It wasn't long before Cameron arrived outside the building where she had her meeting with KayCee. The sky was clear but smoggy with tan pollution. The city silhouette stood in the background. She soon spotted the jet…which looked more like a dull forest green plane. The plane was old-fashioned with a propeller in the front and two wings on either side of the craft. It was dull green in color and decorated with black stripes. Cameron wore her usual gray clothes and carried her suitcase. At the ramp of steps, a figure stood waiting for her.
"I've never been on a private j…plane, before. Are you the pilot, Miss…?"
"Snake." The woman answered in a low voice.
"Snake?" Cameron asked in confusion.
The woman had light green skin and strangled forest green hair decorated with dark specks. A pair of sunglasses rested on her head. She wore a green tank top, an emerald green scarf and a green-gray skirt. Long elbow-length gloves covered her hands and a white cigarette was in her mouth.
"Interesting name," said Cameron. "Does it mean anything?"
Snake did not answer.
Cameron continued, "Because I have never heard of someone naming a child something like that."
Had Cameron been anyone else, she would've gotten a harsh slap for the insult. Instead, Snake crossed her arms, holding her cigarette between two fingers. "Save the jaw-flappin' fer later, hunny. I don't wanna fly with a headache." She dropped her cigarette and crushed it with her green high heel on the ground.
Cameron flinched. "Oh! I-I'm sorry! I'm just a bit anxious…"
Cameron walked up the steps and into the aircraft. "Going to new places and everything, ya know?"
"Sure," Snake answered with disinterest. "Just put a sock in it 'till we get there."
Snake sat down and pulled various levers and pressed buttons. The plane was soon off the ground and flying over the city. The propeller spun fast and they zoomed away. Cameron sat nervously in her seat. 'I hope this was a good idea,' she thought to herself. 'There's no turning back now…'
As the plane swooped over a vast forest, a spectral form of KayCee/Eris grinned mischievously against a large boulder, watching the plane. The sun rose over the hill in front of them, a promise of a new life and adventure.
Snake piloted the plane, sunglasses over her eyes, lost in thought. She briefly cleaned her teeth with a toothpick in one hand, going around her two white fangs.
Snake was in fact, a loner and shapeshifter, who could transform into a green snake at will. One of her friends was Taxi, a yellow werewolf who worked as a cab driver, mechanic…and merrymaker. She would drive monster trucks around while Snake would fly and fix various planes. The two of them bonded over their love of machines, smoking and drinking. Snake was also a secret agent in Safe Haven, skilled with guns and weapons. Her skills in stealth were so great, that she was soon hired by the Zoo Phoenix Academy staff to travel to the human world to retrieve recruits.
Snake, Taxi and Taxi's werewolf friends would often party, drink and get into trouble. Although Snake had enjoyed it, she also was not proud that she had killed other people on the streets. So in a way, this job was fine with her.
But then Cameron broke the tranquil silence.
"Wow! I didn't know the forest was this big," she exclaimed. "We've been flying over it for hours…it's like, endless!"
Snake scoffed. "Yeah…why ya think it's called the f*ckin' "Oceania" Forest, hm? 'Cause it's big. What'd I say about talkin'?"
Honk!
Honk!
Cameron looked out the window with a loud gasp. "Oh my…" A giant sky blue bird was honking outside her window. It was larger than any regular bird she had seen.
"Snake!" Cameron wailed out loud, making Snake flinch. "T-there's a giant bird outside the window!" Cameron grabbed onto her.
"What?" Snake asked.
"G-giant bird! It was huge…giant…! What if it attacks the plane?!"
"Get back to yer seat!" Snake yelled, baring her fangs.
'Snakes on a plane!' Cameron thought in fear, after spotting her fangs.
Cameron obliged and looked out the window. The bird was gone.
'Great, now I'm seeing things…' she thought.
The sun set outside, turning the sky pink and yellow. Cameron sat, bored. She fell asleep as night fell. The next day, Cameron woke up, sunlight shining through the window.
Snake was nowhere to be seen.
"Hello?"
She stood up and walked down the dark empty aisle.
"Uh…what's going on?"
No answer.
"S-Snake?!"
Cameron looked out the window and saw a bunch of shadowy creatures outside.
"Oh god."
Trying to be brave, she peered out the window.
"Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god…"
"Surprise!" hollered the bizarre creatures.
Cameron walked down the steps, stunned. There were so many strange new faces, she couldn't keep track. Fabian the fox, Perci and Malcom the red and green dragons, Carrie the blonde demon, Zechariah the cheetah, Principal Winston the one with the yellow squid head, a teal eel with a monocle, a person with orange and yellow hair, a midnight blue stag, a yellow fox, and Salvia too. All the Zoo Phoenix Academy staff were there to welcome her.
Cameron stared off into space, seeing the creatures. Was this some kind of prank? Were these just people in costumes trying to bully her again?
Just then, Perci the dragon got into her face and said, "Welcome to the zoo, Cameron Walden! Well—hah! Of course it isn't really a zoo! Sorta ironic that I just called it that, really! Hahahaha!"
Cameron gulped. She felt like it was a zoo…a dangerous wacky one with escaped mythical creatures. Perci put an arm around her. The eel shook her hand. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, my dear!"
Were these really talking animals?
A strong hand lifted up Cameron's arm as a tough light gray face with blonde hair inspected her.
"She sure is a scrawny-gangly-shaky li' thing, ain't she?" Carrie remarked in a gruff voice.
"Oh nonsense Carrie," said Fabian the red fox. "I think Ms. Cameron looks perfectly fine." He gave her a wink and a sultry look, Cameron cringing in disgust. Was that fox hitting on her?
"I'll take your word on that, Fabian!" called the blind green dragon teacher Malcom. His hair was black, skin light green. He walked up to her. "Good evening? Morning? Day!"
There was a brief silence.
"How about a kiss, pretty lady?" Fabian cooed, getting close to her with his tongue.
"Eeeeiiiiahhhhhhee!"
Cameron screamed at the top of her lungs. "S-stay back! A-all of you! Don't come any closer!"
The animals glared at her, teeth showing. Any moment, they would pounce on her. For several moments, Cameron could only hear growls, slurps, mutters and hisses.
The cheetah rumbled in thought as the squid principal slurped his tea loudly beside him.
Cameron took more steps back. "I-I mean it! Stay away from me! Stay away! D-don't come any closer!"
"Calm down, dearie," Perci reassured. But Cameron only heard a strange growl from him that sounded like "Raaalmm, rrowwn, geeerrek!" She was too scared to properly comprehend the human speech.
Cameron suddenly pointed behind them. "Look! What's that over there?" She promptly dashed away with a zip while only Perci glanced behind him. The others narrowed their eyes in confusion.
Cameron screamed some more before skidding to a halt. She gasped. "Oh my! What on Earth?"
Before her lay a vibrant magical world beyond her greatest imagination. It was a cross between Jurassic Park, Zootopia and a child's version of New York. A blue sea creature eel with three eyes slithered across a teal street with dark stones on it. A slender red bird appeared to be pulling a covered wagon in the distance. A yellow cab drove by a golden dragon and a yellow bird with long feathers. The buildings were curved, concaved and had glass coverings around them. There was a small pond, several sidewalks and lamps illuminating the small park below. Birds of many colors flapped and fluttered freely in the air, some of them looking like pterodactyls. A large red spotted wall had several archways of different sizes, green vines going up it and a large golden eye in the center. Several birds were perching on the top of the wall. A few waterfalls flowed through the arches of the wall. There were several dinosaurs too; a two headed blue longneck, a golden dinosaur with multiple eyes and a flap of skin on its head, and a violet triceratops that looked like a pincher beetle. Nearby buildings of blue, yellow and pink read "Gym," "Liquor," and "Le Crumbles" respectively.
Cameron shook her head. "This is not happening…I'm dreaming this."
Cameron felt something soft and furry press against her back. Without a word, her eyes darted upwards and met the gaze of a cheetah.
"Is there something wrong, Miss?" asked the cheetah.
But of course, Cameron only heard hungry growls. She saw the cheetah's teeth and maw and felt lightheaded.
"Uhhh…"
This was it…she was now cat food. Her eyes rolled back and she fainted onto the ground. The cheetah rolled his eyes and sighed in concern.
"Somebody get our new visitor to the infirmary."
"I can do it," Fabian purred.
"No. I got it," barked Carrie, lifting up Cameron's form easily.
0 0 0
"Wuuuhh?"
Cameron groaned and slowly opened her eyes. Her vision cleared and she saw a man with tan skin and blonde hair with bangs jutting off to one side. He wore a sky blue shirt, a torn white tie and dark pants. Cameron was lying on a table. In the dark room, a sky blue poster with a yellow smiley face read "Smile! It's almost over!"
"You okay, hun?" the man asked. He was Chastopher the nurse.
"W-what's going on?" Cameron asked, sitting up.
"You are in the nurse's office, my dear!"
Cameron rubbed her head. "Oh thank god…I just had the worst dream ev…what is that?" Her face turned pale.
The man held a red power drill in one hand. As he turned around, Cameron swore she heard the screeching music from "Psycho."
"Willis said you needed a checkup!" he babbled, leaning close to her face. "Willis is very smart, you know!"
He hugged a stuffed lime-colored unicorn with a black button eye and flicked on the drill. The drill buzzed loudly, mixing with his crazed giggles.
"Help!" Cameron screamed. She dove under his legs off the table and scrambled away. Cameron flung open the door and gulped with a pause. The cheetah was back, blocking her way.
"Are you feeling better, Miss Walden?"
"No." Cameron replied, eye twitching. Why was she talking to a cheetah? Animals didn't talk, yet here they were. She turned around, clutching her head. There had to be a way to escape.
"Okay! O-kay! T-This is just a big crazy dream! Wake up! Wake up Cameron! Wake up!"
"Wake up," the nurse sang with a dopey expression, holding his toy. After closing her eyes, she opened them again. To her disappointment, she was still in the same place.
"Are you finished?" the cheetah deadpanned, an annoyed look on his furry face.
Cameron sighed. "Okay…I give up…w-what's going on?"
"Were you not informed about…"
"About what? Informed about what?!"
The cheetah stared at her in confusion. "You were not informed about this place before being sent here?"
"Sent where? Where am I?!"
Oh dear, this was going to be hard to explain. They needed a better place to talk.
"Follow me, Miss..." said the cheetah, moving on four legs.
Feeling like she had no choice, Cameron awkwardly obliged. Cameron peeked back toward the room and saw the nurse sleeping against his toy.
"S-So…" Cameron began as she raced to catch up to the cheetah. "Y-you're a giant cheetah?"
"Yes."
"Just checking…"
They walked past green lockers and into an office.
"Have a seat, Miss," said the cheetah. He mentioned to a large purple desk chair as Cameron slowly sat down.
Sluurrrrppp!
The principal with a yellow and red squid head with three lip-like designs on his forehead was slurping loudly from a pink teacup. He wore a dark business suit with buttons. A matching pink teapot sat at his desk and slobber dribbled onto the desk surface. Cameron darted her eyes toward him in bewilderment.
The cheetah smiled. "Oh this is Principal Winston. He is quite harmless."
"Right…" Cameron breathed, pulling her knees closer together.
The cheetah stared at Cameron with concern. He felt bad for this newcomer who had been so traumatized on her first visit. He remembered when he himself first arrived to Safe Haven, formerly being a regular cheetah and accidentally falling through a portal. He had magically gained the ability to talk thanks to Salvia and became one of the staff members at the school. Although he missed his original family, he had found other creatures like himself…a new family.
Perhaps he could help Cameron be a part of it…quirkiness and all. But the hard truth had to come first.
The cheetah straightened his spine and cleared his throat.
"Well my dear Miss Cameron. I have some news for you. My name is Zechariah, and I regret to inform you that there seems to have been some sort of mistake with the company that employed you. You were hired to be a guidance counselor, correct?"
"Y-yes."
"Well, all humans employed or chosen to be sent here are given strict details about this world, and it is their choice to be transferred."
Zechariah's eyes glowed yellow and narrowed in suspicion. "Whoever sent you, did an incredibly dishonest thing…for once here, you cannot return to the outside world you once knew…"
Cameron could hardly breathe. "S-So I'm stuck in the crazy magical world of oversized talking animals?"
"I am afraid so, Miss." Then he added in a more professional tone, "Also, this is an interspecies society. There are many different creatures. Not just 'animals.'"
Cameron shuddered with renewed terror. "Like what? Other scary things? Vampires?"
"Yes."
"Mermaids? Demons? Ghosts?"
"Yes."
"Aliens?"
"Aliens do not exist, Miss Cameron."
"Where am I right now?" Cameron wondered out loud.
"You are in the Zoo Phoenix Academy," said Zechariah. "This is where you were employed. So we brought you right here. Would you like a tour?"
"Okay?" Cameron hesitated.
Zechariah held up his tail which had a watch on it. He spoke into the device. "Jackie, can you come to my office please?"
"Absolutely!" a voice replied.
Cameron grabbed onto Zechariah's tail. "Who's Jackie?"
Cameron soon got her answer when a woman strolled into the room. "Hey, hey hey!" she trilled in a sing-song voice. Jackie wore a long dress in different shades of blue; navy blue at the top to sky blue at the bottom. Her dress had yellow trim around it and she wore matching yellow shoes. Her skin was light brown and her hair was in vibrant shades of blue, with yellow tufts toward the back and a green tip that served as a bang. Her hair was reminiscent of parrot feathers.
She was a parrot shapeshifter…and she chatted like one too.
She walked over to Cameron and eagerly shook her hand.
"Hello, hello, hello! I'm Jackie! Drama instructor. So you are the new girl everyone's talking about? What's your name?"
"Cameron," she replied nervously.
"You caused quite a scene huh, Cam?"
"It's Cameron."
Zechariah leaned over.
"She is in need of a tour, Jackie."
Jackie put an arm around a stunned Cameron and guided her through the door.
"Not another word, Zech! I got this!"
0 0 0
Jackie eagerly showed Cameron around the vast campus. Despite being inhabited by strange beings, Cameron couldn't help but admire the buildings and scenery. The grass was bright green and fresh and the trees provided ample shade for hot days. The building exteriors were made of smooth glass and round in globe shapes. They walked through a cobblestone courtyard, where a fountain trickled in the center. On either side of the entrance, there were statues of phoenixes made of bloodstone, garnet and rubies. The phoenix was the mascot, symbolizing rebirth and new hope. "Rise from the ashes, soar into success!" was the academy motto.
"I love our mascot, don't you?" Jackie asked Cameron. Cameron mostly zoned out as Jackie chatted on and on. "Though I'd much prefer parrots! They're so beautiful and lively. The school would do good to spread some more musical cheer. And parrots would be perfect! Just notice how well they can talk and sing. The Zoo Parrot Academy, wouldn't have to worry about changing the acronym."
They soon walked through some double doors and into a vast chamber made up of the red spotted wall.
"I really think you will love working here, Cam! This is the main lobby. All the subject wings branch off from here."
Reflected watery light of an aquarium danced around the floor and walls. Jackie guided Cameron through a large room with an elevator and long tan chairs off to the side. A winding green staircase swirled up to an upper level with glass panes and a marvelous view of the outside. Several archways branched off to different sections. They passed under an arch, which was against a light blue wall, leading to the aquarium. Inside, Cameron could see a friendly-looking fish, a hammerhead shark, a swordfish and a bottlenose dolphin gliding playfully through the water.
"Have I gone insane?" Cameron breathed as she looked up at the aquarium ceiling in wonder.
"No, not really!" Jackie replied.
One archway had a grandfather clock beside it, another was adorned with red curtains and another was supported by Greek pillars.
Cameron stopped for a moment as Jackie turned around.
"You ready?" she asked.
Cameron stood there puzzled as Jackie wandered off toward the stairs. Jackie looked at her and laughed sheepishly.
"What? Did you think I was gonna be like 'Come, I'll show you my wing first?!'"
Cameron nodded.
"Oh, that would be kinda silly. I mean, why not save the best for last?! There are so many great places to explore here, wouldn't want to deprive you of the diverse experience, ya know?"
Cameron let out a small understanding smile. "Thank you."
"Alrighty! Let's flutter on up! Heh…or walk, rather…"
Cameron rolled her eyes as she followed Jackie up the stairs.
They walked into the first wing supported by Greek pillars, and Cameron could smell the scent of dusty books.
"This is the library!" said Jackie. Then she covered her mouth, speaking softer. "I forgot I'm supposed to whisper in here!"
Going inside, there were rows and rows of books on shelves all around them. Some were leather bond with yellowed pages while others looked brand new. There were also magazines and modern computers on round desks where students were doing their work. Several winged birds were busy organizing the books on the higher shelves, which arched toward the high stained-glass ceiling. The ceiling had glass designs of owls, phoenixes and trees. At the front desk, a camel lady with thin glasses was busy exchanging books with passerby.
"Here you'll find everything you need to study on counseling techniques, textbooks or just reading for fun. It's the go-to place for research of all kinds. The students here are teenagers but we have majors and college-like courses in this high school!"
"Quiet!" whispered a nearby gray owl with a monocle at Jackie.
"Sorry!" she whispered.
"Well…that's quite something," said Cameron.
"I know, right? Trying to combine different curriculums, school systems and diverse races and species of students can be a lot of work. But thankfully the founders of Safe Haven helped out tremendously."
"And they are?" Cameron asked.
But Jackie instead got distracted and waved at a red-haired woman in the distance.
Toward the back of the library was a shadowed section labeled "Restricted Section," which housed books on dark magic. Sitting at the edge of that section on a chair was Salvia with a book in hand. Jackie guided Cameron over to the red-haired woman. They stopped just short of her.
Salvia lifted up her face slightly from a book labeled "Romeo and Juliet 2: Love and Lies." She wore a black dress with red etched patterns.
"Can I help you?"
"This is Salvia, one of the staff members," said Jackie in an excited whisper. Jackie gestured for Cameron to introduce herself.
"Uh…hi," Cameron said with a nervous grin and wave. Salvia peered at her closely, her eyes hidden behind her hair. "You're the newcomer, right?"
Cameron nodded.
"Welcome to Z.P.A.," she said.
"Huh?"
"Zoo Phoenix Academy, the place you'll be staying at briefly until we can get you a new home nearby."
Cameron paced back and forth, anxious again. "No one has explained exactly what is going on here, what this place is, what's it called?" Cameron asked. "I know you guys are trying to keep me from getting scared but I've had it with being confused! Explain things to me."
"Shhh!" several voices shushed Cameron when she raised her voice.
"Oh of course," said Salvia, putting the book down and conjuring magical images and sigils in front of her. "Might as well explain it to you now rather than wait three whole weeks later after witnessing a vampire attack to do it."
"W-What?" Cameron asked before she was shushed again.
"I can see glimpses of the future," Salvia mentioned. "Anyway, Cameron, you've only been exposed to the Zoo Phoenix Academy and its grounds…we were gonna wait until you felt more comfortable with the school but, if you insist on knowing this place…"
"Yes, I'm still a capable adult," Cameron added.
"This place is much bigger than what you have experienced. It is called…Safe Haven."
("Salvia here. For the next few minutes, I described the magical protection and the origins of Safe Haven that I had already verbalized in the introduction narration. Feel free to go back if needed but let's skip and continue on.")
Cameron stood, jaw dropping. "Oh my God! There really are monsters out there?!"
"Do not worry," said Salvia. "As long as you're here, you should be safe. I'm hoping you'll get more used to this place and not cause the magical barrier to eventually collapse."
"I'd never do that!"
"Not intentionally. But someone else wants to make sure that happens."
"Who is it?" Cameron asked, but Jackie stood in the way, much to the annoyance of Cameron and Salvia.
"Thank you Salvia," said Jackie with a nervous chuckle, pushing Cameron along, "But we better get going! Heh, heh! So many things to see."
Salvia gave Cameron a knowing apologetic look before going back to her book.
Moe shushes followed them out of the library. "Whew, I can speak again!" Jackie boomed as they entered a hall with brass walls. Jackie's voice echoed off the walls. "Echo! Echo!" Cameron flinched and grit her teeth.
"On with the tour!" They passed through another archway flanked by torches and five golden rings overhead. "This is the Sports Wing!" said Jackie as they walked down the hall. "Here you'll find our gymnasium, our pool, outdoor courts and dance studios."
Cameron looked through a glass window at an indoor basketball court. The court walls were decorated with vines. A monkey was busy swinging from the vines with his tail, dribbling a basketball in his hands. A bear, a bull, a ram, a goat and a chipmunk were stomping around, trying to get the basketball. The monkey dunked it into a nearby hoop as a zebra coach blew his whistle.
Outside in the courtyard, a few lions were practicing fencing while a fox and a hare did gymnastic tricks on bars. Several cheetahs raced each other along a round track and a black bearded centaur hopped over hurdles along the way. A dog and a cat were busy playing hand ball. A few hyena hybrids snickered as they taped a "kick me" sign on the back of a student with peacock feathers.
In a swimming pool, a boy with shark features and a girl with blue scaly skin laughed as they raced each other down the lanes. A woman with swan feathers was preening herself in a hot tub as several male ducks peered for a closer look. A mermaid relaxed beside her, staring at her reflection.
Several brightly colored werewolves were listening to blaring electronic music in the weight room as they lifted barbells and rapidly punched hanging bags. A lone black-wearing vampire stood in the corner drinking dark red liquid from a bottle. The boxing ring was currently being used by bi-pedal boxer dogs.
"Too much sweat and exertion for me," Jackie mentioned. "I'm more for the grace and beauty of the theater! Onward!"
They soon left the Sports Wing and headed through the arch with the grandfather clock.
"Here is the History Wing!"
They walked around what looked like a museum, with a variety of items on display. There were ceramic pots from ancient civilizations within glass boxes all around. Various paintings were hung from the walls, with signatures. Several weapons were on display further back. Among the weapons were a few that glowed white with swirls and crosses.
"Oh, those are angelic weapons. They are highly valuable and rare. It is said that they can kill any demon in Hell."
"Why not use them to fight off the monsters?" asked Cameron.
"Good question. Some demons gather the weapons and sell them on the black market for later use. They kill each other off, causing lots of chaos. Heaven's been using the Exorcists who wield these weapons to eliminate demons each year for centuries. Archangel Adina's idea to insure 'purity' up there."
"How do you know all this?"
"A friend of a friend of an ex told me. Horrible stuff, I'm telling you. Best to lay low and stay safe."
They continued onward past treasure chests, antique clothing and various art of mythical creatures in battle or passionate embraces. Exiting that wing, they turned toward another wing made of metal.
"Ah, the Science and Engineering Wing! Perhaps the most confusing and loud section there is. Try not to touch anything!"
It was indeed very loud. Clanks, hisses, bangs and booms permeated through the rooms. Cameron had to cover her ears as she followed Jackie. In one area, raccoons, cats and a few dwarves were working on a metal machine that bellowed smoke and sparks. It had wheels, engines, pipes and canvas wings on either side of it. "Primitive flying car" was labeled next to it. A gopher was working on a computer as green 0s and 1s blinked down a screen. A few other students were taking notes on a steampunk blimp made by a snake inventor of the Industrial Revolution.
There were also several dimmed laboratories illuminated with teal blue fluorescent lights. Blue flames flickered under Bunsen burners while students peered through microscopes at their ant friends. A blue anglerfish man was pouring colorful contents from different vials together, snickering. A mad scientist in a lab coat was instructing one class on how to make a serum that could strengthen the DNA of animal hybrids.
"Let's move on," Jackie coughed, swiping away the nearby smoke.
They exited the wing and had arrived at the vast bustling cafeteria.
"The heart…erm, stomach of the campus!" Jackie joked.
Rows of white tables hosted hungry students and staff. Several birds were slurping up bowls of worms. Werewolves were munching on raw meat while horses chewed casually on hay blades. There was also regular food for the more human-like beings as well: salads, sandwiches, soups, potatoes, tacos, casseroles, stews, banquet style meals, fruit desserts and ice cream. There was even a stand giving out spectral food for ghosts. Like many college eating areas, there were various sections serving different kinds of dishes like a miniature food mall. It was an all-you-can-eat paradise.
Cameron's stomach grumbled as she inhaled the scents of exotic foods. But Cameron soon led her out and back to the main lobby.
"And now, for the best and last part of the tour…" she led Cameron through the wing with red curtains. Rusty and another spotted animal watched them go from the top of the stairs.
"This is the Arts Wing!"
Jackie held her arms in the air as they walked down a hall. The walls were red and decorated with spirals. A poster with a comedy and tragedy theater mask shone within a frame of lights. There was a red "Just Dance" poster and a green movie posted with a clawed black hand labeled "Now showing: The Ded." There was a painting of a waterfall and a nearby forest.
Cameron looked around. "Oh my, never woulda guessed…"
Jackie laughed. "Hahaha! Sarcasm! I like you Cam!"
They stopped by the dance room and pushed open the double red doors.
"Baby! I got someone for you to meet!" Jackie trilled.
A man with the same colored skin as Jackie, clapped his hands. A group of girls, Mia and Ava, Penelope and Camilla were in pink tutus and ballet slippers doing practice.
"Okay girls! Once you're warmed up…Jackie!"
The man turned around and beamed.
"Oh god…" Cameron looked in disgust.
The man wore a vibrant red pinstriped suit with blue vertical stripes on it. His bow tie was yellow with red and blue dots on it. His hair was mostly red with a white spot to the left side and blue tips toward the bottom back. His hair also resembled parrot feathers. He currently wore dark blue pants, pointed black shoes and a pink tutu. He also had a gold tooth.
He leaned into Cameron, his eyes golden yellow.
"Salutations senorita! Name?"
"C-Cameron."
"Soopity, doopity to meetcha! My name is Alanzo but call me Al! It's shorter!"
He also eagerly shook Cameron's hand before hugging his wife.
"Heh, nice to meet you," Cameron began. "So what subject do you…"
"Dance!" Alanzo explained with a flourish.
Jackie chuckled nervously, guiding Cameron out of the room. "Well honey, we gotta run. Got a lot of school to show!"
"You do yer thang, gal!" Alanzo said with a snap of his fingers.
"So he was…" Cameron began as they walked out of the room and down the hall.
Jackie smiled. "That was my husband. We both work in this wing!"
Jackie showed Cameron more rooms.
"And here is…the Art Room!"
Addison and his adoptive Indian snake mother Latika were busy painting on a canvas. A vivid painting of a flying phoenix hung in the background.
"The Music Room!"
Calvin, a yellow crocodile with a black and yellow back with squares on it, played a tuba, which matched his color scheme. A smiling brown fox named Christopher played a white saxophone with blue swirls on it. A black porcupine named Priscilla played a black cello.
Dodododo do-do-do-do…they played a cheerful tune that sounded like Gooseworx's two Zoophobia themes. (Look it up on YouTube!)
"The Film Room!"
A white and gray wolf twin (Leonardo or Vincent) held onto a fire hydrant with a joyful expression as a fan blew him back. A green screen was in the background. A cheetah, a gray-haired student and the other wolf twin looked at a screen in bewilderment. Another guy with a black hat, flinched from the force of air.
"Why do the animals have giant fans?" asked Cameron.
"Guess they got a bigger budget!" Jackie exclaimed.
"But why?"
"Their last film almost did win at the festival," Jackie pondered.
At last, they entered a vast auditorium.
Jackie spread out her arms. "And here is my domain! The Theater!"
Cameron glanced down at a group of figures sitting on the stage.
"A-are those your students?"
Jackie wiped a tear from her eye. "Yep! They are my little prodigies!"
Then she trilled in a sing-song voice: "Good afternoon my sparkling little turtle doves!"
"Hey Jackie!" the students harmonized in song.
To Cameron's bewilderment, an orange fox named Spam, peered at her from atop her head…then licked her face randomly before scampering off.
Spam, Penelope, Jack, Makenzie, Zillion, Kayla, Sahara, Daimon, Taylor and Vanexa were all there.
Penelope wore a stylish white dress and a teal headband with two peacock feathers on it. She was currently admiring herself in a small hand mirror. Mackenzie the cat girl had messy red hair, pale skin and a lavender shirt with a cat on it. She saw herself as a cat after being raised by her equally cat-loving mother Margo.
Jack was a light brown jackal with a worn down body and droopy ears. Zillion was a mix up of creatures and had yellow skin, purple eyes, purple antennae-like ears and a small green snake for a tail. Taylor was a guy with red sclera eyes, light brown hair with purple sides, and he wore brown clothing. He and Zillion were currently locked in an arm wrestling match.
Kayla the beautiful kangaroo was Zillion's girlfriend; she was happily perched on top of the black grand piano. Sahara was a dark skinned woman wearing a pink head scarf over her dark hair. She had an affinity for magic. Behind her was a darker colored jackal Damion, with red pupils, black sclera and wearing tattered clothes of red and black. Finally, Vanexa was a purple bi-pedal cat, reading a book with a disinterested look on her face. She viewed those around her in a detached annoyance.
'These are her students?! Just more magical freaky animals?! How crazy can this world get?!' thought Cameron.
Zillion pinned down Taylor's arm, much to the latter's annoyance. "Who's your friend, cracker jacks?" he asked Jackie.
Jackie put an arm around Cameron. "This here is your new guidance counselor fellas!" Cameron awkwardly looked off to the side.
"Oh good!" Jack and Damion called at the same time.
Damion smirked sarcastically, "I need a lot of 'guidance!'"
Cameron walked over and pointed at Zillion. "Um sorry, I hate to ask but…what exactly are you? I want to know how scared I should be…"
"Well I…" Zillion began to explain but Jack snickered with a "Kekekeke!" from beside him. Zillion glared at Jack.
"Pass," Zillion deadpanned. "Not even I know what I am."
McKenzie sniffed Cameron for a moment, then let out a "Hiss!" It was her habit among strangers. Cameron flinched in confusion.
Damion chuckled and leaned toward Cameron. "You really got your work cut out for you, lady! Just sayin'."
Cameron stared at him. "H-how are you floating like that?"
Damion grinned. "Oh well it's because…" He turned on a flashlight under his face and bared his fangs wide, his eyes swirled stripes of red against black. "I'm the Antichrist! Hahahahaha!"
Cameron almost felt like fainting again.
Jack inched closer to Cameron with an apologetic look. "I'm really sorry about my cousin!" He smiled and clutched her hand. "Hello! My name is Jack! And I would like to schedule with you as soon as possible!"
Cameron raised an eyebrow. "Uh, okay?"
Jack let go. "Sorry! It's been a while since I had someone to talk about my problems…"
Clang!
A stage light fell down and collapsed on top of Jack. He fell to the floor in a heap. A pool of dark blood was visible on the floor around his head. One of his paws had an exposed bone. Cameron covered her mouth in fear and shock.
"Aw man! Not again! You okay dude?" Zillion asked in concern.
Zillion turned to Cameron. "Yeah, this happens a lot. He'll be alright."
"Hey, Jackie! Another light fell!" Taylor called.
"I saw it!" she answered.
"So Cam!" said Jackie. "Do you wanna stick around for the class?"
"I'm sorry to say…I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed," Cameron breathed in almost a whisper.
"Understandable, hun! Vanexa, would you mind escorting Cam to her office?"
The purple cat nodded and led the way, book in hand.
Jackie turned back to the class and clapped her hands. "Alright guys! Showtime!"
They soon reached a pair of wooden doors underneath a sign that read "Guidance."
"T-thank you. V-Vanexa was it?" Cameron asked nervously. Vanexa did not answer. There was an awkward silence as they looked each other in the eyes. They each seemed to be trying to decipher the other's thoughts. Cameron coughed.
"W-well…yeah…good evening to you, talking cat…" Cameron stuttered.
"Enjoy your stay," said Vanexa before she walked back down the hall.
0 0 0
Cameron slammed the door shut behind her, catching her breath. Her office was small and dimly lit with a few books on one shelf to the left. A palm plant was off to one side and blinds were in the center of a yellow wall. In the center was a desk with a couple chairs and "C. Walden" on a label. A pink gift bag lay on her desk with a bunch of strange items inside; a pink flower with yellow tips, a green dragon figure, and what appeared to be cosmetics. Cameron read the tag on the gift: "Dear Cameron, Welcome to the Family! Z.P.A. Staff."
Cameron smiled slightly at the thoughtful gift.
Cameron was reminded of Mrs. Winkler's office…and then was reminded of home. This small space didn't feel much like home.
"How are you coping with things thus far, Cameron?"
Cameron whirled behind her and spotted Zechariah the cheetah.
"Holy mother of…please d-don't do that…"
"My apologies," he said.
Cameron sighed. "Yeah…well all things considered…" She slide down onto the floor, overwhelmed.
"I'm sure this is a lot to handle," said Zechariah.
"Yeah…"
"This place will take some getting used to, Miss. Miss?"
To Zechariah's surprise, Cameron was sniffing and sobbing, burying her face in her knees. This was not how Zechariah imagined the newcomer would feel.
"I am truly sorry this has happened to you, Miss," Zechariah said empathetically. "I wish there was more I could do…"
Although stern on the outside, Zechariah had a sweet and protective heart. Being a staff member had gotten him exposed to more human emotions. As the ZPA staff had welcomed him during his arrival to Safe Haven, it was no wonder that he went out of his way to try and do the same for others.
Zechariah nuzzled his furry face into Cameron's like a comforting cat. Cameron didn't flinch this time. In fact, she cried and wrapped her arms around the cheetah. She didn't care that he wasn't a regular human. She just needed something…someone to give her comfort. Someone to let her know she wasn't alone in this strange new world. Zechariah's warm soft chest felt good to Cameron…like a comforting blanket or a pet. Zechariah stared in brief surprise, before closing his eyes and embracing the gesture. Cameron reminded him of when he had been a young cub, trying to find his place.
Cameron's animal-loving side from her childhood briefly came back…before it faded with the moment of their separation.
"There is…something you may like to see," mentioned Zechariah in a soft voice. He had an idea. "This way, Miss."
Cameron followed Zechariah up the stairs and into the observatory.
"W-what's up here?" Cameron asked.
Then she looked skyward and gasped.
"Oh my god…"
Shimmering in the starry night sky were glowing yellow koi fish floating in the air. They had yellow skin, glowing white eyes, white lines and spot designs across their bodies. One large fish had a yin-yang symbol on its forehead and was as big as an airplane. Their fins were transparent and flowing gracefully like they were angel wings underwater.
"These are guardian fish spirits," said Zechariah. "The Fish of Peace. They appear when everything is safe. Similar to the butterfly orcas, used to calm anxiety."
"How…how'd you know I like fish?" Cameron breathed. "This is…beautiful!"
'Salvia's magic of course,' Zechariah thought.
Zechariah purred. "Welcome home, Miss Cameron."
A magnificent ocean-colored whale swam by among the fish, decorated with bioluminescent spots along its back.
For several minutes, the two of them stared in wonder at the ethereal spirits. Cameron felt like maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all. Especially with her new furry friend and mentor.
Then a question spilled out of her mouth.
"So…where am I going to live anyway?"
One of the fish in the sky turned a deathly white and took on yellow and black stripped eyes. She peered closely at Cameron. "And so it begins…"
0 0 0
One day later, an earth-colored griffin-like creature named Skoni pulled a cart of packages around the street. He sang the "Mail Time" song out loud:
"Here's the mail
It never fails
It makes me want to wag my tail
When it comes, I wanna wail
Mail!"
He stopped and knocked on Cameron's door.
Cameron cracked open the door of her new small home. "Y-yes?"
"Package, ma'am!"
Cameron took the package and stared at Skoni. He suddenly appeared to be sprouting eyes all over his body…
"Get away monster!" Cameron cried, waving a bat at him.
Skoni looked taken aback. "You just arrived yesterday, lady! I'm here to deliver your mail! Gaah!"
"Demon!" Cameron yelled, squirting hose water in his face.
"Fine!" Skoni scoffed. "Have a nice day!"
Cameron blinked a few times and saw a regular pouting Skoni trot away. "Oh you were just delivering the mail again... Sorry!"
Eris (or "KayCee") laughed as the Skoni illusion replayed from her golden apple. She ate a sub sandwich in the darkness. "So let's get this party started then, shall we?"
