Chapter 8: Remember Their Words

Once Ferral came back home, he found Loni in the kitchen eating lunch while reading her novel. “I’m guessing everyone’s downstairs?” He asked. Loni raised, swallowing down the food she had in her mouth, “Oh hey Ferral. How’d your date go? Yeah, everyone except for Leona is down there.” “The meet went well. What’re you doing up here?” “Lunch break.” As the two were talking, Leona’s bedroom door opened and she came walking out. She came out sweating and panting, passing the two as she made her way to the fridge. “So, are you ready to talk things over like adults, or are we gonna let this marinate a little longer?” Ferral asked. She grabbed a bottle of water and closed the fridge door. “Fuck you.” She hissed as she walked past Ferral, keeping her face forward, and slammed the bedroom door shut.

“Marinating it is.” Ferral groaned as he sat down. Loni looked up again and closed her book. “You know she’s gonna be mad at you for a while, right?” “Like a toddle who didn’t get their way.” Ferral sighed, “I don’t know what she expected. I might not train as hard as she does, but it’s not like I sit on my hands all day.” “I think it’s a mental thing. She assumed with all her training, she’d be better. So when you still had not only the upper hand but a major advantage, all that confidence she had shattered.” Ferral stared at Loni impressed, but confused. “That…..was actually a good deduction, Loni.” “Yeeeeah, you’re not the only genius around here.” She proudly replied. Ferral laughed, “You’re getting there, little sis. Slowly, but surely.” Ferral got up and headed to his room, closing the door behind him. He went over to his computer desk, opened the drawer that was on the side, and grabbed his journal. It opened it up to the middle pages, grabbed the marker that was on his whiteboard, and started writing and erasing different equations. He spent the rest of the day working in his room, but his mind wandered. He sighed, “Just another thing I have to worry about.” He muttered, commenting about Leona’s current mood.

The next day, Ferral and Everett met again. This time, they took a stroll around the city. “Wow, and there’s nothing you can do to talk things out?” Everett asked when Ferral told her about his problem with Leona. “I’ve got one way, but it’s the sheer fact she’s acting so immature about it.” “Well, pride is an easy thing to break, but hard to build back up. But, I think she’ll come around.” As they two walked, a limousine pulled up beside them, the side door opening almost hitting Ferral. A heavy-set man walked out. Ferral gasped, “M-Mr. Mayor?” People started muttering and coming closer. Mayor of Central City, Viktor Petrov. “Ahhh, Everett, my daughter. I found you.” Ferral looked at Everett stunned, “Y-YOU’RE DAD’S THE MAYOR?!” She groaned, “Oh papa, you always embarrass me like this.” Ferral, still in shock, started to look around to see people crowding them. Some of their gaze put on Ferral, narrowed and hateful stares like daggers made him uncomfortable….

“FREAK!” “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS KID?!” “HE’S A FREAK! THAT’S WHAT HE IS!!” “MONSTER!”

….That memory of what happened the first time Ferral was surrounded by people. Then, and soon again. Ferral’s eyes darted everywhere, he began to hyperventilate. “There seems to be an unwanted crowd, let’s continue this in the car.” Mayor Petrov insisted. “I’m with a friend, papa.” “He can come too, I don’t mind.” Ferral bolted into the limousin, pushing the mayor out of the way and diving into the furthest seat away from people. He held his hands over his head, gripping his hair as he heavily panted. “There see? He seems to not like the crowds either.” Everett sighed, reluctantly getting in. Once the mayor joined them and closed the door, the car drove off. Everett noticed the condition Ferral was in and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Are…you okay, Ferral?” His breathing stopped for a second, and he let out a deep exhale. Y-Yeah. I just…don’t like people surrounding me.” “Social issues, I see,” Petrov said as he sat on the over seat across from them, “Yeah, my Everett used to have too. You should’ve seen the way she would lower her head and mutter her words.” He laughed, Everett’s face turning red. “Papa, please…you’re embarrassing me. Why did you even wanna talk to me?” “Of course. What’s this I hear about you changing your last name to your mother’s maiden name?” “You mean the thing I did before I started college three years ago? I didn’t want people to know we were related.” “Three years? Why am I only just hearing about it?” Everett scoffed, “You probably would’ve heard it sooner if you weren’t so caught up in your work like you always were.”

He rolled his eyes, “О, вот и снова.” “Ну, это правда! У тебя никогда нет на меня времени!»” Everett raised her voice. “Я занят этой работой. Я не могу просто так ее бросить.” “Тогда почему ты здесь?!” As the two argued, Ferral sat there, listening to what they were saying. He learned Russian a while ago, so he started to feel awkward being able to understand their squabble. Everett looked at Ferral who had started writing on the fogged-up mirror, and cleared his throat. “Look, can you just drop us off? Please, we were enjoying the day.” Petrov and Ferral turned their attention to each other and the mayor smiled. “I see. Apologies, I didn’t mean to interrupt your time together, I know just how important young love can be.” Both Ferral and Everett’s faces shot bright red as they tried to deny anything was happening. “Now now, children. I remember the long walks along the countryside my beloved Anastasia and I would take when we were your age. Oh, how I miss your mother, Everett. There will never be another like her.” His smile started to fade, but he cleared his throat and smiled again. “But, there’s no time to cry about the past. Instead, to look on into the future! So tell me, young man. What is your name?” “Ferral. I’m….an experiment.” The mayor gasped, “You are?! You certainly don’t look like one. BUT, I am no one to judge on appearance. I am accepting those from all races, genders, and, preferences!” He smugly grinned, “I am what you kids these days call, “progressive.” When I came from Russia to America and then became mayor of Central City, I made a vow that everyone on this man-made island would be treated as equals. Just like the American dream.”

Ferral rested his head against his fist, raising an eyebrow, “Yeah, I’ve done my research about America. I don’t think that dream is doing so hot over there, but I’m glad you’re at least trying, Mr. Mayor.” He nodded in agreement, “Of course, my boy. I’ve noticed you poor furries haven’t had the best time around here, but I’ll stop that soon enough. And soon you can dawn your little outfits in pride!” Everett cupped her face into her hands, groaning in embarrassment. “Did….you just clump me into the same group as those people who wear the animal costumes?” “It’s the same thing no?” “Actually, an experiment is different. The technical term for what I am is Genetically Modified and Enhance Human. Experiment is just a simpler term.” He continued to nod, “I see. Well, regardless, I will make sure your life is easier around here. You can bet on that, my queer-coded friend.” “Once again, NOT the same thing.” “STOP THE CAR!!!” Everett shouted, causing the driver to pull up to another curb. She opened the door, gabbing Ferral’s hand and getting out. “Make you practice safe sex, dear!” Petrov said before Everett slammed the door and the car drove off.

“You’re dad sure is quite the character.” Ferral chuckled. Everett’s face was still red from embarrassment. The two found a small cafe to sit down. “So, your mother. What happened to her? Unless it’s too personal.” “No, it’s fine. She died of breast cancer when I was young. I was about eight, and ever since then, my father hid himself in his work. Never wanting to spend time with me anymore.” Ferral looked down, “My mother died too. She wasn’t my biological mother, but she was everything to me.” “Guess it must’ve been worse for you, huh?” “No. I could never process what happened to her that day. Even now, it hurts, but it’s a fleeting pain. I know I’m supposed to be sad, but it feels like I just go through motion rather than dwelling on it.” The two didn’t say another word for another minute, only looking down. “I’ll tell you something she told me, her final words.” “Huh, what were they?” “She told me to fight. Fight to live, love, and be happy. Despite how the world treats experiments, I still live by those words. Because I know it’s what she would want.” Everett smiled, “Those are nice words to live by. She must’ve been a great woman.” Ferral smiled too, “Like an angel who was too pure to belong here.” “My parents have a saying too. Despite what hardships life brings, hold your head high and tackle them with all your strength.” “Guess we have some pretty great parents.” “Yeah….despite how distant my father is these days, I know he tries so hard to make this city great. Not just for me, but for everyone on it.”