Crystal's P.O.V.

I awake with the fog of sleep still clouding me. I slowly sit up in my bed and feel a yawn push its way past my snout. Once my yawn was finished, I looked at my surroundings in a tired scan.

The walls were cracked and falling apart and there was even a hole in the wall. Like always. There was no natural light coming in since there was no windows. Speaking of which.

Crawling out of bed, I simply walk over to the light switch and flick it on.

Good thing I have night vision.

"Hey! Ma'am!"

The owner.

My anxiety rises.

What am I in trouble for? Am I finally going to get kicked out? Am I going to have to resort to living on the grim streets?

I sigh and make my way to the door.

"Open up!"

Opening the door, I see the familiar female beaver looking angry as always.

"Pay up."

"I already did," I try to reason.

"Pay up or else I'll kick you out!"

I cringe and feel my gaze faulted.

"S-sorry. Um."

I reach down for my pocket but realize I don't have all my clothes on since I woke up.

She looks at me disgusted.

"Sorry g-give me a second."

I shut the door and go across the room to the nightstand. I pull the drawer out and grab my wallet before shutting it. I open the door again. I look through my wallet as she stood. I have five twenties and two tens.

"Uh here," I say extending out five twenties.

She snatches it away from my paw and I recoil back as she looks at it.

"You're lucky I keep you here," She spoke, jabbing a finger in my direction, making me flinch.

We stood there now just staring at each other and I couldn't help but look to the floor. She began away and my gaze stood still as I found the floor the most interesting thing in the world.

There goes my money to get extra food.

Not hearing her anymore, I shut the door and make my way in the room, checking the time.

Nine.

I gotta to be at work in an hour. A shower wouldn't hurt.

Opening the door to the bathroom and flicking on the light, I look around my bathroom to see if any mold was visible. Nothing.

I go over to the shower and draw the curtain. I turn the handle and pull the pin on the bath hose make the water hiss from above.

Now to get clothes.

I make my way to my drawer and take out a simply pair of panties, and bra. But as for shirt and pants. I grab the outfit for my work and begin back towards the bathroom.

I shut the door behind me and put my clothes on the sink counter. Stripping down, I enter the shower and feel the water immediately dampen my fur and start to make it heavy. I take a bottle of soap and begin to clean my fur with it. The process was tedious but I continue normally. I felt almost silky but before I could make sure I was absolutely clean the water stops. I open my eyes and see the water dripping out of the head. It got cut off.

I sigh and pull the curtain back and step out onto the mat.

I wish I was in one of those homes that has the air conditioner below me and would just dry me off quickly. But I have to use a manual dryer.

I grabbed a towel and vigorously rubbed around my face and cheeks, around my neck, down to my body. Once I was damp, I grabbed the dryer and turned it on. I aimed around my face letting it push my fur around and make the wetness more malleable.

The process was long but eventually, I was dry.

I kept my arms with my clothes to my chest and kept my legs close together as I walked out into the bedroom. I place my clothes down and begin to quickly get dressed. The hardest part of course getting my tail through my jeans. But once my outfit was fully on take my wallet and put it in my pocket. I grab the keys to my room and put those in my pocket as well.

Exiting the room, I began down the hall where an eerie silence was in the air. Once I exit the hall and enter the lobby, the receptionist glared at me. I tucked my ears back on my skull and I avert my eyes elsewhere as I began toward the exit.

The outside's breeze hit me with its unforgiving chill. But I pressed forth, walking with intent.

The wind was not calm today which is fitting considering circumstances of this city.

My eyes catch glimpse of a few protest signs on the side of the road left abandoned. I didn't partake in such actions because I didn't like violence. But at the same time I can't help but feel it's deserving and right for mammals- Predators to finally speak out. I just hope the city doesn't collapse.

...

"Crystal, can you serve table eight?"

I look over and see a tray placed next to me. It had a bug bowl with a straw and a plastic container with salad

"Uh yeah," I say smiling to the female wolf softly.

"Okay. Thank you!"

I grab the tray and speed walk around the front counter away from the cash register, heading to table eight.

An anteater and gazelle- not the Gazelle of course, were sitting and conversing with each other.

" -these predators are influenced by stupid things. That recent band, the serial killer, Bellwethers legacy. This is why we should've put them in quarantine or something in the first place."

"Or kick them out."

I place the tray in front of them and clasp my paws; ignoring what was spoken.

"Uh, is there anything else you'd like," I say, with my best smile.

They scan me up and down with furrowed brows as if wondering if I was a threat. The few moments of silence made my anxiety grow and I felt more and more like sinking deep within the earth.

"We're fine."

I take initiative and nod quickly before speed walking away. My anxiety was still high and I began for the kitchen to take a breather. I pushed the doors open and walk behind the serving rack and put my elbows below me on the metal desk. I rest my paws on my head and looked to the desk; waiting for my anxiety to die.

The cloud seemed to fade.

"Hey, Crystal. What's up?"

The familiar moose cook-Veil, putting food on the metal desk before me.

I look to the anteater and gazelle through the rack I was behind. The anteater was casually using his tongue to snake down a straw to eat bugs while the gazelle continued to talk.

"Its nothing."

"They give you a hard time?"

Knowing what he was referring to, I simply give in.

"Yeah."

"Just don't worry about it. Predators may be rallying but it'll die down."

Another voice spoke behind me.

"Unless they get riled up by that band concert again."

"Yeah, but I'm sure it'll get taken care of quickly by the ZPD."

As I was scanning the caffe, my eyes caught on something that surprised me. It was a fox sitting at a booth alone. Nick.

"This city seems to be going in circles," Veil mumbles.

I decide to speak.

"Um, I'm gonna take a break."

"No problem. Lisa will take reigns."

I exit the kitchen and begin over cautiously.

He seemed to be mulling over something or very distant as I notice he was staring out the window at the grey. As I got closer I saw he had slight bags under his eyes and his fur was a little more mangled then usual.

I stand at the table and he continued to stare and I try to find the words to speak.

"H-Hey."

His ears twitch in my direction and he looks over at me. His eyes widen a bit before he inhaled deeply and looked away, exhaling heavily.

The response dissuaded me but I take a seat anyway.

"Is everything.. okay?"

He inhaled through his nose and spoke.

"As good as I'll ever be. Considering what I am."

What he is. I didn't want to assume anything.

"What exactly do you mean?"

"I'm a fox."

I couldn't argue against it. He was right but I felt the problem was more than that. Besides, he should look past that. He's got so much with him. He has someone like Judy with him. I wonder where she is.

"Where's Judy?"

"Probably waking up with her boyfriend," he said sounding stained as he leaned his head back slightly to stretch.

Her boyfriend? She slept with her boyfriend?

A revelation occurred to me.

If this true, that means.. He's already in love. With her.

I tried to date him. I would've failed. But I can't deny that they already seemed together. I guess it may have been broken.

"Are you sure they.."

"I saw them kiss. At the concert."

He's open. I could ask him to be with me… but I can't help and feel they belong with each other. That they are perfect. I'm not going to indulge in my lustful greed.

I tried to think of any sign of hope. It was a good conclusion to hypothesize. But at the same time, I don't know Judy all that much.

"Well maybe they didn't. Do you know if she is dating him now?"

"No. But either way, I have another task I want to deal with."

He pushed that conversation away making me a recoil a little. But I accept it and decided to ask about this other task.

"What task?"

"I'm gonna find the mammal who killed my mother."

My blood seized flow and I was in shock.

The third fox killed.. was.. his mother.

I could only wonder what his goal was. And I think I had an idea.

"What are you gonna do if you find them?"

"Make them pay."

I felt myself dampen. It felt like I was watching someone descend to do evil deeds. To satisfy a hollow hunger that even when accomplished will leave you empty. The path of vengeance.

I don't know what to say. I don't know him well enough to console him. I don't want to see him do this. Judy.

"Nick, you shouldn't do this. What would Judy think?"

"It doesn't matter."

"She's your best friend. She must care about you. And of she can't convince you to not do this.Than maybe.. she'll help you."

He didn't waver his visage.

With every second he was losing hope.

His eyes closed and he looked down.

Is he making his decision?

He stands and approaches me and my body felt frigid and I felt my heart rate climb.

He stood in front of me looking me in the eyes, and I looked back. I try to notice any indication of anger.

I slowly stood and was ready to start backing away. But, suddenly he rushed forward and wrapped his arms around me and let his jaw rest on my shoulder.

My body was tense and I was wondering what others were witnessing.

His arms were around my upper back and he sighed heavily into down my fur on the my upper back. I let go, disregarding my fear. I ease and I decide to hug back.

He smelled decent and I couldn't help but feel warm. His voice then whispered over my shoulder.

"Thank you."

The embrace ended suddenly, leaving me standing alone. He walked away and began for the exit. And with that, he walked out and began down the sidewalk; the coldness growing within me again.

Author's Note: We're only five Chapters away from the end. Five. These five, you'll have an idea to some answers that you may seek. Everything has purpose. The ending will almost be paradoxical as well. In my opinion, a story never ends. It's abandoned. I'm no longer going to be posting author's notes as from here I wanna let it flow without my input or break. But if you wish to ask for clarification, I'll gladly help. Because I'm aware I'm not good at storytelling. Anyway, thank you for reading and putting up with it all. I hope you enjoy 'the end'.

Music:

Korn - The Past