Hey everyone, happy 2025! I hope you all will have a fantastic year! Enjoy this first chapter of the year, heh!

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Chapter 20: The Apartment

Fink the Fox is met with a fairly large living room. It's a fever dream for Fink…remembering how it looked from seeing it on my device back on the island, now he's seeing it in person for the first time. Straight ahead there are three square windows with a view of the outside…and the windowsills are just wide enough for somebody to rest on and take in the scenery. To the left is the holographic television and stand. In the middle is the rug and coffee table. To the right is the couch and above is the painting.

Just like in the photograph, the kitchen, with many brown wooden cabinets, is to the right of the entrance. The dining area consists of three stools that rest against the long-polished marble counter. An elaborate stove can be seen just across from them.

Fink had his mouth wide open in awe…to him this was certainly bigger and more furnished than any den or home that Roz could ever build on the island. It felt so artificial…funny enough to the fox it's EXACTLY how he imagined Roz's home would look like if she had lived in the city…maybe that's what he assumed it was before meeting me?

His claws could be heard striking the smooth laminate floor beneath him. The animal examined all the furniture and every object that there was to see. My father was amused by the curiosity that Fink had and so too did Mom, "this will certainly be interesting" he said, closing the door as Mother hung her jacket in the closet by the door.

"Come, Fink, look at this!" I requested him in animal talk unbeknownst to the parents…who decided to walk off and turn on the lights around the apartment. He trotted toward me, and I picked him up like a dog or cat. I set him on the windowsill so he could see. The vulpine had a quick reaction…jolting back before I caught him, "w-what's wrong!?"

"We're so high…I almost fell!"

I finally understood and giggled a bit, "it's fine…that's a window, you won't fall, I promise."

"Y-you swear?" He begged, eyes widened before I nodded…calming him down a bit, "I'll be right behind you I promise."

He nodded back slowly and soon I placed him on the window again. This time he's a lot more comfortable…he pawed at the laminated glass…understanding its purpose now. With that out of the way, Fink began to take in the view of the city…looking at every unique skyscraper…every point of interest down below…and all the activity happening all around.

"It really is another world…" he said softly, "how do humans live like this?"

I leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "we've had thousands of years to learn how to."

Mom and Dad soon joined us after putting everything away. Dad looked down toward me and said with a smile, "how does Paella sound tonight?"

I nodded, thinking of all the clams and mussels that the dish typically has, "Fink is going to love it."

…

That night, Dad made the Spanish delicacy as the rest of us gathered around for the feast. Fink was now familiar with being fed thanks to Roz, so sitting below us and begging for a plate was something he would find quite easy to do.

I felt bad that he couldn't be on equal ground with the rest of us…Fink needed to be treated like a pet for the time being for both our sakes. Although the fox had his mind wrapped up around Brightbill and the others: his mind soon became distracted by the Paella that was fed to him.

It was one thing to eat one or two clams on the beach, but to have it so delicately prepared and seasoned was another thing. It's something that Roz, unfortunately, didn't have access to on the island for the most part.

Thus, Fink became overwhelmed with the flavor and began eating his plate voraciously…savoring each bite. My parents and I spent the majority of the dinner catching up with what happened on the island. I tried giving a fabricated story of me finding how to survive on my own…and eventually meeting Fink. I left out the fact I could talk to them and how everything is connected to Rozzum 7134. Mom and Dad seemed to play along with this story, and it seemed as though things would work out one way or another.

Fink licked the last of his plate…feeling satisfied just before I took it from him and placed it in the dishwasher. The parents followed suit before looking down at me with that "look." Oh boy, I know what it is.

"Fink looks like he could use a bath" Mother said, wiping the counter as Dad helped.

"That's going to get boring fast" I chuckled, deciding to usher the fox down the hallway as both parents leaned back and said, "we believe in you!" They joked in unison.

And so, I ushered him into a narrow, polished, bathroom. Straight ahead there is a tinted window with a view of the skyline. On the right you could see lights pulsating from the long double vanity mirror. The vulpine sniffed the room…taking in everything…smelling the scent of water and chemicals in the air, but what got Fink's attention was what was to the left: it's the tub/shower.

He sat on his haunches…looking down with a confused face as I locked the door behind me…meeting him at the edge of the tub.

"What is this…some kind of bed?" He looked up at me with a raised furry brow before I laughed.

"Get in and find out" I chuckled.

He gave me an annoyed look and showed teeth, "you first."

"Okay" I rolled my eyes…putting one foot in and reaching for the lever. Sure enough, I started filling the tub with water as he jumped back. After composing himself his eyes lit up and smiled, "oh! I AM thirsty after that feast!" Amusingly enough, the red fox thought it was an artificial waterfall…I guess he could see it that way. He stood up…putting his front paws against the edge and leaned forward to start drinking…my trap is set!

"Technically, it isn't for drinking" I suddenly grabbed him, and he started squirming, "it's to take baths, in you go!"

He reeled back, ears folded behind him, "n-no, come on! I'm fine, Terry, let go of me!"

"If you're going to be living here, you gotta do this. No offense but my parents think you smell, and to be honest your fur IS kind of dirty."

Fink took offense to that, but I smiled at him, "we'll make this quick, and I'll dry you."

This should be easy, right? Wrong.

I dropped him in the tub full of lukewarm water but soon he shook all over, and sure enough, there's puddles around us! "Fink!" I put my hands on my hips in frustration…

The vulpine started growling at me in response, "oh…that was a mistake kid…" unfortunately for the animal, I dumped a little more water on his head, and he froze in place. At this point, I started scrubbing the fox's head. Fink expected it all to get worse from here; however, he started feeling a sense of euphoria from me scrubbing him…now he's acting like a dog, heh! Fink had such an adorable smile too; I wish I could have taken a picture of this moment!

Not too long after, I drained the tub and dried him off, which took MUCH longer than I thought. Most of the time the vulpine would shake his body to dry faster and I ended up getting wet. The hair dryer seemed to help hasten the process at least. The final step was brushing him…the problem with that was I had to use MY OWN brush, so now it's covered in his hair…we might need to get a brush specifically for Fink, heh!

Either way, the torment for the fox was over…he found the whole experience strange indeed. Yet, he ended up liking it a bit at least…the attention…he always did like being pampered…

My showering process took less time, Fink waited outside, but when it was all said and done…I was finished and was given a change of wardrobe by Mom. The fox and I met up with the parents in the spacious living room. Father examined us both: finding us as a pair quite amusing.

"For such a wild animal, he does get along with you, Terry."

Mother walked through the kitchen and crossed her arms against the countertops, smiling gleefully at us, "my, my! Our son is actually taking care of himself!? If I didn't know any better, I say that island taught him a thing or two about responsibility!"

Man…Mom has no idea how right she is…

"I agree, Terry's always wanted a pet, and now that you have one" Dad turned to face me, "we hope you can keep up with your tasks by keeping him well fed and cleaned."

"Thanks for letting me keep Fink, I mean it" I said back sincerely.

They nodded.

"Of course, Terry."

"He's family now."

Unknown to me: my parents felt as though they needed to take it easy with me ever since what happened. I can understand that…they wanted me to adjust to life again, and I suppose having somebody who had accompanied me through it all would help.

Family. That word echoed in my head suddenly. As much as it'd be cool to have Fink as part of our family, he already has one, and it's my mission to take him back to the Island.

Either way, parent mode activated, and Mom walked up to us and crouched to be eye level with me, "bedtime in an hour, mister!"

I nodded, not objecting…it's been a very long day…I haven't had any sleep since I was on the island: with Brightbill and the others. It's going to be weird falling asleep in my bed and waking up in my bed as though nothing happened…

Fink studied my mom's look and gave a groan in response, "I know that look…mother used to give me that look, we have to go to bed, don't we?"

I quickly gave him a quick nod before the fox rolled his eyes, "figures…"

Ultimately, the parents bring me into a hug as we say our goodbyes for the night, "rest easy. Please come to us if you need anything: food, water…anything" Dad said.

"I'm fine" I said as we pulled away.

"We'll see you in the morning" Mom said before rubbing the top of Fink's head to make it messy. He just looked at her with narrowed eyes.

As Fink and I left to go to my bedroom, the parents gathered together…watching the two of us walk off down the hallway, "that fox is going to be the talk of the neighborhood" she said, giggling to herself.

"Talk of the town is more like it" he added, "I wonder why they were so lenient on letting Fink come with us?" Dad rubbed his stubble in thought.

"Beats me, but they like our son and Terry seems to enjoy their company…that will help a lot for him."

"Yes, of course," he brought her into a hug and smiled, "they'll be okay."

A short silence followed before both looked toward the dark hallway, "so…can foxes eat dog food?"

…

Fink and I entered my bedroom. The feral is met with a full bed and a computer desk across from it. Across from us, there are two square windows with a view of the glowing city…with windowsills big enough to sit on. Again, Fink took in the scenery…overwhelmed by everything. A surge of emotions also hit me…I couldn't believe I was back in my bedroom again after going through so much…

"This…is all yours?" Asked Fink as he looked back at me with a raised brow.

Soon, however, I shook myself and pointed to my bed…giving a wholehearted smile, and nodded, "you'll love this…try out the bed" I ushered him to walk to me so I could pick him up. Soon afterwards I placed him on top of the white covers. Immediately, the fox thinks the white blanket is snow and suddenly jumps in the air, and nose dives. Soon after, he is wracked with confusion and looks toward me, "w-what is this…substance?"

I had to giggle at his little scene with the mattress and I soon answered, "it's there to keep us warm at night, I promise."

Sure enough, the red vulpine makes himself comfortable…making a much-needed stretch and yawning to bed down for the day. To him, it all felt so different than on the island.

On the island, you had to make do with what you got…but here: you were in a sturdy shelter…with a temperature-controlled environment that's comfortable…and a life full of luxury that any animal on Roz's island would take for granted. Fink never imagined such a life for himself, but now he was living it.

I looked toward my holo-computer that had been stationary since I left with Mark…I ought to get online at some point, but I'm honestly tired.

"Wow…look at those lights…" I suddenly heard the fox say in a quiet voice. He stood up and stared at the flickering lights of the city from the window and I decided to help him get a better look. We can finally talk to each other again, so I said in animal language, "here, let me help you."

We make it to the windowsill and sit on it. Outside was a variety of yellow, blue, and white lights of all shapes and sizes…humming idly. They glowed in the night like the millions of stars did on the Island when I was there. A steady downpour of rain fell outside…with droplets racing down our window. I sat there, soon lost in thought…I began to reflect on my journey again…and what it led to…

Fink rested on my lap…something he had never done before. In fact, he rested as close to me as possible as if: he was afraid…he had every right to be afraid. I suppose I was the closest person he had to everyone right now and trusted me with everything since ending up here.

B-but…my wish to have Fink come here came true…I remembered wondering what it would be like to have him with me here…I was so SELFISH to think of that and it actually happened…what have I done!?

"I…brought you here…" I said softly, "I wasn't supposed to Fink…you all got dragged into this…"

He looked up at me and shook his head. The fox placed a paw against my chest shortly after, "no kid…you didn't bring me here…the way you said how much danger you were in…I couldn't bear to let that thought stay with me…"

I was surprised by this…he had plenty of time to escape the tractor beam…didn't he? Fink had plenty of time to think this through before it happened…

"I guess we're both screwups" I said softly.

"Who isn't?" Fink scoffed silently…looking out the window again as silence filled the room again. Sure enough, however, he broke the silence, "what's going to happen?"

I shake my head in response, "tomorrow I'll…try to find where Roz is on my computer" I gestured to my holocomputer on the desk.

"How?" He asked sincerely.

Our eyes met again and I said with complete confidence, "we play it smart…we figure out how to get to her…and make sure Brightbill can get to us safe…then we figure out what's on that blasted device that Mark had."

"How can we keep this all a secret from all these humans, though?" His worried yellow eyes pierced deep into my soul. I sighed, "I dunno…for all we know…they know already. Maybe they're watching us right now as we speak, Fink…"

He rolled his head slowly as I smiled back at him, "remember when I was very sick…"

"How could I forget?"

"Remember what you told me about hope…that's what helped me survive the Island…"

He let that sink in…nodding softly, "hope…it's what'll help us all survive this. We can't lose hope" I finished.

"You're right." Fink finally rested his head against my lap…surrendering himself to nightly dreams but not without saying softly, "this is peaceful, kid….I'll admit…" I started petting him softly…looking out the window...still seated on the windowsill, "I dunno…I kinda miss the Island..." I said softly to myself.

…

What a rollercoaster of a chapter! I absolutely LOVED writing this, it's been a thought on my mind for weeks now. I really hope I can someday commission the art of Fink and Terry staring out the window…it's already one of my favorite parts of my fanfic.

And speaking of commission, have you noticed the new cover for the story? I recently got a commissioned cover from Api Parker on Tumblr for it and I love it!

I hope you all enjoyed it, I'll see you next time, peace!