HUMAN

Chapter 29 - The City Of Anthrokind

Present day. . .

"Ms. Holmes- I mean, Dennise!" I vigorously shook the limp body of my boss, but it was futile nonetheless. She had a bit too much to drink last night and began ranting about the human that they had been trying to capture for so long, and she was starting to doubt if I was even alive and whether her ability as the head of the operation was enough. Honestly, I find it disheartening to see her in such a state.

"Mmmmphh. . .one more hour, Mom!" A hand swung towards my face, colliding with the metal frame of the mask. "Fuckin. . .ow." She groaned and snored back to slumber. Shit. That was close. If she'd woken up realizing she slapped my face, which did not feel like fur or flesh, it would simply be over for me and this operation.

I exhaled a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Ummm. I'll get going now." I pointed out of the room. No response, of course, but I knew she was somewhat listening.

I cracked open the door where the morning sunlight basked the kitchen and living room and entered Ms. Holmes' room. Her apartment smelled of fresh pine, which took me back to Frank's house momentarily. However, it stood out of the crisp, sharp, sleek interior design of the apartment, utterly unnatural to the setting of her apartment. I made a mental note to buy a scent like this for my room at Frank's house.

I pulled out my phone to check any notifications. None. Frank is probably driving towards the city right now at 5 in the morning. My urgency to leave was overcome by the realization that. . .holy shit! I'm in the city!?

My shoes squeaked from the sudden halt as I made my way towards the balcony and slid open the door to be met with a powerful gust of wind. A flashback flew by, a memory from Mr. Bennett's apartment; "I wonder what the city would look like." I'd said.

I was so caught up with what was going on last night that I didn't realize I was standing inside one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city. Jesus, talk about being filthy rich to own such a place here.

The air from below seeped towards up here, petrol and a distinct earthy smell unique to the city. It took me back to the town I once knew before then. The chilling breeze passed through the crevices of the mask as if it wasn't there in the first place. The faint sound of car horns echoed throughout the streets, making its way up top. I leaned over the railings to gaze upon the scenery below. It was bustling down there already with movement and life.

People. . .no, Anthros, I mean, off to start a new day. Oblivious to the hidden operations of the SIU. I don't even think they know about the suspected human they have been trying to capture for about half a year now. But then again, they don't need to.

From up here, I was presented with a panoramic view of the glass skyscrapers casting bold shadows from below, which made me wonder. Are they all glass walls? That's incredible! The skyscrapers I knew back then were armored with concrete and slits for windows.

I rest my arms on the railing to take a moment of appreciation for myself. "So. . .this is the city-"

BANG! Was heard, followed by a short scraping noise with a gust of wind that knocked me down. "Woah, junior! Are you alright?" What the- huh?!

"Priority delivery here." The bird-like man shook the box. "I saw someone here on the balcony and thought it would be better to deliver it directly than walking inside the building and using those lousy elevators! He laughed. "We have wings, so why not use it?" I only nodded, not knowing what to say, but just stared at the avian Anthro before me.

He jumped down from the railing. "I'm assuming you know Ms. Holmes?" I shook my head again, immediately forgetting how to interact with an anthropomorphic animal. Was I in shock or disbelief? Maybe both?