Post by FoxTrott on Apr 14, 2011 22:01:28 GMT -5
West Gatto Elementary had recently let out for the weekend. Most of the students were on their way home in a small groups, though a scattered few were waiting still at the elementary. Among those left behind was a small kangaroo, waiting at the bottom of the stone steps to the school. The kangaroo hummed to herself, rocking on her heels and looking from side to side. She looked like any other eight year old, with long, dark red hair in pigtails, flowery shorts, a shirt with her favorite cartoon character, and velcro shoes. Her backpack, a very old blue one, was beside her on the ground.
A taxi drove near. The kangaroo brightened up, and grabbed her backpack. It continued past the school, and her face melted into a disappointed frown. Half an hour passed. She was sitting on the steps, buried in a small picture book. The plot was reaching its climax when a shadow blocked her reading light. She jumped up, expecting to see her big sister. Instead, there was a dark haired human that looked to be about twenty.
"Who're you?" the kangaroo asked, flattening her ears and baring her teeth.
"I'm one of Ruby's coworkers," said the human. His voice was soft, his smile persuasive. "She asked me to come walk you home because she was too busy."
"Oh... All righty!" She slipped her backpack on, and started home. The human held her delicate hand, and gently led her to a shortcut.
~~~~~~
"Can't find her, Neon."
A tall man stood in front of the elementary, his flaming red hair being gently tousled by the wind. He was talking on a small cell phone with some flame decals on it. His eyes were hidden by opaque glasses, though he obviously had a confused expression.
"Don't tell me Lulu isn't there," moaned a voice on the other side of the line.
". . ."
"Cinder, do you have any. idea. what happens to little girls who are alone. in this city?"
For a few moments, the only sound was the static of a cell phone conversation.
"WHAT'RE YOU WAITING FOR?!" screamed Neon. Before he could continue ruining Cinder's hearing he ended the call, and ran off to find the little kangaroo.
~~~~~
The street lights were beginning to turn on, and the human was still leading Lulu through the dark alleyways of Gatto. Hours before, Lulu had stated they were lost, only to receive a reply of, I'm taking you to Ruby, not home.
"Here we are."
It was a dead end. Lulu looked up at the human.
"But, it's just a--AHH!"
Her screams filled the air as the human tore off her shorts. His toy wasn't supposed to make such a ruckus.
"Shut up!" and with a slice of his knife, the child was reduced to quivering. Tears streamed through the bristly fur of her face. The human pulled her so the blad was the only thing between her and his face.
"If you don't want to get hurt even more..."
His free hand slipped from her shoulder, down her side, and gripped the inside of her thigh.
"... then do exactly as I say."
Lulu nodded, her trembling increasing tenfold. The human laughed a deep, menacing laugh.
~~~~~~
One, two, three. One, two, three.
Ruby was the only woman in the gym, and she was perfectly fine with that. She was practicing on a hanging punching bag at least her size. No boxing gloves adorned her hands, but sports tape was wrapped around her knuckles. An old magenta cell phone laid on the ground next to her transparent water bottle. Cinder had called exactly at two o'clock, saying Lulu was at home. The human was turning out more reliable than she thought. With a quick front kick, she sent the bag swinging on its chain, and grabbed her phone to check on Cinder. While she waited for him to pick up, she took a long drink from the water bottle.
"I can't come to the phone, leave a message. Beep."
"Hey, it's Ruby," the kangaroo said, furrowing her brow, "Just seeing what's happening. I'll be home in, like, an hour. If I'm not home by seven, get Chinese food. You're not allowed near the stove." She closed the phone, and headed for the locker rooms.
The gym owner hadn't the forethought to make a seperate room for women, so Ruby had her own corner she changed in. The regulars knew not to peek at her if they wanted to go home without a nasty cut. Ruby pulled her regular clothes out of her locker, and began to change.
Ring ring ring. Rrring ring ring.
Ruby looked up from slipping out of her boxing shorts. The ID on her phone read "blocked number." Brimming with curiosity, she picked up the phone, and held it on her shoulder while changing.
"It's Roo," she greeted lightly.
"I've something you want." The voice was cold. Ruby froze.
"Who is this?"
"Come to the Python Warehouse at midnight. Alone."
"Wh-what do you want?" Ruby demanded. She was fully clothed, and paying full attention to the phone. The man on the other line sighed. For a few moments, it was silent. Then, a small, hurt voice:
"Ruby, p-please hurry... h-h-he hurt me..."
"Lulu?! Lulu, what did he do to you?!"
"Come get me... p-please..."
"Answer me! Lulu! LULU!"
The call was ended.
Ruby slumped against the lockers, staring at the phone in disbelief.
"God damn it!" She bolted to her feet, and punched the metal lockers. HEr knuckles were bloodied, staining the newly dented metal. She did this again. And again. And again. Until her skin was ripped, her fur crimson from the blood. She glanced at the clock. Six in the evening. Six hours until she beat the man bloody.
~~~~~
Eleven o'clock. Ruby wasn't answering her phone, and there was no sign of Lulu anywhere. Cinder sat on the roof of the apartment building, legs dangling over the side. Overhead, the sky was completely dark, and it was starting to rain. Cinder pulled up the collar of his coat, and shivered.
Something whooshed by, its draft nearly taking off Cinder's scarf. He frowned, and looked behind him to see the angelic Neon. He tucked his dark wings against himself, and walked in Cinder's direction.
"Neither of them." Neon sat beside hsi friend. "Checked everywhere, even that furry gym Ruby frequents."
Cinder sighed, but the noise was muffled by a boom of thunder. Across the city, lightning flashed.
"What do we do?" Cinder looked at Neon. Neon's violet eye dimmed.
"We wait," Neon replied with a shrug, "It's all we can do. Ruby can handle herself."
Cinder nodded, wanting to believe the last statement. The two friends watched the cityscape from atop the apartment complex, allowing the rain to drench their beings.
~~~~~
Eleven fifty nine. The Python Warehouse was empty except for the odd wooden crate. Ruby stood next to a support beam, her face a mask of impatience. Her bare foot tapped on the ground, claws hitting the concrete with a distinct click.
Midnight. A steel knife was pressed to her throat. Ruby didn't turn around.
"Ruby Maroo," cooed the voice. It was the same one from the phone call.
"Where's Lulu."
"Twenty two years old. Your codename is Roo. You're a red kangaroo anthro, though you know your mother would screw anything if the price was right."
Ruby elbowed him sharply in the stomach, causing him to drop the knife, and jumped away. He was doubled over, clutching his abdomen. Locks of dark brown hair fell overh is face.
"Where is my sister," demanded Ruby. She clenched her fists, and bared her teeth in a fierce scowl.
~~~~
The rain matted her fur against her body. She clutched at her sides, tand tried to ignore the sharp pain every time she took a step. Tears welled up in her eyes, and fell, hidden by the rain. The apartment complex loomed above her. With a small whine, she crawled up the front steps.
~~~~
"You'll find her," growled the man, straightening up. There was a deep scar on his left cheek. Ruby growled in anger, and ran towards him, ready to punch his pretty face in. The man laughed, and ran towards her as well.
~~~
"Ruby," she cried, pulling herself up the last fight of stairs, "I have to find Ruby and Neon..."
~~~~
They met in the middle. Ruby felt a sick pleasure as her fist connrcted with his cheek, breaking the bone completely. Her pleasure was short lived.
~~~
"Did you hear that?" Neon turned around. There was a small figure at the roof entrance, collapsed on the ground. A soft whimper came from it. In a flash, Neon had her in his arms, rushing her to their apartment, Cinder right behind.
~~~~
The knife ripped out of her stomach, coated in crimson. Ruby's eyes were wide, her mouth hanging open. It wasn't a killing blow, but already darkness was closing in.
"Now..."
The man yanked her head by her ears so she was looking right at him. He ran the flat of his blade across his tongue, licking the crimson up.
"Listen very closely, Ruby..." His eyes glowed an unnatural onyx, and he stared straight into her very soul.
~~~~
Eight in the morning. Lulu was hiding in her room, buried under her stuffed animals. She hadn't said a word to either Neon or Cinder since she appeared last night. After clothing herself, she completely refused any medical attention, and screamed if anyone touched her.
Neon was sitting on a ratty couch, wings folded so they hid himself from Cinder, who was making pancakes in the kitchen. Neither had said a word to each other for hours.
A shocked gasp came from the kitchen. Neon glanced out of his wing shell to see Cinder running his finger under cold water while the gas stove was still on. Neon shook his head, and stood up.
"Let me make breakfast," said Neon, pushing Cinder out of the kitchen. Defeated, Cinder sat on the couch, and turned on Saturday morning cartoons in an attempt to lure Lulu out of her room.
The little kangaroo stayed where she was, clutching an elephant plush as big as herself. She buried her face in the plush exterior, drowning out all sounds.
Neon casually flipped a pancake. "It's your fault, you know."
Cinder looked at Neon from his spot on the couch. The angel continued.
"You're the one that didn't get her. I hope she forgives you... I never would."
~~~~~
Eight o’clock. Lulu still hadn’t come out of her room, and there was no sign of Ruby. Neon and Cinder were sitting on the couch, Cinder eating a can of soup.
Suddenly, Cinder dropped the soup can, stood up, and flipped open his phone. Neon scowled before bending down to clean the mess up.
“Cinder Celty,” greeted a man on the other side of the line, “I’ve heard you’re a man of few words, so I will make this short. Bring $10,000 tonight at ten to the Python Warehouse. Come alone, and your friend won’t be hurt anymore.”
The line was silent for a few moments, then the sound of crying came.
“Shut up, flea-ridden shag carpet!” and the call was ended. Neon looked at Cinder expectantly.
“Python Warehouse, tonight at ten,” Cinder stated, “Ruby’s being held for ransom.”
Lulu gently closed her door.
Cinder opened the door to the main warehouse, and stepped inside, his footsteps echoing off the concrete walls. He glanced behind before shutting the door and walking further inside.
“You’re late.”
A twenty something young man walked out from behind a crate. He held a hemp rope in one hand, and a knife in the other. The rope was limp, but something was connected to it, and that something was behind the crate. Cinder folded his arms. The man smirked, and nodded, seeing Cinder wasn’t a talkative person.
“Did you bring the money?” he asked, tilting his head. Cinder reached inside his trench coat and pulled out a manila envelope. The smile on the man’s face disappeared, and Cinder’s heart stopped.
“Cinder Celty,” cooed the man, twirling his knife, “Do you take me for an idiot? A human duller than yourself?” Cinder put the envelope back in his trench coat. “I’m not an idiot, Mister Celty. And I would take care of you myself, but I have something even better.”
He yanked the rope, and called out in a harsh tone, “Come!” Out from behind a crate crawled a feral creature. A tall, naked anthro, covered in bristly rust-colored fur. The rope was tied around her neck, rubbing her skin raw. Fresh and scabbing wounds covered her body.
“Ruby,” breathed Cinder, his eyes wide. She didn’t respond. She only sat next to the man, her pink hair hanging over her eyes.
“She’s not Ruby anymore,” replied the man, “She’s R, a bitch that belongs to me. Damn dirty anthros. They are good for a few things, though.” He dropped the rope. “R. Attack.”
Ruby ran at Cinder with a primal rage he had never seen. Stunned, Cinder stood there, a sitting duck as the man laughed.
Something crashed through the skylight. Shards of glass rained down on them. Ruby was a foot away when a black blur slammed into her, knocking her to the ground.
“Get the man, I’ll handle Roo!”
It was Neon, blood dripping from his black wings. Ruby slipped out of his grasp, and growled fiercely at him. Cinder nodded at Neon. The pyro charged the kidnapper, sleeves hiding the brass knuckles adorning his fists.
“Listen to me,” demanded Neon, staring at the feral anthro, “He’s not your friend. We are.”
Ruby went right for the stomach, delivering a round kick to Neon’s abdomen. He gritted his teeth through the pain.
“Ruby!” cried Neon, “Listen to me! Ruby! That’s your name, Ruby Maroo!”
Another kick, followed by an uppercut. Neon jumped back, narrowly avoiding both.
“You’re twenty two, turning twenty three this July!” Neon shouted, “You want a new sofa for your birthday, one with foot rests and a tail hole!”
One, two, three punches to the chest. The third knocked the wind out of Neon—how the hell did she hit that hard?! Neon gasped for air, and dared to glance at Cinder. The two humans were evenly matched, but there was a nasty cut on Cinder’s forehead, right above his shades.
Ruby grabbed Neon by the hair, and slammed his head into her raised knee. Stars danced on the periphery of his vision, but Neon still stood. Talking was getting them nowhere. Neon gritted his teeth, and ducked. Ruby was thrown off-balance by the missed side kick. With only one foot on the ground, she was easily tripped with a sweep of Neon’s leg. She hit the floor with a heavy thud.
Neon looked down at the exposed form of his friend. She was writhing in pain; apparently she had fallen hard on her head. Neon felt his cheeks redden at her naked body. How could anybody disgrace her in such a manner?
With animalistic grace, Ruby leaped to her feet, and immediately laid down a barrage of punches. Neon’s eyes widened, flashing back to the combat training at the lab. He easily dodged and blocked the blows, throwing a few of his own, only to have hem dodged or blocked as well.
Suddenly, a sharp pain screamed through Neon’s nerves. Ruby had kneed him below the belt, while still balancing herself. The brief moment of giving into the pain allowed her an opening. One, two, three punches, all connecting with his face.
Then, Ruby leaned back on her tail. Neon could only think clearly enough to recognize this meant more pain. She lashed out with both legs, hitting him directly in the chest. Her claws tore through the fabric of his shirt, and made a gash on either pectoral muscle. Neon was sent back several feet, smashing into a wooden crate. Splinters and wood shards dug into every part of his back and wings.
The angel gasped for breath, clutching at his chest. At least two broken ribs and one severely damaged lung. The left side of his face hurt like the devil; already, his face was swelling into a black eye.
Ruby stood over Neon, fists clenched, tail swinging back and forth. The only evidence of their fight were her bleeding gums. She spat a glob of blood onto Neon’s face in a claim of victory. The angel wiped the spit off with one hand.
“You’re in there somewhere, Ruby,” grunted Neon, “I know you are.”
“Too deep for you, pussy.”
The kidnapper walked up to them. His face was badly bruised, and his nose was bleeding. Cinder was laying face down on the ground where they had fought, blood pooling around his stomach. He knelt down so he was face to face with Neon. He pulled a knife out of a sheath on his thigh, and ran the flat of his blade across Neon’s cheek.
“Such a pretty face, such a great fighter…” The man sighed, and stood up. “I would love to keep doing this, but I’ve places to be.” He handed the blade to Ruby, who looked at it with a fascinated expression. Neon yelled mentally at his body to get up, get up, but it didn’t listen.
“R, listen closely,” said the man, “I want you to finish this bird—“
“RUBY!”
Neon craned his neck, and smiled as best he could. Lulu burst through the door, clad in a nightgown, and ran for her big sister. The kidnapper and Ruby were utterly confounded. Lulu wrapped her arms around Ruby’s waist, and buried her face in the bristly, bloody fur. Tears flew like rivers down her face. Ruby looked down at the whimpering thing, and up at the man for an answer.
“I’ve no use for her anymore,” he said casually, “Kill her.”
Neon struggled to move, but his injuries were too grave. Cinder rolled over with a groan, revealing the handle of a knife sticking out of his abdomen. His glasses slipped off his face, revealing pale blue eyes dim with pain.
“I know you can hear me!” shouted Lulu, her body shaking from the crying, “Stop it, Ruby! He did bad things to both of us, you should be hurting him, not your friends!”
“F… friends?” The word sounded like it had been composed of growls, not English sounds.
“Yes!” cried Lulu, “Neon and Cinder! Neon always takes care of us when we’re sick and he’s really nice! Cinder always protects us and does the right thing even though he doesn’t say anything!”
“Shut up!” shouted the man. He grabbed Lulu’s wrist, and yanked her to him.
“You met Cinder when you were fighting and escaped the mafia’s headquarters with him! You guys rescued Neon when—“
“I said SHUT UP!”
The kidnapper’s knife sliced right under Lulu’s eye. She cried in pain, and was thrown to the ground. Tears hit the concrete as well as blood.
Ruby’s eyes suddenly widened. She dropped the knife, and stared off into space. The man was too busy threatening Lulu to notice his spell was wearing off.
“You—nngh—you always tell me Cinder’s uglier than a shaved ape,” Neon grunted, the sheer act of talking paining him.
“And you tell me Neon’s just… an emo angel.” Cinder’s gasps were barely audible.
Ruby looked down at the man. He was holding Lulu’s face with one hand, tearing off her nightgown with the other.
The man was lifted upright, and thrown against the wall. Ruby bounded over to him, and held him by the shirt collar, pressing her muzzle against his scared face.
“What is your name.” Her eyes burned with a flaming passion unseen by any.
“K-Kenny Clark,” spat the man, “Wh-why? You can’t turn me in.”
“I always know the name of my targets.”
The knife was plunged into his chest, piercing his rib cage and puncturing a lung. Kenny gasped, and his face was frozen in asphyxiated shock. Ruby twisted the knife before pulling it out, letting the human’s blood run.
She threw him to the ground, letting him bleed out on the concrete floor. Lulu looked up at Ruby, trembling. They embraced each other, and as many tears flowed as blood that night.
A taxi drove near. The kangaroo brightened up, and grabbed her backpack. It continued past the school, and her face melted into a disappointed frown. Half an hour passed. She was sitting on the steps, buried in a small picture book. The plot was reaching its climax when a shadow blocked her reading light. She jumped up, expecting to see her big sister. Instead, there was a dark haired human that looked to be about twenty.
"Who're you?" the kangaroo asked, flattening her ears and baring her teeth.
"I'm one of Ruby's coworkers," said the human. His voice was soft, his smile persuasive. "She asked me to come walk you home because she was too busy."
"Oh... All righty!" She slipped her backpack on, and started home. The human held her delicate hand, and gently led her to a shortcut.
~~~~~~
"Can't find her, Neon."
A tall man stood in front of the elementary, his flaming red hair being gently tousled by the wind. He was talking on a small cell phone with some flame decals on it. His eyes were hidden by opaque glasses, though he obviously had a confused expression.
"Don't tell me Lulu isn't there," moaned a voice on the other side of the line.
". . ."
"Cinder, do you have any. idea. what happens to little girls who are alone. in this city?"
For a few moments, the only sound was the static of a cell phone conversation.
"WHAT'RE YOU WAITING FOR?!" screamed Neon. Before he could continue ruining Cinder's hearing he ended the call, and ran off to find the little kangaroo.
~~~~~
The street lights were beginning to turn on, and the human was still leading Lulu through the dark alleyways of Gatto. Hours before, Lulu had stated they were lost, only to receive a reply of, I'm taking you to Ruby, not home.
"Here we are."
It was a dead end. Lulu looked up at the human.
"But, it's just a--AHH!"
Her screams filled the air as the human tore off her shorts. His toy wasn't supposed to make such a ruckus.
"Shut up!" and with a slice of his knife, the child was reduced to quivering. Tears streamed through the bristly fur of her face. The human pulled her so the blad was the only thing between her and his face.
"If you don't want to get hurt even more..."
His free hand slipped from her shoulder, down her side, and gripped the inside of her thigh.
"... then do exactly as I say."
Lulu nodded, her trembling increasing tenfold. The human laughed a deep, menacing laugh.
~~~~~~
One, two, three. One, two, three.
Ruby was the only woman in the gym, and she was perfectly fine with that. She was practicing on a hanging punching bag at least her size. No boxing gloves adorned her hands, but sports tape was wrapped around her knuckles. An old magenta cell phone laid on the ground next to her transparent water bottle. Cinder had called exactly at two o'clock, saying Lulu was at home. The human was turning out more reliable than she thought. With a quick front kick, she sent the bag swinging on its chain, and grabbed her phone to check on Cinder. While she waited for him to pick up, she took a long drink from the water bottle.
"I can't come to the phone, leave a message. Beep."
"Hey, it's Ruby," the kangaroo said, furrowing her brow, "Just seeing what's happening. I'll be home in, like, an hour. If I'm not home by seven, get Chinese food. You're not allowed near the stove." She closed the phone, and headed for the locker rooms.
The gym owner hadn't the forethought to make a seperate room for women, so Ruby had her own corner she changed in. The regulars knew not to peek at her if they wanted to go home without a nasty cut. Ruby pulled her regular clothes out of her locker, and began to change.
Ring ring ring. Rrring ring ring.
Ruby looked up from slipping out of her boxing shorts. The ID on her phone read "blocked number." Brimming with curiosity, she picked up the phone, and held it on her shoulder while changing.
"It's Roo," she greeted lightly.
"I've something you want." The voice was cold. Ruby froze.
"Who is this?"
"Come to the Python Warehouse at midnight. Alone."
"Wh-what do you want?" Ruby demanded. She was fully clothed, and paying full attention to the phone. The man on the other line sighed. For a few moments, it was silent. Then, a small, hurt voice:
"Ruby, p-please hurry... h-h-he hurt me..."
"Lulu?! Lulu, what did he do to you?!"
"Come get me... p-please..."
"Answer me! Lulu! LULU!"
The call was ended.
Ruby slumped against the lockers, staring at the phone in disbelief.
"God damn it!" She bolted to her feet, and punched the metal lockers. HEr knuckles were bloodied, staining the newly dented metal. She did this again. And again. And again. Until her skin was ripped, her fur crimson from the blood. She glanced at the clock. Six in the evening. Six hours until she beat the man bloody.
~~~~~
Eleven o'clock. Ruby wasn't answering her phone, and there was no sign of Lulu anywhere. Cinder sat on the roof of the apartment building, legs dangling over the side. Overhead, the sky was completely dark, and it was starting to rain. Cinder pulled up the collar of his coat, and shivered.
Something whooshed by, its draft nearly taking off Cinder's scarf. He frowned, and looked behind him to see the angelic Neon. He tucked his dark wings against himself, and walked in Cinder's direction.
"Neither of them." Neon sat beside hsi friend. "Checked everywhere, even that furry gym Ruby frequents."
Cinder sighed, but the noise was muffled by a boom of thunder. Across the city, lightning flashed.
"What do we do?" Cinder looked at Neon. Neon's violet eye dimmed.
"We wait," Neon replied with a shrug, "It's all we can do. Ruby can handle herself."
Cinder nodded, wanting to believe the last statement. The two friends watched the cityscape from atop the apartment complex, allowing the rain to drench their beings.
~~~~~
Eleven fifty nine. The Python Warehouse was empty except for the odd wooden crate. Ruby stood next to a support beam, her face a mask of impatience. Her bare foot tapped on the ground, claws hitting the concrete with a distinct click.
Midnight. A steel knife was pressed to her throat. Ruby didn't turn around.
"Ruby Maroo," cooed the voice. It was the same one from the phone call.
"Where's Lulu."
"Twenty two years old. Your codename is Roo. You're a red kangaroo anthro, though you know your mother would screw anything if the price was right."
Ruby elbowed him sharply in the stomach, causing him to drop the knife, and jumped away. He was doubled over, clutching his abdomen. Locks of dark brown hair fell overh is face.
"Where is my sister," demanded Ruby. She clenched her fists, and bared her teeth in a fierce scowl.
~~~~
The rain matted her fur against her body. She clutched at her sides, tand tried to ignore the sharp pain every time she took a step. Tears welled up in her eyes, and fell, hidden by the rain. The apartment complex loomed above her. With a small whine, she crawled up the front steps.
~~~~
"You'll find her," growled the man, straightening up. There was a deep scar on his left cheek. Ruby growled in anger, and ran towards him, ready to punch his pretty face in. The man laughed, and ran towards her as well.
~~~
"Ruby," she cried, pulling herself up the last fight of stairs, "I have to find Ruby and Neon..."
~~~~
They met in the middle. Ruby felt a sick pleasure as her fist connrcted with his cheek, breaking the bone completely. Her pleasure was short lived.
~~~
"Did you hear that?" Neon turned around. There was a small figure at the roof entrance, collapsed on the ground. A soft whimper came from it. In a flash, Neon had her in his arms, rushing her to their apartment, Cinder right behind.
~~~~
The knife ripped out of her stomach, coated in crimson. Ruby's eyes were wide, her mouth hanging open. It wasn't a killing blow, but already darkness was closing in.
"Now..."
The man yanked her head by her ears so she was looking right at him. He ran the flat of his blade across his tongue, licking the crimson up.
"Listen very closely, Ruby..." His eyes glowed an unnatural onyx, and he stared straight into her very soul.
~~~~
Eight in the morning. Lulu was hiding in her room, buried under her stuffed animals. She hadn't said a word to either Neon or Cinder since she appeared last night. After clothing herself, she completely refused any medical attention, and screamed if anyone touched her.
Neon was sitting on a ratty couch, wings folded so they hid himself from Cinder, who was making pancakes in the kitchen. Neither had said a word to each other for hours.
A shocked gasp came from the kitchen. Neon glanced out of his wing shell to see Cinder running his finger under cold water while the gas stove was still on. Neon shook his head, and stood up.
"Let me make breakfast," said Neon, pushing Cinder out of the kitchen. Defeated, Cinder sat on the couch, and turned on Saturday morning cartoons in an attempt to lure Lulu out of her room.
The little kangaroo stayed where she was, clutching an elephant plush as big as herself. She buried her face in the plush exterior, drowning out all sounds.
Neon casually flipped a pancake. "It's your fault, you know."
Cinder looked at Neon from his spot on the couch. The angel continued.
"You're the one that didn't get her. I hope she forgives you... I never would."
~~~~~
Eight o’clock. Lulu still hadn’t come out of her room, and there was no sign of Ruby. Neon and Cinder were sitting on the couch, Cinder eating a can of soup.
Suddenly, Cinder dropped the soup can, stood up, and flipped open his phone. Neon scowled before bending down to clean the mess up.
“Cinder Celty,” greeted a man on the other side of the line, “I’ve heard you’re a man of few words, so I will make this short. Bring $10,000 tonight at ten to the Python Warehouse. Come alone, and your friend won’t be hurt anymore.”
The line was silent for a few moments, then the sound of crying came.
“Shut up, flea-ridden shag carpet!” and the call was ended. Neon looked at Cinder expectantly.
“Python Warehouse, tonight at ten,” Cinder stated, “Ruby’s being held for ransom.”
Lulu gently closed her door.
Cinder opened the door to the main warehouse, and stepped inside, his footsteps echoing off the concrete walls. He glanced behind before shutting the door and walking further inside.
“You’re late.”
A twenty something young man walked out from behind a crate. He held a hemp rope in one hand, and a knife in the other. The rope was limp, but something was connected to it, and that something was behind the crate. Cinder folded his arms. The man smirked, and nodded, seeing Cinder wasn’t a talkative person.
“Did you bring the money?” he asked, tilting his head. Cinder reached inside his trench coat and pulled out a manila envelope. The smile on the man’s face disappeared, and Cinder’s heart stopped.
“Cinder Celty,” cooed the man, twirling his knife, “Do you take me for an idiot? A human duller than yourself?” Cinder put the envelope back in his trench coat. “I’m not an idiot, Mister Celty. And I would take care of you myself, but I have something even better.”
He yanked the rope, and called out in a harsh tone, “Come!” Out from behind a crate crawled a feral creature. A tall, naked anthro, covered in bristly rust-colored fur. The rope was tied around her neck, rubbing her skin raw. Fresh and scabbing wounds covered her body.
“Ruby,” breathed Cinder, his eyes wide. She didn’t respond. She only sat next to the man, her pink hair hanging over her eyes.
“She’s not Ruby anymore,” replied the man, “She’s R, a bitch that belongs to me. Damn dirty anthros. They are good for a few things, though.” He dropped the rope. “R. Attack.”
Ruby ran at Cinder with a primal rage he had never seen. Stunned, Cinder stood there, a sitting duck as the man laughed.
Something crashed through the skylight. Shards of glass rained down on them. Ruby was a foot away when a black blur slammed into her, knocking her to the ground.
“Get the man, I’ll handle Roo!”
It was Neon, blood dripping from his black wings. Ruby slipped out of his grasp, and growled fiercely at him. Cinder nodded at Neon. The pyro charged the kidnapper, sleeves hiding the brass knuckles adorning his fists.
“Listen to me,” demanded Neon, staring at the feral anthro, “He’s not your friend. We are.”
Ruby went right for the stomach, delivering a round kick to Neon’s abdomen. He gritted his teeth through the pain.
“Ruby!” cried Neon, “Listen to me! Ruby! That’s your name, Ruby Maroo!”
Another kick, followed by an uppercut. Neon jumped back, narrowly avoiding both.
“You’re twenty two, turning twenty three this July!” Neon shouted, “You want a new sofa for your birthday, one with foot rests and a tail hole!”
One, two, three punches to the chest. The third knocked the wind out of Neon—how the hell did she hit that hard?! Neon gasped for air, and dared to glance at Cinder. The two humans were evenly matched, but there was a nasty cut on Cinder’s forehead, right above his shades.
Ruby grabbed Neon by the hair, and slammed his head into her raised knee. Stars danced on the periphery of his vision, but Neon still stood. Talking was getting them nowhere. Neon gritted his teeth, and ducked. Ruby was thrown off-balance by the missed side kick. With only one foot on the ground, she was easily tripped with a sweep of Neon’s leg. She hit the floor with a heavy thud.
Neon looked down at the exposed form of his friend. She was writhing in pain; apparently she had fallen hard on her head. Neon felt his cheeks redden at her naked body. How could anybody disgrace her in such a manner?
With animalistic grace, Ruby leaped to her feet, and immediately laid down a barrage of punches. Neon’s eyes widened, flashing back to the combat training at the lab. He easily dodged and blocked the blows, throwing a few of his own, only to have hem dodged or blocked as well.
Suddenly, a sharp pain screamed through Neon’s nerves. Ruby had kneed him below the belt, while still balancing herself. The brief moment of giving into the pain allowed her an opening. One, two, three punches, all connecting with his face.
Then, Ruby leaned back on her tail. Neon could only think clearly enough to recognize this meant more pain. She lashed out with both legs, hitting him directly in the chest. Her claws tore through the fabric of his shirt, and made a gash on either pectoral muscle. Neon was sent back several feet, smashing into a wooden crate. Splinters and wood shards dug into every part of his back and wings.
The angel gasped for breath, clutching at his chest. At least two broken ribs and one severely damaged lung. The left side of his face hurt like the devil; already, his face was swelling into a black eye.
Ruby stood over Neon, fists clenched, tail swinging back and forth. The only evidence of their fight were her bleeding gums. She spat a glob of blood onto Neon’s face in a claim of victory. The angel wiped the spit off with one hand.
“You’re in there somewhere, Ruby,” grunted Neon, “I know you are.”
“Too deep for you, pussy.”
The kidnapper walked up to them. His face was badly bruised, and his nose was bleeding. Cinder was laying face down on the ground where they had fought, blood pooling around his stomach. He knelt down so he was face to face with Neon. He pulled a knife out of a sheath on his thigh, and ran the flat of his blade across Neon’s cheek.
“Such a pretty face, such a great fighter…” The man sighed, and stood up. “I would love to keep doing this, but I’ve places to be.” He handed the blade to Ruby, who looked at it with a fascinated expression. Neon yelled mentally at his body to get up, get up, but it didn’t listen.
“R, listen closely,” said the man, “I want you to finish this bird—“
“RUBY!”
Neon craned his neck, and smiled as best he could. Lulu burst through the door, clad in a nightgown, and ran for her big sister. The kidnapper and Ruby were utterly confounded. Lulu wrapped her arms around Ruby’s waist, and buried her face in the bristly, bloody fur. Tears flew like rivers down her face. Ruby looked down at the whimpering thing, and up at the man for an answer.
“I’ve no use for her anymore,” he said casually, “Kill her.”
Neon struggled to move, but his injuries were too grave. Cinder rolled over with a groan, revealing the handle of a knife sticking out of his abdomen. His glasses slipped off his face, revealing pale blue eyes dim with pain.
“I know you can hear me!” shouted Lulu, her body shaking from the crying, “Stop it, Ruby! He did bad things to both of us, you should be hurting him, not your friends!”
“F… friends?” The word sounded like it had been composed of growls, not English sounds.
“Yes!” cried Lulu, “Neon and Cinder! Neon always takes care of us when we’re sick and he’s really nice! Cinder always protects us and does the right thing even though he doesn’t say anything!”
“Shut up!” shouted the man. He grabbed Lulu’s wrist, and yanked her to him.
“You met Cinder when you were fighting and escaped the mafia’s headquarters with him! You guys rescued Neon when—“
“I said SHUT UP!”
The kidnapper’s knife sliced right under Lulu’s eye. She cried in pain, and was thrown to the ground. Tears hit the concrete as well as blood.
Ruby’s eyes suddenly widened. She dropped the knife, and stared off into space. The man was too busy threatening Lulu to notice his spell was wearing off.
“You—nngh—you always tell me Cinder’s uglier than a shaved ape,” Neon grunted, the sheer act of talking paining him.
“And you tell me Neon’s just… an emo angel.” Cinder’s gasps were barely audible.
Ruby looked down at the man. He was holding Lulu’s face with one hand, tearing off her nightgown with the other.
The man was lifted upright, and thrown against the wall. Ruby bounded over to him, and held him by the shirt collar, pressing her muzzle against his scared face.
“What is your name.” Her eyes burned with a flaming passion unseen by any.
“K-Kenny Clark,” spat the man, “Wh-why? You can’t turn me in.”
“I always know the name of my targets.”
The knife was plunged into his chest, piercing his rib cage and puncturing a lung. Kenny gasped, and his face was frozen in asphyxiated shock. Ruby twisted the knife before pulling it out, letting the human’s blood run.
She threw him to the ground, letting him bleed out on the concrete floor. Lulu looked up at Ruby, trembling. They embraced each other, and as many tears flowed as blood that night.
