The Stinky Life I've Accepted

Chapter 4: Not Just an Animal, People!

Ryker

I am shoved in one of the multiple cages lined across the aisle, my tail somehow tied down. Somehow. 

I make out the - hopefully temporary - territory this small cage seems to be, ignoring the other animals in the room. 

"Man, these guys are out of control. The Natural Habitat Relocation and Release center are coming over later today to take them." Someone mutters as he walks up with another guy, both around their 20's. 

"Hey, be nice. Like us, these guys have to live. They gotta do what they gotta do. We have a newbie in cage 21 that still needs a checkup. A skunk. Again." I shrink against the back of the cage, instantly knowing they are talking about me. 

Sure enough, the two young men walks up to my cage, peering in with kind eyes. 

"Hello, little guy. Aww, Mackie, look. The poor thing is as skinny as bones. I haven't seen such a skinny one come in yet." The one on the left mutters. He has blonder curly hair, with ocean blue eyes. The one on his right is a bit shorter, with brown hair and brown eyes. 

"Alright, let's get him to the Doctor and see what he needs." The brown guy mutters as his friend opens the door. 

Much to my chagrin, they pull me out, the blonde guy cuddling me to his chest and actually petting me!

Idiots! I am not just an animal!

We walk in a room that smells of chemicals, misery, and the faint smell of shifters?! It's very faint, like months old, but it's there. 

I hiss and claw at the guy's arms, and he yelps, nearly dropping me. 

A man in a white coat walks in and chuckles at my display of ferociousness. "I see we found ourselves a kindred one, huh?" He chuckles as the boy holds onto me tighter, nearly squeezing the life out of me. 

"Yes, doc. He's gotta be to have survived this long. I mean, he's just rags and bones." The brown guy complains as I am pinned onto the large metal table. 

"Yes, I see. How unusual. Skunks are normally found in woods, not even venturing out more than 4 miles away from their nests. It's quite unusual to see this many, especially in broad daylight as this one was found. The others we have in our care were found either during the night when active, or during the day, sleeping under houses and other buildings. Never an active one such as this poor fellow." The "doc" mutters as he prepares a tray full of needles, and other threatening tools. 

Whatever this guy is about to do, it doesn't look good. 

I scrabble against the cold table, but the boy only shushes me and strokes my head and back lightly. 

Dude! Seriously, lay off--oh, that feels good. I realize that I have stopped struggling and have practically melted against the guys' hands. 

They chuckle and the "doc" peers down at me questioningly. "It is very rare for a skunk to settle down like that so easily. Especially after how frazzled he was. He may be or once was a pet." The boys freeze, and the heavenly scratching stops. 

"If he is - or was a pet - then he has been severely neglected." the blonde boy growls out, immediately causing me to grow alert for whatever danger is coming. 

"Elysis, calm. If he was a pet, you are right. The owner will not be getting him back. Although I can't detect a chip on him." The doc, who is a bald man with a goatee and glasses, says. 

The boys relax, and the petting starts back up again. 

I am not just an animal...but...maybe...oooh, that feels good. Don't stop.