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  "description": "Here is Chapter 5 of Dangerous Games, A story of a friendship that develops between two foxes amidst a rather shady backdrop. \n\nIn Part 5, things ratchet up another notch. Blood is shed! Tears are shed! Something about a pool! Most everybody's cards are laid on the table! Story lines are converging, but the proverbial fan isn't hit just yet!\n\nIf you've not read the prior parts you will be rather lost, and since you've not read through as the characters have been developed in previous parts, the story will seem kind of “meh, so what” to you. Plus things are starting to coalesce towards the end of the story, so if you dive in now without having read the lead-up, I feel you'll be spoiling all the previous parts.  \n\nThere is no sex in this story. (Listens for all those \"back\" buttons being clicked). There may be some dialog regarding past events, but nothing particularly explicit. There is, or will be in future parts, violence, drug use, crime, bloodshed, guns, knives, injury, and even death, so these will be tagged Adult or Mature depending on the chapter.\n\nNote that the auto-parser above does not respect the formatting of the original document, and can't seem to get the indentations right. I put this one up as RTF because that seems to have the least problems, but bolding and italics have been lost in the preview. I use italics for \"inner monologue\", though that should be obvious from the context even without them. If you do want the full effect, as well as clean paragraph formatting, I suggest reading from the source file.\n\nSo here it is, enjoy. Or don't. ",
  "description_bbcode_parsed": "<span style='word-wrap: break-word;'>Here is Chapter 5 of Dangerous Games, A story of a friendship that develops between two foxes amidst a rather shady backdrop. <br /><br />In Part 5, things ratchet up another notch. Blood is shed! Tears are shed! Something about a pool! Most everybody&#039;s cards are laid on the table! Story lines are converging, but the proverbial fan isn&#039;t hit just yet!<br /><br />If you&#039;ve not read the prior parts you will be rather lost, and since you&#039;ve not read through as the characters have been developed in previous parts, the story will seem kind of &ldquo;meh, so what&rdquo; to you. Plus things are starting to coalesce towards the end of the story, so if you dive in now without having read the lead-up, I feel you&#039;ll be spoiling all the previous parts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />There is no sex in this story. (Listens for all those &quot;back&quot; buttons being clicked). There may be some dialog regarding past events, but nothing particularly explicit. There is, or will be in future parts, violence, drug use, crime, bloodshed, guns, knives, injury, and even death, so these will be tagged Adult or Mature depending on the chapter.<br /><br />Note that the auto-parser above does not respect the formatting of the original document, and can&#039;t seem to get the indentations right. I put this one up as RTF because that seems to have the least problems, but bolding and italics have been lost in the preview. I use italics for &quot;inner monologue&quot;, though that should be obvious from the context even without them. If you do want the full effect, as well as clean paragraph formatting, I suggest reading from the source file.<br /><br />So here it is, enjoy. Or don&#039;t. </span>",
  "writing": "Disclaimer: This story is part of a series, entitled “Dangerous Games”. The series contains non-human anthropomorphic animal (“Furry”) characters of varying ages, adult and cub. While there are no overt sexual acts depicted in this series, the stories will contain adult themes, topics, and situations, which may not be legal in some jurisdictions. These include: frank discussions of sexual acts and character sexuality, alcohol and drug use, criminal acts, violence, adult language, weapons including guns and knives, bloodshed, grievous bodily harm, death, and events which depict underage characters in peril.  \n\nIt is up to the reader to be aware of the laws regarding depictions of such material in their place of residence. If you are not allowed to read such material, due to age, religion, place of residence, or any other factor, do not continue.\n\nThis story and all characters are copyright Shryke. This is a work of fiction. All events and persons depicted are fictional, and any similarities with actual events or persons is purely coincidental. \n\nThis is Part 5. If you've not read the prior parts you will be rather lost, and since you've not read through as the characters have been developed in previous parts, the story will seem kind of “meh, so what” to you. Plus things are starting to coalesce towards the end of the story, so if you dive in now without having read the lead-up, I feel you'll be spoiling all the previous parts.  \n\n\n\nDANGEROUS GAMES\nby Shryke\nPart 5\n\n          The next morning was Sunday. Even though he had set his alarm for 5:30am, due to having a 7am scheduled delivery, Jack still awoke automatically just after 5am. Indeed, “awoke” was probably a generous term: his sleep had been fitful and restless as he replayed the events of the previous evening over and over in his mind, and this carried through into the morning hours. He finally gave up trying to stay asleep as 5:00 ticked over on the clock, and got up to prepare himself for what was coming. \n          Jack dressed quickly and went out to his car to pull it around to Angelo's apartment. He was still angry at Victor's treatment of Angelo at dinner, and wanted to make sure the kit was ok. As he pulled his car up to the parking spot in front of the apartment, but before he could even shut the motor off, the door opened and Angelo walked out, carrying his backpack as always. Jack got out of the car to open the trunk. \n          “Hey.... are you ok?” Jack asked the grey-furred fox kit as he came around to deposit the morning's deliveries into the trunk. Angelo looked him in the eyes and smiled faintly. \n          “Yeah, sure,” he replied, tossing the bag inside. Jack shut the lid. Angelo lingered for a moment at the rear of the vehicle. “Hey, can we go to Burger Joint and get some food first?” he asked, quieter than before. \n          “Sure buddy, anything you want,” said Jack reassuringly. Following the dinner scene last night, he figured the kit probably did not eat anything afterwards. They got in the car and drove out of the complex. \n          The ride was silent for several minutes. Jack desperately wanted to bring up the previous evening's incident but wasn't sure how to start. Angelo, for his part, looked over at Jack more than once and seemed to be about to say something, before looking back down at his feet as if in resignation. The silence was palpable. \n          Finally it was Angelo who broke it. Still looking at his feet, with his voice barely above a whisper he said “Vic......”. Jack looked over. The eleven-year-old looked up and met his gaze. Louder this time, he continued. “Vic..... Vic doesn't care about me...... at all..... does he?” Jack looked away, back to the road ahead. \n          “Well,” he began, knowing what he wanted to say, but still not quite sure just how to say it. “It's like he said, right? You're kind of the legs of his organization, and he relies on you to get the stuff delivered? I mean he'd be pretty screwed without you, you know?” This was not where Jack wanted to go with this, and he certainly did not want to spew the same drivel that Victor had dished out. \n          “Yeah” replied the fox kit, looking out the side window momentarily. He then looked back at Jack until the older fox again met his eyes. “That's not what I asked though.”\n          Jack again looked away, unable to look him in the eyes. For a good half minute he said nothing, until he finally replied, his own voice now barely above a whisper. “No..... no he doesn't,” he said, looking back into Angelo's blue eyes. \n          Angelo just nodded and looked back to the floor. “I did a lot of thinking last night,” he said. “I don't think he ever really did. I shoulda' seen it before now, I s'pose. I guess...” He took a deep breath. “I guess I figured that if I stayed with him long enough and did my thing.... you know, the “loyal soldier” bit he talked about... that maybe, someday, he might actually...” He trailed off. \n          Jack put his paw on the small fox's knee, and happily noted that the boy didn't instinctively recoil as he often did. “Ange,” he began, “I've known that guy for only, what, a few weeks now? From what I've seen of him, I don't think he cares about anybody but himself. I don't think he could ever could.”\n          Angelo put both paws down on top of Jack's and squeezed. “Yeah that's what I figured too.” He looked back up to Jack. “So... why do you?” he asked. \n          “Why do I?” repeated Jack, taken off-guard by the question. \n          “Yeah,” replied the little fox, the flash of a playful grin now crossing his face. “Is it my tail-hole?” he asked, wiggling his behind in the seat a little. “Vic said there's quite a demand for it, after all!”\n          Jack laughed and gave Angelo a friendly shove on the shoulder. “Pssshhh, cut that out!” he said.  Angelo smiled warmly back. \n          The car pulled off the main road into a strip-mall, the kind that dotted this part of town. Among the rows of stores not yet open were several fast-food restaurants, strangely busy for the early hour on a Sunday. The teen fox saw some cars had but a single occupant, while others were packed with families apparently getting an early start on whatever vacation they were beginning. \n          Jack steered the car into the drive-through line. When it was their turn, he ordered some breakfast sandwiches and drinks for the two of them, and pulled the car around to a parking space to eat. He shut the car off, and the two dug into their breakfasts. \n          After a half a sausage biscuit, Jack, who had also been mentally chewing on the last part of their conversation, broke the silence. He didn't want to take Angelo back to that dark area, but felt it was important for him to hear it. \n          “Seriously though, about... that,” he began. Angelo's head turned slowly and regarded Jack, his mouth full of biscuit and momentarily frozen half open, an eyebrow cocked questioningly. Jack immediately realized how his comment must have sounded. “NO NO NO!” he said with a laugh, “I don't mean that!” \n          Angelo laughed around his mouthful of food as he tried to swallow it down. Finally when his mouth was empty, he said with a giggle, “Ummm, ok?”\n          Jack continued, with a more somber tone, “Seriously though, that was the most fucked up thing I've ever heard someone say”, said Jack, referring to Victor's threats. \n          “Yeah, well...” Angelo replied with a shrug, the smile gone from his face as well. “Not the first time he's said it, actually. I mean, it was first time he said it like that, but he said stuff like that a couple times before. Usually when he was drunk. You know... 'Damn I should sell that ass' one time when I was coming out of the shower... that kinda thing. I never thought, though, that he really...” He trailed off again. Jack thought he detected a quiver in the boy's voice. “I guess I really am alone,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. \n          “You're NOT alone,” Jack said emphatically, fuzzling the young fox's headfur, then dropping his hand to the kit's shoulder. The little fox put his paw on top of the older fox's, and smiled a faint smile. “You're my little brother now, and I'll never let any of that that happen.” Jack hadn't intended to use the word; he just said it automatically. It did reflect exactly how he felt, though. “And I don't care who I'd have to kill,” Jack continued. \n          Angelo smiled tightly with a nod, his jaw quivering a bit, his ears down. “Jack...” he said quietly, the tremor now plainly noticeable in his voice. Jack looked back at his blue eyes, shining like two diamonds in a storm of grey face-fur. “Can I... have...” he continued, before his voice cracked with emotion. He moved one arm slightly toward Jack as he spoke, before letting it fall to the seat.\n          Jack reached his arm out around Angelo's shoulder and pulled the little fox over, tight up against his side, and wrapped his other arm around him. It was a slightly awkward position for a hug, Jack thought, but it would do. He knew now that nobody had hugged this boy in a very long time.\n          Angelo threw his arms around Jack and buried his muzzle in the older fox's side. For a moment it was quiet, then he began to cry, softly at first, then louder as he squeezed Jack tightly, holding on as if for dear life. He had dropped the last of his defenses, Jack noted, and allowed himself to be helpless and vulnerable, if only for a scant few seconds. The trust implicit in such an action was not lost on him.\n          Jack held his embrace and let the kit release some of the emotion that he had forced himself to keep bottled up inside for who-knows-how-long. He gently nuzzled the black headfur with his muzzle as the boy cried, Jack's own tears now welling up in his eyes, silently resolving to never let that trust be lost.\n          After a minute or so, the grey-furred fox's weeping moderated to subdued sobs and sniffles. He was still trembling slightly in Jack's arms, but looked up into the older fox's face, his eyes now reddened, the fur around them matted and wet. “I...” he began, but didn't continue. \n          Jack brushed the wet fur around the kit's eyes with a finger. He didn't say anything either, but just smiled and nodded back reassuringly. The small fox smiled back and laid his head against Jack's shoulder, taking deep breaths to help banish the last of his sobs. \n          Angelo finally broke the embrace after another minute. “I guess we should get going, huh,” he said with a sniffle, as well as a smile. \n          “No rush,” replied Jack, “You still have a whole other biscuit to get through!”\n          “Oh yeah,” said Angelo with a subdued laugh, “Forgot all about it.” He tore open the remaining sandwich and took a huge exaggerated chomp out of it, as if trying to lighten the mood in the car. Jack chuckled as he sucked on the straw in his drink. He had only gotten one biscuit for himself, not being as hungry as he knew Angelo was. \n          Jack started the car back up as Angelo made short work of his remaining breakfast. “So, where are we going so early,” he asked as he backed the car out of the parking space. \n          Angelo pulled a scrap of paper out of his jacket pocket. “Only two today, both wanted early-early delivery. First, we are going to Harrison High School. Back behind the visitors' bleachers in the stadium. There's a neighborhood street right behind it where we can park, that's off the actual grounds.” He looked at the instructions on the paper for a few more seconds, frowning. \n          “Right-o,” Jack replied, steering the car in the appropriate direction. Angelo seemed to have fully recovered himself and was looking all-business again. There was still much to be said, Jack knew, but that could wait. Most of it anyway; there was still one thing from the previous evening's incident with Victor that had the older fox genuinely curious. He had meant to bring it up before Angelo's catharsis had put a damper on small-talk. Perhaps now that he was back to himself again, Jack reckoned, that this would be a good way to pass the time, as Harrison was a good fifteen minutes away. \n          “So Ange,” he began, “I got a question for you, if you don't mind.”\n          “It's not about...” said the little fox, looking down at his lap, then back up to Jack with a wicked grin.\n          “NO, you knucklehead!” Jack replied with a laugh, which Angelo echoed. He gave the small fox another tussle to his headfur. “Last night at dinner,” he continued, “Victor called you Ash?”\n          “Ah yes,” replied the grey-furred kit, looking out the front window with a slight smile that seemed to Jack to be almost embarrassment. “I didn't think you caught that. Yeah he did.”\n          “What was that about,” inquired Jack. “Is it because of your fur color, or...”\n          “Nah,” the kit replied. “Ash is sort of a baby name I used to have.” He smiled and looked back at Jack again. “Victor calls me Ash when he wants to remind me that he's the one in charge, and is the only thing keeping me out of an orphanage,” Angelo continued, his smile fading. “Soon as he's not pissed at me, he calls me Angelo again.”\n          “Wow, what a jerk,” was all Jack could think to say, though it seemed to also be the most appropriate. \n          Angelo giggled at that. “Yeah, I was just thinking that too!” Then after a moment's pause, he continued. “You're right about the name though. Ash is because of my fur. My parents were both red like you, but I came out grey... like ashes. Something to do with DNA and genes... that sort of thing. I read about it once.”\n          “Or it means that Mrs. Angelo was, you know... fooling around!” Jack said with a sly grin, teasing the little fox. \n          “Ha!” laughed Angelo, “You laugh, but my father thought the same thing! He was there when I was born, and soon as I popped out all grey, he just stormed out of the delivery room. He refused to bring me home from the hospital, or even officially name me. Since they had to call me something, the nurses put “Ash” on the little bracelet thing that pups wear, and it kinda' stuck.” \n          Jack nodded with a smile as Angelo continued. “They finally had to run tests to prove to him that he was my real dad before he agreed to name me, or “let me” have his last name,” he said, emphasizing the sarcasm on the last part. Another short pause. “He was a jerk too. I'm glad I never really knew him,” Angelo said, without a trace of sadness.\n          “Oh, and get this,” Angelo continued, now more animated, “He wanted to name me Bruno! Or Rocky!” He laughed aloud as he said this. “He thought that because of my grey fur, that I'd get picked on, so he wanted to give me a tough name, but my mom wouldn't agree to Bruno! They finally settled on Angelo: there was some boxer my dad knew called Angelo, and my mom agreed because it...” he paused for a second, as if he didn't intend to go down this road now, “because it has... 'angel' in it.”  \n          The car fell silent for a minute, before Angelo quietly said, “Cole.”\n          “Huh, what, you're cold?” Jack asked, not hearing the kit correctly. \n          “Cole,” Angelo said louder, pointing at himself with his thumb. “Angelo Cole.” He smiled slightly as he shared another secret about himself. \n          Jack grinned and extended a paw. “Jack Archer, pleased to meet you!” \n          Angelo shook the offered paw vigorously with a happy smile. Then as the paw-shake and his smile both faded, he said, “Jack... Please promise me you won't try to find... her. At least not till I'm ready.”\n          Jack made eye contact with the kit, but did not answer. \n          “Please Jack? Promise,” Angelo entreated. “Someday, yes, but... not now. OK?”\n          The red fox smiled back at the grey-furred kit. Jack had wanted to find out his full name precisely so that he could search out the boy's mother. But Angelo had just demonstrated another layer of trust in Jack, by revealing his name first, and only then asking for the eighteen-year-old to not to look for her.\n          Jack still felt that finding the kit's mother was the best possible outcome for this whole situation, and something in the back of his head was telling him that things were going to come to a boil with Victor sooner than later. Nevertheless, Angelo was trusting him, and that was enough for now. \n          “OK bud,” he said, patting the kit's knee again, “I promise I won't try to find her 'till you're ready.” \n          Angelo smiled back, and seemed about to say something, then just nodded and looked back out the window, as the car fell silent again. \n          They were still a few minutes from the high school. From past deliveries made with his backpack, Jack knew that this was likely a drug sale. He looked over at the young fox staring out the side window. He shouldn't even know what drugs are at this age, Jack thought sadly.\n          As if noticing Jack's gaze, Angelo looked back over at him, his face showing a tinge of sadness. “Jack...” he began. Jack nodded with a slight smile as Angelo went on. “I never actually killed anyone. Really. That's just a story people tell. There's a lot of those: Vic said that if I pumped up the stories about me, then furs would be less likely to try anything.” He closed his eyes and put his head back against the seat. “I only ever held a gun once, and that was at Vic's place. Not even loaded. Its all just bullshit... bullshit stories about a made-up punk.”\n          Jack smiled and patted the fox's knee. “Glad to hear that,” he said. “You know, the more I get to know you, the more I kinda knew that was the case. You're not a killer, Ange.” The kit smiled, his eyes still closed. “What about all that other stuff,” Jack inquired, “Other fights, and Victor punch-training you, and all that?”\n          “Yeah, that's all real,” the fox kit replied, opening his eyes again. “I kinda wish it wasn't sometimes, but it is. Maybe its good I guess: I probably would have been killed by now if I didn't know how to fight. Maybe someday... I won't need it and can just forget it all.” Jack just nodded sadly. Suddenly Angelo sat up straight in his seat. “Which reminds me,” he said, “You got your knife with you?”\n          Jack reached back to his waistband and felt the hunting knife concealed in his belt loops. “Yep, got 'er right here,” he replied. \n          Angelo nodded and opened the left flap of his jacket, revealing his knife in its scabbard, sewn into the inside pocket. “We may need them for this one. This guy already tried to rip me off once before. Busted my lip open bad, but then ran away when I laughed and jumped at him. I guess Vic is good for something,” he said with a chuckle, thinking on that point. “He was sure right about how to mess with people's minds at least! \n          “So anyway,” the little fox continued, “this guy deals dope around the school. I supply him... well, Vic does I guess, and he breaks it up into joints or whatever for his customers. Today we got five hundred bucks worth. He's on thin ice after last time, so who knows what he might try.”\n          “Thin ice after punching you across the face? Seems like that would be a one-strike kind of thing,” said Jack incredulously. \n          “Vic wants the money,” replied the kit frankly. He didn't need to say anything more than that. \n          “Right...” said Jack. \n          “Like always,” Angelo concluded, “hang back and keep your eyes open. One hand on the knife might be good too. Even if you don't pull it, it will look like you're ready to, and that might be all it takes to stop him from trying anything. Head games, you know?”\n          \n          Jack pulled the car up against the curb and shut it off. They were in a side-street on the other side of a tall hedgerow from the Harrison High School bleachers. Jack had circled the area twice to make sure everything looked normal. The bleachers and field were deserted, as was the street where they now parked. Quite normal for a Sunday morning when school was out for the summer. \n          Angelo grabbed his backpack from the trunk of the car, and led Jack though a sparse area of growth in the hedge and onto the school grounds. The rear of the visitors' bleachers faced them across a patch of open grass. A morning haze hung in the air, obscuring the school beyond the bleachers. As they drew closer, they could see the silhouettes of two or three people leaning up against the truss-work that supported the stands. Their posture and demeanor suggested they had not yet seen the two foxes. \n          “This way,” Angelo said, tugging Jack's arm, leading him not towards the bleachers, but parallel to them. “Lets swing around so we come up behind 'em,” he said, tapping his temple with a finger and a wink. \n          The furs under the bleachers were soon obscured from view by the truss-work, and the pair of vulpes then turned back towards them, following the edge of the structure. When they approached the last girders that kept them hidden, they stopped. Angelo looked Jack in the eye for a moment, then nodded. Jack nodded back and Angelo stepped out from behind the girder into the grass, now in full view of the previously shadowed figures. \n          There were indeed three of them: two male tigers and a lizard. The lizard appeared to be around sixteen years old, and the tigers, who seemed to be brothers, maybe sixteen and fourteen. Two were leaning back against the girders with their backs to the approaching foxes, but one of the tigers was leaning against the opposite beam, and saw the young grey-furred fox step out of the shadows. He clicked his tongue to his compatriots, then nodded in Angelo's direction. \n          The lizard turned around and called out to Angelo good-naturedly, “Hey, there he is!” The two tigers stayed behind him, but spread out from where they were standing. Jack made sure to make eye contact with each of them, to let them know he was watching. They each met his stare unflinchingly, and just nodded back at him. \n          “Hiya Gazz,” Angelo called back with a smile. They were about twenty feet apart at this point, slowly walking towards each other as they continued their banter. \n          “So.... got it all, yeah?” asked the lizard known as Gazz. \n          Angelo patted the backpack strap on his shoulder. “Yep, all here, as requested.” The two tigers moved closer until they were standing on either side of the lizard. \n          “I see you brought a friend,” said Gazz pleasantly, motioning to Jack. \n          “I see you brought two,” replied Angelo, the friendliness gone from his voice, but not sounding hostile or challenging either. \n          “Yeah,” Gazz replied with a laugh. They were now five feet apart. The older tiger took up position to Gazz's right. Jack, who was his normal two paces behind Angelo, took in the scene. The small fox looked even smaller standing in front of the three high-schoolers. The tigers kept inching away from the lizard and moving forward, as if slowly trying to surround the kit. \n          Jack was getting an uneasy feeling about the situation. He had done a couple of these kinds of deliveries now, but the behavior of those three set his senses on edge. Ears cocked fully forward, he abandoned his background position and moved up just behind Angelo, and to his left, matching the position the larger tiger was taking. His right hand was behind his back, firmly gripping the knife handle, but trying to maintain a look of being at ease. \n          With his free hand, Jack motioned the tiger to move back towards Gazz. At least he knows that I see what he's trying, the fox thought. The tiger showed both his hands and nodded in response, moving back next to the lizard. The two groups stared at each other briefly.  \n          “So, we gonna do this or what?” Angelo said, with his tone still emotionless. “Its five hundred for the stuff.” \n          “Five hundred,” the lizard replied quietly, then turned to each of his tiger companions in turn and took a step forward. “Yeah, well the thing is this,” he began. \n          Angelo nonchalantly crossed his arms, his pre-arranged signal to Jack that he expected trouble. In addition to being a convenient signal, it also allowed his right hand to surreptitiously slip into his jacket and grasp the hilt of his knife, while at the same time leaving the backpack's straps wound tightly around his folded arms. \n          “There a problem Gazz?” he asked innocently, though his eyes were darting from tiger to lizard, to tiger, and back. Jack picked up the crossed-arms signal and he too was now watching their every move.\n          “Well ya see, school is out for the summer, right,” the lizard continued. “Well that's where my money all comes from. Summer's a slow time, you know that.”\n          “So you don't want the stuff then?” Angelo said. It was as much a statement as a question. \n          “Oh, I want it all right,” Gazz replied with a laugh. \n          In a flash the older tiger lashed out and grabbed the strap of the backpack and pulled it, trying to free it from Angelo's folded arm. Gazz then lunged forward and grabbed the lapels of Angelo's jacket with his left hand. With his right he swung a hooking punch that caught the young fox squarely on the side of his muzzle. The blow staggered the boy, and the backpack was pulled from his arms as they uncrossed. \n          As this happened, Angelo pulled the knife from his jacket and swung it in a slashing arc towards the lizard, who still had the fox's jacket in his grasp. The lizard's shirt split in a foot-long gash as the knife passed over his chest. It was not a very deep cut, but it quickly began to bleed nonetheless. Gazz howled and released the small fox. \n          The suddenness of the attack caught Jack off guard. Nevertheless, he quickly ascertained what was happening, and pulling his own knife, launched himself at the tiger who had ripped the backpack free. It was a take-down worthy of a professional fighter. The tiger ended up on his back, still clutching the pack, with Jack straddling his chest, the knife point to his throat, barely touching it, but poking into the fur enough for the tiger to have no doubts as to where it was. Jack looked for the younger tiger, and saw him backing well away from the fray, his arms outstretched as if to show he was not a threat.  \n          Gazz stumbled back several steps, clutching his chest and looking down at it with wide eyes. As his paws became wet with his own blood, he looked back up at Angelo who was standing in a half-crouch in front of him, the knife clearly displayed and pointing at him. The young fox smiled evilly, a growing splotch of red tainting the grey fur on the side of his face. With his free hand made a “come here” gesture to Gazz. The lizard took another step back, his face full of confused fear, and shock over his wound. \n          Angelo, never breaking eye-contact, took an aggressive step forward. Gazz nearly tripped over his own feet trying to back up and turn around at the same time. Once he got his footing, he took off in a staggering run across the field towards the school, clutching his wounded chest with both hands. The younger tiger followed him for a distance, then stopped and looked back to where his brother was still pinned.  \n          “The bag,” growled the grey-furred kit to Jack, still watching Gazz's retreat. Jack ripped the bag from the tiger's grasp with his free paw, the knife still poised to deliver a killing blow. The tiger was frozen staring up at Jack, and did not resist. Angelo walked over and made a head motion for Jack to get up. The tiger remained on the ground whimpering, stunned and terrified, looking at the 2 vulpes. \n          Angelo worked his fingers open and closed around the handle of his knife a couple of times, staring down at the frightened feline. “On your feet!” he finally said, slowly and commandingly, his voice still an angry growl. \n          The tiger was visibly shaking as he struggled to get to his feet. “I'm sorry... I'm s... sorry about all this,” he stammered. The younger tiger was still watching from halfway across the field. \n          The grey-furred fox stared at the trembling cat for a few seconds as the tiger's eyes darted between the two foxes and the knives they both held. The kit then said softly, “Get lost.” His voice was no longer the growl it had been with Gazz, and contained a hint of sadness. \n          The tiger stumbled backwards and muttered something that sounded like “thanks”, then ran off towards the younger tiger on rather shaky legs. The two tigers then followed in the direction that Gazz went, into the mist towards the school, and were quickly out of sight. \n          Angelo looked to Jack, and nodded grimly. The bleachers were once again deserted and it was eerily quiet. “I think we should get out of here. Fast,” Angelo said. Jack nodded, slung the pack over his shoulder, and the two foxes ran back towards the hedgerow fence, Angelo pressing the back of his hand against the bloody spot on his muzzle to try and stem the bleeding.\n          When they reached the fence, Angelo pulled Jack to a stop. “Ok, act normal from here out,” he said, returning his knife to his jacket pocket. “Nothing strange going on at all.” \n          The two emerged from the other side of the hedges and calmly walked back to the car. If anyone had been there to observe, it would have seemed like they had just gone up to the school for an early morning round of basketball, and were now headed home. Jack opened the trunk and deposited the backpack within, then got into the car and started it up. Angelo got in on his side and closed the door. \n          “You ok?” Jack immediately asked, noting that the blood on the side of Angelo's muzzle was now fairly well spread out from his rubbing it. It probably looked worse than it was, Jack reckoned, which would not have been hard in this case as it looked pretty nasty.\n          “Drive,” came the reply quickly, “Get away from here, but don't look suspicious. Don't go that way either.” He indicated back towards the school. \n          “Gotcha,” Jack said. He understood the urgency: Either Gazz was going to come back to the bleachers, with more friends, a weapon, or even just a car to try and run them down, or he or one of the tigers was going to call an ambulance for the lizard's wounds. Either way, Jack reckoned, they wanted to be long gone before then. “Are you ok though?” he asked again gently, as he put the car in gear and drove away from the school. \n          “Yeah,” Angelo said with a smile, “Just a cut, I've had worse.” When the car was clear of the residential area, he pulled the car's sun visor down and regarded his muzzle in the vanity mirror, spreading the fur around the wound for a better look. \n          “Here use these,” said Jack, offering some napkins from their breakfast. The kit took them, but just held them in his hand as he put his head back against the seat and closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths. \n          “DAMNIT!” he shouted after a moment's silence. \n          The outburst startled Jack, though at this point the adrenaline from the encounter was wearing off, and his hands were already starting to shake somewhat. This was the first time he had ever been in such a physical altercation that didn't involve sports, and certainly not one that involved weapons and bloodshed. “I hear ya, buddy,” was all he could think to say, as his mind raced, replaying the scene at the bleachers over and over, and how it could have gone differently very easily. \n          Angelo heard the shakiness in Jack's voice and looked over. “How are you doing?” he asked. \n          “I'm OK... I guess,” he replied. “Just... never done something like that before.”\n          “How ya feel?” inquired the smaller fox. \n          “I kinda feel... like I'm gonna puke,” Jack replied honestly.\n          Angelo nodded and patted Jack's arm. “Yeah, that'll pass in a minute. The rush is wearing off.” He put his head back against the headrest again, and took a few more deep breaths, now holding a napkin to his bloodied face, his eyes closed. \n          Jack followed his example, and took several deep breaths as well, which seemed to help. One thought was crystallizing in his mind as he continued to replay the encounter, however: he did not want to do this for a living. \n          They drove on in silence for a while, still heading well out of their way to get clear of the high school area. When they finally reached a main highway, Jack got on it in the direction of home.  \n\n          Despite the bad turn at the high school, there was still one more delivery to be made on the morning run. This one was easy though, as it was a cash payment to a nearby nightclub owner to whom  Victor had apparently lost a bet. \n          When they arrived at the nightclub, there were some employees outside smoking, probably still there from Saturday night. Jack pulled around to the service entrance where some cars were parked, as that would be the only door open at that hour. \n          Jack shut the car off, opened his door, and started to get out. Angelo just sat there dabbing at his muzzle wound with a napkin dipped in melted ice from their morning drinks. He looked over to Jack. \n          “C'mon buddy,” Jack said, “This is a quickie, right?”\n          The grey-furred kit looked down at the floor again. “Can you do this one?” he asked softly, “I just wanna...” \n          Jack sat back in the seat. “Yeah sure, no problem.” \n          Angelo smiled and handed Jack a sealed envelope. “Just ask for Sam and tell him its from Vic Morrison. Make sure he says that they're squared up now. Don't give it to anyone else.” Jack patted the young fox's shoulder and got out of the car, making sure to lock it behind him. \n          The payoff went smoothly. The club owner, Sam, was happy to get his money, and agreed that he and Victor were all settled up. Jack was back at the car in minutes. “Home, Jeeves,” said Angelo, still with eyes closed. Jack laughed and drove out of the club's parking lot. \n          “How you doing, Ange?” Jack asked, when they were back on the highway. \n          The little fox took one long deep breath and let it out. Then, quietly yet nervously, he said, “I cut Gazz pretty bad, huh.”\n          “Well, it wasn't that bad really. He'll need some stitches but he'll be ok.” Jack looked over at Angelo, who was staring straight ahead. “Besides, he attacked you first. You didn't go in there wanting to cut him,” Jack reasoned. \n          “I know,” said Angelo. “But there's something else that's... bugging me.” He looked over to Jack, uneasiness creeping into his expression. Jack noticed this and took the kit's paw supportingly. \n          “That tiger,” the cub continued, “For a second there... I really wanted to carve him up. I wanted to rip a gash in that face so he'd... remember.” A look of anguish now crossed his face. “He was lying there... helpless and scared... and he didn't even do anything! But after I saw that cut on Gazz... I just wanted to get that tiger too...” He tightened his jaw and closed his eyes, the anguished expression fading. \n          Jack squeezed the small paw. “It just was the rush, like you said. Adrenaline rush from getting attacked like that.”\n          “Maybe,” the kit replied softly.\n          “No maybes,” said Jack. “I told you already, you're not a killer. You're a good kid. You're just caught up in a bad situation, and its forcing you to do things you don't want to. Things you have to do in order to survive, but things you'd never do if you didn't have to, right?” He looked into the glistening blue eyes again. “You asked me earlier why I care? Well that's exactly why. You're not this character that you have to play because of Victor. And whatever happens, don't you ever forget that.”\n          The little fox smiled at this, a lone tear streaking down from one eye. He remained silent, and appeared to be ruminating on what Jack had said as he watched the world fly by outside the car. A smile crossed his bloodied face several times, Jack noticed, accompanied one time by a soft giggle. By the time they got back to the apartment, Angelo was smiling happily again. \n\n          The two foxes entered Victor's apartment after Jack had parked the car. Victor was sitting on the couch, reading over a notepad he was holding, a pen in the other paw. \n          The ferret looked up from his pad as the foxes entered, and squinted as he looked over Angelo. “What the hell happened to you?” he asked as Angelo threw down his backpack heavily, with a touch of anger, Jack thought. \n          “The fucker tried to rob me! Again!” Angelo barked back, pointing to his still-bloody muzzle. The blood had ceased to flow, but what had already come out was still soaked in his fur, and was beginning to dry to a dark rusty red. Jack wondered if he had deliberately refrained from cleaning it during the car ride, so as to punctuate the point with Victor. \n          Victor frowned, looking from Angelo to Jack and back. “Well,” he said, “you got the money? Or the dope?” Then after a pause, “You better have one of the two.” \n          “We still have the dope,” Jack said, indicating the backpack against the wall where the kit had thrown it. \n          “Mmm,” Victor said with a nod, then returned his gaze to his notepad. \n          “I'm fine by the way,” Angelo said sarcastically as he walked towards the hallway that led to the bathroom and his bedroom. \n          Victor looked up from his pad towards Angelo as the boy walked. “I can see that,” he said, somewhat dismissively before looking back to his notes. Then after a few more seconds he looked back towards the hallway. “You pay off the badger?” he called out. His only answer was the sound of the bathroom faucet coming on. \n          “Yeah, that's taken care of,” Jack said as he noticed a sneer starting on Victors muzzle. “He said you two are squared up.” \n          Victor looked at Jack intently for a second, then nodded and looked back at his notes yet again. “Good,” he said quietly. \n          Jack stood there, feeling increasingly conspicuous and uncomfortable until Angelo returned from the bathroom,. His muzzle fur was wet and matted, but most of the blood was gone. The water had likely re-opened the wound and let some more out, but that would be gone the next time he rinsed it. \n          “I'm going back to bed,” the younger fox said, sounding disgusted. “I'll see you around, Jack.” Whatever happiness he had displayed in the car had left him, no doubt due to Victor's overall attitude, Jack thought. \n          “Yeah I think I'll do the same,” the red fox said. It was still mid-morning after all, and the adrenaline had long since faded, leaving him rather tired himself. He noted that both Angelo's statement, and his own reply had been aimed directly to the other, with Victor not an intended recipient. \n          The ferret seemed to pick up on this as he put his pad down once again. “Yeah, you do that,” he said, though it was unclear if he was speaking to Jack or Angelo, or both. “Jack?” he continued, holding out a folded bill to the older fox: his payment for the day. As Jack accepted the money, Victor went on: “Take the rest of the day off. Angelo and I have some shit to discuss this afternoon. Come back tomorrow, around noon. You,” he said, now looking at the little grey-furred kit, “go get some rest for a bit.” \n          As the ferret returned his attention to his pad, Jack knew he was dismissed. He was both amused and annoyed at how Victor had just spun things around so that he had the appearance of being in total control, as always. Angelo had already turned back towards the hall and was out of sight as Jack nodded and headed for the door and out into the parking lot. \n          Jack got into his car outside of Victor's door for the short trip to his own parking spot. As seemed to always happen with Victor, Jack was left puzzling over the ferret's statement that he had “some shit” to discuss with Angelo in private during the remainder of the day. Perhaps the ferret was going to apologize for, or at least acknowledge, his atrocious behavior towards the kit over the last couple of days. \n          The fox dismissed this thought quickly, though. While he did not have Victor entirely figured out yet, there were some character traits that he had no doubt about, and apologizing was certainly not in his nature. \n\n          The next morning, Jack went for the morning jog that had once been his routine. He had awoke fairly early again, and with instructions from Victor not to show up before noon, the teen fox found himself with time to kill, and a certain nervous energy. A nice long jog would be just the thing for both. \n          Victor's car was in its usual parking spot, he noted, as he began his run. It had been gone the previous afternoon for many hours – the same time Victor had said he needed to “discuss” things with Angelo. Jack had not seen them return, and his imagination was in its now-usual state of overdrive, imagining every possible horrific scenario. \n          As he jogged, his mind drifted back to Angelo in the car after the attack at the stadium. The smile and giggle from the kit made the older fox happy that he had gotten through to the boy. Jack recognized the giggle, as he himself would also do that once he had thought something through completely and had realized an answer that he liked. \n          Now if he could just convince the youngster that searching for his mother was in his best interest, Jack thought sadly. He had to get the kit away from Victor – that much he had no doubt about. It was either send him back to State custody, though, or get him back with his only family. \n          Angelo had originally said he would never go back to an orphan's home, although they had not spoken about that in a long time. Jack hoped that perhaps his opinion had changed as he realized the truth about Victor. \n          Obviously, the best outcome would be that his mother regretted abandoning him, and had returned to look for him shortly after the kit had fled the orphanage. It would hopefully be a simple matter to find her and reunite the two. \n          A twinge of sadness crept into Jack's head as he realized how much he would miss the boy in that case. He would make sure to make himself available as the older brother, a role that he was already playing, and hoped to continue as long as Angelo wanted. \n          Jack had not actually commenced the search for Angelo's mother, though. He had sat in front of his laptop the previous day, open to the search engine page, and stared at it for a long time, but had not gone any further. Like it or not, he had promised the cub that he would not do so without Angelo's permission, and following the kit's display of absolute trust in Jack, he was not about to break his word. \n          He could not shake the feeling that Victor's “next big thing” was going to force the issue, though. \n\n          At 11:30, Jack knocked on Victor's door. The ferret had told him to come by “around noon”, but the fox could wait no longer. Angelo opened the door, which immediately loosed a feeling of relief in the older fox.\n          “Hey Jack,” Angelo said flatly, throwing the door open wide for Jack. \n          “Jacky!” Victor exclaimed cheerfully as Jack walked in and closed the door. Jack gritted his teeth at the unwelcome familiarization of his name, but did not issue the usual correction that he would have otherwise. \n          “Victor,” Jack just said with a nod. The ferret was seated on the couch, and Jack noted with some surprise that Angelo sat down next to him, though the kit began reading the newspaper and did not appear to have been in conversation with him. “So what's up?” Jack asked, as there did not seem to be any deliveries lined up. \n          “I'm glad you asked!” Victor said cheerfully, standing up. He approached Jack and put a paw on each of the fox's shoulders. Angelo looked up from his reading, one eyebrow raised as he watched. “You umm...” Victor continued, “think about my proposal any?”\n          His proposal, Jack thought, recalling. That Jack become Victor's official partner in his business, apparently displacing Angelo, who had certainly considered himself to be the ferret's partner, at least until that Saturday dinner. Following that event though, Jack knew for sure what his answer was: he would have to play along with Victor until he could get both Angelo and himself away from this psychopath.           \n          “Well Victor,” Jack began, gently removing the ferret's paws from his shoulders, “I kinda want to know about this new business we're getting into first, you know?” \n          Victor chuckled as Jack dislodged his paws, but as the fox finished, he said, “A fair point! I tell you what: as soon as my money is in the Russian's paws, I'll fill you in. Fair enough?” \n          “I guess,” Jack replied. “When will that be?”\n          “Tomorrow, the next day... whenever he says to come to New York. I'm all ready, just waiting on him!”\n          Jack nodded. “Ok. You fill me in and I'll let you know on your offer.” Jack was deliberately being evasive, and indeed hoped it was obvious in this case.\n          Victor chuckled again and nodded. “In the meantime, errr..,” he said, sounding now a little embarrassed, “could you maybe do me a favor?” \n          Jack's ears perked up at this. Victor seemed uncharacteristically humble here. “Sure,” Jack said, “what's up?” \n          “Well,” the ferret began, nervously, “I got some girls coming over today. Sort of a celebration, you know? Well, ummm...” he said, scratching the back of his head and lowering his voice. Angelo cocked his head, trying to listen. “I was wondering, would you mind letting Angelo stay over at your place tonight? So me and the girls don't have to worry about... you know...” Angelo's ears perked up as he overheard this, a grin immediately coming to his face.\n          Jack looked from Victor's embarrassed face to Angelo's overjoyed visage. “Well, sure Victor. He's welcome any time.” Victor looked surprised as Jack said this, a change in expression that Jack was not expecting. \n          “Seriously? Thanks! Here, take this.” He handed jack a folded bundle of bills, the outside one being a hundred. “Just, ummm... would you mind taking him now? They're gonna be here soon!” \n          “Damn,” Jack said, actually impressed, which provoked a grin from Victor. “All day, huh?” Jack asked. “But isn't that jinxing the deal too? I mean you don't want to tell me what it is, but...” \n          “Nah!” Victor interrupted. “These are my luck pieces of tail! They've been here before every big deal I've cut, and its always worked out. But yeah, the next 24 hours, bro,” he said, patting Jack's arm with a grin, “gonna be epic!” \n          Jack smiled, still impressed, before turning to the matter at hand. “So Angelo,” he began, “you wanna stay over at my place tonight?” He asked it in such a way as not to betray the fact that he had already done just that in Victor's absence. \n          “You betcha!” Angelo said enthusiastically. He got up and dashed down the hallway. “Be right back!” \n          Victor patted Jack's shoulder as they waited for Angelo to return. “Thanks a ton, Jack,” the ferret said. “I owe you big.”\n          “Nah, don't worry,” Jack replied, “I don't mind him staying over at all.” \n          “Really?” Victor said with some incredulity. “I wish you'd told me that a month ago!” he said with a laugh. \n          Jack nodded. “All day, huh?” he repeated with an impressed smile. \n          “And all night!” Victor said boastfully. “They're good. And I'm good. What can I say? And now I've got all that weed you didn't sell today!” \n          The fox chuckled as Angelo returned, though the kit didn't seem to be carrying anything. “Ready bro?” Jack asked. \n          “Yep!” came the enthusiastic response. \n          “Ok, lets go,” Jack said, then with a nod back to Victor, “Be good!”\n          “Not today!” Victor replied with a grin as the two foxes walked out the door.           \n          Walking across the parking lot towards Jack's apartment, Angelo was again displaying the happy countenance that he had worn the previous day, an abrupt change from his demeanor inside the apartment. \n          “So,” Jack said as they reached his car, “Want to go get some lunch?” \n          “Yeah!” Angelo replied enthusiastically. “We got all day to kill!”\n          Jack nodded and pondered. A thought occurred to him as he opened his car door and felt the blast of heat escape from within. “We could go to the pool. You can swim, right?” \n          “Yeah sure,” Angelo said. “I don't have any trunks though.” \n          “Me neither,” Jack said, “but we can stop by the store and pick some up.” He flashed the wad of money Victor had given him. “Courtesy of our Mr. Morrison.”\n\n          Lunch consisted of a return to the Burger Joint where they had bought breakfast the day before. They ate light, as Jack pointed out that swimming on a full stomach was dangerous, for unspecified reasons, and relayed the old caution he had heard all his life: that one must wait an hour after eating before swimming. \n          Fortunately, that would not be a problem, as they still had to go get some swimwear. Jack drove to the Giganto-Mart store which seemed to sell everything. Sure enough, it had an apparel section which included swim trunks designed for a wide variety of species. The two foxes each picked out a pair that they liked, then headed back to Jack's apartment. \n          Along the way, Jack decided that they would use the local municipal pool, and not the smaller one contained in the apartment complex. While the latter one was free, and the municipal one had an entry fee, Jack reckoned that using the apartment's pool might be risky since Angelo did not officially live there, so his presence might raise some questions. \n          As they pulled into Jack's parking space, Angelo noted that there were now 2 additional cars parked next to Victor's, and the light outside his door was turned on. \n          “I guess his girls are here,” Jack said, as the pair exited the car. \n          “Yeah,” Angelo said dryly. “I bet he screws on my bed, at least once.”\n          “Seriously?” Jack asked with a twinge of disgust. \n          “I wouldn't put it past him. He'd probably do it just to be a dick.” \n          Jack opened his apartment door and the blast of cool air hit both foxes as they entered. Angelo removed the trunks they had just bought from the bag and tossed Jack his, before biting the nylon string that held the price tag on his own. \n          “Where can I change?” the kit asked when he had all of the tags and stickers removed from the trunks. \n          “Anywhere you want,” Jack replied. “I'll be in my room.” \n          “''Kay,” Angelo said as Jack went down to his room and closed the door. After a moment, he heard the bathroom door close, as the kit went inside. The teen fox quickly changed into his trunks, and retrieved two towels from his closet, then put his shirt and shoes back on for the drive over. \n          Emerging from his room, he passed the bathroom just as Angelo opened the door. The cub had on just his trunks, with the rest of his clothes in a bundle in his arms. He smiled at Jack with what seemed to the older fox to be almost giddiness, as if they were about to embark on some grand adventure, which given Angelo's normal living arrangements, was probably not far from true.\n          “Just put that anywhere,” Jack said, indicating the bundle in Angelo's arms. “You're going to be putting them back on anyway.” The kit complied with a smile, dropping the pile right where he stood in the hallway. He made a motion to reach for his jacket, then caught himself. \n          “Heh,” he said sheepishly. “Not used to going outside without my jacket.”\n          Jack patted his bare shoulder. “Don't worry, you're safe,” he said, trying to sound comforting.           \n          “Yeah, I know. It just... feels weird.”\n          The older fox nodded, then with a cheerful tone said, “Ready?” \n          “Yep,” came the equally cheerful response. “Let's go!”\n\n          The foxes spent hours at the pool, splashing, playing, and swimming. They would alternate between splash-fights, underwater hide-and-seek, and racing each other from one end of the pool to the other. Jack picked up the cub and threw him more times than he could count. It was the most fun he'd had in a while, he realized.\n          Angelo, too, was having the time of his life. Jack had never seen him so purely happy in all the time he had known the kit. Even during the mandatory breaks, where all cubs had to leave the pool, he laid out on the concrete smiling and soaking up the sun, as Jack stood in the pool next to the boy at the edge, his arms over the side. \n          As the sun sank lower in the sky, neither wanted to leave the pool but practicalities demanded it. At the very least, they were both ravenously hungry after the hours of constant motion. When another cub break was called by the lifeguards, the foxes made eye contact and silently agreed that it was time to go. \n          On the ride back to the apartment, they spoke enthusiastically about the fun they'd had, and decided that they'd be back at the pool at the first opportunity. Jack knew this probably meant when Victor was next out of town. He pondered whether his new role with Victor would allow him to just stop in and announce to the ferret that he was taking Angelo to the pool, or to the mall, or wherever. \n          Another prime topic of discussion on the drive back was the subject of dinner. Angelo initially suggested a pizza delivery, since they were both tired out. Jack noted that he still had $230 from the money Victor had given him, and suggested they go to a real restaurant and have a proper dinner, keeping in mind that Angelo's attire of jeans and t-shirt put an upper limit on the type of place they could go to. \n          They finally decided on a Chinese restaurant nearby which seemed nice. After stopping back at Jack's apartment to change out of their swimwear, they were off to the restaurant, where they took in the full meal experience, starting with soup and appetizers, a shared main course, and dessert. This was much more than Jack had ever done with Chinese food; his usual experience was eating just a single dish right out of the paper carton.\n\n          Some time later, the two well-fed foxes arrived back at Jack's apartment. The sun had gone down while they were in the restaurant; as they pulled into the parking lot, both vulpes looked to Victor's apartment where all windows were brightly lit up from within. \n          “What do you think is going on over there?” Jack asked as he unlocked his door and swung it wide open. \n          Angelo entered the room and sat down heavily on one end of the couch with a satisfied sigh. “Probably a lot of booze and weed,” he said after a moment, “and sex. Maybe some coke too. No clothes to be found anywhere... that sort of thing.” \n          “Thanks for that mental image,” Jack said, locking the door behind them before he also sat heavily on the couch, his belly full and his motivation to do anything fading. \n          The two sat back on the couch in silence for a moment, before Jack spoke up again. “So what did Victor want you for yesterday? He apologize for being such a dick on Saturday?”\n          Angelo chuckled, his head still thrown back against the back of the couch. “Heh, no, Vic doesn't apologize,” he said. “We went to see a few different people about this next big thing.” He looked up at Jack. “I got a bad feeling about what's coming though,” he said. \n          “How's that?” \n          “Well,” the kit continued, “one of the places we went, he bought a couple of little leather pouches. I looked through one.” He paused, nervously looking into the older fox's eyes now. “It had a needle in it.” \n          “Needle?” Jack asked, the fur on his neck beginning to stand up. \n          “Yeah, like a syringe,” Angelo replied. “With some little glass things and a rubber rope. He asked me if I thought I could inject myself...” He trailed off and laid his head back against the back of the couch. “I think this next big thing might be some really hard drugs.” \n          Jack nodded slowly. He had expected Victor's expansion would be into harder drugs than pot, but hadn't really given thought to what it might be. “He got... a couple of those?” \n          Angelo nodded. “One for me, one for you maybe?” he said sadly. “What kind of drugs do you inject like that anyway?”  \n          Jack though back to his high school health class. “I dunno, maybe meth... heroin... coke maybe too?” \n          “I've tried pot,” Angelo said, “and booze too. I don't think I want to inject anything though.” \n          “Right there with you, bud,” Jack said. “If we have to deliver it, that's one thing, but I don't plan to get hooked on anything, that's for sure.” He didn't bring up the possibility of selling harder drugs at the schools like they did with pot, but that would certainly also be off the table, he thought. This is where things would likely get ugly with Victor, if indeed it was going to happen at all. \n          As if echoing his thoughts, Angelo said, “Something's gonna break here... and it's going to happen soon.”\n          “Don't worry bro,” Jack replied, moving to the center of the couch next to the kit. “We'll get through it together.” Angelo smiled, but did not reply. He seemed to be thinking this over in his head. \n          Jack turned the TV on, as much to provide a filler for the silence as anything else. Angelo brought his head back from staring at the ceiling to watch, as it was tuned to the news channel. There was a story playing about events in some far war-torn country that Jack had barely heard of. He barely registered what was playing, though, as his mind was back to the ever-present problem of how to get Angelo, and now himself, away from Victor for good. \n          “Does Victor ever...” he said awkwardly after a couple minutes of silence. Angelo perked up as he spoke. “You know... try to molest you or anything?” It was an odd question to ask out of the blue, but Jack's mind was trying to find anything that could be used against the ferret, even in something like an anonymous phone call to the police. \n          Angelo noticed this as well, as he looked at Jack with wide eyes, one brow dipped. “Ummm, no,” he said, unsure. \n          Jack nodded. “I'm just thinking from what he said on Saturday,” Jack said by way of explanation. Then after a pause, “Did anyone else ever try?” \n          The little grey-furred fox searched Jack's eyes, before smiling and saying, “Well, Tish molested me pretty good!” This provoked a laugh from the older fox and a shake of the head. Angelo continued before he could speak though: “Nah, nobody really. There's that doctor I told you about, who wanted to take naked pictures of me. No doubt he'd do something if he had the chance. But no, I'd cut anyone who actually tried.” He patted his left abdomen, where his knife was located in his jacket, ear-perking briefly as he apparently reacted to its absence. \n          “Kay,” Jack said, still thinking. \n          “Jack,” Angelo said. “What... why do you ask?” \n          Jack sighed deeply, looking into Angelo's blue eyes. “It's just,” he began hesitantly, “I'm trying to find some way to...” he trailed off and looked away. He'd not admitted to the boy what his main goal was, but now seemed to be as good a time as any. “Some way to get you away from Victor. For good. Him trying to molest you would be a first-class ticket to jail for him.” He was staring at the couch cushions now. \n          “And a first class ticket back to the orphanage for me,” Angelo said bluntly. Jack kept his gaze firmly focused on the couch patterns, until he felt a warm paw on his arm. “Jack,” Angelo said, softer now. Jack looked back up into those expressive eyes. “I've thought the same thing. A lot. And... there's no way out that doesn't land me back in the orphanage.”\n          Jack covered the little grey paw with his own. “Ange,” he began, not sure how to phrase it, “there's... well, there is one way.” \n          Angelo looked into Jack's eyes for a moment, as he picked up on what Jack was trying to say. His jaw tightened slightly and he sat back in the couch, removing his paw from his friend's arm. “Her,” he said coldly. \n          “It's the best of all the bad...” Jack began. \n          “Jack,” Angelo said sharply, interrupting him. Jack fell silent, and it was another moment before the kit continued. “I've... thought about it some too. Say you did find her. In Philly or New York or somewhere. She'd be arrested as soon as the cops put two and two together. Then guess where that puts me.” \n          “You don't know that,” Jack began, yet at the same time conceding the kit's point in his head. \n          “You abandon your cubs, that's a crime,” Angelo said flatly. \n          “What if,” Jack said, grasping for straws, “what if she realized her mistake and came looking for you right after you skipped out on the orphanage?” \n          Angelo stared into Jack's eyes for a moment, pondering this. “That's a hell of an 'if',” he said finally. \n          “It's still the best outcome for all of this,” Jack said. \n          Angelo sat back heavily against the couch and closed his eyes. “Why can't I just live with you?” he asked. \n          Jack sighed deeply. He had asked himself the same thing repeatedly over the last week, with the answer always the same. “They'd never let you live with me,” he said sadly. “Believe me, that's been my Plan-B from day one, but...” \n          “Why not? They don't need to know...” Angelo asked, not looking at Jack, as he apparently felt the same unease. \n          “You need to go to school,” Jack said. “You need to... get regular doctor checkups, that kind of thing. Can't do that unless you're living in the open. And they'd never give you to me...” He trailed off to avoid Angelo hearing his voice crack with emotion. \n          Of all the scenarios, this was the one he had tried the most to investigate, and it always ended up the same. He was two months out of high school, and barely able to sustain himself without Victor's illegal income. There was simply no way he'd be allowed to take care of a cub. No, the ideal scenario was that Angelo returned to his wayward mother, with Jack there to fill in as the boy's big brother. \n          Angelo had laid his head back against the couch and was staring at the ceiling once more. Jack watched him with a sad sort of smile. Regardless of the future, they at least had this day, with all the fun that it had contained. \n          A momentary chill hit Jack as the apartment's air conditioning continued to pump frosty air into the room. The cold suddenly sparked a memory in Jack, and he sat up straight. “Oh shit!” he exclaimed. \n          “What?” Angelo said, also sitting up straight, surprised by the sudden outburst. \n          “I forgot to get blankets!” Jack said, then smacked his forehead with a paw. The last time Angelo had stayed over, Jack had no spare blanket to give him as he slept on the couch, forcing the kit to use his jacket and one of the couch cushions in place of one. Jack had intended to buy a spare for such occasions, but the suddenness of Victor's request had left him without time to do so. \n          “Oh,” Angelo said. “That's ok.”\n          Jack truly did not feel like getting up to go out and buy a blanket at this time of day, especially on the full stomach he still had, but it would not be fair to the cub to subject him again to an uncomfortable night. “No, it's not,” Jack said, getting up. “Let's go get one. The Giganto-Mart should have something.” \n          “No, Jack,” Angelo replied. “I mean... if it's ok, maybe I can...” he paused, looking at Jack's feet. “I mean, maybe I can sleep in your bed?” He looked up into Jack's eyes. “If it wouldn’t be weird, I mean.” \n          Jack regarded the little grey-furred fox cub. “It's ok with me bud, if you're ok,” he said, sitting back down. Jack's sister, about the same age as Angelo, would often climb into his bed at night, especially if there was a thunderstorm which scared her. \n          “Yeah,” Angelo replied, though slightly hesitantly. “You're not going to molest me, are you?” he asked with a mischievous grin. \n          Jack laughed. “No, Ange... not going to molest you,” he replied with a smile, eliciting a giggle from his young friend. “So when do you want to turn in?” Jack asked. It was still only in the 9PM hour, but between the full belly and the day's activity at the pool, the red fox was fairly tired. Back when he was on the football team, he would often go to bed at this hour after a day of similar energy expenditure. \n          “Whenever you want,” Angelo replied. “I'll be awake for a couple hours after, no matter what time we do.” \n          “I'm kind of feeling it now, actually,” Jack said. “I'm practically falling asleep on the couch as it is!”\n          “Ok,” the eleven-year-old said, standing up from the couch. “I'll just lay there, and elbow you if you snore,” he said with a friendly smile. \n          Jack chuckled. “I'm actually not sure if I do or not,” he mused. “I guess I'll find out, though!” He got up and checked the lock on the front door, before turning off the television and indicating the hallway to Angelo with a paw, as if saying “after you”. He shut the lights off in the living room as the little fox started down the hallway, then followed him into the bedroom. \n          Angelo had turned on the bedroom light as soon as he reached the door. When Jack entered, he saw the kit prodding the mattress with a paw. “Its not the Ritz, but its better than the couch, I bet,” Jack said, walking to the far side of the bed where he usually slept, in view of the alarm clock on the chair next to it. \n          “There's probably something else I should tell you,” Angelo said, as he slowly kicked off his shoes. \n          “Oh no, you wet the bed?” Jack asked, teasingly. \n          “No, I... NO!” Angelo said, initially missing the jibe, then swinging a mock backhand at Jack, who was well out of range. “Its just that... I have bad dreams. A lot. I don't think I wake up screaming or anything weird like that, but they do wake me up a lot.” He shrugged sheepishly. “So if you see that happen... you'll know why, that's all.” \n          Jack smiled sadly at the boy, and nodded. “I hear you, bud. Don't worry, you're safe here.” \n          “Safe,” Angelo repeated softly, as he loosened his belt and unbuttoned his jeans, before pausing. \nNoticing this, Jack turned away and theatrically put a paw over his eyes, prompting another giggle from the cub. “You can look, I don't care,” he said cheerfully. It likely was a little strange for the kit to be sharing a bed with anyone, Jack thought, if only because it was a new experience, and thus an unfamiliar one. \n          Jack turned around as Angelo stepped out of his jeans, and pulled his socks off, standing there now in only a t-shirt and boxers. “I'm gonna sleep like this, if that's ok,” the kit said. \n          “No prob, bro,” Jack replied, pulling off his own shirt. Though he knew that Angelo usually slept naked, he was sort of glad that the cub stopped where he did, as it might be slightly awkward for both of them.\n          Angelo sat down on the edge of the bed and bounced a few times. “Comfy,” he said. \n          “Dive in,” Jack said, walking back to the door to turn out the room's light. Walking back to the bed, now illuminated only from the outside light through the blinds in the window, he shucked off his own jeans and got into his side of the bed, clad only in his boxers. “How is it?” he asked, when Angelo had gotten in under the covers. \n          “Its nice,” the kit replied. He was laying on his back, with arms folded over his abdomen. “Night Jack!”\n          “Night bud,” Jack replied, settling in under his covers. \n          “Jack?” Angelo said quietly after a moment.\n          “Hmm?” Jack answered back. \n          “You're the best!”\n          Jack looked over and met the gaze of his young friend in the dim light. “Nuh-uh,” he said. “You're the best, so how can I be?” Angelo grinned at this and looked back towards the ceiling smiling. \n          Jack lay there in the darkness for a few minutes, thinking. That last comment from Angelo had him smiling broadly – the perfect end to the day. He hoped that the kit would not have any nightmares tonight, if only so as not to spoil the day in the younger fox's memory.\n          While he was not an expert on the meaning of dreams, Jack had read a book about that subject in high school. Supposedly the content of Angelo's bad dreams would provide clues to suggest how he really felt about things. \n          Jack hated to add anything to the day after the heartwarming comment, but likewise felt slightly awkward leaving the kit to lie awake for hours working through his own demons while Jack dozed. “Umm,” he began quietly, “What sort of dreams?” \n          But Angelo was already asleep. \n\n          The sun coming through the window blinds roused Jack from his sleep. He looked over to the clock: 7:38am. He looked back to the ceiling, a general sense of happiness in his mind, which was a sharp contrast to the uneasiness he had felt these last couple of days courtesy of Victor and his unpredictable attitude. \n          Angelo was curled up on his side, his muzzle tucked down into his chest, with his forehead almost touching Jack's left arm. He was still sleeping peacefully, and as far as Jack knew had not had a nightmare in the night, at least not one that abruptly woke him. Jack instinctively put an arm around the sleeping kit, who stirred slightly but did not awaken. \n          Jack lay there for several minutes, feeling the motion of Angelo's breathing, before necessities of nature forced him to arise and visit the bathroom. When he returned, Angelo was awake, laying on his back with his arms behind his head. \n          “Good morning, Ange,” Jack said brightly. “Slept well, I hope?” \n          Angelo grinned as he saw Jack. “Yeah, I did! Your bed is really comfy.”\n          Compared to an old mattress on the floor, Jack had no doubt of that. “I'll say,” Jack said. “You went out like a light! I thought you said it took you a long time to fall asleep.” \n          Angelo had sat up, and was leaning back on his arms. He froze briefly as Jack said this, staring straight ahead, as if he was surprised. “Yeah,” he said after a moment, “I did, didn't I?” The surprise in his face was echoed in his voice. He swung his grey-furred legs over the side of the bed and reached for his socks on the floor. \n          Jack walked to the window and parted the blinds with a finger. Looking across the parking lot, he noticed that Victor's car, as well as the two girls' cars, were still out front of the ferret's apartment. “Looks like ol' Victor is still at it,” Jack said. “What say we go get some breakfast?” \n          “Erf,” Angelo said with a twinge of annoyance. “Can I... use your bathroom first, then?” he asked. \n          “My house is your house,” Jack said with a smile. “You know where its at.” Angelo stretched and yawned deeply before standing up and slowly walking towards the hallway, scratching the back of his neck. \n          Jack got dressed in fresh clothes, then went out into the living room to wait for Angelo. He opened the front door and stood in the doorway, looking out over the apartment complex. Several furs drove by, no doubt on their way to work on this Tuesday morning. \n          The teen fox idly stared at Victor's apartment door as his mind mulled over the present situation. Since the Saturday dinner with Victor, it had been the central thing occupying his thoughts. He would find an answer, he kept telling himself. \n          He noted the girls' cars as he stared, and his mind took a voyeuristic turn. As much as he despised the ferret, a part of him wanted to hear all the details about his overnight tryst. If nothing else, Jack thought, such enthusiasm might serve to keep him in good standing with Victor – that much he needed while trying to free the Angelo from him. \n          “Still there, huh?” Angelo said presently. He was still wearing just his shirt and boxers. \n          “Yep,” Jack replied, closing the door. “Can't wait to hear about it,” he said, the genuine enthusiasm bordering on lust creeping into his voice. \n          “Feh,” Angelo spat out. “Let's let him air the place out first, or it'll reek of ass.” \n          “Thanks,” Jack said with mock sarcasm, “That's just what I needed before breakfast.”\n          Angelo giggled. “My pleasure,” he said. “So, where are we going?” \n          “Wherever,” Jack said. “I kinda want pancakes though.” \n          The grey-furred kit made a “yummy” sound. “Let's go!” he exclaimed, running back towards the bedroom to get dressed. \n\n          The two foxes had a long pancake breakfast at the local Pancake Joint pancake house, complete with all the juices and syrups that came with them. They deliberately took as much time as possible without making a conspicuous nuisance of themselves with the restaurant staff, in order to hopefully return home after Victor's “guests” had departed. \n          Indeed, after a 90 minute breakfast, and a slow leisurely meandering drive back, it was after 10:00am when they arrived back at the apartments. Victor's car stood alone in the spaces outside his door, though the apartment itself was still as buttoned up as it had been since the previous day. \n          “Should we knock?” Jack asked as he parked the car and got out. \n          Angelo got out from his side and stood, arms crossed, regarding the ferret's door. “Hell, I got a key,” he said. \n          “Yeah, but do you want to just barge in there?” \n          The younger fox contemplated that. “Probably not,” he said. “I'm usually stuck in my room when he does this. At least then I can hear what he's up to after they finally leave.” \n          “He does this with you there?” Jack was incredulous. \n          “Oh yeah,” Angelo responded. “All those times he said about them being his lucky tail? Well, this is the first time he's gotten me out of the house to do it.”\n          “Jeez,” said Jack. “I can only imagine...”\n          “He turns music up loud to try and drown out the sounds,” Angelo said. “Didn't always work, especially between songs.” He shrugged. “I would just try to focus on the girls when I had to, or just cover my ears with pillows... you know.” \n          “Damn,” Jack said, adding another mental X against Victor. The pair continued to stare over to the apartment door for a moment. “Well, shall we?” Jack finally asked. \n          “Might as well,” the cub replied and started across the parking lot. \n          Reaching the door, Angelo knocked loudly in a specific pattern. Jack assumed this to be an agreed-upon code to identify himself, as Victor had said that he rarely answered the door due to his business. After a moment with no response, Angelo took out his key and unlocked the door. \n          As they stepped inside, Jack could hear the shower running from behind a closed door: Victor no doubt. While not smelling of “ass” as Angelo had predicted, there was a certain earthy, feral scent in the air, mixed with a much stronger scent of stale smoke and beer. The room seemed normal to Jack – there were not clothes strewn everywhere, socks hanging from lamps, nor any of the other cliches he imagined would follow an “orgy”, if this even qualified as such. \n          “Let's see if he fucked on my bed,” Angelo said dryly, walking towards the hallway and his room. Jack followed the kit to his door, which was closed. The boy ran a finger gently down the space where the door met the doorjamb, below the doorknob at about his waist-height. He smiled and stood backup. “Feel there, but softly,” he instructed, pointing to a specific spot. \n          Jack gently ran a finger down the door as Angelo had done. His finger stopped as it ran up against something in the way. He stooped down to look: it was a piece of hair stuck to the door in such a way that the single piece touched both the door and the jamb. It was held firmly in place by some sort of adhesive. \n          “I stuck a piece of my fur there, and glued it in with hairspray,” Angelo explained proudly. “Long as the door stays closed, its stuck there tight, but...” he opened the door, then closed it again. “Now check it.”\n          Jack repeated the finger search, though this time the piece of fur was glued to only one side – the other still touched the door, but moved freely now. “Clever,” Jack said. \n          “Yep,” the kit replied, pride still evident in his voice. “So now I don't have to burn my sheets!”\n          The shower noise stopped abruptly, startling Jack. Angelo immediately called out, “Hey Victor, we're here!” \n          “Ok, be right out,” Victor called back. \n          “Let's wait out here,” Angelo said with a grin, leading Jack back into the living room. “I don't want to see that.”\n          Victor quickly emerged from the bathroom, and went straight to his bedroom without stopping to greet the foxes standing awkwardly in the living room. Angelo was leaning against the entry door, and though the couch looked perfectly normal with no obvious remnants of the night's activities, Jack nonetheless did not want to sit on it after some of the things he'd imagined. \n          “Victor!” Jack said with some enthusiasm as the ferret finally made his appearance in the room. He was dressed in his suit pants with a black t-shirt on, with his headfur slicked back as always. “You look... exhausted!”\n          “Jacky! Angelo!” Victor exclaimed with outstretched arms. “I feel... good!” he said happily. “Though damn, I need some steak and a bottle of Vitamin-B! Remind me to tell you all about it sometime. I'm sure a young lad like yourself would appreciate some pointers!” He punctuated this with a belly laugh. \n          Jack laughed, half genuinely, and half politely. “Sure Victor,” he said amicably. \n          “Ok, now that the fucking's done,” Victor said, moving close to Jack, a pleasant smile on his face. “I'm off to New York!”\n          “Wow, already?” Jack asked. \n          “Yep,” the ferret said enthusiastically. “The Russian wants me to come pay him, so that's what I'm going to do. In gold. After that, our deal is set and its all on him. Didn't I tell you those girls were lucky?” He laughed vigorously and slapped Jack's arm. \n          “You gone all day Vic?” Angelo asked. He smiled to Jack as Victor turned to face the kit. Jack smiled too as he realized that Angelo was looking forward to a repeat of the previous day. \n          “Yep, gone 'till tomorrow,” Victor said to Angelo. “I'm leaving around noon actually, so I'm glad you guys showed up.” He turned back to Jack. “Umm, no deliveries left, so you two... I dunno, go sell dope or something. Hell, whatever you want to do, and I'll see you tomorrow,” he said to the teen fox, dismissing him. “Angelo, got some stuff to go over with you,” he said to the kit. \n          “Ok, good luck,” Jack said, prompting a nod from the ferret. “Umm, Angelo, just come get me when you're ready to go sell,” he said, having no intention of actually selling anything that day. \n          “Sure thing, Jack,” Angelo said cheerfully. \n          As Jack left the apartment, he suddenly had a revelation about Victor's habit of dismissing him abruptly, as he had just done. The ferret had made him an offer to be his partner, and until Jack accepted, Victor would make it abundantly clear that he would not go into much detail with him, but rather would only talk with Angelo. \n          The kit had essentially confirmed this when he described the last time Victor had wanted to talk with him alone: that he really didn't have much to say, but only dragged the cub along as he went to talk with his business cohorts. Since Jack had given a non-committal answer today, he was promptly excluded from any further business related discussions. \n          “Head games,” Jack said with a chuckle. Victor was indeed a master at them. \n          \n          Shortly after 1:00, Jack saw Victor's car pull away from its parking spot. This was quickly followed by Angelo emerging from the apartment and practically running across the lot towards Jack's door. The older fox jumped up from his chair and threw his own door open as he watched the little grey-furred kit approach. Angelo waved cheerfully as he drew near. \n          “Hey Ange,” Jack said when the cub was within a reasonable range to hear him without shouting. \n          “I'm starved!” Angelo exclaimed as he reached the stoop. “Let's go get sammiches!” He sounded very childlike as he said this. \n          “We just ate,” Jack said with a smile and some mock protest in his voice. It was after his normal lunch time, though the large breakfast they'd had still sat in his stomach.\n          “That was...” he paused as if counting, then giving up, “this morning!” Another big grin that made Jack want to hug him. \n          “Fine, fine,” Jack said, this time with mock defeatism is his voice before throwing a wink to Angelo who smirked back at him. \n          Angelo, who had only just walked into Jack's apartment, turned back around and dashed outside again as Jack grabbed his keys and started for the door. \n          They drove to a sub shop in a nearby strip-mall where the two foxes had a quick lunch. Jack was still not particularly hungry, but managed to put away a small-size sub. Angelo, who was apparently much hungrier, made short work of a medium-size one, with a side of chips and several refills from the soda fountain. \n          While there, the pair discussed plans for the rest of the day. Jack intentionally refrained from bringing up anything about Victor or the coming change to their business model, and indeed to their lives. Angelo suggested revisiting the local pool, which Jack was amenable to, though he recalled from his own childhood that he would quickly bore of the same thing day after day, even where those things were nominally fun. \n          Since the kit plainly wanted to go back, Jack agreed, and they returned to the apartment once lunch was done to change into their swimwear. Angelo's trunks were still there, as he had not taken them back to his own apartment that morning; Jack wondered if he did not want the ferret to see that he even had them. The red fox quickly dismissed that thought – not because it was or wasn't true, but because he didn't want to pollute the day with thoughts of Victor. \n          Once changed into their swimwear, the two headed back outside to the car. Angelo seemed much more at ease leaving the house without his ever-present jacket than he had been the previous day, Jack noted with some satisfaction. \n\n          The clock was nearing 8:00 when the two worn-out foxes stepped back into Jack's apartment. They had spent five hours or so at the pool this time. Contrary to his concern going in, Jack did not find himself bored. If anything, Angelo saw to that. The cub was a little grey ball of boundless energy, which Jack found unsurprising given the meals he had already consumed that day. \n          Just as in the previous day they played numerous pool games, most of which involved splashing each other, with Jack settling matters by picking up the boy and flinging him, which he seemed to love. \n          When their energy began to finally fade, Jack checked the pool's clock and was surprised at how long they had been there. He suggested stopping on the way home and picking up a pizza or two. If Angelo had any lingering desire to remain at the pool, the mention of dinner immediately removed it. \n          Returning now, two large pizzas in paw, the pair sat down heavily on Jack's couch, still clad only in their swim trunks, and dug in. Angelo grabbed a slice and sat back in the couch to eat. He was sitting in the center of the couch this time, and when he sat back, he leaned slightly against Jack. \n          As Jack ate, his thoughts began to drift again towards Victor and the “coming storm” as he had begun to call it in his own mind. Victor had bought several syringe kits, Angelo had said. Was this related to what was coming?           It didn't make sense though: if they were to be dealing in harder drugs, why would Victor want to get his own people hooked on it? That would just be inviting theft, dirty side-deals, and the like. \n          Perhaps Victor himself had chosen to dabble in more expensive drugs for his own consumption, given the purported income that would be coming in, and had simply bought the kits for himself, or even to sell. Perhaps his asking Angelo if the cub thought he could inject himself was simply rhetorical. Jack sighed audibly: too many “perhaps” and “what-ifs”. Whatever was going to happen, he'd at least know tomorrow. There was some small comfort in that notion. \n          As if sensing the older fox's thoughts, Angelo said, “Tomorrow. It all hits the fan tomorrow, huh?” \n          “Yeah, buddy,” Jack said, slightly startled by the younger fox breaking his reverie. “So if it's not hard drugs, what do you think it would be?” \n          Angelo took a deep breath after swallowing down his food. “Well,” he said at length, “guns maybe. Victor always said he wanted to be a gun runner. He said there was something romantic about it.” \n          Jack pondered this. “That might not be so bad,” he mused aloud. \n          “What?” Angelo said, his ears perking up. “You don't think selling guns to gangs would be bad?” \n          This had not occurred to the older fox. He had envisioned it like in movies, where he'd take a briefcase full of guns to a client in a hotel room, who would then pick out the ones he wanted. The dead-drop of drugs to the gang had been harrowing enough. If they were repeating that with a load of guns, the stakes would only be higher. “Crap,” he said, playing that scenario out in his head. \n          “Yeah,” Angelo said, slightly agitated, as if he was doing the same. “Even if its not a gang, you're meeting a guy who doesn't have a gun, then giving him one. What's to stop him from popping you and taking his money back?”\n          Jack put his head back against the couch. He found it strangely amusing to think that he now almost hoped it would be drugs. At least then, the customers not only wanted the product, but wanted the continued availability of it. Thus they were theoretically less likely to try anything against the dealer. Competitors were another story, of course, but they had stayed out of that path, Jack thought. Unless that too was about to change. More “what-ifs”... he let out an exasperated growl. \n          “Don't worry, Jack,” Angelo said around a mouthful of pizza, before swallowing and continuing. “If you think too much, you'll just end up keeping yourself up all night. Trust me!”\n          Jack nodded. Angelo had said several times that he rarely fell asleep quickly, due to his mind running away like this. But not last night, he remembered. “You mean like you, Mister Fall Asleep In 5 Minutes Fox?”\n          Angelo smiled meekly. “Well, yeah,” he said softly, sounding almost embarrassed. “I usually don't do that. But... I think I know why I did yesterday” He only half-looked at Jack.\n          “Pray tell,” Jack said, starting out intending to tease, but quickly abandoning that as he noted the younger fox's demeanor..\n          “Well,” Angelo began slowly, “it's because... I felt...” He looked fully into Jack's eyes. “I felt... safe. With you.” He looked away with a sheepish smile. “I haven't felt like that since... well, a long time.” \n          Jack had to fight down the urge to flat-out hug the kit, and instead just put an arm around his  bare shoulder and patted. Angelo put a paw over Jack's and squeezed, leaning in to his older friend. Neither seemed to know what to say at this moment.  \n          “Well anyway,” Angelo said after a moment, breaking the embrace by leaning forward to grab another slice of pizza, “we'll find out tomorrow, one way or another, right?” \n          “Yep,” Jack said, sitting back against the couch before reaching for more food himself. \n          One large pizza quickly disappeared under the vulpine assault. They started into the second, though with much reduced zeal, each only taking a single slice. Jack had deliberately over-ordered, as he had grown to enjoy cold pizza for lunch the following day, and this presented the perfect opportunity. \n          Now thoroughly filled, Jack and Angelo sat back lazily as the sounds of the TV filled the room. As usual, it was tuned to the education channel, though some “half-reality” show was currently playing. Jack was only partially watching as his mind wandered, though not with the intensity it had earlier. He had decided not to dwell on what would come tomorrow, until tomorrow came and he was fully informed. \n          Angelo too seemed to be only half-watching. He sat with arms behind his head, facing the general direction of the TV, but Jack noticed his eyes would periodically be directed somewhere above it for brief periods, before returning back to the program. After a while, as his food settled, he put his head back against the couch back and looked towards the ceiling.\n          Jack was feeling rather worn out as well, between the energy spent at the pool and the pizza filling his belly. “Tired bud?” \n          “Yeah,” Angelo said softly, still looking at the ceiling. \n          “Well, just say when,” Jack replied. It was after 9:00, and the sun had set outside. \n          “Yeah,” the kit said again quietly, then sat up. “Now is good, I guess,” he said, sounding more awake. \n          Jack picked up the remote control for the TV and switched it off. “After you,” he said cordially. As Anglo stood up and walked down the hallway, Jack did a quick once-over on the apartment – making sure the door was locked, all the appliances were off, and so on. He switched off the living room light as he headed to his bedroom, where Angelo sat on the edge of the bed, still clad in his swimwear.\n          “You gonna sleep in that?” Jack asked. \n          “Nah, just waiting for you, in case you had to hit the bathroom or anything,” Angelo said. Jack shook his head with a smile. “Ok,” Angelo replied. “Well I do, so be right back!”\n          Jack undressed down to his boxers and walked to the doorway, so he could turn out the light after Angelo got in bed. The kit's clothes were still in a small pile on the floor by the door, where he had left them after getting changed into his swim trunks that morning. \n          Angelo returned after a moment, and sat down again on the edge of the bed, still wearing his trunks. He bounced a few times while looking down at the floor. \n          “You can sleep in those if you want,” Jack said, sensing some uncomfortability on the cub's part. He was already wearing less than what he had slept in the previous night.\n          “No... no,” Angelo said slowly. He then stood up and with tail wagging, pulled the trunks off in one fluid motion, then lay down on the bed and pulled the covers over himself. \n          Jack's ears perked as he watched. “Ummm... why?” he asked, as he shut off the light and walked over to his side of the bed. \n          “It's comfy!” came the enthusiastic reply. “You should try it!”\n          Jack chuckled as he got into bed, and thought about it for a second. He had a quick vision of a fire in the apartment during the night, and of them having to run outside naked, as the fire trucks arrived. “I'll pass, thanks,” he said. \n          “OK,” Angelo simply said, with a tone of “you don't know what you're missing.” He lay silent as Jack got under the covers and folded his arms over his chest. Then he said quietly, “You gonna molest me?” \n          Jack looked over at his friend with some incredulity. “What? No! Of course not!” he said emphatically. \n          Angelo pursed his lips and nodded a slight nod. “You sure?” he asked after another brief pause. “It's supposedly in high demand, remember?” There was no irony or sarcasm in his voice, unlike the day after Victor's tirade. \n          Jack turned on his side to look directly at the little fox. “Ange,” he said seriously, “I'm not going to molest you. That's a promise.” \n          Angelo smiled broadly. “I know,” he said. “That's why I love you.” He flipped onto his stomach as he said this, tugging on the blanket to keep it from uncovering his shoulders. \n          “Heh, because I won't molest you?” Jack asked, the weight of what the kit had just said suddenly hitting him. Now it made sense: a test of sorts which he had passed, his prize being total, absolute trust from this boy, and now his love. He felt a lump in his throat. \n          “Yep,” Angelo said. “Because you don't want anything from me. But you still...” he paused, as if looking for the right word, “well, you seem to like me, anyway.” \n          “Oh, I 'seem to like you', do I?” Jack asked, still absorbing what had just happened. \n          “Well, I don't want to put words in your mouth,” Angelo said. He looked over to Jack, almost expectantly for a few moments, then smiled and nuzzled his face into his pillow and closed his eyes. \n          “Well, don't you worry about that,” he said tenderly after a moment. Angelo's eyes opened. “You... you know I love you too, Angelo.” The kit smiled happily as Jack leaned over and patted his head, brushing the headfur from his eyes. \n          Jack then lay back and stared at the ceiling in the darkness, smiling even as the tears flowed freely from his eyes. \n\n          The next morning, Jack awoke as Angelo was sitting on the bedside, finishing up getting dressed. It was likely the kit's movement on the bed which had roused him, Jack thought, as he was used to sleeping alone.\n          “Hey bud, 'morning!” Jack said, shaking off the cobwebs of sleep. \n          Angelo looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Hi Jack,” he said cheerfully as he pulled on his t-shirt, which was several days old by now, Jack realized. “We gonna do breakfast?” \n          “We still have half a cold pizza,” Jack reminded him, as he sat up in bed and swung his footpaws to the floor. “I was just going to chow on that.” \n          “Kay,” the young fox replied. “I'll grab a slice on the way out. I need to go home and shower and stuff.” \n          “What time does Victor get back?” \n          “No idea,” Angelo said. “He doesn't tell me shit anymore.” \n          “Huh, me either,” said Jack. \n          “He probably knows how much we're waiting to see this “new thing” so he's deliberately going to screw with us,” Angelo said sarcastically. \n          Jack nodded with a wry smile. “Well, I'll come over around lunch time, and we can go grab something. Sooner if I see his car pull up.” \n          “I guess we shouldn't try hitting the pool today, huh?” Angelo asked with a touch of disappointment, as he clearly knew the answer already. \n          “Not unless we want to screw with his head!” Jack said conspiratorially, which prompted a laugh from the kit. Then, more seriously, Jack continued, “I'd love to, but I think we need to meet this  head-on, 'cause things...” he trailed off. \n          “Things are all about to change,” Angelo said gravely, finishing Jack's thought. \n          Jack nodded somberly. “We'll get through it, bud, you and me.” \n          Angelo came around the bed and gave Jack a quick yet firm hug. Jack hated to think that their last normal days might have passed, and that things would be inexorably different in a few short hours, but that was the thought that had entered his head as he spoke, causing him to stumble upon his words. \n\n          Several hours later, Jack walked across the parking lot to Angelo's door. There was still no sign of Victor's car. As he reached the door and began knocking, Angelo opened it swiftly. The kit looked almost sick to his stomach: his ears were flat against his head, eyebrows knit upwards, and a sort of snarl-frown on his muzzle. He looked like he was about to vomit. \n          Jack's ears immediately perked up. “What?” he asked. “What happened?” \n          Angelo handed him a folded newspaper. “Gazz is dead,” he said, turning back inside and flopping down on the couch. \n          “Gazz?” Jack said. “That lizard who tried to rob us? The one you...” He stopped abruptly. The one that Angelo had cut. “Oh no,” Jack said, “Not because of...” He stopped again, unable to bring himself to say it. \n          Angelo shook his head. “No, not from me. Read it there.” \n          Jack looked at the paper Angelo had given him. It was folded in such a way as to present the intended story immediately. The fox read. \n          “TEEN DIES IN DRUG DEAL GONE BAD\n          “Local teenager Melvin Gazzinskiy, 16, was killed Wednesday in what police are calling a failed robbery attempt during a drug deal. Witnesses say Gazzinskiy, a rising junior at Oak Park High School, met with an unknown drug dealer under the pretense of purchasing cocaine, but at some point in the process he tried to rob the dealer and was shot 3 times in the chest, killing him instantly. \n          “A friend who asked not to be named, said that Gazzinskiy had recently started using heroin and that his behavior had rapidly changed. He reportedly had begun stealing from friends and family, and was often seen trying to sell small items to those he associated with. The friend went on to say that Gazzinskiy had, just days before, received 18 stitches in his chest resulting from a similar attempt to rob another drug dealer.”\n          Jack looked up at Angelo who had been watching him intently. The younger fox just nodded slightly. Jack returned his gaze to the paper. \n          “Experts say heroin is one of the most addictive substances there is, and that once addicted, users will often resort to theft to finance their continuing addiction, usually at the expense of their family, friends, and career. Police are asking anyone with information to...” \n          Jack lowered the paper and sat down on the couch next to Angelo. “Wow,” he said softly. “Heroin. Well I guess that explains a lot, huh?” \n          “He tried to rob me to pay for more heroin,” Angelo said sadly. Jack patted his knee as he continued. “I mean, that doesn't mean I should have let him... but maybe if I did he wouldn't have been shot?” \n          “Maybe not this time,” Jack said, trying to reassure him. “He obviously saw robbery as an option, so the next time the money ran out he'd have done it again probably.” \n          “I know,” the cub said. “But... maybe if I'd known, then... maybe... I could have done something... I don't know...” \n          “Hey hey,” Jack said softly, turning the kit's muzzle toward him with the edge of his finger. “That wasn't your fault. There's nothing you could have done, and no way to have known. Don't kill yourself over this.” \n          Angelo sat back against the couch and looked at the ceiling. He sighed deeply. “Yeah, I know. I guess I just feel bad for... what I did to him. Now that I know what was going on in his head, you know?” \n          “Yep, I know exactly.” Jack patted the kit's knee and stood up. \n          “Remember what you said to me after the whole Gazz thing went down on Sunday?” Angelo asked looking back from the ceiling. “About how I'm not this character I play?” \n          “Sure bud,” Jack said gently. \n          “Well, I've thought a lot about that since then,” the kit said. “I do know why I've had to do some of the stuff that I've done, like you said, but...” he paused for a moment. Jack sat back down next to him as he went on. “But I can't pretend it wasn't me who did those things. I can't... blame it on someone else, some character. I'm the one who cut Gazz. I'm the one who choked a guy out with a girl's jump-rope. I'm the one who... did all that.”\n          Jack patted his knee again. He hadn't heard about the jump-rope incident, but felt this was not the time to inquire further. “Ange,” he started to say. \n          “No, it's ok,” Angelo interrupted. “What I mean is, I think I understand myself a little better now. Sure, I know what I did, and I know why I did it. And... I'm ok with it. Does that... make any sense?” \n          “Absolutely, bro,” Jack said reassuringly. \n          Angelo nodded, his face still serious. “I just wanted to say that, is all.” He turned his head back to gaze at the ceiling once more. \n          Jack nodded as well, but didn't say anything. He thought about what Angelo had just said and was happy the kit had made such a self-discovery. He looked back to the newspaper still in his paw. “TEEN DIES...” A thought randomly entered his mind: something Angelo had said when they first met, about the nature of the business they were in. “Dangerous games,” Jack said quietly, echoing the thought in his head. \n          Angelo looked back from the ceiling. His ears drooping, he said softly, “I don't want to play anymore.”\n\n          Jack and Angelo had run out to the sandwich shop to grab a quick lunch to-go, and were just finishing their food in Angelo's living room when they heard a car door slam shut outside. The two foxes looked at each other silently as they waited to see if it was indeed Victor returning. \n          Sure enough, less than a minute later the sound of a key in the door's lock left no doubt. Jack stood up nervously, as the door swung open and Victor stepped inside. He looked quite pleased, though the sight of Jack standing there in his living room seemed to catch him off guard, as he stopped abruptly for an instant, then greeted the fox cheerfully. \n          “Jack!” he said. Then, almost as an afterthought, “And Angelo. Well gents, it's all done.” He clapped his paws together once and held them. “I paid off the Russian and it will be here tomorrow. You'll go pick it up,” he said, pointing to Jack alone. “Probably be around lunchtime.” \n          “Just me?” Jack asked, surprised. \n          “Just you,” the ferret repeated. “It's better that way. So... you guys ready for the big time?”\n          “Are you finally going to tell us what “the big time” is?” Jack asked, trying to sound like a friend, while at the same time trying to mask his irritation at having to ask that question for what seemed like the hundredth time. \n          Victor grinned and nodded for a disturbingly long stretch of seconds. It seemed like he wanted to shout it out, yet was still afraid to say it out loud. Finally he stopped nodding and just grinned, looking from Jack to Angelo and back. \n          “Heroin!” he declared proudly. \n\n\nTo be continued...\n",
  "writing_bbcode_parsed": "<span style='word-wrap: break-word;'>Disclaimer: This story is part of a series, entitled &ldquo;Dangerous Games&rdquo;. The series contains non-human anthropomorphic animal (&ldquo;Furry&rdquo;) characters of varying ages, adult and cub. While there are no overt sexual acts depicted in this series, the stories will contain adult themes, topics, and situations, which may not be legal in some jurisdictions. These include: frank discussions of sexual acts and character sexuality, alcohol and drug use, criminal acts, violence, adult language, weapons including guns and knives, bloodshed, grievous bodily harm, death, and events which depict underage characters in peril.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />It is up to the reader to be aware of the laws regarding depictions of such material in their place of residence. If you are not allowed to read such material, due to age, religion, place of residence, or any other factor, do not continue.<br /><br />This story and all characters are copyright Shryke. This is a work of fiction. All events and persons depicted are fictional, and any similarities with actual events or persons is purely coincidental. <br /><br />This is Part 5. If you&#039;ve not read the prior parts you will be rather lost, and since you&#039;ve not read through as the characters have been developed in previous parts, the story will seem kind of &ldquo;meh, so what&rdquo; to you. Plus things are starting to coalesce towards the end of the story, so if you dive in now without having read the lead-up, I feel you&#039;ll be spoiling all the previous parts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><br />DANGEROUS GAMES<br />by Shryke<br />Part 5<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The next morning was Sunday. Even though he had set his alarm for 5:30am, due to having a 7am scheduled delivery, Jack still awoke automatically just after 5am. Indeed, &ldquo;awoke&rdquo; was probably a generous term: his sleep had been fitful and restless as he replayed the events of the previous evening over and over in his mind, and this carried through into the morning hours. He finally gave up trying to stay asleep as 5:00 ticked over on the clock, and got up to prepare himself for what was coming. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack dressed quickly and went out to his car to pull it around to Angelo&#039;s apartment. He was still angry at Victor&#039;s treatment of Angelo at dinner, and wanted to make sure the kit was ok. As he pulled his car up to the parking spot in front of the apartment, but before he could even shut the motor off, the door opened and Angelo walked out, carrying his backpack as always. Jack got out of the car to open the trunk. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Hey.... are you ok?&rdquo; Jack asked the grey-furred fox kit as he came around to deposit the morning&#039;s deliveries into the trunk. Angelo looked him in the eyes and smiled faintly. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah, sure,&rdquo; he replied, tossing the bag inside. Jack shut the lid. Angelo lingered for a moment at the rear of the vehicle. &ldquo;Hey, can we go to Burger Joint and get some food first?&rdquo; he asked, quieter than before. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Sure buddy, anything you want,&rdquo; said Jack reassuringly. Following the dinner scene last night, he figured the kit probably did not eat anything afterwards. They got in the car and drove out of the complex. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The ride was silent for several minutes. Jack desperately wanted to bring up the previous evening&#039;s incident but wasn&#039;t sure how to start. Angelo, for his part, looked over at Jack more than once and seemed to be about to say something, before looking back down at his feet as if in resignation. The silence was palpable. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally it was Angelo who broke it. Still looking at his feet, with his voice barely above a whisper he said &ldquo;Vic......&rdquo;. Jack looked over. The eleven-year-old looked up and met his gaze. Louder this time, he continued. &ldquo;Vic..... Vic doesn&#039;t care about me...... at all..... does he?&rdquo; Jack looked away, back to the road ahead. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he began, knowing what he wanted to say, but still not quite sure just how to say it. &ldquo;It&#039;s like he said, right? You&#039;re kind of the legs of his organization, and he relies on you to get the stuff delivered? I mean he&#039;d be pretty screwed without you, you know?&rdquo; This was not where Jack wanted to go with this, and he certainly did not want to spew the same drivel that Victor had dished out. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah&rdquo; replied the fox kit, looking out the side window momentarily. He then looked back at Jack until the older fox again met his eyes. &ldquo;That&#039;s not what I asked though.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack again looked away, unable to look him in the eyes. For a good half minute he said nothing, until he finally replied, his own voice now barely above a whisper. &ldquo;No..... no he doesn&#039;t,&rdquo; he said, looking back into Angelo&#039;s blue eyes. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo just nodded and looked back to the floor. &ldquo;I did a lot of thinking last night,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I don&#039;t think he ever really did. I shoulda&#039; seen it before now, I s&#039;pose. I guess...&rdquo; He took a deep breath. &ldquo;I guess I figured that if I stayed with him long enough and did my thing.... you know, the &ldquo;loyal soldier&rdquo; bit he talked about... that maybe, someday, he might actually...&rdquo; He trailed off. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack put his paw on the small fox&#039;s knee, and happily noted that the boy didn&#039;t instinctively recoil as he often did. &ldquo;Ange,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;I&#039;ve known that guy for only, what, a few weeks now? From what I&#039;ve seen of him, I don&#039;t think he cares about anybody but himself. I don&#039;t think he could ever could.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo put both paws down on top of Jack&#039;s and squeezed. &ldquo;Yeah that&#039;s what I figured too.&rdquo; He looked back up to Jack. &ldquo;So... why do you?&rdquo; he asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Why do I?&rdquo; repeated Jack, taken off-guard by the question. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah,&rdquo; replied the little fox, the flash of a playful grin now crossing his face. &ldquo;Is it my tail-hole?&rdquo; he asked, wiggling his behind in the seat a little. &ldquo;Vic said there&#039;s quite a demand for it, after all!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack laughed and gave Angelo a friendly shove on the shoulder. &ldquo;Pssshhh, cut that out!&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo smiled warmly back. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The car pulled off the main road into a strip-mall, the kind that dotted this part of town. Among the rows of stores not yet open were several fast-food restaurants, strangely busy for the early hour on a Sunday. The teen fox saw some cars had but a single occupant, while others were packed with families apparently getting an early start on whatever vacation they were beginning. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack steered the car into the drive-through line. When it was their turn, he ordered some breakfast sandwiches and drinks for the two of them, and pulled the car around to a parking space to eat. He shut the car off, and the two dug into their breakfasts. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After a half a sausage biscuit, Jack, who had also been mentally chewing on the last part of their conversation, broke the silence. He didn&#039;t want to take Angelo back to that dark area, but felt it was important for him to hear it. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Seriously though, about... that,&rdquo; he began. Angelo&#039;s head turned slowly and regarded Jack, his mouth full of biscuit and momentarily frozen half open, an eyebrow cocked questioningly. Jack immediately realized how his comment must have sounded. &ldquo;NO NO NO!&rdquo; he said with a laugh, &ldquo;I don&#039;t mean that!&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo laughed around his mouthful of food as he tried to swallow it down. Finally when his mouth was empty, he said with a giggle, &ldquo;Ummm, ok?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack continued, with a more somber tone, &ldquo;Seriously though, that was the most fucked up thing I&#039;ve ever heard someone say&rdquo;, said Jack, referring to Victor&#039;s threats. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah, well...&rdquo; Angelo replied with a shrug, the smile gone from his face as well. &ldquo;Not the first time he&#039;s said it, actually. I mean, it was first time he said it like that, but he said stuff like that a couple times before. Usually when he was drunk. You know... &#039;Damn I should sell that ass&#039; one time when I was coming out of the shower... that kinda thing. I never thought, though, that he really...&rdquo; He trailed off again. Jack thought he detected a quiver in the boy&#039;s voice. &ldquo;I guess I really am alone,&rdquo; he said, his voice barely a whisper. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You&#039;re NOT alone,&rdquo; Jack said emphatically, fuzzling the young fox&#039;s headfur, then dropping his hand to the kit&#039;s shoulder. The little fox put his paw on top of the older fox&#039;s, and smiled a faint smile. &ldquo;You&#039;re my little brother now, and I&#039;ll never let any of that that happen.&rdquo; Jack hadn&#039;t intended to use the word; he just said it automatically. It did reflect exactly how he felt, though. &ldquo;And I don&#039;t care who I&#039;d have to kill,&rdquo; Jack continued. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo smiled tightly with a nod, his jaw quivering a bit, his ears down. &ldquo;Jack...&rdquo; he said quietly, the tremor now plainly noticeable in his voice. Jack looked back at his blue eyes, shining like two diamonds in a storm of grey face-fur. &ldquo;Can I... have...&rdquo; he continued, before his voice cracked with emotion. He moved one arm slightly toward Jack as he spoke, before letting it fall to the seat.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack reached his arm out around Angelo&#039;s shoulder and pulled the little fox over, tight up against his side, and wrapped his other arm around him. It was a slightly awkward position for a hug, Jack thought, but it would do. He knew now that nobody had hugged this boy in a very long time.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo threw his arms around Jack and buried his muzzle in the older fox&#039;s side. For a moment it was quiet, then he began to cry, softly at first, then louder as he squeezed Jack tightly, holding on as if for dear life. He had dropped the last of his defenses, Jack noted, and allowed himself to be helpless and vulnerable, if only for a scant few seconds. The trust implicit in such an action was not lost on him.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack held his embrace and let the kit release some of the emotion that he had forced himself to keep bottled up inside for who-knows-how-long. He gently nuzzled the black headfur with his muzzle as the boy cried, Jack&#039;s own tears now welling up in his eyes, silently resolving to never let that trust be lost.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After a minute or so, the grey-furred fox&#039;s weeping moderated to subdued sobs and sniffles. He was still trembling slightly in Jack&#039;s arms, but looked up into the older fox&#039;s face, his eyes now reddened, the fur around them matted and wet. &ldquo;I...&rdquo; he began, but didn&#039;t continue. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack brushed the wet fur around the kit&#039;s eyes with a finger. He didn&#039;t say anything either, but just smiled and nodded back reassuringly. The small fox smiled back and laid his head against Jack&#039;s shoulder, taking deep breaths to help banish the last of his sobs. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo finally broke the embrace after another minute. &ldquo;I guess we should get going, huh,&rdquo; he said with a sniffle, as well as a smile. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;No rush,&rdquo; replied Jack, &ldquo;You still have a whole other biscuit to get through!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Oh yeah,&rdquo; said Angelo with a subdued laugh, &ldquo;Forgot all about it.&rdquo; He tore open the remaining sandwich and took a huge exaggerated chomp out of it, as if trying to lighten the mood in the car. Jack chuckled as he sucked on the straw in his drink. He had only gotten one biscuit for himself, not being as hungry as he knew Angelo was. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack started the car back up as Angelo made short work of his remaining breakfast. &ldquo;So, where are we going so early,&rdquo; he asked as he backed the car out of the parking space. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo pulled a scrap of paper out of his jacket pocket. &ldquo;Only two today, both wanted early-early delivery. First, we are going to Harrison High School. Back behind the visitors&#039; bleachers in the stadium. There&#039;s a neighborhood street right behind it where we can park, that&#039;s off the actual grounds.&rdquo; He looked at the instructions on the paper for a few more seconds, frowning. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Right-o,&rdquo; Jack replied, steering the car in the appropriate direction. Angelo seemed to have fully recovered himself and was looking all-business again. There was still much to be said, Jack knew, but that could wait. Most of it anyway; there was still one thing from the previous evening&#039;s incident with Victor that had the older fox genuinely curious. He had meant to bring it up before Angelo&#039;s catharsis had put a damper on small-talk. Perhaps now that he was back to himself again, Jack reckoned, that this would be a good way to pass the time, as Harrison was a good fifteen minutes away. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;So Ange,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;I got a question for you, if you don&#039;t mind.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;It&#039;s not about...&rdquo; said the little fox, looking down at his lap, then back up to Jack with a wicked grin.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;NO, you knucklehead!&rdquo; Jack replied with a laugh, which Angelo echoed. He gave the small fox another tussle to his headfur. &ldquo;Last night at dinner,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;Victor called you Ash?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Ah yes,&rdquo; replied the grey-furred kit, looking out the front window with a slight smile that seemed to Jack to be almost embarrassment. &ldquo;I didn&#039;t think you caught that. Yeah he did.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;What was that about,&rdquo; inquired Jack. &ldquo;Is it because of your fur color, or...&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Nah,&rdquo; the kit replied. &ldquo;Ash is sort of a baby name I used to have.&rdquo; He smiled and looked back at Jack again. &ldquo;Victor calls me Ash when he wants to remind me that he&#039;s the one in charge, and is the only thing keeping me out of an orphanage,&rdquo; Angelo continued, his smile fading. &ldquo;Soon as he&#039;s not pissed at me, he calls me Angelo again.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Wow, what a jerk,&rdquo; was all Jack could think to say, though it seemed to also be the most appropriate. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo giggled at that. &ldquo;Yeah, I was just thinking that too!&rdquo; Then after a moment&#039;s pause, he continued. &ldquo;You&#039;re right about the name though. Ash is because of my fur. My parents were both red like you, but I came out grey... like ashes. Something to do with DNA and genes... that sort of thing. I read about it once.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Or it means that Mrs. Angelo was, you know... fooling around!&rdquo; Jack said with a sly grin, teasing the little fox. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Ha!&rdquo; laughed Angelo, &ldquo;You laugh, but my father thought the same thing! He was there when I was born, and soon as I popped out all grey, he just stormed out of the delivery room. He refused to bring me home from the hospital, or even officially name me. Since they had to call me something, the nurses put &ldquo;Ash&rdquo; on the little bracelet thing that pups wear, and it kinda&#039; stuck.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack nodded with a smile as Angelo continued. &ldquo;They finally had to run tests to prove to him that he was my real dad before he agreed to name me, or &ldquo;let me&rdquo; have his last name,&rdquo; he said, emphasizing the sarcasm on the last part. Another short pause. &ldquo;He was a jerk too. I&#039;m glad I never really knew him,&rdquo; Angelo said, without a trace of sadness.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Oh, and get this,&rdquo; Angelo continued, now more animated, &ldquo;He wanted to name me Bruno! Or Rocky!&rdquo; He laughed aloud as he said this. &ldquo;He thought that because of my grey fur, that I&#039;d get picked on, so he wanted to give me a tough name, but my mom wouldn&#039;t agree to Bruno! They finally settled on Angelo: there was some boxer my dad knew called Angelo, and my mom agreed because it...&rdquo; he paused for a second, as if he didn&#039;t intend to go down this road now, &ldquo;because it has... &#039;angel&#039; in it.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The car fell silent for a minute, before Angelo quietly said, &ldquo;Cole.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Huh, what, you&#039;re cold?&rdquo; Jack asked, not hearing the kit correctly. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Cole,&rdquo; Angelo said louder, pointing at himself with his thumb. &ldquo;Angelo Cole.&rdquo; He smiled slightly as he shared another secret about himself. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack grinned and extended a paw. &ldquo;Jack Archer, pleased to meet you!&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo shook the offered paw vigorously with a happy smile. Then as the paw-shake and his smile both faded, he said, &ldquo;Jack... Please promise me you won&#039;t try to find... her. At least not till I&#039;m ready.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack made eye contact with the kit, but did not answer. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Please Jack? Promise,&rdquo; Angelo entreated. &ldquo;Someday, yes, but... not now. OK?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The red fox smiled back at the grey-furred kit. Jack had wanted to find out his full name precisely so that he could search out the boy&#039;s mother. But Angelo had just demonstrated another layer of trust in Jack, by revealing his name first, and only then asking for the eighteen-year-old to not to look for her.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack still felt that finding the kit&#039;s mother was the best possible outcome for this whole situation, and something in the back of his head was telling him that things were going to come to a boil with Victor sooner than later. Nevertheless, Angelo was trusting him, and that was enough for now. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;OK bud,&rdquo; he said, patting the kit&#039;s knee again, &ldquo;I promise I won&#039;t try to find her &#039;till you&#039;re ready.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo smiled back, and seemed about to say something, then just nodded and looked back out the window, as the car fell silent again. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They were still a few minutes from the high school. From past deliveries made with his backpack, Jack knew that this was likely a drug sale. He looked over at the young fox staring out the side window. He shouldn&#039;t even know what drugs are at this age, Jack thought sadly.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As if noticing Jack&#039;s gaze, Angelo looked back over at him, his face showing a tinge of sadness. &ldquo;Jack...&rdquo; he began. Jack nodded with a slight smile as Angelo went on. &ldquo;I never actually killed anyone. Really. That&#039;s just a story people tell. There&#039;s a lot of those: Vic said that if I pumped up the stories about me, then furs would be less likely to try anything.&rdquo; He closed his eyes and put his head back against the seat. &ldquo;I only ever held a gun once, and that was at Vic&#039;s place. Not even loaded. Its all just bullshit... bullshit stories about a made-up punk.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack smiled and patted the fox&#039;s knee. &ldquo;Glad to hear that,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You know, the more I get to know you, the more I kinda knew that was the case. You&#039;re not a killer, Ange.&rdquo; The kit smiled, his eyes still closed. &ldquo;What about all that other stuff,&rdquo; Jack inquired, &ldquo;Other fights, and Victor punch-training you, and all that?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah, that&#039;s all real,&rdquo; the fox kit replied, opening his eyes again. &ldquo;I kinda wish it wasn&#039;t sometimes, but it is. Maybe its good I guess: I probably would have been killed by now if I didn&#039;t know how to fight. Maybe someday... I won&#039;t need it and can just forget it all.&rdquo; Jack just nodded sadly. Suddenly Angelo sat up straight in his seat. &ldquo;Which reminds me,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;You got your knife with you?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack reached back to his waistband and felt the hunting knife concealed in his belt loops. &ldquo;Yep, got &#039;er right here,&rdquo; he replied. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo nodded and opened the left flap of his jacket, revealing his knife in its scabbard, sewn into the inside pocket. &ldquo;We may need them for this one. This guy already tried to rip me off once before. Busted my lip open bad, but then ran away when I laughed and jumped at him. I guess Vic is good for something,&rdquo; he said with a chuckle, thinking on that point. &ldquo;He was sure right about how to mess with people&#039;s minds at least! <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;So anyway,&rdquo; the little fox continued, &ldquo;this guy deals dope around the school. I supply him... well, Vic does I guess, and he breaks it up into joints or whatever for his customers. Today we got five hundred bucks worth. He&#039;s on thin ice after last time, so who knows what he might try.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Thin ice after punching you across the face? Seems like that would be a one-strike kind of thing,&rdquo; said Jack incredulously. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Vic wants the money,&rdquo; replied the kit frankly. He didn&#039;t need to say anything more than that. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Right...&rdquo; said Jack. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Like always,&rdquo; Angelo concluded, &ldquo;hang back and keep your eyes open. One hand on the knife might be good too. Even if you don&#039;t pull it, it will look like you&#039;re ready to, and that might be all it takes to stop him from trying anything. Head games, you know?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack pulled the car up against the curb and shut it off. They were in a side-street on the other side of a tall hedgerow from the Harrison High School bleachers. Jack had circled the area twice to make sure everything looked normal. The bleachers and field were deserted, as was the street where they now parked. Quite normal for a Sunday morning when school was out for the summer. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo grabbed his backpack from the trunk of the car, and led Jack though a sparse area of growth in the hedge and onto the school grounds. The rear of the visitors&#039; bleachers faced them across a patch of open grass. A morning haze hung in the air, obscuring the school beyond the bleachers. As they drew closer, they could see the silhouettes of two or three people leaning up against the truss-work that supported the stands. Their posture and demeanor suggested they had not yet seen the two foxes. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;This way,&rdquo; Angelo said, tugging Jack&#039;s arm, leading him not towards the bleachers, but parallel to them. &ldquo;Lets swing around so we come up behind &#039;em,&rdquo; he said, tapping his temple with a finger and a wink. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The furs under the bleachers were soon obscured from view by the truss-work, and the pair of vulpes then turned back towards them, following the edge of the structure. When they approached the last girders that kept them hidden, they stopped. Angelo looked Jack in the eye for a moment, then nodded. Jack nodded back and Angelo stepped out from behind the girder into the grass, now in full view of the previously shadowed figures. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There were indeed three of them: two male tigers and a lizard. The lizard appeared to be around sixteen years old, and the tigers, who seemed to be brothers, maybe sixteen and fourteen. Two were leaning back against the girders with their backs to the approaching foxes, but one of the tigers was leaning against the opposite beam, and saw the young grey-furred fox step out of the shadows. He clicked his tongue to his compatriots, then nodded in Angelo&#039;s direction. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The lizard turned around and called out to Angelo good-naturedly, &ldquo;Hey, there he is!&rdquo; The two tigers stayed behind him, but spread out from where they were standing. Jack made sure to make eye contact with each of them, to let them know he was watching. They each met his stare unflinchingly, and just nodded back at him. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Hiya Gazz,&rdquo; Angelo called back with a smile. They were about twenty feet apart at this point, slowly walking towards each other as they continued their banter. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;So.... got it all, yeah?&rdquo; asked the lizard known as Gazz. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo patted the backpack strap on his shoulder. &ldquo;Yep, all here, as requested.&rdquo; The two tigers moved closer until they were standing on either side of the lizard. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I see you brought a friend,&rdquo; said Gazz pleasantly, motioning to Jack. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I see you brought two,&rdquo; replied Angelo, the friendliness gone from his voice, but not sounding hostile or challenging either. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah,&rdquo; Gazz replied with a laugh. They were now five feet apart. The older tiger took up position to Gazz&#039;s right. Jack, who was his normal two paces behind Angelo, took in the scene. The small fox looked even smaller standing in front of the three high-schoolers. The tigers kept inching away from the lizard and moving forward, as if slowly trying to surround the kit. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack was getting an uneasy feeling about the situation. He had done a couple of these kinds of deliveries now, but the behavior of those three set his senses on edge. Ears cocked fully forward, he abandoned his background position and moved up just behind Angelo, and to his left, matching the position the larger tiger was taking. His right hand was behind his back, firmly gripping the knife handle, but trying to maintain a look of being at ease. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With his free hand, Jack motioned the tiger to move back towards Gazz. At least he knows that I see what he&#039;s trying, the fox thought. The tiger showed both his hands and nodded in response, moving back next to the lizard. The two groups stared at each other briefly.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;So, we gonna do this or what?&rdquo; Angelo said, with his tone still emotionless. &ldquo;Its five hundred for the stuff.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Five hundred,&rdquo; the lizard replied quietly, then turned to each of his tiger companions in turn and took a step forward. &ldquo;Yeah, well the thing is this,&rdquo; he began. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo nonchalantly crossed his arms, his pre-arranged signal to Jack that he expected trouble. In addition to being a convenient signal, it also allowed his right hand to surreptitiously slip into his jacket and grasp the hilt of his knife, while at the same time leaving the backpack&#039;s straps wound tightly around his folded arms. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;There a problem Gazz?&rdquo; he asked innocently, though his eyes were darting from tiger to lizard, to tiger, and back. Jack picked up the crossed-arms signal and he too was now watching their every move.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well ya see, school is out for the summer, right,&rdquo; the lizard continued. &ldquo;Well that&#039;s where my money all comes from. Summer&#039;s a slow time, you know that.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;So you don&#039;t want the stuff then?&rdquo; Angelo said. It was as much a statement as a question. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Oh, I want it all right,&rdquo; Gazz replied with a laugh. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In a flash the older tiger lashed out and grabbed the strap of the backpack and pulled it, trying to free it from Angelo&#039;s folded arm. Gazz then lunged forward and grabbed the lapels of Angelo&#039;s jacket with his left hand. With his right he swung a hooking punch that caught the young fox squarely on the side of his muzzle. The blow staggered the boy, and the backpack was pulled from his arms as they uncrossed. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As this happened, Angelo pulled the knife from his jacket and swung it in a slashing arc towards the lizard, who still had the fox&#039;s jacket in his grasp. The lizard&#039;s shirt split in a foot-long gash as the knife passed over his chest. It was not a very deep cut, but it quickly began to bleed nonetheless. Gazz howled and released the small fox. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The suddenness of the attack caught Jack off guard. Nevertheless, he quickly ascertained what was happening, and pulling his own knife, launched himself at the tiger who had ripped the backpack free. It was a take-down worthy of a professional fighter. The tiger ended up on his back, still clutching the pack, with Jack straddling his chest, the knife point to his throat, barely touching it, but poking into the fur enough for the tiger to have no doubts as to where it was. Jack looked for the younger tiger, and saw him backing well away from the fray, his arms outstretched as if to show he was not a threat.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gazz stumbled back several steps, clutching his chest and looking down at it with wide eyes. As his paws became wet with his own blood, he looked back up at Angelo who was standing in a half-crouch in front of him, the knife clearly displayed and pointing at him. The young fox smiled evilly, a growing splotch of red tainting the grey fur on the side of his face. With his free hand made a &ldquo;come here&rdquo; gesture to Gazz. The lizard took another step back, his face full of confused fear, and shock over his wound. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo, never breaking eye-contact, took an aggressive step forward. Gazz nearly tripped over his own feet trying to back up and turn around at the same time. Once he got his footing, he took off in a staggering run across the field towards the school, clutching his wounded chest with both hands. The younger tiger followed him for a distance, then stopped and looked back to where his brother was still pinned.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;The bag,&rdquo; growled the grey-furred kit to Jack, still watching Gazz&#039;s retreat. Jack ripped the bag from the tiger&#039;s grasp with his free paw, the knife still poised to deliver a killing blow. The tiger was frozen staring up at Jack, and did not resist. Angelo walked over and made a head motion for Jack to get up. The tiger remained on the ground whimpering, stunned and terrified, looking at the 2 vulpes. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo worked his fingers open and closed around the handle of his knife a couple of times, staring down at the frightened feline. &ldquo;On your feet!&rdquo; he finally said, slowly and commandingly, his voice still an angry growl. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tiger was visibly shaking as he struggled to get to his feet. &ldquo;I&#039;m sorry... I&#039;m s... sorry about all this,&rdquo; he stammered. The younger tiger was still watching from halfway across the field. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The grey-furred fox stared at the trembling cat for a few seconds as the tiger&#039;s eyes darted between the two foxes and the knives they both held. The kit then said softly, &ldquo;Get lost.&rdquo; His voice was no longer the growl it had been with Gazz, and contained a hint of sadness. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tiger stumbled backwards and muttered something that sounded like &ldquo;thanks&rdquo;, then ran off towards the younger tiger on rather shaky legs. The two tigers then followed in the direction that Gazz went, into the mist towards the school, and were quickly out of sight. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo looked to Jack, and nodded grimly. The bleachers were once again deserted and it was eerily quiet. &ldquo;I think we should get out of here. Fast,&rdquo; Angelo said. Jack nodded, slung the pack over his shoulder, and the two foxes ran back towards the hedgerow fence, Angelo pressing the back of his hand against the bloody spot on his muzzle to try and stem the bleeding.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When they reached the fence, Angelo pulled Jack to a stop. &ldquo;Ok, act normal from here out,&rdquo; he said, returning his knife to his jacket pocket. &ldquo;Nothing strange going on at all.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The two emerged from the other side of the hedges and calmly walked back to the car. If anyone had been there to observe, it would have seemed like they had just gone up to the school for an early morning round of basketball, and were now headed home. Jack opened the trunk and deposited the backpack within, then got into the car and started it up. Angelo got in on his side and closed the door. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You ok?&rdquo; Jack immediately asked, noting that the blood on the side of Angelo&#039;s muzzle was now fairly well spread out from his rubbing it. It probably looked worse than it was, Jack reckoned, which would not have been hard in this case as it looked pretty nasty.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Drive,&rdquo; came the reply quickly, &ldquo;Get away from here, but don&#039;t look suspicious. Don&#039;t go that way either.&rdquo; He indicated back towards the school. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Gotcha,&rdquo; Jack said. He understood the urgency: Either Gazz was going to come back to the bleachers, with more friends, a weapon, or even just a car to try and run them down, or he or one of the tigers was going to call an ambulance for the lizard&#039;s wounds. Either way, Jack reckoned, they wanted to be long gone before then. &ldquo;Are you ok though?&rdquo; he asked again gently, as he put the car in gear and drove away from the school. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah,&rdquo; Angelo said with a smile, &ldquo;Just a cut, I&#039;ve had worse.&rdquo; When the car was clear of the residential area, he pulled the car&#039;s sun visor down and regarded his muzzle in the vanity mirror, spreading the fur around the wound for a better look. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Here use these,&rdquo; said Jack, offering some napkins from their breakfast. The kit took them, but just held them in his hand as he put his head back against the seat and closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;DAMNIT!&rdquo; he shouted after a moment&#039;s silence. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The outburst startled Jack, though at this point the adrenaline from the encounter was wearing off, and his hands were already starting to shake somewhat. This was the first time he had ever been in such a physical altercation that didn&#039;t involve sports, and certainly not one that involved weapons and bloodshed. &ldquo;I hear ya, buddy,&rdquo; was all he could think to say, as his mind raced, replaying the scene at the bleachers over and over, and how it could have gone differently very easily. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo heard the shakiness in Jack&#039;s voice and looked over. &ldquo;How are you doing?&rdquo; he asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I&#039;m OK... I guess,&rdquo; he replied. &ldquo;Just... never done something like that before.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;How ya feel?&rdquo; inquired the smaller fox. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I kinda feel... like I&#039;m gonna puke,&rdquo; Jack replied honestly.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo nodded and patted Jack&#039;s arm. &ldquo;Yeah, that&#039;ll pass in a minute. The rush is wearing off.&rdquo; He put his head back against the headrest again, and took a few more deep breaths, now holding a napkin to his bloodied face, his eyes closed. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack followed his example, and took several deep breaths as well, which seemed to help. One thought was crystallizing in his mind as he continued to replay the encounter, however: he did not want to do this for a living. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They drove on in silence for a while, still heading well out of their way to get clear of the high school area. When they finally reached a main highway, Jack got on it in the direction of home.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite the bad turn at the high school, there was still one more delivery to be made on the morning run. This one was easy though, as it was a cash payment to a nearby nightclub owner to whom&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor had apparently lost a bet. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When they arrived at the nightclub, there were some employees outside smoking, probably still there from Saturday night. Jack pulled around to the service entrance where some cars were parked, as that would be the only door open at that hour. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack shut the car off, opened his door, and started to get out. Angelo just sat there dabbing at his muzzle wound with a napkin dipped in melted ice from their morning drinks. He looked over to Jack. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;C&#039;mon buddy,&rdquo; Jack said, &ldquo;This is a quickie, right?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The grey-furred kit looked down at the floor again. &ldquo;Can you do this one?&rdquo; he asked softly, &ldquo;I just wanna...&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack sat back in the seat. &ldquo;Yeah sure, no problem.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo smiled and handed Jack a sealed envelope. &ldquo;Just ask for Sam and tell him its from Vic Morrison. Make sure he says that they&#039;re squared up now. Don&#039;t give it to anyone else.&rdquo; Jack patted the young fox&#039;s shoulder and got out of the car, making sure to lock it behind him. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The payoff went smoothly. The club owner, Sam, was happy to get his money, and agreed that he and Victor were all settled up. Jack was back at the car in minutes. &ldquo;Home, Jeeves,&rdquo; said Angelo, still with eyes closed. Jack laughed and drove out of the club&#039;s parking lot. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;How you doing, Ange?&rdquo; Jack asked, when they were back on the highway. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The little fox took one long deep breath and let it out. Then, quietly yet nervously, he said, &ldquo;I cut Gazz pretty bad, huh.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well, it wasn&#039;t that bad really. He&#039;ll need some stitches but he&#039;ll be ok.&rdquo; Jack looked over at Angelo, who was staring straight ahead. &ldquo;Besides, he attacked you first. You didn&#039;t go in there wanting to cut him,&rdquo; Jack reasoned. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I know,&rdquo; said Angelo. &ldquo;But there&#039;s something else that&#039;s... bugging me.&rdquo; He looked over to Jack, uneasiness creeping into his expression. Jack noticed this and took the kit&#039;s paw supportingly. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;That tiger,&rdquo; the cub continued, &ldquo;For a second there... I really wanted to carve him up. I wanted to rip a gash in that face so he&#039;d... remember.&rdquo; A look of anguish now crossed his face. &ldquo;He was lying there... helpless and scared... and he didn&#039;t even do anything! But after I saw that cut on Gazz... I just wanted to get that tiger too...&rdquo; He tightened his jaw and closed his eyes, the anguished expression fading. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack squeezed the small paw. &ldquo;It just was the rush, like you said. Adrenaline rush from getting attacked like that.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Maybe,&rdquo; the kit replied softly.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;No maybes,&rdquo; said Jack. &ldquo;I told you already, you&#039;re not a killer. You&#039;re a good kid. You&#039;re just caught up in a bad situation, and its forcing you to do things you don&#039;t want to. Things you have to do in order to survive, but things you&#039;d never do if you didn&#039;t have to, right?&rdquo; He looked into the glistening blue eyes again. &ldquo;You asked me earlier why I care? Well that&#039;s exactly why. You&#039;re not this character that you have to play because of Victor. And whatever happens, don&#039;t you ever forget that.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The little fox smiled at this, a lone tear streaking down from one eye. He remained silent, and appeared to be ruminating on what Jack had said as he watched the world fly by outside the car. A smile crossed his bloodied face several times, Jack noticed, accompanied one time by a soft giggle. By the time they got back to the apartment, Angelo was smiling happily again. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The two foxes entered Victor&#039;s apartment after Jack had parked the car. Victor was sitting on the couch, reading over a notepad he was holding, a pen in the other paw. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The ferret looked up from his pad as the foxes entered, and squinted as he looked over Angelo. &ldquo;What the hell happened to you?&rdquo; he asked as Angelo threw down his backpack heavily, with a touch of anger, Jack thought. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;The fucker tried to rob me! Again!&rdquo; Angelo barked back, pointing to his still-bloody muzzle. The blood had ceased to flow, but what had already come out was still soaked in his fur, and was beginning to dry to a dark rusty red. Jack wondered if he had deliberately refrained from cleaning it during the car ride, so as to punctuate the point with Victor. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor frowned, looking from Angelo to Jack and back. &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;you got the money? Or the dope?&rdquo; Then after a pause, &ldquo;You better have one of the two.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;We still have the dope,&rdquo; Jack said, indicating the backpack against the wall where the kit had thrown it. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Mmm,&rdquo; Victor said with a nod, then returned his gaze to his notepad. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I&#039;m fine by the way,&rdquo; Angelo said sarcastically as he walked towards the hallway that led to the bathroom and his bedroom. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor looked up from his pad towards Angelo as the boy walked. &ldquo;I can see that,&rdquo; he said, somewhat dismissively before looking back to his notes. Then after a few more seconds he looked back towards the hallway. &ldquo;You pay off the badger?&rdquo; he called out. His only answer was the sound of the bathroom faucet coming on. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah, that&#039;s taken care of,&rdquo; Jack said as he noticed a sneer starting on Victors muzzle. &ldquo;He said you two are squared up.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor looked at Jack intently for a second, then nodded and looked back at his notes yet again. &ldquo;Good,&rdquo; he said quietly. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack stood there, feeling increasingly conspicuous and uncomfortable until Angelo returned from the bathroom,. His muzzle fur was wet and matted, but most of the blood was gone. The water had likely re-opened the wound and let some more out, but that would be gone the next time he rinsed it. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I&#039;m going back to bed,&rdquo; the younger fox said, sounding disgusted. &ldquo;I&#039;ll see you around, Jack.&rdquo; Whatever happiness he had displayed in the car had left him, no doubt due to Victor&#039;s overall attitude, Jack thought. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah I think I&#039;ll do the same,&rdquo; the red fox said. It was still mid-morning after all, and the adrenaline had long since faded, leaving him rather tired himself. He noted that both Angelo&#039;s statement, and his own reply had been aimed directly to the other, with Victor not an intended recipient. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The ferret seemed to pick up on this as he put his pad down once again. &ldquo;Yeah, you do that,&rdquo; he said, though it was unclear if he was speaking to Jack or Angelo, or both. &ldquo;Jack?&rdquo; he continued, holding out a folded bill to the older fox: his payment for the day. As Jack accepted the money, Victor went on: &ldquo;Take the rest of the day off. Angelo and I have some shit to discuss this afternoon. Come back tomorrow, around noon. You,&rdquo; he said, now looking at the little grey-furred kit, &ldquo;go get some rest for a bit.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the ferret returned his attention to his pad, Jack knew he was dismissed. He was both amused and annoyed at how Victor had just spun things around so that he had the appearance of being in total control, as always. Angelo had already turned back towards the hall and was out of sight as Jack nodded and headed for the door and out into the parking lot. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack got into his car outside of Victor&#039;s door for the short trip to his own parking spot. As seemed to always happen with Victor, Jack was left puzzling over the ferret&#039;s statement that he had &ldquo;some shit&rdquo; to discuss with Angelo in private during the remainder of the day. Perhaps the ferret was going to apologize for, or at least acknowledge, his atrocious behavior towards the kit over the last couple of days. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The fox dismissed this thought quickly, though. While he did not have Victor entirely figured out yet, there were some character traits that he had no doubt about, and apologizing was certainly not in his nature. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The next morning, Jack went for the morning jog that had once been his routine. He had awoke fairly early again, and with instructions from Victor not to show up before noon, the teen fox found himself with time to kill, and a certain nervous energy. A nice long jog would be just the thing for both. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor&#039;s car was in its usual parking spot, he noted, as he began his run. It had been gone the previous afternoon for many hours &ndash; the same time Victor had said he needed to &ldquo;discuss&rdquo; things with Angelo. Jack had not seen them return, and his imagination was in its now-usual state of overdrive, imagining every possible horrific scenario. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As he jogged, his mind drifted back to Angelo in the car after the attack at the stadium. The smile and giggle from the kit made the older fox happy that he had gotten through to the boy. Jack recognized the giggle, as he himself would also do that once he had thought something through completely and had realized an answer that he liked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now if he could just convince the youngster that searching for his mother was in his best interest, Jack thought sadly. He had to get the kit away from Victor &ndash; that much he had no doubt about. It was either send him back to State custody, though, or get him back with his only family. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo had originally said he would never go back to an orphan&#039;s home, although they had not spoken about that in a long time. Jack hoped that perhaps his opinion had changed as he realized the truth about Victor. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Obviously, the best outcome would be that his mother regretted abandoning him, and had returned to look for him shortly after the kit had fled the orphanage. It would hopefully be a simple matter to find her and reunite the two. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A twinge of sadness crept into Jack&#039;s head as he realized how much he would miss the boy in that case. He would make sure to make himself available as the older brother, a role that he was already playing, and hoped to continue as long as Angelo wanted. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack had not actually commenced the search for Angelo&#039;s mother, though. He had sat in front of his laptop the previous day, open to the search engine page, and stared at it for a long time, but had not gone any further. Like it or not, he had promised the cub that he would not do so without Angelo&#039;s permission, and following the kit&#039;s display of absolute trust in Jack, he was not about to break his word. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He could not shake the feeling that Victor&#039;s &ldquo;next big thing&rdquo; was going to force the issue, though. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At 11:30, Jack knocked on Victor&#039;s door. The ferret had told him to come by &ldquo;around noon&rdquo;, but the fox could wait no longer. Angelo opened the door, which immediately loosed a feeling of relief in the older fox.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Hey Jack,&rdquo; Angelo said flatly, throwing the door open wide for Jack. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Jacky!&rdquo; Victor exclaimed cheerfully as Jack walked in and closed the door. Jack gritted his teeth at the unwelcome familiarization of his name, but did not issue the usual correction that he would have otherwise. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Victor,&rdquo; Jack just said with a nod. The ferret was seated on the couch, and Jack noted with some surprise that Angelo sat down next to him, though the kit began reading the newspaper and did not appear to have been in conversation with him. &ldquo;So what&#039;s up?&rdquo; Jack asked, as there did not seem to be any deliveries lined up. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I&#039;m glad you asked!&rdquo; Victor said cheerfully, standing up. He approached Jack and put a paw on each of the fox&#039;s shoulders. Angelo looked up from his reading, one eyebrow raised as he watched. &ldquo;You umm...&rdquo; Victor continued, &ldquo;think about my proposal any?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His proposal, Jack thought, recalling. That Jack become Victor&#039;s official partner in his business, apparently displacing Angelo, who had certainly considered himself to be the ferret&#039;s partner, at least until that Saturday dinner. Following that event though, Jack knew for sure what his answer was: he would have to play along with Victor until he could get both Angelo and himself away from this psychopath.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well Victor,&rdquo; Jack began, gently removing the ferret&#039;s paws from his shoulders, &ldquo;I kinda want to know about this new business we&#039;re getting into first, you know?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor chuckled as Jack dislodged his paws, but as the fox finished, he said, &ldquo;A fair point! I tell you what: as soon as my money is in the Russian&#039;s paws, I&#039;ll fill you in. Fair enough?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I guess,&rdquo; Jack replied. &ldquo;When will that be?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Tomorrow, the next day... whenever he says to come to New York. I&#039;m all ready, just waiting on him!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack nodded. &ldquo;Ok. You fill me in and I&#039;ll let you know on your offer.&rdquo; Jack was deliberately being evasive, and indeed hoped it was obvious in this case.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor chuckled again and nodded. &ldquo;In the meantime, errr..,&rdquo; he said, sounding now a little embarrassed, &ldquo;could you maybe do me a favor?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack&#039;s ears perked up at this. Victor seemed uncharacteristically humble here. &ldquo;Sure,&rdquo; Jack said, &ldquo;what&#039;s up?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; the ferret began, nervously, &ldquo;I got some girls coming over today. Sort of a celebration, you know? Well, ummm...&rdquo; he said, scratching the back of his head and lowering his voice. Angelo cocked his head, trying to listen. &ldquo;I was wondering, would you mind letting Angelo stay over at your place tonight? So me and the girls don&#039;t have to worry about... you know...&rdquo; Angelo&#039;s ears perked up as he overheard this, a grin immediately coming to his face.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack looked from Victor&#039;s embarrassed face to Angelo&#039;s overjoyed visage. &ldquo;Well, sure Victor. He&#039;s welcome any time.&rdquo; Victor looked surprised as Jack said this, a change in expression that Jack was not expecting. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Seriously? Thanks! Here, take this.&rdquo; He handed jack a folded bundle of bills, the outside one being a hundred. &ldquo;Just, ummm... would you mind taking him now? They&#039;re gonna be here soon!&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Damn,&rdquo; Jack said, actually impressed, which provoked a grin from Victor. &ldquo;All day, huh?&rdquo; Jack asked. &ldquo;But isn&#039;t that jinxing the deal too? I mean you don&#039;t want to tell me what it is, but...&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Nah!&rdquo; Victor interrupted. &ldquo;These are my luck pieces of tail! They&#039;ve been here before every big deal I&#039;ve cut, and its always worked out. But yeah, the next 24 hours, bro,&rdquo; he said, patting Jack&#039;s arm with a grin, &ldquo;gonna be epic!&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack smiled, still impressed, before turning to the matter at hand. &ldquo;So Angelo,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;you wanna stay over at my place tonight?&rdquo; He asked it in such a way as not to betray the fact that he had already done just that in Victor&#039;s absence. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You betcha!&rdquo; Angelo said enthusiastically. He got up and dashed down the hallway. &ldquo;Be right back!&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor patted Jack&#039;s shoulder as they waited for Angelo to return. &ldquo;Thanks a ton, Jack,&rdquo; the ferret said. &ldquo;I owe you big.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Nah, don&#039;t worry,&rdquo; Jack replied, &ldquo;I don&#039;t mind him staying over at all.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Really?&rdquo; Victor said with some incredulity. &ldquo;I wish you&#039;d told me that a month ago!&rdquo; he said with a laugh. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack nodded. &ldquo;All day, huh?&rdquo; he repeated with an impressed smile. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;And all night!&rdquo; Victor said boastfully. &ldquo;They&#039;re good. And I&#039;m good. What can I say? And now I&#039;ve got all that weed you didn&#039;t sell today!&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The fox chuckled as Angelo returned, though the kit didn&#039;t seem to be carrying anything. &ldquo;Ready bro?&rdquo; Jack asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yep!&rdquo; came the enthusiastic response. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Ok, lets go,&rdquo; Jack said, then with a nod back to Victor, &ldquo;Be good!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Not today!&rdquo; Victor replied with a grin as the two foxes walked out the door.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Walking across the parking lot towards Jack&#039;s apartment, Angelo was again displaying the happy countenance that he had worn the previous day, an abrupt change from his demeanor inside the apartment. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;So,&rdquo; Jack said as they reached his car, &ldquo;Want to go get some lunch?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah!&rdquo; Angelo replied enthusiastically. &ldquo;We got all day to kill!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack nodded and pondered. A thought occurred to him as he opened his car door and felt the blast of heat escape from within. &ldquo;We could go to the pool. You can swim, right?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah sure,&rdquo; Angelo said. &ldquo;I don&#039;t have any trunks though.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Me neither,&rdquo; Jack said, &ldquo;but we can stop by the store and pick some up.&rdquo; He flashed the wad of money Victor had given him. &ldquo;Courtesy of our Mr. Morrison.&rdquo;<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lunch consisted of a return to the Burger Joint where they had bought breakfast the day before. They ate light, as Jack pointed out that swimming on a full stomach was dangerous, for unspecified reasons, and relayed the old caution he had heard all his life: that one must wait an hour after eating before swimming. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fortunately, that would not be a problem, as they still had to go get some swimwear. Jack drove to the Giganto-Mart store which seemed to sell everything. Sure enough, it had an apparel section which included swim trunks designed for a wide variety of species. The two foxes each picked out a pair that they liked, then headed back to Jack&#039;s apartment. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Along the way, Jack decided that they would use the local municipal pool, and not the smaller one contained in the apartment complex. While the latter one was free, and the municipal one had an entry fee, Jack reckoned that using the apartment&#039;s pool might be risky since Angelo did not officially live there, so his presence might raise some questions. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As they pulled into Jack&#039;s parking space, Angelo noted that there were now 2 additional cars parked next to Victor&#039;s, and the light outside his door was turned on. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I guess his girls are here,&rdquo; Jack said, as the pair exited the car. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah,&rdquo; Angelo said dryly. &ldquo;I bet he screws on my bed, at least once.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Seriously?&rdquo; Jack asked with a twinge of disgust. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I wouldn&#039;t put it past him. He&#039;d probably do it just to be a dick.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack opened his apartment door and the blast of cool air hit both foxes as they entered. Angelo removed the trunks they had just bought from the bag and tossed Jack his, before biting the nylon string that held the price tag on his own. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Where can I change?&rdquo; the kit asked when he had all of the tags and stickers removed from the trunks. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Anywhere you want,&rdquo; Jack replied. &ldquo;I&#039;ll be in my room.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;&#039;&#039;Kay,&rdquo; Angelo said as Jack went down to his room and closed the door. After a moment, he heard the bathroom door close, as the kit went inside. The teen fox quickly changed into his trunks, and retrieved two towels from his closet, then put his shirt and shoes back on for the drive over. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Emerging from his room, he passed the bathroom just as Angelo opened the door. The cub had on just his trunks, with the rest of his clothes in a bundle in his arms. He smiled at Jack with what seemed to the older fox to be almost giddiness, as if they were about to embark on some grand adventure, which given Angelo&#039;s normal living arrangements, was probably not far from true.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Just put that anywhere,&rdquo; Jack said, indicating the bundle in Angelo&#039;s arms. &ldquo;You&#039;re going to be putting them back on anyway.&rdquo; The kit complied with a smile, dropping the pile right where he stood in the hallway. He made a motion to reach for his jacket, then caught himself. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Heh,&rdquo; he said sheepishly. &ldquo;Not used to going outside without my jacket.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack patted his bare shoulder. &ldquo;Don&#039;t worry, you&#039;re safe,&rdquo; he said, trying to sound comforting.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah, I know. It just... feels weird.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The older fox nodded, then with a cheerful tone said, &ldquo;Ready?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yep,&rdquo; came the equally cheerful response. &ldquo;Let&#039;s go!&rdquo;<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The foxes spent hours at the pool, splashing, playing, and swimming. They would alternate between splash-fights, underwater hide-and-seek, and racing each other from one end of the pool to the other. Jack picked up the cub and threw him more times than he could count. It was the most fun he&#039;d had in a while, he realized.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo, too, was having the time of his life. Jack had never seen him so purely happy in all the time he had known the kit. Even during the mandatory breaks, where all cubs had to leave the pool, he laid out on the concrete smiling and soaking up the sun, as Jack stood in the pool next to the boy at the edge, his arms over the side. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the sun sank lower in the sky, neither wanted to leave the pool but practicalities demanded it. At the very least, they were both ravenously hungry after the hours of constant motion. When another cub break was called by the lifeguards, the foxes made eye contact and silently agreed that it was time to go. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On the ride back to the apartment, they spoke enthusiastically about the fun they&#039;d had, and decided that they&#039;d be back at the pool at the first opportunity. Jack knew this probably meant when Victor was next out of town. He pondered whether his new role with Victor would allow him to just stop in and announce to the ferret that he was taking Angelo to the pool, or to the mall, or wherever. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Another prime topic of discussion on the drive back was the subject of dinner. Angelo initially suggested a pizza delivery, since they were both tired out. Jack noted that he still had $230 from the money Victor had given him, and suggested they go to a real restaurant and have a proper dinner, keeping in mind that Angelo&#039;s attire of jeans and t-shirt put an upper limit on the type of place they could go to. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They finally decided on a Chinese restaurant nearby which seemed nice. After stopping back at Jack&#039;s apartment to change out of their swimwear, they were off to the restaurant, where they took in the full meal experience, starting with soup and appetizers, a shared main course, and dessert. This was much more than Jack had ever done with Chinese food; his usual experience was eating just a single dish right out of the paper carton.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Some time later, the two well-fed foxes arrived back at Jack&#039;s apartment. The sun had gone down while they were in the restaurant; as they pulled into the parking lot, both vulpes looked to Victor&#039;s apartment where all windows were brightly lit up from within. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;What do you think is going on over there?&rdquo; Jack asked as he unlocked his door and swung it wide open. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo entered the room and sat down heavily on one end of the couch with a satisfied sigh. &ldquo;Probably a lot of booze and weed,&rdquo; he said after a moment, &ldquo;and sex. Maybe some coke too. No clothes to be found anywhere... that sort of thing.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Thanks for that mental image,&rdquo; Jack said, locking the door behind them before he also sat heavily on the couch, his belly full and his motivation to do anything fading. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The two sat back on the couch in silence for a moment, before Jack spoke up again. &ldquo;So what did Victor want you for yesterday? He apologize for being such a dick on Saturday?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo chuckled, his head still thrown back against the back of the couch. &ldquo;Heh, no, Vic doesn&#039;t apologize,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We went to see a few different people about this next big thing.&rdquo; He looked up at Jack. &ldquo;I got a bad feeling about what&#039;s coming though,&rdquo; he said. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;How&#039;s that?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; the kit continued, &ldquo;one of the places we went, he bought a couple of little leather pouches. I looked through one.&rdquo; He paused, nervously looking into the older fox&#039;s eyes now. &ldquo;It had a needle in it.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Needle?&rdquo; Jack asked, the fur on his neck beginning to stand up. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah, like a syringe,&rdquo; Angelo replied. &ldquo;With some little glass things and a rubber rope. He asked me if I thought I could inject myself...&rdquo; He trailed off and laid his head back against the back of the couch. &ldquo;I think this next big thing might be some really hard drugs.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack nodded slowly. He had expected Victor&#039;s expansion would be into harder drugs than pot, but hadn&#039;t really given thought to what it might be. &ldquo;He got... a couple of those?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo nodded. &ldquo;One for me, one for you maybe?&rdquo; he said sadly. &ldquo;What kind of drugs do you inject like that anyway?&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack though back to his high school health class. &ldquo;I dunno, maybe meth... heroin... coke maybe too?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I&#039;ve tried pot,&rdquo; Angelo said, &ldquo;and booze too. I don&#039;t think I want to inject anything though.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Right there with you, bud,&rdquo; Jack said. &ldquo;If we have to deliver it, that&#039;s one thing, but I don&#039;t plan to get hooked on anything, that&#039;s for sure.&rdquo; He didn&#039;t bring up the possibility of selling harder drugs at the schools like they did with pot, but that would certainly also be off the table, he thought. This is where things would likely get ugly with Victor, if indeed it was going to happen at all. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As if echoing his thoughts, Angelo said, &ldquo;Something&#039;s gonna break here... and it&#039;s going to happen soon.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Don&#039;t worry bro,&rdquo; Jack replied, moving to the center of the couch next to the kit. &ldquo;We&#039;ll get through it together.&rdquo; Angelo smiled, but did not reply. He seemed to be thinking this over in his head. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack turned the TV on, as much to provide a filler for the silence as anything else. Angelo brought his head back from staring at the ceiling to watch, as it was tuned to the news channel. There was a story playing about events in some far war-torn country that Jack had barely heard of. He barely registered what was playing, though, as his mind was back to the ever-present problem of how to get Angelo, and now himself, away from Victor for good. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Does Victor ever...&rdquo; he said awkwardly after a couple minutes of silence. Angelo perked up as he spoke. &ldquo;You know... try to molest you or anything?&rdquo; It was an odd question to ask out of the blue, but Jack&#039;s mind was trying to find anything that could be used against the ferret, even in something like an anonymous phone call to the police. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo noticed this as well, as he looked at Jack with wide eyes, one brow dipped. &ldquo;Ummm, no,&rdquo; he said, unsure. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack nodded. &ldquo;I&#039;m just thinking from what he said on Saturday,&rdquo; Jack said by way of explanation. Then after a pause, &ldquo;Did anyone else ever try?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The little grey-furred fox searched Jack&#039;s eyes, before smiling and saying, &ldquo;Well, Tish molested me pretty good!&rdquo; This provoked a laugh from the older fox and a shake of the head. Angelo continued before he could speak though: &ldquo;Nah, nobody really. There&#039;s that doctor I told you about, who wanted to take naked pictures of me. No doubt he&#039;d do something if he had the chance. But no, I&#039;d cut anyone who actually tried.&rdquo; He patted his left abdomen, where his knife was located in his jacket, ear-perking briefly as he apparently reacted to its absence. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Kay,&rdquo; Jack said, still thinking. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Jack,&rdquo; Angelo said. &ldquo;What... why do you ask?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack sighed deeply, looking into Angelo&#039;s blue eyes. &ldquo;It&#039;s just,&rdquo; he began hesitantly, &ldquo;I&#039;m trying to find some way to...&rdquo; he trailed off and looked away. He&#039;d not admitted to the boy what his main goal was, but now seemed to be as good a time as any. &ldquo;Some way to get you away from Victor. For good. Him trying to molest you would be a first-class ticket to jail for him.&rdquo; He was staring at the couch cushions now. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;And a first class ticket back to the orphanage for me,&rdquo; Angelo said bluntly. Jack kept his gaze firmly focused on the couch patterns, until he felt a warm paw on his arm. &ldquo;Jack,&rdquo; Angelo said, softer now. Jack looked back up into those expressive eyes. &ldquo;I&#039;ve thought the same thing. A lot. And... there&#039;s no way out that doesn&#039;t land me back in the orphanage.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack covered the little grey paw with his own. &ldquo;Ange,&rdquo; he began, not sure how to phrase it, &ldquo;there&#039;s... well, there is one way.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo looked into Jack&#039;s eyes for a moment, as he picked up on what Jack was trying to say. His jaw tightened slightly and he sat back in the couch, removing his paw from his friend&#039;s arm. &ldquo;Her,&rdquo; he said coldly. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;It&#039;s the best of all the bad...&rdquo; Jack began. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Jack,&rdquo; Angelo said sharply, interrupting him. Jack fell silent, and it was another moment before the kit continued. &ldquo;I&#039;ve... thought about it some too. Say you did find her. In Philly or New York or somewhere. She&#039;d be arrested as soon as the cops put two and two together. Then guess where that puts me.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You don&#039;t know that,&rdquo; Jack began, yet at the same time conceding the kit&#039;s point in his head. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You abandon your cubs, that&#039;s a crime,&rdquo; Angelo said flatly. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;What if,&rdquo; Jack said, grasping for straws, &ldquo;what if she realized her mistake and came looking for you right after you skipped out on the orphanage?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo stared into Jack&#039;s eyes for a moment, pondering this. &ldquo;That&#039;s a hell of an &#039;if&#039;,&rdquo; he said finally. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;It&#039;s still the best outcome for all of this,&rdquo; Jack said. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo sat back heavily against the couch and closed his eyes. &ldquo;Why can&#039;t I just live with you?&rdquo; he asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack sighed deeply. He had asked himself the same thing repeatedly over the last week, with the answer always the same. &ldquo;They&#039;d never let you live with me,&rdquo; he said sadly. &ldquo;Believe me, that&#039;s been my Plan-B from day one, but...&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Why not? They don&#039;t need to know...&rdquo; Angelo asked, not looking at Jack, as he apparently felt the same unease. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You need to go to school,&rdquo; Jack said. &ldquo;You need to... get regular doctor checkups, that kind of thing. Can&#039;t do that unless you&#039;re living in the open. And they&#039;d never give you to me...&rdquo; He trailed off to avoid Angelo hearing his voice crack with emotion. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of all the scenarios, this was the one he had tried the most to investigate, and it always ended up the same. He was two months out of high school, and barely able to sustain himself without Victor&#039;s illegal income. There was simply no way he&#039;d be allowed to take care of a cub. No, the ideal scenario was that Angelo returned to his wayward mother, with Jack there to fill in as the boy&#039;s big brother. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo had laid his head back against the couch and was staring at the ceiling once more. Jack watched him with a sad sort of smile. Regardless of the future, they at least had this day, with all the fun that it had contained. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A momentary chill hit Jack as the apartment&#039;s air conditioning continued to pump frosty air into the room. The cold suddenly sparked a memory in Jack, and he sat up straight. &ldquo;Oh shit!&rdquo; he exclaimed. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;What?&rdquo; Angelo said, also sitting up straight, surprised by the sudden outburst. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I forgot to get blankets!&rdquo; Jack said, then smacked his forehead with a paw. The last time Angelo had stayed over, Jack had no spare blanket to give him as he slept on the couch, forcing the kit to use his jacket and one of the couch cushions in place of one. Jack had intended to buy a spare for such occasions, but the suddenness of Victor&#039;s request had left him without time to do so. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; Angelo said. &ldquo;That&#039;s ok.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack truly did not feel like getting up to go out and buy a blanket at this time of day, especially on the full stomach he still had, but it would not be fair to the cub to subject him again to an uncomfortable night. &ldquo;No, it&#039;s not,&rdquo; Jack said, getting up. &ldquo;Let&#039;s go get one. The Giganto-Mart should have something.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;No, Jack,&rdquo; Angelo replied. &ldquo;I mean... if it&#039;s ok, maybe I can...&rdquo; he paused, looking at Jack&#039;s feet. &ldquo;I mean, maybe I can sleep in your bed?&rdquo; He looked up into Jack&#039;s eyes. &ldquo;If it wouldn&rsquo;t be weird, I mean.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack regarded the little grey-furred fox cub. &ldquo;It&#039;s ok with me bud, if you&#039;re ok,&rdquo; he said, sitting back down. Jack&#039;s sister, about the same age as Angelo, would often climb into his bed at night, especially if there was a thunderstorm which scared her. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah,&rdquo; Angelo replied, though slightly hesitantly. &ldquo;You&#039;re not going to molest me, are you?&rdquo; he asked with a mischievous grin. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack laughed. &ldquo;No, Ange... not going to molest you,&rdquo; he replied with a smile, eliciting a giggle from his young friend. &ldquo;So when do you want to turn in?&rdquo; Jack asked. It was still only in the 9PM hour, but between the full belly and the day&#039;s activity at the pool, the red fox was fairly tired. Back when he was on the football team, he would often go to bed at this hour after a day of similar energy expenditure. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Whenever you want,&rdquo; Angelo replied. &ldquo;I&#039;ll be awake for a couple hours after, no matter what time we do.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I&#039;m kind of feeling it now, actually,&rdquo; Jack said. &ldquo;I&#039;m practically falling asleep on the couch as it is!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Ok,&rdquo; the eleven-year-old said, standing up from the couch. &ldquo;I&#039;ll just lay there, and elbow you if you snore,&rdquo; he said with a friendly smile. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack chuckled. &ldquo;I&#039;m actually not sure if I do or not,&rdquo; he mused. &ldquo;I guess I&#039;ll find out, though!&rdquo; He got up and checked the lock on the front door, before turning off the television and indicating the hallway to Angelo with a paw, as if saying &ldquo;after you&rdquo;. He shut the lights off in the living room as the little fox started down the hallway, then followed him into the bedroom. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo had turned on the bedroom light as soon as he reached the door. When Jack entered, he saw the kit prodding the mattress with a paw. &ldquo;Its not the Ritz, but its better than the couch, I bet,&rdquo; Jack said, walking to the far side of the bed where he usually slept, in view of the alarm clock on the chair next to it. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;There&#039;s probably something else I should tell you,&rdquo; Angelo said, as he slowly kicked off his shoes. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Oh no, you wet the bed?&rdquo; Jack asked, teasingly. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;No, I... NO!&rdquo; Angelo said, initially missing the jibe, then swinging a mock backhand at Jack, who was well out of range. &ldquo;Its just that... I have bad dreams. A lot. I don&#039;t think I wake up screaming or anything weird like that, but they do wake me up a lot.&rdquo; He shrugged sheepishly. &ldquo;So if you see that happen... you&#039;ll know why, that&#039;s all.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack smiled sadly at the boy, and nodded. &ldquo;I hear you, bud. Don&#039;t worry, you&#039;re safe here.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Safe,&rdquo; Angelo repeated softly, as he loosened his belt and unbuttoned his jeans, before pausing. <br />Noticing this, Jack turned away and theatrically put a paw over his eyes, prompting another giggle from the cub. &ldquo;You can look, I don&#039;t care,&rdquo; he said cheerfully. It likely was a little strange for the kit to be sharing a bed with anyone, Jack thought, if only because it was a new experience, and thus an unfamiliar one. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack turned around as Angelo stepped out of his jeans, and pulled his socks off, standing there now in only a t-shirt and boxers. &ldquo;I&#039;m gonna sleep like this, if that&#039;s ok,&rdquo; the kit said. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;No prob, bro,&rdquo; Jack replied, pulling off his own shirt. Though he knew that Angelo usually slept naked, he was sort of glad that the cub stopped where he did, as it might be slightly awkward for both of them.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo sat down on the edge of the bed and bounced a few times. &ldquo;Comfy,&rdquo; he said. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Dive in,&rdquo; Jack said, walking back to the door to turn out the room&#039;s light. Walking back to the bed, now illuminated only from the outside light through the blinds in the window, he shucked off his own jeans and got into his side of the bed, clad only in his boxers. &ldquo;How is it?&rdquo; he asked, when Angelo had gotten in under the covers. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Its nice,&rdquo; the kit replied. He was laying on his back, with arms folded over his abdomen. &ldquo;Night Jack!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Night bud,&rdquo; Jack replied, settling in under his covers. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Jack?&rdquo; Angelo said quietly after a moment.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Hmm?&rdquo; Jack answered back. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You&#039;re the best!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack looked over and met the gaze of his young friend in the dim light. &ldquo;Nuh-uh,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You&#039;re the best, so how can I be?&rdquo; Angelo grinned at this and looked back towards the ceiling smiling. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack lay there in the darkness for a few minutes, thinking. That last comment from Angelo had him smiling broadly &ndash; the perfect end to the day. He hoped that the kit would not have any nightmares tonight, if only so as not to spoil the day in the younger fox&#039;s memory.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;While he was not an expert on the meaning of dreams, Jack had read a book about that subject in high school. Supposedly the content of Angelo&#039;s bad dreams would provide clues to suggest how he really felt about things. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack hated to add anything to the day after the heartwarming comment, but likewise felt slightly awkward leaving the kit to lie awake for hours working through his own demons while Jack dozed. &ldquo;Umm,&rdquo; he began quietly, &ldquo;What sort of dreams?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But Angelo was already asleep. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sun coming through the window blinds roused Jack from his sleep. He looked over to the clock: 7:38am. He looked back to the ceiling, a general sense of happiness in his mind, which was a sharp contrast to the uneasiness he had felt these last couple of days courtesy of Victor and his unpredictable attitude. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo was curled up on his side, his muzzle tucked down into his chest, with his forehead almost touching Jack&#039;s left arm. He was still sleeping peacefully, and as far as Jack knew had not had a nightmare in the night, at least not one that abruptly woke him. Jack instinctively put an arm around the sleeping kit, who stirred slightly but did not awaken. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack lay there for several minutes, feeling the motion of Angelo&#039;s breathing, before necessities of nature forced him to arise and visit the bathroom. When he returned, Angelo was awake, laying on his back with his arms behind his head. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Good morning, Ange,&rdquo; Jack said brightly. &ldquo;Slept well, I hope?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo grinned as he saw Jack. &ldquo;Yeah, I did! Your bed is really comfy.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Compared to an old mattress on the floor, Jack had no doubt of that. &ldquo;I&#039;ll say,&rdquo; Jack said. &ldquo;You went out like a light! I thought you said it took you a long time to fall asleep.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo had sat up, and was leaning back on his arms. He froze briefly as Jack said this, staring straight ahead, as if he was surprised. &ldquo;Yeah,&rdquo; he said after a moment, &ldquo;I did, didn&#039;t I?&rdquo; The surprise in his face was echoed in his voice. He swung his grey-furred legs over the side of the bed and reached for his socks on the floor. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack walked to the window and parted the blinds with a finger. Looking across the parking lot, he noticed that Victor&#039;s car, as well as the two girls&#039; cars, were still out front of the ferret&#039;s apartment. &ldquo;Looks like ol&#039; Victor is still at it,&rdquo; Jack said. &ldquo;What say we go get some breakfast?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Erf,&rdquo; Angelo said with a twinge of annoyance. &ldquo;Can I... use your bathroom first, then?&rdquo; he asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;My house is your house,&rdquo; Jack said with a smile. &ldquo;You know where its at.&rdquo; Angelo stretched and yawned deeply before standing up and slowly walking towards the hallway, scratching the back of his neck. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack got dressed in fresh clothes, then went out into the living room to wait for Angelo. He opened the front door and stood in the doorway, looking out over the apartment complex. Several furs drove by, no doubt on their way to work on this Tuesday morning. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The teen fox idly stared at Victor&#039;s apartment door as his mind mulled over the present situation. Since the Saturday dinner with Victor, it had been the central thing occupying his thoughts. He would find an answer, he kept telling himself. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He noted the girls&#039; cars as he stared, and his mind took a voyeuristic turn. As much as he despised the ferret, a part of him wanted to hear all the details about his overnight tryst. If nothing else, Jack thought, such enthusiasm might serve to keep him in good standing with Victor &ndash; that much he needed while trying to free the Angelo from him. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Still there, huh?&rdquo; Angelo said presently. He was still wearing just his shirt and boxers. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yep,&rdquo; Jack replied, closing the door. &ldquo;Can&#039;t wait to hear about it,&rdquo; he said, the genuine enthusiasm bordering on lust creeping into his voice. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Feh,&rdquo; Angelo spat out. &ldquo;Let&#039;s let him air the place out first, or it&#039;ll reek of ass.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Thanks,&rdquo; Jack said with mock sarcasm, &ldquo;That&#039;s just what I needed before breakfast.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo giggled. &ldquo;My pleasure,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;So, where are we going?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Wherever,&rdquo; Jack said. &ldquo;I kinda want pancakes though.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The grey-furred kit made a &ldquo;yummy&rdquo; sound. &ldquo;Let&#039;s go!&rdquo; he exclaimed, running back towards the bedroom to get dressed. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The two foxes had a long pancake breakfast at the local Pancake Joint pancake house, complete with all the juices and syrups that came with them. They deliberately took as much time as possible without making a conspicuous nuisance of themselves with the restaurant staff, in order to hopefully return home after Victor&#039;s &ldquo;guests&rdquo; had departed. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indeed, after a 90 minute breakfast, and a slow leisurely meandering drive back, it was after 10:00am when they arrived back at the apartments. Victor&#039;s car stood alone in the spaces outside his door, though the apartment itself was still as buttoned up as it had been since the previous day. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Should we knock?&rdquo; Jack asked as he parked the car and got out. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo got out from his side and stood, arms crossed, regarding the ferret&#039;s door. &ldquo;Hell, I got a key,&rdquo; he said. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah, but do you want to just barge in there?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The younger fox contemplated that. &ldquo;Probably not,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&#039;m usually stuck in my room when he does this. At least then I can hear what he&#039;s up to after they finally leave.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;He does this with you there?&rdquo; Jack was incredulous. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Oh yeah,&rdquo; Angelo responded. &ldquo;All those times he said about them being his lucky tail? Well, this is the first time he&#039;s gotten me out of the house to do it.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Jeez,&rdquo; said Jack. &ldquo;I can only imagine...&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;He turns music up loud to try and drown out the sounds,&rdquo; Angelo said. &ldquo;Didn&#039;t always work, especially between songs.&rdquo; He shrugged. &ldquo;I would just try to focus on the girls when I had to, or just cover my ears with pillows... you know.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Damn,&rdquo; Jack said, adding another mental X against Victor. The pair continued to stare over to the apartment door for a moment. &ldquo;Well, shall we?&rdquo; Jack finally asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Might as well,&rdquo; the cub replied and started across the parking lot. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reaching the door, Angelo knocked loudly in a specific pattern. Jack assumed this to be an agreed-upon code to identify himself, as Victor had said that he rarely answered the door due to his business. After a moment with no response, Angelo took out his key and unlocked the door. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As they stepped inside, Jack could hear the shower running from behind a closed door: Victor no doubt. While not smelling of &ldquo;ass&rdquo; as Angelo had predicted, there was a certain earthy, feral scent in the air, mixed with a much stronger scent of stale smoke and beer. The room seemed normal to Jack &ndash; there were not clothes strewn everywhere, socks hanging from lamps, nor any of the other cliches he imagined would follow an &ldquo;orgy&rdquo;, if this even qualified as such. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Let&#039;s see if he fucked on my bed,&rdquo; Angelo said dryly, walking towards the hallway and his room. Jack followed the kit to his door, which was closed. The boy ran a finger gently down the space where the door met the doorjamb, below the doorknob at about his waist-height. He smiled and stood backup. &ldquo;Feel there, but softly,&rdquo; he instructed, pointing to a specific spot. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack gently ran a finger down the door as Angelo had done. His finger stopped as it ran up against something in the way. He stooped down to look: it was a piece of hair stuck to the door in such a way that the single piece touched both the door and the jamb. It was held firmly in place by some sort of adhesive. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I stuck a piece of my fur there, and glued it in with hairspray,&rdquo; Angelo explained proudly. &ldquo;Long as the door stays closed, its stuck there tight, but...&rdquo; he opened the door, then closed it again. &ldquo;Now check it.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack repeated the finger search, though this time the piece of fur was glued to only one side &ndash; the other still touched the door, but moved freely now. &ldquo;Clever,&rdquo; Jack said. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yep,&rdquo; the kit replied, pride still evident in his voice. &ldquo;So now I don&#039;t have to burn my sheets!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The shower noise stopped abruptly, startling Jack. Angelo immediately called out, &ldquo;Hey Victor, we&#039;re here!&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Ok, be right out,&rdquo; Victor called back. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Let&#039;s wait out here,&rdquo; Angelo said with a grin, leading Jack back into the living room. &ldquo;I don&#039;t want to see that.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor quickly emerged from the bathroom, and went straight to his bedroom without stopping to greet the foxes standing awkwardly in the living room. Angelo was leaning against the entry door, and though the couch looked perfectly normal with no obvious remnants of the night&#039;s activities, Jack nonetheless did not want to sit on it after some of the things he&#039;d imagined. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Victor!&rdquo; Jack said with some enthusiasm as the ferret finally made his appearance in the room. He was dressed in his suit pants with a black t-shirt on, with his headfur slicked back as always. &ldquo;You look... exhausted!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Jacky! Angelo!&rdquo; Victor exclaimed with outstretched arms. &ldquo;I feel... good!&rdquo; he said happily. &ldquo;Though damn, I need some steak and a bottle of Vitamin-B! Remind me to tell you all about it sometime. I&#039;m sure a young lad like yourself would appreciate some pointers!&rdquo; He punctuated this with a belly laugh. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack laughed, half genuinely, and half politely. &ldquo;Sure Victor,&rdquo; he said amicably. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Ok, now that the fucking&#039;s done,&rdquo; Victor said, moving close to Jack, a pleasant smile on his face. &ldquo;I&#039;m off to New York!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Wow, already?&rdquo; Jack asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yep,&rdquo; the ferret said enthusiastically. &ldquo;The Russian wants me to come pay him, so that&#039;s what I&#039;m going to do. In gold. After that, our deal is set and its all on him. Didn&#039;t I tell you those girls were lucky?&rdquo; He laughed vigorously and slapped Jack&#039;s arm. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You gone all day Vic?&rdquo; Angelo asked. He smiled to Jack as Victor turned to face the kit. Jack smiled too as he realized that Angelo was looking forward to a repeat of the previous day. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yep, gone &#039;till tomorrow,&rdquo; Victor said to Angelo. &ldquo;I&#039;m leaving around noon actually, so I&#039;m glad you guys showed up.&rdquo; He turned back to Jack. &ldquo;Umm, no deliveries left, so you two... I dunno, go sell dope or something. Hell, whatever you want to do, and I&#039;ll see you tomorrow,&rdquo; he said to the teen fox, dismissing him. &ldquo;Angelo, got some stuff to go over with you,&rdquo; he said to the kit. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Ok, good luck,&rdquo; Jack said, prompting a nod from the ferret. &ldquo;Umm, Angelo, just come get me when you&#039;re ready to go sell,&rdquo; he said, having no intention of actually selling anything that day. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Sure thing, Jack,&rdquo; Angelo said cheerfully. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Jack left the apartment, he suddenly had a revelation about Victor&#039;s habit of dismissing him abruptly, as he had just done. The ferret had made him an offer to be his partner, and until Jack accepted, Victor would make it abundantly clear that he would not go into much detail with him, but rather would only talk with Angelo. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The kit had essentially confirmed this when he described the last time Victor had wanted to talk with him alone: that he really didn&#039;t have much to say, but only dragged the cub along as he went to talk with his business cohorts. Since Jack had given a non-committal answer today, he was promptly excluded from any further business related discussions. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Head games,&rdquo; Jack said with a chuckle. Victor was indeed a master at them. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shortly after 1:00, Jack saw Victor&#039;s car pull away from its parking spot. This was quickly followed by Angelo emerging from the apartment and practically running across the lot towards Jack&#039;s door. The older fox jumped up from his chair and threw his own door open as he watched the little grey-furred kit approach. Angelo waved cheerfully as he drew near. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Hey Ange,&rdquo; Jack said when the cub was within a reasonable range to hear him without shouting. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I&#039;m starved!&rdquo; Angelo exclaimed as he reached the stoop. &ldquo;Let&#039;s go get sammiches!&rdquo; He sounded very childlike as he said this. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;We just ate,&rdquo; Jack said with a smile and some mock protest in his voice. It was after his normal lunch time, though the large breakfast they&#039;d had still sat in his stomach.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;That was...&rdquo; he paused as if counting, then giving up, &ldquo;this morning!&rdquo; Another big grin that made Jack want to hug him. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Fine, fine,&rdquo; Jack said, this time with mock defeatism is his voice before throwing a wink to Angelo who smirked back at him. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo, who had only just walked into Jack&#039;s apartment, turned back around and dashed outside again as Jack grabbed his keys and started for the door. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They drove to a sub shop in a nearby strip-mall where the two foxes had a quick lunch. Jack was still not particularly hungry, but managed to put away a small-size sub. Angelo, who was apparently much hungrier, made short work of a medium-size one, with a side of chips and several refills from the soda fountain. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;While there, the pair discussed plans for the rest of the day. Jack intentionally refrained from bringing up anything about Victor or the coming change to their business model, and indeed to their lives. Angelo suggested revisiting the local pool, which Jack was amenable to, though he recalled from his own childhood that he would quickly bore of the same thing day after day, even where those things were nominally fun. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Since the kit plainly wanted to go back, Jack agreed, and they returned to the apartment once lunch was done to change into their swimwear. Angelo&#039;s trunks were still there, as he had not taken them back to his own apartment that morning; Jack wondered if he did not want the ferret to see that he even had them. The red fox quickly dismissed that thought &ndash; not because it was or wasn&#039;t true, but because he didn&#039;t want to pollute the day with thoughts of Victor. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once changed into their swimwear, the two headed back outside to the car. Angelo seemed much more at ease leaving the house without his ever-present jacket than he had been the previous day, Jack noted with some satisfaction. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The clock was nearing 8:00 when the two worn-out foxes stepped back into Jack&#039;s apartment. They had spent five hours or so at the pool this time. Contrary to his concern going in, Jack did not find himself bored. If anything, Angelo saw to that. The cub was a little grey ball of boundless energy, which Jack found unsurprising given the meals he had already consumed that day. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Just as in the previous day they played numerous pool games, most of which involved splashing each other, with Jack settling matters by picking up the boy and flinging him, which he seemed to love. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When their energy began to finally fade, Jack checked the pool&#039;s clock and was surprised at how long they had been there. He suggested stopping on the way home and picking up a pizza or two. If Angelo had any lingering desire to remain at the pool, the mention of dinner immediately removed it. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Returning now, two large pizzas in paw, the pair sat down heavily on Jack&#039;s couch, still clad only in their swim trunks, and dug in. Angelo grabbed a slice and sat back in the couch to eat. He was sitting in the center of the couch this time, and when he sat back, he leaned slightly against Jack. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Jack ate, his thoughts began to drift again towards Victor and the &ldquo;coming storm&rdquo; as he had begun to call it in his own mind. Victor had bought several syringe kits, Angelo had said. Was this related to what was coming?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It didn&#039;t make sense though: if they were to be dealing in harder drugs, why would Victor want to get his own people hooked on it? That would just be inviting theft, dirty side-deals, and the like. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Perhaps Victor himself had chosen to dabble in more expensive drugs for his own consumption, given the purported income that would be coming in, and had simply bought the kits for himself, or even to sell. Perhaps his asking Angelo if the cub thought he could inject himself was simply rhetorical. Jack sighed audibly: too many &ldquo;perhaps&rdquo; and &ldquo;what-ifs&rdquo;. Whatever was going to happen, he&#039;d at least know tomorrow. There was some small comfort in that notion. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As if sensing the older fox&#039;s thoughts, Angelo said, &ldquo;Tomorrow. It all hits the fan tomorrow, huh?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah, buddy,&rdquo; Jack said, slightly startled by the younger fox breaking his reverie. &ldquo;So if it&#039;s not hard drugs, what do you think it would be?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo took a deep breath after swallowing down his food. &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; he said at length, &ldquo;guns maybe. Victor always said he wanted to be a gun runner. He said there was something romantic about it.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack pondered this. &ldquo;That might not be so bad,&rdquo; he mused aloud. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;What?&rdquo; Angelo said, his ears perking up. &ldquo;You don&#039;t think selling guns to gangs would be bad?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This had not occurred to the older fox. He had envisioned it like in movies, where he&#039;d take a briefcase full of guns to a client in a hotel room, who would then pick out the ones he wanted. The dead-drop of drugs to the gang had been harrowing enough. If they were repeating that with a load of guns, the stakes would only be higher. &ldquo;Crap,&rdquo; he said, playing that scenario out in his head. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah,&rdquo; Angelo said, slightly agitated, as if he was doing the same. &ldquo;Even if its not a gang, you&#039;re meeting a guy who doesn&#039;t have a gun, then giving him one. What&#039;s to stop him from popping you and taking his money back?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack put his head back against the couch. He found it strangely amusing to think that he now almost hoped it would be drugs. At least then, the customers not only wanted the product, but wanted the continued availability of it. Thus they were theoretically less likely to try anything against the dealer. Competitors were another story, of course, but they had stayed out of that path, Jack thought. Unless that too was about to change. More &ldquo;what-ifs&rdquo;... he let out an exasperated growl. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Don&#039;t worry, Jack,&rdquo; Angelo said around a mouthful of pizza, before swallowing and continuing. &ldquo;If you think too much, you&#039;ll just end up keeping yourself up all night. Trust me!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack nodded. Angelo had said several times that he rarely fell asleep quickly, due to his mind running away like this. But not last night, he remembered. &ldquo;You mean like you, Mister Fall Asleep In 5 Minutes Fox?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo smiled meekly. &ldquo;Well, yeah,&rdquo; he said softly, sounding almost embarrassed. &ldquo;I usually don&#039;t do that. But... I think I know why I did yesterday&rdquo; He only half-looked at Jack.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Pray tell,&rdquo; Jack said, starting out intending to tease, but quickly abandoning that as he noted the younger fox&#039;s demeanor..<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; Angelo began slowly, &ldquo;it&#039;s because... I felt...&rdquo; He looked fully into Jack&#039;s eyes. &ldquo;I felt... safe. With you.&rdquo; He looked away with a sheepish smile. &ldquo;I haven&#039;t felt like that since... well, a long time.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack had to fight down the urge to flat-out hug the kit, and instead just put an arm around his&nbsp;&nbsp;bare shoulder and patted. Angelo put a paw over Jack&#039;s and squeezed, leaning in to his older friend. Neither seemed to know what to say at this moment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well anyway,&rdquo; Angelo said after a moment, breaking the embrace by leaning forward to grab another slice of pizza, &ldquo;we&#039;ll find out tomorrow, one way or another, right?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yep,&rdquo; Jack said, sitting back against the couch before reaching for more food himself. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One large pizza quickly disappeared under the vulpine assault. They started into the second, though with much reduced zeal, each only taking a single slice. Jack had deliberately over-ordered, as he had grown to enjoy cold pizza for lunch the following day, and this presented the perfect opportunity. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now thoroughly filled, Jack and Angelo sat back lazily as the sounds of the TV filled the room. As usual, it was tuned to the education channel, though some &ldquo;half-reality&rdquo; show was currently playing. Jack was only partially watching as his mind wandered, though not with the intensity it had earlier. He had decided not to dwell on what would come tomorrow, until tomorrow came and he was fully informed. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo too seemed to be only half-watching. He sat with arms behind his head, facing the general direction of the TV, but Jack noticed his eyes would periodically be directed somewhere above it for brief periods, before returning back to the program. After a while, as his food settled, he put his head back against the couch back and looked towards the ceiling.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack was feeling rather worn out as well, between the energy spent at the pool and the pizza filling his belly. &ldquo;Tired bud?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah,&rdquo; Angelo said softly, still looking at the ceiling. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well, just say when,&rdquo; Jack replied. It was after 9:00, and the sun had set outside. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yeah,&rdquo; the kit said again quietly, then sat up. &ldquo;Now is good, I guess,&rdquo; he said, sounding more awake. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack picked up the remote control for the TV and switched it off. &ldquo;After you,&rdquo; he said cordially. As Anglo stood up and walked down the hallway, Jack did a quick once-over on the apartment &ndash; making sure the door was locked, all the appliances were off, and so on. He switched off the living room light as he headed to his bedroom, where Angelo sat on the edge of the bed, still clad in his swimwear.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You gonna sleep in that?&rdquo; Jack asked. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Nah, just waiting for you, in case you had to hit the bathroom or anything,&rdquo; Angelo said. Jack shook his head with a smile. &ldquo;Ok,&rdquo; Angelo replied. &ldquo;Well I do, so be right back!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack undressed down to his boxers and walked to the doorway, so he could turn out the light after Angelo got in bed. The kit&#039;s clothes were still in a small pile on the floor by the door, where he had left them after getting changed into his swim trunks that morning. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo returned after a moment, and sat down again on the edge of the bed, still wearing his trunks. He bounced a few times while looking down at the floor. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You can sleep in those if you want,&rdquo; Jack said, sensing some uncomfortability on the cub&#039;s part. He was already wearing less than what he had slept in the previous night.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;No... no,&rdquo; Angelo said slowly. He then stood up and with tail wagging, pulled the trunks off in one fluid motion, then lay down on the bed and pulled the covers over himself. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack&#039;s ears perked as he watched. &ldquo;Ummm... why?&rdquo; he asked, as he shut off the light and walked over to his side of the bed. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;It&#039;s comfy!&rdquo; came the enthusiastic reply. &ldquo;You should try it!&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack chuckled as he got into bed, and thought about it for a second. He had a quick vision of a fire in the apartment during the night, and of them having to run outside naked, as the fire trucks arrived. &ldquo;I&#039;ll pass, thanks,&rdquo; he said. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;OK,&rdquo; Angelo simply said, with a tone of &ldquo;you don&#039;t know what you&#039;re missing.&rdquo; He lay silent as Jack got under the covers and folded his arms over his chest. Then he said quietly, &ldquo;You gonna molest me?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack looked over at his friend with some incredulity. &ldquo;What? No! Of course not!&rdquo; he said emphatically. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo pursed his lips and nodded a slight nod. &ldquo;You sure?&rdquo; he asked after another brief pause. &ldquo;It&#039;s supposedly in high demand, remember?&rdquo; There was no irony or sarcasm in his voice, unlike the day after Victor&#039;s tirade. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack turned on his side to look directly at the little fox. &ldquo;Ange,&rdquo; he said seriously, &ldquo;I&#039;m not going to molest you. That&#039;s a promise.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo smiled broadly. &ldquo;I know,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;That&#039;s why I love you.&rdquo; He flipped onto his stomach as he said this, tugging on the blanket to keep it from uncovering his shoulders. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Heh, because I won&#039;t molest you?&rdquo; Jack asked, the weight of what the kit had just said suddenly hitting him. Now it made sense: a test of sorts which he had passed, his prize being total, absolute trust from this boy, and now his love. He felt a lump in his throat. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yep,&rdquo; Angelo said. &ldquo;Because you don&#039;t want anything from me. But you still...&rdquo; he paused, as if looking for the right word, &ldquo;well, you seem to like me, anyway.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Oh, I &#039;seem to like you&#039;, do I?&rdquo; Jack asked, still absorbing what had just happened. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well, I don&#039;t want to put words in your mouth,&rdquo; Angelo said. He looked over to Jack, almost expectantly for a few moments, then smiled and nuzzled his face into his pillow and closed his eyes. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well, don&#039;t you worry about that,&rdquo; he said tenderly after a moment. Angelo&#039;s eyes opened. &ldquo;You... you know I love you too, Angelo.&rdquo; The kit smiled happily as Jack leaned over and patted his head, brushing the headfur from his eyes. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack then lay back and stared at the ceiling in the darkness, smiling even as the tears flowed freely from his eyes. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The next morning, Jack awoke as Angelo was sitting on the bedside, finishing up getting dressed. It was likely the kit&#039;s movement on the bed which had roused him, Jack thought, as he was used to sleeping alone.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Hey bud, &#039;morning!&rdquo; Jack said, shaking off the cobwebs of sleep. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo looked over his shoulder and smiled. &ldquo;Hi Jack,&rdquo; he said cheerfully as he pulled on his t-shirt, which was several days old by now, Jack realized. &ldquo;We gonna do breakfast?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;We still have half a cold pizza,&rdquo; Jack reminded him, as he sat up in bed and swung his footpaws to the floor. &ldquo;I was just going to chow on that.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Kay,&rdquo; the young fox replied. &ldquo;I&#039;ll grab a slice on the way out. I need to go home and shower and stuff.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;What time does Victor get back?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;No idea,&rdquo; Angelo said. &ldquo;He doesn&#039;t tell me shit anymore.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Huh, me either,&rdquo; said Jack. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;He probably knows how much we&#039;re waiting to see this &ldquo;new thing&rdquo; so he&#039;s deliberately going to screw with us,&rdquo; Angelo said sarcastically. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack nodded with a wry smile. &ldquo;Well, I&#039;ll come over around lunch time, and we can go grab something. Sooner if I see his car pull up.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I guess we shouldn&#039;t try hitting the pool today, huh?&rdquo; Angelo asked with a touch of disappointment, as he clearly knew the answer already. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Not unless we want to screw with his head!&rdquo; Jack said conspiratorially, which prompted a laugh from the kit. Then, more seriously, Jack continued, &ldquo;I&#039;d love to, but I think we need to meet this&nbsp;&nbsp;head-on, &#039;cause things...&rdquo; he trailed off. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Things are all about to change,&rdquo; Angelo said gravely, finishing Jack&#039;s thought. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack nodded somberly. &ldquo;We&#039;ll get through it, bud, you and me.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo came around the bed and gave Jack a quick yet firm hug. Jack hated to think that their last normal days might have passed, and that things would be inexorably different in a few short hours, but that was the thought that had entered his head as he spoke, causing him to stumble upon his words. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Several hours later, Jack walked across the parking lot to Angelo&#039;s door. There was still no sign of Victor&#039;s car. As he reached the door and began knocking, Angelo opened it swiftly. The kit looked almost sick to his stomach: his ears were flat against his head, eyebrows knit upwards, and a sort of snarl-frown on his muzzle. He looked like he was about to vomit. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack&#039;s ears immediately perked up. &ldquo;What?&rdquo; he asked. &ldquo;What happened?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo handed him a folded newspaper. &ldquo;Gazz is dead,&rdquo; he said, turning back inside and flopping down on the couch. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Gazz?&rdquo; Jack said. &ldquo;That lizard who tried to rob us? The one you...&rdquo; He stopped abruptly. The one that Angelo had cut. &ldquo;Oh no,&rdquo; Jack said, &ldquo;Not because of...&rdquo; He stopped again, unable to bring himself to say it. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo shook his head. &ldquo;No, not from me. Read it there.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack looked at the paper Angelo had given him. It was folded in such a way as to present the intended story immediately. The fox read. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;TEEN DIES IN DRUG DEAL GONE BAD<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Local teenager Melvin Gazzinskiy, 16, was killed Wednesday in what police are calling a failed robbery attempt during a drug deal. Witnesses say Gazzinskiy, a rising junior at Oak Park High School, met with an unknown drug dealer under the pretense of purchasing cocaine, but at some point in the process he tried to rob the dealer and was shot 3 times in the chest, killing him instantly. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;A friend who asked not to be named, said that Gazzinskiy had recently started using heroin and that his behavior had rapidly changed. He reportedly had begun stealing from friends and family, and was often seen trying to sell small items to those he associated with. The friend went on to say that Gazzinskiy had, just days before, received 18 stitches in his chest resulting from a similar attempt to rob another drug dealer.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack looked up at Angelo who had been watching him intently. The younger fox just nodded slightly. Jack returned his gaze to the paper. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Experts say heroin is one of the most addictive substances there is, and that once addicted, users will often resort to theft to finance their continuing addiction, usually at the expense of their family, friends, and career. Police are asking anyone with information to...&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack lowered the paper and sat down on the couch next to Angelo. &ldquo;Wow,&rdquo; he said softly. &ldquo;Heroin. Well I guess that explains a lot, huh?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;He tried to rob me to pay for more heroin,&rdquo; Angelo said sadly. Jack patted his knee as he continued. &ldquo;I mean, that doesn&#039;t mean I should have let him... but maybe if I did he wouldn&#039;t have been shot?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Maybe not this time,&rdquo; Jack said, trying to reassure him. &ldquo;He obviously saw robbery as an option, so the next time the money ran out he&#039;d have done it again probably.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I know,&rdquo; the cub said. &ldquo;But... maybe if I&#039;d known, then... maybe... I could have done something... I don&#039;t know...&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Hey hey,&rdquo; Jack said softly, turning the kit&#039;s muzzle toward him with the edge of his finger. &ldquo;That wasn&#039;t your fault. There&#039;s nothing you could have done, and no way to have known. Don&#039;t kill yourself over this.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo sat back against the couch and looked at the ceiling. He sighed deeply. &ldquo;Yeah, I know. I guess I just feel bad for... what I did to him. Now that I know what was going on in his head, you know?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Yep, I know exactly.&rdquo; Jack patted the kit&#039;s knee and stood up. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Remember what you said to me after the whole Gazz thing went down on Sunday?&rdquo; Angelo asked looking back from the ceiling. &ldquo;About how I&#039;m not this character I play?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Sure bud,&rdquo; Jack said gently. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well, I&#039;ve thought a lot about that since then,&rdquo; the kit said. &ldquo;I do know why I&#039;ve had to do some of the stuff that I&#039;ve done, like you said, but...&rdquo; he paused for a moment. Jack sat back down next to him as he went on. &ldquo;But I can&#039;t pretend it wasn&#039;t me who did those things. I can&#039;t... blame it on someone else, some character. I&#039;m the one who cut Gazz. I&#039;m the one who choked a guy out with a girl&#039;s jump-rope. I&#039;m the one who... did all that.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack patted his knee again. He hadn&#039;t heard about the jump-rope incident, but felt this was not the time to inquire further. &ldquo;Ange,&rdquo; he started to say. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;No, it&#039;s ok,&rdquo; Angelo interrupted. &ldquo;What I mean is, I think I understand myself a little better now. Sure, I know what I did, and I know why I did it. And... I&#039;m ok with it. Does that... make any sense?&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Absolutely, bro,&rdquo; Jack said reassuringly. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo nodded, his face still serious. &ldquo;I just wanted to say that, is all.&rdquo; He turned his head back to gaze at the ceiling once more. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack nodded as well, but didn&#039;t say anything. He thought about what Angelo had just said and was happy the kit had made such a self-discovery. He looked back to the newspaper still in his paw. &ldquo;TEEN DIES...&rdquo; A thought randomly entered his mind: something Angelo had said when they first met, about the nature of the business they were in. &ldquo;Dangerous games,&rdquo; Jack said quietly, echoing the thought in his head. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Angelo looked back from the ceiling. His ears drooping, he said softly, &ldquo;I don&#039;t want to play anymore.&rdquo;<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack and Angelo had run out to the sandwich shop to grab a quick lunch to-go, and were just finishing their food in Angelo&#039;s living room when they heard a car door slam shut outside. The two foxes looked at each other silently as they waited to see if it was indeed Victor returning. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sure enough, less than a minute later the sound of a key in the door&#039;s lock left no doubt. Jack stood up nervously, as the door swung open and Victor stepped inside. He looked quite pleased, though the sight of Jack standing there in his living room seemed to catch him off guard, as he stopped abruptly for an instant, then greeted the fox cheerfully. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Jack!&rdquo; he said. Then, almost as an afterthought, &ldquo;And Angelo. Well gents, it&#039;s all done.&rdquo; He clapped his paws together once and held them. &ldquo;I paid off the Russian and it will be here tomorrow. You&#039;ll go pick it up,&rdquo; he said, pointing to Jack alone. &ldquo;Probably be around lunchtime.&rdquo; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Just me?&rdquo; Jack asked, surprised. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Just you,&rdquo; the ferret repeated. &ldquo;It&#039;s better that way. So... you guys ready for the big time?&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Are you finally going to tell us what &ldquo;the big time&rdquo; is?&rdquo; Jack asked, trying to sound like a friend, while at the same time trying to mask his irritation at having to ask that question for what seemed like the hundredth time. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor grinned and nodded for a disturbingly long stretch of seconds. It seemed like he wanted to shout it out, yet was still afraid to say it out loud. Finally he stopped nodding and just grinned, looking from Jack to Angelo and back. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Heroin!&rdquo; he declared proudly. <br /><br /><br />To be continued...<br /></span>",
  "pools_count": 1,
  "title": "Dangerous Games, Part 5",
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