Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Fox Tales ❯ The Fox's Out of the Bag ( Chapter 14 )

Fox Tales

 

Chapter 14

“The Fox's Out of the Bag”

 

As Todd opened the car door, he was still shaken up. After experiencing that detachment, he was afraid that it would happen again on its own. Putting on his seat belt was the only way to make sure that his abdomen was where it should be. It was so unnerving for him to see his legs walking from him, and not with him. The drive back home was mentally difficult, and having its effects physically. He was trembling with no sense of control over it. But that was the whole crux of his anxiety: control, or lack thereof. He felt helpless…vulnerable…powerless. He was floating in mid-air while his legs were walking away from him, and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it; someone else was in control of the situation.

 

Concentrating on the road and traffic in front of him was challenging. He wasn't zooming by like he was on the way to his destination. He was definitely more careful on the way back home. All the while regretting he ever decided to follow through on that letter. When he got home, his mother was in the middle of a telephone call. He saw her and waved his hand. She waved her free hand at him. As he walked away, he was hearing her end of the conversation, and wasn't paying any attention to it. That is, until she said…

 

“My gut is telling me it's a bad idea.”

Gut? Todd thought, stopping dead in his tracks. Suddenly, he was on edge, thinking about the nightmare that was just one hour old. And it only got worse.

“I don't think they'll be able to stomach this…You don't think they could go belly up?...Something's missing in this equation. It's like it just disappeared.”

Todd couldn't take any more. He quickly walked upstairs to his room and shut the door.

 

The good news was that Todd was easily able to fall asleep that night. The bad news was that even he dreams were betraying him. In the dream, he's standing back in the park in Bremerton on a sunny day, fully clothed. But instead of people, the place was full of clones of his legs, all wearing the same pants as he was. They were sitting on benches or on the ground, playing with a hacky sack, riding skateboards, kicking around soccer balls, jogging, and rollerblading. He was the only full-bodied person there. Suddenly, he felt strangely compelled to place his hands on his hips and push, which he did. And the next moment…pop! He separated himself from the hips down, and his legs walked away to join the party. The rest of him stayed in place, and he watched all that was going on, his mouth ajar in astonishment. And then he woke up.

 

It was the prevailing thought all day at school. He tried so hard to think about something else, and sometimes he succeeded. But sooner or later, it would creep back into his head. Naomi noticed something was wrong when they met at lunch.

“Todd, you don't look okay. Is there something wrong?”

“No, I-I-I-I'm fine,” he said nervously.

“You're stuttering. Are you sure you're fine?”

“Yep. Couldn't be better.”

“You know, it's okay to tell me.”

“What's there to tell? I'm fine.”

 

Naomi didn't believe him for one second, but didn't want to push the issue any further. Gary walked in to join them.

“Hey, you two,” he said as he sat down.

“Hey,” they each replied.

“Just found out that the talent show's coming back this year. You remember when we went that one time, and that sophomore sawed someone in half? I know it was all an illusion, but could you imagine if that were actually happening to you? I mean, actually being two pieces?” He looked at Todd, who looked like his was daydreaming, but wasn't. He could not believe his luck in the last twelve hours, and the joke fate was playing on him.

“Hello. Earth to Todd,” Gary said.

“Oh…no, I couldn't imagine.”

 

Just moments after Todd and his mother came back from school, the phone rang. She walked to pick it up, while Todd went upstairs to put away his backpack.

“Hello…oh, yes. One moment. Todd, phone's for you.”

Todd went across the hall and took the call in another room.

“Got it!” he yelled. “Hello?”

“Hello, Todd.” It was Alexis. “I hope you're doing well tonight.” Todd's heart was in his throat. He brought his tone to a semi-whisper and closed the door, making sure no else could hear him. As he did so, he heard his mom hang up her phone and walk away.

“What do you want? How did you get my number?”

“It's called a phone book. Try using it sometime. I called to tell you that I've figured out who it was you fought that night.”

“What?”

 

“His name is Eric, and he is one formidable sorcerer.”

“Doesn't he have a last name?”

“No one seems to know what it is. But that's beside the point.”

“How do you know all of this? And why are you telling me?”

“As to the question of how, I'll tell you some other time. As to the question of why, because it is my job to help people like you fulfill whatever purpose they have.”

“Right now, you're more vague than helpful, Ms. `we are talking about purpose.'”

“Look, you have every reason to not trust me after what happened yesterday. But sooner or later, you're going to have to overcome that distrust and take my hand. Like it or not, you have a responsibility. You can't run away from it. I shall talk to you again, Todd. Good night.”

The line clicked, and Todd removed the phone from his ear, and hung it up. He then returned to his room for some alone time.

 

He lay flat on his bed with the lights on, hands behind his head, looking blankly at the ceiling. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Satoru appear.

“It's just ridiculous. Just ridiculous,” Todd said. “All these reminders of what happened to me. I can't take it anymore.”

-Certainly a series of unfortunate coincidences, Satoru replied.

“It's like my brain is trying to sabotage me, looking for ways to torment me.” Satoru didn't say anything.

“Did you want to talk about something?”

-Alexis is right. You are going to have to trust her eventually.

Todd sighed. “I know that. I realize that I don't have much choice, but it doesn't make the decision any easier.”

-I know why you won't trust her. It's because you're being selfish.

“What?” Todd turned to look at him.

 

-Yes. Your distrust comes from your fear over how the future will affect you. It's why you've been constantly thinking about the separation of your body. But you keep forgetting that you are not the only one who's impacted by what happens from now on.

Todd realized that he was right. He was forgetting all about Satoru in all of this. Todd's feelings went from frustration to guilt.

“You're right,” he said softly. “I've lost focus. This isn't about me. This is about you. I'm sorry.”

-It's okay.

“But can you see why I'm obsessing over it? It's not every day that you suddenly become two pieces, and one is getting away.”

-Trusting Alexis and fulfilling your responsibility will probably mean that you are going to have to get accustomed to the supernatural. Talking about this should help you get over this instance, and the sooner, the better. Besides, magic is an acquired taste. You'll get used to it.

Satoru then faded away. Todd got up off the bed, walked over the bathroom, and looked at himself in the mirror. Then he lifted his shirt to show his abdomen, and thought about what Satoru said. What happened yesterday was only the beginning, and Todd would have to take him at his word for it. Todd thought to himself, So long as all of this is kept a secret, I'll be fine.

 

About a couple of hours later, Todd decided to take a walk to clear his head. There was no particular destination on this Thursday night. He just walked where he felt fit. It was a crisp night, with the wind blowing now and again, but not too hard. Perfect t-shirt weather. The gathering rain clouds, however, became ominous. Eventually, he worked his way into downtown. But something was strange. The closer he got to downtown, the less people he saw until there wasn't anybody there. Downtown was a ghost town. That is except for one person, off in the distance, at the far end of the block. He was wearing all black with eyeglasses, in his early twenties, and he looked familiar somehow.

“Mr. Reinhardt. We meet again,” he yelled. The voice rang familiar too.

Wait a minute, Todd thought. It's that one guy from the night of the transformation. This must the Eric that Alexis talked about.

 

“I'm so glad to see you again,” Eric said with a dark flair.

“What do you want with me?” Todd yelled back.

“Oh, nothing really. It's just that I'd like you to meet a buddy of mine.”

In a blinding flash, a muscular pitch-black humanoid appeared, about as tall as Todd, ready for attack. Todd saw it, and quietly said, “Well, my friend, do you want to take it from here?”

-My pleasure, Satoru said.

Immediately, Todd was enveloped by light once again, and transformed in the same fashion as last time. The ears expanding and changing shape, the tail growing and poking through. It was all very familiar. And this time, it felt more natural. It wasn't as excruciating. When all was done, Todd stood ready for combat.

 

“I'm impressed, Mr. Reinhardt,” Eric said. “You seem to be more familiar with yourself than you were last time. But I'm sorry to say that you are one growing flower that's going to be nipped in the bud.” He snapped his fingers and his henchman went after Todd. The enemy ran at full speed, stopped in front of Todd, and threw a right jab. Todd blocked it and quickly went after a punch of his own, which was also negated. Each of them traded punches and kicks; many of them were dodged or blocked. Todd let Satoru semi-possess his body as he was making moves that were part martial arts, part boxing. The feeling was strange. He was completely aware during the ordeal, yet at the same time, it felt like a blur, and he was along for the ride. It was amazing how his opponent could fight because upon a closer look, he didn't appear to have eyes.

 

Finally, the henchman landed an uppercut square in the jaw from Todd's left. It sent him flying in the air, and he landed on his back, his bushy tail not providing any cushion at all. However, he quickly got back up and went after his enemy again. This time, he had an idea. He ran to the building on his right, then along the wall, making sure to avoid the windows. Then, he jumped off the wall and lunged at the enemy's head, fist extended. But the foe dodged the fist and quickly caught Todd with both hands at the abdomen and threw him down the street. Todd landed hard on his right side. The grinding asphalt tore up his skin and his shirt; blood slowly flowing down his right forearm. He turned over and felt really nauseous.

 

“You'll have to do more than defy gravity if you want to win, Mr. Reinhardt,” Eric said. Todd got to his knees, and then slowly stood back up, groaning, grimacing, and breathing heavily. He's right, Todd thought. We're going to have to come up with a plan.

-I've got one, Satoru replied. And it involves what I do best. Walk a little closer to him.

And so Todd did, taking a couple of steps closer. He stopped and closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them, he saw that he was part of a ring of about 25 clones that surrounded the enemy.

“Only one of us is real,” one of them said.

“But which one?” another asked.

 

All of them started called its attention, taunting it to come after each one. Todd had to join them in order to keep up the charade. The humanoid looked around, unsure of which one to go after. It chose one and ran to punch. When it threw its fist, the clone dissipated like a hologram. The same thing happened with a couple of other clones. But when the enemy came the real Todd, he was ready for counterattack. He went for a side kick with his right leg. As it went into motion, his foot ignited into a blue fire. And when it landed, the humanoid was sent flying three feet off the ground, and flew backwards. Todd held the pose for a second, as all the other clones dissipated. That blue fire spread all over the fallen foe, and he was destroyed in one large flare, ash free.

 

Todd saw Eric standing all the way over at the other end of the block with a smile on his face. And Todd was both confused and frustrated.

“Surprised that I destroyed your gofer?” Todd yelled to Eric.

“Not at all,” Eric replied, unafraid.

“Why don't you have some courage and fight me yourself?”

“In good time, Mr. Reinhardt.”

“I know what you're up to, Eric,” Todd shouted with determination. “I know that this street isn't really deserted. I know that this was all an illusion.”

“Oh, really? Is that so?”

“Yeah, that is so!”

“Well then, why don't you tell her that?” Eric was pointing to something behind Todd

Todd didn't know whom he was talking about, but immediately turned around…and gasped.

 

It was Naomi.

 

She stood there with tears welling up in her eyes, and her mouth open in disbelief. Todd was doing the same thing. Naomi slowly took a step backwards, staring at Todd. Then she took another one. Todd fell to his knees, still looking at her. She couldn't hold her tears any longer, and began crying. At the same time, she turned to her right and ran as fast as she could. Todd went down on all fours, and cried as well. Very hard. Then the rain came, and followed suit as Todd changed back to normal.

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