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Story / Transformation
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Dial Coyote: Ch9 (Fear)
The Day had started out like any other. How many times that had been true for an animal locked in a cage only able to look at the outside world? He was glad though it was not a box and he was able to look out it mostly three directions. There had been a large brick wall which was part of a building the pen had been constructed against. On one side was the holding pen and the other two were open for him to look out at the world he never was able to touch before. Did an ordinary animal wonder the things dial did? Was it his new found intelligence, his growing humanity for an animal, or simply that no creature wants to be confined?
The moment he stepped outside he was glad he had the leash because it made him feel safe for some reason. Connected to Tony, though with only one arm he had to be careful Tony did not lose his balance or get knocked over. Try as he might to behave and walk as calmly as he promised his senses were alive. There were so many curious sights, smells, and sounds. Many he had smelled or heard before but it was so different up close and personal. He wanted to investigate everything. His head would not stay still. He kept on bobbing it left and right and his eyes were even more fanatic. One may think he was hyperactive but this sort of behavior is more reminiscing of fear. He was curious and excited but his body filled with adrenaline and he worried. This sort of state of mine he could easily be spooked and did not want to bite anyone.
“Whoa easy there buddy, slow down ok, we have to walk at the same speed.”
He realized he was almost pulling Tony along, not forcefully so but the leash was always at its tightest.
“Wait where are we going? I just realized I do not know.”
Exactly, I know you are excited but let me lead you ok, not the other way around. How about we go get you a bath first and we can switch to the retracting leash to give you more freedom to explore. That way I can just stand around and will not need to move with you as you explore everything.
“Oh Tony I am afraid… I don’t know how to explain why it’s just…”
“Natural instinct…yes I know. Trust me, if you sent me into an unfamiliar new place I may be just as fearful but this is your home now. Relax you are perfectly safe, just try not to knock anything over, go running up to or away from anything that may scare you, or eat anything at all as most of what you see is not food!”
“Ok tony”
Dial came closer and sat at his side but his head still darted all around.
“No it is ok you can walk around Dial you just need to relax some”
“I am trying my best but there is only so much I can do”
Tony reached down and pet him softly which did relax him a little.
“Do you need a hug?”
“Umm…”
Dial thought it may be good but decided to try and be brave without it. It was kind of Tony to offer and he could see it was not because tony wanted to hug but because he felt he may need one for comfort”.
“No I am fine”.
“I can see I need to take things slow, you raised my confidence a lot and I felt like I would be simply giving a human a tour you really are an animal aren’t you , but that is not a bad thing and it is what makes this so amazing for me”
“What happens if David catches me and locks me up?”
“Do not worry he will not and as long as you are on a leash he is fine, just try to be very tame if he is in proximity and remember I can’t talk to you when others are around and need to be careful I know where they are. Just like now. Rosie is distracting Dee with some work that needs to get done regardless. They are off on the far side by the machine shed I can hear them cant you?”
Dial realized he had no idea where it was, he knew Tony spent a lot of time there which made sense if Dianna was doing his jobs now. He thought to ask where and realized though he was scared he could tune out the sounds and hear just enough of their voices off to the far left.
“That way!” he said with some pride.
Tony rubbed between Dials ears in just the way he liked.
“I almost called you a good boy. I guess that can sound a bit demeaning. Correct, would be a better thing to say”
Dial smiled but still was too tense to laugh.
“Still worried eh?”
“Um… very, though I have to admit my instincts are telling me to mark everything as my own territory. How to explain…for a coyote when something smells like you know it is yours.”
“I always found that odd personally humans do not do this but your noses put a human nose to shame. You probably smell a hundred times better than I can… Stinky”
Tony then laughed at something dial missed. He hated that name but felt he was just teasing him to be playful and chose to just ignore it.
“Um… so…yes and our ears, actually both are similar. Think of how everything may make a unique sound. Everything has different subtitles to the way it smells. Even a thousand coyotes would have variations on the way they smelt”
“I must say this is interesting to get from the point of view of an actual coyote”
“Ha… I had not thought of it from your perspective. I guess it would.”
“Why pee though?”
“Oh I don’t know… there is always plenty of it, not much is needed and it’s readily available. Had never really considered it much it is just what animals do. Really though it is different than urinating. Scent marking does not need that much. Just a tiny bit so we can see our territory boundaries. This can be a bit hard in the desert though.”
“Oh fascinating; I guess because there is not much to mark compared to the trees and grass here”
“No not at all, it is because there is not much water in the desert”
“Oh how could I have missed that?”
Tony rubbed his head as if feeling an animal outsmarted him at something obvious. Dial missed this completely as he knew tony knew so much more than him.
“Before you ask me, do not worry I will respect your property too, I won’t mark anything except grass or maybe some of those fences.”
“Oh I suppose I would have inquired about that eventually…glad I didn’t need to ask.”
“I suppose there are things I can teach you as well”
“Most definitely, but I am happy to teach you all I can if you want to learn, the more you know the less you will be afraid of things right?”
“Hmm true I suppose but I will always be afraid of things, it is my nature to be alert and suspicious. That is why my Smelling is so good; I need to see my enemies before they see me”
“Wait you see with smell?”
“Oh um... not exactly what I meant, no I can’t no see smell like color or shapes. It is more like my nose tells my brain direction and intensity. I can follow smells back to their source and determine how old they are and as stated a lot more information”
“I suppose humans already know that about animals like coyotes, but it is very interesting to hear it through your eyes, or nose rather”
Dial smiled a rather creepy grin and tony just tolerated it though it made Dial look a bit demonic.
“We coyotes are tricky creatures to figure out. Not as grumpy as wolves, we like to have fun.”
“Ok that is weird. Are you mimicking a human smile?”
“Am I? Guess I am maybe a little, had not thought of it”
“It kind of looks like you want to eat me”
Dial looked at Tony confused
“Tony! I would never…”
“No no I know I know. I was kidding.”
“Oh… ok then”
The conversation must have looked very odd to anyone who had been there watching. Regardless of if they understood both sides of the conversation. A man talking to a constantly barking and yapping coyote, or a man who could understand the yaps and barks and was replying back. Then again the topic of pee among different species was odd enough for Tony and would before anyone who understood both sides.
“Thanks Tony”
Dial brushed up against his legs and chirred
“For what?”
“I think you gave me back some of that confidence, just needed to feel safe again. I think sharing a bit about being a coyote to you helped me feel normal again.”
“Normal? You mean…wild?”
“We sort of yea. I have been in that pen a long time and have not got to do much as a coyote. Oh how I want to run but I can wait. I think after a week in that crappy filled shelter I am ready to get clean”
“Oh god I cannot even imagine sleeping next to my own…”
Suddenly a voice shouted out from a distance.
“Tony!” Yelled Dianna.
Both of them jumped up high and looked around for her. They got so lost in their little chat they failed to hear her coming. Dial even noticed that he should have been alerted by sound and smell, but he was quite smelly and she had approached from downwind. Thankfully she had been far enough away not to realize what had been occurring.
“Ah there you are. Oh I see you are taking him on his first walk.”
Dial tried to look calm but felt like he was a terrible liar as his body language sold him out.
“Oh hi there Dee what’s up”
“And why do you look so guilty.”
“Oh I don’t think that’s guilt, just nerves. He was so excited to get out a moment ago but he is still wild enough, even captive born animals are still wild at heart, it’s all very new, best not yell or scare him any , you know I can’t tug him too much”
“Oh sorry”
Dee reached down and give Dial a big rub.
“Icky! You are filthy... oh god… Is that…”
Dials fur had been stewed a bit in his own juices, try as he might it was hard not to absorb some filth into his fur. This made him truly look guilt. He expected another “stinky” comment but to his surprise she did not say it.
“Gross! Thankfully I am going to wash off the other crud. We are all done by the way. God it has been so hard without you last week. Rosie is doing a few of your chores too and right now is finishing things up for the evening. She gave me the evening off but we just got a call from David.”
“Oh gosh did anything happen?”
“Yes, Nothing that bad at least, just a flat tire. Though it happened in town I doubt they want to walk ten miles home. They are waiting at the truck but have no number for a toe. We got the message late so they had to stay in town and get a hotel. David is not happy about it as he does not want to get a tow. So he has recruited me to use the hitch and rig it to the car. I am not sure how to do that and I swear the car can’t pull the truck, what is he thinking.”
Dial stood there confused at most of this, he understood most of the words but the scenario was blank in his mind. He knew nothing specific about cars and trucks except that they were used to travel with.
“Hmm you may be right. Leave it to David to pinch pennies. But I can fix a flat tire super easy and a tow and fix and any repair would be a few hundred dollars so he is smart to let me to it. “
“Can you with your arm”
“Sure but I will need help of course, I guess I will more be able to talk you through it”
“Of course”
“Don’t take the car though you will just wreck the transmission or break it completely. Take the old Junker. It still runs just fine and is surprisingly strong. Even if it burns oil like no tomorrow. You can drive stick right?”
“Thankfully yes, I should be fine. Can you help me set up the tow rig.”
“Sure thing. Though it is easy, just needs the hitch attached and to be balanced so it rolls straight. But you must go slow with the old truck, it is not a tow truck and does not have the pull. It is strong but if you go to fast it may fall apart on you. Also make sure your emergency lights are on. I know it does not get dark for a few hours but you need to stay safe. I would come with you if I could but you’ll be fine, nothing but farm roads here no highways and they barley get traffic in the evening. Also; there are not many hills except for deadman’s and boogieman's. You can completely avoid those, just take the back country route. It may take you a few hours more but you will be flat all the way home. “You should be going slow enough that deer are not a problem. Remember do not go above Fifteen miles an hour ok. When you get in give me a text ok. And if there is a problem, it goes without saying. Also remind me to also rig up the safety lights before I let you leave Ok. I may get distracted. Better safe than dead.”
“Better safe than dead… now that is a motto a coyote could live by”. Dial thought to himself.
All of the rest of it thought was a complete puzzle to him. He sat and lost interest and lay down and looked bored. He did not realize it at the time but he had just done something very special. Dial suddenly realized that Tony was looking at him oddly and he did not know why. The awkward stare made him felt a tingle on his fur that twitched. He then whipped around and gnawed at his back thigh to make it stop.
“What about the coyote. Should you lock him up so filthy”
“No need he can come with us, it will only take a few minutes to show and he is a good boy, aren’t you dial”
Dial wanted to act cute but instead complimented tony.
“Wow tony you are so talented, I never knew, I thought I knew everything but clearly there are a great many mysteries left to learn. Of course I will come; I want to watch whatever it is you are doing.”
To Dee’s ears nothing but an elaborate bunch of excited yaps.
“Wow what got into him, he seems excited. I guess we can take that as a very enthusiastic yes.”
Dial looked at Dee and smiled in a weird coyote way.
“Ok; now he is creeping me out again, I swear he understands me you know.”
Dial blinked guilty and Tony laughed it off like an expert liar though he knew something at the time even Dial would not know until later.
So Dial watched as they rigged something strange and metal with wheels onto the back of an old truck. He would have to ask later what it was but suspected it was supposed to carry the broken truck on it somehow? This all confused him though and he was just happy to be included. Even though they had to tie his leash down he did not pull it at all and showed he could be trusted. Soon Dee left and would not be back for hours. David and the new people would not be back till the next day. David washed some grease from his hands with soap then rushed back over to the coyote. Dial had so many curious questions but was trying to decide what was important or not to ask as he knew he still needed a bath and run and wanted to that tour of the home he knew so little of. He had see a little bit of it so far just being walked to the machine shed and back. Didn’t Tony say that Rose was here?
“Is this where Rose was? I can smell her Scent everywhere I wanted to ask but you know…”
“I am the one who has to…oh never mind. Crap what was I going to say. Oh um… Rose I think she is in the office now working on stuff, she always does that in the evenings, or usually does. I guess she was training you in secret this time for awhile. Everything is thrown off. Wait I remember now. What I was thinking”
“Whoa there, and they tell me to calm down when I am excited, remember go slower please. I did not understand half of what you said to Dee earlier.”
“Oh yea sorry dude”
“Dude? You humans have a million names for me”
Dial looked serious and tony thought he was actually upset and stared at him blankly.
“Uh…”
“Just kidding… tricked you good that time”
“Huh?”
Dial realized his joke fell flat and he playfully lowered his front and wagged his tail as if he was going to pounce Tony.
“What are you doing? Don’t jump on me please you will knock me down”
“Oh… um… I was just being playful to lighten the mood… I guess that only works on canines. I think I am a bit hyper right now. My body needs a run to burn off some energy. Let’s go find Rosie; now that she’s gone can I take off the leash, it is starting to bother me just a little.”
“Who is leading who hear… well at least it is nice to see you confident again. You seem to have some mood swings. But it is a good thing just do not get cocky and no I think the leash is a good idea because I don’t want you getting into trouble...”
Dial looked over at him annoyed
“I am not your pet!”
“I am sorry Dial, remember it is a little strange, I have worked here for a long time and…”
“No no that was rude of me, ignore me, again I am a bit crabby. This barn got boring rather fast when I was not allowed to walk around freely.”
Tony thought for a moment and then reached down and detached the leash from the collar.
Dial got a rather bad idea for a prank. Quickly and without any warning he ran off at top speed and left Tony stunned.
“Wait what are you… come back…no!”
Dial had meant to turn around and come straight back and tell Tony it was a joke but running felt to good. Maybe he could keep it up just a little more. The more he ran the more his instincts told him never to go back. Then his belly gurgled and he remembered where the food was. It is funny how the animal side of him placed family lower. It was if for a moment he was a wild animal again. Wasn’t he anymore? He did start off that way and was proud of it. Though he rushed back and hid behind a bush. He could see tony calling for him and he ignored him for a bit.
“Dial please buddy. Come back. Why would you do this to me?… please…Don’t go... we trusted you. We love you please.”
This was a good prank. Though he better go back soon and claim it all to be just a joke or Tony may cancel his bath and he really wanted that. Though listening to Tony’s words made his heart break a little showing he did care deeply and was hurting him and so the prank was over. He should return. He noticed that Tony was starting to walk out into the dark without him. For a moment Dial felt Selfish; It was no twilight and far too dark for tony to take him on a run. Too much time had been wasted as tony needed good light to take him for a run. He half wanted to go take his run alone but he did not want Tony to hurt himself looking for him. Maybe he could ask tony?
Just then there was a rustling behind the bush and he turned terrified. It had gotten dark and Dial hardly noticed because of his keen eyes. For Tony though he could barely see a thing in the void. When Dial tried to find out what made it the fox jumped out and startled him. He nearly jumped out of his skin and the foxes amused laughter made him angry enough to want to stay.
“I will bite your little head clean off if you ever do that to me again you little…”
“Hey it was just a prank… besides you pulled a better one. That was priceless. The way you got their trust and just when they let their guard down you escaped.”
Dial looked at the fox with a mix of emotions so confusing he could not choose which one to feel first.
“I am not running away you stupid fox go away”
“I am not going anywhere buddy, I am hunting prey and I am very hungry. Dam humans ruin everything.”
“Prey?”
Dial looked at the smaller animal and was completely confused what was it he was hunting, somehow he knew it was nothing normal. Dial got a chill on his spine and worried the fox was intending to attack Tony. Without anymore notion he rushed over to tony.
“Tony I am so sorry, he begged and submitted”
“what the hell…Dial…” tony tried not to yell but his temper came out, though for a moment he had feared the amazing talking coyote was gone forever so he was just happy he was back.
“Sorry it was just a joke, a bad joke. I don’t know what came over me, I didn’t think it cruel”
“While it was cruel...A bit... ok…whatever. I am going to pretend that did not happen for your sake because I am really tempted to treat you like an animal right now and that is not now a brother treats his little brother. You take that as a good lesson to learn, do not treat me badly please.”
“I know I know… just thought it would be funny, I intended come back right after and laugh it off. I just felt the wind in my fur running and it felt so good…”
“Ha ha ha ha” the fox laughed like a human from the distance but even the coyote could not see where it was hiding.
Dial looked concerned and tony looked as well.
“You are just a stupid coyote after all. No good comes of humans. He gives you a chance of freedom and you go running back to him like a dog. Pathetic”
Before Dial could think of a response, tony yelled out.
“Who is out there, come out this instant, this is private property.”
What a set of strong nerves he had, Dial thought to himself. Most people would have been terrified at voices in the dark at twilight.
“Of course I am not afraid Dial”
Dial stared up at Tony perplexed; he did not speak that did he?
“Oh shut up human”
“Human?
Tony uttered softly to himself and a twitch of fear scent did escape him when he realized he may not be talking to a person at all.
“Tony it is just a stupid fox do not be afraid. He did threaten to eat you…I think. But I will protect you do not worry”, Dial started to growl and stood between the voice of the fox and Tony.
“No I didn’t? Why the hell would i…. oh wait… no... Ignore me… yes… I am here to eat you … boo!”
Tony put his hand on dial and clenched it tight around his neck fur. Thankfully this does not hurt at all and is almost made him feel connected to Tony. Despite this gesture and fear he must have been feeling. He called out with bravery.
“Why don’t you show yourself you prick and I will crush your skull in?”
“So violent, you put animals to shame. Though you pet coyote did threaten my head himself a moment ago. Ok my little game is ruined, I was going to try and scare you but now you bored me, goodbye”.
The two stood frozen for a moment, Dial started to day dream and realized if the fox had scared tony he could have fallen and gotten hurt really badly. He pictured himself having to run blindly to the office and get help from Rose. Thankfully that did not happen tonight. God he would have been screwed and the fox almost tricked him. Wait. Had that been its plan? It said it wanted to scare him. Was it trying to hurt Tony? He did not know for certain, it had all seemed to improvised like it came for something else and just stumbled upon them. It said it was hunting though? What the hell could a spirit be hunting. He knew it was dead because it was surprised Dial was alive, and though the two of them were the same. How odd. He was trying to think back to the details of his dream and that fateful first meeting.
“Go away broken tail”
Dial broke the silence so sudden he felt a pull on him from Tory that made him forget it was the Tony holding him. He smelt of fear for just a moment but it subsided. Thankfully it was not the fox. He felt though that the specifics of the fox being a spirit of some kind were still too much for tony to handle. A talking fox however…
“What the hell Dial…who was that.”
Dial was a bit surprised that Tony could hear him. If the fox was a spirit could all living creatures see him? Was Dial some kind of exception? And now why could Tony? For a fox that appears in weird dreams and the real world. Or had he himself traveled somewhere while dreaming? The odd notion had not occurred to him before. Celery though he felt it best to figure out the answers before creating questions for others.
“Um… no one important…. Just a pest”
“Did you say he was a fox? I guess that puts some of my fears to rest. but god dam why am I now hearing foxes too?… and I did not hear any screeching barking either…as I spoke I mean.”
They both looked at each other puzzled and then drew the same conclusion. Dial spoke first.
“I think you read my mind a moment ago. I don’t know how but I think it may be your power after all.”
“Dam it if I was about to say that too. Earlier with Dee I think you did the same thing. Though I assumed you were talking somehow without moving your lips.”
“Oh weird I had not thought of it. I may be able to do that but I am unsure…”
“What do you mean may…?”
“Um… I prefer not to think about it. Let’s just say you already know I am a thinking talking coyote, who could say there is not more about me yet discovered. That simply means I do not know”
“Dial when did you become so articulate?”
“Oh that…I don’t know, I think I always have been I just am not used to sharing my opinions with anyone. You would be the first I could carry a conversation with”
“Well ok then… too many questions…too many to ask”.
“They can wait for another day please; I am itchy now with all that running I did. I don’t think coyote sweat like a human so my skin feels itchy.
“Oh… if I recall all canines don’t, I may be wrong though. I think that’s why you pant so much. Your breath and drool are how you sweat.”
“Odd I had not thought of that before. Let’s go get Rosie please and no more questions, I just want a bath and clearly I can’t do a run tonight in the dark as you can’t follow. You can trust me to come back you know…can I maybe go now for a bit? Maybe you can set up the bath for me. While you wait.”
“I am amazed you are thoughtful enough to ask after that prank you pulled.”
“Dam I was hoping you would have forgot it due to that stupid fox.”
“HA!”
Tony laughed so loud it made Dials ears fold back.
“Are you quite manipulative… watch that though, it makes you fun but gets you in trouble. Remember we are human beings will feelings and we care. Try to be good to us and don’t play cruel tricks or we will have to start calling you trickster.
“Trickster?”
Dial looked up confused as he had only ever been called tricky which he felt meant difficult to deal with.
“Trickster like the coyote? You know?”
“Now I have too many questions, what the hell are you talking about…to hell with it… I am not going to ask a second time. I really need a run ok. Please, I want you to be ok with it but I really need it. It’s like holding in your pee ok. You don’t know how it was the last week in that bloody box.
“You may but hold on a second. I have to point out something I have noticed today. Please relax and listen up for a moment.”
Dial sat and gave him a fair moment.
“You are incredibly moody, that does not mean to say you are angry. But you really change how you feel moment by moment.”
“Um? Isn’t that what humans do? I have seen even you do it earlier”
“That is different… I don’t want to alarm you but if you were a human id think you had two minds in your body... it is rather unnerving”
“You find me Unnerving?”
Dial felt a bit insulted by that as he had tried so hard to fit in and done so much to make Tony happy.
“I don’t mean to say it literally, just that one moment you seem to be my little brother and the next my big brother.. I have never felt so useful and then useless around one person before. Normally this trait in a human being makes them intolerable. Mood swings I guess but it is annoying because it is hard to figure out the real you under that fur. You seem so tender and sweet and even needy one moment and just when I want to cradle and protect you, you don’t want it or don’t need it or push me away with your rudeness. I guess I mean to say I don’t know what you want from me Dial. I sort of expected this as I have been toggling between treating you like an animal and like a person all day. I feel…”
“Conflicted?”
“Yes”
“Imagine how I feel”
Tony stopped for a moment and there was an awkward pause.
“So you know about that?”
“Yes… it’s just how I am Tony… I think you are describing the very thing we call our nature. You are trying to apply it to human beings but you cannot do it. It is the nature of a wild animal to in flux with change. I think a long time ago human beings may have been that way but forgot. Maybe that is a good thing or a bad as truthfully I only know about humans through the ones I have met so far and they seem just fine to me. I guess I may judge you all the time but it is more because I am trying to figure you out. Trust me and I say this as a compliment. Human beings are impossible to figure out. Each one of them is different. While each animal, tends to be more or less the same as the rest of its species. Beyond mood and a bit of personality mind you but we all think the same want the same and react the same. I think for the first time in my life I am thinking as a human does and it is very confusing for me because I am starting to think I am human. Isn’t that weird, though I am still very much a coyote, I guess humanity is universal and not limited to humans.”
Tony crouched to his knees, a coyote had just humbled him down and made him feel like he was nothing in the grand scheme of things… not worthless just small. It was a bit of that human superiority complex maybe being chipped away. Dial came over and gave him a reassuring rub even if he was still smelly.
“Hmm I guess we both have had a lot on our chest tonight haven’t we?” Dial chirred happily.
“Wow you really bounce back don’t you , I guess I should not get to down about it then either. Thanks. I think that was entirely about me. Sorry I took it out on you. The last part of denial I think.”
“Sounds about right but you humans tend to make things a bit more complex for me to comprehend”
“Well I am glad to have you in my life and hope you never will leave and even if you do I hope it is on good terms. Sorry again, fear makes people do strange things. I think that fox brought it out of me just then. Maybe I can stop acting as afraid of the weirdness as it seems to not be stopping anytime soon.”
“I have seen a few things even you would not be ready to accept and I still don’t know what is what. But this weirdness is happening and is just the way things are. I suppose I am unique so it is new but I have also seen there is a world of other creatures like me so I do not pretend to know everything or assume I am most important. What I do know is I am going to go nuts if I don’t go on run. Thanks for letting me.”
“It has been astounding to watch you develop a strong personality. Just try not to be bossy ok, we all have egos to inflate or be crushed. It was surprising though as you were so afraid earlier.”
“Maybe that is the nature of fear Tony? I don’t know for sure as I am just guessing. Seems to make sense though does it not? The more we get over fear the stronger we become. I do not feel very afraid right now so I guess I am stronger for it. As for this morning. That was the animal in me. You are talking to the real me now it is just I have anxiety to deal with at times it makes me act out of sorts.”
“Odd this makes me think of myself a bit”
“Really? How”
“Well I have a condition… but it’s not important. Just makes it hard to feel comfortable around groups of people, its why I live out here and spend most of my day alone fixing or building things.
“Hmm… interesting… you are a solitary creature… a bit like myself I suppose. Coyote rarely live in packs. We do mate for life though but that’s different. Wolves are very social not coyotes”
“That’s funny I always liked to think of myself as a lone wolf. They are my favorite animal… though I think now that would be coyotes because of you.”
Dial smiled, “really… well thank you, I am glad to be a coyote. You should be glad to be a human though people don’t try to kill you much and it’s easier to survive if you do a little work. Trust me I would love to have a job like you fixing and building things but I can’t work. Frankly I get very bored sitting around all day but it’s fun to watch you all work. I can’t wait to tell David and Dee when the time is right so I can just roam around at my leisure.
“um.. er…”
“Yes I know I know…Rosie has worn that topic out”
“Dial… I just have to say… I am honored to be a brother to you. I have so many interesting stories and things to share with you… if you would not find me boring”
Dial then rushed off without need to say much more. He turned back only once. And then thought to himself
“I would love to hear your stories and would find them most interesting, especially those about that tricky coyote”
“Trickster” Tony smiled and shouted
Dial stared but had already seen too many odd things to be too confused. I guess he can read animal minds. Maybe that bite meant nothing after all. Though oddly he had that weird dream soon after and his vocabulary had increased without explanation. Something odd was happening. Tony, himself, and the fox; they all seemed to have weird power. Or maybe it was all just the fox? Was this his new life? He had almost all but forgotten the old one. He did not even miss the desert anymore, though who knows why he ever would. As Dial ran he felt truly free, he knew this feeling could not last forever but he had a few hours before he had to be back. It just felt so good to run. He felt so alive again. It was surprising what a good run could do.
Dial Coyote: Ch9 (Fear)
The Day had started out like any other. How many times that had been true for an animal locked in a cage only able to look at the outside world? He was glad though it was not a box and he was able to look out it mostly three directions. There had been a large brick wall which was part of a building the pen had been constructed against. On one side was the holding pen and the other two were open for him to look out at the world he never was able to touch before. Did an ordinary animal wonder the things dial did? Was it his new found intelligence, his growing humanity for an animal, or simply that no creature wants to be confined?
The moment he stepped outside he was glad he had the leash because it made him feel safe for some reason. Connected to Tony, though with only one arm he had to be careful Tony did not lose his balance or get knocked over. Try as he might to behave and walk as calmly as he promised his senses were alive. There were so many curious sights, smells, and sounds. Many he had smelled or heard before but it was so different up close and personal. He wanted to investigate everything. His head would not stay still. He kept on bobbing it left and right and his eyes were even more fanatic. One may think he was hyperactive but this sort of behavior is more reminiscing of fear. He was curious and excited but his body filled with adrenaline and he worried. This sort of state of mine he could easily be spooked and did not want to bite anyone.
“Whoa easy there buddy, slow down ok, we have to walk at the same speed.”
He realized he was almost pulling Tony along, not forcefully so but the leash was always at its tightest.
“Wait where are we going? I just realized I do not know.”
Exactly, I know you are excited but let me lead you ok, not the other way around. How about we go get you a bath first and we can switch to the retracting leash to give you more freedom to explore. That way I can just stand around and will not need to move with you as you explore everything.
“Oh Tony I am afraid… I don’t know how to explain why it’s just…”
“Natural instinct…yes I know. Trust me, if you sent me into an unfamiliar new place I may be just as fearful but this is your home now. Relax you are perfectly safe, just try not to knock anything over, go running up to or away from anything that may scare you, or eat anything at all as most of what you see is not food!”
“Ok tony”
Dial came closer and sat at his side but his head still darted all around.
“No it is ok you can walk around Dial you just need to relax some”
“I am trying my best but there is only so much I can do”
Tony reached down and pet him softly which did relax him a little.
“Do you need a hug?”
“Umm…”
Dial thought it may be good but decided to try and be brave without it. It was kind of Tony to offer and he could see it was not because tony wanted to hug but because he felt he may need one for comfort”.
“No I am fine”.
“I can see I need to take things slow, you raised my confidence a lot and I felt like I would be simply giving a human a tour you really are an animal aren’t you , but that is not a bad thing and it is what makes this so amazing for me”
“What happens if David catches me and locks me up?”
“Do not worry he will not and as long as you are on a leash he is fine, just try to be very tame if he is in proximity and remember I can’t talk to you when others are around and need to be careful I know where they are. Just like now. Rosie is distracting Dee with some work that needs to get done regardless. They are off on the far side by the machine shed I can hear them cant you?”
Dial realized he had no idea where it was, he knew Tony spent a lot of time there which made sense if Dianna was doing his jobs now. He thought to ask where and realized though he was scared he could tune out the sounds and hear just enough of their voices off to the far left.
“That way!” he said with some pride.
Tony rubbed between Dials ears in just the way he liked.
“I almost called you a good boy. I guess that can sound a bit demeaning. Correct, would be a better thing to say”
Dial smiled but still was too tense to laugh.
“Still worried eh?”
“Um… very, though I have to admit my instincts are telling me to mark everything as my own territory. How to explain…for a coyote when something smells like you know it is yours.”
“I always found that odd personally humans do not do this but your noses put a human nose to shame. You probably smell a hundred times better than I can… Stinky”
Tony then laughed at something dial missed. He hated that name but felt he was just teasing him to be playful and chose to just ignore it.
“Um… so…yes and our ears, actually both are similar. Think of how everything may make a unique sound. Everything has different subtitles to the way it smells. Even a thousand coyotes would have variations on the way they smelt”
“I must say this is interesting to get from the point of view of an actual coyote”
“Ha… I had not thought of it from your perspective. I guess it would.”
“Why pee though?”
“Oh I don’t know… there is always plenty of it, not much is needed and it’s readily available. Had never really considered it much it is just what animals do. Really though it is different than urinating. Scent marking does not need that much. Just a tiny bit so we can see our territory boundaries. This can be a bit hard in the desert though.”
“Oh fascinating; I guess because there is not much to mark compared to the trees and grass here”
“No not at all, it is because there is not much water in the desert”
“Oh how could I have missed that?”
Tony rubbed his head as if feeling an animal outsmarted him at something obvious. Dial missed this completely as he knew tony knew so much more than him.
“Before you ask me, do not worry I will respect your property too, I won’t mark anything except grass or maybe some of those fences.”
“Oh I suppose I would have inquired about that eventually…glad I didn’t need to ask.”
“I suppose there are things I can teach you as well”
“Most definitely, but I am happy to teach you all I can if you want to learn, the more you know the less you will be afraid of things right?”
“Hmm true I suppose but I will always be afraid of things, it is my nature to be alert and suspicious. That is why my Smelling is so good; I need to see my enemies before they see me”
“Wait you see with smell?”
“Oh um... not exactly what I meant, no I can’t no see smell like color or shapes. It is more like my nose tells my brain direction and intensity. I can follow smells back to their source and determine how old they are and as stated a lot more information”
“I suppose humans already know that about animals like coyotes, but it is very interesting to hear it through your eyes, or nose rather”
Dial smiled a rather creepy grin and tony just tolerated it though it made Dial look a bit demonic.
“We coyotes are tricky creatures to figure out. Not as grumpy as wolves, we like to have fun.”
“Ok that is weird. Are you mimicking a human smile?”
“Am I? Guess I am maybe a little, had not thought of it”
“It kind of looks like you want to eat me”
Dial looked at Tony confused
“Tony! I would never…”
“No no I know I know. I was kidding.”
“Oh… ok then”
The conversation must have looked very odd to anyone who had been there watching. Regardless of if they understood both sides of the conversation. A man talking to a constantly barking and yapping coyote, or a man who could understand the yaps and barks and was replying back. Then again the topic of pee among different species was odd enough for Tony and would before anyone who understood both sides.
“Thanks Tony”
Dial brushed up against his legs and chirred
“For what?”
“I think you gave me back some of that confidence, just needed to feel safe again. I think sharing a bit about being a coyote to you helped me feel normal again.”
“Normal? You mean…wild?”
“We sort of yea. I have been in that pen a long time and have not got to do much as a coyote. Oh how I want to run but I can wait. I think after a week in that crappy filled shelter I am ready to get clean”
“Oh god I cannot even imagine sleeping next to my own…”
Suddenly a voice shouted out from a distance.
“Tony!” Yelled Dianna.
Both of them jumped up high and looked around for her. They got so lost in their little chat they failed to hear her coming. Dial even noticed that he should have been alerted by sound and smell, but he was quite smelly and she had approached from downwind. Thankfully she had been far enough away not to realize what had been occurring.
“Ah there you are. Oh I see you are taking him on his first walk.”
Dial tried to look calm but felt like he was a terrible liar as his body language sold him out.
“Oh hi there Dee what’s up”
“And why do you look so guilty.”
“Oh I don’t think that’s guilt, just nerves. He was so excited to get out a moment ago but he is still wild enough, even captive born animals are still wild at heart, it’s all very new, best not yell or scare him any , you know I can’t tug him too much”
“Oh sorry”
Dee reached down and give Dial a big rub.
“Icky! You are filthy... oh god… Is that…”
Dials fur had been stewed a bit in his own juices, try as he might it was hard not to absorb some filth into his fur. This made him truly look guilt. He expected another “stinky” comment but to his surprise she did not say it.
“Gross! Thankfully I am going to wash off the other crud. We are all done by the way. God it has been so hard without you last week. Rosie is doing a few of your chores too and right now is finishing things up for the evening. She gave me the evening off but we just got a call from David.”
“Oh gosh did anything happen?”
“Yes, Nothing that bad at least, just a flat tire. Though it happened in town I doubt they want to walk ten miles home. They are waiting at the truck but have no number for a toe. We got the message late so they had to stay in town and get a hotel. David is not happy about it as he does not want to get a tow. So he has recruited me to use the hitch and rig it to the car. I am not sure how to do that and I swear the car can’t pull the truck, what is he thinking.”
Dial stood there confused at most of this, he understood most of the words but the scenario was blank in his mind. He knew nothing specific about cars and trucks except that they were used to travel with.
“Hmm you may be right. Leave it to David to pinch pennies. But I can fix a flat tire super easy and a tow and fix and any repair would be a few hundred dollars so he is smart to let me to it. “
“Can you with your arm”
“Sure but I will need help of course, I guess I will more be able to talk you through it”
“Of course”
“Don’t take the car though you will just wreck the transmission or break it completely. Take the old Junker. It still runs just fine and is surprisingly strong. Even if it burns oil like no tomorrow. You can drive stick right?”
“Thankfully yes, I should be fine. Can you help me set up the tow rig.”
“Sure thing. Though it is easy, just needs the hitch attached and to be balanced so it rolls straight. But you must go slow with the old truck, it is not a tow truck and does not have the pull. It is strong but if you go to fast it may fall apart on you. Also make sure your emergency lights are on. I know it does not get dark for a few hours but you need to stay safe. I would come with you if I could but you’ll be fine, nothing but farm roads here no highways and they barley get traffic in the evening. Also; there are not many hills except for deadman’s and boogieman's. You can completely avoid those, just take the back country route. It may take you a few hours more but you will be flat all the way home. “You should be going slow enough that deer are not a problem. Remember do not go above Fifteen miles an hour ok. When you get in give me a text ok. And if there is a problem, it goes without saying. Also remind me to also rig up the safety lights before I let you leave Ok. I may get distracted. Better safe than dead.”
“Better safe than dead… now that is a motto a coyote could live by”. Dial thought to himself.
All of the rest of it thought was a complete puzzle to him. He sat and lost interest and lay down and looked bored. He did not realize it at the time but he had just done something very special. Dial suddenly realized that Tony was looking at him oddly and he did not know why. The awkward stare made him felt a tingle on his fur that twitched. He then whipped around and gnawed at his back thigh to make it stop.
“What about the coyote. Should you lock him up so filthy”
“No need he can come with us, it will only take a few minutes to show and he is a good boy, aren’t you dial”
Dial wanted to act cute but instead complimented tony.
“Wow tony you are so talented, I never knew, I thought I knew everything but clearly there are a great many mysteries left to learn. Of course I will come; I want to watch whatever it is you are doing.”
To Dee’s ears nothing but an elaborate bunch of excited yaps.
“Wow what got into him, he seems excited. I guess we can take that as a very enthusiastic yes.”
Dial looked at Dee and smiled in a weird coyote way.
“Ok; now he is creeping me out again, I swear he understands me you know.”
Dial blinked guilty and Tony laughed it off like an expert liar though he knew something at the time even Dial would not know until later.
So Dial watched as they rigged something strange and metal with wheels onto the back of an old truck. He would have to ask later what it was but suspected it was supposed to carry the broken truck on it somehow? This all confused him though and he was just happy to be included. Even though they had to tie his leash down he did not pull it at all and showed he could be trusted. Soon Dee left and would not be back for hours. David and the new people would not be back till the next day. David washed some grease from his hands with soap then rushed back over to the coyote. Dial had so many curious questions but was trying to decide what was important or not to ask as he knew he still needed a bath and run and wanted to that tour of the home he knew so little of. He had see a little bit of it so far just being walked to the machine shed and back. Didn’t Tony say that Rose was here?
“Is this where Rose was? I can smell her Scent everywhere I wanted to ask but you know…”
“I am the one who has to…oh never mind. Crap what was I going to say. Oh um… Rose I think she is in the office now working on stuff, she always does that in the evenings, or usually does. I guess she was training you in secret this time for awhile. Everything is thrown off. Wait I remember now. What I was thinking”
“Whoa there, and they tell me to calm down when I am excited, remember go slower please. I did not understand half of what you said to Dee earlier.”
“Oh yea sorry dude”
“Dude? You humans have a million names for me”
Dial looked serious and tony thought he was actually upset and stared at him blankly.
“Uh…”
“Just kidding… tricked you good that time”
“Huh?”
Dial realized his joke fell flat and he playfully lowered his front and wagged his tail as if he was going to pounce Tony.
“What are you doing? Don’t jump on me please you will knock me down”
“Oh… um… I was just being playful to lighten the mood… I guess that only works on canines. I think I am a bit hyper right now. My body needs a run to burn off some energy. Let’s go find Rosie; now that she’s gone can I take off the leash, it is starting to bother me just a little.”
“Who is leading who hear… well at least it is nice to see you confident again. You seem to have some mood swings. But it is a good thing just do not get cocky and no I think the leash is a good idea because I don’t want you getting into trouble...”
Dial looked over at him annoyed
“I am not your pet!”
“I am sorry Dial, remember it is a little strange, I have worked here for a long time and…”
“No no that was rude of me, ignore me, again I am a bit crabby. This barn got boring rather fast when I was not allowed to walk around freely.”
Tony thought for a moment and then reached down and detached the leash from the collar.
Dial got a rather bad idea for a prank. Quickly and without any warning he ran off at top speed and left Tony stunned.
“Wait what are you… come back…no!”
Dial had meant to turn around and come straight back and tell Tony it was a joke but running felt to good. Maybe he could keep it up just a little more. The more he ran the more his instincts told him never to go back. Then his belly gurgled and he remembered where the food was. It is funny how the animal side of him placed family lower. It was if for a moment he was a wild animal again. Wasn’t he anymore? He did start off that way and was proud of it. Though he rushed back and hid behind a bush. He could see tony calling for him and he ignored him for a bit.
“Dial please buddy. Come back. Why would you do this to me?… please…Don’t go... we trusted you. We love you please.”
This was a good prank. Though he better go back soon and claim it all to be just a joke or Tony may cancel his bath and he really wanted that. Though listening to Tony’s words made his heart break a little showing he did care deeply and was hurting him and so the prank was over. He should return. He noticed that Tony was starting to walk out into the dark without him. For a moment Dial felt Selfish; It was no twilight and far too dark for tony to take him on a run. Too much time had been wasted as tony needed good light to take him for a run. He half wanted to go take his run alone but he did not want Tony to hurt himself looking for him. Maybe he could ask tony?
Just then there was a rustling behind the bush and he turned terrified. It had gotten dark and Dial hardly noticed because of his keen eyes. For Tony though he could barely see a thing in the void. When Dial tried to find out what made it the fox jumped out and startled him. He nearly jumped out of his skin and the foxes amused laughter made him angry enough to want to stay.
“I will bite your little head clean off if you ever do that to me again you little…”
“Hey it was just a prank… besides you pulled a better one. That was priceless. The way you got their trust and just when they let their guard down you escaped.”
Dial looked at the fox with a mix of emotions so confusing he could not choose which one to feel first.
“I am not running away you stupid fox go away”
“I am not going anywhere buddy, I am hunting prey and I am very hungry. Dam humans ruin everything.”
“Prey?”
Dial looked at the smaller animal and was completely confused what was it he was hunting, somehow he knew it was nothing normal. Dial got a chill on his spine and worried the fox was intending to attack Tony. Without anymore notion he rushed over to tony.
“Tony I am so sorry, he begged and submitted”
“what the hell…Dial…” tony tried not to yell but his temper came out, though for a moment he had feared the amazing talking coyote was gone forever so he was just happy he was back.
“Sorry it was just a joke, a bad joke. I don’t know what came over me, I didn’t think it cruel”
“While it was cruel...A bit... ok…whatever. I am going to pretend that did not happen for your sake because I am really tempted to treat you like an animal right now and that is not now a brother treats his little brother. You take that as a good lesson to learn, do not treat me badly please.”
“I know I know… just thought it would be funny, I intended come back right after and laugh it off. I just felt the wind in my fur running and it felt so good…”
“Ha ha ha ha” the fox laughed like a human from the distance but even the coyote could not see where it was hiding.
Dial looked concerned and tony looked as well.
“You are just a stupid coyote after all. No good comes of humans. He gives you a chance of freedom and you go running back to him like a dog. Pathetic”
Before Dial could think of a response, tony yelled out.
“Who is out there, come out this instant, this is private property.”
What a set of strong nerves he had, Dial thought to himself. Most people would have been terrified at voices in the dark at twilight.
“Of course I am not afraid Dial”
Dial stared up at Tony perplexed; he did not speak that did he?
“Oh shut up human”
“Human?
Tony uttered softly to himself and a twitch of fear scent did escape him when he realized he may not be talking to a person at all.
“Tony it is just a stupid fox do not be afraid. He did threaten to eat you…I think. But I will protect you do not worry”, Dial started to growl and stood between the voice of the fox and Tony.
“No I didn’t? Why the hell would i…. oh wait… no... Ignore me… yes… I am here to eat you … boo!”
Tony put his hand on dial and clenched it tight around his neck fur. Thankfully this does not hurt at all and is almost made him feel connected to Tony. Despite this gesture and fear he must have been feeling. He called out with bravery.
“Why don’t you show yourself you prick and I will crush your skull in?”
“So violent, you put animals to shame. Though you pet coyote did threaten my head himself a moment ago. Ok my little game is ruined, I was going to try and scare you but now you bored me, goodbye”.
The two stood frozen for a moment, Dial started to day dream and realized if the fox had scared tony he could have fallen and gotten hurt really badly. He pictured himself having to run blindly to the office and get help from Rose. Thankfully that did not happen tonight. God he would have been screwed and the fox almost tricked him. Wait. Had that been its plan? It said it wanted to scare him. Was it trying to hurt Tony? He did not know for certain, it had all seemed to improvised like it came for something else and just stumbled upon them. It said it was hunting though? What the hell could a spirit be hunting. He knew it was dead because it was surprised Dial was alive, and though the two of them were the same. How odd. He was trying to think back to the details of his dream and that fateful first meeting.
“Go away broken tail”
Dial broke the silence so sudden he felt a pull on him from Tory that made him forget it was the Tony holding him. He smelt of fear for just a moment but it subsided. Thankfully it was not the fox. He felt though that the specifics of the fox being a spirit of some kind were still too much for tony to handle. A talking fox however…
“What the hell Dial…who was that.”
Dial was a bit surprised that Tony could hear him. If the fox was a spirit could all living creatures see him? Was Dial some kind of exception? And now why could Tony? For a fox that appears in weird dreams and the real world. Or had he himself traveled somewhere while dreaming? The odd notion had not occurred to him before. Celery though he felt it best to figure out the answers before creating questions for others.
“Um… no one important…. Just a pest”
“Did you say he was a fox? I guess that puts some of my fears to rest. but god dam why am I now hearing foxes too?… and I did not hear any screeching barking either…as I spoke I mean.”
They both looked at each other puzzled and then drew the same conclusion. Dial spoke first.
“I think you read my mind a moment ago. I don’t know how but I think it may be your power after all.”
“Dam it if I was about to say that too. Earlier with Dee I think you did the same thing. Though I assumed you were talking somehow without moving your lips.”
“Oh weird I had not thought of it. I may be able to do that but I am unsure…”
“What do you mean may…?”
“Um… I prefer not to think about it. Let’s just say you already know I am a thinking talking coyote, who could say there is not more about me yet discovered. That simply means I do not know”
“Dial when did you become so articulate?”
“Oh that…I don’t know, I think I always have been I just am not used to sharing my opinions with anyone. You would be the first I could carry a conversation with”
“Well ok then… too many questions…too many to ask”.
“They can wait for another day please; I am itchy now with all that running I did. I don’t think coyote sweat like a human so my skin feels itchy.
“Oh… if I recall all canines don’t, I may be wrong though. I think that’s why you pant so much. Your breath and drool are how you sweat.”
“Odd I had not thought of that before. Let’s go get Rosie please and no more questions, I just want a bath and clearly I can’t do a run tonight in the dark as you can’t follow. You can trust me to come back you know…can I maybe go now for a bit? Maybe you can set up the bath for me. While you wait.”
“I am amazed you are thoughtful enough to ask after that prank you pulled.”
“Dam I was hoping you would have forgot it due to that stupid fox.”
“HA!”
Tony laughed so loud it made Dials ears fold back.
“Are you quite manipulative… watch that though, it makes you fun but gets you in trouble. Remember we are human beings will feelings and we care. Try to be good to us and don’t play cruel tricks or we will have to start calling you trickster.
“Trickster?”
Dial looked up confused as he had only ever been called tricky which he felt meant difficult to deal with.
“Trickster like the coyote? You know?”
“Now I have too many questions, what the hell are you talking about…to hell with it… I am not going to ask a second time. I really need a run ok. Please, I want you to be ok with it but I really need it. It’s like holding in your pee ok. You don’t know how it was the last week in that bloody box.
“You may but hold on a second. I have to point out something I have noticed today. Please relax and listen up for a moment.”
Dial sat and gave him a fair moment.
“You are incredibly moody, that does not mean to say you are angry. But you really change how you feel moment by moment.”
“Um? Isn’t that what humans do? I have seen even you do it earlier”
“That is different… I don’t want to alarm you but if you were a human id think you had two minds in your body... it is rather unnerving”
“You find me Unnerving?”
Dial felt a bit insulted by that as he had tried so hard to fit in and done so much to make Tony happy.
“I don’t mean to say it literally, just that one moment you seem to be my little brother and the next my big brother.. I have never felt so useful and then useless around one person before. Normally this trait in a human being makes them intolerable. Mood swings I guess but it is annoying because it is hard to figure out the real you under that fur. You seem so tender and sweet and even needy one moment and just when I want to cradle and protect you, you don’t want it or don’t need it or push me away with your rudeness. I guess I mean to say I don’t know what you want from me Dial. I sort of expected this as I have been toggling between treating you like an animal and like a person all day. I feel…”
“Conflicted?”
“Yes”
“Imagine how I feel”
Tony stopped for a moment and there was an awkward pause.
“So you know about that?”
“Yes… it’s just how I am Tony… I think you are describing the very thing we call our nature. You are trying to apply it to human beings but you cannot do it. It is the nature of a wild animal to in flux with change. I think a long time ago human beings may have been that way but forgot. Maybe that is a good thing or a bad as truthfully I only know about humans through the ones I have met so far and they seem just fine to me. I guess I may judge you all the time but it is more because I am trying to figure you out. Trust me and I say this as a compliment. Human beings are impossible to figure out. Each one of them is different. While each animal, tends to be more or less the same as the rest of its species. Beyond mood and a bit of personality mind you but we all think the same want the same and react the same. I think for the first time in my life I am thinking as a human does and it is very confusing for me because I am starting to think I am human. Isn’t that weird, though I am still very much a coyote, I guess humanity is universal and not limited to humans.”
Tony crouched to his knees, a coyote had just humbled him down and made him feel like he was nothing in the grand scheme of things… not worthless just small. It was a bit of that human superiority complex maybe being chipped away. Dial came over and gave him a reassuring rub even if he was still smelly.
“Hmm I guess we both have had a lot on our chest tonight haven’t we?” Dial chirred happily.
“Wow you really bounce back don’t you , I guess I should not get to down about it then either. Thanks. I think that was entirely about me. Sorry I took it out on you. The last part of denial I think.”
“Sounds about right but you humans tend to make things a bit more complex for me to comprehend”
“Well I am glad to have you in my life and hope you never will leave and even if you do I hope it is on good terms. Sorry again, fear makes people do strange things. I think that fox brought it out of me just then. Maybe I can stop acting as afraid of the weirdness as it seems to not be stopping anytime soon.”
“I have seen a few things even you would not be ready to accept and I still don’t know what is what. But this weirdness is happening and is just the way things are. I suppose I am unique so it is new but I have also seen there is a world of other creatures like me so I do not pretend to know everything or assume I am most important. What I do know is I am going to go nuts if I don’t go on run. Thanks for letting me.”
“It has been astounding to watch you develop a strong personality. Just try not to be bossy ok, we all have egos to inflate or be crushed. It was surprising though as you were so afraid earlier.”
“Maybe that is the nature of fear Tony? I don’t know for sure as I am just guessing. Seems to make sense though does it not? The more we get over fear the stronger we become. I do not feel very afraid right now so I guess I am stronger for it. As for this morning. That was the animal in me. You are talking to the real me now it is just I have anxiety to deal with at times it makes me act out of sorts.”
“Odd this makes me think of myself a bit”
“Really? How”
“Well I have a condition… but it’s not important. Just makes it hard to feel comfortable around groups of people, its why I live out here and spend most of my day alone fixing or building things.
“Hmm… interesting… you are a solitary creature… a bit like myself I suppose. Coyote rarely live in packs. We do mate for life though but that’s different. Wolves are very social not coyotes”
“That’s funny I always liked to think of myself as a lone wolf. They are my favorite animal… though I think now that would be coyotes because of you.”
Dial smiled, “really… well thank you, I am glad to be a coyote. You should be glad to be a human though people don’t try to kill you much and it’s easier to survive if you do a little work. Trust me I would love to have a job like you fixing and building things but I can’t work. Frankly I get very bored sitting around all day but it’s fun to watch you all work. I can’t wait to tell David and Dee when the time is right so I can just roam around at my leisure.
“um.. er…”
“Yes I know I know…Rosie has worn that topic out”
“Dial… I just have to say… I am honored to be a brother to you. I have so many interesting stories and things to share with you… if you would not find me boring”
Dial then rushed off without need to say much more. He turned back only once. And then thought to himself
“I would love to hear your stories and would find them most interesting, especially those about that tricky coyote”
“Trickster” Tony smiled and shouted
Dial stared but had already seen too many odd things to be too confused. I guess he can read animal minds. Maybe that bite meant nothing after all. Though oddly he had that weird dream soon after and his vocabulary had increased without explanation. Something odd was happening. Tony, himself, and the fox; they all seemed to have weird power. Or maybe it was all just the fox? Was this his new life? He had almost all but forgotten the old one. He did not even miss the desert anymore, though who knows why he ever would. As Dial ran he felt truly free, he knew this feeling could not last forever but he had a few hours before he had to be back. It just felt so good to run. He felt so alive again. It was surprising what a good run could do.
Category Story / Transformation
Species Coyote
Size 120 x 120px
File Size 30.2 kB
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