I do not own anything in this story except my OCs and the basic plot line. Everything else belongs to DreamWorks. I do not. I am not that awesome. Not even close.

Author's note: Thanks for the read and I hope you like it. R&R if you enjoy, and don't be afraid to leave ideas or suggestions! I'll probably consider 'em, but just plain old average reviews are cool too. Rock on! ~NMR

A Promise is a Promise, Except When it's Not (Chapter 4)

Jade

"So let's get this straight. You want me to help you and your family get through the city and to Natural Forest campground? To spend an entire week of my time as your glorified tour guide and bodyguard? Really?"

Glancing at the faded red brick, I tried to keep my composure and my temper in check. I'd expected her to ask for food, or maybe a place to crash for the night. That I would have done, I'd been in her place before, and it was unwritten code that we helped each other out. Still, even I had limits.

I waited for her response. Maybe I was being a bit too harsh, but that was nothing new. Besides, that was a pretty freakin' huge thing to ask a random stranger, no?

She shifted a bit, but held her ground. Impressive.

"Yeah. Yeah, that's what I asked."

I considered it for a moment, knowing full well I couldn't do it. Not only was it a huge risk, it would completely mess up my revenge plan. I'd worked for three years to get where I was. That was dedication, especially with today's attention spans being what they were. Yet there was a bit of hesitation, something telling me I was wrong. You'd probably call it a conscience. I called it stupidity. Not to mention the companion of the girl who'd made the request. Cat Food-1.00. I grinned. Maybe revenge didn't have to wait after all.

"And let's say I agree. What exactly is in it for me? You can't expect me to do something like that without any reward!"

I was pushing, and I knew it. Shameful really, that I was trying so hard to get a reaction. Of course, it worked. I'd gotten better in those three years, much better. Street smarts weren't something you could learn quickly, but they sure did come in handy.

The possum looked from me to the raccoon, hoping for backup. She got it. He turned to me, the last of the evening light playing off his features. All too familiar against those old walls. I'd been here before, but I hadn't been glaring that time. At least I learned.

"Oh come on, there's lots in it for you! I mean, look at you. You don't look happy here, and it's obvious that you could use a vacation. You always wanted to be a hero, well, now's your chance! Plus you'll get to boss everyone around, and don't tell me you don't enjoy that."

I snapped back to reality. That was too far. My grip instinctively tightened on my knife, even though I'd never use it, not that I didn't want to. Possum girl had given me a sympathetic look, and I couldn't imagine how she'd tolerated that idiot for so long. I sighed, trying to clear my mind of venom and curse words. Now was not the time, it was getting late. I really needed to get out of here before they found me. Just like last time. No.

Unfortunately the raccoon was far from finished with his (un)convincing speech. I should be getting paid for this. He was a walking advertisement for migraine pills, if nothing else.

He grinned at me, bright eyes sparkling mischievously. Cheap trick, but you can't say it didn't work. Stupid girls fell for it every time, not that I'd know from experience.

"Besides, Jaded Lady, if you're anything like you were before, this is enough of a reward." Another one of those looks. He hadn't changed, that was obvious. Three years, it wasn't that long, was it? Oh how hate could grow. I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to stop myself from flying into a rage fit. They rarely did anything, as I'd learned in the last few years. It wasn't helping much.

The last straw had just snapped. I had a sudden urge to punch the nearby trash bin, but I knew that would only hurt. Of course. Where was a punching bag when you needed one? Words would have to do for now, but I'd already made my plan.

"Well, Ridiculous Jerk, I suggest you shut up."

I glared at him before turning my attention to the possum, who I was pretty sure was named Heather.

"And Heather, I'd be happy to help your family."

She looked surprised, but upbeat. I had to respect her. Unlike her obnoxious friend, she had dignity.

"Really?"

I smiled, and as much as I hated to admit it, I was a tiny bit excited. Freakin' curiosity! I wasn't even a cat, but it was going to kill me. Adventures only ended badly, I told myself. I had the scars to prove it. Why did I even care? I didn't owe anyone anything, and I'd been careful to keep it that way. Yet here I was, becoming one of those dime-a-dozen charity cases. Life's funny that way, huh?

"Yep, I promise. Now let's go find 'em before the local nightlife does."

She grabbed my hand and pulled me forward so fast I nearly dropped my weapon. I almost tripped over a crack in the pavement, but managed to avoid a faceplant.

"Hurry!"

I guess she'd taken my nightlife comment to heart.

I took a quick look over my shoulder. The alleyway had turned black, but the coast was clear. Nothing but a rusted garbage bin and a broken flowerpot. We were lucky, I guess. I tried to remind myself of that as I attempted to keep up with Heather, who was surprisingly fast.

"Calm down! They're safe, I was exaggerating!"

She slowed her frantic pace, but we were still moving briskly. I really couldn't blame her. The alleys were creepy in the day, but all those looming shadows and empty buildings turned horror movie by night. And this was coming from someone who'd lived there for over five years. Maybe I did need a vacation. Ugh! He was affecting me. I had to shake it off.

At last we made it out of the darkened crevice. A streetlight flickered, illuminating the dirty street corner. Only a few cars were on the road now, bright red trails of light giving away their location in the hazy dusk. No dogs. So far we were safe, or at least not in imminent danger. Safety was relative around these parts.

"Guys? Dad?"

Heather looked around, panic sinking in. No answer.

"We're over here," a voice said. It was coming from under a dead shrub. They crawled out, causing the skeleton-like branches to move. From the looks of it, Heather had a big family. Like, really big.

"I found someone you need to meet! I think we-"

She was cut off by one of her supposed family members. They looked more like a cheap petting zoo, to be honest. Another possum, a turtle, a skunk, porcupines, a squirrel and... Grumpy Cat's fat cousin?

"Drop the blade, thief!" Grumpy Cat's cousin was actually grumpy. Hmm.

I was about to tell him that I had no desire to steal his cat treats, but I never got the chance. The skunk was giving me a death glare, and I had no idea why.

"All right, you're asking for it!" She turned around. My eyes widened. Was she gonna...

"Stella don't! She's not a thief! She's my friend." Stella considered the raccoon for a second.

"I am not your friend!" I exclaimed.

He slapped his hand over his face in frustration. "Just go with it!"

I took his advice, and not because I agreed with him. Getting skunked was the last thing I needed, and pretty much the last thing I wanted as well. Talk about gross!

Stella moved away, but she still eyed me suspiciously. Paranoid much?

Heather was obviously ashamed by the whole outburst, but she didn't let it bring her down for long.

"Listen guys! This is Jade, and really, she's not a thief! She lives here, and she agreed to help us get to the campground."

I felt everyone staring at me. Great. If there's one thing living in a literal war zone had taught me, it was that any attention was bad attention.

"Cool! She has a knife!"

It was one of the seemingly identical porcupine kids, and the others appeared to be equally excited. They certainly weren't locals, a pocketknife was nothing here. Great, oblivious tourists. That was even better. Not.

"That's great. Heather, where exactly did you find this Jade?" It was the turtle this time, and he seemed even more skeptical than Stella, albeit a bit less scary.

Heather smiled innocently. "In the alley. She set off a rat trap and I asked her to, like, help us find our way to the campground. At first she didn't want to, but I convinced her it was a good idea."

I liked Heather, but her description of me made me sound like a psycho with a hatred of rodents.

"That's, well, that's very reassuring. You can tell Jade we don't need her help." His voice was stern, and Heather closed her eyes sadly.

"Wait. I've known Jade for years. She's a little bit cold, but she's trustworthy. And she knows this place like the back of her hand. She really could help us." Blue eyes met mine. It was a peace offering of sorts, but I couldn't quite figure out the reasoning.

Why was that idiot sticking up for me? Probably some cat and mouse guilt trip game, I'd seen that one a hundred times.

"Oh really?" This reptile deserved a critic of the year award.

I stepped forward, my knife now disguised in it's hilt.

"Yes. Why would I kill you? There's nothing to gain from that, and I'm not heartless!"

I looked around, all the eyes studying me. Trying to tell if I was lying, I guessed. A moth flew by my face and slammed into the streetlight. Graceful. I hoped it wasn't a sign of things to come. I looked down at the gum-stained pavement under my feet, noticing faint initials in the concrete.

How exactly had I ended up here? Surely it was a nightmare, or some sick prank. Had I really just traded my freedom for what appeared to be a bad web-show come to life? And on top of all that, they hated me and probably thought I was going to kill them. As if. Rather counter-productive to my plan, if you know what I mean.

I attempted to lighten the mood, or at least stop the distrustful glances. Unfortunately my words came out far more caustic than I'd intended.

"Try to focus on the less horrible aspects. No one here has to die."

As soon as I said the last phrase, the older possum fell over. I sighed. This was off to a great start. He'd either died just to prove me wrong, or I'd pushed buttons I hadn't even known existed. Either way, I was I was more or less screwed. I swore was going to murder curiosity one of these days.

Author's note part II: What's gonna happen next? Well, I can't tell you! What I can say is that things get serious and you won't want to miss it. Stay tuned, awesome possum! And don't forget to fave and follow if you enjoy :)