Replay Chapter 1
Alrighty, so this is my first attempt at a serious story, so hopefully it turns out good. It's going to turn out to be a lengthy tale, so bear with me. Since this scene shouldn't have any sex in it I don't have to put one of those thingies up. All the characters are mine by right, please don't use them without permission. Now, as one of my favorite authors puts it, Hobey-ho, let's go!
2060
He lay on his death bed. Family surrounding him. Eyes scanning the room. Small audible gasps of breath that years ago had been strong and supple. His weak body collapsing in on itself. His family, smiling sad smiles, not wanting him to go without a smile. How he wished she were here. His eye let loose a single tear. Suddenly a bright light appeared. His eyes glazed, his heart slowed, his gasps turned silent. In the light he saw a face. A smiling face. How happy it was. Could it be? It was her! His chest heaved in a futile attempt to gather breath. His soul willed it to stop. I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready, let me go, Let me go, Let Me Go, LET ME GO!
His soul willed his brain to stop, his heart's beat to stop, his lungs' attempt to breathe to stop, everything to just stop! That light, it was so bright, so warm, so inviting.
His heart jumped, sending him teetering over the edge. His life flashed before his eyes. He smiled inwardly. How cliche. . .
* * *
2024
The breeze washed over him.
John was a 24 year old wolf, his grey fur billowing in response. His ear twitched, picking up the sound of children's laughter. He smiled warmly. The park was beautiful today. Winter was finally over, and spring had begun to bloom the flowers. Already daisies, tulips, and roses swayed gently in the town of Hillsborough, North Carolina. The mothers of the town released their children, holed up inside from the cold, into the park. The swings were all occupied, and the slide was getting in a good days use.
John's gold eyes scanned the park, his nose twitched as the wind carried the scent of the flowers. What a beautiful day today, he thought, Spring is great. He let out an appreciative sigh. The bench he sat on, while not elegant, was comfy, and after finally graduating culinary school, it felt even more inviting. He loved the way the breeze washed over him, ruffling his fur and making his ears twitch. His sight was turned black suddenly, as warm paws covered his eyes.
"Guess who?" said a gentle voice. It was very feminine, but strong, assertive, confident. There was only one person with that kind of voice. . .
"Hey Jen, what's up?"
"No fair! You're supposed to say who? Then I would make my grand entrance, and announce: 'It is I, young sir! Jen be my name, what be yours?' In a cheap, totally fake Irish accent. Play along next time, wolfey," Jen flashed him a shiny smile. Jen was John's best girl friend through culinary school, even though they were totally different. Opposites attract, I suppose, he thought. Jen, a fairly short vixen with golden-red fur, was very energetic, while John, a rather large, muscular wolf, was quite calm and relaxed. Although Jen wasn't muscular, she was incredibly athletic, playing volleyball and tennis, and kept her physical appearance appealing, to say the least. She had a great build, with the perfect hourglass shape. Unfortunately, this made her appealing to the "bad boys", the players and jerks of the town.
"Alright, next time, missy. I swear!" John grinned at her, "But next time you should try to not sound like a high-pitched witch cackling at her minions." She gave him a look of mock insult, and narrowed her eyebrows at him, her trademark face, and pushed him playfully.
"Yeah, well maybe you shouldn't be so good at kid's games!" She stuck her tongue out at him and laughed.
"I'd be careful with that, I might just chop it off and serve it as a main dish!"
"You wouldn't!" She said giving him a look of horror.
"Yeah, I hear fox tongue catches high prices in Iceland." John said matter-of-factly. Jen gasped and punched him playfully.
"So, whatcha been up to, wolfey?"
"Nothin' much, just thinking' 'bout the future. What about you? Any plans?"
"Just lookin' for a job, you know? Say, let's go grab a beer!" Jen took his paw and pulled him along to the bar down the street. John looked at his watch. 6 o'clock already??? Time flies, I guess. Especially when your around Jen.
They arrived at the bar and walked in. They strolled up to the bar, where an old badger tended it. His name was Will, and he was a kind soul. Although his stature was intimidating, his personality was as gentle as a puppy.
"Two Killians please, Will! We're celebrating tonight!" Jen practically shouted. Will smiled and produced to bottles of the beer, popped the cap, and handed them to the pair. They chose a table and sat down. They clinked the beers and took a swig.
"Kudos to you, Mr. John, for graduating top of the class."
"Same to you, Ms. Jen, except, you know, you didn't get top of the class." John smirked at her. Jen laughed.
"You're an ass, my good sir."
John smiled and took another swig. Their little party went on 'til 9 o'clock. John was quite drunk by then, but Jen still had a clear enough mind to walk him home.
Walking down the sidewalk of the streets, the young vixen had the wolf's arm slung around her shoulder, half-dragging half-walking him to his apartment. John let out a loud belch/hiccup, dragged himself away from Jen, bent over the bushes, and puked. Jen, walked over and patted his back, scratching him behind his ear, just the way he liked it.
"You okay, wolfey?" She asked, concerned. John wiped his mouth and gave her a roguish smile.
"Why of course, Ms. *hic* Jen," he took a glance to his right and saw a familiar building, "Oh, *hic* lookee there. We're *hic* here! You wanna come in?"
"Haha, no thanks, you need to get some sleep. G'night, John."
"Night, Jen." John dragged himself up into his apartment and dug out his keys. He unlocked the door and took off his jacket, dumping it into the floor. Stumbling into his bedroom, clad in jeans, a t-shirt, and shoes, flopped down in his bed, and immediately fell asleep.
* * *
He woke to the sound of his cell ring tone. Groaning and rubbing his head, he threw off the covers and stood up. The sudden rush of blood made him woozy, and adding that to his immense migraine, this was turning out to be a pretty shitty day. Dragging himself over to the kitchen, he picked up the phone and answered.
"Hello?" he asked groggily.
"John? Hey it's Jen, come outside I've got some news."
"Eh? Alright, lemme get dressed."
He picked up some clothes from the floor, threw them on, then headed downstairs. Their Jen was, sitting on the hood of her car. Man she looks great, he thought. She noticed him coming out and smiled.
"You look like shit, wolfey. You feeling alright?" Jen asked, reaching up and scratching his ear.
"Eh, never better. What's up? You sounded sad." Jen patted the space beside her on the hood. John sat down, already getting a bad feeling. He looked into her eyes and could tell that something was wrong. She looked on the verge of tears.
"I got a job." John instantly felt relief. He thought it was something big, like family dieing or something.
"Oh really? That's great! Where?" Jen looked him straight in the eyes and sighed.
"Italy." John instantly sobered up. His mouth hung wide open, his eyes blinking more than usual.
"Italy?! But, but, Italy?!?! That's so far away!! You can't go! What if I never see you again?! Don't go, please don't go! I can't let you go! Jen, you've been my best friend for 4 years, and now you're just leaving?! You can't! It's not fair Jen, It's not f-" Jen placed her finger over his lips. They were warm, and soft. Gentle. Like cherry blossoms. They smelled like her. They felt like her. They were her.
"Shhhhh, shhhhh, I know, I know. It'll be alright. If fate has it, we'll see each other again. It's a great job, and I'll go far." She was on the verge of tears now. John went silent, realizing there was nothing he could do.
"You'll call, won't you?"
"Of course, wolfey, of course. Come here." Jen extended her arms. He walked into the hug, embracing her tightly. She reached up and scratched behind his ear, holding him just as tightly. They stood there for a moment, relishing this last moment.
"I'll miss you Jen, I'll miss you."
"You too, John," Jen smiled sadly and stepped into her car. "Take care, wolfey."
John just stood there, staring at her. She started her car and drove off down the road. The sun was high in the sky, and John just stood there watching her go. He realized this would be the last time in awhile that he'll see her. The fur around his eyes were wet with tears.
"Take care, Jen."