Daniel’s New School (Family)

Daniel woke up groggily, still messy from last night. He moved around and went to wake up Sly. He tried shaking him, but the raccoon proved to be a deep sleeper. Daniel was about to think of another solution, when Joey’s crying took his attention. This also woke up the sleeping raccoon. “Huh, what? *Yawn* Good morning Daniel.” “Morning Daddy.” Sly blushed at those words. “J-just call me Sly.” “Uh…okay.” The cub's confusion was disrupted by his brother’s whining. “Oh, sorry about that Joey. Time to get changed.” “You need some help with tha-” “It’s okay, I can do it.” The raccoon raised his hands and let the cub change the now screaming toddler’s diaper. He got it done in surprising time for age, all Sly had to do was give him the diaper and other items. He also helped by taking the diaper to the trash, much to his disgust. “Alright. Now that that was taken care of, let's eat breakfast. How do you feel about eggs?” Daniel’s face turned slightly in a grimace. He had only ever eaten his mom’s eggs, and they tasted like burnt garbage. “Don’t worry. I may not know how to change a diaper, but I can make a good breakfast. Trust me, you’ll be asking for seconds.”

After putting on clothes, Sly led the two boys into the kitchen. He put a pan of eggs sunny side up and a few strips of bacon on the stove, then added a pot of water to warm up Daniel’s formula. After a couple of minutes, breakfast was ready for the three carnivores. Daniel only had to breathe in the smell of the eggs, before he appropriately wolfed down the plate. “Easy, easy. Don’t rush or you’ll get a stomach ache.” Sly turned to the younger of the two and saw Joey down his bottle of formula with the same speed as Daniel. Sly couldn’t help but laugh at the two as they began to hiccup after breakfast. “Okay, time to get shoes.” “Okay.” Sly led Daniel to a crappy-looking shoe rack and to a small pair of shoes. Daniel had a bit of trouble fitting them. “Hmm, might be too small. Let’s leave the shoes behind for today and we will get you a better pair tomorrow.” Daniel conceded, pouting slightly. “Don’t worry, you are going to fit in with all the other kids. I just know it.” Daniel smiled as the three of them went out the door.

Sly led Daniel and Joey to a van outfront. Sly opened it up for Daniel to climb in. “Now hand me Joey and I can place him in his carseat.” “It's fine, I can do it.” “A-alright.” Sly was happy that Daniel was eager to care for his brother, but he felt a little unnecessary. Aw well, he would have time to bond with the infant while Daniel was at school. On the drive to Daniel’s new school, Sly thought to clear up any misconceptions. “When I said that you would go to school tomorrow, that was kind of untrue. You won’t be able to attend class until next Monday, today is just for you to meet the teachers.” Daniel began to pout slightly. “Oh, o-okay.” The look on his face just broke Sly’s heart. “Now, now, don’t cry. You can still meet all the other students and teachers. I’ll take Joey home soon, so it will just be you for a while.” “Okay.” After about twenty minutes of driving, they had made it to the school. Daniel recognized it by the metal fence and the colorful playground. After about twenty minutes of driving, they had made it to the school. Daniel recognized it by the metal fence and the colorful playground. After finding a good parking space, Sly helped Daniel out and picked up Joey. The little wolf was placed in a baby carrier, sleepy from the car ride. Daniel felt an overwhelming fear at the front door. But he soon felt a hand grip his paw, and he looked up to see his savior smiling kindly. All doubts disappear as they entered the school building.

The inside of the school was seemingly bigger than the outside. The roof must have been a hundred feet up, Daniel thought, knowing nothing about measurements. It wasn’t really impressive, it had just been so new to him that he didn’t know what to think of it. They entered an office near the entrance, and Sly began to talk with someone at the front desk. Daniel hadn’t really paid attention to what they were saying, he spent his time looking at the surprisingly large number of paintings of geese. Did every school have fancy paintings, was this the school mascot, would he get a uniform? All these thoughts bombarded Daniels brian until he felt his father’s hand on his head. “We’re going to enter this room now.” “Okay.” The room was a small office. There was a big desk with the name _____ ____ on it. Daniel really wished he could read. A busy looking tiger entered the room and sat down behind the desk. “Hello Mr. Silver. My name is Mr. Bradley, I’ll help you with this process today.” “Thank you, I’m so glad that you were able to accept Daniel into school so early.” “Yes, about that. I wish to talk about some things I found on his file.” “Okay, Daniel, you can sit outside for a minute.” “Alright Mr. Silver.” Daniel knew that Sly wouldn’t be able to reveal his name and went along with it. Once gone, the tiger pulled out a file from the desk. “I see here that you adopted Daniel yesterday?” “Yes, that is true.” “Doesn’t that seem too early to send him to school?” “He’s never been and I wanted to send him as soon as I could. Is there a problem here?” “Mr. Silver, do you realise how out of the blue this is? You just happened to adopt him just in time for you to bring him to school?” “Is there something wrong here?” “Nothing, I just wanted to make sure if you were sure about sending him to school so early. Children often have trouble adjusting to sudden major changes.” “Well don’t. I may not have known Daniel for long, but I know that he hasn’t had any opportunities before today. I want what’s best for him and I believe that going to school is good for him. He is very smart, despite his lack of schooling, and I strongly believe that he will catch up with his peers.” Sly had come on a little more intensely than intended, but he didn’t like this teacher’s proding into their life. “I meant no offense, Mr. Silver. I’m merely concerned that this may be too much for your son. But you seem to believe in your son’s capabilities, so I will try to make this easier for all of us.” “Good.”

Sly was still slightly pissed at this man judging his choices as a parent. He may have only known Daniel for a short period of time, but he cared for him and Joey more than anything. Which says a lot, given that he was a master thief. “Let’s look at Daniel’s schedule and see what we can do.” “Yes. I would like to give him a rounded education.” “Well, since he would be going into second grade; he would take Math in the morning; then Reading and Writing, with a snack break in between; then Recess/Lunch; then it would either end in P.E. on Mondays and Thursdays, Science on Tuesdays, Art on Wednesdays, or Music on Friday. Hours would be from 9:00 - 2:30. Does this work for you or do you wish to adjust this?” Sly was satisfied. It was exactly what he wanted for Daniel and he was now starting to have better thoughts about Mr. Bradley. “There are only a few available spots, so he would be placed in my class.” “Very well. You seem to take your job seriously, I feel safe leaving Daniel with you.” “Good to hear. Now will you head off or are there any more things you wish to clarify?” It was this moment that Joey decided to make himself known, by crying in the middle of their conversation. Sly stood up and tried to bounce the whining wolf in his arms. “Would you mind giving me a minute?” “Oh please, I understand completely. The men's restrooms at the front half changing stations.” “Thank you so much.” Sly hurriedly took the small canine to the nearest bathroom. He passed Daniel on his way out and said that he would be back in a minute.

Once Sly was in the bathroom, he made sure that no one was watching before undoing Joey’s diaper. The smell of it made his eyes water, and Sly had to look away just to be able to breathe. This made cleaning the baby wolf incredibly difficult, that and the fact hadn’t done it before. But he eventually managed to put one on Joey, but it was poorly made and destined to break apart. Sly would have looked up some instructions on his phone, but he had left it at home. So he made sure that Joey was in a diaper that would have lasted the way home where he could do a much better job, and hurriedly left the bathroom. Sly found Daniel wandering outside the front office door, and began to feel a slight tinge of guilt at knowing they had to leave. “Hey Daniel, I’m so sorry but I need to head home. Would you like to come with or would you like to stay here. “It’s fine, I can stay here and get to know the school better.” “Oh, good to know. I’ll be here to pick you up at 2:00.” “Okay, bye-bye Sl-Mr. Silver.” Sly hugged the wolf awkwardly and left the school. Daniel decided to explore the school more. “Hey who’re you?” “Hmm.” Daniel turned around to see a tiger boy around his age. “Oh, I’m Daniel. I’m new here.” “Oh, nice to meet you. I’m Tim. Was that your dad, where is he going?” “My uh…dad is just going home while I get to explore school.” “Aw sweat, your dad lets you do that?” “Uhh...yeah?” “Man, my dad never lets me out of his sight.” “What about at school?” “He’s a teacher.” “Really? Cool.” “Not so much, it just means that he always knows if I actually do my homework.” Daniel couldn’t help but laugh, he had never met someone who complained about school like he did. Granted, the only kids he knew were the ones from his neighborhood. Well, if you called a collection of apartment complexes and dirty alleys a neighborhood. “Are you listening?” “Huh?” “I said do you want me to show you around since you’re new and stuff?” “Oh. Oh, sure.” “Great, lets go.”

The drive back home didn’t take as much time as it did to get to school. Sly made it home in nearly half the time it took this morning. It made sense, since most parents driving in the morning were still at school with their kids. Sly felt a tinge at his heart. He knew that Daniel would be fine and it wasn’t like he was the only parent who was leaving their kids, but still. Sly was feeling so confused and stressed, he wanted, no, needed to be a good parent for Daniel and Joey. Or else why did he take them from that awful home. And why did he do that with Daniel last night. He was no better than the people he saved the boys from, some child raping monster of a man. No. He wouldn’t think about that. Sly’s thoughts were interrupted by the crying of a baby canine with a poorly assembled diaper. Sly reclaimed his thoughts and took the baby into their crappy apartment. Now that he was home, he could finish the job. How hard could it be? VERY HARD. Sly didn’t know how long it took to get a working diaper on Joey, but it was far too long. He didn’t really get any chances until now, because Daniel had taken care of it for him. Daniel, he was so independent. He could have taken care of Daniel had Sly just given them a place to stay. Now, he was trying to do this simple task and he couldn’t even ask Daniel for help because he had left him at school. Sly couldn’t connect with Daniel, he didn’t need him. And that wasn’t even bringing up last night. He knows that Daniel had consented and he did instigate their session, but that was inexcusable to do regardless. Sly couldn’t do anything for Daniel. Nothing but be a nuisance. But the raccoon’s self-loathing was interrupted by Joey’s wails. What was wrong? Food, no he had to feed him in the middle of changing him just to keep him still. Diaper, no he literally just finished that. What was it? Sly didn’t know and the baby’s crying hadn’t made things easier. “Here we go, here we go. *Shushing, leading to slightly louder shushing* It’s gonna be fine. It’s gonna be fine.” But still, the wolf cried. The thief was panicking more so than he ever did during his heists. Think Sly, think! What do you do when babies cry? Oh wait. “Watch the moon, watch the moon, rising in the sky. Hum a tune, hum a tune, prairie lullaby. Peaceful wind, peaceful wind, the old coyote cries. Song of home, my sweet Wyoming home. Song of home, my sweet Wyoming home.” The raccoon’s voice was soft, but it held a strength to it that carried on after the song. Joey only had to listen for a minute, before he fell asleep in his father’s arms. Sly looked down at the wolf cub in his arms, and he couldn’t remember feeling so warm in all his life. Maybe except for…with…her…Sly and Joey’s peaceful moment was interrupted by the phone. Some unknown number was calling him, but it thankfully didn’t wake up the mammal in his arms. “Hello? Yes, this is Daniel’s father. Oh hi again Mr. Bradley. Wait what? Daniel got into a fight at school? Yes, I’ll be on my way.” Sly placed the wolf back into his onesie and out the door as quickly and gently as possible.

Daniel enjoyed his time with Tim. The tiger had shown him what the school had to offer, mainly the classrooms and areas of importance. “So this is the hallway with the good bathrooms.” “Why are these the good ones?” “They clean them both, but these ones always smell like lavadurn.” “What’s that?” “I think it's a flower.” Daniel was learning so much today. He hadn’t ever felt so happy than he had when Sly had taken him home. Before that, he was about to say goodbye to his brother and become someone else's bitch. Daniel didn’t want to think about that. But he felt that what he did last night with the raccoon made him scared of something. “Can you hear me?” “Huh?” “I was showing you the lunchroom. You deaf or something?” “No, I’m…just thinking about things.” “Okay. So, that raccoon is your dad?” “Huh, yeah.” “But you're a wolf. Your parents would be wolves.” That made Daniel stand still. “But he’s my dad?” “But a raccoon can’t have a wolf son.” Those words were wrong. How dare this kid think that way about him. The wolves that gave birth to him tossed him aside like trash. Sly saved him and Joey from hell. Sly was more of a father than his ever was. Tomorrow morning, you’re going to Desmonds. And you aren’t coming back! You and your brother are going to live with me. I GET TO GO TO SCHOOL? I knew what you were going through and I wanted to free you from that. Don’t ever be sorry about this. I won’t…Daddy. Before Daniel was even aware, he was on top of Tim. And his hands were bloody.

Sly went as fast as he could to school. He was nervous and confused with the call he received. He didn’t know why Daniel got into a fight. Daniel seemed ecstatic to go to school. The raccoon began to worry if this was going to upset the school, if Daniel was going to be expelled. The master thief was frantically driving, nearly breaking the speed limit. Once he made it to the parking lot, he sped-ran thru the door with Joey in tow. He went immediately to the office, but caught sight of Mr. Bradly. “Mr. Bradley, what happened?” “Oh there you are! I heard Daniel got into a fight with one of the students.” “Then why are you here?” “Because I’m his teacher…and that the student in particular happens to be my son.” “What?” “Let’s just get this over with.” The tiger led the raccoon into what he assumed to be the principal's office. As he predicted, Daniel, a beaten-up tiger boy who looked near identical to Mr. Bradley, and an old looking goose. “Wait…does that make him the same animals as the school’s mascot? Or does this guy have an ego that big?” Sly’s thoughts were overturned once the goose spoke. “Hello Mr. Silver, My name is Gregory Adel, the principal.” “Yes, Hello. May I ask what happened here?” “Yes, you see, Daniel was found to be, as the kids would say, beating little Tim into a pulp.” Daniel looked angrily away from the others, while Tim had a strained face of shame. “The two were spotted by another by the hall janitor and they were brought here.” “So what now?” “Well, we would normally send the two of them home. But since this is the start of a new year, we might have to expel Dan-” “I hardly think this is fair Mr. Adel.” Sly was surprised by the speed of Mr. Bradley’s response. “James, we can’t have students fighting-” “It has only been the first day. We both know how precarious the situation is. And knowing my son, I feel that this fight might have been over an important matter to Daniel. Sly could see the small tiger’s face twitch with guilt and anger. “I didn’t do anything.” “He said he wasn’t my father because he was a raccoon.” The adults were silent. Sly looked at Daniel with sympathy, while Mr. Bradley looked at his son with a mix of disappointment and sadness. “As you can see Mr. Adel, this is mainly on Tim’s part. Can’t we have them apologize and co our separate ways.” The goose man sighed with defeat. “Very well. Daniel, Tim, apologize to each other and we can forgive this transaction.” The two boys looked at each other with strained faces. The tiger nudged his son. “I’m sorry Daniel.” But the wolf seemed to be the more adamant of the two. “Daniel, we can’t overlook this unless you both apologize.” “Why do I have to?” “Because you hit him.” Daniel turned to his guardian’s face and saw it lined with sadness and sympathy. “I’m sorry.” “Good, we will look forward to when you come tomorrow.” After the meeting, Daniel held onto Joey while Sly was held back by the tiger teacher. “I’m really sorry about Tim.” “Don’t worry. It’s fine.” Sly had wanted to be angry at Mr. Bradley, but found it very hard. Sly could only feel disappointment in himself. “Hey, don’t be like that.” “Huh?” “I know that look. That’s the look of a father who doesn’t think he can do this on his own.” “You see that on a lot of parents’ faces?” “And everyday when I look in the mirror.” This surprised the master thief. “I got divorced over half a year ago, Tim never really adjusted. Sometimes I wonder if I should have let him go with her.” Sly didn’t know how to respond, he was certainly seeing a lot of this man in just one day. “Look, I’m just saying that you aren’t alone. And that I’m always able to talk if you need it.” “Thanks, Mr. Bradley.” “Please, call me James.” “Alright, James.” Sly walked outside that door with his wolf-sons in tow, unsure of what to feel.

The drive home was quiet for the main part. Sly didn’t want to pry into what happened until they were at home. Once there, Daniel had helped Joey out rather roughly. “Do you want to talk?” “About what?” “You know what I mean.” “How could I just let him say that about you?” “You didn’t have to hit him.” “But I had to do something!” “Kids say dumb shit all the time, why listen?” “Because he said you weren’t my dad.” “And maybe I’m not.” “No! You saved me from those awful people. I would have been sold as a prostitute if you hadn’t saved me. You are more of a parent to me than mine ever were. And I won’t let anyone say anything bad about-” Sly was crying now. He had been holding back, but not anymore. Daniel was shocked, to say the least. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t-” “How can I be of use when you don’t need me.” “Wha?” “You can care for Joey better than I could. It takes me two hours, just to change his diaper. How am I supposed to be your parent when I can’t even do that?” Daniel hadn’t known what to say. But he went up close to the kneeling raccoon, and kissed him on the lips. Sly’s face was surprised, as he turned to see the now-crying wolf. “You saved me and Joey from hell. I will always love you for this. And I’ll teach you how to change a diaper. And I’ll help you with Joey. But please don’t say this about yourself. Please don’t regret saving me.” “I will never regret saving you Daniel. You mean more to me than anything in the world. I love you.” Sly kissed the boy on his lips and moved his tongue in and out, wrapping around the younger male’s tongue. Sly didn’t know if this was the love of parent and child, of lovers, or something else. But he cared deeply for Daniel and Joey, and wouldn’t let anything else harm them. “You want to try that thing from last night again?” “Daniel, this thing can never be known by anyone else. We would be separated if anyone found out. Do you want this?” “I said it last night, and I’ll say it again. Yes. You make me safe.” And with that, the raccoon sweeped up the child in his arms off to their bed…but not after getting Joey up the stairs with them. 

Once Daniel and Joey were asleep, Sly tucked the boys into their bed. Daniel was filled with extra vigor than he was last night. Sly assumed it had to do with his repressed emotions. Sly didn’t know what would happen next, but he knew one thing. He cared more deeply for Daniel and Joey than he ever did for anyone else. Maybe as much as he did for…Carmelita. God, just thinking that name hurt. It had been three years, but he still hasn't fully recovered. Sly decided to distract himself by watching some late night news. This has certainly been an interesting day folks. This morning, a male wolf was arrested for trying to pawn off a statuete recently stolen from a nearby museum. His wife made the statement that he had been in debt for a while, but never expected this. She also said that her sons might have been sold off as part of this debt. But her testimony wasn’t the only given about children being used. Not long after, police stormed the bar “Desmond’s Beer and Service” for the “service” part of the establishment. Apparently, this bar has served as one of the largest recorded pedophilia rings. More than fifty children under the age of fifteen had been found to have been “live in workers” for the bar, most having been sold to satisfy debts. The children are currently being kept at the Rose Morning Center for Abandoned Children, their living conditions being sorted by authorities at this very minute. Quite the day, our prayers to seeing these children finding safe homes. Coming up ne- Sly turned off the television, smiling gleefully. Daniel’s father was out of the picture, his mother’s complaints would be overlooked, and that pedophile’s ring was dead. Sly knew where he would be spending when Daniel was at school. But unbeknownst to the master thief, someone else had watched that program and knew it’s meaning as well. “Slick Silver, just who are you?"