Modern Survival
#1 of Modern Survival
I sit on my couch and listen to a playlist of my favorite songs as I type words on a document for a project.
Here I thought college would be easier, but as it turns out it only gets harder with each advancement in the educational system.
Part of me wondered if I even needed to do this, I could just get a job that requires the equivalent of a high school diploma.
Guess it was curiosity, I always liked to learn about whatever I was interested in. Guess this time I was working through an assignment I didn't find interesting.
Saving what little I got done, I exited the program, and decided to see if I got any new text messages.
Picking up my phone I moved over to my messages to see a notification for a few.
Turns out it was just texts advertising some bullshit I didn't need.
There was one for paradise island, but I couldn't afford that even if I saved-
Who am I kidding, I'll never be able to afford that with my current income.
I don't even know why I was considered going to it, it was basically an island where rich pent up guys go to relieve themselves with hot women.
Funny thing is that they were even picky about who they let in, since the island is hidden for obvious reasons, you had to know someone in order to get in. Or have enough cash to "persuade" them to let you in.
And I knew no one. Nor did I have the money.
Wasn't like I didn't know what went on there anyway, the website say and shows enough to make it clear.
Still, I don't think it would be a good idea, I mean what would my friend think of me?
My friend.
I navigated to the text conversation to see that he didn't text me since the last time we talked.
I left him a message. Asking if he wanted to hang out tomorrow.
Setting down my phone I looked to my laptop for a good few minutes, before closing the program and shutting it off.
I rubbed my eyes and looked at the time. 11:36 pm.
I didn't have work tomorrow, and I had some time before the assignment was due, so there was no reason to sleep.
Still I guess staring at a computer screen and working with numbers for many hours will put you in a sleepy state.
Walking to my bathroom, I took a shower and brushed my teeth. Followed by climbing into bed.
But not before the doorbell rung.
Who the fuck could be at the door this hour?
Making my way downstairs I looked through the peep hole to see an anthro at the door, a racoon, female. Wearing a tank top that revealed her stomach under a brown unzipped jacket with skinny jeans.
She looked somewhat familiar, maybe she goes to the same university as me.
Her movements looked, well suffice to say I don't think she was sober.
Great...
I could just ignore her and let her bother someone else, but... in her drunken state...
Things begun to run through my mind of what could happen to her, like she could be taken advantage of, or robbed, or both.
Shit...
Slowly unlocking the door, I opened it slightly, and greeted her.
"Um, can I help you?" I asked.
I guess my words startled her, because when I opened the door she was looking over her shoulder, but then quickly spun around to face me.
Honestly? This creeped me out a bit.
Soon she broke the silence that persisted for ten seconds or so with.
"Jackie! Baby, am I glad to have run into youu- hic-" She said, her speech slurred.
Jackie wasn't my name, so I guess she thought I was someone else.
"I think you have the wrong house miss." I said before getting ready to close the door.
Now that I examined her movements some, I was having second thoughts about this, I mean who would I call?
She attempted to stop me.
"Wait! Jackie, I have to...hic- Tell you something.." She said.
Staring at her for a good few minutes before she started to fall forward.
Opening the door, silently thanking whoever built this place decided to have it open inward instead of outward, I caught her, and held her in place with one arm while I shut the door with the other.
"Hm...Jackie...I knew you'd come around..." She nuzzled my chest.
The stench of alcohol reeked from her. Just how many did she have?
Ok, I needed to call someone, but I left my phone in the house.
In her state, I don't think it would take long to get my phone before she could stand on her feet.
Gently setting her down and running in to get my phone, I came back out and decided to dial for the police.
That's when I noticed she grabbed my ankle.
"Hm...your sooo...tall~" She said in a rather sultry way.
Ignoring her I navigated to dial, but stopped when I noticed a car pull into my driveway.
Staring at the car, I saw someone get out of the driver side. It was a female fox wearing a green shirt and jeans.
"Alice? Alice!" She shouted before running up to me.
Putting the phone away with so many questions, I didn't have time to ask her as the fox knelt down and tried to keep her friend from injuring herself.
"My God Alice, why did you run off? I was worried sick!" She said.
"Amanda? Heyy, have you heard? Jackie finally came around~" She giggled.
She red fox looked up at me, then asked me something.
"Can you help me get her in the car? I'm sorry if she caused too much trouble." She said.
"Oh no no she didn't cause a lot of trouble, of course I'll help." I said before reaching down and picking Alice up and carrying her to the car.
Amanda, blinked twice before moving to her car and opening the passenger side.
Gently setting her in the seat, Amanda shut the door and faced me.
"Ugh...I'm sorry, she has had too many tonight, thank you for being patient." She thanked.
"Oh of course, we all have our moments like these." I smiled a bit.
She sighed, before looking her car, then back to me.
"Say, aren't you that human that goes to the same university as Alice and I?" She questioned.
After she named the university, my suspicions were true.
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"Not many humans attending that university, kind of makes you stand out." She smiled.
"Guess so." I said.
"Anyway, I have to get this one home before she causes more trouble." She said while pointing to her car.
I simply nodded and waved goodbye.
"Maybe we'll see you around, bye." Amanda.
"Cya." I said, before she got into her car and drove off.
Sighing, I went into my home and locked the door, now being more tired than ever.
Laying down and covering myself with the covers, I slowly drifted off to sleep.
[The Next Morning]
Taking it slow waking up, I reached for my phone and took it off the charger and saw I got a text from my friend, from a few minutes ago.
Taking a second to get myself awake, I looked at the text and it said he was free today.
So, I set a time and a place, and he agreed.
Well, got something to do other than work or homework.
Both seem to be mixed at this point.
Until then, I finished up what I could regarding homework, and when it was nearing the time, I put on clean clothes and made my way over to where we would meet.
When I got to the café, I locked my car and went inside.
Spotting a certain hyena at a table, I ordered something and made my way over to him.
"Hey Echo." I said, sitting down.
"Hey, still ordering the same classic latte I see? You need to be more explorative." He smirked.
"I don't go here often, so I stick with something I know I like." I explained.
"Aw man, you got to take more chances."
"I only take calculated chances."
"Boring."
After going back and forth for a few minutes, he took notice of something, a scent.
"Hey, what's that smell?" He asked me, his nose moving and leaning towards me.
I keep forgetting Anthos have very keen senses. Usually they don't intrude out of politeness, unless they know the person well enough.
And we knew each other since middle school, so I think the latter applied.
"Smells like, alcohol and...someone..." His eyes widened shortly after saying that.
"You, you got laid last night, didn't you." He smiled.
Said smile was growing by the second, so I had to say something before he got the wrong idea.
Explaining to him what happened last night, he was baffled.
"You mean to say a cute raccoon girl came to your doorstep, drunk, and called you...Jackie?"
"Yes?"
"Dude, how lucky are you! That's an opportunity right there." He smiled.
"I mean, I don't think she was interested, she was drunk." I explained.
"What about the fox? She seemed interested."
"Yeah, if we ran into each other at school, not going out on a date."
"Yeah, but surely there's a chance it could evolve, right?"
"Perhaps, but-"
"C'mon man, its your chance, take it, otherwise you don't know if your ever going to get another one like this again." He explained.
Sighing, I simply said.
"We'll see.."
This seemed to cause him to cease the train of thought he was having.
He looked like he was about to say something else, but his gaze fell upon the T.V screen above.
Following his gaze, I could see that it was the news, a Bengal tiger speaking about protests.
She went on about how it was due to a law that was passed that members of a certain political party apparently didn't agree with.
I didn't pay attention to it, politics tends to bring division, thankfully Echo shared my views.
"Man, seems so sad how divided society is." He said, ears drooped slightly.
"Not much we can do about it." I simply said.
"Yeah."
After a few moments, after I took a few sips of my drink, Echo asked me something.
"You ever get, scared?"
"Of what?"
"Of...them...taking you back?"
Oh...so it was one of those questions.
"Honestly, I don't think about it, I mean they haven't taken me away longer than a week."
"Yeah but, what if they take you back for good? There aren't any laws stopping them from taking action."
"I'm sure they won't, I mean they already have enough people there, plus as long as I don't do anything illegal there's no reason-"
"Yeah, good point, still be careful out there dude, its a cold world."
"I will, same to you."
After a few more minutes, I decided to break the silence.
"So, what about you? Any luck in the romance department?" I asked taking a sip of my latte.
"Nah, not much luck."
"Taking chances?"
"Of course I am!" He said.
"Then why aren't you dating anyone?"
"Fuck you..." He said, admitting defeat.
"Who knows? Maybe you could end up with someone like Audrey."
He laughed at that.
"THE Audrey? The famous model and athlete? Please, be more realistic." He said, trying to calm his laughter.
"You never know man, sure there's a money difference, and fame, but you might have something in common." I explained.
"Even if we had chemistry, I couldn't...the pressure, I mean think of what the media would say?"
"They can't report on anything they don't know."
"What's with you? You don't normally say stuff like this...unless..."
I waited for him to figure it out.
"You didn't mean it, didn't you?" He squinted his eyes.
"What? You told me to go after that raccoon girl, supported me, I'm just returning the favor." I sipped my latte.
"But I mean c'mon, at least put me with someone in my league."
"I wasn't lying, it is possible, if only barely."
"True, I would have to be someone to even get a slight chance."
"Well you are someone."
"You know what I mean."
"No I don't." I lied.
"Yes you do." He said. Smirking.
Soon after he said that, Echo got a call.
He answered it, saying stuff like "yeah" and "uh-huh".
When he hung up, he explained to me that he had to get going.
So, parting ways, I drove around a bit before heading home.
As I walked from my car into my house, there was an envelope by the door.
Closing the door and picking it up, I recognized the return address.
Fuck...
Sitting down on the couch, I opened it and took out a folded piece of paper.
Reading the contents, I recognized that it was a notice that on the specific date someone will come to pick me up. Failure to cooperate so will result in persecution and eviction of property and belongings. Any expenses will be paid for...
Same old bullshit.
I guess it was only a matter of time.
Least I wouldn't have to worry about losing my job, after all they were the ones to get me this job.
As much as I hated it, it was the law, no matter how much I wish it wasn't so. Maybe in the future the government will no longer have as much say for what happens with my kind.
But I'll likely be long dead before that happens.
The price I pay for having all I have.
Just goes to show that nothing in life, aside from the air you breathe, is free.