The Outcast Part 2 by: Pent Ghelsburg
Disclaimer: This story series is the first continuation of my "The evolution of a man" series. While it is not directly related to the background story of my fursona, it is very early in his life. This story attempts to maintain the scientific realism of my other works. However the basic theme now shifts from something new but not all together different. Let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, or criticisms. I am open to everything so please feel free to leave a me message!
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change
something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete”
-Buckminster Fuller
Chapter 6: The trip
After the boys had finally settled down, it was much easier for Darren to continue as he had planned. The intention was to go hiking and more or less allow the boys to explore by themselves, in pairs. Darren announced this plan and let the scouts decide on their own groups. Arthur decided to take it upon himself to pair with Pent. Arthur figured that he needed the companionship and knew he needed reassurance as Pent had not yet truly introduced himself to the other kids. Arthur decided that as the oldest boy in the group, it was his job to act as mentor for the younger scout.
Once the scouts had prepared their sacks, Arthur instructed me to do the same. After he showed me the necessary tools for our adventure, I managed to gather up the bare necessities into a modest travel bag. Arthur looked on me with a smile as I glanced back at him desperately seeking approval. In the meanwhile Arthur prepared a much more hearty pack, in case I did not bring things that he thought were needed. As he stood by, I pitched the sack over my back and looked at him for confirmation. It was finally time to venture off into the wild.
It was almost as if I was back home again. The scent of massive pine trees and the fresh snow combined for a decadent winter experience. No animals could be seen but the essence of odor both foul and fine filled the air. Having the strong sense of smell of a fox certainly had it's benefit but the stench of urine and feces undermined the more delectable scent of the local flora and fauna. My mind was going a mile a minute, as if enticing me to crouch on all fours to explore on my own. However my own sense of self control and logic prohibited this from happening.
Instead I continued to follow Arthur close behind. Infatuated by the sites and sounds of the woods, I flitted my tail in perpetual excitement behind me. Arthur led onwards towards a small stream that jetted out far into the distance. A large deer watched us with caution then retreated into hiding after reviewing the intruders. Arthur extended out his palm intro the water, washing his face as he compelled me to do the same. Not wanting to upset my new friend, I followed his lead without fail, dipping my paws into the cool water and dousing it over my snout. Arthur looked on with a smile as he motioned for me to join him as he pressed onward.
Ahead there was seemingly a large bear in the distance. The animal caught sight of us once Darren had lost his footing and was catering to his injury not aware of the danger in the distance. As I looked upon Arthur with concern, I caught a glimpse of the the beast nearing us, I became increasingly defensive of my injured friend. The bear neared ever closer as I crouched down on all fours, seemingly gritting my teeth in an effort to scare the predator away. However this did not dissuade in it's motion forward. Now within striking distance, I pounced forward latching onto the back of the bear. My teeth gritted down into it's neck as it thrashed with pain and terror. The bear roared and lurched backwards in an effort to lose me from it's back. Releasing it's large powerful paw, it swiped me off it's back causing me to fall to the floor.
Shortly thereafter the bear recoiled into the woods. I was still reeling from being bucked from it's back, a short distance from Arthur. Arthur had finally managed to tend to his wound, having witnessed the situation in terror he walked over towards me with a limp. Looking down at me with a frown, he reviewed my limp body with concern. Though no blood was visible, it was clear that I was injured. Conjuring what medical knowledge he had, he surveyed a distinct jam in one of my fore paws. While it was not broken, he decided that it needed to be wrapped. After doing so, I finally came to. Still woozy and confused from the whole ordeal.
Still concerned about my friend I questioned him about his injury. After confirming his wellness, he declared me that we needed to return to camp. It was a long journey and I found it necessary to walk on all fours, as to not put pressure on the injured forepaw. The return to camp was much shorter than we had originally planned. After the telling of our tale, I received a combination of concern and discontent. Darren quickly called our families who deducted that a visit to the doctor was necessary. It was the first time I had seen a doctor since the change.
Chapter 7: The Doctor
Upon returning to the house, my mother quickly called a personal friend who was a doctor for a house call. She figured that it would be the safest and least complicated route compared to the option of actually going to the doctor or the hospital. She quickly told her the situation but neglected to tell the doctor of my condition. However the doctor assured her that she would be able to make the house call on the following day. Until then she commanded me to remain in bed, with my forepaw splinted and being iced on a regular basis.
When the doctor arrives, she was shown back to my room by my Mother. I was covered by the bed sheets and so very little showed other than the upper portion of my body. However upon entry she confronted me with a stare. Looking back at my mother she asked “Is this a joke? I'm not a vet.” My mother responded quickly “No, it's not a joke. He's not really an animal.” The doctor looked over at me again and proceeded to uncover me from the sheets. A glaze of awe filled her persona as she looked at my splinted paw. Returning her gaze to my mother she asked “So....what is it you want me to do?”
My mother attempted to not give a sarcastic response “I want you to make sure his arm isn't broken.” The doctor peered over at me, uncertain in her next course of action as she took to the opposite side of the bed to have better access to the injury. Extending her hand outward, she gingerly touched the length of my injured paw and forearm. She applied pressure to the injury and inducted that there was no break in the bone. However this did not override her presiding concern over the issue at hand, that I was in fact a living breathing cross between a human and a fox.
She returned to my mother and beckoned her to the outside of the room. After sitting down at a table, my mother told her how it happened and why nothing had been done about it. My mother continued to explain my desire to allow the situation and asked that the doctor not to relay the situation to others as it might stir some suspicion in the community. As they had been friends a long time, the doctor assured my mother that my condition would remain confidential. After all she was obligated by law to maintain patient-doctor confidentiality. After this reassurance the doctor took her leave and returned home.
Chapter 8: Friendship
After some time in rest and recuperation, my injury healed itself. My mother returned to her own home and left my brother and I to our own devices. One day Arthur arrived at the front door, curious to see how the new scout was doing. It had been a few weeks since I had gone to a scout meeting and my absence had incited some concern from Darren and Arthur. After being told of my address, Arthur took it upon himself to pay me a visit. He was earnestly looking forward to the visit after feeling indebted for me having saved his life.
Upon arriving at our front door, Arthur was half expecting to find a full family of foxes. He was surprised to find me living at home with another boy similar to his own age. After being greeted by Samaliel, Arthur was taken back to my room. Once he knocked, he was welcomed by a friendly sight as I smiled at him as he entered the room cautiously. The room was lit with a combination of daylight and a small lamp that adorned a nightstand on the side of the bed. Still sitting in bed, I was now removed from the sling I was until recently harnessed in.
“So how are you feeling?” He asked me, approaching my bedside. Kyle let us be, appeased with the fact I had finally made a friend. “Uh...I'm alright, but what about you?” I responded still concerned with my friends own injury. “Well...I could walk anyways so it wasn't bad to start with.” He answered with a cool confidence about him. “When are you coming back to scouts?” He continued, anxious to return to the more important subject at him. After considering my options I consulted with him and assured him that I would return the coming weekend.
A small glimmer of glee crept across Arthur's face as he was now certain of my return. He patted my head and ruffled my fur as he picked himself from my bed. “Thanks for saving me, by the way, it was really brave of you. I'm glad you didn't get seriously hurt.”As I returned a smile to him, I promised him I would return that weekend to scouts. His response was clear and succinct. “Make sure you keep your promise, Pent, I would miss you otherwise.” This hit me personally as I couldn't help but form a huge smile across my snout. After saying his goodbyes, Arthur took his leave.
Chapter 9: The return
It was not long before the weekend came. As promised I made my return to scouts. This time Darren had planned nothing more than a meeting at a local school. I arrived without my mother, albeit with much more hesitation without my mother coaxing me onward. Once Arthur spotted me, he sensed my caution and approached me as I made my way forward. After doing so, it became immensely easier for me to continue in my reintroduction to the scouts. As with before, I caught many glimpses from nearby scouts who could do naught but stare at me.
Arthur glared over at the other boys attempting to dissuade their gaze but to no avail. Upon approaching Darren, Arthur found a seat and left me to the side of the scout master. This time Darren took no time in setting the new expectations of campers. To welcome the adversity of the new lad. He further explained the heroics of the boy to which the campers resounded in an uproar of applause and commendation. Once this was done my ease, at last, was finally accomplished and I returned to the side of Arthur and sat down near him.
Darren continued ever onward with the meeting discussing issues of fundraising and the next outing. The plan was that the troop would need to raise money in order for another hiking trip to occur. They decided that it would have to wait as the cold weather would likely not let up for some time. Some boys insisted a return to the cold wildnerness, instead Darren convinced them of a new challenge one in the thick of summer. One that many of the boys had not grown accustomed to.
Once the speech was over, the boys commenced swarming Arthur and I. Immensely interested in the turn of events at the last camp out, they bombarded us with inquiries about our adventure. We did the best we could to answer all the questions, but eventually the mob was broken up by Darren, who judged it unruly. “All right scouts, this meeting is called to an end, Do we have any other unresolved issues?” And with that...normality came to the scout meets. No longer were they about a boy who look strange or seemed different. No longer did the boys stare at me with unanswered questions. Instead these uncertainties were soon replaced by friendship.
Chapter 10: The campfire
After seeing the popularity of Arthur and I after our little adventure, Darren decided to let us have the spotlight. That night Darren planned a surprise marshmallow roasting event. The boys were summoned to the campfire which blazed high into the night sky. The warmth of the fire felt hot against my lengthy fur. Carefully placing my tail behind me I found a place near Arthur and sat beside him. Extending my right paw over his shoulder, I held him closely against me.
Arthur looked over at me with a smile as Darren took over in front of us. Darren explained that tonight would be story night. Normally this would be reserved for scary stories but Darren exclaimed that he wanted us to share the whole tale of our adventure with the troop. I looked over at Arthur who was far more at ease with the boys than I was. Arthur got up and replaced Darren at the center roaming around the fire.
Arthur was quite the sight to see. He was enthusiastic and energetic. He even pulled me into his act of charades so that we could role play the ordeal with the bear. He even pretended to be the bear as he playfully bucked me off his back, the boys chimed in with amazement and disbelief. One even interjected “Your making it all up!” This was disheartening but Darren took the boy to the side to have a chat with him.
The rest of the night went with much jubilation and chatter.. The troop roasted marshmallows and some boys even made smores. Arthur and I playfully flicked warm marshmallows into each others mouths. We seldom ever made it inside, resulting in giggling every time we missed the goal of consumption. Darren smiled over at us as he and the boy returned to the fireside. Soon after the boy apologized. We forgave him and didn't let it bother us. It seemed that Darren's plan had worked after all.
I had made at least one friend. Arthur and I had become closer than ever. I didn't want the night to ever end. The moon crept upward and sleep came over us. Arthur and I resigned for the night. It was truly the beginning of a beautiful relationship. I wouldn't have changed it for anything in the world. As sleep came over me I couldn't help but feel ever more hopeful for the future. Only time would tell if society would act the same way the boys had.
