worried,” Sam shifted his stance, showing off the silver revolver on his hip, “My .44 will keep me safe.”

Everett frowned.

“Just be careful,” The Dog began, “For me, okay?”

Sam nodded and leaned in the window to kiss the Dog.

“Keep it running okay,” Sam replied as he broke away, “We may have to get out of here quickly.”

The human walked up the narrow metal stairs to the office. The heavy wooden door was locked. Sam looked down at the floor and saw two bullet casings. With a grunt, the human kicked the door in. He gasped and quickly drew his pistol. Sitting on the floor were the two guards on gate duty. The two women, one human and one a Fox, were motionless with large wounds on their necks.

Sam looked around the office. He was the only living thing in the office. He sighed and put his revolver away. He turned to his left and opened up the closet. The weapons, ammo, and other gear was stolen. Sam growled and looked in one of the drawers. Whoever had murdered the two guards had missed something, a small Beretta pistol and a couple boxes of ammo. The human collected the pistol and ammo with a sigh and walked out of the office.

“Well,” Everett asked, “What happened?”

“Someone killed them,” Sam got into the passenger seat, “The guards are dead.”

“Dead?!” Everett whined, “What does that mean?”

“I don’t know,” Sam started to inspect the weapon, “Can you drive for a bit? At least to the next security checkpoint?”

“Sure I guess,” The Dog took a deep breath, “What does this mean for the park?”

“I don’t know,” Sam sighed, “I don’t know what’s happening yet.”

Everett started to drive, still taking slow deep breaths. Sam loaded the pistol and put it down by his side.

“This is yours,” Sam began, “Do you know how to shoot?”

“No,” Everett looked over at the human, “Why would I have to shoot anyone?”

“Just in case,” Sam replied, “If you’re with me there is a very good chance you are in danger.”

“What?” Everett shook his head, “You’re a search and rescue guy. Why would anyone want to hurt you?”

“I’m considered security personnel,” The human began, “I have full access anywhere in the park. I am a threat to whoever is doing this.”

“Here’s the next checkpoint,” Everett’s eyes went wide as he saw the broken and bloody window of the booth, “Here too?”

Sam poked his body out of the car and looked into the building. The two guards, a Wolf and a Coyote, were lying limp with bullet holes in their heads.

“Both of them are dead,” Sam replied, “Let’s just get you home.”

“You’re coming with me right?” Everett looked over at the human, “Right?”

“I don’t know yet,” Sam began, “Just take us back to the hotel.”

Everett rounded the corner and gasped. Smoke filled the air as the northern half of the resort burned. Sam looked over at the Dog and tapped him on the shoulder.

“I think you should let me drive,” The human replied, “I don’t know what we’re going to find down there.”

Everett nodded wordlessly and stopped the car on the side of the road. Sam got out and walked around the front of the car, while Everett shifted back over to the passenger seat. He picked up the gun and looked it over, jumping a little as Sam slammed the driver’s side door.

“So how do I use this thing?” The Dog asked, “Just point and shoot.”

Sam reached over and calmly instructed the Jack Russel Terrier in the anatomy and workings of the firearm. Everett listened quietly, taking in as much information as he could.

“That’s all I can think of telling you,” Sam began as he restarted the car, “Hopefully you won’t have to use it.”

As Sam finished speaking, an unmarked black Jeep roared past. The human bit his lip and pulled out behind him, going much slower. Everett gasped.

“I didn’t know people could have private vehicles on the island,” The Dog looked over at Sam, “Who was that?”

“That,” Sam continued his slow pace, “Was the island’s equivalent of a SWAT team.”

Everett looked at the human with a slack-jaw.

“You’re never supposed to see them,” Sam gripped the wheel, “It means that the park is in emergency mode. There’s exhibits running free, an armed threat, or both.”

As Sam rounded a corner in the road. The black Jeep was lying on its side, its occupants nowhere to be found. Standing on top of the car was one of the black raptors from the other night. It looked up at Sam and Everett, a bloodied hand hanging loosely from its jaw, and honked. The human stepped on the gas pedal and sped past the carnage.

“Please tell me there’s more than two black Jeeps on the island,” Everett whined, “That can’t be the only one.”

“There’s one more,” Sam took a deep breath, “God I hope we can get into your place.”

“I don’t think it’s burning,” Everett craned to look at the resort, “Is it?”

“I hope not,” Sam drove through the last security checkpoint and into the burning southern half of the resort, “Do yourself a favor and close your eyes until I tell you to open them.”

Everett closed his eyes, but that didn’t stifle the smell of burning buildings and flesh. Sam drove as fast as he could, doing his best to avoid the angry creatures and panicked pedestrians. Things were less bloody as the pair drove through the southern half of the resort and to the front door of the hotel. Sam nudged the Dog and got out of the Jeep.

“What about the Jeep Sam?” Everett asked, “Won’t someone try and take it?”

Sam pulled out his revolver.

“That’s the least of our problems right now,” Sam began, “Let’s get up to your room.”

“Okay,” Everett jumped out of the Jeep with his pistol ready, “Let’s do this.”

Everett ran up the stairs and into the lobby, his back covered by Sam. The lobby was totally empty and tranquil. There were no signs of death or destruction, just soft music and the quiet whir of air conditioning. The quiet was interrupted by a loud screech from a Dilophosaurus. This was it in its true form, Everett’s height and dangerous, not the stunted poison sprayer from the Jurassic Park movies. It bobbed its head, screeched again, and charged.

Sam raised his revolver and fired three times. The dinosaur fell down the rest of the stairs with a loud crash and lay, twitching, as blood gushed out of three fresh holes in its brown-scaled chest. Sam reached into his pocket and replaced his spent bullets.

“Shall we take the elevator?” Sam looked over at the Dog, “I want to play this safe.”

The Dog looked over the dying Dilophosaurus and nodded furiously.

“Elevator sounds like a very good idea,” The Jack Russell Terrier replied, “I’ll go first.”

Everett jogged across the tile floor with the human hard on his heels and called the elevator. The doors opened and the Dog got in and pressed the button for his floor. He held the door as Sam took one last look around and got in.

“My room first?” Everett asked, “Or Teal’s?”

“Teal’s” Sam replied, “Keep that pistol ready. We may have to well…”

“No,” The Dog gasped, “We are not doing that. Not to him.”

The elevator dinged as Sam and Everett arrived at their floor. The human got out first and made sure that the floor was clear. There was no sign of any person or creature, all of the doors were closed, and nearly every light was off. Everett walked out of the elevator hesitantly.

“Why is it so quiet?” Everett asked, “Is everyone okay?”

“Well,” Sam replied as he started to slowly advance towards Teal’s room, “The fact that all the doors are closed could be good or bad. I’m hoping these people found out what was happening and locked themselves up tight.”

“I hope so,” The Jack Russel Terrier whined, “What if they got taken out of the hotel?”

“Let’s not think about that,” Sam began, “The key here is to stay positive.”

“Alright,” Everett nodded, “Stay positive. I can do that.”

The pair rounded the corner and gasped at the sight of Teal’s busted open door. It was hanging by one hinge and the inside of the door was scored with deep claw marks. Everett ran a couple of steps forward before being yanked roughly backwards by Sam.

“You stay out here,” Sam held on to the back of the Dog’s shirt, “Keep an eye out.”

“But what if he’s in there,” Everett whined, “What if he, you know…”

“I know,” Sam kissed the Dog’s cheek and let go of him, “Stay right here. I’ll be back.”

The human slowly walked towards the open door, his gun raised and his eyes wide. He stopped in front of the ripped open door and peered inside. It was dark and eerily quiet. Sam took a deep breath and stepped forward, keeping his movements as silent as he possibly could. Behind him, Everett whined quietly and slapped a paw over his mouth.

Stay there, Sam mouthed.

He walked out of the entry hallway and rounded the corner to the combined kitchen and living room. The house was a mess, with pieces of food, furniture, and blankets, strewn over the entirety of the medium blue carpet. There was a light on in the bathroom, which shone out over the living room through the now totally open doorway. The wooden bathroom door lay in front of the closed, undamaged bedroom door.

Sam looked into the bathroom. The white and green Stegosaur patterned shower curtain was closed, obscuring the combination bathtub and shower from view. The human took a deep breath, raised his gun, and threw the curtain to the side. It was empty. Sam breathed a sigh of relief and lowered the gun. Suddenly, something cracked on the floor of the living room. He whipped around, gun raised, and gasped.

“Everett!” Sam shouted at the clearly startled Jack Russell Terrier, “I fucking told you to stay in the hall.”

The Dog rubbed his arm.

“I know,” Everett replied, “I just got scared.”

Sam embraced the Dog.

“I almost shot you Everett,” Sam rubbed the Jack Russel Terrier’s back, “I’m sorry for yelling, but you scared me.”

“I heard screams,” Everett nuzzled into Sam’s chest, “Coming from the stairwell.”

The human sighed and looked at the closed bedroom door.

“Let’s go to your place,” Sam began, “We should get it set up.”

“Set up for what?” The Dog asked, “What’s going on?”

“We should get all of the survivors we can,” Sam replied, “There’s safety in numbers.”

Everett put an arm around the Dog and walked him out of Teal’s apartment. The Dog whined and looked back.

“Where could he be Sam?” Everett sighed as they walked back into the hallway, “I’m worried about him.”

“I am too,” Sam stopped in front of the Dog’s door, “Make you place comfortable. I don’t know how many people we’re going to have in there.”

“Where are you going?” Everett asked as Sam opened the door and shoved him inside, “Are you going out there?”

Sam nodded.

“I won’t go far,” Sam embraced the Dog, “I’ll be back faster than you can say Dinosaur Jamboree.”

Everett stood in the doorway and watched as Sam ran down the hall. The Dog closed the door and sighed.

“Dinosaur Jamboree,” The Jack Russell Terrier said to himself.

Something rattled in the kitchen. The Dog jumped and shakily pulled out his gun. He walked forward, slowly, the gun shaking more and more with each step he took. He rounded the corner and gasped. Teal was standing in the kitchen, but it wasn’t Teal. His collar wasn’t blinking and the dinosaur’s eyes lacked any sense of intelligence. Teal wasn’t there.

The raptor hissed and advanced slowly towards the Dog. Everett whimpered with fear and raised the gun, pointing it between Teal’s eyes. The dinosaur stopped in his tracks and cocked his head. Everett gasped and lowered the gun.

“Teal?” Everett asked, “Do you recognize me?”

Teal chittered and moved closer to the Dog. Everett whined and put the gun down before embracing the large raptor. The dinosaur tensed up, but eventually rubbed his snout against the Dog’s neck.

“I was so worried,” Everett pulled back and looked into the dinosaur’s eyes, “Why can’t you talk Teal? Is something wrong?”

Teal’s collar started to blink green and his demeanor immediately changed. The raptor roared and lunged forward, pressing the Dog to the black and white tile floor. Everett whimpered as Teal’s tongue slithered against his neck.

“Teal,” Everett whined as the dinosaur’s claws went to his belt, “Think of Sam.”

Everett broke away from the Raptor and made a run for it. Teal roared and gave chase, his claws outstretched. The Dog ran for the only open door he could find, the door to Teal’s apartment, and closed it behind him as best as he could. The Jack Russell Terrier made it into the kitchen before Teal broke through the door.

Everett shakily readied his gun and put his back to the counter before pointing it at the raptor.

“Teal,” Everett began, “Please don’t do this.”

Teal snarled and lunged forward.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A few minutes later

Sam followed behind a group of survivors. He had found the ten of them, including Everett’s friend Trinh, outside, cowering in a sunglasses shack. The armed gunmen terrorizing the park followed them into the hotel, and were now chasing them up the stairs. Sam crouched at the landing on the seventh floor and squeezed off two shots, one of them catching a black-clad assailant in their left upper thigh. The injury slowed the remaining gunman long enough for Sam and the group to make it up to the ninth floor and barricade the door.

“Come on,” Sam began, “Let’s get to Everett’s place.”

“Won’t they get through this door and find us?” A worried looking Stoat began, “Shouldn’t we get ready to fight?”

Sam shook his head.

“Look,” The Human began, “They’ve lost us and they know it. Once we get into Everett’s apartment, they can’t get at us. They aren’t going to search every apartment.”

“What about the master keys?” Trinh asked, “If they get those we could be in a lot of trouble.”

Sam held up a large keyring full of keys. The resourceful human snagged them from behind the front desk on his way out of the hotel.

“Like I said,” Sam began, “We’ll be fine.”

The group breathed a collective sigh of relief and relaxed.

“I’ll lead them to Everett’s place,” Trinh began, “Can you check the rest of the floor and make sure it’s safe?”

“Yes,” Sam began as Trinh started to lead the group down the hallway, “Wait! Don’t you need the keys?”

Trinh scoffed and looked back over her shoulder.

“Hasn’t he had you over yet?” Trinh smirked, “He never locks his door.”

Sam chuckled and shook his head as he started walking in the other direction. As he got further from the group he began to hear growls and quiet, pained whimpers. The human readied his gun and leaned against one of the walls, making as little noise as possible. His eyes widened as he realized the source of the noise, Teal’s apartment.

It took every ounce of Sam’s willpower to keep him from sprinting in there. He quickened his pace and readied his gun. Everett was in trouble, but the fact that he was still able to make noise was a very good sign. The Human took a deep breath and stepped into the apartment. As he walked down the hallway that led to Teal’s living room, the sounds changed from growls and whimpers, to rhythmic grunts and slaps.

Sam rounded the corner and froze. Teal was standing in front of his kitchen counter, facing away from Sam, and thrusting into someone. Someone with brown and white furred legs, Everett’s legs. The human aimed for Teal’s head, rage burning from his chest throughout his body.

“Teal!” Sam shouted.

The Raptor turned and roared at the human. Sam fired, catching Teal in the side of the head. The Raptor careened away from the Jack Russell Terrier and hit the fridge, sparks and a few droplets of blood shooting from his wound. His strong legs kicked out, catching Everett’s trembling body in the legs and knocking him to the floor. Sam growled and walked forward, ready to finish the Raptor off. As his fingers went to the trigger, the sparks stopped, and Teal’s collar turned back to it’s normal red color.

“Sam?” Teal’s eyes went wide as looked up at the barrel of Sam’s gun, “What’s happening?”

The human faltered and lowered the gun.

“Did I do something?” Teal looked around the room, “I don’t remember.”

The Raptor jumped up as he saw Everett lying on the floor.

“Everett?” Teal asked, “Oh my god are you okay? Are you?”

Teal froze as he realized what happened, what he had done.

“Do you remember anything? Sam asked, “Why you did what you did?”

Teal shook his head.

“No,” Teal began, “When the collar goes off I black out.”

His clawed hand moved up to his fresh wound.

“You damaging this control chip activated the failsafe in my collar,” Teal continued, “ Alice put that chip in in order to monitor our behavior. Guess it works to alter behavior as well. I think I’ll be okay though. What’s happening Sam? Do you know?”

“All hell’s broke loose,” Sam began as he knelt by Everett’s side, “It’s like someone is taking over the park.”

“It’s Dr. Hudson,” Teal replied as he stood up, his now semi-erect length retreating into his body, “She said this was part of a plan. It must have something to do with one of her experiments.”

Everett whimpered and sat up.

“Easy there,” Sam began as he looked over the Dog, “Just take some deep breaths.”

The pieces of the Dog’s pants and underwear were scattered around the kitchen. He was most unscathed, aside from some shallow scratches along his lower back and the back of his thighs. Everett looked up into Sam’s eyes and sighed.

“I’m fine,” Everett replied, “Just a little shaken up.”

“Are you sure?” Sam asked, “I mean you were-,”

Everett put a finger on the human’s lips.

“Not now,” Everett began, “I can’t think about that now.”

Sam nodded and held the Dog’s paw.

“Did you find anyone?” Everett asked, “Are there any survivors?”

“Yes,” Sam replied, “I found ten of them, including your friend Trinh. They should be in your apartment now.”

“Can I come?” Teal asked, “I should be better now.”

Sam took a deep breath.

“Eventually,” Sam began, “I want to make sure this isn’t going to happen again.”

“So what does that entail?” Teal asked, “What do I need to do?”

“Stay here for a day or so,” Sam replied, “That way you won’t hurt anyone if you go feral again.”

“Do I have to stay alone?” The Raptor looked down, “I, well, I don’t want to be alone right now.”

“I’ll stay with him,” Everett began, “I can stay.”

Sam blinked and looked down at the Dog.

“But he,” Sam gulped, “He raped you.”

Teal recoiled and hung his head.

“Teal didn’t,” Everett looked Sam in the eyes, “That wasn’t Teal. I know that, you know that, and he knows that.”

“What do I tell Trinh and the others?” The human asked, “They’re going to want to know why you aren’t there.”

Everett sighed.

“Tell them anything but the truth,” Everett began, “I can’t go back there right now. If I see Trinh I’m going to break down.”

“I don’t like it Everett,” Sam began, “What if this happens again?”

The Dog grabbed his pistol, which had been kicked to the side of the kitchen during the struggle, and held it up.

“I understand,” Sam stood up, “I’ll bring you some clothes.”

“Thank you,” Everett kissed his boyfriend on the lips, “I’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”

Sam sighed and started to walk out of the kitchen. He stopped in Teal’s living room and glared at the Raptor.

“You take care of him,” Sam began, “Or you’re going to regret it.”

Sam walked out of the apartment and closed the busted door as he best as he could behind him. Teal shuddered and turned to face away from Everett. He slumped and hung his head.

“Teal,” Everett began quietly, “Can you help me?”

“Of course” Teal began, “What do you need?”

“Can you help me to the couch?” Everett asked, “I don’t really want to walk yet. I’m pretty sore.”

Teal whimpered and slowly approached the Dog. He bent down and tentatively put his arms around the Dog’s chest. The Raptor froze and looked up at Everett.

“Is this okay?” Teal asked, “I can understand if you don’t want me to touch you.”

Everett kissed the Raptor’s cheek and embraced him.

“I’m fine,” Everett held Teal tightly, “I just want you to be okay.”

Teal froze and nuzzled into the Dog’s cheek. He held Everett tightly to him and walked across the apartment to the couch.

“Thank you Teal,” Everett began as the Raptor set him down, “Are you okay now?”

Teal nodded and sat down on the end of the couch.

“I’m sorry Everett,” Teal began, “If I could take it back I would.”

“Stop,” Everett put up his paw, “I know that wasn’t you.”

“But it was my body,” Teal replied, “It was me.”

Everett sat up and stroked the top of the Raptor’s head.

“This is you,” The Dog took the Raptor’s hand and moved it to the side of his head, “Just as much as this is me. If your body doesn’t have that spark, the thing that makes you who you are. If it doesn’t what does that make you?”

“Are you asking me?” Teal asked, “Because I don’t know.”

Everett laughed.

“That makes you meat,” Everett poked the Raptor in the chest, “In your case, walking, fighting, and eating meat, but meat none the less.”

Everett sighed.

“Look,” Everett continued, “I’m trying to rationalize this in a way that makes me not hate you. Just go with it. Make this easier for me.”

Teal nodded.

“Yes Everett,” The Raptor laid his head on the arm of the couch, “Just know that I’m going to need help rationalizing this too. At this rate, I don’t think I ever will.”

Everett fell silent and looked over at the Raptor.

“Why didn’t you kill me?” Everett asked, “Why did you do… what you did?”

Teal sat up and put his hands in his lap.

“Well,” Teal began, “Because I love you.”

Everett’s jaw dropped.

“I’ve loved you since I first saw you,” Teal looked over at the Dog, “I guess that’s why.”

Everett took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak, but stopped at the sound of footsteps. At the moment, no one needed to know. Teal took a deep breath as well.

“Thank you Everett,” Teal began, “Keep this quiet please.”

Everett nodded. There was nothing else he could do.