Sitting at the counter, I scarf down a plate of eggs and veggie bacon while staring out a window. The city comes alive with faces of prey and preds, males and females, big and small. Smiling to one another as if they cared, knew one another, or even look up from their phones. Bringing my attention away from the window and to the business card in my hand.
Legosi has done well for himself, and much better than most of our class. Half of them fell far below expectations considering our school. I never knew Legosi personally, just the name and face. Stepped in for that tiger, who in turn stepped up to lead, during the play that one year, and Legosi kicked the shit out of him. Rumors were passed that he dated a rabbit, many ignored because it was a rumor.
I look to my left, towards the window again.
"Fucking Hell!" I yelp, my right fist readied, "Say something next time, asshole."
Legosi, sits in the seat next to me, staring directly at me like a hunter ready to strike. His dull; inquisitive eyes lock onto my damaged face. He's ready to strike; I feel like a caged animal. His grey fur shows little indication of his age, other than tired eyes. He moves to lean on the counter in order to start a conversation, his dull eyes continue to study me.
"Never seen a coyote before?" I ask returning my attention to the plate, "Or you just hungry?"
He continues to study me, not speaking. Whatever. I finish my breakfast and pay the condor at the register. Legosi follows with the behavior of stalking me. Not the first time I've been followed. Let's have some fun with this.
I hasten my pace, making sure he still trails, and I make my way down an alley. Stopping, I wait to see if he still follows. His shadow looms at the entrance, before he slowly walks through to find me. I duck behind a corner and wait. Closing my mouth, I slowly breath through my nose to eliminate most sound and scent. His cologne is strong, his sense of smell will be dulled by the amount of it he wears.
He approaches the corner, closer than he should, many predators know not to do this. I grab his collar and pull him to me then against the wall with my right arm. He bares no fangs. I do.
"What do you want?" I growl holding him still, "I'm not that special."
He slowly lifts his hands and wraps his fingers gently around my right forearm. He removes my hold slowly with an analytical face.
"What happened to you? You were a good friend of Tao's; he spoke highly of you." He says matter-of-factly, "Cocky coyote, ready to face the world head on."
"War is what happened. World gave up on me and I see it now as a rotten carcass." I scowl pulling away from him, "I said enough; now analyze that."
He takes a calming breath, "What if I told you that you could ease the burden you carry?"
The sincerity in his low voice, it's too good to be true. The military gave me the best treatment possible, doubt he'd be able to help me. I am better off holding it in. No one gets people like me. The death, maggot filled bodies in the field, the constant tracer rounds flying centimeters from a kill shot. Nothing will change my mind.
"I can't accept the offer." I lowly speak looking at the wolf, "I'm better off on my own."
The wolf tilts his head to the side, studying me like an unknown creature. He steps closer, his dull eyes look over my dirty clothes. Piecing it together he comes to a conclusion.
"You're homeless." He speaks rather than asking, "I have room for one more if you would like to stay."
I grumble my correction, "I'm not homeless."
"It's okay to say you need help." Legosi says with concern in his tone, "You just need to call out. We canines are used to relying on others to watch our backs. Let me watch yours."
He's persistent, I'll give him that. Reminds me of myself. He tilts his head and pulls a puppy trick. His eyes widen as he lowers himself below my height and looks up to me. His ears fall flat, muzzle pouts as he begs. I begin to decline but he tilts his head just slightly. His eyes fill with a sadness that few wolves carry. A high pitched whine begins coming from him, his tail curls around his leg.
My heart melts, surprisingly, as I growl, "Okay, fine! Pup."
Legosi smiles, rising to stand a head taller than me. His tail wags at my answer. He extends his hand for me to shake, like a show dog. I better get a treat or a biscuit for participating.
"My office is close to here, my co-founder would love to help you as well." He speaks leading me out of the alley, to our destination, "Once we get there, we're going to play a game of chess, every move means that we each talk. It helps make many others comfortable, if they know the game. There's also a rule, if you win I tell you about a part of my life; if I win you tell me something about your life."
I don't know the game. Just poker, blackjack, and checkers. It can't be that hard. Kids play it after all, it's probably simple to learn I bet.
"Watch it, you damn dog!" a tiger yells out his window before laying abruptly on his brakes to avoid slamming into the car ahead, "Stupid fucking cunt! You're making me late!"
I return the insults with a smile, "Hey kitty cat, watch the road, you're making the pandas look like better drivers."
Orange stripes gets out of his car and steps closer to me. He is a bit overweight; wears a purple button up tucked into his khaki dress pants. He was at the reunion two nights ago, he was the one who stepped up in the play.
"You got to talk to the mayor, and suddenly you're Mister Big Dick." The tiger angrily calls out.
He gets meters away, I study his body to make use of his size. I may be handicapped, but I am still in peak condition, all muscle.
"Bill, you don't want to do this." Legosi steps between he and I, "You saw what he did to me the other night didn't you?"
I grin just a bit at the compliment, I could've killed him in seconds. Imagine what I could do to a pudgy tiger in business casual.
"Look at him, he couldn't hurt anyone like that." The tiger remarks my missing parts, "Doubt he can even see me. Isn't that right, twink?"
I don't growl, and instead fight a whimper as the constant bullying from Cherryton brings back bad memories. I trusted my roommates, and they betrayed me. Within hours I was the talk of the school; in days the school was harassing me. I swallowed my pride, and just put up a mask. Every time I was called a faggot, I tucked further into myself and stayed away from everyone. Suppose that's why I enlisted.
"That's what I thought. I'm late because of your boyfriend, Legosi." Bill retorts getting in his car speeding down the road.
"We're here at least." The wolf chimes awkwardly opening the door for me.
A white dwarf rabbit greets me, her eyes dart over my frame, in a fearful prey-like style to analyze every new possible threat.
"Haru, this is Kevin. Kevin, this is Haru." Legosi introduces us to one another, "She and I kind of dated, but after a few years, we didn't feel the same way towards each other."
He leads me to his office, and puts a chessboard between the two of us. I am immediately confused at the pieces on the board. Let him make the first move. A small round topped piece moves one square.
"I collect insects and study them in my free time." Legosi smiles awaiting my turn.
I quickly pick a round topped and move it one forward, "My adoptive mom is a cheetah."
He nods taking the horse and moving forward two spaces; then moves one space to the right.
"I dropped out of the academy, best decision of my life." He holds his head up high with a proud movement.
Moving another rounded piece on the opposite side of the board one square, I speak my turn, "I was taught to smoke from my sisters."