Furries among us

[Rocksanne]

Snow:
The sun rose, shining its bright light through a window to land on the face of a sleeping husky. He started to stir, slowly waking up. Snow sat up with a yawn. It was another nice day. Running hes paws aling his matted fur, he smoothed it out. Finally awake, snow made his way to the bathroom for a shower. Running the water, snow looked himself over in the mirror, rubbing sleep from his eyes. Snow stepped into the shower. The warm water felt good, but it made his fur feel heavy.

Fully showered, snow got dressed, thinking about what he was going to do today. Maybe go out to eat for breakfast. The market wasnt far from his home.

Dressed simply in some shorts and a t-shirt, the husky made it to hus front door. When he opened it, there was someone standing in front of him, a human judging by the lack of fur and his eats.

"Get on the floor, now!" The man commanded in a deep voice. In his hand was a metalic thing with a tube on it. The tube pointed at snow.

"Can i help..." snow started to say, getting cut off when the human drove his knee into snow's gut, i stantly knocking the wind out of him. He dropped to the floor, unable to breath. The human was kneeling at snows side, forcing his paws behind his back, tieing them together with something.

None too gently, the human grabbed snow by the arm and pulled him to his feet. "Walk," was all the human said, shoving snow forwatd through the door. Snow felt something being pushed into his back. That metal thing maybe? As snow walked outside, he saw that similar things were hapening all over the village.

"What's going..."

"Shut your myzzle before i gag you," the human cut snow off harshly.

[Highland Sniper]

Reagia lay in her cage. the floor was dirt, there was a hole in a corner to dump in, there was a bowl of water close by, and it was mostly covered in a big tarp.

She coughed as she lay under her the rags they gave her for a blanket, her only clothes were a torn shirt to cover up bare skin from her mixed heritage. she breathed raggedly, too weak to stand.

Help. was the only thing she could think of. She knew she was sick.

Her last master grew bord of her and sold her for a new toy. For this, she was grateful but felt that she was close to death now do to the sickness that seemed to run rampant among those who were already weak from use and work.

She rolled over, coughing. her throat burned as she lay there.

[Rocksanne]

And so they marched, hour after hour after hour. The sun had just come up over the horizon when snow was gathered into the rest of the group. All the heathy were here. All with their paws tied behind there backs. Some were gaged, others looked scared. Some were crying.

"NO! NOT MY BABY!" There was a bone chilling scream of despiration, then a bang, like an explosion. "NNNNOOOO!" That scream, it pulled at the heart.

Then came the fires....so...many....fires.... The firries were gathered atvthe edge if the village, watching more be added to the group. Building after building was set ablaze.

And with that, there were forced to walk, those that sirvived. The humans chatted and laughed. Each had a bag on their back. Some were eating, others drinking. The furries...they got nothing.

The sun had passed its highest point, and still they were being herded somewhere.

That somewhere was revieled to be a rather large human settlement. The center of which was...a group of cages...like a market. In some of the cages were...furries? Snow now felt scared.

There was a thud as something colided with the back of snows head, and his world went black.

Stirring, snow started to come back to earth. His head hurt. Once his vi sdcc ion cleared, his heart dropped. He was in a cage, too small to stand in. At least he had enough room to be on sll fours.

There was a cough, and snow saw the furry in the cage next to his. "Hey." He tried to get her attention.

[Highland Sniper]

Reagia rolled over to reveal
A human face

She coughed and wheezed.
It was clear that she had some furry heritage as well as human. Besides her ears, she was human from the waist up and furry from the waist down with wolf legs and a tail.
She looked pail, her eyes looked pained.

"Hey." She said weekly. She tried for a smile. "I hope you get someone goo-"
She starts coughing like crazy for a small moment.

[Rocksanne]

"You all right?" Snow asked, concerned. "You dont look so good." He crawled to the side of his cage closest to the furry. "My name is snow. Whats yours?"

The sound of a large bell was then heard, like one you could see in an old churc. With its deep tone, it rung out over the town. As though ot was some kind of signal, troves of humans swarmed to the center of town, talking happily, laughing. It was all quite loud, as almost celabratory.

"Welcome ladies and gents!" A voicd rang out. It was a man with something in his hand, held close to his face. His voice much louder then was natural. It hurt snows ears.

"We have another glorious day of sales, some of the finest furry creatures you could ever want!"

Rather large men were by one cage, bounding and gaging the furry before presenting it to the crowed. Leads were tieDC around the creatures neck, held by the large men. There was nowhere it could go.

People interested in the furry steped forward to get a closer look. Or, in some cases, more then just a look. Snows jaw dropped as he watched.

"First up today," came the booming voice again, "we have this rather fine female fox here. Perfect for personal needs, or to just look at while you relax at home. Starting bid, 100, do i hear 100?"

And so the auction went, slowly working down the line of cages. Soon, it was snows turn. The men opened the cage. He cowared in the far corner of the cage, unable to go anywhere. Once he was dragged out of the cage, he felt the gaze of the crowd on him. Humans, mostly females, felt his body while snow struggled under their touch.

Snow was too focused on his predicament to hear the auction. Suddenly, the crowd pulled back, allowing a male to step forward. Walking right in front of snow, the man reached up with a coller, placing ot around snows neck. "Im sorry," the man wispered. "I dont want to hurt you. Im doing this because i have to."

The man had a soft touch, even leaving the coller looser then it should have been.

Then it was the female furrys turn, the poor, sick one.

The men went to her cage. "This one aint worth selling," one of the men told the male with the booming voice. He looked her over. "Dispose of her," he finally said. One man pulled out one of the metal things with a hole and pointed it to the furry.

The ensuing bang was deafening to snow. He calapses tk the ground, covering his ears. But, it hadent come from the male on stage. It was the one that had purchased snow. One of his arms was raised over his head, a metal thing pointing up.

"Shes mine," the male said. The booming vouced male laughed. "You want this diseased riden vermin?" To acompamy the statement, the male landed a kick to the female furs side. The crowed cheared apon seeing this.

"Kick her again, and ill shoot you for harming my property." He lowed his arm, pointing it at the male. This was but ten feet from snows cage.

"Your property?" The loud male asked. Reaching into his coat, the male pulled out a bag of coins and tossed it to the male. "Yes, my property."

Walking, snow in tow, the male went over to the poor girl. He put a coller around her neck as well. "Do not fear, i wont hurt you. Can you walk?:

[Highland Sniper]

"Reagia." She said before the bells sounded. "Oh, here we go."

She watched sadly as the auction took place, knowing that some would be abused as she was.

She let out a yell of pain when she was kicked and curled into a ball, shutting her eyes tight when the tube of the item was put close to her head.

She looked at him and tried to nod, and she stood slowly.
She looked close to tears.

She held her side where she had been kicked as she stood and walked behind the man.
She doubled over with more coughing and stumbled forward, but kept pace.

"Looks like we gota fierce one." She said to Snow.

[Rocksanne]

And so the two furs were lead throgh the town. The male, the furs learn his name was alex, walked slowly, so as to give Reagia the ability to keep up. Alex even offered to help her walk, suporting somed of here weight. When the caughing fits came, alex would stop, rub Reagias back, patently waiting for it to pass. Snow felt bad for her.

Soon they came to a small cot at the edge of town. Alex opened the door, letting the furs go in first. Once the front door was closed, alex gently took the collers off of the furs.

The cot was simple. It was made of a large room that was a sleepung area, kitchen, and living room. There was another room that housed a bathroom. Against one wall was a bed, a closet nearby. Windows framed the town on one side, the gentle hills on the other. There was another bed on the other wall, well made.

Slowly, alex lead Reagia to one of the beds, the one by the closet. He helped her lay down. "Would you like some new clothes? They might be big on you. What about you, snow?"

[Highland Sniper]

Reagia was grateful for the slow pace and the comfort that this man had given.

She was close to collapsing when they got inside and got into the bed thankfully. It was so warm and comfortable, moreso than the hard ground in her old cage.

Her eyes widened at the thought of some new clothes.
"A master shouldn't waste his ti-" she was saying before she was interrupted with another coughing fit.

When she stopped, she looked at Alex with tired eyes.
"Thank you, for your kind treatment master Alex." She said.
She was liking the man already, but felt the need to repay him. That would come later when she was well.

She felt she couldn't stay awake much longer. In fact, she could barely keep her eyes open.
She felt so tired, so sleepy, so weak. Her breath was irregular. She was hot, so hot and was already starting to sweat. That walk must have taken its toll. But she didn't say a thing about it.

[Rocksanne]

Alex looked down at the poor, sick creature before him. Placing a hand on her forehead, alex felt her tempurature. She was scolding hot. Walking to the fridge, alex wrapped some ice in a cloth. Glancing over his shoulder, alex saw that snow was just standing in the corner. "Feel free to wear whatever you want in the closet. You can get dressed in the batheoom. Make yourself comfyerble on the bed."

Snow had just been watching the events. But being able to put on some clean clothes sounded great. "Can snow shower, too?" He asked softly. "Sure, clothes are in the bathroom. Help yourself."

Walking to the closet, snow picked out some clothes, at random, and walked into the bathroom, shuting the door.

In the main part of the house, alex finished wraping the ice, and placed the pacage on Reagia's forehead. "Im sorry, its the best i can do at the moment." He gently stroked her cheek, like a father to a young daughter. Alex watched Reagia sleep, waiting for snow to be done. Whike alex waited, he made himself some tea.

Soon, snow came back to the pair, his fur matted from the water. "Thanks alex, i needed that."

Alex as again sitting beside Reagia and gave a dismisive wave of his hand. "No problem, but i need your help."

Snows ears perked up. "Sure, what cha need?"

"Can you keep an eye on Reagia? I have an ice pack on her. Tend to that. I have to go get Reagia what she needs. If she wakes up, i have water in a tea pot, tea on the counter in the glass container. Make as many cups as she wants. She is not to leave the bed except to go into thd bathroom. Am i clear?"

Snow nodded his understanding.

"Good," alex said, walking to his front door and going through it. Snow sat on the stool next to her.

[Highland Sniper]

Reagia lay there, breathing irregularly.
Her eyes opened slightly.

"Water." She rasped. She slowly rubbed her throat. "Water."

She felt so hot, and so thirsty. Her throat hurt. Her vision a slightly blurred. And when water came, she took it gratefully.

She laid back deck down.
"Thank you." She mumbled. And it wasn't long till she in a hot and restless sleep.

[Rocksanne]

In the market, alex looked for one particular booth. Easier said than done. The market square was a labrenth of boothes, placed in a who knows patern. He also caught dirty looks from people he passed. So word had spread that he had paid for a sick furry. Alex heard mutterings all around him. He ignored it. Somewhere in this maze was the booth he needed. He seaeched and searched. Shadows srarted to lengthen. The day was getting late. Boothes were starting to close. Alex cursed to himself. Where was it?

A cool breeze drifted through the square, carrying the bitter, woody scent of herbs. Alex followed it, hoping he was not too late.

Alex eventually made it back ro his cabbin. The sun had set, the moon hung high in the sky, casting its eery light.

"Hows she doing?" Alex asked snow as he entered, starting to heat up some water in a tea ketlle. One the water was hot, alex crushed the herbs in his hands before placing them in the water. Pouring this tea inro a cup, he brouht it over to Reagia.

[Highland Sniper]

Who was once again unconscious at this time.
She was soaked in sweat, and her blankets were starting to get damp. Her lips were even starting look a bit chapte.

She muttered something that was hard to make out, and moved her head. Her breath was becoming a little raspy, and she even looked paler than when she was sold.

If anyone could give a diagnosis, it might be along the lines of "not well at all. Big chance of death."

But in her mind, thoughts and images, memories floated about in her mind. Her eyes tightened a bit every now and then as a small reflection of what she saw, or felt in her memories.

[Rocksanne]

Alex gently shook Reagia, trying to wake her. He turned to snow. "Can you grind up the rest of those herbs?" Alex motioned to the counter. Snow looked from him, to her, back to him. "Is...is friend going...going to be ok?" Alex shook his head in the afermative. "I give you my word." Alex shook Reagia a little harder. "Reagia, hey, time to get up. I have something for you."

Snow walked to the counter, and started rubbing and crushing the herbs. The smell that came off of them was strong, and slightly unplesent. He sneezed.

[Highland Sniper]

Her eyes cracked open ever so slightly.
A small smile played on her face as she looked up at him.
"Feldin" she muttered, then her eyes closed again.

She was really hot

[Rocksanne]

Alex looked down at Reagia. At least she was waking up. But as soon as it came, she was asleep again. ",Come one sweetheart. Youre going to be ok. Come back to me." He placed a cool rag on her forehead, even removed the sheets covering her. The clothes and sheets were drenched in sweat. "Poor thing." Alex riffled through his clothes, looking for something that could fit the furry. "Thank you, young snow," alex said as he did so. "Could you wait in the bathroom for me, Reagia's clothes need changing.

Snow stopped what he was doing, glad to be away from the odd plants. He sneezed again. As he passed the bed, snow looked at the two of them.

Once the door closed, alex began to remove what clothes Reagia had.

[Highland Sniper]

Of course, he would see her naked, or at least mostly so.
Beneath her clothes were scars of all sorts, and a bit of new and old bruising. She had been quite abused by a former master perhaps.

She mumbled how she was so cold, and she shivered despite how hot to the touch she felt. She flinched a little at the hands removing her clothes, the shivering seeming to be to some remembered pain as much as it was her own feeling of cold, and tears streamed down her cheeks with a muttered plea to stop. To what was unsaid.

She resisted very little despite what muttered pleas she gave and her shivering. Like she was both too scared and too weak to do anything about it.

[Rocksanne]

A look of sadness crossed alex's face. The poor creature had clearly gone through hell. "Reagia," alex said softly. "Im just changing your clothes. Your old ones were quite dirty. Should have done it sooner. I do apolojize." Alex finished with a light chuckle. Standing by her feet, alex helped her into some loose pants, helping her pull them up to her waist. Next was a shirt. "This might be a little tight as cross the chest, but its the best i can do." Alex had gotten Reagia to sit up so he could put the shirt on.

Suddenly, the window exploded. A fraction of a second later, the wood in thed wall did too. Alex new what this was, cursing in his head. Pulling Reagia quickly but gently out of the bed, he ssd's poke in her ear. "Stay low, please, stay low." Another spot on the wall exploded into splinters. Soon, the pair were at the bathroom door, alex all but shoved Reagia into snows arms. Snow had a look of dumb shock. "Stay low," alex commanded.

Back to the main part of the house, lex walked in a squat. Soon, he was under the window, gun cocked, held up. "What do you want?!" He yelled out the weed indow, still staying low. The voice that responded was cold. "We dont apreciate your furry loving kind here." There was a bang and alex heard the bullet sail over his head. "Ill give you till the count of 3 to leave. One..." standing slightly, alex peeked over the sill to see where the guy was. Only, he wasnt alone. Alex cursed again. "Two" he cas lled out. "Three." As alex said that, he sent out a few shots, the report of the gun echied in the closed space. Alex ducked again, moving against the wall to the other window.

[Highland Sniper]

Reagia was still lightly hallucinating. she complied, somewhat grateful to be getting some clothes on.
But the gunshots frightened her as she sat there, huddled next to snowy.

for some reason, in that instant, her vision and senses began to clear just enough. she looked around for something, anything to fight with. her eyes were wide and she really didn't know what to do. so she just sat there, covering her wolf-like ears to help drown out the sound of gunfire.

after a moment, she began to register the holes in the wall. that was where it was coming from. she got an erg to get away. she remembered the warning to keep low, she she started to crawl to the wall opposite from the shots. her arms and legs felt so weak, and the going felt so slow.