Chapter by Sam
Published on January 1.
~*HAPPY NEW YEAR!*~
As soon as Matt reached the dilapidated house, he began desperately looking for a way in, desperately hoping for a miracle as his uncle and his fox crony closed in on him. Luckily, he did have to look long as he saw a hole in one of the walls just big enough for him to slip through. And not a moment to soon as Cain and Joey came upon the spot he was standing.
"WHERE'D THE LITTLE BRAT GO?!" Joey shouted, his wild eyes looking around erratically, his breathing heavy as his nerves were at a whole other level. Cain, annoyed himself, just glared.
"He's around here somewhere Joey," Cain said through clenched teeth, his own ire raising by the second as he looked around desperately for his pesky nephew, both out of fear for himself, but also Matt. Truth was, he didn't want to hurt Matt. All the threats he made were more of a scare tactic to try to keep the kid under control. Despite being a hardened criminal with a heart of ice, Cain was not incapable of lo-…LOV-…
Just thinking the word made Cain want to gag. But, luckily for him, and Joey wouldn't have to look far as a voice sounded from a front window on the second floor.
"I'M UP HEAR YOU DUMB LAW-BREAKING KNUCKLE HEADS!"
Wasting no time, the two crooks ran to the front of the house, looking up to see Matt staring down out them with a smug smile on his face. The fact that this kid had the guts to tease them like this sent Joey over the edge as he moved to kick down the door, only to be held back by Cain.
"Wait," the dark wolf told the fox calmly.
'Why, this ain't his house," Joey argued, "the kids running scared."
Cain just looked at Joey with a tired expression.
"Would you let me handle this?"
At first wanting to argue further with his boss, Joey eventually thought better off and made grand sweeping gesture for Cain to proceed, and exasperated look on his face as he did so. Shooting his partner one more annoyed look, Cain stepped forward and, while managing a fake smile, brought his hands up to his muzzle.
"MATT!"
"YEAH?!" Matt called back.
"HEY BUDDY, LISTEN! NOTHING WOULD THRILL ME MORE THN TO SHOOT YOU! OFFING MY OWN NEPHEW ISN'T GOING TO MEAN THAT MUCH TO ME! UBNDERSTAND?!"
"UH HUH!" Matt called back, nodding his head. Seeing that he was getting somewhere with the kid, Cain continued his little pitch.
"BUT SINCE JOEY AND I ARE IN HURRY, I'LL MAKE A DEAL WITH; YOU COME ON DOWN, AND I'LL TAKE YOU BACK TO YOUR PARENTS WITHOUT A SINGLE SCRATCH ON YOU!"
"YOU PROMISE?!" Matt called, the innocent comment causing a smug smirk to form on Cain's muzzle as he crossed his chest in an X motion.
"CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO DIE!"
Now, Matt may have been four, but he wasn't stupid. He knew better than to trust his uncle to keep his word. But, as he entered the house, Matt had noticed several things such as loose floorboards, toolboxes, and several other hazards he could use to teach Cain and Joey a lesson. And one, or several of those things, that he could use to get started was a pile of bricks by his side. And so, with a devilish smile, Matt called down to Cain.
"OKAY!"
Looking to Joey with a smug smile, Cain found himself laughing with the fox over his nephew's gullible nature. But, just as Joey looked up toward the window, he noticed something falling toward the ground, or rather, his face. And before Joey knew, he felt like he had been hit by a freight train as the hard object landed on his face, cutting his forward as he stumbled around before falling to the ground in daze. And when Cain saw what had caused Joey such anguish, he was livid.
"YOU WANNA THROUGH BRICKS KID?!" He yelled, his red eyes burning with anger as a demented smile stretched across his features, "GO AEAD AND THROUGH ANOTHER ONE!"
"Cain, noooo," a disoriented Joey slurred as he attempted to regain his bearings, only to receive another brick to the face courtesy of Matt. Now, Joey must have been hit hard if he thought Cain would show some concern for him. But instead, Cain just kicked his leg, a signal for him to get up.
"Come on Joey, get up, the kid ran back inside. You take the front. I'll go through the back. We'll corner him in the middle."
With that, Cain left Joey alone on the ground, the poor fox have barely registered the plan as he stumbled to his feet, slowly making his way to the large wooden door at the front of the house, unaware of the house of horror he and his boss were about to enter.
Meanwhile, Able sat in the empty kitchen, his head hung low as he replayed the scene in the guest room over and over in his mind, from his son's crying to his heartbroken, tear-filled eyes. Now, Able was not above putting his foot down when his son got out of hand, but it still pained him to see the four-year-old pup so downtrodden. But, in the end, at least he could say he still had his son after…recent events, and not just the Brew house, but what made him seek out King Bear's help in the first place.
"Quite a little shindig, isn't it Chief?"
Speak of the devil.
"And luckily one that has not turned sour from your presence, Alex," Able responded, staring daggers at the towering ursine who did not seem at all phased by the use of his given name, nor the hostility with which it was said. Eventually, King bear had seated himself at the center island perpendicular to Able, who to his own surprise, found the crime boss looking at him with a soft gaze, which was very unlike him.
"Matt is more like his father than you realize," he finally said, making Able's fur stand on end at the bear mentioning his son, which did not go unnoticed by King Bear, who merely went on with his statement.
"Stubborn, hard-headed, quick temper…but a fighter."
The last bit made Able's breath hitch, as he knew the direction that the bear to his left was going. A very painful subject that made the white wolf's heart ache at the mere thought of.
"How long has it been?"
Able hesitated, unsure if he could bring himself to relive everything that led up to such a joyous moment. But, despite his better judgment, he answered in a low whisper.
"Nearly a year."
King bear let out a content hum.
"A year since a three-year-old pup beat a rare form of bone cancer that had a 5% survival rate. Treatment for which that could not be paid by a policeman's pension and forcing said policeman to seek a loan from the most powerful crime boss in Alberta."
"You don't have to remind me," Able seethed, his teeth barred as he looked at the marble counter of the island, his fists clenched as he fought back tears brought on by the memory of the moment he sold his principles and his soul for his son. But, to his further surprise, and slight annoyance, King Bear let out a deep, throaty laugh.
"Able, you misunderstand, I'm not trying to rub it in. The devotion you have shown to your family, particularly your son, is something I find quite admirable. To me, a man who doesn't show such devotion to his family isn't really a man. In fact, in the coming months, I hope to be as great a man as you."
This caught Able's attention, the smaller male looking to the ursine with a bewildered look, said ursine giving a small, genuine smile as he le tout a nervous chuckle. And it was only after a moment of awkward silence that he finally spoke his mind once again.
"Belle is pregnant."
Able was at a loss for words, his mouth opening and closing like a fish as he tried to form the words in his head, his wide eyes, dancing across the countertop as he tried to make sense of what he had heard. And in the end, there was only one thing he could say.
"Congratulations."
King Bear gave a warm smile and a small nod of gratitude, before a pensive expression took its place.
"She told me two days ago," he said, "and in those two days I have pondered something that I would have scoffed at beforehand. You see, I had always wanted cub of my own, but never so soon. And before I tell you where I am going with this, I need to confess something…I am not King Bear."
"What?" Able inquired, only for a look of realization to cross his face over something he read in old police reports. "I thought something was off," he began to say, "as King Bear had been running his crime business for sixty years and you have only be in it for ten."
"I myself am often surprised at life's little quirks," king Bear added with a laugh.
"You see, the King bear before me had grown so rich he wanted to retire. Up until that point the original King Bear had been retired for twenty years and living like a true king in Brazil. The one before me said that it was the name that inspired the necessary fear. And so, he dispatched his own enforcers, distributing his wealth equally among them, took on a new crew and stayed on for awhile as my Lieutenant, all the while calling me 'King Bear.'"
King bear paused briefly, another contemplative look on his face before continuing to speak.
"You see Able, I've lived these years with such prosperity that I have a accumulated an eleven figure net worth, that even after being divided among my enforcers, will still be enough to last my wife and I for our lifetime, and the lifetime of our cub. But you see, I had told myself that when that cub was born then the life I lived would not be safe for them. And so, while it has happened sooner than I would like, I plan to retire and pass the title down to someone else. Louis is already in the process of dividing my fortune, severing all links to me and my wife, and finding suitable replacements for my current enforces."
At that moment, King bear produced an envelope, slapping it down on the counter and sliding to Able. At first surprised, Able hesitantly took the envelope, carefully opening it to reveal a letter. Upon opening the letter, another piece of paper fell onto the table. Paying it no mind for the moment, Able read the letter, his eyes growing wide at what it said.
Able,
Your services have been greatly appreciated, but know it is time to go our separate ways.
I hereby absolve you of your commitment to the King Bear Crime Family.
Enclosed is your severance pay.
Goodbye, and Good Luck,
Alex
Picking up the other piece of paper, Able's eyes shot open to see a check worth eight figures. Looking to King Bear, or rather just Alex as he was soon to be called, Able could see a full, genuine smile on the bear's muzzle. And to his own surprise, Able found himself smiling back. However, his smile fell the moment he saw Alex's fall.
"But be warned," he said as Able placed the check and letter into his pocket on the inside of his uniform jacket, "while the transition from myself to my successor takes place, there will be others who will attempt to grab whatever power they can in the interim…Including your brother. Keep a close eye on him."
At that moment, Able took on an expression of deep determination, giving a firm nod, a clear sign that from that point forward he would redeem himself, At that moment, the scene was interrupted by a knock at the kitchen door. At first confused, Able rose to his feet and made his way toward the door, only for his confusion to grow as he saw a pizza delivery man standing before him with a single box.
"Got a large cheese for ya man," he said in a thick surfer dude accent. Before Able could even respond, a thick Irish brogue sounded from behind him.
"Thanks Salty," Sam said, handing the wolf a fifty as he took the pizza.
"Keep the change."
And as soon as the door closed, Sam could see Able standing beside him with a confused look on his face. With a warm smile, Sam handed the pizza to Able.
"Since he didn't get any thanks to Roy, I figured Matt might like his own cheese pizza."
At that moment, Able confusion turned to admiration as he looked at Sam, the Irish-wolf giving Able a pat on the shoulder before rejoining the party, which had now moved onto the auction phase, the first item up for bid being an old Confederate sword that saw action at Gettysburg and Chancellorsville. But, rather than stay for the auction, Able decided to take the pizza to Matt, who would probably be more than happy to have such a generous meal to himself.
But just as he opened the door, Able was stunned to see the room empty, not a trace of his son to be found. Quickly placing the pizza box on a dresser by the door, Able began to desperately search the room for Matt. And it was only after searching for ten minutes that he noticed the bedroom window was open…when it wasn't before. Running quickly to the window, Able looked out and around, quickly noticed a seemingly deserted van.
"Matt," he whispered to himself, his panic rising by the second, unaware that his boy had managed to hold his own in the decaying house not far away. And Joey was the first to learn this the hard way as he stood himself up on the hard concrete floor of the houses…basement. Turns out, the demolition team had already started knocking out the floor of the main foyer, leaving a gaping hole just past the front door. And needles to say, Joey was dealing with a nasty bloody nose, courtesy of landing on his face.
"ACK!" he yelled as he threw his torso back to crack the dislodged vertebrae in his spine, only to stare in amazement at the cause of his pain.
"WOW! WHAT A HOLE!"
Meanwhile, Cain had managed to get in through the back door, which lead to the already demolished kitchen. And while he was desperate to find Matt, he new he had to watch his step…which he learned only when he tripped on a jutted-out piece of flooring, causing him to desperately grab a rope that was fed down through a hole in the ceiling. Unfortunately, the rope was attached to board, on which was sitting, to Cain's painful awareness, a toolbox, that had been left there by his nephew.
And in a matter of seconds, his soft, pained whines filled the house as he lay motionless on the floor. And it was only after a few minutes that he was able to shake away the throbbing pain in his head as he stood to his feet, using a wooden beam to keep himself steady.
Back in the basement, Joey had found some rickety old stares that would lead him up the first floor, where he hoped it would be safer. Once again, he learned the hard, very painful way that that wasn't the case as the stairs gave way under him, sending him back down into the basement. At that point Joey was so fed up that he decided to make a makeshift step ladder out of debris and equipment. Unfortunately for him, just as he reached the first floor, the tower collapsed under his feet, leaving him hanging on for dear life. But that was the least of his worries as he saw movement from ahead.
"HEY!" he yelled as he saw the little Batman, who had since lost his mask, he was after make his way up the stairs, pausing to send the fox a quick jab to his ego.
"Don't you know a kid always wins against two idiots?"
"CAIN! HE'S IN HERE!"
Upon hearing his partner's call, Cain instantly forgot about his headache, rage burning in his eyes as he ran toward the source of Joey's voice. And it was only upon seeing Joey dangling over the basement that he noticed his nephew's small frame attempt to clamber up the stairs. In a lighting fast move, Cain lunged at Matt, his large hands grabbing Matt by his ankle.
"HEY LET GO!" Matt ordered, fruitlessly attempting to kick his uncle in the face to free himself, only for his short leg to miss the mark by a mile. At that point, he knew his only chance was that someone outside ethe house could help.
"SOMEONE HELP!"
Back at the party, it was utter bedlam. Practically the whole Jasper precinct had arrived when word came in about the Chief's son going missing. All the guests were envelope din confusion and alarm. At that point the van had been seized, with the registration placing the vehicle in the hands of one Joseph Denson, a close associate of Cain Aldan. It was quickly surmised that Cain and Joey were going to attempt to rob the auction, but Matt caught them in the act.
"Don't worry, Rachel," Terra cooed as she and Sweets attempted to calm the distraught mother on the font steps of the house, Able giving orders to Samson as Delilah took statements from everyone who last saw Matt.
"What if they don't find him?" Rachel sobbed.
"What if my lats memory is me yelling at him?"
"Rachel," Roy said, stepping toward the three females, "if anyone is to blame for this it's me. If I hadn't been such an ass…"
"Roy," Elsa quickly interrupted, "this is not anyone's fault. It's that bastard father of yours. But, beating ourselves up isn't going to help. Rachel you just…"
"SHH!" Rachel suddenly shushed, one ear perked up as a faint sound drifted through the air. At that moment, all the other people outside took notice of Rachel, who was now standing on her feet as she attempted to tune her hearing to the sound she heard. The sound came again, a little louder. And as a mother, Rachel could never mistake the sound of her child crying for help…from an abandoned house nearby. Without a word, Rachel bolted for the house, followed closely by her husband, Samson and Delilah.
Meanwhile, Matt was still trying his best to break free from Cain's grasp, the last bit of his strength ebbing away as the dark wolf pulled him closer to him. But just as all hope seemed lost, Matt noticed something at the top of the stairs.
The unmistakable nozzle of a fire extinguisher.
Thinking fast, Matt quickly delivered a savage quickly his uncle's knuckles, Cain briefly recoiling in pain as the pup attempted to clamber up the stairs, just barely managing to catch the nozzle of the extinguisher as Cain grabbed his ankle once again. But Luckily, just as Cain pulled him back, Matt quickly took aim with the extinguisher, squeezing the handle and sending a powerful blast in Cain's face, the adult quickly letting go and tumbling down the stairs, his eyes burning from the onslaught. But, as his vision began to clear, he was met with a sight he didn't realize would seem so horrifying before that point; his little nephew standing over him, using strength he didn't know he had to bring the empty extinguisher down on Cain's head, effectively rendering him unconscious in front of a stunned Joey who was still dangling over the basement.
And the moment metal met flesh, a shout of surprise came from the front door as Rachel had to keep herself from following Joey's example of falling into the basement. But, the moment she saw her so, fire extinguisher in hand standing over his unconscious uncle, Rachel quickly leaped to some still intact flooring on the side before running to her son.
"MATT, BABY!" she cried as she ran to her son, the pup instantly crying as he dropped the fire extinguisher and running into his mother's arms, mother and child crying as they held each other close, tears staining their cheeks just as the other's arrived, Able following his wife's example by jumping to the side. As for Samson and Delilah, they made their way to the back, wasting no time in getting both crooks on their feet and slapping the cuffs on them, all while their boss embraced his wife and son.
Latter on, after Cain and Joey had been taken to the precinct for processing, Sam and Dax decided that, for the time being, the auction would be postponed until a less "stressful" time. After the guests had cleared out, save for Eve who stayed behind to make sure that Matt wasn't seriously hurt, Roy walked up to Matt, who was enjoying his very own cheese pizza.
"Hey Matt," he said with a straight face, causing the pup to look up at the taller teen. After a few seconds of just staring, Roy let a warm smile form on his muzzle.
"Pretty cool that a four-year-old took down two crooks by himself."
With that, Roy offered his fist to Matt, who giddily returned the gesture in a fist bump.
"Thanks Roy," he said with a smile before the older wolf went to his car to drive himself and his mother home. Before long, the area was quiet. The other guests had gone, Eve left with Winston, and the Aldan family was out of sight, the Sam, Terra, Dax and Sweets by their lonesome…which is how they liked it most of the time. And after cleaning up the mess leftover from the event and making sure everything was secure, it was time to relax...
Starting with a nice, hot, STEAMY shower.