Plot summary: Mr. Wolf has recently taken a young fan under his wing with the ambition to help remedy their self-assumed status as an outcast. Part two in the series "About a Boy and a Wolf".

Previous parts of the saga:
1. The Fan

The background:
Having finished "The Fan" I kept asking myself what would happen next. How would Wolf handle the difficult human he begrudgingly decided to mentor? Is the kid a lost cause? This story might glean the answers to some of these questions.

About a Boy and a Wolf

Part 2

A Wolf's lesson in consequences

By Agncec, 2022


DISCLAIMER! This work is not affiliated with DreamWorks in any way. I do not claim ownership of any characters from the movie. All events herein are purely fictional and sprung from the writer's imagination. The mirror Earth where the story takes place is different from ours (although there are overlaps), so if you enjoy things “dark and realistic” do not continue reading as you may find this disheartening.

This story plays out approximately five years prior to the events of the movie.


Ethan, aged (by his own reckoning) thirteen years, four months and five days, was in the school library finishing an essay when his smartphone jingled. A new message had arrived in the anonymous mail service app he used for very few purposes, and that usually meant only one thing. Feeling a rush of excitement, he unlocked the app and read the message from the sender BBW91:

Sup kiddo! Heartland Café 5pm today. Think you can make it? /W

The smartphone clock displayed 3:00pm sharp. Factoring in the crammed commute and other possible delays there was still more than enough time. He wrote a short and affirmative reply, touched the send button and returned to the essay.


Two hours later Ethan arrived at the restaurant which was bustling with talking and laughing Friday visitors. People came and went, waitresses were busy taking and carrying food orders, a distant salty smell of fried hamburger meat hovering over it all. Scanning the premises, Ethan immediately spotted a paw stretched into the air, beckoning to him to come join it. The paw owner sat alone at a table for two with a half-empty cup of black coffee as only company. His fashion grey blazer and matching pants were contrasted by the twilight blue shirt and wide-brimmed Panama hat resting on his head. Two glinting yellow eyes, semi-hidden behind a pair of brown tinted sunglasses followed the boy making his way towards them.

"Good afternoon, mister Poodleton."

"Hello Ethan," Wolf said, smiling. "How are you?"

"Pretty good seeing it's Friday and where I am right now." Ethan placed his rucksack on the floor and sat down in the empty chair. "What about you? There has been nothing in the news lately. Are you planning something big?"

"Come on, you know the rules of the game: no peeking into my business! It's not for young ears."

"You are, aren't you?" Ethan smirked knowingly as he eyed the notorious criminal sitting across the table.

"You don't want to stop seeing me, do you?" Wolf asked and delivered a piercing stare over the edge of his sunglasses.

The teenager shook his head.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "But you're always so secretive."

"Wonder why..." Wolf sighed and rubbed his forehead. "And for your information I'm pretty good too, despite you being a pain in my tail." He lowered the glasses again to peer at the boy, then smirked kindly. "Okay Ethan, what would you like to drink?"


After the waitress had come over with one lemon ice-tea, served in a tall fancy glass, Wolf leaned forward.

"So... Made any friends yet?"

"I'm working on it," Ethan replied and drank a big gulp of tea.

"You've got to work harder."

"Wish I could switch schools. That would make it easier."

"Oh?" Wolf tilted his head.

"The others are kinda...afraid of me. Intimidated, you might say."

"How come?"

"I am very good at put-downs and I usually prefer being left alone," Ethan said and shrugged his shoulders. "Also, they kept asking to copy my homework. Like I would let them!"

"And you think that's all they wanted from you?"

"I guess so. Although... Sometimes they DID invite me to come sit at their table in the school cafeteria, but I always declined because they were probably going to ask me about homework anyway."

"They were PROBABLY going to ask you, huh?" Wolf raised an eyebrow. "And did they?"

"Of course not, because I said no. But I knew they were going to..."

"Hey hold on a second here! You knew?"

"It was all they ever asked of me, so obviously they intended to ask me again."

Wolf groaned to himself, bit his tongue and just looked at the boy in front of him.

"What?!" Ethan exclaimed once the canine's silent stare became too uncomfortable.

"You assumed that if you had sat down at their table in the cafeteria, your classmates would have asked to copy your homework. Am I getting this straight?"

"Yes, and..."

"You ASSUMED?"

Ethan's eyes fell to look at his ice tea.

Wolf waited patiently. He was in no hurry to rush this.

"Right," Ethan said after a while, looking up again. "I always assumed that's what they were going to ask me."

"You know what they say about assuming things? It makes an A out of YOU and ME?"

"I am aware of the idiom."

"Bet you never assume facts when doing homework." Wolf lowered his glasses and winked.

"No. I always read the required literature and put in the proper references."

"Exactly!"

"But what does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything. You think it's okay to assume people but not facts?"

"People are predictable."

"Including me, huh?"

"No."

"Tell you what, Ethan. Many things are predictable, just like you say, but a whole lot aren't and people can be especially tricky to figure out." Wolf leaned forward and pinned the boy with a yellow-eyed stare. "Imagine I got real hungry right now and decided this smart kid in front of me looks like an absolute treat!"

"You wouldn't!"

"Can you be so sure?" Wolf asked softly, eyes narrowing.

"Yes."

"What makes you assume that? And please, think hard before you answer me, okay?"

Ethan went silent and Wolf reclined in his chair sipping coffee while waiting.

"First," the boy said after some time had passed, "I am sure you like me, and you wouldn't eat someone you like. Two, you are too much in control of yourself to do such a thing on a whim. Three, we humans reputedly don't taste very good at all. Four..."

"Got the first one very right," Wolf interrupted. "The rest are less important. But what makes you assume I like you?"

"You spend time with me when you could be doing something else?"

"Full points! And today's main lesson is: why WOULD you want to spend time with someone?"

"Because it feels good?"

"Perfect! Now, maybe your classmates would have felt good spending time with you if you had helped them with their homework? Not just letting them copying it and without putting them down and all that."

"I don't know..." Ethan shrugged.

"Remember what I told you the first time we met, when you felt people were being dumb?"

"There is a difference between being dumb and being lazy," Ethan said pointedly. "Letting my class mates freeload on me seems a poor way to make friends."

"It could be an ice-breaker and you don't have to do the work FOR them. Just give them a little guidance."

"Guidance?" Ethan looked at Wolf, his eyes full of doubt.

"What do you think I'm currently doing to you?" Wolf grinned and emptied the cup.

"But they don't ask me anything anymore. I drove them all away."

"Try making an offer when the teach hands you a real tough one. Ask someone you'd want to be friends with."

Ethan frowned slightly as he pondered this suggestion.

"Got someone in mind?"

"Yes."

"Feel like giving it a try?"

"I guess so. He's pretty smart, though. He may not require my help."

"Only one way to find out," Wolf said matter-of-factly. "You've got to be a bit gutsy. Think you can do it?"

"Maybe... Yes."

"Well, that concludes today's session of my 'Making Friends' class. You've got your homework set and I expect a full report next time. And you know what? Counselling really gets my appetite going. I could eat just about anything right now!"

Wolf stared ravenously at Ethan who put on a hilarious, sceptical expression.

"Sure, tell me another one."

"Heh! Trusting me completely, aren't you?"

"Almost anyway."

"I didn't lie about feeling famished and this place makes some mean burgers. You like burgers?"

"Doesn't everybody?"

Grinning, Wolf nodded and waved to get the waitress' attention.


Fifteen minutes later the food had arrived and at first Ethan didn't touch it, being too intent to watch as the canine chomped down on his own hamburger.

Having chewed and swallowed, Wolf wiped his black lips with the table napkin.

"Didn't your mom ever tell you not to stare at people while they're eating?"

"Sorry, couldn't help myself. You can watch ME eat and we will call it even?" Ethan bit into the massive burger under Wolf's amused watch, chewed meticulously before swallowing and finalising the demonstration by wiping his mouth the proper way. "Delicious!"

Wolf raised a brow then both chuckled and resumed eating.


"Thank you for treating me, mister Wo...Poodleton," Ethan said once he had finished. "The hamburgers here are excellent."

"Best in town, and you're welcome."

"Hope I'm not about to become your dessert?"

"Hah, no! But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Ethan gave a smiling nod and felt like he was experiencing one of life's perfect little moments. He drank a deep gulp from his coke bottle and asked the foremost question on his mind.

"Do you always eat your food with such relish?"

"What can I say, I'm a fast eater," Wolf answered, picking his fangs discreetly. "Never know when the next meal is gonna be."

"Some experts claim you'll get fat from eating too fast, but you are as fit as a fiddle. For now."

"Thank-you for that dubious compliment, you rude little pup!" Wolf smirked.

"Calling me a pup can also be considered poor manners so I am not going to apologise," Ethan retorted, eyes twinkling. Then he tensed up. "Uh-oh. We've got trouble."

Wolf turned his head.

Two burly men were making their way through the restaurant, guffawing and bumping into the dining people as they went. No one seemed to have the guts to object and wisely so, Wolf thought, seeing how the two were clearly looking for any excuse to start something. Piranha sure would have loved meeting them...

"Hey, watch it you punk!" The taller of the men snarled as he bumped Ethan's chair.

"What?! YOU walked into ME!"

The man stopped dead in his tracks and slowly turned his head towards the teenager who didn't waver.

"You were sayin' somethin'?"

"Yeah I did, but I suppose I can't blame you. Bumbling around indoors and wearing shades you must have a serious vision defect. Did you forget the white cane back home?"

"Be quiet Ethan," Wolf said severely between clenched teeth and kept very still, paws out of sight.

"You better listen to your old man, you brat!" The man's voice was low and menacing. "I'm letting you off this time 'cus I'm such a nice guy."

The two men then moved on and continued doing their thing until they left the restaurant and the guests resumed talking. Wolf let out a long exhale through his nose, the extended claws retracting, as Ethan turned around and shot a lingering, loathing glance towards the entrance.

"I don't think those two are done yet," he commented darkly. "No one in here gave good sport so they took it outside."

Loud shouts of verbal abuse came floating in from the street, where the troublemaking duo had encountered three characters of similar temper. And while disagreements quickly arose, they at least held one shared opinion: the sidewalk wasn't big enough for them all. The resulting brawl lasted a few intense minutes before the police arrived and put a stop to the whole thing. At that point Ethan stood up and headed for the entrance without a word.

"Hey! What are you... Wait! Excuse me!" Wolf stopped a passing waitress and put down a fistful of ten dollar bills. "This enough? I've got to hurry or my...student may do something he shouldn't."

"Thank you for your patronage sir," the waitress smiled and started clearing the table.

Outside the restaurant Ethan watched as the man with the shades, which hung cracked and broken on the tip of his nose, was cuffed by two LAPD officers.

"Well hello again," the teenager said, sounding both polite and scornful in equal measure. "Can't you see that's asphalt you're eating now? Be mindful not to choke on it. It's hazardous, you see."

"Why you little sh-"

"Come on, Ethan. Let's get out of here." Wolf put a firm paw on his shoulder and steered him away from the scene.

"What an idiot," the boy exclaimed as they walked down the sidewalk under the evening sun. "How can somebody be so DUMB? I don't understand!"

"That's rich, coming from you!" Wolf said sharply.

"What?"

"You just can't stop that smart mouth of yours from fuelling fires, can you? For such a clever kid, you sure act real dumb."

"I am the one acting dumb?!" Ethan said, his voice trembling with indignation.

"Yes, you!"

"But they..."

"Why did you have to provoke that bozo, huh?!" Wolf glared at the boy walking beside him.

"He bumped into me on purpose," Ethan answered heatedly.

"And so you start running your put-down routine. What good did you think that was gonna do?"

"I won't let somebody step on me!"

"Neither would he! Ever thought he could've smacked you around real bad? He sure looked like he was about to."

"You wouldn't have let him," Ethan said very fast. "Right?"

"Of course I wouldn't have let him! But what do you think would have happened?" Leaning over, Wolf hissed so only Ethan could hear: "I'd be unmasked and YOU would be connected to ME!"

The boy stopped dead, his face freezing up.

"You're far too impulsive and it's gonna land you in some serious trouble if you carry on! What if you run into the same guy again and he recognises you? Or do you ASSUME I'll be around to save you every time?"

Wolf stared ahead at the busy street intersection, not sparing Ethan a single glance. The silence dragged on as chattering people passed them by.

"Have you never made a mistake?!"

Looking back Wolf saw the teenager's face had turned haggard and distraught.

"I want to teach you one more thing this evening," Wolf said as he crouched down, putting his paws on Ethan's shoulders. "I've made many mistakes, you know. And if I hadn't learnt my lessons we'd never have met, and I'd be busy painting car registration plates in jail. Keeping a cool head," Wolf tapped his own temple, "and considering the consequences of my actions are my secrets to success. And I want to pass them on to you."

Ethan kept staring at the people who walked past them until he'd worked up enough courage to look back. He had feared the worst but Wolf's eyes were kind.

"Think you got my second lesson?"

"I guess so."

"You've got to thread carefully, Ethan. Think before you act - or be ready to deal with any consequences. Follow me?"

"Yes."

"Good," Wolf squeezed the boy's shoulders. "I expected no less from you. Now... How're you planning to get home?"

"I usually travel by Metro."

"I'll walk you to the station. Chin up! Things didn't turn out as bad as they might have."

The tall canine and the human teenager made their way through the evening clutter of people and vehicles without hurrying. As the shadows grew longer Ethan started throwing nervous glances around them.

"Mister Wo...Poodleton?"

"Yeah?"

"What should I do if I run into the same guy again?"

"Act normal and get out of there fast. If he corners you just say you're sorry, even if you aren't. That'll probably would get you off the hook. Are you scared?"

"No! Maybe a little... I hate being trodden on. Bet no one would have dared had it been you!"

"Hey," Wolf said and nudged the boy gently.

"Sorry," Ethan muttered, looking down. "You've never scared me, though. I think people are being unfair, viewing you as some sort of monster. Goes to show what they know!"

Wolf drew a sharp breath and thanked his lucky star there was a narrow and obscure alleyway on their immediate left. Pulling the boy along, he sidestepped into it.

"Hey wha-...?"

"Quiet," Wolf hissed and stepped behind a big dumpster.

The place was filthy and the air thick with unpleasant odours but desperate times called for desperate measures.

"Why did you...? Oh!" Ethan stopped abruptly when seeing Wolf's tail wag back and forth.

"Y-you just can't say things like that to me in public!"

"I...but...you..." The teenager put a hand across his mouth.

"Go ahead and laugh it all out," Wolf said furiously, trying in vain to get the irresponsible body part under control and avoid stepping into something foul. "We're gonna stay in this stinky place for as long as it takes!"

"For what?" Ethan chortled. "You getting over somebody liking you?"

"You are not helping," Wolf growled as his tail wagged even faster.

"S-s-sorry..." Every time Ethan tried recomposing himself and his eyes fell on the flustered canine, he burst into new giggles, until a fat, lumbering rat brushed past his feet. "Yikes! A rat!"

"What, where?!"

"Nowhere now." Ethan looked around with distaste before brightening up, pointing at Wolf's behind. "Seems all you needed was a little distraction. Can we go now?"

Wolf glanced over his shoulder and found the tail had indeed gone placid and again suffered to be re-hidden up the back of his blazer.

"I guess so. Hey, I really appreciate you-"

"Get over it," Ethan interrupted, sounding impatient. "Don't get all mushy on me."

"Riii-iight..." Wolf smirked. "What'd you say we do as a wolf and get the pack out of here?"

"Yes please!"

They hurriedly left the alley and re-joined bustling crowds.

~

To be continued...