FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Here it was. The house he'd traveled across the country to find.

Marcus stared out the car window at it, unsure if he should be impressed or disappointed. Sure, he knew it was going to be less impressive than the needlessly opulent home he'd grown up in, and on some level had been hoping that was the case, but after the long search, the jackalope had hoped it would be more... dramatic. How exactly, he couldn't say.

Not that the home was in any way run-down or dilapidated, if anything looked like the kind of place one would see on a postcard or family film. The front lawn looked to be taken well care of, a large tree on its left side, with a large cement driveway that passed by a colorful garden bed on its way to the two-car garage. Up at the porch, a large swing hung to the right, with a table in front of it, just the kind of place he could picture himself as a child, swaying in the summer air and sipping iced tea, watching the stars. A yard to catch fireflies as he ran through.

All that sat at the face of a wide, two story home, its brick surface and dark black roofing leaving it with a solid, cozy image. Marcus imagined a fireplace inside, those brick walls keeping everyone warm inside even on the coldest winter nights. A big carpet on the floor to keep him warm as he sat, or up on the sofa watching television late at night, cuddled up with...

"Yo! Kid!"

The jackalope snapped out of his reverie, his head turning to the seat beside him.

"Ya gonna get out or did you just wanna look? Not tryin' to be an asshole, but I got other rides t' get."

Marcus patted at his pockets, hunting down his wallet. He really liked these jeans, beat up as they were, but the deep pockets made it way too easy to lose track of which contained what, and every second that went without him being able to locate that stupid little clip just got him more frazzled. He paused for a moment, suddenly remembering.

"Wait, I can pay in the app, right?"

The lanky bird (Marcus couldn't identify his exact species, possibly an egret?) in the driver's seat laughed. "Ya paid when ya made the ride, buddy. Never gotten an Uber before?"

Marcus winced, and shook his head. Truth be told, Marcus wasn't terribly used to paying for anything on his own. The whole trip had been a learn-as-he-went experience, and he'd been made acutely aware very early on just how bad at budgeting he was. Marcus thanked every god he could think of for some of the generosity he'd encountered along the way, otherwise he might be stuck on the side of the road in who knows where.

Find that wallet he did, though, and quickly pulled out a ten, handing it over to the driver. "Well, thanks! Sorry I wasn't feelin' chatty."

Looking pleased with the tip, the avian snickered. "No awkward small talk and a good tip? Hell, I wish I had more like you! My name's in the app if ya need a ride later, I'm on for the night."

Marcus retrieved his duffel bag from the back seat, and watched as the SUV drove off, leaving him at the spot where the driveway's cement touched the cul de sac's pavement. He stood at the tiny barrier, his toes just at its edge, with his heart pounding as if he were about to step off the edge of a skyscraper.

"I shoulda packed better," he thought to himself. The bag thrown over his shoulder was all he'd brought on the trip, barely enough clothing to get him to his destination, leaving him looking more than a little... unkempt. The young hybrid enjoyed dressing beneath his class, so to speak, if only because it drove the Martins crazy. Sure, classmates made fun of him, but they were going to do that anyway.

This time, he wished he'd brought along a nicer change of clothing.

Marcus took a deep breath. "Okay, time to nut up, this is why we're here," he said to himself, and started walking up the driveway.

As he walked along, the driveway seemed to get longer in front of him. For each step he made, it felt like it grew an extra step and a half. Marcus was breathing more heavily, telling himself it was just because it was hot and he was carrying a bag and this damn thing was on an incline. That was all. The sun was shining, the weather was beautiful, he got a shower this morning so his fur was as bright white as possible. Everything was fine. This would be perfect. Just like he'd imagined it to be.

His mind was wandering so much he nearly collided with the door. Once he located the bell, Marcus gently touched his finger to the circular button. He waited before pressing it, just to give the universe one last chance to stop him. It took more effort to ring than he'd expected, before he heard that stereotypical four bell chime ring out.

Marcus waited.

For the first time, he realized he hadn't considered the time of day. It was a Thursday. It was early afternoon. Maybe no one was home. If anyone was, who was going to answer the door? Were kids coming home from school? He'd spent so much time thinking about what would happen later that he forgot to think about what he would say when he arrived.

What could he say?

Anxiously, Marcus began fidgeting, fussing with himself. He brushed his shirt flat along on his trim belly, wondering why the hell he picked a punk band tee for a time like this. He reached up to fiddle with his antlers, as if there was something he could do with them to make them more presentable. His toes curled against the bed of his old sandals.

He waited. It was the longest minute of his life.

Then, suddenly, the door cracked open, and Marcus's heart stopped in his chest, breath held.

"Hello? Can I help you?"

Marcus's eyes locked on the rabbit in front of him. He didn't know what he expected her to look like, but she was more beautiful than he could have ever hoped. The jackalope swallowed hard, forcing his throat to locate his voice again.

"...mom?"