Survival (furry story)

Part XVIII

Later in the evening, the women take Mark and Connor to what seems like a small housing shack, not too far from the Town hall. The small wooden cabin looks modern and recently built. inside it is 3 full-sized beds, with blue and green sewn blankets and sheets, a countertop between each of them, along with a lamp on each one. The décor along the walls was mid-century modern with feral animal skins of that of bears and wolves, and on the floors with an Indian patterned rug. There were two wooden chairs with hand-sewn cushions that is pushed into a black wooden, four-legged desk. The two of them were surprised to see a shack so furnished and stylish. they go inside, with Mark alone and Connor with two female foxes wrapped under his arms. As the women giggle from Connor's flirting, they leave the shack and leave the men alone. "Aahhh," Connor says in relief. this place is amazing. I can't believe this place even exists." Mark looks at him in disbelief of his words.

Mark replies, "This is no paradise, Connor. There is something going on here that I can't explain at the moment. All I know is that they're a part of something called "The Family". But I don't know what to make of it."

"Bah, you worry too much." Connor waves his hand away toward Mark as if his words were meaningless superstition. "This place is amazing. Sure, there could be some questionable people in this town, but I'm sure the old man knows about them."

Mark huffs from his remark, but then sighs as if he gives up on trying to reason with him. As they both lay in the beds, they hear gunfire ringing in the distance. Connor is the first to get up and look out one of the windows to see where the firing is taking place. As he looks, he sees 3 zombies dropping to the ground. He turns to Mark and smiles. "It's just the guards shooting down some Z's, nothing to worry." Connor says as he walks back to his bed. They both soon fall asleep, never tossed nor turned to get comfortable because the mattress itself is made from a certain type of foam. As the night falls and the sun rises, the two wake up to hear people walking past their cabin, mumbling something in sync. Both Mark and Connor walk out of the wooden cabin and try to get the townsfolks' attention but no such luck. They shake, poke, even shouted at them, but no flinching, not even a reply nor complaint. Mark looks at Connor, both their eyes meet at the same time, not believing what is going on in front of them.

The two follow the crowd to investigate why they are acting like this. They all stop at the Town Hall, still mumbling to themselves. Mark hears faint words escape them, in which he can finally make out. "Respect The Family, never leave The Family, The Family is always there for you-" They are rephrasing the rules that he saw on the wall! Mark turns to Connor. "Connor, they are repeating the phrases that I saw on the wall at the dining hall last night."

Connor looks at him in confusion, but he listens closely to the nearest man next to him. Faintly, but clearly, he can hear the man repeatedly say the same verses. The Townsfolk stop at the Town Hall, and they suddenly stop chanting. Then, the mayor, William, comes out in a white robe. He raises his left hand and speaks. "Respect The Family, never leave The Family-" the crowd joins in with his chanting, "The Family is always there for you, work hard for The Family, never kill one of the Family-" the "Religious" Chanting goes on for almost 10 minutes, during that time, Connor and Mark speak to each other with concern.

"I told you this place didn't seem right." Mark whispers.

Connor responds, "Ok, you're right, but we can't just leave yet, we don't have any supplies, also, we don't exactly know where the hell we are."

"We need to get some information soon, or else we might end up like them.

As they continue talking, the chanting stops. Mark and Conner took notice and stop their chatter. William points to them, not making a sound. The townsfolk turn to them and had begun lightly pushing the two Forward. Connor resists slightly, but does not want to make a scene. As they are pushed, the old man then points to a small door on the side of the old white Town Hall. The guards protecting that door pulls it open and reaches inside. What they pull out is two men, one of them being a middle-aged horse who looks to be too skinny for his build, wearing a rugged blue shirt, showing his rib cage and whatever muscle he had left. The second person next to the horse is a small blue cat with dark spots around his eyes and arms. His attire seems to be a small, buttoned shirt with blue jeans, and his appearance looks to be pale for his fur color, and also looking extremely malnourished. As they come out, they are kneeled in front of Connor and Mark. As the two look up at William, they see his face darken with a devious, crooked smile and his eyes grow cold and dark.