This City Is Contagious
#3 of Running From Lions
AN: There is no yiff in this chapter, sadly. I wrote this to help further the story as well as answer questions from the previous chapter. Also, this was a great opportunity for me to explore character description as well as a good deal of plot development, and the like. I hope you enjoy it and rest assured the next chapter WILL contain yifftastic fun. Don't forget to read chapter 2 if you haven't already, as well as my other stories =)
This City Is Contagious
Ugh...better days...I've definitely had some of those... I thought to myself with a groan. Wait...I'm thinking...and groaning, so does that mean I'm alive? I ask myself while trying to open my cerulean eyes, only to no avail. Trying not to panic I tried to move my legs. Just about everything ached on my body. From head to toe it felt like I needed to be put into a cast or hopped up on meds. It was the most agonizing pain ever, especially in my back nether region. Regardless, I had to make sure everything was ok.
They swung over the side of what feels like a leather couch and onto the cold hardwood floor beneath it. Next came my arms, surely if I could move my legs I could move those as well so I tried raising them and feeling around. Yeah, I could tell I was lying down on a leather couch; the sleek and cold, yet soothing touch it gave my paws as they roamed over it to my head relaxed me a bit.
If everything else seems to be working fine, I think to myself, then why the fuck can't I see!? Slowly I lifted my paws to my face, grazing my fingertips across my nose in doing so. I stop and take a few sniffs. Is that soap? Who washed me? Am I still being held by Tweedledum and Tweedledee, or was I really saved? Deciding on finding out that answer later I kept my paws on the move. One thing I've learned to love about myself is my uncanny wit; it never fails. For example, one time when I was a cub on the run from my father with my mom he had found us and almost, keyword being almost, started to savagely beat her. Thankfully I came out of my room just in time to see him, run in front of her putting myself between the two, and shout 'what's wrong gramps, hitting a man too difficult for you?'.
Now, back then I wasn't exactly what one would call a man seeing as I was only 8 years of age, but my heroics were that of a man as he turned his paws on me instead; giving my mom ample time to run and get help. Without my wit and need for untimely sarcasm, I probably would've gone through my life a sheltered little whelp who could barely look anyone in the eyes. But no, I was given a gift, much like Edgar Allen Poe was given a gift for poetry and expression of words.
As the thought ran its way through my head my paws touched my eyes, only to earn a warning from somewhere on the far side of the room.
"I wouldn't do that hunny, you might end up scratching your retinas and making things worse." said a flamboyant male voice. "The doctor said you'll get your vision back within a few hours but that blow to your head was pretty severe so you need to take it easy, kay doll?" the voice was full of sorrow and care as its possessor made their way over to me.
Taking the advice I laid back down on the couch that seemed to pull my body into its comforted belly. I rested my paws on my stomach and exhaled a hearty sigh of both relief that I was in a, hopefully, safe place, but also of discontent of the previous events. It's time to put the puzzle together, I think before parting my lips, which I then realized were extremely dry.
Before getting to the pressing matters I figured I'd better get some liquids in me before I got completely dehydrated. "Would you mind if I got a gla-" before I had the chance to finish I felt a cup pushed into my paw.
"I kinda thought you'd be a little thirsty after that whole ordeal...you're luckeh, ya know, that I got there when I did sugar. Rallying the troops took longer than expected and I'm sorry for that, but I couldn't go in there by myself or they'd have thrown me onto that table faster then they did you." the voice, I realized, was slightly hoarse and seemed withdrawn.
"Thank you..." I spoke softly in-between sips, the taste of the lions briefs lingered in my maw slightly still. "You can never know how grateful I am Mr..?" I trailed off, not knowing my rescuers name.
"Psh, hun save that mister shit for my father; you can call me Pepper." Well that's an interesting name..though I can see how it fits. I thought and half chuckled to myself as the word see came into play.
"Well thank you Pepper, for saving my body, and probably my life." I reached out to him with my other paw and felt around until I brushed against the edge of his before squeezing it gently. "I owe you one...hell I owe you two." I grin as he laughs at my dumb joke.
"Sug, don't worry about it. Just make sure you stick around long enough to say thank you to everyone else before you ditch this place faster then a cat in a dog pound."
"So...you know?" my ears flattened as I let go of the soft paw and rested mine at my side, withdrawing myself from the world.
"Yeah, if you could see me you'd remember, but all in good time love. Although I must say there are plenty of reasons for you to stay. Numero uno being that hunk Onyx." at the mention of his name my heart skips a few beats.
"You know Onyx?" I practically spit as I say this.
"Mmmm-hmmm. And Drake, and Carl. They were the muscle that got rid of Kobi and Jay for good while I ran around looking for you." a paw scritched between my ears softly as this was said, but not registering quite yet, as I murred to the touch.
Then it clicked. "Wait...Drake, Carl, and Onyx were the ones that helped get me out of there?" I cocked my head to the side, my left ear flopping forward while the other stayed upright like they always did when I was puzzled.
"Yep. I take it you want me to fill in the blanks for you?" the paws removed themselves from my head and were at my shins in no time, raising them gently as the fur sat down under them.
I nodded as I sipped some more of the most refreshing water I'd ever had. I guess what they say is true, everything seems better after tragedy strikes. Sure, I'd been through some tough times before, but nothing quite like that. Everyone assumes rape is something that happens to my kind often, but it really doesn't. Which makes it hurt that much more when it really does happen.
With a sigh the fur resting his paws on my legs begins the tale of how I came to be free once again.
"I had first seen you in the Bath House, which I have to say, was probably the best show I've ever had the chance to see babe. You got worked." I felt him shift and the faint smell of musk came floating by my nose. Heh, he's getting hard just from thinking about what happened in there. Although this isn't quite the time, it's cute, I think as he continues.
"Seeing all those furs just using you like that..." he shudders. "Well, let's just say I wish I was that lucky. I've only had three at once you lucky dog." Ugh, the worst comparison I've ever heard. Canine I may be, but mongrel I am not, I snarl in my head. This will come into play later in my adventures.
"Anyway, after the show was over and everyone left I decided to hang around outside and catch up with you to see how've you been." It was here he paused for a few seconds, taking time to think. "You..really don't remember me?" his words escaped him in a sad fashion, almost hurt.
"I'm sorry but I've been coming here to Altus for two months and meeting you once...well no offense but I've met a lot of furs here. The only one I remember the most is Onyx and that's not only because he's an amazing lay, but also because no matter what I do he always seems to find me; no matter what part of town I'm in. I am sorry, though. What is your name?" I ask while rubbing my paw up and down his arm trying to make him feel better about saving me.
"Firstly, you absolutely have to tell me about Onyx and you later on and secondly, the name's Pepper. Pepper Miller." as soon as he said his name it clicked.
It was as if I'd gone back to that same day. He was the second fur in Altus I'd met and been asked to go home with, but also the first fur I'd ever topped for. There was just that flamboyant charm about him that screamed 'fuck me! I want you in me as deep and hard as you can go Diesel!'. So naturally, after a lot of raunchy foreplay I flipped him on his back, tied his paws to the bedposts, raised his legs in the air, and plunged into him with everything I had. Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was the only time I'd topped.
Pepper was...I guess the best way to put it was that Pepper was definitely unique. Quite the free spirit, quite the free spirit indeed. Without a care in the world Pepper struck me as the type to always be optimistic and upbeat even when his cards were dealt shitty. The whole day I was with him all he did was ramble on about how he loved everything about me (that I gave him the courtesy of knowing back then, which wasn't much), his life, his job-which I can't remember currently-, and how much it enjoyed him to be around those who understood and accepted him; which was everyone in this faggoty town.
Standing at 5'4 and being two years my senior-making him 20 and I 18- Pepper was a bit short for his age; as well as underweight. He was a raccoon that had quite the distinguishing characteristics. His hair almost came to his shoulders, but was mostly tied back in a ponytail I believe. Not only was it long, but it was green. Neon green. His fur was mostly charcoal, except for the two vertical lines of neon green that ran down his front upper body over his nipples down to the start of his hips. On his tail were three medium rings from the base, to the middle, to the base of the tip that were also neon green; while the tip of his tail was snow white.
As all this came back to me I came to the conclusion that I couldn't have been happier with my savior, unless, of course, it had been Onyx himself. I let out a loud yip of joy and thrust myself forward in an attempt to snug the raccoon before yelping in pain and being laid gently back down.
"So now you remember me now foxilicous?" I hear the grin in his voice.
"Yeah, I actually can't believe I forgot. I mean not only is your voice unique and full of flame, but that ass of yours...I felt like I was plunging into heaven that whole night." I smirk slyly as I feel the heat from both of our blushes rise onto our muzzles.
"Stop it Diesy, you're making me blush." the coon said and playfully slapped my shin. That was quite a night though...I haven't had fun like that since then. For a fox, you're pretty good at dominating." he continued to tease.
Even though I was enjoying this trip down memory lane with my newly acquired friend, there were more pressing matters at hand. Like what the fuck happened after the knock on the door. Clearing my throat as a signal, one that Pepper picked up on, we moved forward.
"Right..." he sadly drove the conversation to where it needed to be. "anyway, after you walked out of the Bath House I tried to catch up with you but you turned a corner and," Pepper closed his paws then flew them open like a mini-explosion. "you vanished from site. Needless to say I thought that was a little fishy as you hadn't been walking fast or running. So I sniffed out your scent, finding with it the likes of Kobi and Jay. It hit me hard, really hard-the fact that they had you, that is. When they find someone they like enough to keep things get...well, bad. In fact, no, they get down right fucked."
"My heart began to feel as though it was going to beat itself out of my chest as I ran after your scent. After a few minutes I saw them off in the distance with you slumped over Kobi's shoulder. Instantly I knew it wasn't good so I continued to follow them, staying as best I could off their radars. After a few moments more they reached the abandoned house that they sometimes frequented. I always wondered what exactly it was they did in there but now I wish I didn't know..." i could feel the weight on the couch shift and could tell he was facing me."
"They're bad guys Diesy, and when they realize you're still in the city they're going to do everything they can to get you back. You're not just some toy to them, some meaningless cock warmer. As soon as they laid their greedy, fearsome eyes on you it happened without anyone taking notice. Until they either get bored -which I can sadly say won't happen- or get put out of their misery...you are their property." Peppers voice was strained by now, he was trying his best not to weep.
"I don't understand..." I whispered. "Why don't they get locked up? Why doesn't anyone do anything?"
"No one can do anything hun." he sighs. "I'm surprised you haven't figured it out, but then again you don't really pay attention to the politics or the complete going-ons of this town yet. Jay's uncle is the Mayor...he runs the place and lets his nephew and his butt-buddy roam around to do as they please." the venom in Pepper's voice was very prominent.
It was there I laid, on Pepper's couch, speechless for the first time in a while. Bewildered and furious I banged my fist against his wall.
"How the FUCK does something like this happen?" I shouted, the anger in me consuming my being as if I were the Hulk.
"I don't know hun...it's all about connections and getting yourself in good with the right people." Pepper fearfully whispered at my outrage.
Sensing this, I tried my best to calm down; running my paws through my hair and tugging on it gently as I always do to sooth myself.
"So...do the elections mean nothing, are they rigged?"
"No, it's just that everyone's too scared to run against Charles, Jay's uncle, and so he's been Mayor since Jay and Kobi were just little things. Albeit, back then they were just about as bad as they are now."
This was a lot to take in. I thought the forest was hell when I just stepped into a whole new realm of hell right in the place I'd always longed to be even before I knew it existed. This was the home I'd always cried myself to sleep wanting to be living in when I was a cub.
I guess that no matter what things always their downsides. Maybe I can change that...there doesn't always have to be a hell within heaven. This place is heaven and damnit it all to the abyss if I don't do everything within my power to get rid of all that is bad! It was right then that I made an oath to myself, as well as the residents of Altus Valley, to dethrone the wretched Mayor that helped slowly plague and very well diminish the town I so desperately loved and needed.
With another sigh of discontent I motioned for him to continue recollect the previous events I missed out of.
"When I confirmed they were inside I ran over to Carl and Drake's place nearly hysterical. It took several minutes for them to get exactly what had happened out of me. However, all it took was the mention of you to get them ready to draw out blood. From there we had to go clear across town to get Onyx. What seemed like forever to get there and back only took 35 minutes. When Onyx opened the door and saw the three of us looking like something his relative would drag in he knew something was wrong. After just barely mentioning your name he threw on his jacket and was out the door in an instant."
"I led the three of them to Jay's hideout and we set up a game plan. I, being the smallest and weakest out of the bunch, was to find you and pull you out of there to the best of my ability while the three of them mangled those predators that call themselves officers." Pepper paused and cleared his throat. "I knocked on the door while the other three went around back to the bedroom window. I heard some rustling around before the door was thrown open about a minute later with Jay standing before me naked and furious."
"He growled at me and almost threw the door back in my face but I body slammed him against the frame knocking the wind out of him momentarily. Meanwhile the others broke through the bedroom window and got to Kobi before he could get to me. 'Pep, they've got Dies in here!' I heard Drake call out as him and Carl wrestled the brute to the floor. As I slinked past the fight to retrieve you, Onyx roared and stormed past me right to Jay and began beating the living daylights out of him."
"It was a lot to take in...the fighting around me. Then I walked into the bathroom connected to the bedroom to see you laying on the floor leaking blood. From where I couldn't exactly tell at first but as I lifted you up and slung your arm over my shoulder it became apparent. You were leaking pretty badly from the back of your head while your tail hole slowly oozed blood down your matted fur. While the fight went on I made my way out of there as fast I could and brought you here."
"I called Doc. Brown and he came over ASAP to examine you. He said you were lucky to not have bled out and stitched up your head and rubbed some ointment around your butt....then he gave me a prescription for pain killers and headed out. Half an hour later here we are..." he gave a grim smile.
I had opened my eyes to reveal my raccoon hero, savior, friend weakly staying awake. It was just after dusk, I could tell because the stars were barely visible still. Pepper was exhausted after today's events, the fatigue clear as glass on his features. Halfway through the conversation I had regained my vision somewhat but refused to open my eyes in case I started to cry. Which ended up happening anyway so Pepper leaned forward and hugged me while tenderly nuzzling my chest. Things were still pretty blurry and out of focus but I could see Pepper was as cute and caring as ever.
"Wh-whe-where are Onyx, Drake, and Carl?" I managed between sniffs.
"They said they'd be by in the morning to check on you dear, so just relax and go back to sleep. Everything will be fine now, this we promise you." Pepper states quietly while he continued to nuzzle my body.
"But what about Jay and Ko-" he cut me off with a finger over my muzzle.
"Shhhh...shh. Like I said, everything will be fine now. You don't have to worry anymore Diesel."
It was with these comforting words that I began to drift into the soothing abyss of sleep. However, there were still things that bugged me; things that needed to be answered. Like where are Kobi and Jay now? What happened to them? How can Pepper promise me I'll be fine from here on out? All of these, I ended up concluding, could wait til the morrow as I couldn't keep concentrating any longer. My eyelids closed for the final time that evening with Pepper wrapped loosely around my midsection. Both of our minds drifting aimlessly through the realm we could control and manipulate at will.