Chapter 5:
Number
Time for a huge change. Well ... if you think it is.
Chance stuck to his promise and did his best to make Jake happy. After graduation, the two would hang out most of the day out in the city together. They don't go to blown out clubs or late night parties, since they didn't have the patience for kind of places, but have a regular outing in the open where everyone can see that they are just more than friends; their love growing and blooming every second.
When Chance told Jake, in one of their dates, that he would be leaving soon to train for the Enforcers, he was shocked that Jake didn't react. It was him that was surprised when Jake told him he was going too. The tabby never pictured the lean tom to be a peacekeeper. Even though they are going to the same place, Jake still had some doubts.
"Look Chance, I know we will be together and we're going to a camp with a lot of toms that might not agree with us, but what if something bad happens?" Jake looked off to the distance; the horizon splitting the sky and the ocean.
"You said it yourself, we'll be together. If someone tries to lay one punch on you or even gives you the most disgustful look, I'll protect you." It was strange, even for Jake, that it was Chance who nuzzled and nipped. Chance has gotten so used to being open and Jake was finding it difficult to express in a world that still judges.
Chance noticed that Jake is being less responsive to his touches. The tom he embraced in front of him as they sit started to shiver. "Jake…what's wrong?"
"I'm scared." Jake was barely audible. "What if they don't leave us alone? It's going to be hell when they learn about us. And that scares me." He closed his eyes tight. Some tears leaked out.
Chance leaned back and let the soft breeze from the ocean surround them. "To tell you the truth, I've been feeling like that for quite a while. I don't think hell would be the word that will describe our experience to come. But none of that will matter because we will thrive through it to the end, together."
Jake didn't turn around to face the tabby, but a smile grew on him. For a while now, he has been thinking about his own well being going through a rough time in a place where males behave as males and expect it from the other. What Chance said made him realize he won't be alone.
Jake stood up and removed his shirt. He tossed it to Chance and sprinted away. "Race ya to the water!" The tabby stared at Jake with wide eyes as he ran off. He took off his shirt and followed behind slowly. Jake dove in the deep part of the water and then emerged seconds later. When he saw Chance by the shore, he looked at him curiously.
Chance took a step into the ocean and felt the muddy sand suck him in. He tried not to stagger back with Jake looking at him. He kept telling himself to only go as far as he felt comfortable going. Once he was waist deep into the water, he saw Jake's smiling. "Took you long enough."
"Well you know…the water's cold." Chance nervously laughed hoping that Jake won't ask him to go any farter. The reason being, the tabby never learned how to swim. He was too focused on the how the water was slowly climbing up and down his abdomen that he wasn't prepared for Jake's splash assault. Chance freaked out and staggers back until he trips and fell into the water. He came back to the surface and gasped for air. As fast as his heart was beating, he loved the way the water felt on his fur.
Jake snickered and dove down again. Chance felt like he was left alone. He knew this trick. Chance made for the shore as fast as he could, but slow enough for Jake to think he was drifting back. "Where are you going?"
"Um…" Chance didn't know what to say. He was freaking out too much and this whole swimming thing was getting out of paw for him. Chance was too tongue tied and words came out as grunts and stutters. Jake sighed, stood up and walked towards Chance, sitting as the water brushed over his chest. Jake got on top and started to kiss Chance. The kiss relaxed Chance and his legs fell and meld with the muddy sand.
"If this is to be our last time to have this much relaxation before we are training our tails off; I want to make this last." Jake whispered as the ocean's waves flow around them.
-Jake's POV-
The bus was full of new recruits. Jake made sure his eyes were looking out of the window as the bus drove to the Enforcer Camp for their training. He felt uncomfortable being with all these toms since Chance rode on the bus ahead. Almost nauseated, Jake kept his composure of being alone.
"Hey, you okay there man?" The tom sitting next to him patted Jake on his back. The lean tom flinched from the tom's strength. Jake looked at him from the corner of his eye and nodded.
"Yeah. Just a little nervous."
"Hell, we all are." The light brown tom crossed his arms. "My name's Rick. Don't worry about my last name. I won't have it for very long."
"Why not," Jake asked looking fully at him, which he felt he shouldn't have.
"My family didn't want me to be an Enforcer. They think it's not worth putting my life on the line. But, I really want to do this." His tone was serious. Jake was about to ask why he chose to become an Enforcer, but the bus came to a stop and were being dropped off.
They were lead to an open field and put to stand in rows. A tom walked before them, inspecting the fresh crop. Jake was intimidated by him. He was big, had long gray fur and a scar crawled out from the edge of his eye patch. The judging stare from his other eye seemed unpleased and the big tom groans with disappointment.
"This is what the city dumped us." The tom huffed out with a strong tone. "You all look young and naive to even call yourselves Enforcers. Very well, welcome. From now on, you will leave behind all sense of doubt and strife to serve Megakat City from evil tyrants. Today, you will be set in your cabin. After that, you will go to the Mess Hall to be evaluated of your current strengths and weaknesses." The tom started to walk away and another Enforcer spoke out.
"Alright, when I call your name, please step forward!" The Enforcer put a clipboard into his few. "Alexander, James! Alvarado, Gerardo!" He called out five other names before he heard his. "Clawson, Jacob! Compean, Richard!" Jake saw Rick step out from the crowd and line up next to Jake. Six other names were called out and now stand before the Enforcer. "You are all in Cabin 32! Take your belongings and set them in a bed you find comfortable!" Jake did just that. On his leave, he heard the first name of the following group. "Furlong, Chance!" It seemed that they won't be as together as they hoped they'd be.
At the cabin, Jake looked around and saw that there was one bed left. When he got there, he didn't suspect Rick to be his neighbor. Jake's bed was the second to last at the very end of the cabin and it seemed that nobody wanted it. Nonetheless, he set his things down and started to head out.
"Hey Jake," Rick came up from behind him. "You do go by Jake, right?" The lean tom nodded. "Alright Jake, before we go get judged on what it is that they'll do, tell me something." Jake got nervous. Was he found out so quickly? "What made you choose to become an Enforcer?"
Jake sighed in relief. "I decided to become an Enforcer to get stronger. I'm tired of being seen as someone they can pick on because…of my character." Jake hoped that was enough to make Rick think away from the aspect of him being gay. The lean tom looked around to see if he could spot Chance anywhere. "Also, I want to protect others and the people I care about."
"So that's your reason. That's a better reason than mine." Rick began to walk ahead of Jake. It was a minute before he stopped and turned to Jake again. "Never do anything for revenge. That motive can burden your heart." Jake stared at Rick as he walked towards the Mess Hall.
He chose a number from the small box that everyone was drawing out of. His read number 8. There was a door at the end of the Mess Hall and one kat came out, almost limping. An Enforcer stepped out and called out for number seven. To his shock, he was almost next. A paw stopped him from stepping back any further than he planed. "Easy Jake," Jake turned to face Chance. He fought the urge to embrace him.
"Chance, I'm up after the tom who just went in." Jake looked towards the ground. Once in the tabby's presence, he started to feel less stressed and nerved. "What number did you get?"
"Number 13." Chance sighed and slouched a bit. The tabby then pulled the lean tom away from the crowd to some place less gathered. There were a few toms nearby but not close enough to hear them. "So, how are you holding up?"
"Not good, but the bright side is that I might be making a new friend." Jake sheepishly smiled and looked towards the crowd; all gathered around to talk and meet up with the new friends they made on the way here.
"Really, who would that be?"
"Rick, but his real name is Richard."
"The one that stood next to you when they called his name?" Chance raised an eyebrow at him.
Jake looked at how the tabby was lost in his thoughts. "You're not getting jealous are you?" Jake teased.
"Not a chance." The door opened and the tom walked out, but in less condition than the last.
"Number 8!"
"It looks like you're up buddy. Good luck, I'll be waiting for ya." Chance said in a low voice. Jake grunted and stood up.
His walk felt like a long trip to get there. Everyone eyed him on the way. Jake believed he heard them talking about him. At how short and scrawny he looked. That made him mad, but he didn't show it. Once he passed the door, they shut and left in the room. It was somewhat dark and he saw the Enforcer that called out for him walk past him. Jake watched him as the Enforcer circled around him, judging him with his eyes.
"You're Clawson, right?" Jake nodded. "Alright then, show me what you can do. Fight me." Jake gasped as the Enforcer lunged at him. He stepped back and used his arm to block a kick. Jake was amazed at how agile the Enforcer was at every attack he launched at him. The fight just came out of nowhere, but Jake decided that blocking would give him time to study the Enforcer's movements. He found an opening and went for a punch, but the Enforcer ducked and uppercuts Jake. The lean tom got up fast and took his stance.
"Not bad, normally no one could find an opening with my speed, but you, you're different. Let's try that again and see if you can land one hit."
Jake was getting annoyed of all the fast and cheap hits he was taking. The Enforcer found out that Jake was studying him and changed his rhythm from time to time. Jake lost his temper and made a wide swing to his target. The Enforcer was stunned and was a little late to step away from such a wide strike. He staggered back and was tackled by Jake. Jake pinned him down and punched the Enforcer across his face; then another and another. Soon, his mind was clearing up and stared at the Enforcer with wide eyes. He quickly got off him and helped him stand.
"I'm sorry, I got carried away." Jake hoped this wouldn't hurt his chances of becoming an Enforcer.
The Enforcer spat some blood, but he stood up straight soon after. "It's alright. I've taken worse punches. You're fighting skills are to be admirable, but you loose your temper when you take too much damage. Paw-to-paw combat should be your last resort, so I would suggest learning how to use a long ranged weapon. You will be trained to fight combat style when your gun is not needed. Also, learn to control your temper. That's all you will hear from me for now. I'll be keeping an eye on you Clawson."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm your personal adviser and trainer. If you need any help, tips, or someone to spare with, come to me."
"I have another question." Jake felt he was being a nuisance. "What's your name sir?"
"Just refer me as Quick Strike."
-Chance's POV-
The tabby watched Jake walk off to their cabin. He already hated being separated from him on a bus ride here and now he hates it even more that they won't be in the same quartering. "Furlong, Chance!" His name was called out and groaned. Of all the random bad luck, he was one name from being with Jake. "Giles, Abraham! Gonzalez, Allen! Hendrix, Scott!" Soon, eleven others stood in their row. "Cabin 39!"
Chance tried really hard to not seem disappointed, but at least he will be able to see Jake at the Mess Hall. That thought perked him up and hurried to his new quarters. He was one of the first ones in and chose the very first bed he laid his eyes on. He set his things down and opened the backpack he took with him. Carefully, he pulled out a note that was given to him by Jake before they loaded on the bus.
"I'll see you soon. I promise to make it up latter."
"What could he be up to?" Chance said low enough for only him to hear. He put the note back in the backpack and went to leave for the Mess Hall. He turned around quickly when he heard an unsettling grunt. There was a tom on the ground holding on to his jaw. He spat out blood and stood up. The only thing strange about this behavior was that the tom who punched him patted him on his shoulder and the group joined in.
"Hey you," The biggest tom spoke out to Chance. "You look like a tough guy. Why don't you join our band of future heroes and we will work together to achieve it." Chance gave the group an annoyed look. The punch was an initiation.
"Not interested."
Chance walked through the main doors of the Mess Hall and saw a crowd huddling around what seemed to be a box. Just like the others, he reached inside and retrieved a number. "Number 7!" An Enforcer yelled out and saw a tom limp out. Whatever they did in there, it must be exhausting. His gaze moved to the tom in front of him and was happy to find Jake so fast; only Jake was staggering towards him.
"Easy Jake," When he caught him it startled Jake.
"Chance, I'm up after the tom who just went in. What number did you get?"
"Number 13." Chance led him away from the crowd. "So, how are you holding up?"
"Not good, but the bright side is that I might be making a new friend."
"Really, would that be?"
"Rick, but his real name is Richard."
"The one that stood next to you when they called him name?" Chance said the name slowly in his mind.
"You're not getting jealous are you?"
"Not a chance." Then they both heard a new Enforcer call out for number 8. Chance saw Jake tense up. "It looks like you're up buddy. Good luck, I'll be waiting for ya." He watched him walk towards the door and couldn't imagine what it must feel like to be in the spot like that. Pretty soon, he will have a turn to go up there.
Chance looked at his number again. He said and put the paper in his pocket and leaned on the wall behind him. The tabby closed his eyes and waited for his lover to return. He didn't notice that a two toms stood before him.
"You're the asshole who didn't want to join us." Chance still had his eyes closed, but he knew who it was. His ear flicked back and somewhat twitched the more the tom breathed on his face. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" The tom grabbed Chance by the collar of his shirt and pushed the tabby more into the wall.
"Leave him alone!" A light brown tom walked up to them and the tom holding on to Chance glared back at the new comer.
"What are you going to do? Nag me." The tom laughed and let go of Chance. He was bigger than Chance, white fur and a face only a killer would have. Chance felt he was in a bad prison movie than an Enforcer camp.
"Come on Scott, let it go." The big white tom second said. Chance looked at him and saw that he was getting annoyed at what Scott is doing. Not only that, he looked pretty beat up already and Chance guessed it wasn't an initiation.
"Yeah, yeah." Scott and his 'friend' walked off. Chance held on to his throat and thought he felt a slice, but it must have been from the grip.
"You okay?" The light brown tom asked the tabby and he nodded. "I have no idea what that was about, but that guy needs to chill out."
"I'll say." Chance raised an eyebrow at the tom talking to him. "You're Rick aren't you?"
"Yeah," Rick gave Chance a questioning look. "How do you know that?"
"I remember you steeping out and standing next to Jake. He told me you might be the first friend he makes here."
"You know Jake?" Rick gasped. "How do you know him?"
"Jake and I are…really close friends." Chance said hating that fact that he had to hide his feeling for their sake. Rick gave the tabby one last strange look before handing his paw out to him. Chance took it and shook paws. "Thanks for coming in when you did. Who knows what could have happened."
"With a big guy like Scott, I say it would have been really bad." Rick took out his sheet of paper and sighed. "What number did you get?"
"I got 13, you?"
"10."
"I wonder what it is that they do on the other side of that door." The tabby turned back to look at the door. His ear twitched when he heard a faint yell. His instincts tell him it's coming from behind the door, but he denied it as truth and looked around to see if someone else yelled. A few minutes later, the door opened and Jake walked out slightly bruised.
"Number 9!" Chance watched as Scott walked towards the door. Jake was coming towards him now, but Scott happened to be in his path and shoved Jake out of the way.
"Pathetic runt."
"Jake," Chance ran towards the lean tom who was growling to himself. "Jake, it's not worth it. You'll get hurt for sure."
"Chance…can you take me to my cabin? I don't think…I can stand up right now." After his ordeal, Chance could tell that Jake was worked hard and his body didn't have the strength to get him back up.
"Sure." Chance held the lean tom stand and used Jake's belt to support him to walk. Even though he knew he was helping Jake, he was glad to hold on to him this close at least. "Rick, I'm taking Jake back to his cabin. When you're done with yours, come to his side while go wait for my turn."
At the cabin, there was nobody around. Jake showed Chance where his bed is and was placed there to rest. Even though they were alone, Chance didn't want to risk being discovered. All he managed to do was hold on to Jake's paw. The tabby asked what happened on the other side of the door and Jake responded by saying he was tested on his fighting abilities.
"Jake…I don't like this." Chance looked away from him and stood up.
"Don't tell me you're thinking of getting out already?"
"No, I don't like hiding who we are. Sure I promised to keep it a secret, but I also made another promise. One I plan to keep." Chance gritted his teeth and hoped Jake wouldn't hate him for what he is about to do.
"Just do it." The tabby gasped, turning to face Jake as he went to sit up. "It's been a long day and maybe doing that at least this once would calm us –" Chance immediately kissed Jake after such a long time apart. Even from the small grunts of pain Jake gave out, they didn't stop. Chance was on the verge to taking Jake, but he just remembered that he had to leave soon. Slowly, he sat on the edge of Jake's bed again.
"Well, that did help a lot."
Then, Rick came running inside telling Chance that he was done. But not before telling him that Scott was thrashed when he was released from his session. "Scott is at the infirmary as we speak. Whoever he got pared with as an advisor, I would stay the hell away from that one."
"Then I guess I can leave you to take care of Jake. I'll be right back in a while." Chance ran out to make his way to the Mess Hall. The distance from Jake's Cabin to his destination was rather far from his. When he finally reached the Mess Hall, number 12 was called out. Chance decided to wait near the door since he would be next. Another half hour passed and Chance was called up.
"Number 13!" To Chance's dismay, the voice was feminine. When he looked up at the Enforcer calling out for him, it was indeed a female Enforcer. Everyone got silent to see who would be the one to meet up with her.
'I don't have much of a choice.' Chance rose up from his seat and everyone stood quiet as he made his way past the doors. They shut, slightly lit room, and an Enforcer circling the tabby. Chance blushed a bit, but was hoping that the Enforcer couldn't tell.
"You seem fit for paw-to-paw combat. Nonetheless, I still have to see how you fare." She took her stance and the tabby just felt uncomfortable having to lay a paw on her.
"I don't want to hurt you."
"Hurt me?" She chuckled. "I would be more worried about you." She lunged at Chance and the tabby stopped her advance with one paw. He never saw it coming. It was like she expected for Chance to block. She had grabbed Chance's arm and pulled it back making the tabby fall to his knees. The last time he was in this predicament was when he was pinned by Jason a couple months back. "So predicable."
This made Chance want to challenge that statement. With all his might, he stood up, used his free paw to grab her by her shirt and tossed her. But, she recovered in the air and bounced off the wall towards Chance. Now, it was her turn to get blindsided. When Chance made sure she was close enough, he weaved in time to suddenly grab her around her waist and pin her down.
"Gotcha!" Chance gloated, but he suddenly stopped when he saw her smirk. With a quick motion, she had the upper paw when reversal took control and put Chance in the pinned position.
"Now who has whom?" Chance flicked his ears back as she released him. "You have great strength, but you lack the ability to think along with it. You rush in and that will be your downfall. I suggest that you focus on paw-to-paw combat and a little gun training for when it is needed."
"Great. Anything else?" Chance said a little sarcastic. The stern stare he was given made him regret it.
"Yes, loss the attitude; you will not speak to your advisor at such a tone. Do you hear me?" Chance nodded. "Very well then; I, Karen Price, will be here if you need any questions. The Mess Hall is my personal hang out and you will mostly find me here. If not, try the shooting range."
Chance was released and heads out to go to Jake's cabin again. Even though Rick will be there, he doesn't mind now. If Jake feels that he can trust Rick with their secret sooner or later, then that's one less tom to worry about.
It took almost three hours to get through the new recruits. Some went in and out just fine. Others, whoever, weren't so lucky to come out unscathed. The sun was settling and was told that tomorrow will be the start of their actual training. The test of skill today was to choose whether or not you are fit to even continue. About a quarter of the new comers were sent home do to injuries or sudden quits. Lucky for Chance and Jake, Scott was sent home. Now, they were all given time to themselves and had to sleep in by nine o'clock pm.
"So, today wasn't all bad." Chance said as he, Jake, and Rick walk around the camp. Somehow, he was beginning to feel right at home.
"Yeah, it feels better after you get your ass kicked." Rick added. Both Jake and Chance laugh and understand what he meant.
"Come on; don't tell me your advisor gave you a hard time?" Jake teased. Rick slightly punched the lean tom on the side of his arm. There was a question that he wanted to ask Rick for a while now and thought that now might be a good time to ask. "So, why did you decide to become an Enforcer?" Jake gasped when Rick suddenly stopped.
"I decided to become an Enforcer to find him. He took someone important from my life and I won't stop until he gets what he deserves." Rick tightened his fists and stared towards the sky.
"Who's he?" Chance asked. Jake wanted to know too. Rick had a hard look on his face, but felt that maybe he could trust them.
"The one who ruined my chance to have a peaceful life was…"
Who could it be? Stay tuned! Review please!