The Life of Another - Chapter 42 (partial)
#46 of The Life of Another
Hi,
So, it's been awhile. (folds ears apologetically)
My idea was to return to writing after taking some time off to focus on improving my health. Unfortunately, the completion of that goal has thus-far eluded me. :(
That said, I wanted to at least get this portion uploaded. There are several more chapters to the story yet, but they are only in my mind. It would have been nice to wrap it up at Chapter 44 as I had planned, but an old saying explains my situation rather succinctly. "Life is what happens to you while you are planning for something else."
For those interested in chatting with other readers, or me, the Telegram chat group is still active. If you'd like to join, see my last journal entry for details.
Oh and I may be posting another unfinished, but longer, chapter to Resurrection of Eric at some point, for those who remember that story from some time back.
Thanks again for all the favs, 5 star ratings and kind words! You guys have helped me through some tough times. ^^
The Life of Another - Chapter 42 (partial)
© Jake Atkinson
P.O.V. - Roger
Geez, she must be really wasted. Hmm, maybe I can use it to my advantage.
"That's right," I replied, placing my arms akimbo. "And now I need your help citizen."
"Fuchsia doesn't talk like that!" commented the Otter. "Come on," she said, grabbing my arm with surprising strength and hauling me towards the cabin's main door. "Karen can show you. She's a complete Fuchsia freak!"
Momentarily stunned by the unexpected turn of events, I got dragged along.
"Karen!" she called, throwing the door wide. "Karen... there you are, wake up!"
A cinnamon furred Fox stirred reluctantly at the Otter's incessant tone, raising her arm from underneath the pile of dirty laundry she was inexplicably buried under. "Grenda, shut up!" she exclaimed, her voice husky and dry.
Grenda released me to grab Karen with both hands, pulling her up from the heap of clothes. "Wake up or you'll miss meeting Super Surf Girl!"
The Fox glared at her tormentor, squinting her bloodshot eyes. "What are you..."
Before she could finish the sentence, her Otter friend forcibly swung her around to face me, exclaiming "See!"
"Uh, hi." I said, hesitantly waving a hand.
Karen gasped and lunged at me, clutching at my chest. "Where did you get this?!"
My ears ached from being cold and wet, souring my patience. "If you get me a towel, I'll tell you."
Although I anticipated a drawn out debate on the matter, she surprised me by twirling around and madly attacking the stack of discarded shirts, pants and underwear from which she had emerged.
"Here!" she declared, lofting her prize and forcing it at me. "Now talk!"
The proffered towel was damp and carried the unmistakable scent of Vulpine musk, but it was drier than I was. I rubbed it vigorously at my head, talking through the musty terrycloth.
"My friend and I had this bet, which I lost. So I had to wear his mom's wetsuit while swimming over from Coronado." Moving on to dry my tail and and paws, I continued. "Thanks for the towel by the way, all that cold water was giving me a killer earache."
"Shut, up!" cried the Fox, her vehemence startling me. "You're Nick's boyfriend!"
Squealing like an excited cub, she spun around to face Grenda. "It's him! The one from the plane!"
"Look!" She dove into the pile of laundry once again, and somehow found her phone buried at the bottom. Swiping and tapping at it furiously, she thrust the screen towards her friend.
"See! He's Roger!"
Grenda took the phone and stared at the screen intently, then turned her eyes towards me. "I dunno, he looks kinda scrawny compared to Roger."
Taken aback by the strange turn of events, and at being called scrawny, I stood dumbfounded a moment before collecting my thoughts enough to respond. "Thanks again for the towel." I said, tossing it back where it came from. "But I really should be going."
Turning to leave, I only managed a step before getting tackled from behind.