Chapter Five (Wendell)

Story by houndlover56 on SoFurry

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#5 of First Steps 2: Happy Trails


Angie shuts the door. "We need to talk." she says.

"What did I do this time?" I ask, "Look, I'm sorry I scared you, I was just-"

"I know why you scared me."

"You do?" I cock my head to the side waiting for her answer. She grabs my wrist and we sit down on Janelle's bed.

"Todd told me you look at me like your sister." she says. I blush. I never really had a conversation that started like this before with Angie. "Is it true?"

"Yeah." It's the truth, "I mean, I don't have any siblings and we were very close as kids. So, it was like you were the sister I never had."

"Oh." She pins her ears down. "The problem is, I never thought of you as a brother. When I signed up for the Big Brother Big Sister program and met Dexter, I had no idea you thought of me like that."

"I admit I was a little upset when Dexter told me that when we were coming here. Plus, you never told me about it." I say, "Plus, Bruno was asking me to date you. I wasn't exactly happy about that. I guess it was because I was being the protective brother I've always wanted to be."

"Oh. Well, in that case," Angie hugs me, "I'm sorry I ever signed up for that stupid program. Had I known you thought of me that way, I never would've done it."

"Well, then again, had you not done it, Dexter probably wouldn't have given us the ride to California."

"So, in a way, if I had seen you as a brother before, you probably wouldn't be living here right now."

"Yep. There's one way to put it." I rub her back. This is truly one of the saddest moments between me and Angie. But, I'm hoping that it just strengthens our relationship. "By the way, what is going on between you and Bruno?" I can't help but ask.

"We're going out." she says without hesitation.

"Oh no." I roll my eyes. "What'd he do to you?"

"Nothing!" she shouts, "But, we did make out a little."

"Oh. That's it?" I feel a bit relieved.

"And cuddled. He even wrapped me up in his shirt. He's so romantic."

"Whatever." I say.

"C'mon Wendell. Like you and Todd haven't done the same thing before."

"True."

"Exactly. And besides, he's very nice and cute. He even said we'd go on a date tomorrow."

"So, you really like him, don't you?"

"Yes. I do." We go a moment before she speaks again, "So... are we good?"

"Of course, Ange. You're one of my good friends." We hug again.

"Ok." We get up and walk out of the room. Todd sits at the kitchen counter with Janelle. I sneak up behind Todd, reach around and put my paws over his eyes.

"Guess who?" I say.

"Umm... let me guess. Is it... the cutest wolf ever who happens to be my finacé?" he says.

"You guessed right." I turn him around and kiss him. "You ready for tomorrow?"

"No. I'm scared as hell."

"Relax. I'm going to be with you. You have nothing to be afraid of."

"That line has been used so many times in movies and whenever it's said, something bad happens."

"Well, nothing bad's gonna happen tomorrow. I promise."

***

"Come right on in." The therapist opens the door and motions for me and Todd to come in. I've honestly never been to one of these before so I don't know what to expect. This guy is a very chubby wolf.

"Hey, you almost look like Wendell." Todd says.

"I'm sure he would." I say, "If he lost 400 pounds." I turn to the other wolf. "No offense."

"It's fine. I get comments on my weight all the time. I've accepted it as a thing just... happens." he says. He holds out a paw to Todd. "I'm Mr. Danson." Hold on, I know that name.

"Wait. Danson?" I ask. He nods. "I remember you! You were a friend of my dad's. Weren't you a therapist in Knoxville?"

"I was. Until a was transferred here not long ago, shortly after my last case in that town."

"What happened?" Todd asked.

"A fox got emotionally distraught after his boyfriend died in a car crash. He even tried to commit suicide."

"Oh shit! That's awful!" I say.

"Well, he's fine now. I'm sure he is." Danson says. "So, Todd, what's happening with you? Wendell's been saying you've been having these... memory flashes of this bad event." Todd takes a seat on the couch and I sit in a chair in the corner. I do not want to get involved.

"Yes," Todd says.

"What happened?"

"Well, back in Knoxville, there was this cat gang that would tease me and Wendell because of our homosexuality."

"Technically bisexuality." I point out and point at myself.

"Anyways," Todd continues, "They would threaten us, they tried to beat us up. One day we even went to this party in Friendsville and they found us. They tied me up in the woods. But I managed to escape and me and Wendell got out of there. When we moved here, I thought it was over. I thought it was done, but Allan managed to find us and he tried to kill me. Thankfully Angie got him first. He was only seconds away from ending my life." He starts to tear up. "Allan and Ray are both dead. Steele is still out there. What if he tries to come after me?"

It's very sad to see him like this. This kid has been through so much. So have I, but, right now, I just want Todd to be happy and safe.

"He won't." I pipe up again. "Because if he does, I'm gonna hell on him so hard that even Satan would cry for his mommy."

Danson glares at me. "Not helping." He turns back to Todd. "Listen, Todd, I know that you're going through some rough times. And I know that you've witnessed some stuff that apparently has scarred you. But, I think there's a way to stop your flashes."

"What?" Todd asks.

"Try doing something different. Like, something that would make you happy that you don't ordinarily do. And, whatever you do, take Wendell with you. Since it's obvious that he makes you happy."

"That's true. We're getting married soon."

"Really? At such a young age?"

"Yes."

"So, wait, what're you saying, doc? What do you mean by 'something different'?" I ask.

"I mean do something that involves a change of scenery or a change in activity. Also, it would be best to have some of his close friends with him too." Danson says.

"You think it would work?"

"It's worth a try. If it doesn't, come and see me again."

"What about you, Todd? What do you think?" I ask.

"I'm willing to give anything a try. But, there's no guarantees. After all, I can't control whatever crazy thought that pops up in my mind." Todd says.

After another while, the session is over. As we leave, I turn my attention to Todd. "So, a change in scenery? How do you think we could do that?"

"Not sure." Todd says.

"We'll think of something." I hold his paw as we walk down the street. That's when I notice someone running towards us. Hold on! Grey fur. Feline tail. Black clothes. Shit! Steele!

"Todd." I say.

"Yeah?"

"I don't Steele's in North Carolina."

"Why do you think that?"

"He's right there running towards us." He looks in front of us.

"Oh shit!" He runs behind me, nervous as hell. I don't blame him. When Steele is within ten feet, I'm already prepared. I take out my pocketknife (I bought a few after the Allan incident) and it's already open. When he's right in front of me, he puts his paws on his knees, breathing heavily. Probably from running too fast.

"You have about three second to explain what you want, bitch!" I say, raising my knife.

"Listen..." Steele continues panting, "I'm not... the bad guy... right now... You guys... are in... danger." Todd comes out from behind me and we glance at each other, before returning our attention back to Steele.

"What do you mean, danger?" I ask, lowering my knife a bit.

"I mean... you two... are not... safe... At least... not yet." He still can't catch his breath.

"What's wrong?" Todd asks.

"Look," Steele coughs a bit, but manages to regain his breath, "I came to warn you two."

"About what?"

"Allan."

"Allan is dead." I point out.

"That doesn't mean his legacy is."

"What do you mean. Tell us or I'll put ya in the hospital."

"Listen, Allan has a younger brother, Rodger. After Allan blackmailed me into buying him a plane ticket to L.A., and after he died, Rodger blamed me for his death. That's why I went to North Carolina. To hide from Rodger. Whatever rumor you've heard, it's all lies. The cops were never after me."

"Wait. So, why are we in danger?" I ask.

"Because, he's after you two as well. After Allan died, you wouldn't believe how long it took me to get a fake I.D. to come here to warn you guys."

"Why would you want to help us? You hate us."

"I do. But, I never liked Rodger. And if helping you guys means I get to take him down before he can get to any of us, then I have no choice."

"Alright." I say, "I don't trust you, yet. But, what do we do?"

"Go home for now. Rodger doesn't know I'm here, but he knows you two are. You probably might want to skip town for a couple of days just in case."

"How do we know this isn't a trick?" Todd asks. Good point.

"Because... it isn't!" Steele shouts, "If Rodger gets a plane here, then you'll only have about a day to get out. Look," he looks over his shoulder, "I've gotta go." He then runs off in the opposite direction of the apartment.

"Can we trust him?" Todd asks.

"Maybe. But not now." I say.

***

"We're home!" I yell, closing the door.

"Were in here!" Angie yells from the living room. I walk in there. Angie and Bruno are cuddled up on the couch watching a movie.

"What're you watching?" I ask.

"Project Almanac." Bruno says.

"Didn't we see that already?"

"We did. But Angie didn't. Plus I want her so see what it's about." I find myself sitting on the arm of the couch watching it with them. Todd comes in a second later sitting on the other arm. Apparently they're at the part where they travel back to Lollapalooza and have an awesome time of their lives.

"I've never seen this before," Todd says, "It's the one about time travel, right?"

"Yep." I say.

"So, what they say?" Angie asks, "About Todd?"

"They said he needed a change of environment or change in activity." I explain, "I don't know how it would work, but Todd said he was willing to try."

"Wait. I think I know how we can do that."

"How?" Todd asks.

"Janelle and her family used to go to this campsite for about a week. You know, before she moved out. Camp Roadrock." Angie explains.

"Gee, Ange, I don't know." Todd scratches the back of his head.

"Todd, you said you'd be willing to try anything." I point out.

"Oh. I did say that, didn't I?"

"Yep. Besides, Mr. Danson said that you should be bringing some of your closest friends with you. So, it's not like you're going to be alone."

"Yeah. I'm going too." Angie says.

"Me too," Bruno says, "If she's going, I am." I roll my eyes. After a while of watching, me and Todd go into our room and we sit down on the bed.

"Wendell, what's going to happen?" he asks.

"Not sure. But, I think that if Steele's right, we need to leave."

"Roadrock. We can go there for a week, like Angie said."

"I guess that would work. But, I don't want Angie or Bruno involved in this."

"Angie knows how to fire a gun. Remember? I'm sure she can show us there."

"I don't know, Todd."

"Wendell, the only weapon you use is a knife. Sure, you're good at throwing them, but have you ever shot a gun before?"

"No. Not really."

"Then we'll do just that there." Todd lays down.

"Fine." I give in, "But when there's a sign of danger, leave the scheming to me."

"I usually do." he says.