Differences Make Us Beautiful

I Plead The Fifth

Rami walked in through the front door of the house. This lab was the job he's been looking for since college. He didn't work outside as often as he would like, but he has air conditioning, so he can't complain too much.

He did get to be outside, though. One of his tasks is going outdoors to find certain specimen to work on. That was probably his favorite part. He got paid to pick flowers and look at them through a microscope. Not to mention, he gets paid very well.

Reid was already home. He was in the kitchen preparing dinner. He has done very well for himself since graduating. One of the best cooks the goat has ever seen. He is now on the staff of a very well-established restaurant. This place has been on every cooking show you can think of. Very high-class, and he enjoys his time there.

Reid spoke from the kitchen. "How was your day?"

"It was pretty good. We got a brand new piece of equipment today that we got to test out. It's this incubation station, and it can simulate bacteria spread and-" he paused before giggling. "Oops, I'm rambling again."

"Nahhhh, go for it! You can talk about whatever you like. I'm just here to listen." Reid continued chopping onions.

"Well, it's a real fancy machine." he chuckled again. "Oh, also, I am leaving tomorrow to go visit my parents. I'll probably stay a couple nights with them."

"That's fine. Never a bad thing to visit family. I'll probably have Royd come over while you're gone, I'm not sure yet."

Rami sat in the kitchen while Reid continued to cook and prep. They both talked about their days, and just relaxed a bit. They loved living together, and moments like this were very enjoyable for both of them.

* * * * *

Rami hasn't slept in this bed since high school. He did not miss it. He sat on the edge and stretched. His parents were probably still asleep in the other room, the sun wasn't even up yet. He picked up his phone to check the time, and saw that he had 3 missed calls from Royd.

He tilted his head. This was odd, he doesn't get calls from him very often, he usually texts instead. He wasn't sure if Royd would be awake or not, but this seemed important, so he decides to call him anyway. He picked up.

"Hello?" he sounded a bit groggy. But more like he had been up all night.

"Royd? It's me." the goat said.

He heard a long sigh come from the other end. "Rami ... um. I don't really know how to say this."

Rami stiffened. "Royd, tell me what happened."

A pause. "Reid was arrested last night."

Rami felt the color drain from his face.

* * * * *

The goat opened the door to his house and walked inside. Royd was there, pacing back and forth across the room. Rami ran over and hugged him.

"Royd I.."

"Shh. Don't. I'm fine, just ... I'm just really pissed off." Royd said.

They both sat down. How could this happen? There had to be some mistake. They had the wrong deer. They tried to come up with any excuse they could think of. The television was on in the background, and something caused Rami's ear to perk.

"... the deer was arrested late last night. He is suspected to be involved in multiple counts of breaking and entering, as well as multiple accounts of assault. We attempted to reach out to Mr. Hirsch's lawyer, but he refused to comment."

The two looked at the tv with their jaws on the ground. Reid wouldn't do these things. He's always been so nice. How could he do these things they are accusing him of doing? Rami stood up from the couch.

He walked over to the desk where the computer was located. He got online, and pulled up a public database of police reports. Investigation wasn't Rami's strong suit, but he did know a thing or two from watching crime shows on tv.

He found Reid's case. It showed each count he's been charged with, and it gives a few of the victims' names as well. He clicked on one of the victim's names. The screen brought up their background and arrest records.

Larry Hawkins: Registered Sex Offender

"What the ..." Rami said out loud. He clicks a couple other names. "Oh my god. Royd, come look at this."

Royd walked over to the computer. "What is it?"

Rami showed the screen. "These are Reid's supposed 'victims' according to the reports." he pulled up the other names.

Nathan Green: Pedophilia

Ridley Desoto: Child Abuse

Leonard Clawson:  Child Endangerment

Rami sat back in his chair. "Wait. I think I know what's happening here."

Royd looked at the goat. "Go on?"

"Has Reid ever seemed ... over protective?"

The deer nodded. "Quite a few times, actually."

"What if he's taken that too far? What if he's trying to protect people by attacking these convicted criminals? I know him. But you know him better than I do. Do you think this is possible?" Rami looked concerned.

"I ... I don't ..." he sighed. "Yes, actually. Now that you put it that way, it DOES make sense. Lately we've had talks. He would talk about other animals that should be in jail. He seemed ... passionate about this subject, but ... I never thought he'd go this far with it."

So Reid wasn't a bad deer after all. He did some bad things, but he still had the heart he always had. He loved everyone, sometimes to a fault. He let these emotions and protective instincts get the better of him. He sat, and stared at the computer. This didn't mean that Rami wasn't frustrated. In fact, he was pretty furious. His best friend. The one deer he thought wouldn't hurt a fly, is now sitting in a prison cell somewhere.

There had to be something they could do. They both knew that Reid wouldn't be able to survive imprisonment. The next few days, Royd stayed at Rami's house just so they could give each other support and comfort. Royd wrote a note to his brother, forgiving him. Rami wasn't sure about that yet.

A few days turned to a couple weeks. Rami thought things over, and came to a conclusion. He missed his friend. He was still angry, but Reid is still his best friend. He had to do something. He couldn't sit here and do nothing while his friend rot in a prison cell for who knows how long. The goat had a few calls to make.

Two days later, Rami dressed in his best suit and pulled up to the bank. He locked his car, and walked inside. He met up with one of the tellers.

"Hello. I'm here to apply for a loan."

. . .

Rami walked back to his car with a satisfied sigh. He wasn't sure how much Reid's bail would be, but he had a number in mind after doing a bit of research into the charges at hand. Typically, these charges would result in a bond between 50-100 thousand dollars, depending on severity.

Now, he just has to hope this 75 thousand-dollar loan would be enough to help bring his friend back home.

* * * * *

The goat sat at the computer again. This time, refreshing the page constantly, waiting for Reid's bond to be posted. It's been one month since he was arrested, and that's usually how long it takes for bonds and bails to be released.

Finally, after 20 minutes of constantly hitting the refresh button, the page updates with Reid's information.

Breaking/Entering - (Counts: 4)
Aggravated Assault - (Counts: 4)

Sentence Length - (Breaking/Entering: 6 months x4 - Aggravated Assault: 2 years x4)

Bond/Bail - $62,000

Rami sat back in his chair and gave a long sigh of relief. He reached down, and picked up his phone. It's time to save his friend.

* * * * *

Rami waited in his car in the parking lot of the prison. He wasn't sure if he would be able to look his friend in the eye. He forgave Reid, but it's still a shock to him. This kind, loving deer ... the thought of him being capable of violent acts seem impossible. He wants to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He got out and walked up to the door with the sign that read "Release and Discharge". He took a deep breath and opened the door. On the other side, he saw his friend standing there. Reid wore a white polo, and a pair of khaki pants. Rami was looking down a bit, so he didn't even see the very noticeable black eye he had.

Reid was uncuffed, and Rami walked slowly toward him. He didn't get far before he was wrapped in a hug so tight he could barely breathe. After a few moments he could feel the emotions building. His eyes started to water, and he slowly brought his arms up and returned the hug. Finally, he held his best friend in his arms.