Traveling through the rough scorching wasteland wasn't as appealing an experience Caleb the Fox thought it would be. Even by stage coach with the windows open, the plump fox couldn't find a moment of peace without wiping a trickle of sweat off his brow. It was nothing like back on the farm. At least over there it didn't feel like he was standing in an oven for six hours and two days, going from stop to stop. Leaving the farm, he headed to the small town of Bridgeton, took a coach to Little Bone, stayed the night, took a coach to Klipton, stayed, and now headed for the rich town of Sandstone. 19 Seasons and out on his own was an exciting thought in the beginning, all until this unforgiving weather began settling in.
Nestling himself further into the chair cushions, Caleb wrapped his duster around him, thinking of the new life which awaited him in Sandstone, and looking to the other passengers in the coach which were residents there. There was a fat male stoat, and a tabby cat couple who were the largest specimens he had ever seen. Though, by their standards, large to him might not of been the same for them. Though every beast in the world was either chubby or fat, Caleb had never been out in the world before; stuck on the farm until he convinced his folks he could leave. These two and the stoat were positively blooming; especially the female tabby, who's evening gown did little to conceal her corpulence.
"Here we are folks," spoke the coach driver, "the lovely town of Sandstone, aint she a beaut'. Now yall don't forget to take yer wears and such wit yew, otherwise ol skippy here will make another pretty penny at the pawn shop, hehehe."
Overly excited, Caleb wiped his forehead once again, and peeked out the window. To his delight, and disappointment, there she was indeed; Sandstone. Rickety and ragged, it looked as if a gust of wind would be able to knock the buildings over like a row of billiards. Though, the clock tower did look rather neat. Perhaps it's just the impression. It certainly must be nicer on the inside. It better be, otherwise his enduring the smell of much corpulent creatures sweating within a confined coach would be all for nothing.
"You're gunna like it son," spoke the male tabby, "came here when I was young just like you. This town is like an oyster, ya just got to crack it open to find the pearl," he looked to his wife.
"Oh Charles you bounder."
Their mushing and gushing over each other was enough to make Caleb sick. Still, perhaps he would find someone here. But before that would happen he'd have to settle in someplace, get a job, work hard to keep it.
"Just stay outta everyone's way an ya wont get shot," spoke the stoat.
A little positive reinforcement would've been nice. "Is this place that dangerous?"
"It is what you make of it," he chewed on some straw. "Some come for the booze, some for the money an gambling. Some to cause trouble. You're either brave or stupid to try an make a life here."
"So…how is it you get by?"
"Alright folks, be sure to secure your belongings when exiting," spoke the coachbeast.
Quickly, the stoat was the first to get down, followed by Caleb. Walking over to secure his bag, the stoat merely walked down the dirt road of the town without answering Caleb's question. Through his time of getting here, every beast he met along the way was an interesting sort. Some calling Sandstone a paradise, others a living hell. For now Caleb had to be optimistic, and though it didn't seem like it, it had to be an oyster.
"Er, excuse me, sir," Caleb caught the fat male cats attention as he exited the coach with his mate, "could you tell me what's the cheapest inn in town?"
He curled his whiskers as he pondered. "Hmm, mmm, ah, Janet McCreary's. It's just down this road, turn left, third building."
"Thank you," he said with a smile, "Janet's it is."
As the stage coach left, the fox walked into town, feeling both regret and anxiety. It looked pretty messy, unlike the sparkling jewel of the wasteland he had heard so much about. Then again, the plentiful amount of beasts walking here and there was quite the welcoming site…to an extent. Saloons seemed to of littered the front of the town, with rowdy piano music, males screaming or laughing, and even a gunshot firing which caused him to nearly fall over in shock. Other beasts spoke to one another, such as the barber and baker, both ferrets, and both pretty fat. Everyone in this town seemed so, with hardly a plump beast in sight. He felt like the odd fox out, so long as his stomach wasn't barrel sized. Gorging himself was never an interest to him, since he helped shipped the food out back on the farm, rather than eat it all. Truthfully, he never tried gorging, as it never appealed to him. Though, if this town does indeed rub off on him, he wondered just how much like the towns people he'd look like.
The buildings all seemed to be made out of the same materials. Planks of wood, some out of bricks, all either sand colored or red. "Guess that's why it's called Sandstone."
"Hey there honey."
Turning to his right, a female mouse, cat, and weasel (who was the largest of the girls) all smiled with glints of interest in their eyes. "Looking for a good time?"
Blushing in embarrassment, he looked at them, then to the establishment behind them which hung a sign painted in big red letters, "Saint Joan's Feeder House." He heard of these feeder houses back on the farm. Workers who journeyed to these places often spoke of pretty beasts stuffing them full of food to the point of bursting. Though the stuffing part had little interest on him, the pretty part certainly wasn't a lie. They certainly were pretty, especially the weasel, who was double his size in width and length; though about the same height. Having bulky arms, legs, and tail, cute plump face and her long mustelid frame sloping down into a grand gorgeous belly which tantalized him to wrap his arms around. Calling him honey didn't help to cure his embarrassment either.
Sweating once more as if he were on the stage coach once again, he wiped his brow. "Er, hehe, maybe some other time girls."
"Well don't keep us waiting cutie. We wouldn't want you to waste away."
Oh, he wouldn't so long as there are restaurants, and boy were there restaurants. Everywhere he turned his head there would be one. Through the windows he could see beasts glutting themselves with abandon, totally making a mess of things. Some even cheered or held contests with each other to see who was the better eater. It was like an entirely different world for him, which made him feel awkward to be in it.
"Never thought I'd miss the farm. It's nice breezes, simple living, ate what you had to, then just relax when the day is done. Here, you just…splurge on everything that's available."
Not something he's used to, but only time will tell if he'd fall into the same temptations. Finally arriving at Janet's Inn, he skipped up the steps, beaming with joy upon entering the building. The inside looked entirely empty, save for the plump female squirrel at the counter, who seemed reluctant to see the fox.
"Good afternoon," said Caleb.
"Afternoon," she replied. "I hope you're not here for a room."
Taken back by this, his gleeful disposition turned into an awkward smile. "Er, yes, if that's not a problem.
The squirrel sighed. "It is, if you don't know how to read. The sign in the front, did you even see it?"
"Er, no, I didn't."
"Really, big red letters, says no vacancy? Honestly, males these days, don't get a decent education other than drinking, eating, and shooting a gun."
Contrary to her belief, Caleb knew how to read quite fluently. Taking none to kindly to her hostility, he withheld any remark of his own. "Well then, mind directing me to another Inn mis?"
"Corey's, maybe he has room. Just go far to your right, it's made out of bricks."
Merely nodding, Caleb set off to Corey's inn, which then turned to Ann's, then to Mitch's, then to Uncle Francis'. Inn after Inn he went through, to no avail. Each one booked to the brim. How his luck was so rotten that every single Inn was occupied, he couldn't imagine himself. It must've been a busy month. There certainly wasn't any type of festival to his knowledge. The lack of posters and such proved that, as everyone in the west would use such to announce an event. Everything, down to the last gutter was occupied to Caleb's dismay. Where was he supposed to stay, he couldn't imagine. Either nobody liked him, or nobody wanted him. Perhaps he wasn't fat enough? Though what that had to do with the money he was good for he couldn't guess.
Since finding a place to make residence didn't start off very well, Caleb moved onto looking for a job. Walking to the Baker then to the Butcher then to the Banker then to the Bartender, the fox met the same luck. Nobody seemed interested in hiring him the least bit. He was a good worker, he was competent and knew how to go the extra mile, at least on the farm anyway. But this wasn't the farm, this was Sandstone. A rundown, dirty, self indulging town dumped out in the middle of the wasteland filled with a bunch of selfish pitiless…okay, perhaps he shouldn't be so judgmental.
"Still, rough day for making a good impression Caleb. Wonder what Pa would do right now."
Chewing on a slice of bread, Caleb sat on porch between a general store and spur shop. Hunching over, he looked at his empty hat sitting in front of him. It was like him, it had nothing. Practically homeless now, he kept his chin up, it was the first day after all. Perhaps someone would have some room open up in a few hours, despite any of the Inn owners saying such things. Now he really thought it was because he wasn't fat enough. Money is money, but if weight is a symbol of status in this town then that's something else.
"Maybe I should go to the feeder house after all. That weasel gal certainly is a cute one."
Suddenly, he heard a plink noise in front of him. Some beast, a rat to be precise, dropped a silver coin within his hat. "Get a job you bum," he spat as he walked away.
Caleb gasped at the sheer amount of disrespect. So much, he couldn't put words into a sentence, and by the time he could've said something, the rat was gone like an unfriendly ghost. Scornfully picking up his hat, he took the silver coin out of it. Peering long and hard at the engraved text circling around the state's crest. "With freedom comes sacrifice. Heh, whoever decided to write this must've had a day like mine."
Looking to the feeder house down the road, he gave a reluctant sigh. "Am I really going to go there just to stay for an hour or so?" It wouldn't solve his housing problem, though perhaps being fed and complimented more by that voluptuous weasel would raise his spirits.
Speaking of the feeder house, something suddenly caught his attention. Screaming and shouting started coming from within the planks; growing louder near the entrance. Standing up, Caleb perked his ears to get a better hearing. Then came the culprits: two ferrets, a plump vixen and a mob of girls following in suit. A gruff mean looking ferret dragged the vixen by her head fur and tossed her out on the floor, while the second ferret, just as gritty and snide, held back the mob of protesting girls. Both ferrets looked as if they had just eaten a hefty amount of food, the way their bellies were distended and wobbled around their dusters. The one who dragged the vixen out held a large belt in his paws, gripping it menacingly, as animosity filled his eyes; looking down at the poor vixen crying on the floor.
"Leave her alone you scum!"
"You call yourselves males, beating up a defenseless little thing."
"You're gunna kill her you monsters!"
"Shut up, the lot of you," pushed the ferret holding them back.
"Hold 'em back Monty. I'm gunna show you girls what happens when you disrespect your betters!"
Gripping the belt tightly, the ferret unleashed his anger through furious lashes, as the poor vixen wailed and cried out for help. Stunned at the sheer cruelty, Caleb felt his heart sink for the poor creature. Looking around the feeder house, he saw no beast making any attempt to help the poor thing out. Animals either entered their buildings or continued walking by. The sheer disregard for a defenseless creature crying out for help was just too much to bear. This town sounded like such a wonderful place according to all the folks he'd met. Actually coming here though, he knew nothing but neglect and rudeness. It was enough to forgive, until this sheer display of carelessness by the community.
Huffing and puffing, Caleb rolled up his sleeves and took off as quick as his paws could take him. Charging at the ferret like a rampaging rhino. "You leave her alone you cowards!"
Anger fueling him like a freight train from hell, he ran faster than he ever had in his life, reaching the ferret in seconds flat. Clenching his paw into a fist, he moved as much of his body as he could into one powerful swing. Smacking the ferret to the side of the face and sending him flying back a few feet. The shattering force of the punch echoed so loud it popped Caleb's ears. But more notably, was the disgusting grunt coming from the recipient, followed by a loud squelch and sloshes as the impact from hitting the floor wobbled his full belly around.
All of it happening so fast, the ferret staggered to sit up right. "Uuuggh, y-you-little-punk!"
"Big mistake kid," said the other ferret, as he charged toward the fox.
Huffing a little from the excitement, Caleb put up his dukes. As the over gorged ferret sluggishly swung, the fox easily evaded. Dodging to his side, he landed a punch to the face followed by a kick to the belly. Sloshing as it's owner staggered, he fell onto his back, his belly sloshing over him and wobbling in place.
"Stupid fox!"
Turning around, Caleb was unprepared, as the first ferret he punched landed a heavy blow to his stomach, then to the side of his face. Staggering back some, he managed to keep his footing. Shaking off his dazed state, he grinned at his assailant.
"You hit like a girl."
Steamed, he bounded on the fox. A much better fighter than his friend, Caleb had to block most of his punches; the blow he suffered earlier limiting his breathing and maneuverability. Ducking a swing, the fox threw out a hard uppercut, and grabbing the collar of his foe's duster, he punched him again. And again, and again, and again, until the ferret became dead weight and collapsed to the floor.
Bruised and tired beyond comprehension, Caleb's knees gave in as he sat down. It all happened so fast, as all fights do. Rubbing his cheek, he couldn't help but smile at his victory. "Hehe, thank…you…Billy. For…beating me up…all…those years, he, heheh."
"Mordecai," grunted the second ferret. Looking to his friend, then to Caleb, he snarled at the fox's triumphant, smug smile. "You're a dead fox!"
The threat only encouraged Caleb to chuckle back. That was, until the ferret reached inside his coat and pulled out a gleaming revolver. Robbed of his courage, time felt as if it slowed down. Too tired to evade or run for cover, he could only stare at the dark barrel of his demise, and in this surreal moment of confusion and fear, he knew this was his reward. This was his reward for helping someone, for doing a good deed for another beast. Looking back earlier that day, he remembered the words of that stoat he road with.
"Just stay outta everyone's way an ya wont get shot," he whispered, as the ferret pulled back the trigger mechanism.
"No freedom without sacrifice," Caleb whispered, as his time of life ticked its last.
BANG-PING! Closing his eyes as the sound of a gun fired, he noticed he felt no pain, and then there was the other sound. Like the bullet ricocheted off a rock. Opening his eyes, the fox found the revolver knocked out of the ferret's paw. Furthermore, the once malicious beast who was about to take his life was now trembling like a sniveling babe. His eyes agape, starring at the giant walking straight for him. Awestruck himself, Caleb rubbed his eyes as he couldn't believe them. He was big, he was tall, he was the fattest German Shepherd he ever did see. Every inch, wobbling with each step he took. His tanned jacket, at least ten times bigger than anything Caleb would ever possibly wear in his life. His belt, enough to act as his own cattle hauling rope. And his belly, a monumental site, probably big enough for Caleb to make a comfy residence in. But more noticeable than his corpulence, was the golden star he wore around his chest.
"Sh-sh-sh-sheriff. I can explain-auuuughh!"
Placing his footpaw atop of his chest, the ferret writhed and wiggled as the canine's immense weight crushed him. The Shepherd's voice was unlike any Caleb had ever heard. Cold, with the foreboding, gravely roughness of a gravestone. "Explain what Monty? You mean to tell me you an your brother are causing trouble in my town again?"
"N-n-no, sheriff, of course no-auuugh, ack!"
"I warned you once before Monty, if you ever caused a ruckus around here again, I'd flatten you. So tell me-."
"Auugh, pleeeaaase, mercy!"
"Do you think I'm bluffing?"
"Mercy, auuugh, mercy, please sheriff."
Lifting his footpaw off of Monty's chest, the ferret coughed and hacked; taking in heaps of breath. But before he could recover, the canine wrapped a paw around his throat, and lifting him up glared right into his eyes. "Now you listen and you listen good. I don't ever want to see you or your slimy brother around my town again. And if I do, I'll break the bones in your chest easier than I can break a sweat, you get me?"
Monty nodded, or at least attempted to. Releasing him, he crawled over to his beaten brother, lifted him up, and groggily headed west toward the sunset. Expecting to have a word from the massive creature himself, Caleb gulped. Only, the sheriff didn't even acknowledge his presence at all. He merely turned around and went on his way. Wobbling and waddling down the road, with no one daring to make eye contact.
"Come on Cecelia, lets go inside."
"Wait."
"Darling, you're bruised up."
"I said wait!"
Turning to his right upon hearing the pitter patter of paws, the young vixen kneeled down in front of him. Her eyes rather red and the fur under them soaked by her tears, her bruised and miserable countenance brought great sorrow to Caleb's heart. Before he could say a word, she threw herself upon him. Embracing him tightly, like she never wanted him to leave.
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
Overwhelmed by her sobbing voice, words were out of his reach. So, he merely held her back, gently of course. It seemed like they hugged for the longest time, as the sun glowed a bright orange beside them. She, still sobbing and gripping him, and he still shocked and dumbfounded at all that transpired. Was it like this all the time in Sandstone? Just this morning he passed by here and these same girls greeted him in the most flattering manner. Now he comes by, saves a pretty vixen and almost dies in the process. Not to mention that enormous sheriff. How a canine can get so fat was beyond his own comprehension. Not to mention his voice sending chills down his spine. Sandstone was quite the town indeed, and though he regretted coming here, he was grateful coming to the feeder house for some company was his next plan of action.
Looking behind Cecelia, a hefty looking tabby cat wearing a fancy suit and top hat placed a paw over the vixen's shoulder. "Come on Cecelia, I'll take care of the lad. You go with the other girls an see to those wounds."
Still sobbing and sniffling, she wiped her eyes. "Yes Mr. Clarence sir."
Being taken back by a pair of skunks, the rest of the feeder girls reentered their house, leaving the large tabby and fox in the middle of the road. Lighting a pipe, he looked down to Caleb with a satisfied grin. "What's your name son?"
"Caleb," said the fox in a rather drowsy state, "Caleb Foxton."
"Caleb, a fine name indeed," he said as they shook paws, "Bartholomew Clarence, or Bart for short. You've got anyplace to stay Caleb?"
Caleb shook his head, reluctant to walk around the entire town once again to be rejected by its rude populace.
"Well, I have a room back at my place. Upstairs infact. It's a guest room, has a nice bed and everything. I'd hate for you to sleep out in the dirt. This place can get quite cold at night. What do you say?"
Caleb nodded. It was nice to finally meet another beast who seemed to care about him. Though, it would've been nice to meet one without having to get pummeled over it.
"Attaboy," Bart helped him up, carrying him over his shoulders. "You've done a great thing today. Not much of the towns people would stand up for anyone else. Had I not been on the other side of town I would've beaten those two to a pulp as well. Giving the hero of the day a place to rest is the least I can do."
"Thank you sir. My stuff's over there. I don't think I could've looked for another Inn to stay at all by myself. I'm so tired."
"Ah, well rest easy now, you're in good paws. I'm practically the town doctor. Well, Lovehandle is, but that busy stoat always has so much on his plate. By the way, taking on two ruffians on your own, and I heard they were quite big also. Do you know how to fight Caleb?"
"Well…a little…sir. My brother…Billy…always picked on me. So…he taught me…to defend myself against him…hehe…weird huh?"
"My, an interesting story indeed. Are you employed anywhere Caleb?"
"No sir."
From the corner of his eye, the fox could've sworn something inside it sparked like a fire. A large smile creased under his furstache and he was practically purring with delight. "Well my boy, how would you like a job?"
