Furtheid's shadow: Chapter 1 - land of none

In the time I lived, I had a privilege: I lived in the labs. I felt guilty for that. I mean, while many left the complex to fight for space in the human society, I was in that sanctuary, being useless. Actually, this was everything I knew so far: the city of Denkin, or "the labs" - called like that because the city center was a huge lab. Everything else, the outside, I had heard from rumors. What people that came from outside told us was a complete mystery for most of us, all that big and dangerous place. The only humans we knew were the scientists who created us, always willing to help at any moment. It was hard for us to believe what the real mankind was like, the absolute opposite. As soon as some of us went to "their" world, and they learnt about our existence as a consequence, they started loathing us all.

If by some reason you completely forgot about all this, I have to remind you we're not humans. We have plenty human DNA in us, but mixed with others. Most of us are or Homo canis or Homo felix, as the scientists denominated us. To the layman, we're anthro canines or felines, that is: half human, half animal - In my case, I'm a brown striped cat. Although most of our DNA is human, and our senses are more accurate than pure humans, they insist on stressing our inferiority, justifying cruel acts against us. Now you can realize why we found the outside "a dangerous place". Sadly the truth is, if it wasn't for the labs, we would be an extinct species already, before we had a chance to become significant.

Because our creators had predicted the danger in such a revolutionary project, they developed it secretly. But eventually they had to open it due to many issues, mainly financial ones. They did it one step at a time: started economically, then politically - when everything began. The world was suspecting of The Labs' deeds, as it was a hidden city, so they were forced to reveal the project, to prove it wasn't a threat to the world at all. Governments around the world accepted this project, but only with one condition: to open the city and reveal its citizens. Most countries created programs for the inclusion of this new intelligent species in their society - but they forgot a primordial aspect: the public opinion. Everything was so quick that the humans had a shock, followed by hate and disgust for the furries, as they call us. As you can see, most of these countries failed to do so, generating a civil war worldwide. The furries got lost, so they couldn't get together to fight for their own space. Some even managed to achieve good status. However, this wasn't without a constant threat of losing it all, including their own lives by terrorists' attacks, which became worse as they united in the FURTHEID organization.

Even the ones that stayed in the labs were afraid of all this - those terrorists could get powerful enough to crush the city itself. And they didn't think twice: they attacked the labs by surprise yesterday. We were lucky they didn't have atomic bombs. But still it was more than enough to completely destroy it, and kill most citizens - exactly the main objective of the Furtheid.

So, here I am, completely lost, just like the other survivors, filled with rage and sorrow. Why did they have to destroy the only thing we ever had? It was worse than anything we expected from them. If you can hear me, I really miss you, Sarah, how could I let them kill you, just like that? I swear to you all, I'd do virtually anything to get revenge, whatever it takes - for my homeland, my people, and most importantly, you, Sarah. I will never forget you, my love.

We're lucky that they can't find us here, in the forest, and that some scientists survived to guide us. God, I don't even know why I'm talking to myself! Maybe it's just because I hope you can hear me. I need to believe in that, even though I have no religion. What else would you expect, as the city was run by scientists? Anyway, with all the chaos around here, I may join you soon. Still, I wouldn't want you to be in danger, either... so I guess it's for the best.

I wonder where they're taking us. I sincerely hope it's away from the battle, that is, Europe. It's the only part of the world that fully accepted the furries, but only the ones originally sent to them, to avoid (furry) overpopulation. They were always on higher ground, even with the global turnabout they just lost some of the economic leadership, but not status, at all. Hence, loads of furries tried seeking asylum there, and now the borders are very tight. Ugh, why did I even think of that? It's very unlikely, almost impossible that we would be taken there. But really, nobody had predicted this?! Why had nobody trained us? I know the scientists can't, but they should have done something about it! Just wish me luck, I will need it.

We've been walking for a week, I think, and still no hint of where we are heading. People are getting sick, either from hunger, diseases or exhaustion. Also, people wonder whether the scientists themselves know where they're heading - it took a while for them to say something about it. They gathered everyone that was still with them to make an announcement: "I'm glad most of you are still with us," - some people shouted something like 'cause we're still alive' but the scientists ignored it - "...because there's good news: we're far enough into the forest for them not to find us, so we can rest tonight!" this remark was followed by mumbling, for the total lack of energy for cheers. So, it's night, everyone's asleep, except for people like me - I slept, but just woke up for no reason. I started thinking and enjoying the view around, mainly the people who were awaken.

I was getting very sleepy again when this woman, who was probably taking a pee or something, stepped on something on the way back, which beeped loud enough to be sure it was real. She realized it, even more when a green light turned on, so I got up to warn the scientists. On the way to them, a flare shot from nearby with that typical loud noise, except that instead of just fading out while falling, it just exploded like a bomb, and remained there shining like a fake star. All that sound and light woke everyone up, but the scientists were the only ones actually worried, for everyone else was totally confused to understand what was going on: we'd been found. The people who realized it were almost panicking. So I rushed to the scientists to make a straight question: "what should we do?" they all talked without coming to a consensus, till I asked a better question: "where were we going? I need to know" - one of them answered "to the nearby city". That almost made me mad, but instead I focused on the present situation: "which way is it?" I asked. They pointed it, but I couldn't see any distinct difference that way. "How far is it?" I proceeded, "a-about some miles..." this same scientist answered, clearly losing focus. It was time to act on my own. Traveling at night wouldn't be a problem, as that flare made it clear enough see the way, but to do so undercover, for the same reason. I guess if people knew what was going on it would help. "I've got a plan, may I?" I asked, "Please go on", another scientist said. "They need to know what's going on, in order to get ready for this obvious trap" - I explained - "so if anyone sees something suspicious on the way, then everyone would be ready for what's to come". "Sounds fair enough" - she replied - "but how to say it without disseminating panic?" "Try to be subtle, somehow" - I answered before leaving them to pack up.

Few minutes later the scientists told the misinformed about the current situation, and they sounded completely unsure of themselves and what they were saying. Meanwhile they were explaining better to some, most of us were already on the way, keeping attentive senses for any sign of someone else near us. The ones with better health led the rest, and everyone refused any other help from the scientists. It was awful, we were scared to death that they would show up out of the blue and kill us. Eventually they did, but in a weird way: with Panther scouts - artificial intelligence robots made to disguise as panthers to scout forests. For everyone's sake, the disguise ends whenever one gets near it: you can clearly see the glowing eyes, the metal plates and tubes painted black. Unfortunately, this could be your end, if you're an enemy of its programmer. It's easy to kill people with those: it can be explained as an accident of natural causes, for its similarity with the animal; and also because you never see it until it's too late.

The ones at the edge and mainly at the end of the group were the first victims; suddenly there were horrified screams and missing people, pretty much like a horror movie. If the government actually fought against the Furtheid, they wouldn't have gotten these panthers meant for police at all. As soon as the attacks started the group vanished, each one running in a different direction, which wasn't a smart choice. Few people stayed in the right direction, but far from each other.

I felt utterly lonely while walking fast towards the city: I could hear the screams, each time farther, but just see some running shadows, until I bumped into someone. I was so frightened that I violently scratched the guy, which later I found out to be my best childhood friend. That's another difference from humans to us: we have claws instead of nails, so anyone not trained can improvise a little, but unfortunately it also makes situations such as these way more drastic. As soon as I heard a canine yell instead of human, I realized the mistake: "Oh god, are you ok?" what a stupid thing to say, of course he's not, after that yell of pain!

Anyway, I helped him get back on his feet, while checking how bad the scratches were, luckily it wasn't serious, and that was when I realized who he was: "Brian? You here? Where have you been?" "The other side of the town...ouch...chill out, will you?" he replied. "I'm really sorry for this, the whole thing of the Furtheid being already here have been creeping me out" I apologized, really embarrassed for all this. "Look, the only thing right here right now are these panthers, a simple crowbar would do... geez, Eric..." "And by the way you have one? 'Cause I don't" I began being sarcastic. "Good point... Whatever, a thick stick will do" he ended the argument. He hadn't changed at all, always focused on what really matters.

As expected, he was already looking for it, although the pain was taking away his focus, the scratch got deeper than I thought it had at first, and soon he found something: "Hey, would you follow me up here?" he was climbing a pine tree quickly. Another fact about us is that we are naturally good climbers, at least for trees, mainly because of our claws and tail; sometimes we do it just for fun or to relax. So I did, he stopped in one of the first branches, and took out an army knife to cut another one, in order to make a spear. "Where did you get this?" I asked, a bit surprised, "I've been working as security guard, you know I didn't use to do well at school, and couldn't find anything else others already didn't do better" he replied, beginning to cut the branch angrily - "later I found out I was a good fighter, in almost every technique, so I was between sports and security" - he gave me the spear, and while he was getting another branch I almost warned him I couldn't do more than improvise with it, but my shame prevented me of doing so.

While he was sharpening the other one, he asked: "And what about you, what have you done these years?" - It was good to see him again - "I'm an electrician, a medium-leveled one. Y'know, the ones that don't deal with complex circuitry? Also, there was this girl I've been dating for years now..." "Oh, really? Introduce me!" "I'm afraid that's impossible..." "What happened?" "The attack, she didn't make it..." "So sorry for that. If you don't mind, can you tell me what she was like?" I felt a little uncomfortable to be telling this, but I did it anyway: "No problem, she was an orange striped cat, very sexy, and very light tempered - she helped me a lot to keep me on track because of her temper... I really miss her..." it was a mistake to proceed, now I was starting to cry and an immense pain was growing inside me. "Those bastards... You'll see, we'll get revenge eventually" he cheered me up "I'll..." - then a panther scout came out of the blue right at us, and managed to get us by surprise.

With a quick move Brian got out of its way while hitting it hard, and I simply jumped away, almost falling off the tree. While I got back up I saw him fighting wildly against it, using those thick branches as ground, in a way only a furrie could. Scared as hell, I sneaked my way behind it, using Brian as a distraction, and when I got there I didn't know what to do: if I simply hit it, it wouldn't help much, it would simply throw me out of the tree; if I jumped onto it... Without giving much thought, I did it. It looked at me when I jumped, and I enjoyed the opportunity to stick the spear right into its face. Fortunately it worked, as I saw the eyes light out and felt it lose its strength with a decreasing hum. "Not bad" Brian commented "have you been having fighting classes too?" Still shocked with my achievement, I replied: "Never. EVER. How could I...?" I looked at him and saw he was as surprised as me. "Then I'll be glad to teach you, you got something there" he honored me, "but isn't it a furrie thing?" I confronted anyway, "not for _ cats _..." he reassured it.

We agreed to rush to that nearby city, and soon we were surrounded by those panthers on the way: one is easy, but more than ten... There was no time to think, we had to act on instinct. They often tried attacking from behind, good thing we were together watching each other's back. After a while we understood their strategy: they knew we were heading to the city, so they increased the number of scouts near it so few, if any, would make it there - many didn't from the sight of many furries ripped open by these panthers, a horror movie in real life. I really thought I wouldn't make it as their number increased to about a hundred, I think we did make it only because we didn't stop advancing even though we were surrounded by them. We got some space when we got to the city, when we ran madly trying to reach somewhere to hide.

We found an alley with fire stairs, which we got onto, and shortly after that the panthers gave up hunting us. It was late at night, almost dawn, and we thought it was better to find shelter, where Furtheid's allies wouldn't find us. We walked for a while, which wasn't very problematic as the streets were deserted, and enjoyed our time of peace to chat. But it didn't last long; we were too tired, so much that as soon as we found an abandoned slummy motel we fell asleep, not even in a bedroom. Of course, we still hadn't the slightest idea of where to go or what to do next.