"We live to fight every new day"
''Legoshi! Wake up!''
Collot always had this strange and somewhat amusing habit of waking everyone up in the morning. But the grey wolf had been awake for several minutes, just lying there staring at the ceiling.
'And so begins a new day. A new day without any changes.' Legoshi thought to himself.
''Come on, Legoshi, get up,'' Now, that was the voice of Jack, Legoshi's best friend. ''Don't think that I will carry you to school on my back.''
''Okay... Okay, I'm getting up now.''
When he finally got up from his bed, the wolf realized that all of his roommates, Jack, Collot, Miguno the spotted hyena, Durham the coyote, and Voss the fennec fox, were already awake and dressed. The wolf only had a few minutes to get dressed. He didn't even have time to wash his face.
Many people say school is a second home. It is from here the budding individual enters the adult world. Everyone has only one path to school, but after graduation, there are many crossroads with an infinite number of paths. Some paths are impermanent, and the way forward is the only way to the future. But the future is unknown, so these roads are always covered with an impenetrable fog. And if you walk along it, one day you will reach the end, where fate will meet you. But fate is a weird thing. It can be an executioner who gives you a harsh punishment in the form of a wrong life. Or it can be an angel who will guide you to the true path.
Perhaps the future is predetermined. Life is a journey along a path with many roads and crossroads covered with the fog of the unknown. But sooner or later, any path will end. In the end, there will only be an abyss to fall into. And when you fall into it, this long journey will end once and for all.
But what is life for herbivores and carnivores? For herbivores, the paths at the crossroads are always covered with fog. And they need to pass through, only to realize they've taken the wrong path. That path is covered in blood and ends in an abyss. As for the lucky ones, their journey continues until a new crossroads appears. And there's no telling which path will be the wrong one next.
It's different for carnivores. Some paths at crossroads are covered with clear white fog, but there's always be a path covered with bloody fog. This path is killing and devouring prey. It's a kind of restaurant with a waiter standing near a door and saying, "Come in, you must try it. It's easy. All you have to do is kill to taste this delicious, sweet, bloody forbidden fruit." Not many can resist the temptation to enter, and many, sooner or later, return to taste the flesh.
Breakfast was pretty standard: rice and vegetables, roll, tea, and soy milk. The cafeteria was the noisiest place at the Cherryton Academy. It was always loud and cheerful during meals.
At the table where Legoshi and his friends sat, the conversation never stopped for a moment. Usually, the grey wolf didn't join in, he just sat and looked at his tray of food, occasionally picking at an uneaten piece of rice with a fork. He had already eaten the roll and didn't want anything else.
''What are you reading in that paper, Durham?'' Jack asked the coyote.
''No big deal. There's a story on the front page. "Crash. Unknown Car Broke Traffic Light." The car collided with a parked car and then crashed into a traffic light. And you know what's the most interesting? The make of the car was... uh... Mercedes? I've never heard of that.''
''Maybe this is a brand-new model, test-driven for the first time in urban conditions?'' suggested Fennec Voss.
''Professionals from a car dealership wrecking a car? Something doesn't add up,'' said Collot.
''Lemme see,'' Jack said and took the paper from Durham.
Legoshi, who was sitting next to him, looked at the paper without much interest. There is a picture of a beautiful dark yellow car, and from the looks of it, an expensive one. Beautiful except for the front end. The bumper and hood were badly dented, and the right headlight was completely broken. In the picture, the car was already being loaded onto a tow truck with the assistance of a hanger. Police officers and a few animals were standing nearby.
''It also says the driver's name is unknown because the police picked him up before the reporters arrived,'' Jack said.
''Okay, never mind. Let's go. The classes will start soon.'' Miguno told his friends.
The classes at the academy always started at 9:00 a.m., right after breakfast. Legoshi let most of the words the teacher spoke pass by his ears. He was so deeply lost in thought that it felt as if the world around him had disappeared, leaving him alone in the empty space of his mind. It was like he was sitting inside a dome, with his thoughts written on the walls.
'I'm a carnivore. There is no need to be the sharpest tool in the shed to realize it. I can admit I'm a carnivore, but I can't admit my dark side. It plays tricks on me, tries to blind my attention, and then take me over. I will never let this creep control me. Louis once asked me why I'm wary of my own power. Why? Maybe because I'm just afraid of it myself. Uh, sometimes Louis acts very strangely. He asks me to show him my true nature, to show him my fangs and claws. Why is he doing this, for what? And... I can't help thinking about HER! Oh God, why even the small thought of her feels like a gap for my dark side to take me over? Is there a single carnivore in this world that evolution has taken away that monster instinct? The instinct to kill and devour herbivores.'
The bell rang.
''Lesson is over!'' said the teacher.
'What? It was over already? Ugh. I missed it again.'
Before heading off to the next class, Legoshi made his way to the Drama Club during recess. There weren't many animals there, herbivores in one corner, carnivores in another. Louis was saying something softly but insistently to Bill the tiger. Judging by the expression on his face, he was not particularly pleased with this conversation with the noble deer.
At the moment, Legoshi didn't really want Louis to notice him, so as stealthily as possible he walked up to his spotlights. Well, there's nothing wrong with them. Dust? Meh, can wait.
Legoshi looked down at his fellow Drama Club members. He perfectly understood why carnivores and herbivores were staying away from each other right now. The recent death of an alpaca named Tem had spooked the herbivores. The day after the tragedy, they had been pointing accusing fingers at the carnivores, only making the carnivores angrier.
The worst part is that the killer could be a student at the academy. He could be anywhere, even right here, right now. Maybe he could still taste the sweet taste of blood on his fangs.
Legoshi stepped out of the Drama Club room and noticed students hurrying somewhere. It was still a long time before classes, where are they going? He could tell from their whispering that someone had come here or someone had been brought here.
''What? Dom, what's going on?'' The grey wolf asked the blue-colored peafowl.
''The police are here.''
''Why? Did they find out who killed Tem and come to arrest him?''
''No, they brought someone to the academy.''
''Who?''
''I don't know. It's all over the academy. I'm curious about it myself.''
They came to the main hallway, where a crowd of interested students had gathered. A few seconds later, four animals walked in. Two animals, to be exact: a horse and bear in police uniforms, and two strange creatures.
Most of the students, both herbivores and carnivores, gasped when they saw these two monsters. Questions immediately spread among the students: "Who are they?", "Where did they come from?" "Are they herbivores or carnivores?" and even "Are they killed Tem? But then why aren't they in handcuffs?".
They were tall creatures in simple civilian clothes. One of them was wearing a blue-green plaid shirt, jeans, and red sneakers with the inscription "Converse." The second creature is very tall and muscular, wearing a white T-shirt with a red "A" topped with something resembling a white and blue ribbon (The Colorado Avalanche logo) on the chest and a black emblem with "NHL" diagonally across both sleeves. He is also wearing jeans and sneakers and has a green backpack and an electronic watch.
These strange creatures had no tail at all, no fangs or claws like carnivores have. Light-colored skin with no fur. They have fur only on their heads. The tall one has light and short hair, while the short one has light brown and long hair reaching his shoulders. Their small ears looked like seashells.
For Legoshi, who is mostly indifferent to new things, it was an unforgettable experience. He can only stay there with his jaw dropped and stare at these aliens. One of them was the same height as him, but the second one... This strong, big guy was way taller than him (Legoshi's height is 1.85 meters, Phil's height is 2.06 meters, let me remind you).
''Can you believe your eyes, Legoshi?'' Dom asked the wolf.
'Wow! I thought I was the tallest one here. Wait, what am I thinking? Who are they anyway? They don't look like anyone at all. Fascinating. Wait...
... their smell. It cannot be. Herbivores don't usually smell like that. And carnivores don't smell like this either. I... I... I don't understand. I can't believe it! For the first time in my life, I can't identify someone species by smell! What are they?! Should herbivores be wary of them? No, there's a more interesting question. Should we carnivores fear them?'
A few seconds later, the two creatures, along with the horse and the bear, entered the principal's office. Despite the bell ringing, some of the students went to the principal's door and began to eavesdrop. Legoshi, instead, walked towards the classroom, tormented by new questions, questions so unforgettable that they even pushed out thoughts of the beautiful one whose smell was driving him into a monster. His roommates were already waiting for him in the classroom.
''So, Legoshi, what did you see out there? What are they like?'' Jack asked.
''I don't even know where to begin. They are... animals with no fur, and they have no tails. I can't figure out what their diet is. One of them is as tall as me, and the other one is just... a titan.''
''What? Is he even taller than you?'' Voss asked.
''Pfft, I'm shocked too! Even taller than Bill. Only giraffes are taller than this giant, and... maybe a few other animals.''
''Whoa. But why did the police bring them here?'' Collot asked. Legoshi just shrugged.
'Hmm, tall creatures with no fur or tails...' Jack thought and looked at the picture of the wrecked car.
Half an hour ago.
The impound lot for wrecked cars was small but heavily littered with scrap metal. Some cars were completely wrecked, others only had scratches and bumpers that had fallen off.
''Go over there to the left, near the blue SUV will be your car. Here are your keys to get the things you need. Give the keys back to me when you're done. You have ten minutes,'' said the commissioner horse.
Phil walked briskly toward his car he was called "angel". But now it looked more like a "fallen angel". It was a sad sight. The bumper and hood were crumpled, the left headlight was missing, and the windshield was broken. Just overnight, the work of art of German automakers turned into an ugly semblance of abstractionism. The car was not suitable for restoration.
''I'll be damned. Holy crap.'' Phil clutched his head. ''My dad would rip my head off if he saw the car.''
''I'm really sorry, Phil,'' Kurt replied to his friend. ''But we have to keep going, no matter what.''
''Hey, I don't mean to be rude, but you gentlemen better hurry up,'' The Commissioner said to the humans.
''Go ahead, Kurt. I'll be back in just a second. I'll just grab some stuff real quick,'' Phil said and walked over to the trunk.
Kurt shrugged and turned back to the commissioner. Since Kurt hadn't brought anything with him on the trip, so he had nothing to take out of the car. Phil took some things out of the trunk, walked around the car, looked at it, after he came back, and gave the keys to the commissioner. They were put back in the police car and driven to Cherryton Academy.
The central districts of this animal city were the exact opposite of the ghetto. It was clean and cultured. Various kinds of animals were walking around, and there was no sign of carnivores trying to eat herbivores.
''Here's Cherryton Academy, gentlemen.''
Now.
There was a calm atmosphere in the office of Mr. Gon, the principal of the Academy, who was the tiger. Next to the tiger stood the bear and the swan in a grey sweater.
''So...'' the principal said, looking at the sheets the commissioner handed him, ''Mr. Kurt Wides, 18 years old, and Mr. Philip Fobes, 19 years old. Is that correct?''
''Yes,'' answered Kurt and Phil.
''Mr. Gon,'' The Commissioner said. ''I take it that our work here is done?''
''Yes, yes, of course. Thank you very much, Commissioner,'' the principal said.
The Commissioner and the bear policeman left the office, after which his voice was already outside the door.
''Well, students, back to your classrooms. There's nothing to see here.''
''Alright, let's continue,'' The principal said and looked at the documents. ''Oh, it also says that your species ''human'' is endangered, and you live separately from animals.''
''Right. That's why hardly anyone has ever heard of or seen us.''
''Yes, it's terrible that your species is endangered. But why is this so? Oh... Ok, I think we don't need to broach that sore subject. I honestly didn't believe my eyes at first when I saw you in pictures. Oh, well, never mind. Now, Mr. Wides and Mr. Fobes, let's get to the point. This is Mr. Wilson'' Principal Gon introduced the swan.
''He is a supply manager. You will report to him. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Wilson as well. We will give your documents and photos to the personnel department. There, you'll have your Academy employee identification cards made. Don't lose them, gentlemen. Since you are not allowed to leave the Academy until the damages are paid for, you'll be eating in the cafeteria with the students. Mr. Wilson will now give you your work clothes, show you where you will stay, and explain your work schedule in detail. Do you have any questions?''
''No,'' said Kurt and Phil.
''Alright. Follow me, gentlemen,'' said Mr. Wilson.
Kurt and Phil followed the swan out of the principal's office. The classes had already started, so almost no one was in the hallways.
''In fact, here's the plan for your work,'' said the swan, heading towards the warehouse.
''You will clean the facilities as they become soiled. But the dining room needs special attention. It must be cleaned after every meal. You don't need to clean the outside, that is not your concern, you only need to clean the premises. And don't go in the basement, either. It's dark and slippery. I don't want you falling there and breaking your limbs. And I'll also give you the keys to the cleaning supplies room. Lock it up at all times so nothing goes missing. Oh, and one more thing. The Academy's main entrance is locked at night by security. You will have keys to go out the back entrance. When you're done cleaning up, be sure to lock it before you go to bed. And, uh... I'll add one more thing of my own. Try not to stay up too late cleaning. Sometimes, this place can get really creepy at night. Well, here we are.''
The humans, along with Mr. Wilson, walked into the warehouse. Swan took a minute to pull out of the closet the Academy janitor's uniform for Kurt: pants with straps, a baseball cap, a grey-colored T-shirt with the Academy's emblem on one side of the chest, a stylized paw of an animal in green and below it the inscription "Cherryton Academy," with "Employee" written on the other side, and a jacket with the same designations. But when he looked up at Phil, the swan swallowed nervously, afraid that he wouldn't be able to find the right clothes for a big guy like him. But luckily, he found one.
''H-height difference is natural for humans?'' asked Mr. Wilson, who was shorter than both humans.
''No, humans are mostly as tall as Kurt. My case is unique. It happens sometimes.'' Phil said.
''I see. All right, let's move on.''
The swan then led Kurt and Phil outside and showed them the back entrance to the Academy building. The group passed four large buildings. They turned out to be student dormitories. Mr. Wilson said that nothing in them needed cleaning either. The cleanliness of the dormitory was the responsibility of the students. Kurt and Phil's apartment was located not far from the dormitories.
The swan brought them to the small one-story cabin, where they would spend a few months. The interior was cozy and welcoming despite its simplicity. There were two single beds by the window. Next to it was a cheap closet. Next to the closet, on the table, was an electric kettle and two mugs. In the center of the room stood an old coffee table and two folding wooden chairs. On the wall was a clock.
''So this is where you're going to live. I know it's kinda... dusty. No one has lived here for a long time. But all works here. There are lights and plumbing. Here's your place to sleep, and here's the bathroom.''
''Thank you. It's quite comfortable here,'' Kurt said.
''Great. Then, get changed and head to the Academy. Oh, I almost forgot. Here are your keys, this one is for the cabin, this one is for the back entrance, and this one is for the cleaning supplies room. Don't lose them,'' said the swan and handed both of them a set of keys.
''Well, the classes are not over yet, so try to clean the corridors while you have time,'' With these words, Mr. Wilson left the cabin and left humans alone.
''Well, home sweet home,'' Kurt said and sat on the bed.
''Yeah, it could have been worse,'' Phil said, taking off his backpack and putting it in the closet.
''By the way, don't forget to set the time on your phone.''
''Yeah. All right, change, and let's go. Let's not keep him waiting.''
Thus began their first day of work at Cherryton Academy. By the end of the day, everyone knew of their existence. During every break, they encountered hundreds of curious stares from the students. And while the carnivores were simply interested in watching these incredible creatures of nature without hair and tails cleaning the rooms, the herbivores had flickers of fear in their eyes.
The students have no idea that the two humans are their peers.
Two days later.
Several days had passed since two humans had arrived at the Academy to make up for the damage. In the office, they've got an employee card. Now, they were full-fledged employees of this educational institution.
However, except for Mr. Wilson and Principal Gon, no one wanted to have any deal with humans. Students and other employees are trying to stay away from them. Even at the meals in the cafeteria, no one would sit next to them.
The food in the cafeteria, by the way, is not that bad. Eating meat is forbidden here, that's why there are only soy substitutes. Soy sandwiches and soy milk are atypical food for humans. The rest of the food, like tea, coffee, eggs, rice, fruits, and vegetables, is tasty here.
''So, Phil, how do you like the food?'' Kurt asked.
''So-so. I feel like I'm eating at a homeless shelter. But I like tea, though.''
Meanwhile, not far from them sat a group of canines.
''I've heard the rumors, these two calling themselves... ugh... humans. Yeah, humans.'' Collot said to his roommates.
''Really? I never heard of them,'' Jack replied.
''It's because they are an endangered species. That's why not many people see them. They are so rare that practically nonexistent,'' Miguno said.
''Poor souls,'' Jack took pity on them. ''But why are they endangered?''
''Who knows? Maybe it's due to low birth rates... or high death rates, or murders. I guess it'll always be a mystery to us,'' said the hyena.
Legoshi, like all the students at the Academy, had been keeping his eyes on humans for days now. He could see that no one was willing even to say good morning to them. This is so unfair. So why doesn't he take the first step to make contact himself? Is it because they don't look like anyone else?
After lunch, Phil and Kurt started cleaning the dining room as usual. They spent about an hour mopping the floor, wiping down the tables, and emptying the trash buckets. By this time, a new break was starting. After the cafeteria, Kurt and Phil were split up to clean different hallways.
Kurt was walking down the hallway toward the restroom to get a bucket of water. At that time, a tall tiger in a sports uniform came out. Kurt didn't pay any attention to him and continued walking towards the bathroom. But no sooner had he entered the restroom than the tiger took a step backward on purpose, and they bumped shoulders.
''Watch where you're going, cleaner,'' the tiger said immediately.
Even in primary school, Kurt was used to people being rude to him, but he never got into fights. In this case, he just had nothing to say. Before him stood a Bengal tiger, tall and strong, whose vicious and predatory gaze made him swallow his tongue.
''Is it not customary for you to apologize there, or what?'' said the tiger.
''Uh... sorry.'' It took Kurt an incredible effort to say it, and then he hurried to the restroom.
He stood over the sink for a few minutes, trying to quell his trembling and calm his heartbeat. Fear gripped him, a fear for his own life.
When Kurt was about to finish scrubbing the floors, suddenly, someone pushed his water bucket with his foot, knocking it over. He didn't catch it in time, and the dirty water spilled out onto the floor. He couldn't believe his eyes, his offender was the same tiger again. The students standing nearby turned their attention to them.
''Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to. I forgot to look under my feet. By the way, it's filthy in here. Could you, uh-''
Before the tiger could finish, he heard the angry voice of a wolf nearby.
''Bill, leave him alone!''
''Legoshi, what are you doing? I was just-''
''Enough! Stop it!'' The wolf said slowly, trying to get his point across to Bill.
''Agh, alright. Hey, cleaner, you seem to have gotten a nanny, hehe...''
With those words, Bill turned around and walked away. Legoshi stood by him for a few seconds before going about his business elsewhere. Where on earth is Phil? Kurt could use his support.
For a few minutes, using a floor cloth, Kurt collected the spilled water back into the bucket. There were about five minutes left until the end of recess. He had only a little bit of water left to collect, and then...
''Bill, don't you dare!'' Kurt heard an unfamiliar voice.
Kurt looked toward the voice's owner. It was a noble deer in a green jacket with the Academy emblem on his chest.
Kurt's instinct for self-preservation instantly kicked in, causing him to grab the mop nearby and swing it behind him. His fears were justified. This tiger has come again to continue mocking him.
Bill dodged the mop and knocked it out of Kurt's hands with his clawed paw. Kurt didn't have much time to get up from his knees. The next punch from the tiger should have hit Kurt in the chest, but he jumped back in time, only to fall on his back... The situation was lousy. The tiger, snarling and baring its sharp teeth, was closing in.
''Bill, are you insane?!'' Louis voice came again.
But the tiger didn't hear the noble deer.
Kurt didn't have the strength to fight or want to. Kurt only managed to kick Bill in the abs, giving himself a few seconds to get up and get the hell out of there.
Kurt had almost reached the end of the corridor and was ready to turn left. Suddenly, a small white rabbit girl came out from around the corner. So small that it barely reached his waist. The worst part was that Kurt was about to knock her down. This moment feels like in slo-mo. Kurt's eyes met the rabbit's small eyes. Sacrificing his balance, Kurt dodged the rabbit, but he slipped and fell to the floor, hitting his back against the wall so painfully that the world turned pale in his eyes. Bill was already hovering over him, grabbing the collar of his jacket.
''Gotcha!'' After saying that, the striped one punched him hard in the jaw.
Kurt's eyes were filled with multicolored dots from the punch. He could already feel blood streaming out of his nose. And then the tiger punches him again. His ears rang.
Bill was about to punch him again, but Legoshi the wolf, stopped him. It took Kurt a few seconds before he returned to reality. There was indeed a Legoshi standing next to him. For a second the human thought the wolf, whose muzzle was contorted with a vicious grin full of sharp teeth, looked scarier than the devil himself. Nevertheless, he came to the rescue.
''I said leave him alone!'' Legoshi growled at the tiger.
''Scumbag, are you lost your mind?!'' That was Phil's voice.
Legoshi let Bill go, and Phil, the tall human, pinned Bill's arm and brought him to the floor, pressing his face into the tiled floor with his free hand. Bill could not resist someone as muscular as Phil.
''Hey, buddy, are you okay?'' Legoshi asked Kurt excitedly, trying to bring him to his senses by slapping his cheeks lightly with his paw.
''What's going on here?!'' came Mr. Wilson's voice.
'There will be no end of problems now,' is the first thought that passed through Kurt's mind.
This was the scene that confronted the swan. Grey wolf who was trying to bring the janitor to his senses while another janitor skillfully kept the tiger on the floor as gawkers gathered around.