REDEMPTION

— by Jeff Karamales

Chapter 7
An Uncomfortable Silence
 

Turbulence as the plane descended woke Richard from the deep sleep brought on by the events of the previous day, though he was wondering why he was crammed into a tight corner and also why his arms and legs were numb. As his eyes opened, feeling gummy and tired, he realized that he was still on a plane, and still wedged in the little spot between the bunk and the wall of the cubicle.

His left arm was sore, but the right was completely immobile and hurting. As he turned his head he discovered the reason for this was that Sofiya was laying on it, still asleep, her furry cheek resting on his palm with her own hands cradling it to her as a child would a teddy bear. Richard couldn’t help but smile at the content expression on her face, though that turned to one of irritation when he tried to gently extract himself from where he’d sat for far too long.

As the silver fox struggled, another buffet shook the plane, this time enough to wake Sofiya. Her eyes came open, the yellow-green orbs with their vertical pupils looking far less tired than they had before.

“Dobroho ranku,” she said with a smile, then realized through the fog of her physical and emotional exhaustion that she’d spoken Ukrainian. “Good morning.”

“I think it is,” Richard replied, also smiling. “At least somewhere.”

The vixen realized that she had a hold of the male’s hand and let it go, albeit reluctantly. “Have you been there this whole time?”

“Some,” the silver fox mumbled and rubbed at his own eyes. “It sounded like you were having some unhappy dreams and I came in to check on you. I guess I fell asleep.”

“Here. You take the bunk and get some rest.”

With a smile and shake of his head, Richard put a hand on her shoulder, a small part of him enjoying the feel of the soft fur of her coppery coat and solidity of her arm underneath. “No you don’t. You stay there. I’m here to support you, remember?”

“And you have done this thing.” Sofiya sighed with closed eyes and opened them to look at the male with an earnest expression. “Just having you near…it…it means more than I am able to say.”

“Like you said, Sofiya, we’re friends. It’s what friends do for each other.”

Much like it had been in the vixen’s room just hours earlier, there was a tension between them, though before either could say or do anything more than look into each other’s eyes, the plane bounced again and the overhead speaker pinged as the seatbelt indicator lit up.

“This is Captain Faulkner,” a very rich baritone with distinct British accent said over the intercom. “We’re on final approach to Reykjavík, Iceland. We’ll only be down long enough to refuel before resuming our flight and for a commissary van to restock some of our onboard supplies. With present wind and weather conditions, we should be making Kiev a little before ten hundred hours this morning. Now if you don’t mind, I would ask all of you to take your seats and fasten your restraints. Faulkner out.”

“You gotta love the Brits and their by-the-book way of doing things,” Richard quipped with a grin as he got to his feet and held out a hand for Sofiya, the tension shattered and both slipping into the roles that were becoming almost second nature.

The pair made their way out to the main part of the small cabin and took their seats on opposite sides, the large reclining units set two to a side, and fell silent, each deep in their own thoughts as the plane made its way to the runway below.

***

Kiev and the rest of this part of Eastern Europe was already blanketed in the first snow of the season and Richard looked out at the combination of aged architecture interspersed with modern skyscrapers and the people that moved about the city in their daily lives, seemingly oblivious to the frigid conditions. At thirteen degrees, Fahrenheit, parkas specifically designed for Furs had been given to them as soon as the limousine collected the pair of anthrofoxes almost as soon as the door of the Hawker 4000 had been opened and the steps lowered.

The driver wore the livery of the Stockholm Institute, though he wasn’t one of the guards or staffers that the vixen was familiar with. That wasn’t too surprising as the Institute and headquarters complex had hundreds, if not thousands, of men and women in its employ.

While comfortable, Richard was both looking forward to and dreading the end of the journey. He would be happy to be up and about moving on his own and smelling something other than the scent of plastics, nylon, rayon and varying types of fuels, but it would also mean that Sofiya would need him more than ever when she saw her father.

Though she didn’t say anything, nor did she let the anxiety show in her tone or on her face, inside she was a seething mass of nerves, fear, trepidation and regret. How had she not noticed how sick Poppa was? There’d been no indication before she joined the Furmankind project, nor during the time that he’d visited her at the Institute. He hadn’t said anything in the letters he sent her, nor the times they had spoken by phone.

  Why hadn’t he said anything?

Almost as soon as that question crossed her mind, Sofiya knew the answer. Because he was her Poppa and didn’t want her to worry. It was simply the way he was.

Eventually the car made it to the outskirts of Donetsk, and the red fox Fur began to make out landmarks she knew well as she came out of her reverie and contemplations. Slipping from the speedway, they entered a very familiar area and after only a few miles passed the primary school Sofiya had gone to as a little girl. She pointed this out to her companion, along with other notable places from her time here, the impromptu tour dredging up memories both happy and sad.

Sofiya did not, however, point out the tall, wide branched oak in the little park they passed. It was under that tree that she had first kissed Aleksandr, knowing even then that her beloved Alexi would become her husband.

When she first met the boy, she had thought him something of the fool, too carefree and a little weak, and yet he always had a smile. Especially for those that needed one. It was during a school project that she discovered the same boy was just a kind soul and enjoyed helping others. What she’d taken as weakness was Aleksi’s way of finding a solution to problems that didn’t involve confrontation or fighting when older boys picked on him. That wasn’t to say that he wouldn’t stand up for himself, but he saw no point in it if there were options.

Those were such happy and joyful times.

She remembered when it came time for the young man that she was growing rather fond of to meet her father. Nikoli had been raised in the old ways, and insisted on sitting down with Alexi in the living room and learning about this stranger that had his daughter so flustered. Sofiya recalled waiting in the kitchen, her stomach in knots and a full of nervous energy as the two spoke. Then there was the sound of both laughing and she knew then and there that Aleksandr had passed her father’s inspection.

It was with a start that Sofiya realized the same things that her Alexi made her feel, so did the American that sat next to her staring out his own window.

Being from Eastern Europe, the one thing that all women believed was that there was, somewhere out in the world, the other half of them, their soul mate. This person would embody everything that a woman found good and would be there always, supporting and caring for them. It was what Alexi had been to her before he was taken away.

Wasn’t that how Richard had been towards her as well?

It was enough to make her tremble. Was it possible for her to find two men that were suited for her? Aleksandr had been the one for her while she was human. Could it be that Richard was meant for her now that she was a Fur?

That, of course, brought the thought that with the both of them being sent to Bastien, would she have to lose him as well?

No. Sofiya couldn’t go through that. Not again. Losing her Alexi had almost been the end of her, causing her such a deep depression that she had seriously considered committing suicide, no matter how brief that actual moment of contemplation had been. No. It was best to deny the comfort that she craved, the closeness she longed for. She couldn’t bear the thought of having to say good-bye to another that she so wanted to give her heart to.

Not when she was also on the way to do the same to her Poppa.

***

The hospital was one of the more recent additions to the renovation and renewal of Donetsk after the war. Tan masonry work seemed to frame the large panes of blue-green mirrored glass, and the whole edifice was surrounded with small decorative trees to further foster a healthy and caring atmosphere, though to the vixen it all looked bleak with the trees little more than twisted, dark scrub brush as the leaves had all fallen for the winter. The sunlight that made it down through the high, thin clouds was weak and watery, making the world seemed washed out and devoid of color.

With deft precision, the driver pulled up under an awning to the main entrance before turning the vehicle into the parking garage. As soon as he found a parking space closest to the doors he shut the engine off and moved to the back to retrieve his passengers. Once they were all out of the car, the man triggered a small remote, arming the car’s security system before turning to the two Furs.

“I’m sorry we didn’t have time to speak earlier. I’m Alois Zimmer. I’ve been informed of the nature of this visit Miss Talova, but I received orders from Mister Gustavsson himself that I am to accompany you at all times. I know it’s a terrible inconvenience, and I’ll stay outside the room while you visit, but I cannot deviate from my instructions. I hope you understand.”

“We need a chaperone?” Richard asked with surprise.

“It’s a little more than that, I’m afraid. Anti-Fur activity has been on the rise, and it’s a precaution against potential trouble.” The driver motioned the parking attendant over and accepted a claim ticket and handing the youth several large denomination Euros, speaking in rapid Ukrainian that impressed Sofiya. When he turned back to the pair, he slipped easily back into flawless English. “My job is to ensure that you return to the Adirondack Institute safe and sound. That’s all.”

Sofiya wasn’t concerned about that, though, and simply nodded before heading for the hospital lobby and information desk.

Both Furs had left their parkas in the car and trusted their own fur coats to protect them for the short distance to the interior of the building. Being dressed in the fairly simple furman clothing that only came in primary colors, the two were striking enough to elicit the attention of every person they passed. The receptionist at the front desk had trouble figuring out what to do.

Of course the woman was familiar with the Furmankind Project, but she never expected to meet one. While they could talk and were obviously intelligent, the hospital had strict policies on allowing animals into the premises, even though the two before her weren’t just merely animals. Then again, they weren’t entirely human either.

“Please!” Sofiya finally wailed at the woman’s waffling. “I need to see my Poppa! His name is Nikoli Talova. This will most likely be my last chance to ever see him alive again, madam. I have to tell him I love him!”

That was the only argument that it seemed could have broken through the woman’s indecision and she brought up the information on a computer that had seen better days. She frowned as she looked at the information over her thin reading glasses. “Ah…here he is. Room 523.” She pointed to the Furs’ left. “Go to the elevators, fifth floor, and then turn right.”

“Spasiby!” Sofiya told the receptionist, already heading to the elevators, leaving Richard and their escort to hurry their steps to catch up.

The vixen all but bounced on her feet in nervous anticipation as the elevator seemed to crawl its way up and wrung her dainty paws together. As soon as the floor counter chimed they’d reached their destination, Sofiya leapt out of the car, turning to the right and rushing to the room labeled 523.

And stopped as still as a statue in the doorway.

“Poppa?” the Fur asked in a tremulous voice, unaware of the silver fox behind her.

Richard was able to see over Sofiya’s head and looked at the individual on the bed, a battery of monitoring machines, IV tubes and sensors on him making the poor man look more like a science project than a person. He turned his head at the sound of the vixen’s voice, only half of his face registering in a smile while the other half remained immobile and lifeless looking as clay.

“My Sofiya,” Nikoli mumbled, forcing the words out as clearly as possible. “My beautiful Sofiya.”

Uttering a strangled cry, the vixen darted to the bedside, falling to her knees and taking her father’s hand in hers, sickened by how pale and cold the skin was. Sofiya sandwiched the limp fingers between her paw-like hands to try and get some warmth into the chilled flesh, focusing on that task while she mustered the strength to look her Poppa in his eyes. “Wh…what has happened, Poppa?” she asked with her eyes starting to sting and her throat trying to tighten.

“Shh. We must talk…and we have…little time,” the man was able to wheeze out in Ukrainian. He tilted his head, looking up at the other Fur that stood near the doorway. "And…who is…this?” Nikoli asked in English, a little more animation causing his grey visage to brighten slightly.

“This is my friend, Richard,” Sofiya whispered.

The half of the man’s face that still functioned broke into a smile. “A little…more than a…friend…I think.” Nikoli managed to lift one arm and gestured at the silver fox. “C-come closer, Richard.”

Sofiya felt the male move closer and silently took strength from the hand that was placed on her shoulder. Richard looked down at the supine form on the bed, trying not to let his nose wrinkle at the smell of decay and sickness, even the encroaching death that was inexorably stalking the human and would soon claim him. “It’s an honor and pleasure to meet you, Sir. I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”

A gurgling rasp came from Nikoli, and it took both Furs a moment to realize that the pitiful sound was Nikoli laughing. “I…I l-like this…one.” He drew in a ragged breath, letting it out slowly in a wet sounding rasp before taking in another and reaching for the silver fox’s hand. As he was met half way, he took the other’s furred fingers with surprising strength and fierceness. “Richard…pro…promise that will take care…of my Sofiya. Promise…you will…wa-watch over…her. What…whatever happens.”

The anthrofox swallowed hard, impressed by the man’s love for his child that he could see in the other’s rheumy eyes. “I will, Sir. I swear to you I will.”

Nikoli nodded, sinking back into the pillows and marshaled his strength for a moment before looking at his daughter. “He…is a good…man,” the human said with a smile. He turned to the vixen. “So many…things I wished to do…for you,” he said dropping back into Ukrainian. “So many…regrets and…not being a better father.”

“Don’t think such,” Sofiya admonished. “You gave me everything I ever needed and saw to it I never wanted for anything.”

Richard turned when Alois touched his shoulder and gestured to the hallway with his chin. With a nod of his own, the Fur followed their driver out, leaving Sofiya and her father alone.

Almost half an hour passed before the light over the door began to blink in time with a chime that sounded down the entire length of the hallway. As Richard tried to figure out what it meant, a team of nurses following a doctor in a long white lab coat came rushing down the hall and pushed into the room. Before the door swung shut on the pneumatic return, Sofiya slipped out.

The anthrovixen’s body language said it all. Her ears were all but touching her shoulders and her tail dragged on the floor as she shuffled out of the room, her steps slow and wooden. Even as she drew near, Richard had his arms open and enfolded her as she moved unerringly to him. He felt her trembling but said nothing, letting the contact between them convey his sorrow at her loss. They stood that way for several minutes before the door opened again and the doctor that had gone in with the entourage of nurses came out.

The man spoke at length with Sofiya, the silver fox unable to keep up with the rapid fire words that were traded back and forth in her native Ukrainian. After several exchanges, the doctor looked at the other Fur and human. “I am to being sorry. Must I have Sofiya papers of to be sign,” he informed them in broken English.

“We’ll wait right here until you’re done,” Richard informed her.

The vixen nodded and tried to smile, though the gesture failed and she let the doctor lead her away to an office to take care of the pertinent paperwork that there was no escaping.

As soon as she was taken from their presence, Richard looked in as the nurses exited, behind them the sheet-shrouded form of Nikoli rested on the bed, the stillness seeming oddly peaceful after witnessing the condition he’d been in, and removed his PBJ from the pocket of his furman robe.

The message he typed out with a claw tip was rather lengthy and he hit the send icon just before Sofiya stepped from the office back towards the desk station near the elevators. “Alois, is there a hotel or someplace that we’ll be staying?”

The man nodded. “Arrangements have already been made by Asmundr Gustavsson’s office. I’ll be taking you there straight away once things have been concluded here.” Their chaperone looked at the Fur as she was escorted back by the doctor, the man seeming to have no problem in interacting with a Fur and spoke with her as they ambled along. “I have a feeling you are in for a difficult night.”

“I don’t care. She needs me,” the silver fox said softly, missing the knowing look and small smile on the man’s face.

***

Once checked into their two bedroom hotel suite, Sofiya went to the bathroom to soak in a hot bath, leaving Richard to his own devices as he sat pensively in the main salon. She hadn’t said a word since leaving the hospital and apart from seeking his arms in the moments following her father’s passing, had kept her distance, even shrugging off his attempt to comfort her by holding her hand.

The silver fox realized that there was no real way that he could understand how the vixen was feeling. He’d never had the kind of relationship with his own father and mother that the other Vulps had enjoyed with her father. He’d had friends die, but never a close family member, and was ill prepared in helping the female cope with her grief.

Not sure of how to help other than simply being there when she decided she needed him, Richard idly flipped through the channels on the television that was situated opposite the faux fireplace , feeling a certain amount of nervous energy. He gave up on that endeavor as there wasn’t a thing he could find that he understood and clicked the set off.

Realizing that it had been a while since they’d eaten last, he picked up the room service menu and tried to figure out what was what, thinking that both of them could do with a solid meal. The silver fox quickly became frustrated that the list of offerings was printed out in Cyrillic until he flipped it over and found other languages, including English and began making a selection of things he thought Sofiya might like and reached for the room’s phone when the vixen emerged from the bathroom.

She wore one of the thick terrycloth robes that were included with the suite, the garment not really fitting right as it was meant for a human and not a Fur. Sofiya stepped towards the other fox, still hurting and in shock, the vixen’s demeanor still as it had been at the hospital. She stopped with only a foot between her and Richard and sighed.

“W-would…would you hold m-me?”

Richard let the menu fall to the red and gold carpet and closed the distance, pulling the Fur to him with gentle strength. As if that simple contact was what was needed, the roiling emotions in the anthrovixen were finally let go and given vent. She wailed as she hadn’t since the death of her husband and let the grief tear through her as her friend held her up. Sofiya wasn’t aware when the silver fox picked her up. Cradled in his arms, he carried her to a plush settee and sat with her, saying nothing as sobs tore from her throat, simply rocking her and letting her deal with things on her terms and in her own time.

— NEXT CHAPTER —

Unless otherwise noted, all material © Ted R. Blasingame. All rights reserved.