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Broken Home

Chapter Two

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

30th April 2023

All Rights Reserved.

Alexander's ears went as flat as they could, as Richard looked sickened himself, describing what he suspected, without more invasive examination, had happened to this strange, enigmatic deer.

His paw gripping the mug, Alexander began to tremble, then his lips curled backward exposing his sharp fangs. His furred fingers contracted and suddenly, with a crunch of shattering ceramic, the mug exploded. Alexander screamed and clutched his left wrist – hot tea and blood spilling from his fist as he yelped and clutched it to his chest.

“Woah...gods damn it, Alexander!” Richard gasped, then snatched up his bag. “Easy, easy my friend – come over here, quickly! We got to irrigate the wound – now...”

Alexander, in agony and enraged, snarled at Richard, who stared back – not even twitching a muscle, until he saw his friend's expression lose its animal-like ferocity.

“Alright, come on, now – go to the sink, I won't lie, this is going to hurt – you want something for the pain?”

“I'm...fine...” Growled Alexander, as he clutched his wounded paw and went to the sink.

Here, he turned on the tap, then breathed heavily for a few panting breaths – before plunging his wounded paw under the ice-cold water. Blood splattered into the drain, swirling and vanishing, as his shoulders heaved and he fought to suppress his painful whines. As he moved to pick shattered pieces of ceramic out of his paw pads, Richard shook his head.

“I'll do that, alright, come back here – got a clean bandage, but first... we've got to ensure there are no fragments...”

Reluctantly, Alexander sat and placed his paw pad side up on a few absorbent pads, before Richard used a saline vial to wash out the wound – watching as Alexander visibly flinched.

“Sorry...”

“You're a medic...I mean – a Veterinarian, so...can we just...”

Gently lifting the paw, Richard turned it left to right, using sterile cotton balls to dab ever so gently at the wounds, before he sighed in relief.

“No visible shards, what might be there – they'll work their way out, keep it clean and look – I'll give you some medications...”

“No...” Come the low, menacing growl.

“It's not up for debate! That gets an infection, it'll spread and who will care for your - “ Richard looked over at the unconscious deer. “Friend over there?”

Alexander shuddered, then his shoulders slumped and he nodded. “Fine...yes, you're right – that poor thing – it's going to take months to get it to even stay here – protected and safe and... hell – what do I even feed him?”

Richard smiled, placing a gentle hand on the wolf's forearm. “I'll give you more than enough information on what to feed, how much, when, you name it. Start with small portions, he's underweight and malnourished – too much too soon will do more harm than good! Now, no more growling or whining – I know this hurts, I do – so...”

Richard gently covered the cuts with antiseptic cream, eliciting a low whine from Alexander, then covered it with a thick gauze pad, finally wrapping from fingers down to the wrist in a tight bandage.

“Goddess...” Alexander hissed, as Richard placed two broad tape straps to hold the bandage.

“Sorry, there, all done...” Richard smiled, putting the items into a strong, plastic bag and sealing it.

Quietly, Richard walked over to the deer, placing two fingers on its throat as he counted she slow, rhythmic heartbeats for a minute.

“Thanks... I mean it – let me know... you know – what I owe you... So – how long...”

Richard sighed and pondered. “Well, was only a low dose, but he should sleep for a while. I'll leave you with the tranquillizer, I hope you'd not need it – but – a scared deer can be a dangerous deer...”

Alexander paused, one paw on the edge of the door as he thought for a moment, then looked over his shoulder.

“All things considered – the fright, the pure agony that poor thing must have been in...”

Richard closed his vet bag and looked up, curious. “Oh?”

Alexander frowned, his nails digging into the door frame. “He...he was hurting, scared out of his mind – yet – really not aggressive – frightened? Yes, absolutely – but never tried to attack with his antlers, kick in self-defense...nothing. Even when I tried to pet him – he flinched – like I would strike him... Considering what little you told me – I don't doubt he was incredibly...”

Richard swallowed, then stood up. “Don't think those thoughts, my friend, please – take care of him, look after him, bond with him – teach him not to be afraid – believe me – he's going to be a handful...”

Alexander's body quivered, then he turned his head, almost like his neck was made of stone, raising both eyebrows at Richard.

“Bond... with him?” Alexander's weak voice come back to Richard.

Richard blushed, he couldn't help it, his embarrassment making him glow as he realized the unintentional phrasing. “I meant, teach him, show him you can be trusted – you won't hurt him. That deer – gods, I can't begin to imagine – he's like you, broken, scarred, and hurting. I think, with you as his kind, gentle and strong protector – he'll find true happiness, as will you. How long has it been since you cared for anyone? Truly cared? Opened your heart and your arms to another?”

Alexander sighed, hanging his head. “Too long... you know why I don't – make friends and socialize, as a general rule – a few hours one day a week at the market is all I can tolerate...”

“So... care for him, be with him, I'm sure, between yourself and him – you'll heal and help each other – in more ways than you will ever possibly know!”

Alexander looked at the unconscious deer, then walked over and ever so gently placed a paw down on his shoulder, tenderly stroking the fur.

“I...don't know – you know me my friend – you know what lives within me... the memories, the pain the rage...”

Carefully, Richard placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.

“I do – its why I think it'll be excellent therapy for both of you. It won't happen instantly, go slowly. I know you have a good heart, I do! I've known you for over twenty years, I can trust you, not, to do something stupid. Either to this poor deer, or yourself! Now, offer him feed and water regularly, but, first and foremost, give him space and time! Don't crowd him, let him come to you. If he looks scared or even angry – back away, don't force the issue, or you'll do irreparable harm.”

“Well, in about two weeks, we'll have snow almost as high as my windows – so... I hope he's going to be comfortable... reminds me, what sort of, well, recovery time...”

Alexander resumed gently stroking and caressing the unconscious deer, itself, oblivious, as Richard pondered.

“Well, without expensive X-rays – it's hard to say exactly. I used a modest amount of force to align the bones, obviously, as gently as I could... It didn't feel too severe, but tell you what, end of winter? Sedate him and bring him into the clinic for a checkup, deal? Or I'll come to you. He'll be at least six to eight weeks - so... I hope he won't mind being carried around again, as he will need toileting – which opens its own questions! How does a hermaphrodite deer urinate? Is their urethra connected to their penis or through the vagina? I...don't know.”

Alexander sighed, then shook his head. “I'll need some training pads, like what they use for puppies and kittens I suppose – not that I think it'll work... This is a wild deer, so domestication? Doubtful...”

Richard nodded. “Either way, I'm sure you'll figure it out – there is still good in you my friend – I know it – this might be just the way to draw it out, give you a reason, something to live for instead of just, well, living...”

Alexander exhaled softly, giving the deer one more gentle caress, before he stood and walked Richard back to his van. Here, he shook hands with his right, then gave the human a brief, manly hug.

“Thank you - “ Alexander whispered into his ear.

With a smile, Richard nodded. “I'll do what I can, fees wise – I know you're not exactly – well off...”

Alexander sighed softly, then gave a half-hearted wave of his paw, before he walked back inside and closed the door quietly behind him.

*

Inside, he leaned back against the door, shuddering and hanging his head. With a few moments to compose himself, he walked over and then sat down on the edge of the couch – tenderly stroking the deer along the neck and down the shoulder.

“What am I going to do with you - “ Alexander breathed out and sighed. “I just don't know – you're – wild, a child of nature, me? I'm an ex-Army soldier, trained to hunt and kill when I must, think nothing of taking a life when I had to... Now I've got the most precious life of all in my paws – I just don't...”

His words broke, then for the first time since he'd been a scrawny, tiny pup, he felt the hot, salty tears well in his eyes. Placing his forehead against the deer's shoulder, he splayed his furred fingers out over the deer's back and just let the pain and grief flow.

Decades of pent-up pain and grief building within him, battering at the mental dam that held them at bay. With a thunderous crash – the dam inside his mind crumbled – releasing everything he had fought so hard to suppress and put behind him...

TO BE CONTINUED...