Fast Food Furries Book 1

Chapter 8a: The General

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Dorothy

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You and I had swooped under the collapsing building in the wingsuit, narrowly dodging the raining detritus. I carefully steered into a tree to break our speed. It was rough but we were fine. Arlo, having never received any flight training, hadn't known how to land and veered off several blocks.

Once we had gotten to our feet and caught our breath, I explained that we were only a few blocks from Harambe High, but we'd have to hurry since they'd definitely be after us. You suggested we go after Arlo, but I explained that our mission was to make it to Harambe High no matter what.

"Then what about the others?" you asked. "Not that I even care," you added quietly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, still scanning the street around us as I made sure my gear was in order.

"Mach is..." you struggled to find words. "Not trustworthy."

"Well, I've gotta say I disagree," I said as we set out. "Why do you say that?"

"He's a liar and a killer," you said bluntly.

"We all are," I said with a shrug.

The comment didn't do much to alleviate your woes, but you proceeded to explain what had happened. All about how Mach had golden blood splattered on him when you first met, which he claimed was his own, which was obviously a lie, although his remark about how it "wasn't his" confirmed that it was, in fact, blood.

"That's quite the web," I commented, "although I will say I've never met a being with golden blood—at least not to my knowledge. Where and who it could've come from—and why he was dodgy about it—is a mystery to me." To be honest, I didn't much care and didn't think it was any of my business, but it was obviously upsetting you. "Maybe you can get some answers from him once he reaches the school. Speaking of which..."

As we rounded a corner, the campus of Harambe High appeared before us. Immediately, I jumped back around the corner and pulled you with me. "Sentries," I commented.

"Huh?" you asked.

"Guards," I clarified. "Along the roof. We'll have to make our presence and the fact that we come in peace known.

We stepped out around the corner again, this time with our hands raised. The guards watched closely as we approached, but lowered their stance when they recognized me. They called to the people inside, and moments later the front door opened. It was Ramona, the bear general of the Third Furry Legion with a couple soldiers.

We greeted each other in a friendly manner, but then her gaze shifted to you. "Look at that," she waxed. "Is this what it's come to? Working with the Resistance?" She gave me a disappointed look.

"Wh—I—" I stuttered.

Ramona's expression broke into a grin. "Ahh, I'm just messing with you. I know you wouldn't betray Furville like that." She gave my shoulder a playful shove. "Who is she, though?"

"Uhm—uh, right," I said, flanked by the sudden revelation that Ramona was not, apparently, looking to make nice with humans at all. I tried to play along. "Well, um, she just... wound up with me, I guess. It's been a hectic few days. She's a human, sure, but—" I gave an exaggerated shrug— "couldn't just leave her there, I guess."

"Ah," Ramona exclaimed. "As always, your heart's too big." She laughed. "Don't worry, we have room for her with the others." She motioned us inside.

"There are other humans here?" I asked, trying to keep up.