"Failure is just an opportunity to learn something new"

It's dark.

It's dark because there is no light at all. And it's night outside. But then, why did he wake up? Whatever, It's not unusual to wake up in the middle of the night, even without nightmares.

This room looked familiar to Kurt. Oh, it sure did! It was his room at Poyt-Grady. His home. A warm feeling of nostalgia came over him, he almost shed a tear.

He got out of bed and looked around. Computer desk. Yeah, it's all dusty. In general, Kurt always kept his room clean and tidy. His father appreciated his efforts. His room was small, like the house where he had grown up for eighteen years. A single bed, a computer desk, and a closet in the wall — that's it. It's modest and simple.

Kurt went to the window. The street was completely deserted, with not a single person in sight. Shrugging, he left the room and went downstairs. The kitchen was simple as well. Feeling thirsty, he reached for a mug and took a sip of water from the tap. But for some reason, the metallic taste in the water was stronger this time. Leaving the mug, he had already wanted to return to his room when suddenly a sound came from the living room. The source of it was the TV, television interference specifically. Curiosity overcame him.

TV played static noise in the living room, and Kurt's father sat across from the TV. It was definitely him. He always sat in his soft rocking chair. He just sat there and watched TV. TV was the only light in the impenetrable darkness.

Is Dad watching static noise? What?

''Dad? I thought you'd be asleep by now,'' Kurt said to him.

Silence. There was no sound except this static noise. His father said nothing to him. He didn't even move. Kurt took another look around the living room. Everything was fine. But suddenly, his feet themselves slowly led him to his father. Each step on the wooden floor reverberated in his ears with a creaking gothic melody. The TV screen began to turn off, and on again and again with frightening speed, and in between these flashes, creepy shadows with red eyes slowly appeared.

''Dad, what's wrong?''

The walls... Wallpaper is crumbling on them, exposing the old brick walls. What's going on with the cement? It's turning blood-red. Almost all the walls are stripped of wallpaper. The cement is starting to spread. Small but swift streams of it run down the walls onto the floor. And even the ceiling! The static noise on the TV changed to the same scarlet color of blood. The sound of this noise turned into some wind howls... Silhouettes of creatures with sharp claws appeared beside a large window near the front door. They're trying to break through the house. Just a little more, and they would be here.

If the devilish force hadn't taken over his legs, Kurt would have rushed from here to somewhere far away. Instead, he goes to his father, who is still sitting calmly in his rocking chair.

And then everything suddenly stopped. He can control his legs now. The TV was completely off. Now Kurt was alone in the impenetrable darkness. Or not...

The chandelier in the living room lit up for a moment, showing him he was not alone. A dark silhouette with red eyes and animal faces was in the room. The bloody substance was still streaming down the walls. The chandelier started flashing with the same intensity as the TV had a few seconds ago. And the shadow creatures came closer with each flash. They acted like the Weeping Angels from 'Doctor Who': each time the chandelier came back on, they were closer and closer to the human.

Kurt quickly went to his father and looked at him.

''Dad, what's going on?!''

Kurt was speechless when he saw his face. It was the face of that hog from the ghetto. Who showed his hands with bitten off fingers and said:

''Well, buddy. Have you picked out which one you're going to eat?''

The shadows grabbed both of them and dragged them to the floor. The shadow creatures were tearing the hog to pieces. The light went out again. Kurt saw only floating red eyes burning with hellfire and sharp teeth shining like polished silver.

Kurt opened his eyes, realizing that it was just a nightmare. He came back to reality. But reality could be much scarier than any nightmare. Reality isn't a game. There are no checkpoints or extra lives.

Kurt got up from the hard bed with no mattress. He found himself in a small room with light grey walls. His worst suspicions were confirmed when he realized his hands were cuffed behind his back. The bright light of the new day streamed in through the small window covered with bars.

Phil wasn't around. Where is he? No, Kurt didn't want to clutter his head with new questions. It was already reeling from the madness of the night before. It was like little demons were digging through the twists and turns of his brain. He wanted to get that horrible pain out of his skull.

Kurt wanted to lie down again, and the iron door of his cell began to open. Humanoid figures in police uniforms entered the cell — a bear, a parrot, and a snow leopard.

''Let's go, stranger,'' said the snow leopard and, together with the parrot, took him under his arms and led him out of the cell.

Kurt didn't say a word. He got up quietly and walked out with the non-humans. He had no idea where they were taking him or what to expect. He didn't know what to think, he just wanted this pain to go away.

The corridor ended in the main hallway of the police station, where interest cleared his head of pain and stupid thoughts. Here, a large number of humanoid animals walked back and forth. There were dog-like ones, cat-like ones, bird-like ones, reptile-like ones. Wow, there are so many of them. There's even some fox in handcuffs, baring its sharp teeth at everyone, being led toward the cameras.

He realized that there were dozens, if not hundreds, of curious animals staring at him. Had they never seen humans before? Kurt looked around until he was led out of this hallway and into another corridor. And now, in a few seconds, he was near a door labeled 'Interrogation Room #2.' The bear led him into the room while the leopard and the parrot stayed outside.

Inside a square, iron desk sat what appeared to be a coyote wearing glasses, a white shirt, a black sleeveless vest, and a blue tie. On his chest hung a tag that said 'Psychotherapist-Investigator Gary Reed.' His gaze was no different from those in the lobby — still the same curiosity and interest. Kurt sat at the table across from the coyote, and the bear stepped back toward the door, crossing his paws over his chest.

''So, uh-huh...'' Coyote hesitated. He adjusted his glasses and looked for something in the pile of papers on the table. As he got what he needed, he continued.

''So... ahem. First of all, do you understand me?''

Human nodded.

''All right, that's something. Can you talk?''

Kurt was silent for a few seconds and then answered:

''Yes...I do.''

''Wow, that's great. Okay, well, do you have a name?''

''Kurt Wides, 18 years old.''

Coyote made notes on one of the sheets.

''All right. Mr. Wides, right? I can address you that way, right?''

Kurt nodded.

''All right. Okay, well, here's what I want to know. Are you a carnivore or an herbivore, Mr. Wides?''

Kurt didn't know what to say. Herbivore or carnivore? Well, humans are omnivores, but there's no third such option. So the question arose... What to say?

''I'm... um... I'm a human.'' was the first thing Kurt could answer.

''A human? What? What does that mean? 'Human' is your species?''

''Yes.''

''Uh... okay. So, can you tell me the name of your taller counterpart?'' Coyote asked and pulled out another sheet of paper.

''Yes. His name is Philip Fobes, 19 years old. He's a human, too.'' answered Kurt.

''Yeah, okay. You see, Mr. Wides, while you were asleep in your cell, we first brought your counterpart, Mr. Fobes, in for questioning. But he didn't tell us anything. He just sat silent. We even questioned whether he was a sentient being. Don't worry, he's all right, he's being held next to your cell. Thank you for engaging in a constructive dialog with us.''

''I understand him. Look, he's a tough character, but he's not bad. He just didn't know how to behave in that situation.''

Finished making notes on the papers, the coyote took off his glasses and continued:

''It's probably best if I explain what happened to you. Your car was discovered after you collided first with another car and then crashed into a traffic light. It was near a ...ahem... The Black Market. Anyway, you were both unconscious. You were taken to the police station hospital. The medics had never encountered your kind before, so they did what they could. Apart from bruises and abrasions, nothing serious was found. At least that's what the forensics say. After that, you were brought here. Well, that's about it.''

''I get you.'' Kurt replied.

''Well, I'd like to ask you a few more questions, if you don't mind. Tell me, do you have any identification documents?''

Oh, crap! Kurt knew he didn't have his passport with him. He doesn't like to carry it at all times. He left his passport at home in Denver this time, too. Phil isn't a big fan of carrying that thing, either.

''We ...uh... We must have lost our passport somewhere, or it was stolen. Maybe after the crash... or... ...uh... no, I'm sorry, I don't know.''

''All right. Tell me another thing. You called yourselves hoomens, so...''

''I'm sorry to interrupt, but we humans.''

''Oh, okay. So, you called yourselves humans. Well, you see, there's never been any humans in this town. Where are you from? I want to get that on the record.''

The problem is, he can't tell him the truth. What he needs to say? That humans are aliens from a parallel world? Kurt knows how humans can deal with most aliens. Simple Hollywood scenario: catch them, send them to a place like Area 51; 'to be dissected and studied'. Simple, but scary. Kurt didn't want to become a research subject.

So he had to do what he's least good at — lying:

''You see, here's the situation. We, humans, are kind of... an endangered species. We're so few that we sometimes live apart from other species... off the main roads. So we're hardly ever noticed. We...rarely go out into the cities where the...animals live. That's why you've never seen us in this town. I don't know what else to add.''

Coyote listened attentively to Kurt and took a minute to process what he just said. Then he put on his glasses and began to write something down on another sheet of paper. The policeman bear near the door kept his eyes on the human, not out of interest, but for safety's sake. Perhaps only a large animal like him, in case of an emergency, would be able to stop an unknown creature.

When the coyote finished writing, he said:

''Yeah, well, thank you. It's really been a pleasure talking to you. But now you're going to have to speak to the commissioner. So be prepared.''

Kurt didn't say anything but only nodded. Coyote went out the opposite door. For a few minutes, there was a conversation behind it that Kurt couldn't understand. He turned his head and looked at the bear. The bear first looked the human in the eye, then turned his gaze toward the ceiling.

A massive humanoid horse came into the room, light brown in color with a greyish color that changed to full grey closer to the muzzle. He stood before the table, looking first at the human and then at the notes in the sheet he held in his paws (or hooves).

''Well, so Kurt Wides, 18 years old, human. And another one is Phillipp Fobes, 19 years old, also human. Pfft, what a mess. An endangered species ...living apart... okay, whatever. Listen, kid, I don't really care about this human thing. I'll be as brief as possible. First of all, you damaged someone else's car. Second, you broke a traffic light. The damage is not insignificant. Since you don't have even the most basic documents, we can't take you to court. I don't care which one of you was behind driving. You're both in trouble, you're both going to pay for the damage. Here's the punishment: forced labor. Place of employment: Cherryton Academy. They need janitors there. I hope you know what the mop is and you don't need an explanation of how to use it. Am I being clear?''

''Yes, I got it,'' Kurt answered calmly.

''Good that you got it. Now, as for your friend. I couldn't get my point to this big guy. Is he mute or something?''

''No.''

''All right. Now, here's the deal. You have to go to his cell now and try to convince him. Maybe he'll listen to you. I'll give you half an hour to do that. If you don't, I'll have to send him someplace less pleasant than this school. So, it's in your best interest to convince him if you don't want to lose your counterpart.''

Kurt was taken back to the cells and brought in to see Phil. Like an ancient Greek philosopher, he looked through the small window at the bright sky. He, too, stood handcuffed. As soon as the cell's iron door closed, Phil turned around and saw his friend.

''Kurt! Thank God you're okay.''

''Same to you, buddy.''

''Heh, yeah... listen, so, uh, do you have any ideas on how we can get out of here? The police academy didn't teach me how to break out of prison.''

Kurt didn't appreciate his friend's humor.

''Shh! Please keep it down, Phil,'' he said in a whisper. ''We don't need them to know much about us.''

''Okay, sorry,'' Phil went to a whisper, too. ''So, do you know what we're gonna do? Do you have any idea how we'll get out of here?''

Kurt was quiet for a moment and continued.

''No, Phil. Look, I don't know how to put this... Well... We have to work for them.''

''What?'' Phil was outraged.

''Yeah, I know. They said you have been silent on questioning and-''

''Of course, I did...''

''And, well, I told them everything. I told them that we are humans, and in this world... we are... well... sort of... an endangered species.''

''What?!''

''Phil, please don't yell...''

''What else did you tell them, huh?!''

''Phil, please...''

''Jesus Christ, we're in the middle of nowhere, and... y-you have no idea what I saw in there.''

''I get you, just listen to me. You hit a car and a traffic light last night. They want us to pay for the damage together...''

''Screw you! They... I saw how they devoured someone...''

''Phil, calm down...''

''What if they devour us too?!''

''Phil, calm down now!''

''I don't want to stay here to die!''

''Shut up! Shut your mouth!'' Kurt shouted.

Phil was instantly silent. He was trembling, tears were streaming from his eyes. His breathing was ragged. He turned away so that his friend would not see his weakness.

''Phil,'' said Kurt in a calm voice. ''Phil, please look at me. Look at me!''

It was with great difficulty that Phil could look into his friend's eyes again. Kurt saw in his eyes what he felt himself — fear. This all looks like a nightmare. But it was reality. The reality of which he was utterly helpless. A nightmarish reality that he couldn't accept. He longed to go home so much...

''Bro, I understand your feelings. I'm scared, too. It looks crazy, yeah. But it's all happening for real. We're out here all alone. No one's gonna help us. We just have to rely on ourselves. We have to stick together, you know. You always told me you wanted to help people. Look at me. It's still me, Kurt Wides, your best friend. We were both born in Poyt Grady. I really need your help like never before.''

Phil calmed down a little. He was no longer trembling in fear. Kurt paused for a moment and continued.

''Phil, I promise we'll get out of this place and go home. Please, just help me. I can't do this alone. But together, we have a chance. And if you let your emotions take over you, then... worse things could happen than what you saw yesterday... and what I saw.''

Another few seconds pause.

''I don't know what Cherryton Academy is. But they said we'd be working there as janitors. I don't care if we're janitors. You have to agree to their terms. Phil... please...''

There were a few knocks on the door, followed by the voice of the horse commissioner:

''So, do you both agree?''

''Yes, I agree,'' Kurt answered, turning toward the door.

''I know that you agree. What about your big counterpart?''

Kurt looked into Phil's eyes again. There was less fear in his eyes but a spark of hope. He believed Kurt's words.

''I'll take the job, officer,'' Phil said firmly and confidently.

Phil had made the right choice. Kurt felt as if a huge weight had been lifted, and wings of hope for the best grew from his heart.

The door of the cell opened. The commissar horse and the police bear and leopard came in.

''All right, gentlemen,'' said the horse, and after a quick glance at his subordinates, he continued. ''I order my men to take off the handcuffs, don't do anything stupid.''

''Okay.'' humans answered in unison.

The commissioner looked at the bear and the leopard again and nodded to them. The leopard put his paw on the holster of his pistol, and the bear took the handcuffs off the humans. Their hands and wrists were aching very badly. Neither Kurt nor Phil showed any aggression after being released and just stood there waiting for further action. Bars removed his paw from the holster, exhaled, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

''Good,'' the horse said again. ''Follow me. A patrol car will take you to the Academy. Be aware that you are not allowed to leave the Academy until you pay for the damages. Otherwise, you will be arrested again, and the punishment will be more severe.''

''Excuse me, officer...'' Phil said.

''Yeah, what else?''

''Uh... before we go to this Academy...may I have permission to look at my car. Where is it?''