(If "Heaven" by The Los Lonely Boys is compatible with your device, please press play now)
Across the other side of the city...
Jake groggily opened his eyes, slowly gaining consciousness to his surroundings.
"Oh boy...another late night of reading and watching shows..."
He exclaimed in his subconscious, as he arose from the bed to assume a sitting position.
He glanced over to the bedside digital clock on his dresser which read: "9:00 A.M".
"Oh wonderful, I still have 2 hours to prepare for the day."
Raising his arms overhead, he stretched until his back eased, with an audible crack being heard indicating that a joint had been relieved.
"Ahhhhhhh...that hit the spot..."
He silently exclaimed aloud, as he shifted his legs over to the edge of the bed, and gently placed his legs and feet onto the floor.
"Another day awaits in purgatory...or should I say the fancier name? New Haven? Yeah...it's probably less depressing..."
Jake slowly wiped his face, his claws and fingers slowly enveloping over his whiskers.
Finally, he arose from the bed, still in his knee long boxers, as he completed the last set of his stretches for the day.
He then turned to fix and prepare his bed once more for his next rest...not that he was keeping count of how many times he did this, considering everyone in New Haven was seemingly immortal, indicative of how many times he and his sister, Jennifer, had cheated death as young foxes.
They have been inseparable since they were young kits, not knowing of a life most anthros do on Earth...they were born in purgatory, but were not certain of the fate that led them to being here, much less that of their parents. Jake being the older brother, always ensured that his sister was safe and happy by his side, and thanks to his broader and more built stature, combined with Jiu Jitsu training he acquired in his teen years...it was safe to say that others would reconsider before harming his younger sibling.
Their personalities contrast and vary between one another...but most importantly, they knew they would always have each other through whatever circumstances they should face. Which Jake would soon discover in a few moments upon stepping outside his bedroom door.
As Jake turned the nob on his door handle, his first step outside its frame was rather unexpected to say the least...softer than the sleek finish and texture of their apartment floor...no this was...cotton.
"What the-"
Jake exclaimed to himself, as he looked downwards to inspect what his foot an claws just pressed against.
"Is...that...what I think it is?!"
It was his sister's panties, he should know as he did both of their laundry loads.
As he stepped off of them, he broadened his field of view even more, as a line of clothes soon were being left in a trail in the hallway, some were hers, others were...someone else's...a male's.
"Don't tell me she-"
As Jake was about to finish his sentence, he noticed the trail of clothes stopped at the doorway of his sister's bedroom.
"...Brought HIM here..."
Jake sighed, as he started to pick up the mess of attire that laid strewn about the apartment floor.
"I know she's now a legal adult and is responsible enough to not always tell me what she is doing like she did when we were younger teens, but did she REALLY have to celebrate her 18th birthday like this?!"
Jennifer had always been more wild and rambunctious compared to her brotherly counterpart, partaking in incessant partying and drinking with her boyfriend...Eddie.
"Oh God! Now I have to listen to that guy this morning just before I get ready for the day ahead?! Christ almighty..."
Eddie was the boyfriend of Jennifer ever since they were 15 years old in the 10th grade. His residence was in the feline district of the city, where some of the more...notoriously wild residents of New Haven and Purgatory formally hailed from. Eddie was a cheetah, and he certainly had the energy of one, for better or for worse.
He won multiple track and field awards at their school, and Jennifer quickly fell for his infectious and spontaneous personality, which suited her perfectly, since she was very much the incandescent individual herself. They fit perfectly together, like a glove...which sometimes was TOO perfect for Jake to bear when they were together, but nonetheless, Jake was thrilled to know that his sister had found someone that truly loved her for who she was.
After concluding the cleaning of the mess left behind by the two lovebirds, Jake stumbled into the kitchen to pour a quick glass of Apple Juice, and started the coffee maker for his sister for when she got up.
As he opened the fridge however, he noticed the bulb in the fridge had lost its filament, prompting Jake to sigh.
"A little more magical currency to fix a bulb..."
Magical currency was the lifeline of purgatory, and each resident of New Haven was given a set allowance to use for basic utilities, food, electronics, etc. But, if residents were looking to acquire and procure a more "luxurious" side of life in purgatory, they could participate in small odd jobs around the vastness of the city, to acquire more currency to add to their already comfortable allowance they were provided from the omnipotent power that operated Purgatory...Death.
No one had actually seen Death first hand, and stayed to tell the tale afterwards, but from urban legends all anthro kids were told, he was neither malevolent, nor benevolent...he simply committed to his duty to organizing souls to both realms of Eternity and Perdition...judging his subjects to either of the realms based on their actions in Purgatory.
Jake flicked his claws and fingers, and suddenly the bulb was renewed...as if it never broke in the first place.
"There we go...a little magic lost, but worth it."
The young male fox exclaimed, as he took the carton of apple juice out of the fridge, and retrieved a glass from one of the kitchen cupboards.
The cool liquid revitalized and reinvigorated him, alerting his senses and knocking off the fatigue he had first felt rising from his slumber earlier in the day.
As he finished his glass, his ears soon twitched to the sound of a door opening from the hallway adjacent to the kitchen opening, as soft giggles could be heard from his sister and Eddie, complete with the obnoxious kissing to accompany it.
"Annnnnnnnd they're up and about..."
Jake stated in his subconsciousness, as he rolled his eyes.
A few minutes later, his sister Jennifer, entered the kitchen. Fixing her fur, and pulling her shirt over her head, and her arms into the sleeves; she smiled with glee in her expression upon seeing her older brother.
"How's my older brother doing this morning?!"
Jennifer exclaimed, as she approached Jake to give him a morning hug, and a peck on the cheek, her warm smile lighting up the room.
"Well, probably not as good as you are, judging by the still glossy eyed expression you're portraying to me now..."
Jake stated with a raised brow, as his sister began to blush from onset embarrassment.
"Well...uh..."
She rubbed her arm sheepishly, fixing the bang of fur out of her eyes; but not before having a high pitched hiccup, her tail standing upright simultaneously as well.
"...Oops..."
She nervously giggled, as Jake facepalmed, visibly showing mild frustration with his younger sibling's recklessness.
"Jen...you do realize it's illegal to drink at eighteen...you still have another year yet."
The younger female fox simply shrugged, as she confidently leaned against the counter next to her brother.
"The bartender certainly didn't have any objections to the forged I.D's Eddie and I presented to him!"
Jake quickly crossed his arms with a concerned expression.
"Are you TRYING to get yourself a one way ticket to perdition?"
Jennifer quickly laughed off her brother's question, as she looked to the coffee maker.
"Oh! I see you took the liberty of getting some coffee prepared! Thanks for that Jakey!"
Jennifer now teasingly grabbing the cheek of her older brother, further dismissing her brother's concern.
Jake quickly and gently swiped his sister's paw aside with his wrist, before holding both of her paws in his own.
"Jennifer! This is serious! Do you realize how reckless you are acting? Do you even care?"
Jennifer's expression quickly shifted to one of minor annoyance, but she still retained her carefree indifference.
"Pffffft, relax! Geez, are you sure you're two years older than me, Jake? You're starting to sound less like a twenty year old, and more like a forty year old!"
Jennifer scoffed, as Jake once again assumed his crossed arm posture, his expression now changing to one of loving concern.
"For as long as we have both been in New Haven, I'm the only other family YOU have had! So please, excuse my lesser "Juvenile" nature, but someone has to have your best interests at heart! Make that your moral compass too! Because, as far as I see it, Eddie CERTAINLY wasn't playing guardian angel last night with you! If anything, he was more like devil's advocate in you two potentially enveloping yourselves into some serious trouble!"
Before Jake and Jennifer could continue their conversation further, A golden cheetah with black spots slid across the hallway, in nothing but underwear and socks.
"Uh, correction Jake. I was only playing Devil's advocate for half of last night's proceedings, your lovely sis was the one who decided that forging fake identification would get us through the bartender's check. I simply decided that we should sneak behind the bar and grab a bottle ourselves...that would have been the better option, in my humble opinion of course."
"EDDIE!"
Both foxes exclaimed simultaneously, as one was covering his eyes, and the other was covering her mouth from muffled laughter and surprise.
"For fuck's sakes Eddie, put on some clothes! I can almost see your junk hanging from the fly trap!"
Jake exclaimed in frustration, as Eddie suddenly looked down, and realized his attire.
"Oh...heh, sorry about that...if you would excuse me for a moment!"
The cheetah quickly darted back to Jennifer's bedroom, and returned almost instantaneously; now fully clothed.
"There we go!"
The cheetah stated, as he flicked his tail triumphantly.
"Jenny? Did we pack our clothes neatly like that before we...um...you know..."
Jennifer had a confused expression, before her eyes opened wide in the realization that Eddie was trying to deflect away from the "act" they had committed last night in their intoxicated state.
"Oh...OH! Uh...no? I can't...really recall ever packing our clothes neatly in a pile before we-"
Upon that realization, the cheetah and female fox slowly turned their faces towards the male fox, who sarcastically waved at them from the opposite counter adjacent to them.
"Oh boy..."
Jennifer said, as her ears began to droop.
"Look, Jake, we...I-"
Jake simply raised his paw when the cheetah tried to explain.
"Look, I don't want you to go into further details or exposition of what transpired between you and my sister in her bedroom last night, but I certainly know it wasn't a friendly game of Monopoly."
Jake stated, as Eddie's face soon lit up.
"Well actually, despite our drunken states we actually played a game of Monopoly together before we had se-"
Eddie was abruptly interrupted by a swift elbow to the stomach by Jennifer, as she still tried to keep a thinly veiled smile, her fangs showing prominently.
"OW!"
Eddie stated through a cough of surprise from the jab, as Jennifer quickly stepped in to recover his Freudian slip.
"-Such a wonderful rest of our night together! Eddie and I had a wonderful time!"
Jake rolled his eyes at his sister and Eddie, as he quickly picked up his work bag, and quickly grabbed an apple from the fruit tray laying on the kitchen counter.
"Well you two, I'd love to stay and chat but-"
Jake glanced at his watch, which read: 11:00 A.M
"I think I'm going to clock in a few more hours at the library for some extra magical currency for us."
Jake was just about to leave, before he quickly stopped in his tracks, turning to face his sister and her boyfriend once more.
"While I am away...please...PLEASE, do not make a mess in the apartment! I try to keep this place tidy, and as sanitary as possible, so please, if you want to have fun...can you take her to your place instead, Eddie?"
Jake asked in a stern, but gentle tone, as the cheetah did a playful salute to the male fox.
"I can assure you Jake, we will not create a mess in your sister's and your apartment, and should we plan an event, I will promptly escort thy fox lady to my premises to the rest of the nights festivities."
The cheetah, imitating a formal accent, soon dropped the act when he saw the male fox's expression of acquiescent trust.
"I'm serious about this Eddie, I'm entrusting you with my sister's safety, can you promise me that you'll at least commit to that much, if not the clean apartment?"
Jake asked, as Eddie assumed a serious expression.
"I promise Jake, I will make sure I do my best to take care of Jennifer."
Eddie stated, as Jennifer gave a warm smile to both male anthros.
"I'll be fine big bro, you...just make sure you stay safe on the way to work, okay? I love you."
Jake smiled.
"I will, most of the morning rush hour has passed now, so I shouldn't experience any alterations to my route. I love you too, sis.
Both foxes embraced for a tight hug, before Jake disengaged, and swiftly made his way down the staircase.
Eddie soon wrapped his arm around Jennifer's shoulders, as the female vulpes nuzzled into the Cheetah's neck and embrace, both with warm smiles on their faces.
"He really does care about you...you're lucky to have a brother like him..."
Eddie stated, as Jennifer let out a chuckle.
"I know Ed...I know..."
Jake waved one last time from the bottom of the staircase, prompting the couple to wave back, as Jake closed the door behind him.
"Be safe Jake..."
Jennifer whispered in a soft tone.
As predicted, the rush hour had died down, allowing Jake to walk to his part time job as an archivist with relative ease.
Amongst the masses of the crowds on New Haven's sidewalks, he felt as though he were an ant in a colony, simply going to attend to a task he felt a decent enough connection to, but no real purpose behind it.
Jake had always been rather reserved with himself and his thoughts, committed to his course work in school and upon graduation, simply felt...vacuous.
He always longed for some element in his life, or at least his time in purgatory...the only life he ever knew.
He could never pinpoint what exactly it was...but he always felt it in the very fabric of his being. What that was, would soon be revealed to him, as he was approaching the library doors.
Jake took one glance at the masterfully constructed structure of architecture, before pulling on the strap of his work bag one last time, and promptly opening the doors to the interior of the building.
"Well...it's for the extra currency..."
He said to himself softly, as he saw the massive complex inside once more, with dozens of patrons scanning the various sections of the library. Fiction, Non-Fiction, Science, History, Science Fiction, Romance...if you were seeking it, the New Haven library most assuredly had it.
Jake walked over to the staff break room, and promptly went over to a deserted locker.
He swiped his paw over the name bar, soon revealing his name to be present overhead the locker itself; indicating he had reserved it as a staff member.
"Hey Jake!"
A voice soon called out from behind him, as the Fox turned with a smile, familiarity in the voice being recognized by him.
"Luke! Hey buddy! You're here today as well?"
The German Shepherd soon stepped forward to exchange fist bumps with the fox, the two smiling at one another.
"Yeah, I decided to get a little time outside of the house for a bit, family life you know?"
Luke stated, as Jake rubbed the back of his neck fur, and nodded.
"Yeah, I know what you mean..."
The canine noticed how the fox was apprehensive about something, as was the norm whenever Jake had a matter that was bothering him.
"Something wrong, Jakey?"
Luke asked, as Jake quickly snapped to attention, trying to divert attention away from his hidden inhibitions.
"Wha-oh! Yeah, yeah I'm fine Luke...thanks."
As to not press any further with his original plan of action, the German Shepherd decided to coerce an answer through other means. He needed to know what was bothering his friend, since both of them were practically brothers since kindergarten.
"Well...how is your sister Jennifer doing? Still as wild and untamed as when we were kids?"
Luke asked with a slight chuckle in his tone.
Jake rolled his eyes.
"Between her and the relationship with Eddie? Yeah...she can be quite the handful sometimes. But she does mean well...I truly believe that...just that her way of living I guess is unorthodox compared to my own...but she's still my awesome little sister."
Jake dawned a slight smile at the thought, as Luke reciprocated the same expression as well.
"Is her relationship with Eddie going well? They've been together for three years now! Wasn't her eighteenth birthday last night?"
Luke paused between each question, as Jake scoffed.
"Their relationship? Just splendid, they're practically made for one another, and yeah...her birthday celebration was last night...and she certainly didn't waste any time trying out more...explicit acts that I wouldn't have partaken in at her age..."
Jake stated with apprehensiveness in his tone, almost embarrassed to tell his best friend.
Luke raised an eyebrow, and crossed his arms.
"Oh? That sounds intriguing! Do you...mind elaborating? It's...it's okay if you don't want to be clairvoyant on that stuff, I totally understand bro!"
The German Shepherd revealing a warm smile, as Jake sighed.
"It's...it's fine...long version or the short version?"
"Whichever is more comfortable for you!"
Jake sighed, as he wiped his face with his paw in preparation.
10 Minutes later...
"Wow...well that's one way to announce to your sibling that you lost your virginity for the first time!"
Luke stated with awkwardness in his tone.
Jake looked over with a confused expression.
"Oh uh...sorry, forgot we were talking about your sister there for a second...sorry."
Jake raised his paw and waved it.
"No offence taken, it's fine Luke."
Jake sipped on a cup of hot chocolate, as he looked towards the clock.
Luke noticed something was still awry with his best friend, and tried to pursue it further.
"I can tell you still have something on your chest though...it's written all over your face."
Jake stopped sipping his hot cocoa, to look up with a defeated expression.
"Well...okay."
Jake placed his mug on the counter.
"It's just...seeing Eddie and Jennifer together...despite their flaws...flaws that we all have as people...they still seem so happy together, their juvenile and spontaneous natures are a lot to handle...but they have each other to lean on..."
Jake paused for a moment, fidgeting with his claws as he tried to explain further.
"I don't know...sometimes I believe with every conviction that life here in New Haven is...peaceful, tranquil even...being able to go and visit anywhere we want to, the convenience magic creates in our daily lives...it's nice in SO many varying aspects...it's just that-"
"You wish you had someone to share those feelings with."
Jake stopped for a moment, and looked up at the shepherd staring at him in the eyes.
"...Exactly..."
Jake stated in a soft whimper, as Luke placed a paw on his shoulder.
"Jake, I've known you for many years, and if there's one crucial trait that I know of you...is that you're genuine in who you are. You care for your sister's happiness and safety, you're loyal to your friends, I mean; remember when you visited me in the hospital when we got into that swimming accident at the camp lake house for the scouts?! You stayed there the whole night when I was nervous about going into surgery to remove the shrapnel from the boat! None of the other scouts stayed, but you did!"
Jake slightly smiled, before twisting his cocoa mug in a circle.
"Yeah...I guess you're right..."
The German shepherd pulled his friend into a warm and friendly hug, as Jake was caught off guard for a moment; but quickly embraced his best friends gesture.
"I KNOW I'm right Jake...you're a great guy...and I know you'll find someone who shares the same sentiments on life and love...you'll see."
Luke checked the clock once more as it read: 12:00 P.M
"Well, I guess we better get some extra currency while there's still daylight!"
The German Shepherd exclaimed, as he finished his cocoa and rinsed his mug in the staffroom sink.
"Take it easy Jake, it was great chatting with you! Wanna meet up at my place on the weekend?"
Jake looked up to his friend with a slight smile.
"I'll...I'll let you know on Friday..."
The German Shepherd smiled.
"No rush buddy, enjoy the rest of your day, and tell your sis and Eddie that I said hi!"
The canine exclaimed with enthusiasm, as he made his way out to the main complex of the library to assist patrons and organize the vast catalogue of novels and literature with the other library employees.
Jake sat for a few more moments in the break room, before finally getting up and starting his voluntary shift.
The hours passed, Jake and Luke both assisted each other in their shift organizing shelves using the Dewey decimal system, assisting the questions and directions of particular works for customers; before departing one another for the evening.
Jake returned home from the library, quickly placing his bag on the floor, and much to his surprise...the apartment was clean! In fact, there was no disarray whatsoever!
Jake then saw a note placed on the kitchen fridge, and went over to inspect it:
"Gone with Eddie to his place for the night, just letting you know in case you were worried and were wondering. I made you some dinner and left it in the fridge. Try to relax and enjoy your night, I know I will ;).
Love you big bro, always! :D
-Jennifer"
Jake smiled as he released his grasp on the letter.
"I love you too sis...always."
Jake then opened the fridge to see that a plate of macaroni and cheese, along with a few chicken wings, had been left for Jake...one of his favorite meals, as his sister knew all too well.
Jake smiled, as he heated up the meal in the microwave, and sat down at the kitchen table to enjoy it.
"You're a bag of turbulent emotions, sis...but you're awesome..."
Jake relaxed for the rest of his evening, watching a few episodes of his favorite shows, along with a little bit of time reading his favorite books.
He had a quick shower to rejuvenate himself as well, allowing the warm water to cascade and relax the pores in his skin, and soften his fur follicles.
Jake then climbed into his bed, afterwards, laying in his back with one of his arms behind his neck.
Thoughts swirled around his head, but one lingered from today from his friend Luke:
"You're a great guy...and I know you'll find someone who shares the same sentiments on life and love...you'll see..."
Jake then shifted his body to a side position, before slowly closing his eyes.
Little did he know...these next few days would change his life and existence in Purgatory forever...along with a certain blue feline's...
END OF CHAPTER
