One
#1 of Cope
This is something me and a friend are working on together. Yeah, I know, backlogged beyond hell. Life = Crazy. But here is something at least. Half credit to Bloodewulf and the other half, to yours truly. This thing is a mystery, my first shot at the genre. No yiff, story driven, and as always, full of fun characters. Yeah, compared to my other chapters, of other stories, this one is on the shorter side. But this isn't for a novel. This is a fun project, of possibly short stories with a linked reality. *Shrugs* Or a book, we shall see where it goes as we get there. Hope you like it ^_^
The drive was long, and despite the man driving next to me, full of silence. I yawned, staring out the window at the infinite sea of trees. It was getting late, but we had to keep moving. A cold case I got stuck with just got hot. I was told earlier in the day, first thing in fact, that word came in from a small town about our man.
So here we were, on our way out to the middle of nowhere to retrieve him and bring him back. The radio was off, no way we could get any signal out here anyway. I spent most of the trip reading over the files. The part that didn't make sense to me, was why I got stuck with the task of picking him up.
"Gives you the creeps?" The German shepherd asked me, taking his eyes off the road for a second. I turned my gaze to him, looking over the uniformed Officer. He was young, not quite fresh out of the Academy, but close.
"Not really, just a waste is all. They should have transported him, or sent someone else. But whatever, I'll put all my other cases on hold for this." I told him doing my best to remain calm.
"So it's true? They handed this whole thing to you this morning?" He said sounding half surprised by the whole thing. It was true, no sooner had I walked in had a dusty box been pushed into my hands. It took us half a day to make the arrangements to pick this guy up. Then our long drive from Portland began. Seven hours on the road, followed by a night in a hotel and another seven in the morning.
"Seems the Detective who had the case retired and it got shelved. Ghosts of the past have a way of being forgotten before they come back for us." I returned to looking out the passenger's window. This guy was no joke though. The crime scene photos were gruesome. Throats slashed, bellies sliced open and organs and gore strewn about entire rooms.
The East Town Slasher, the Butcher of East Town, Isaac Walters was his name. At least that's what I had been told. Up until this morning no one at the Department even knew it. I was jarred out of my thoughts when I noticed the car slowing, pulling off of the road.
"Need gas, plus directions. I wasn't able to mapquest the town. The directions we got just said to follow this road." Officer Harrison said as he pulled the car into a gas station. I shrugged and leaned my head against the cold window. He cut the engine before climbing out.
"Excuse me, but can you tell us how to get to Cope?" I heard him ask. My ear perked slightly, despite being tired I was curious as to the answer.
"Cope? What are you wanting with that?" A male voice asked.
"Oi! What's going on out there Jonas!" A female voice shouted from somewhere nearby.
"Couple strangers, looking for Cope!" He yelled back.
"What in tarnation for!" I sat up at that, curiosity getting the better of me.
"What are you wanting in Cope?" He asked again. There was a brief pause before Harrison answered.
"Police business, we're working on a case." He told the man.
"Pole'ece bidness! Some case dealy!" The man shouted.
"What kind o' dealy?" She yelled back.
"None our bidness I er'magine!" He told her before calmly telling Harrison to continue up the road for another twenty miles. Adding to it, "I wouldn't go that far though. Turn back iffin you know what's good fer yeh."
After a few moments Harrison climbed back into the car and started the engine. Speeding off as quick as he could manage. I just looked at him wondering what he was thinking about our encounter.
The rest of the drive went uneventfully. The only noteworthy thing being the bank of thick fog we drove into just as we reached the sign for Cope. Cope, founded 1824, population 700. Just another small town out in the middle of nowhere.
There really wasn't much to it, just the main street. Off of that were side roads, but they were narrow and were just lined with a few houses. The community was probably loggers, or farmers. Most of the people here lived outside or along the edges of the town itself.
Harrison stopped the car in front of a small Inn. It was too late for us to grab the prisoner and leave. We had to stay the night and start fresh. I unbuckled my seat belt and climbed from the car. "I'll see about the rooms, you go see if you can find us something to eat. I doubt it, but worth a shot." I told him before walking up the three wooden steps.
Moving across the porch to the glass door. I pulled open the door, looking at the reflection of the wolf staring back at me briefly. Once inside I walked up to the counter, no one in sight. Only one of those little bells. I tapped it with a finger, listening to it ring.
"Hang on, hang on." A voice said from another room just beyond the counter. I waited for a few moments before a badger walked into the room and moved to the counter. "What can I do for you?"
"I need two rooms for the night," I told him pulling my wallet from my front pocket.
"Two rooms huh? Alright, that will be forty Daniers, up front. We don't extend credit to outsiders." He told me pulling a book from behind the counter.
"Daniers? You mean dollars?" I asked pulling two twenties from my wallet.
"No, no idea what kind of money that is friend. But around here, folks pay for things with the real deal. Come back when you're actually a customer and not some penniless loser." He said sounding agitated.
The door opened and I turned expecting to find Harrison. Instead I saw a wolf, wearing black leather pants. The vest he wore matched, and was wide open. "They're with me," he said walking to the counter. Dropping a small stack of silver coins on the counter.
The badger smiled and gave a small bow. "Excuse me young Master, I didn't know. Here are your keys." He said pulling three keys from a peg board behind him. I looked from the strange coins to the wolf. He was only a little younger than me. Attractive too, but things were just too weird for me to focus on that too much.
The other wolf took the keys, handing two of them to me. "Your rooms are upstairs, along the left side, first, second and third doors." The badger told us before slipping back into the back room. I raised a brow and the wolf smiled. Motioning upstairs, wanting me to follow him. It was then that Harrison decided to make his entrance.
"This place is weird, nothing is open except for the library." He said sounding confused.
"The librarian makes it a point to never close. But yes, I will agree, this place is weird." The wolf said extending his hand and giving me a look that said 'Shall we?' He was being very forward, and I wasn't out. No better time I guess, he did just cover our lodging fee. I reached out and took his hand in mine.
"Go figure, town of a few hundred and the gay guy ends up with a bed mate." Harrison said sounding disappointed. I turned to look at him and he held up a hand. "No offense intended sir. My cousin is, you know? Gay, like you. Just, usually the straight guy ends up with someone."
"It's fine Harrison, here is your key. Go get some rest and I will catch up with you in the morning." I told him before returning my attention to the friendly wolf before me. He smiled, giving my hand a firm squeeze before following Harrison up the stairs. We went to the farthest room and slipped inside.
Once the door was closed I stopped. "I'm here on business, not really looking for a one night deal." His tail swayed at my words, and his smile never faltered.
He chuckled, "Alright Mister straight to business."
I flicked my tail at him, "Calm down Mister straight to bed."
He leaned back against the wall just in front of the bed. "Strange place isn't it? Hard to find, out of the way. The people here are weird. Nothing really makes sense. Try making a call, no outside lines. Even cells don't work here."
I raised a brow and looked at the phone next to the bed. He waved at it, inviting me to try. So I took a step forward and pulled the phone from it's cradle. Carefully dialing my home number on the old rotary style phone. It was awkward, but I managed to do so.
It didn't even get a chance to ring, just gave a weird tone before an automated voice told me, "Sorry, your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please hang up, and try your call again." I placed the phone back down and returned my attention to the other canine.
"Weird huh?" He asked me with a grin. The wolf flopped down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "I fell, that's how I ended up here. Happens like that a lot. Not many take the road. Josiah, he came by boat. As for the young guy, no idea what his name is. Says he woke up in the park."
"What are you talking about? None of this makes sense. Just a phone, out in the middle of nowhere. Of course I cant make a call. Lines are probably down." I told him letting reason direct my actions.
He shook his head, "Sorry Max. But it doesn't work that way. This place, this place is different."
My heart stopped and I looked at him, growling softly. "How the hell do you know my name?"
He sat up and looked at me, "The librarian told me. If you want answers, go there. Unless you would rather throw me out and not listen to anything I said."
It just didn't add up. No one knew my name. Our department couldn't get in contact to even let them know we were coming. We received the call, after that we hadn't heard from Cope. I sighed and pulled open the door. "Fine, but you're coming with me. In case this doesn't add up."
He climbed off the bed and stood next to me. "If you insist handsome. Lead on."
I shook my head, motioning for him to exit first. "I insist, and keep your hands where I can see them."
He blushed at the comment but happily moved out into the hall. Giving his ass a sway, just to tease me. Wanting me to smack it I'm sure. But I held back, there were questions and he damned well provide them or so help me.
We walked passed Harrison's room, moving silently. The floorboards creaked lightly, a fact I missed when we came through earlier. The wolf didn't say a word until we were outside. A cool breeze blew through the forest. Carrying with it countless scents.
"My name is Marty, since it's only fair. I knew yours before you even got here." He turned to look back at me as we made our way down the narrow street towards the largest building in town.
"If this is a trick, you will spend the night at the Cope Police Station." I told him sternly. This wasn't something to joke about. Something felt off about this whole thing. When we first got here I was tired, and just wanted sleep. Now, I was too worked up to sleep. Nothing was adding up.
Marty pushed open the heavy wooden door. The old hinges squeaked as it moved. It was pitch black inside but the moon provided enough light at the entrance for me to see the marble floor beyond the door. "Flashlight Max, the librarian only keeps the lights on in the back."
I pulled the small maglight from my jacket and flipped it on. The switch clicking as the bulb lit up. Marty's tail was swaying, not quite wagging but he was happy. His paw reached out and found my free hand. I sighed, letting him hold it as we made our way into the dark library. The shelves reached from floor to the ceiling. At least ten feet in height.
Marty guided me down the center of the rows. They stretched on and on. Several minutes have to have passed, and we were still nowhere near another light source. Marty murred happily and moved closer. I moved away a few inches, still holding his hand.
He whimpered at my reaction, but didn't push any further. "Look, I get this place is huge but damn. Is there an end or not?" I asked sounding more annoyed than I intended. He lowered his ears and looked away.
"That's my fault, I was enjoying the walk so I drug it out a bit." He took his hand from mine and knelled down on the cold stone floor. Putting his hands palms together. Pausing for a second before he placed them on the floor. The shelves in front of us faded away revealing a solid wall and another wooden door.
I could see light pouring in from under the door. "How the hell?" I looked from the wall to Marty, who could only smile dumbly in response. I reached out and turned the knob, pushing open the door that stood in front of me.
Inside the room was a solid oak table and a mountain of books. I could hear hear humming from behind them. I cautiously moved inside, Marty right behind me. He closed the door once we were inside. Quickly taking a seat in one of the two chairs that sat before the desk.
I followed suit, sitting in the other chair. Marty said nothing, he merely waited patiently. The books parted in the middle, pushed to the side by a pair of grey furred hands. An elderly looking lion sat behind them, smiling warmly at us.
"Right on time, that is just like you though. You're here looking for a man. One who has killed, I am sorry to inform you Sir, that he no longer lives himself. You've been led here, to the proving grounds. You cant escape, you're welcome to try. I know you will take me up on that. It's all in your book."
He sat back and looked at the shelf behind him before pulling a leather bound book from it. "You're going to look at it, and then reject everything written inside. But part of this journey, this story, is me showing you. So here it is, yours to see and shove away."
He held the book out for me to take. Despite my suspicion, and lack of belief, I took it from him. Getting another smile as I slowly opened it to read inside. I nearly dropped it when I read the first line. The time, date and place of my birth. It was laid out right there. Everything the doctors and nurses said.
I flipped further into it, wanting something more than that. I read the lines on the page. Detailing how I came to have the scar on my left knee. I was learning to ride my bike with my dad. I scraped it across a trailer hitch while he was talking to the neighbor. Used glue to patch me up.
Sweat was starting to mat my fur. This wasn't possible, this went beyond just looking at my file at work. This was an event from my past that few even knew about. I placed the book on the desk, best I could with the mountain. It remained in place, getting a nod from the old lion.
"You may leave, be sure to close the door on the way out. Marty, need to remember that one. Anything could come walking in if it's open." The lion said sternly before returning to his book. Saying nothing more to us.
Marty stood and motioned for me to follow. Leading the way back out into the main hall. Once there we could easily see the front door beyond a dozen rows of books. I had forgotten about our journey through the building. This place kept getting stranger.
Marty just followed me in silence. Letting me mull things over. Once back to the car I looked at him and then at the road leading out of town. "If I cant leave, then by all means I shouldn't be able to return to that gas station down the mountain."
"A good point, you're welcome to try. I wont stop you." He said sitting on the sidewalk while I figured out my next move. Fine, I would try it and chalk everything else up to lack of sleep once I proved my point. I pulled my set of keys from my jacket pocket. Pausing for only a second before I unlocked the driver's side door.
Once I was inside I started the engine. Looking one last time at Marty before I put the car in drive. Flipping a U-turn in the road, clipping the curb as I did so. I made my way down the street, nothing happened. Not even when I passed the sign just outside Cope. Then I hit the bank of fog. Slowing further as I followed the twists and turns in the road.
I smiled when I made something out in the fog. My smile quickly faded when I rolled back out of the fog and saw what it was. The sign, the one just outside of Cope. I slammed on the brakes and looked back the way I just came. Could I have gotten turned around?
No, I followed the road, turn for turn. There was noway I got turned around. It was a straight path the whole way. I never left the road, I made sure not to with how bad the fog was. But here I was, right back where I started. It didn't make any sense at all. I thought about trying again. It seemed pointless though. Besides, we could always try again once Harrison was up.
He wouldn't believe this either. Unless this was just some sort of dream. Everything was normal until we got to the Inn. Maybe this dream started right after I went to sleep, picking up with me walking inside? I pulled the car along the curb right next to the Inn. Marty was still sitting right where I left him. He stood up and smiled at me.
"I need sleep, if this all is the same in the morning then I'll believe you." I told him as I cut the engine and climbed out. The air felt cold, I could feel it. You cant feel in dreams, can you? My sense of reality was slipping. Marty motioned for me to follow him back inside. I gave a nod and did so without a single word.
We both stripped down to our underwear. Me in my black boxers, and him in a crimson red thong. I was too tired to even comment. I just slipped under the covers with him. Letting Marty snuggle into me before I flipped the light on the end table off. Plunging the small room into darkness. My eyes closed and I surrendered to sleep.
Well there you have it, standard end of story stuff. Hope you enjoyed, please vote, comment below, if you want to see more, not just this, feel free to watch. More is definitely on the way ^_^