Apsuzette Prison

  Fenfeld's Cell

  Kaatreel listens from a distance as Fenfeld and his fox accomplice work out their careful plans. The old snake's hearing isn't as good as it used to be. He supplements his waning hearing by watching the two mammals' mouths, reading their lips. Every once in a while, Kaatreel hisses to himself.

  "S-s-silly idea," Kaatreel says. "It's-s-s...S-s-so s-silly...It jus-st might work! Hehehehe. Thos-s-e incompetent Apsuzette idiots won't know what hit them."

  Once he has heard enough, Kaatreel settles down, relaxing in the center of his coils. He continues to observe Fenfeld and the pretty female fox named Sassy.

  For his part, Fenfeld also studies Sassy. The apeman secretly wonders exactly how he can convince the lady fox to become Mrs. Sassy Kaiser. The conniving ape leans forward, placing a finger under Sassy Fox's chin. He shuffles his eyebrows maddeningly.

  "So...Do you understand what will need to be done?" Fenfeld inquires.

  Fenfeld is more than certain that the woman fox understands what is expected of her. However, he loves to hear the sound of the fox's soft, sultry voice. Especially, when she narrows her eyes in that sneaky way which makes his skin crawl with excitement. Sassy does not disappoint him. She swishes her bushy orange and white tail behind her as she speaks.

  "Of course, Fenfeld Honey! We've only been over it a dozen times. Haha."

  "Good," Fenfeld says with a wide grin. "It's not that I doubt you, Sassy Dear. But...In a situation such as this...Even a tiny mistake could mean my neck. Literally."

  "That's so terrible," Sassy whispers. "I've never liked gambling. But...I can understand how surreal it must feel to hold that much money in your hand at once. It must feel wonderful. But to put you to death? I can't imagine it. It just goes to prove that the Apsuzette authorities are no more than savages."

  "No. Nothing like that, Sassy Honey," Fenfeld whispers back, throwing on the repentant charm. "You shouldn't be angry at them. They're only doing their job. Where would society be without law and order? They have to make an example of somebody. I just so happen to be innocent. Things aren't the way they think things are. I can't stay here long enough for them to figure that out."

  "I understand, Fenfeld," Sassy says, cupping the hand holding her chin between both of her own. "I just...I care about you. I don't want them to kill you."

  "And they won't," Fenfeld replies, leaning forward and kissing Sassy's forehead. "Now. Go and prepare. We must be ready by dinnertime. Hurry now."

  "Okay, Fenfeld. See you tonight," Sassy says.

  The female fox turns away from Fenfeld, wiping tears from her painted eyes. A sly smirk tugs at Fenfeld's simian lips and he crosses four of his six arms over his chest. Behind Fenfeld, Kaatreel hisses sardonically.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "You s-s-sly devil, Fenfeld. S-s-sly indeed," Kaatreel hisses. "The only wholes-s-some fox in the whole bunch. And you manage to corrupt her abs-s-solutely. Hehehe. Only an apeman can manage that. Trickery...Is-s-s in your blood. Hehehe."

  Fenfeld whirls on his snake companion, fury causing his lips to pull back in a fierce snarl. He points three angry index fingers at the tightly coiled reptile.

  "Now, listen here! How dare you eavesdrop on my conversation!" Fenfeld whispers hoarsely.

  "Didn't have to," Kaatreel responds, closing his slitted eyes and dropping down further into his coils. "I know your kind, Fenfeld. And Sassy is a good girl. The only fox in the entire Hillgrove Clan without a spot of trouble on her nose. That is...Until she met you, Fenfeld Kaiser. Hehehehehe. Until she met you."

  Kaatreel goes to sleep. He too waits for the dinnertime excitement.

  -

  -

  Apsuzette Prison

  Dinnertime

  Grator and a fellow guard, a giant koala, are playing a game of cards before Grator goes off shift. Grator slaps down his cards and guffaws.

  "Ha. A full house," Grator gloats. "I win, Korri"

  "Oh, shut up, Gra--," the koala guard begins to say.

  The two guards are interrupted by what sounds like rolling thunder. However, the sound is coming from behind the prison. Grator peeks down the hall. He is able to observe both Fenfeld and Kaatreel in their cell. Neither prisoner is making that commotion. So what the heck is that?

  "What is that?" Korri exclaims, climbing from his seat and walking to the back door of the prison.

  "Beats me," Grator answers, shuffling the cards. "Probably a new shipment. Let's play another game."

  "Hmm. I don't think so," Korri comments. The koala guard reaches for his key ring. "I better check it out."

  Unlocking the back door, Korri gets a giant wave of water right to the face. Followed by thousands more gallons of the township's precious water resources.

  "Some fool has broken a water main," Korri thinks to himself as he is swept away from the door. "Or maybe the dam broke. Oh dear."

  In truth, Sassy and her friends are behind the strange goings-on. Fashioning a giant water hose out of waterproof sacks, Sassy had waited for the usual scheduled shift change before visiting the prison again. No one had guessed that the beautiful dress the polite fox wore was really an escape tool. Grator jumps to his feet, adrenaline coursing through his scaly body.

  "A flood!" Grator barks. "We have to get the prisoners clear. Korri come on!"

  Korri tries to stand, but the water level in the room continues to rise. He scrambles, falls, and scrambles again--claws not gaining purchase.

  "You go!" Korri hollers. "I'm coming."

  Grator nods and turns towards the cellblock. Halfway up the hallway, a loud twing makes the gator swivel back in the other direction. Sassy Fox stands over the unconscious Korri with a frying pan in her hand. Sassy looks up as Grator snarls and moves in her direction. The gator guard foregoes walking and uses the water in the room to glide along the floor.

  With a gasp, Sassy drops the frying pan. She slowly backs away from the approaching gator, hands raised in surrender.

  "Hehehe--," Grator begins to laugh.

  However, the gator guard is caught off guard when Kaatreel's powerful body coils around him. The vengeful snake hisses in delight.

  "What did I tell you, Grator?" Kaatreel exclaims, the thin slits in his eyes widening. "It was-s-s only a matter of time."

  "Here, Sas-s-ssy," Kaatreel hisses, removing Grator's keyring. "The water and I are old friends. Fenfeld is still inside the cell. I will deal with our gator friend. I am quite hungry, it seems."

  Sassy takes the keys from Kaatreel and happily skips towards Fenfeld's cell.