Survival (furry story)

Part XVII

As we go back to see Mark and Connor, we see them making their way back toward their town. They stop at times, getting water, sleeping with one staying up for a few hours while the other one sleeps, and vice versa. On their fourth day of traveling, Connor speaks up. "Mark, we've been traveling for days, I'm sure the town wouldn't be this far." "I know Connor, I already told you that we were lost. I'm trying to get back to the city and go from there." Mark says as he look back at Connor while walking. The conversation fell silent and continue to hike through the woods. Soon, they see smoke and small houses in the distance. "Hey Connor, look at that!" Mark points the houses out as he stops walking. Connor looks up and spots what Mark is pointing out. "It's not our home, but I'm sure they might have supplies."

"True. but we must be cautious, we don't know what they're capable of. They could be dangerous." Connor responds. "Just glad we're far away enough so they won't know that we're near. Nothing can go wrong at this moment." And as he says that, the back of their heads were greeted with pistols. "I just had to say something." The men begin pushing them toward the town with the gun still pointed at their heads. Mark and Connor had no other option to be pushed there, no other way of surviving was coming to their heads if they ran or turned around. Soon, as the reach the small town, not much bigger than their home, is filled with civilians, pilgrims, farmers, so much similar. but there are fewer barricades. As the townsfolk see us walk by, we head straight toward what looks like a jailhouse. Mark and Connor are forced inside the building and pushed inside the cell, locked behind them.

"That little bit of phrase reeaally did us a favor Connor." Mark says as he sits on one of the chairs. Connor looks at him and snarls, "At least we're in the town like you wanted." The two stay silent for a while before the door opens and who comes inside is a grey muzzled sheep dog with a casual suit, but wearing no coat. black pants, with white dress shirt with suspenders on. He looks at them with curiosity and caution. After examining the two for a minute, he puts a warm smile on his face. "So sorry to trouble you two with this, after all, it is the apocalypse." The grey muzzled dog spoke in a very calm but stern tone. "My name is William, and I am the head of this family. We like to be cautious during these times."

He walks toward the door. "We're not going to have any trouble with you two are we?" Mark and Connor silently shake their heads. With that, William unlocks the cell and opens the door for them. He walks out with Mark and Connor, waiting outside was all the townsfolk, looking at them. "My children! Let us greet these lovely strangers to our home!" The young women begin reaching out toward Mark and Connor as they escort them toward the hall for food. Mark wonders what's going on and why they're being so kind to strangers, while Connor is laughing and flirting with the young ladies. After reaching the feeding hall, they see a picture of William on the side wall with rules down below his name.

Respect The Family, Never leave The Family, The Family is always there for you, Work hard for The Family, Never kill one of The Family.

Those words seem to make Mark's skin crawl because of the two words, "The Family." He tries to get Connor's attention but is already sitting down, eating the food and having fun with the young women beside him. Mark sits down with the ladies in an opposite table, with them serving Mark his food that they prepared. As he accepts it, he still has his eyes on William's portrait, wondering if this is a good idea to even stay the night.