Project #134

CHAPTER 10

"Do you need something?" Fox said as he walked into the doorway.

"Could I have some... water please?"he said in response.

"Oh, sure." Fox said as he left the doorway for the kitchen.

Victoria then entered and crouched down by his bed.

"Hey, bud. I'm sorry I kinda snapped at you earlier."

"It's okay." he said followed by a cough. "If you want to fight at my side, I will not stop you." He shifted his head.

"It's really nice to know that I have someone who really cares about me that much. From escaping the lab up until now... I figured it was time to return the favor." she said in a happy tone.

Fox returned with a glass of water. He left it by Aron's nightstand.

"Do you need anything else?" Fox asked. "You two must be starving."

"Oh my... when we got caught up in this whole thing with the bear, I completely forgot about how hungry I was!" Victoria said.

"I guess I could eat too..." Aron sighed.

"I'll go start making dinner. We can eat in here to keep Aron company." Fox said.

"Sounds like a plan, need any help?"Victoria asked in response.

"I think an extra set of hands... or paws... could be useful. Aron, you keep resting in here. We'll be back." Fox said.

Both Fox and Victoria got up and left the room, while Aron went back to sleep. Fox led Victoria into the kitchen, of which he showed her his pantry. It was well stocked.

"Do you go shopping, Fox?" Victoria asked.

"No... I just find things that people don't want anymore. It's all still fresh. Believe me... I'm a bit of a snob."

"So what are we going to make tonight?"

"I'm thinking of rabbit stew with boiled potatoes. The protein will help Aron recover, and in addition, it will give you a boost in energy."

"Sounds good... but where are we going to find rabbits?"

"In the Freezer over there. I killed five of them a few days ago."

"Oh!" Victoria said somewhat surprised.

"Yeah... even though I'm an animal now, I still have standards."

Victoria opened up the freezer. She was surprised that Fox had bagged the rabbits as well as cleanly cut them. To her new internal, animal-like instincts, the raw meat even looked appetizing. She brought a few over to Fox.

"Thanks!" he said. "Would you like to prepare the potatoes and I can take care of the meat?"

"Oh... sure."

"There is a knife in the drawer over there. Be careful cutting with your new hybrid paws though, it's a little different than with your hands."

"I'll be careful!"

She carefully cut off the skins of the potatoes with the knife. She then put the potatoes in a pot of boiling water that Fox had prepared earlier.

"Thanks for your help! It will be ready soon. There are a few chairs and TV trays in that closet over there. If you want to set those up, we will be able to sit while Aron can eat in bed."

"Perfect. I'll set it up."

"Thanks!"

About 10 minutes later Fox brought in a steaming pot of hot rabbit and potato stew. To Victoria it smelled delicious. Aron was awakened immediately by the scent. Fox served healthy portions to both Aron and Victoria, and then gave himself a modest amount.