An Oddity Among Beasts (BEASTARS)

Broken Gates

    The doors slammed open with force, the sound echoing through the room. The human and fox tumbled down the isle, struggling with one another before the fox was held down. Todd ran after the two, heart pounding more as he watched. A few voices could be heard from behind the stage, but none of them seemed to care.

Alan straddled the fox and grabbed his collar, "What the hell do you know about me?!"

"I know enough to know your game.", he smirked. "And they say foxes are cunning, but you're in a completely different ballpark."

"What are you talking about?"

"Will?"

    They looked to the stage, seeing Bill looking shocked with a few others coming out from behind the curtains—Kai and Legosi being among them. Alan loosened his grip, body freezing up. He didn't realize they were here, but now things seemed to have gotten worse. The fox took the chance and kicked him off, dusting himself off before smirking to the tiger.

"Bill, perfect timing!", he said loud enough for everyone to hear. "I was just having a little scuffle with Riser, here."

The tiger froze and slowly turned his gaze to Alan, "I-it was you?"

"Don't forget the goat.", Will gestured to Todd. "You could say it was a team effort."

"Hold up, I don't get it.", Kai said questioningly. "Why would Alan be the one writing those stories?"

"You're right. It doesn't make sense—especially given how well-versed the stories are, particularly with how the carnivores in them feel.", Will stroked his chin.

"But haven't you all wondered about him? For example, why would he hang out in the wolf room during Territory Time with 'Legwolf'?"

Alan tensed up as Legosi asked, "H-how do you know about that?"

The fox scoffed, "Jeez, if you're as dense as he is, it's no wonder I was able to keep this up for so long! You're close, though, right? Have you ever noticed anything odd about him?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't listen to him!", Alan snapped. "He's just trying to mess with you. He doesn't know anything!"

"Then why were you holding him down earlier?", Bill chimed in, making him freeze again before lowering his gaze.

"He's been hiding something from you all.", Will said. "He wanted to come off as the pure-of-heart human, but he has a monster inside."

"Shut up...", the human muttered as his body began to shake.

"Why would he hang out in the wolf room specifically? He has a goat roommate, so why not hang out with him?", the fox shrugged. "And what about that play you guys put on? How could Alan have enough strength to kick Bill back when he barely sizes up to him?"

Todd stood frozen as he watched the exchange, blood frozen in his veins. He wanted to help, but his body wouldn't let him. He could feel it, his instincts telling him to run as it knew things were getting more tense by the second. He stood still, though, not wanting to leave his friend while the fox taunted him.

"What are you getting at?", Legosi asked defensively, looking ready to jump down to Will's level.

"Think about it.", he said simply. "He has small bursts of rage, he had enough strength to push a large-breed carnivore back, he's infatuated with wolves—"

"Enough!", Alan screamed as he swiped an arm to the side. "It's none of your business why I'm the way I am! It's not anyone's business!"