6
Jase
Dammit! Why was I so stupid? Obviously, I didn’t expect to abandon my car and my clothes, but I should have done a better job of hiding it so I had a bit more time. Now the police were looking for me.
I guess it was good that this community looked out for people and all that, but the last thing I wanted was to have the police thinking I was in need of emergency mental health care when I was finally able to shift back. Being trapped as a bunny was proving hard on me. The same would prove true being trapped as a human. If I was hospitalized for a sanity check after finally getting my freedom, I really would go insane. I never wanted to experience this kind of forced containment again.
Ever.
I tried hard not to think about that as I eavesdropped on the two men through the open window.
The boy, Xander, was still on Auggie’s, as I’d nicknamed him, mind. He was such a caring soul. I knew from his babbling that he had worked in real estate for a while, and I just couldn’t picture it. I didn’t know him well, but I knew he wasn’t meant to be behind a computer in a suit and tie. Auggie was right where he was supposed to be—caring for people and animals on that farm. And even though he mumbled about going home now and then, he was never more animated or excited as when he talked to the animals, myself included, about his day. Real estate was probably good for some people, but not my Auggie. He was a caretaker through and through.
When the officers left, I expected August to head out on his errands but he came straight back in and picked me up. “Hey, Bunny.”
I wiggled my nose and licked the side of his hand, my own version of hello for the moment.
“I don’t know if you heard all that but the nice officer is going to check on Xander.” He scratched behind my ears. “My guess is he’ll probably be by to check on you a little later. So, if you want to make him happy, you can give him a little lick too. He’s probably worried about you.”
I doubted that. The kid only knew me for a few minutes before leaving me with August. I wasn’t complaining because if he hadn’t brought me here, who knows what would have happened to me. I probably would have been a snack for his dogs. But if he came by, I’d lick his hand too. That kid seemed like he needed some care and affection, and I was happy to give him some.
“I guess I’ll run to the feed store now, so you get some rest before we have company.”
I curled into a ball in Auggie’s palms, quite comfortable to nap right where I was.
“Ah, ah, ah.” August lowered me onto the blanket I’d been sleeping on since my arrival. “Not on me this time. In your bed.”
I wanted to pout but had to settle for lowering my ears in defeat. I’d hoped to win him over but he just scratched my head with a finger before walking out of the kitchen and to the old truck out front.
* * *
“Are you sure he’s okay?” I woke up to the sensation of being lifted out of my bed. Usually, that was a welcomed feeling because it meant Auggie wanted a cuddle, but the hands holding me were all wrong.
I opened my eyes and saw Xander’s little face staring down at me.
“Almost good as new.” August stood beside the boy and rubbed my back with his thumb. “You saved him at just the right time.”
Xander turned to August and smiled. “He looks like he’s ready to go back to his family.”
Auggie cleared his throat and looked like he was going to take me from the child’s grasp but then folded his arms over his chest. “Yeah, maybe.”
“What do you mean?” Xander pressed me to his chest and I could hear his little heart pounding. “He’s not gonna die, is he?”
“No, no,” August quickly reassured the boy before walking to the table and taking a seat. “I just mean that sometimes animals that have been injured or in captivity for a while don’t do well when they go back into the wild. He might not be able to protect himself as well as he used to.”
Xander sighed heavily then held me up in front of his nose so he could look into my eyes. “Where will he live then?”
I immediately turned to Auggie, wondering if he was about to disappoint me or make my freaking day.
August shrugged then reached for the edge of the placemat, not making eye contact with me or Xander. “I don’t know, but I guess he can stay here. I have plenty of room and you can visit him anytime you want.”
“Really?” I glanced back at Xander, wondering if he was happy or sad by that. It wasn’t easy to read his expression, but I got the feeling he was a little bit of both. It sounded like his home wasn’t exactly welcoming to stray animals, and maybe having a pet live next door was the best option in his eyes. “That’s really nice of you.”
“Yeah, of course. I’ve kinda grown an attachment to the little guy. I don’t really want to see him go.”
“But can he be my bunny, even if he lives here?” I could hear the hope in Xander’s voice and knew Auggie could too. His heart was too kind to not give in to whatever this kid wanted.
“Sure, he’s totally yours.” August leaned forward, resting his forearms and elbows on the table. “But he’ll be safe here. No dogs or dads to bother him.”
At the mention of his dad, Xander’s shoulders drooped and his chin fell to his chest. “My dad shot Stray, my dog.”
I nuzzled into Xander’s hand and licked his fingers, hoping to give him comfort in the only way I could.
“I was afraid of that,” August said softly. “Why did he do it?”
Xander shrugged and held me closer to his chest. “I never know why he does stuff. He just gets mad sometimes and whoever he sees is the one who gets punished.”
Auggie’s eyes narrowed and he looked as livid as I felt. “Does he punish you?”
Xander nodded twice without looking away from his fingers in my fur. “Only when I’m bad.”
“You’re never bad enough that he can hurt you, Xander.” August read my mind, saying exactly the words I wanted to say...but in a much nicer way. If I were human, I would have thrown in a few extra curse words before stomping out the door to have a word with this dad of his.
“I try to be good so he doesn’t need to.” Xander looked up at me and met August’s gaze with tears in his eyes. “That’s why the dog got shot. I dropped a plate and made a lot of noise. When my dad woke up and yelled at me, I got scared and ran out the back door. I hid in the shed til after I heard the gunshot.”
August got up and wrapped his arm around Xander’s shoulder, giving him a gentle hug while pressing me against his hip. “I’m so sorry, buddy. That shouldn’t have happened. But I want you to know you can always come over here. Day or night, if you’re scared or you think your dad might want to punish you, just run over here and hide. I’ll deal with him if he figures out where you are.”
“Thanks, August.” Xander stood up and handed me to Auggie before wiping the tears off his cheeks with the back so his dirty hands. “But I’ll be okay. I know how to stay out of his way now.”
7
August
“Becca, you need to eat,” I scolded her the way Grams had always done when the horse got good and stubborn. Unlike Grams, I’d cave and bring her some apples eventually.
I refreshed her water and took her out to her enclosure so I could muck out her stall. For a tiny creature, she sure shit a lot.
It had been two days since Xander had been by, and I couldn't stop thinking about his dad. He’d been checked on, of course, and I’d seen him so I knew he hadn’t been shot. It just felt like the poor kid was on borrowed time before he was beaten. Or worse, found himself on the wrong side of his father’s gun.
And then there was the dog. I wanted so badly to offer to keep the dog he had left. But between the cat and bunny and the goose, I had a feeling it might not work out any better having him here. I knew there had to be an answer to make things better, I just needed to find it.
“Hey, Bunny.” I had taken to telling the little ball of fluff my every move. It probably wasn’t the best choice,
but I decided to keep him and buy him a proper cage. If he wasn’t already capable of getting out of his box, he soon would be. “How would you like a real bed?”
His little head perked up. I swore the little fur ball understood me when I rambled on.
“You’re getting better, and it’s about time you had a better crib. Are people still calling homes cribs? I don’t even know, but I’m going to go to town and get you a nice one.” I reached in the box and rubbed behind his left ear, which appeared to be his favorite place. “I hope it’s okay that I keep you.” I scooped him up. “I’d feel bad if you had a little family waiting for you, but honestly, you’re mine now...which is creepy and weird and don’t tell Xander. He’ll be sad. We can just pretend you're his, okay?”
He scrunched his little nose and I could’ve sworn he nodded. Silly bunny.
No. Silly me. I needed to get out more. Or not. I kinda liked things the way they were.
I put him gently in the box, kissing his little head before I set him down. There were probably fifty reasons why I shouldn’t allow myself to even pet, much less kiss, a wild animal, but the more I got to know the little guy, the more I thought he might be a pet that got away. Or worse, one that was dumped after Easter cuteness turned into a commitment.
I read an article on that somewhere last year, and even then, it had my blood curdling. Now that my best friend was a rabbit, it was even worse.
“I’ll be back soon. And I’ll get you more of those leeks you seem to like so much,” I promised before I drove to the feed store. They were as close as a place came to a pet store, and they would probably have something to tide me over until I figured out how Bunny would fit into the household after he was given free rein.
My initial concern had been Lux, but the day he snuck into the kitchen to sit in Grams’s seat, he looked at the rabbit and then walked away as if he couldn’t be bothered. And for a cat that still managed to bring me mice and birds and even a squirrel once, that had surprised me. I didn’t risk it by inviting Lux into the kitchen or anything, but I had a feeling he figured out that the rabbit was one of us, a member of the motley crew that was Grams’s farm.
The feed store was oddly crowded, so instead of asking for help as I planned, I meandered the aisles, filling my cart with things I hadn’t intended on buying, wasting time until I could get help. Lux had a bunch of new toys and treats headed his way, as did Daisy. I also picked up some pigs ears for Xander’s dog which felt awkward given they were next to Daisy’s new ball.
“Cats and dogs?” a man older than me asked.
“And a pig.” I smiled proudly.
He squinted as he looked over my bounty.
“Ahhh, you must be Angeline’s grandbaby.” He looked at me, probably expecting an answer. “Daisy loves balls,” he added, most likely sensing my confusion.
“Yeah, she does. I’m August.” I held out my hand.
“Willis. Although most people call me Doc, on account of me being the only doctor in town.” He gave my hand a firm shake. “I was friends with your grandmother. We played Euchre together.” I’d learned quickly after I got to town that was the predominant social activity. I’d never played the card game myself, and that got me more than a few peculiar looks.
“Nice to meet you. This place is hopping today.” My mind immediately rushed back to why I was there. “I nursed a hurt rabbit back to health and was looking to upgrade his habitat from the cardboard box I fished out of my recycling bin.”
“How injured is he? I know something about raising rabbits. I had them as a kid. Now I just have a dog who loves these things.” He held up a hoof. “They reek, though, so best not to start the addiction.”
“Duly noted.” Grams had said the same thing about them. “Bunny looks almost good as new.” Thank goodness.
“And he’s staying in a box?”
“Yeah, I think maybe he was a pet or something.” I’d thought it weird too but the way Doc said it made me think it was beyond weird. Maybe he was more hurt than I thought. Fuck. That wouldn’t be good. Not only for Xander, but I loved the little fluff ball.
“Or something more likely.” He waved his hand for me to follow him. “The hutches are over here, but they’re designed for outdoor use. You may want to just go to some online pet place.” He pointed out the hutches which were lined up from tiny to the ones that had to be custom ordered.
We chatted back and forth, and I agreed these weren’t going to be the best choice for Bunny, especially if he had been a pet.
“Thanks for all your help.”
“Thanks for distracting me. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but a man has gone missing.” He spoke in hushed tones, the entire conversation feeling a bit strange. But then again, this was a man I just randomly met at a feed store, so maybe he just liked to gossip.
“I did hear that. Did you know him?”
“Naw, but if you run into him, call me and I’ll come see him. For free, of course. He’ll probably be too scared to go to the hospital or a clinic in the city because there may be drugs, you see.” His stilted explanation made sense to him, so I went with it. For all I knew, he was speaking from experience.
How wrong I was.
8
Jase
I woke from my nap, stretching out all my limbs. For the first time, I actually felt whole—or almost whole, at least. I perked up and listened to the surroundings, trying to determine if Auggie was back from his trip to town yet. Since I didn’t hear anything, I decided to give shifting a go. When I hopped out of the box, a sense of amusement passed through me. He never thought it was odd that I just stayed put in that stupid box. Sure, at first, I wasn’t able to flee even if I wanted to.
But I was very obviously well enough to escape now.
Not that I wanted to go anywhere. That in itself should have struck me as crazy, but there was just something about this place. Well, something about Auggie that had me longing to stay.
I took three big breaths and jumped to the floor, bracing myself for impact. Had I been on my A game, I might’ve been able to shift mid jump. Maybe. But I was lucky to wrangle up my D game at best.
I landed with a thud and Lux came in, giving me the look she always did. The one that said you ain’t no rabbit. Which, quite honestly, had been my saving grace. Too bad the fox didn’t figure that out too.
I closed my eyes and called my skin. The process was slower and more painful than even my first shift had been, but that was to be expected. I just didn’t think it’d be this bad. It will get better from here. It had to. I needed to shift more than just this once, no matter how much it hurt.
I rose from the ground on my two feet for the first time in... I’d lost count of how many days. My legs were a bit wobbly and my thighs burned, but I was upright. And human. I took a few steps with my hand on the counter and started to get my bearings. I messed with the towels enough that it looked like I was in the box, and then I shook my head at the silly task. Why would I go back in the box? Ever. And really, how could I get back in there in the first place? Shift on the counter?
Lux came up to me and tentatively licked my ankle before he walked outside, as if beckoning me to follow. So I did, the fresh air almost like a hug. “Thanks, Lux. You’re a good cat.” I reached down and gave him a pat. “Thanks for not eating me.”
And with that, he’d had enough, so he sat down on the rocking chair and proceeded to ignore me.
“Hello?” Auggie’s voice slammed into me, reminding me where I was. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He was home.
I should’ve at least wrapped a towel around myself before walking outside. Not that being mostly naked except for the home owner’s towel was any better than the situation I was currently in.
“Ummm, hi?” I grabbed the pillow off the chair Lux was on. That earned me the look of death from the cat as I put it in front of my now-filling cock. The damn thing picked now to decide to wake up from my shift, and knowing the way things worked, it was going to stay like that until I took c
are of it.
Sadly, that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.
“Are you okay? Is that your car they found?” He spoke awkwardly from the sidewalk leading up to the porch. “I was just putting the animal feed away, but if you give me a minute, I could grab you some clothes and get you some help.”
Well, that’s not what I was expecting.
He wasn’t running, reaching for a gun or a phone, or threatening me in any manner. He was just being—Auggie. The man wasn’t only kind to animals and children—he was kind...period. My bunny perked up at that.
Stay down, little one. You’ve had plenty of time. It’s my turn now.
“Yeah...I mean I don’t know about the car, but probably. I hit my head, and I’m not really sure about most things. I saw your porch and…” I was making up random shit on the fly, but I couldn’t tell him the truth.
“Lux, move.” Auggie tried to shoo the cat away, but he stayed put. “The man needs a place to sit.” He side-eyed the feline who slowly stood up and jumped off. “You can sit here, and I’ll get you some clothes.”
The cat jumped back up and hissed at him. There was no denying he ruled the roost.
Just then, Daisy appeared and sat down at my feet.
“Really, Daisy?” He held up his hands in exacerbation as Henrietta started to honk from the far side of the porch. They were all gathering around, protecting me in their own unusual ways.
“Maybe I should go.” I don’t know what made me make the offer considering I wasn’t sure if I really could, but it seemed like the right thing to say. “Do you know where my car is now? I got lost and turned around.” And was brought here in a hoodie after being mauled by a fox.
“No. It is very obvious they want you to stay. Let’s get you a shower and some clothing.” He cleared his throat when his voice hitched.
Some Bunny To Love: River’s Edge Shifters #1 Page 3
