Hi everyone, I'm here with yet another update!

I'm going to reply to a review I got recently.

MaxTV1234: "You know, I started to reread this and I had a curious thought. Do the animals still try to hunt each other despite the truce? I remember Fink or Pinktail bringing it up. Plus, maybe I'm overthinking this but what does Terry eat while living with Fink and the others?"

RE: I assume that the animals do go back to hunting each other to survive. But, also remember that Roz left behind a farm that she and Brightbill made for everybody to feed off from (as you can see in the movie and from reading the books.) To answer your question about Terry, I've stated throughout the story that the kid is forced to eat mussels, clams, bugs, and fish to survive. Even then, just before he left the island with Fink he is clearly thinner compared to when he was when he ended up on Roz's island.

I hope that cleared things up!

Chapter 19: The Railpod

"Mom…dad!" I ran toward my parents and the three of us embraced.

Fink sat there, rolling his head to the side, feeling drawn to his thoughts. He examined the taller humans and how similar Terry looked to them. He had his mother's gray eyes and his father's dark hair. The father had a stubble and a slightly front balding pattern on his head. His build was particularly meek. The mother was shorter, with long flowing hair as if it could be a waterfall…and they had a wider body type.

As the three of us embraced, dad poured his worries out, "are you alright, we were so worried for you!"

"When Mark's transponder went offline, we both knew things had gotten bad…" Mom added as we broke away from our embrace, "look at the marks on his body!"

"We'll get you cleaned up, sport!" said Dad.

"Mark…" I softly muttered.

"We know Terry…I can't imagine what you're going through, we'll do the best we can to help you get through this" Mom reassured.

"Let's get you home" Dad finally added. Sure enough, both finally saw Fink behind me…idly waving his bushy tail behind him. The fox stared almost blankly at us…unsure what to do in the situation…

"They told us about the fox…I didn't believe it at first" father stood up and walked toward them. But…Fink's instincts kicked in and he backpaddled in fear. I soon went in to de-escalate the situation, "Fink, it's okay. They're fine!"

"Fink, is that what you named them?" Mom asked.

"Yes" I lied, "I befriended them on the island…they said I could keep him…"

The parents looked at each other as Fink finally loosened up.

Both mom and dad noticed how pacified the vulpine became and that seemed to set the record straight, "they do seem to be well acquainted with you" Mom scratched her chin in thought.

"We can get him cleaned up and pampered, please!" I made my eyes bigger in a begging fashion…pulling the fox closer to me as he gave a slightly annoyed expression at the sudden movement. Fink decided to play along ultimately, remembering what I said earlier about blending in.

The parents soon made their choice. They felt bad for me…after all that happened, and they saw no harm in introducing a pet into the household…tamed or otherwise.

"Okay, he can come with us."

"Yes!" I brought a fist up in the air, but mother stopped me with a hand, "but he's YOUR responsibility, now and always…understand?"

I nodded vigorously, "I do!"

With that, there was nothing left to keep us here. They gave me a jumpsuit to wear…typically what most kids wear in the city…Fink raised an eyebrow upon me exiting the bathroom. He remembered the outfits the human kids often wore in the holovids from Rummage, yet unknown to him those are often worn for school. The fox loved the individuality I had before, for now this outfit will have to do.

We're soon cleared to leave the airship. Detective Rourke was standing outside the room, giving my dad a silver card to examine, "Mr. Bennett, my department will give you a call if there are any developments on the case."

"We appreciate it" he said, putting it away whilst giving a nod.

Our group went through a sky bridge and into a large terminal where we took a Railpod for the city. It was particularly busy right now and Fink couldn't help but observe his new surroundings. I had to stop and lead him back to us before the parents noticed.

He certainly wasn't ready for the fast-moving train to move into the tube station at high speeds. He was startled but soon composed himself. Again, prior knowledge of everything through Rummage's videos ought to help ingratiate him more easily into our world. We ushered him into a Railpod suited for a family: it's a small oval-shaped train with a translucent, unobstructed, three-hundred-and-sixty view of the cabin. It is entirely vacuum-powered, another great invention by Techlab Industries.

We four soon begin our journey through a dark tunnel at very fast speeds as my parents talk amongst themselves. Fink leaned in toward me as I looked out the window, "what's happening?" He quivered…I can tell he's anxious…who wouldn't be in his situation?

"We're traveling at high speeds to get to the city" I whispered in his ear, "we're going home…look."

He turned to see what I was about to see…

The Railpod left the tunnel and as soon as it did, we're both welcomed by a tall, majestic, skyline in the distance…rapidly approaching us.

It was one thing for the fox to see the city on a hologram, but it was another thing actually seeing it in person, and he was definitely not prepared for it. His mouth hung open; his ear slightly bent as we entered the outer edge, "is…is this…"

"Mega City 7" I muttered softly to him, nodding.

It was all ancient buildings that had been repurposed, the large residential suburbs of the 21st and 22nd century were now indoor farms and utility facilities. We passed the factories next, where most of the city's power, water, and sewage operated. Then…finally…we passed through the city itself.

All around us, people were walking on guided sky bridges and playing in perfectly manicured parks. Above and below us airships and hovercars pass through from place to place like ants on a branch. The glare of the buildings momentarily blinded Fink, who had to look away and give himself time to adjust.

I wrapped my arm around him to comfort the wild animal, I knew this wasn't going to be easy for him, but soon he composed himself…giving a confident yip, Fink was determined to fight this through. Soon enough, he began moving from one side of the cabin to the next to see everything…familiarize himself with everything. My parents must have thought this was a good sign, seeing my new "pet" become used to civilization…if only they knew they were in the presence of somebody who could share with them his thoughts, feelings, and aspirations…if only.

Sure enough, we arrived at a residential skyscraper in the "Golden Circle" the affluent center of Mega-City 7. The Railpod stopped in a station at the base of the building, and we disembarked…heading down the lobby.

We soon met with a horde of reporters that had been waiting for us! I grabbed Fink and our group zipped past and hurried into the elevator to escape them. Silence finally came and we all breathed a sigh…Fink didn't know what to make of all that. The fox really wanted to ask what all of that was, but it would have to wait. His attention soon turned toward the view outside as we ascended. The elevator gave us a brief picturesque view of the city as the ground below us got smaller. To Fink, it was like going up a hill or mountain, but much quicker than he ever could back on the island.

Sure enough, we ended up on the 10th floor. As we walked down the narrow carpeted hallway, a surge of emotions and Déjà vu hit me. Having been in the forest for weeks, being back in civilization felt so strange…like a lifetime ago. It might take a while for me to adjust…perhaps longer for my furry little friend walking next to me. He certainly isn't ready for living in an apartment instead of a den…sure enough, we're right by our door.

For the time being…until I can get him back to Roz or to the island, Fink's new life in the city would begin.

I hope you enjoyed this next segment. I hope you all have a great holiday and take care!