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The Life of Another - Chapter 28

© Jake Atkinson

P.O.V. - Roger - beside the stream

For the first time, I hesitated at the stream's edge before jumping in. F#ck, if this turns out to be a prank, the police won't be after me for making a fake call; it'll be murder!

My paws hit the bitterly cold water and moments later I was up to my waist again. Aberrant fear raced through me anew but my flaring aura brought Steven's dark form into view, helping me overcome it. Finally reaching his side, I collapsed into a shuddering, gasping heap.

"Steven!" I said as I clutched his good shoulder. "Steven! I'm back!"

His tightly shut eyes sprang open with raw terror. "Oh god! ... Roger! ... I'm gonna die! ... I'm so sorry!"

The poor Wolf was sobbing between shallow, rapid breaths and the sucking, gurgling sound coming from his chest was noticeably worse than when I left him.

Despite that, I tried to be encouraging. "They're on the way! Ambulance, helicopter, the works! You're going to be fine."

"Can't breathe! ... Roger, I'm sorry! ... it was just ... supposed to be a joke ... your father ... Oh god, I'm sorry!"

My father? Crap he must be losing it. I crawled over to his good side, lying against him in an effort to warm him up. "Don't worry, I'm not coming on to you!" I said in an attempt to keep things light. "Just trying to get you warm."

He offered no objection but winced as I bumped his arm, causing his hand to move against his chest wound. "Uhhnn! F#ck!"

Steven panted hard, trying to catch his breath, then spoke again. "Jerry wanted ... to play a joke on his dad ... wanted me to teleport ... in front of their car ... just for a second."

The implications of what he said had my mind racing ahead of his stunted words. His talent is teleportation?! He must haveteleported himself out here but screwed up the altitude or something.

I could tell it was hard for him to get enough air to speak and decided his wellbeing took precedence over my curiosity. "You're going to be fine. Don't try to talk. You can tell me later when you're in a warm hospital bed."

He shook his head slowly from side to side, whimpering constantly. "Jerry signalled when to go ... with a text ... but I appeared ... in front of delivery truck ... it flipped ... your taxi swerved."

Steven's been hiding this the whole time?! I guess I can't blame him for not coming forward, he must have been scared out of his mind. Wait, so that's why he got so worked up when I feigned that mind reading trick. He was terrified that I'd discover his secret!

Just then, the sound of a helicopter came to my ears. "Here comes the helicopter! You're going to be fine. Whatever happened, I know you didn't mean it. Stop talking and just breathe!"

The pounding rotor thundered closer, a spotlight scanning the ravine below. Hurriedly, I pulled off my jacket and shirt to uncover as much glowing pelt as possible. At first I thought the sodden fabric had been doing nothing to protect me from the cold but when the freezing night air hit my wet fur it stung to the bone. The effect was only amplified as the searchlight locked onto us and the downdraft from the helicopter rolled over our position.

"Here they are!" I yelled into his ear.

Steven's breathing picked up and he tried to say something but I couldn't hear his weak voice over the roaring blades.

"I can't hear you! Stop trying to talk!"

The Wolf had other ideas though and strained against his injuries to bring his muzzle close to my ear. "Wanted to tell ... but Jerry's gone ... I tried ... tried to save everyone ... I'm so sorry!"

Tears streamed from his eyes but now that the confession was out he seemed suddenly at peace, settling into rapid but more regular breaths.

"It's going to be ok Steven! I won't tell anyone! It's in the past! Now hold on!"

The incessant arctic blast from the helicopter overwhelmed us both and we fell silent for several minutes until I felt water splashing at my legs. I opened my eyes only to be blinded by the intense beam of a flashlight.

"Kid, is that you?!" said a familiar voice.

I held a hand over my eyes and simply nodded, unsure if I could project my voice over the din.

In response, Jack knelt on Steven's other side and yelled into his walkie-talkie. "We've got 'em. Now get that helicopter out of here before the downdraft kills them!" He let go of the call switch and addressed us both, his powerful tone able to overcome the noise. "What's the situation?!"

Unable to make myself heard, I simply pointed to Steven's chest and mimicked a stabbing motion.

Jack pulled Steven's hand aside. "Damn kid! That's nothing! Back in the war we'd call that a sliver!" Nonetheless he called over his shoulder. "Reggie, quit stalling and get over here with that kit!"

Meanwhile, word must have finally gotten to the pilot and the helicopter veered off, rising and sliding East over a hundred meters before coming to rest again, its light still upon us.

"Reggie!" called the Wolverine testily. "Get that stubby tail of yours over here! The water's not even waist deep on you! You're a god-damn Polar Bear for f#ck's sake!"

I heard a loud splash followed by a "Holy sh#t that's cold!" and the aforementioned Polar Bear finally appeared.

As Reggie pulled up on our side of the stream, Jack switched his flashlight into lantern mode and hung it from a nearby branch. It was then that I noticed he was wearing only a T-shirt and jeans and yet seemed totally unfazed by the state of his wet fur against the cold air.

With the noise level now greatly diminished, thanks to the helicopter's partial retreat, I was able to address them both. "He fell on the rocks in the middle of the stream. Not sure from how high. Mind his right arm and leg, landed on that side I think."

Reggie grabbed my hand and pulled me away. "If you're not hurt, take this mylar blanket and slide over a bit so we can work."

I nodded and accepted the plastic baggie that he pushed at me but my numb, shaking fingers couldn't get it open until I finally had the brilliant idea to use my claws. Once unfurled, however, I grew highly suspect as to it's warming abilities. The thin, crackly material appeared to be about as cozy as a sheet of aluminum foil. Nonetheless, I wrapped it over myself like a cape and watched Jack and the banana-yellow Polar Bear set to their task.

Jack started asking Steven questions and examined his injuries in greater detail as Reggie opened his first-aid kit, unpacking everything from bandages to splints.

Knowing I was in no immediate danger, and that Steven was in good hands, I decided it was an opportune time to slip quietly away.

By now my limbs felt heavy and slow but I still managed to sneak upstream several meters. To my frustration though, I found myself lost in near total darkness, my eyes still dazzled from the lights behind me. F#ck, and I still have to cross the water to get back! With a sigh, I chided myself. It's not getting any warmer or brighter any time soon, might as well get it over with.

I stepped aimlessly forward and was greeted by the shockingly cold water one last time. To aid my crossing, I opened the blanket and used my aura to see but my lethargic, trembling legs were so weak that the trek turned out to be the longest one yet. To top it off, I faltered midstream and lost the mylar sheet as I flailed to catch myself. Sh#t! Stupid thing was worthless anyway!

Although I could hear Reggie calling after me, I pretended not to notice and clambered up the muddy bank, finally reaching the familiar trail. Without the blanket to impede the light from my fur, I could now see well enough to continue safely and carefully picked my way along the path. Halfway up, I saw approaching flashlights but with nowhere to hide I simply moved forward and tried to take charge before they could attempt to detain me.

A Red Fox carrying two cases of emergency gear was closely followed by a Badger and a Wolf carrying a backboard with even more gear piled on top of it. I raised my voice. "Keep following the trail. He's on the far side of the stream but you can't miss him."

I never broke stride and forced my way passed them despite their objections, taking advantage of the fact that their hands were full. "I'm just wet but he's got a punctured lung. Nothing to see here, move along."

Whether it was because they weren't used to seeing half-naked, flashing Wolves or that they were shocked by my sodden, bloody, mud covered body, I didn't know. But they lingered longer than I would have liked and I gave the nearby Wolf's shoulder a shove. "Get going! I'm fine!"

The Badger finally took charge, shouting "There's an ambulance in the parking lot by the dorm. Stop there and someone will check you out."

Dismissing them with a wave, and a sharply pointed finger at the stream below, I continued up the trail, catching a few mumbled words on the wind. "Damn, this school is full of nothing but a bunch of freaks! First that deformed kid back at the ambulance and now a walking disco light! What next?"

#sshole!_I thought to myself. I_hope that Wolf treats Steven alright. Probably shouldn't worry, Jack will watch out for him.

I started down the slope and the parking lot for Dorm 3 came into view in the distance. F#ck, half the student body must be out there! Don't they have anything better to do?!

My social anxiety caused my aura to brighten substantially and I knew it was only a matter of time before it caught someone's attention. Still, I was hardly in the frame of mind to add a ripping headache to my list of complaints and refrained from squelching it with my new trick. Sure enough, I barely got ten steps further before I saw someone break off from the crowd and come running towards me, using their phone as a flashlight. Seconds later more people tore away, chasing after the first person.

Ack, here comes the paparazzi! Depending on who it is, this could be a disaster! If someone takes a picture of me now and posts it, imagine the rumors that'll start!

I tried to make a run for the back of the building but my near frozen limbs told me to go f#ck myself and flat-out refused to move any faster.

P.O.V. - Nick - Dorm 3 parking lot - 7:15 pm

The paramedics disappeared over the far side of the hilltop but I couldn't pull my gaze away until I felt Chris' hand on my shoulder.

The Snow Leopard's voice was soft with concern. "He's going to be alright. Come on, you saw how fast he bounced back from that car accident. It could be awhile and your shaking; why don't you come up to my room where it's warm? You can see everything from the window and come running back out the moment they're here."

He tugged me gently towards the dorm entrance but I resisted. I wasn't sure if I was shaking from the cold or my emotions, but there was no way I was leaving. "I would have gone with the paramedics if they had allowed it. I can't go inside now; I just can't! Chris, what could have happened? We were talking barely an hour ago and had plans to meet at six-thirty for supper."

Jim cleared his throat from his position behind David, but avoided eye contact with me as he spoke. "Uh, when I was downstairs with the computer there was a lot of talk about what happened between him and Steven. Apparently Steven was really upset, like irrational psycho upset. Kept ranting about how Roger better stay out of his head and how people have a right to the privacy of their own thoughts... stuff like that."

Kriana, the dorm rep. from our building, added her take. "He's that black Wolf with the green tint to his fur, right? I saw him earlier... must have been around six-thirty, going towards your room Jim. The way his tail was curled and his ears were back, he seemed really nervous. He knocked on your door and stood there fidgeting for awhile and, after knocking a second time, closed his eyes and sorta gathered himself up. Then he was just gone."

Jim responded, keeping his gaze steadfastly fixed on the Otter, still trying to avoid eye contact with me. "That kind of makes sense Kriana. I've heard his talent has something to do with teleportation. Thing is, the room was empty by then. Nick told me Roger went to the admin building and I was downstairs. Sh#t! I better go check the room and see what he was up to! Guys, call me if Roger gets here before I get back, ok?"

The poor Fox was so pained and conflicted that I ached to say something that might ease his inner turmoil but couldn't come up with the words.

The Fox turned to leave but David put his hand on his arm to stop him. "Here. Take my phone. We can use Nick's to call you."

Jim accepted it with a sense of trepidation, his ears folding. "Oh, right. I forgot that Roger... uh, thanks." His gaze distant, he stepped away, an invisible weight on his shoulders.

Chris leaned over to whisper in my ear. "What's up with him? I mean, we're all worried about Roger but..."

I looked back to the hillside but the bright lights of the parking lot made it difficult to see much beyond their influence. "It's complicated." I said, turning to face Chris.

"Hey!" said the Snow Leopard as he pointed. "Does that flickering blue-white light coming down the hill remind you guys of anyone?!"

Heart pounding, I turned back towards the hillside and shaded my eyes with my hands to block out the street lights. "Where? Oh wait, I think I see it too! But I don't see any flashlights from the paramedics or anything. Do you guys?"

"No." said David. "And the helicopter is still there, shining it's spotlight down into the ravine."

Kriana was shielding her eyes and peering at the hillside from her spot next to Chris. "The way the light is moving, I think he's walking. Nick, didn't you say the paramedics told you he... hey, wait!"

Unable to stand still any longer, I ran towards the bobbing light in the distance. By the time I reached the edge of the parking lot, I had my phone out and flipped on it's back-mounted L.E.D. to light my way. It's meager glow kept me from bashing into the occasional barren tree but I had to slow down as I journeyed further into the darkness.

Finally, I got close enough to start making out details. It was Roger alright but had it not been for his aura I wouldn't have been sure. The pathetic, water-logged creature was sopping wet, covered in mud and inexplicably shirtless; but it was definitely my Wolf and he was up and walking.

"Roger!" I called out, still a few meters away. "Are you okay?!"

He was anxious at first but as soon as he heard my voice I felt a wave of relief and affection that had me in tears even before I threw my arms around him.

"Woah, careful!" he said through chattering teeth. "You'll get all muddy."

"I don't care!" I said, hugging him tightly. "Oh my god! Your fur is frozen stiff! What happened?! No, that can wait. We have to get you inside!"

Roger returned the hug, resting his muzzle atop my head. "It sure is good to see you. Sorry I'm a little late. I guess I should wash up before the party huh?"

"Here!" I said, reluctantly breaking away and peeling off my coat. "Put this on!"

Although he resisted, mumbling about ruining my jacket, I easily overcame his protestations and got him covered just as Chris caught up to us.

"Roger!" He said, shining his phone's light at us. "We thought you were at death's door! What happened? Where are the paramedics?"

Before Roger could answer, I put an arm around his back and ushered him down the hill. "Chris, he's freezing! Help me get him into your building. It's the closest warm place."

Roger followed my lead physically but argued as we walked. "The whole student body is down there! I can't deal with all that right now. Let's go around back and down to our dorm."

"Don't worry about them!" I said. "Our dorm is too far away; you can barely walk!"

David and Kriana came to a panting halt beside us and I could sense Roger growing more anxious. It wasn't until I looked down towards the parking lot that I saw why, the entire crowd was beginning to flow our direction. However, Chris suddenly had an idea.

"Go around back to the emergency doors and I'll go the other way and let you in. If we hurry, we can get you into my room. No one will come looking for you there."

Not waiting to discuss it, he took off for the main entrance and I was left to fill in Kriana and David. "I don't know what's going on but let's get him inside, quick."

The Bear came up on Roger's other side and took ahold of his wrist to put the Wolf's arm over his shoulders but Roger involuntarily hissed and pulled it back, curling his tail apologetically a moment later. "Sorry, got a bit of a scratch there. I can walk on my own guys. Really, I'm just cold and wet. As soon as I thaw out, I'll be fine."

David looked ready to scoop up Roger and carry him but the Wolf's narrowed gaze made it clear what he thought about the idea. His pride slowed our progress but we finally reached the doors and only had to wait a few moments before one burst open.

Kriana held it and we barged through while Chris led the way, saying "Someone's always disconnecting the alarm on those so they can sneak in and out, off camera. Being the dorm rep., I was always having to call in the repair request and after like the tenth time I finally gave up. Hey, you know where the room is, right Nick? I'll run ahead and make sure my roommates aren't in the way."

Roger paused in the hall and at first I thought he was about to collapse. Instead I realized he was trying to kick off his wet, muddy shoes to avoid tracking dirt inside. He rubbed the toe of one shoe slowly and deliberately against the heel of the other, attempting to dislodge it, but his actions appeared numb and clumsy.

"Stop that!" I said, tugging him along. "We'll clean it up later!"

I had a thought and looked to the Bear. "David, would you please run back to our room and get Roger a clean set of clothes, and bring a towel too. Oh, and tell Jim what's going on. I forgot all about calling him. Here's my phone, just call Chris if you need anything."

"Ok." he said as he accepted my phone. "And I'll bring your stuff too. You could use a change yourself."

I looked down at my mud smeared clothing and said "Oh yeah, thanks David." and rounded the stairs with Roger and Kriana just as we heard voices coming our way.

The Otter felt rather thrilled, despite her concern for Roger, and excitedly offered a distraction. "Keep going. I'll pretend to be coming down the stairs and stall them."

"Thanks Kriana." said Roger. "I'll fill you in when things die down."

...

A couple minutes later we were finally in Chris' bathroom with Roger sitting in the tub, shoes and all. "No, not hot." He said. "Just tepid. Until my circulation gets going, anything warmer could cause problems."

Seeing him hunched over and still shivering, it was tempting to run the water hot but I nodded and adjusted the bathtub faucet until the water ran only lukewarm.

"Ok, it's all set." I said. "Here, let's get your shoes off."

Before he had a chance to object, I grabbed a nearby paw and pried off it's shoe, following up with the other one moments later.

By this time, the water was beginning to pool up in the bottom of the tub and Roger shuffled back from it, wincing and sucking air through his clenched teeth in a hiss. "Kinda tingles and burns... you sure it's set low?"

My ears splayed. "It's barely over room temperature. You know, I still think we should call Dr. Tamner and get you over to the medical department. It's not like you'd be putting her out. A lot of the staff members, her included, live in subsidized housing here on the campus and part of the deal is that they have to be on call for emergencies. In fact, I'm surprised she wasn't by the ambulance or with the paramedics."

Roger shook his head. "Well that explains a few things. But I'll be fine once I thaw out. Worst case scenario, I'll need a few stitches but I can't tell for sure until I get my arm washed off. Do you have any crazy glue?"

I raised my voice. "You are NOT gluing any wounds shut! Let me see your arm."

Reluctantly, he held his forearm towards me, saying "I know what it looks like, but Steven didn't mean to do that. If anything, it was my dumb mistake."

I gently splashed some water over his wrist, washing away mud and dried blood until the oozing gashes came into clear view. "Roger, these are bad! I'm getting Chris' phone and calling the doctor right now."

Roger lunged to his paws, spiralling his arms to keep his balance on the slippery surface. "Wait!" He said, putting a wet hand on my shoulder. "They're not that bad. Look, let me get cleaned up and then I'll go straight over, I promise."

I paused, chewing my lip. "Roger..."

"No puppy eyes! That's not playing fair. Let's compromise. You can call her now but tell her I need to finish washing up so I'll be there in a half hour, ok? I'll be warm and clean by then and, with a little luck, maybe I'll be all stitched up and done in time for the tail end of that Fallout 4 party."

Without waiting for my reply, he pulled the lever to activate the shower and dragged the curtain shut to prevent water from spraying all over the bathroom.

Though he was now out of view, the image of my Wolf standing shirtless in the shower danced distractingly in my mind's eye as I stepped back into Chris' room. Before I could ask him for his phone though, David and Kriana bustled quickly inside, shutting the exterior door behind them.

They both had piles of clothes and towels in their arms but Kriana spoke first. "That wasn't easy! It's a witch hunt out there! Hey, has he said anything yet? The paramedics still haven't returned but I saw Dr. Tamner run by."

I shook my head. "Not really, other than a passing reference to Steven."

Before we could talk more, a knock soundly sharply at the door, causing both David and Kriana to jump. Chris raised his voice, "Just a second!" and then whispered. "They've already been by once while you were in the bathroom. Just take the clothes and stuff and get back in there. If they see you all muddied up there'll be questions."

"Ok but..." was all I managed before I got pushed back in with Roger, the clothes and towels flying in right after me to land in a jumbled heap on the floor.

The sound of the running shower drowned out any chance of my overhearing what was happening back in the other room but left me with the impression that it would also mask any soft conversation between Roger and I. With that in mind, I closed my eyes and pulled back the curtain, sticking my head in. "Hey, still got your pants on?"

In response, a cold tongue licked my nose. "Unfortunately, yes. I think it's time to take them off but it's hard when they're all wet. Give me a hand."

I snapped my eyes open with a start. "This isn't the time for stuff like that!"

Roger grinned. "In case you haven't glanced in the mirror, you need a shower too. Looks like someone got mud all over that handsome, soft fur of yours."

I swallowed tightly, suddenly aware of Roger's rippling aura. How can he be thinking of that at a time like this?! Then again, look atthe water running down his toned chest... and those abs! Startled by my own thoughts, I hastily pulled my head back and slid the curtain into place.

The Wolf's voice echoed off the tile. "Oh relax Prudence. You've already seen me naked." A moment passed and I heard the zip of his jeans being undone. "My ears have gone from numb to tingly so I think they're going to be ok. Now get in here and help make my other parts tingly."

My heart fluttered, giddy at just the thought of joining him. I was paralyzed with indecision and stood motionless, wrestling with my conscience until his pants landed on the floor next to me with a wet slap.

"Ok." I heard myself say. "Um, just give me a minute."

My hands almost shook with nervous anticipation as I double checked the locks on the doors and began to disrobe. Oh my god! I'm really doing this! What happens if I get too excited, like last time when we were in my bed?! Oh god, that was so embarrassing!

Another wet slap sounded as Roger's boxers hit the floor beside his pants.

I fought off my last sock and stood facing the curtain, hesitating until Roger called me through. "Come on Coyote boy. I'm still dirty and there's no back scrubber in here. Help a Wolf out."

Stepping around the curtain and into the tub, I quickly found the water to be far from hot. "Yow! You sure you don't want it warmer yet?"

"Nothing is numb anymore, just tingly. Go ahead and bring it up a few degrees."

Still embarrassed, I was relieved to have the excuse to turn away and fidget with the shower's faucet handle. Maybe I should leave it on the cool side, then I won't be so prone to getting a...

My thought was interrupted as Roger put his arms around me and pulled me into a firm hug, his chest so close against my back I could feel his heart beating. "You're blocking all the water. I've got to do something to keep warm back here."

The shower adjusted hotter, I turned and shuffle-stepped from within his grasp and we ended up muzzle to muzzle with the water hitting us both on the side.

Roger flashed a tired yet predatory grin and lowered his hold to just above the base of my tail, squeezing me so tightly that his swelling sheath pressed against the top of mine.

My empathic senses roared with Roger's arousal, driving my own passions to the point that I was suddenly breathless, panting and squirming. "Roger, stop! You know what this kind of stuff does to me!"

Regrettably he let go, but only to plant a hand against the tile wall on either side of me, trapping me in front of him. "How do you expect to level up if you never play the game?"

I looked away and down, too embarrassed to look him in the eye. "I know, just..."

He cut me off. "Just one kiss; and then I'll stop molesting you. Worst case scenario, you make a mess. We're already in the shower and by the time we clean up all this mud there won't be a hint of scent left behind. Just... one... kiss."

Roger inched his muzzle closer to mine with each word until our noses touched and his tongue brush my lips. A heartbeat later, our mouths were locked together and Roger had me pressed between the cold tile and his warm chest until I thought my overwrought senses couldn't take it for another second. But, true to his word, he withdrew. "There, see? Everyone's fine. Oh and I lied about the back-brush. But since you're here, would you mind?"