Chapter Text
(Four years ago)
Run, that's all I and three of my fellow SEALs could do to escape the ambush that left half of our unit dead but I stayed focused as the remainder of my unit and I were running across a field while taking fire from the Taliban.
"I repeat, we are taking fire!" I shouted into my mike while we were running.
"Solid copy, dispatching a QRF to your location so hang in there, commander," the person on the other end replied while one of my fellow SEALs got hit.
He went down like a sack of bricks while Bronson radioed it in before we all ran to a bunch of fallen tree trunks and quickly took cover behind them, aiming our M4 rifles and firing back at the enemy that was using the nearby forest for cover up ahead until we eventually pushed them back to where they retreated deeper into the forest.
"Move up!" I ordered and we all moved out of cover.
We ducked under a bunch of barbed wire and pursued the enemy, entering the forest as the sun was setting until it was fully dark so I signaled Bronson and Hanson to switch on their NVGs while I lowered mine down to my eyes.
We silently moved through the forest as the green tint of the goggles helped me and the others see while Hanson fired a flare into the air to signal the QRF of our location, the three of us staying quiet to not alert any possible nearby hostiles that could be waiting to ambush us.
After a certain point, I held up a fist and we stopped before using the trees as cover and just scanned the surrounding area for any signs of the Taliban with our rifles, slowly aiming around and not seeing anything so I signaled Bronson and Hanson to move up.
We started moving through the brush and kept an eye open for any traps while listening carefully until there was the sound of movement, prompting me to signal Bronson and Hanson to move up and we started moving quickly to the sound.
I saw movement up ahead and we hurried after them while the enemy hadn't noticed us yet so I took out a frag and pulled the pin before throwing it at the Taliban, then the grenade went off and some of the enemy was sent flying while getting shredded by the shrapnel.
Most of them were dead but a few were still alive as they stumbled and groaned loudly so we moved out into the open and opened fire on them, our suppressed rifles gunning them down before we moved up cautiously, heading to the bodies.
We dead-checked the bodies by shooting them twice in the head before I noticed an opening in the ground that could lead to a possible enemy outpost, so I signaled for Hanson and Bronson to stay on my six and we slowly started to descend into the darkness.
Our NVGs helped us navigate the stairs and the dark corridor that was at the bottom before we came into an open room, then I made a face when I picked up a whiff of a disgusting smell that wasn't a corpse and I started getting the sense that something was watching us.
Bronson covered our six while Hanson and I continued to investigate this place, which seemed to be a crypt of some kind but something about it felt wrong somehow so I was about to signal Hanson and Bronson to leave until my goggles suddenly went out.
I cursed under my breath and lifted them before turning on the tac-light on my rifle, the white light now helping me see as Hanson and Bronson turned on theirs but then I noticed Hanson was looking up at the ceiling and his eyes were wide in complete horror.
I furrowed my brows and slowly raised my rifle at the ceiling tensely while going to look up at it, just before something dove down on us with a demonic roar and we fired a few shots at it before I got slashed a few times until I was thrown around and eventually sent into a wall.
I was severely injured while hearing the screams of terror from my fellow SEALs as gunfire erupted as I was dazed and in so much pain while the noises of terror from Bronson and Hanson turned into agony as the sound of flesh tearing and limbs being torn off forced me to get up and start attempting to make my way to the exit.
I was limping down the corridor as the gunfire died down and I was filled with nothing but terror and a desperation to survive whatever the fuck that thing was, then I heard the growls of the creature and that terrified me even more as it encouraged me to limp even faster.
I moved as quickly as I could in my current state while making it to the stairs when something grabbed my ankle and I was yanked to the ground so I rolled onto my back to try to fire at the monster but my rifle was smacked out of my hands.
Having no time to get it as I was dragged back down the corridor, I frantically transitioned to my Sig Sauer P226 and emptied the entire mag into the creature while it screeched in agony from the bullets striking it but then I stopped getting dragged as a loud thump occurred with the creature's grip turning limp.
I yanked my foot out of the creature's loose grip and used my rifle as a crutch to help me stand, then I started weakly limping to the exit while my breathing was growing shallower and weaker as I struggled to make it up the stairs.
It felt like years went by but I finally made it outside and limped for a few feet before my legs gave out from under me and I collapsed from losing a fair amount of blood, then I just laid on my side as I wheezed and struggled to stay conscious but there was no denying that I was dying and it terrified me.
I didn't want to die, not like this and the thought of that terrified me while I was struggling to breathe but then I saw something leave the tree line and it was hard to make out because of my vision getting blurry but they appeared to be an animal with light-colored fur and...was that multiple tails?
"Don't worry, I'll get you to safety," the animal said as he seemed to grow larger and went to pick me up, then the animal held me as I was carried through the forest and soon heard the sound of a helicopter that was coming as my vision darkened and I passed out from blood loss and shock.
(Present day)
I stirred before waking up and letting out a yawn, sitting up in my bed and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes before I got out of bed and started to do my morning exercises before going to take a shower, put deodorant on, shave, brush my hair, and brush my teeth.
I inspected myself in the mirror and saw that my brown hair looked neat while my face was clean-shaven so I left the bathroom and got dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans as I started making coffee before pouring a cup and going to open up a pack of donuts.
I drank from my cup and started eating while watching the news, seeing nothing particularly interesting as I was having breakfast when somebody knocked on the door so I muted the TV and went over to the front door and went to open it, seeing Peanut waiting on the other side.
"Hey Peanut, you need something?" I inquired as the canine eyed the pack of donuts that was nearly empty and he started grinning cheerfully.
"Hey, Mr. Caldwell, I couldn't help but notice those donuts smell good so is it okay if I have one?" Peanut asked and I chuckled.
"Sure, here you go," I said before handing Peanut one donut and the dog's tail started wagging as he took it.
"Thanks, Mr. Caldwell," Peanut said as he went to start eating the donut.
I petted him in response and he went to go back home while waving happily, which I returned with a wave of my own before I headed back inside and went to continue watching the news but my thoughts soon turned to that dream I had.
It was the same as always, a cream-colored kitsune with ruby-red eyes standing in a field with a smile while telling me that I was safe and that he longed to meet me before it ended with us holding hands and watching the scenery until I woke up, which was nothing new since I've been having them for as long as I can remember.
I didn't know if they were supposed to mean something or not but I felt drawn to him for some reason whenever I dreamt about him and longed to meet him whenever I woke up, though my parents told me once that I had an active imagination so it was probably nothing.
Still, I decided to just enjoy my day off since I wasn't needed at the precinct right now but I spent most of the morning and noon just relaxing while doing nothing in particular until somebody knocked on the door and I went over to the front door to open it, seeing Mr. and Mrs. Sandwich waiting on the other side.
"Earl, Jill, what can I do for you two?" I asked and Earl smiled.
"Hey Dennis, Jill and I are going to be out for the day so could you look after Peanut and Grape for us? We'll gladly pay you for your time," Earl requested and I smiled with a nod.
"Sure, they'll love having me over so I'll look after them for you," I replied.
"Thanks, Dennis, we'd ask for someone else in the neighborhood to look after them but everyone else is busy with their own pets so sorry if this was sudden," Jill told me sheepishly and I chuckled.
"It's no trouble, I'm glad I could help," I reassured her before I went to get my keys, phone, and wallet.
After that, I left the house and started walking to the Sandwich family home with Earl and Jill as they told me how long they'd be gone and what time they'd be back as I memorized it until we arrived at their house, which was right next door to mine as we went inside and Peanut went to greet us.
"Mom, Dad, I thought you were going to be out for the day," Peanut said before he looked surprised to see me here.
"We are, we just asked Dennis to look after you and Grape while we're gone so make sure to behave and try not to make a mess, okay?" Earl told Peanut, who perked up with a big grin until he nodded.
I had a feeling things were going to get a little crazy while I was here but I was happy to spend time with Peanut and Grape as Earl and Jill left the house, then Peanut took my hand and practically took me to his room before bringing me to his Wii.
He wanted me to play Mario Kart with him and I was happy to oblige so we spent an hour battling each other as I picked Mario and Peanut picked Yoshi, the two of us getting into it as we fought for first place and it took a few close calls but I managed to reach the finish line first, making Peanut pout.
"Aw, I lost...you just had to use that shell against me, didn't you?" Peanut muttered and I smiled in amusement.
"Sorry Peanut, but you almost beat me a few times so it's not all that bad, right?" I pointed out and Peanut perked up.
"Yeah, you're right so let's keep playing!" Peanut cheered and I chuckled at how energetic he was as we continued playing for a bit until the batteries died on our Wii remotes and Peanut decided to go wake Grape up from her nap so that she could play with us, so we headed to her room where she was sleeping in her cat bed before Peanut went to gently shake her to wake her up.
"Graape, the Wii remotes are out of batteries, Mom and Dad are out of the house, and I'm bored!" Peanut whined as the Grape let out an annoyed groan, the purple feline sitting up from her bed and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"I have a great game you can play, it's called Let The Cat Finish A Nap For Once. Mr. Caldwell is here so can't you find something else to do with him instead of bothering me?" Grape grumbled.
"Pleeease, Grape?" Peanut begged and Grape yawned as she stretched.
"Alright, stop looking so pitiful. Set course for high adventure," Grape muttered in resignation and Peanut started beaming.
"I'll get out the paper bags with silly hats drawn on them! Mr. Caldwell, you want to play with us?" Peanut asked me and I looked thoughtful until I nodded.
"Sure, though I don't exactly have a paper bag with a hat drawn on it," I replied and Peanut grinned.
"That's okay, I'll make one for you," Peanut assured me before he walked away and later came back with three paper bags that had hats drawn on them until Grape put hers on that had a wizard hat on it while she got a stick and held it up like a wand.
"I am the, uh, Weather King, ruler of this land!" Grape announced dramatically and Peanut snickered while hiding his smile.
"Hail to the rain-ing king!" Peanut joked and I laughed at the rain pun before Grape shoved her bag over Peanut's head in response.
We continued playing while Peanut kept making rain puns and I was having a blast as I played the role of the gallant knight, openly grinning the whole time as I was enjoying myself but then Peanut and Grape had the bright idea to throw a bucket of water into the spinning fan despite my attempt to stop them, which caused a mess and the stock play continued until I called a time-out so that we could clean up the mess.
"Sorry, Mr. Caldwell...we kinda got carried away," Peanut said sheepishly as we were busy mopping up the wet floor with paper towels.
"It's okay, just try not to cause a mess next time," I replied just as the front door opened with Earl and Jill entering the house, the latter entering the living room with a pack of batteries.
"Hey, we're back. Oh, Peanut, I got you batteries for your Nintendo like you asked, so here you go," Jill said as she handed Peanut the pack of batteries before taking in the mess on the floor.
"Sorry for the mess, they kinda got carried away," I said and Jill arched a brow.
"I can see that, though thanks for looking after them since we appreciate it," Jill told me gratefully and I nodded as Grape, Peanut, and I finished mopping up the floor and stood up to throw away the soggy paper towels in the trash.
"It's no trouble at all," I said before Earl walked in.
I was paid for looking after Peanut and Grape before petting the dog and cat, bidding them goodbye, and leaving the Sandwich family home before heading back to my place and entering my home, then I felt tired and looked at my watch to see that it was the evening so I started making dinner by heating a frozen Lasagna in the oven.
Once it was done, I went to eat my dinner at the kitchen table and thought about what the kitsune said to me in my dream as I wondered who he was since it felt a bit too real to be a dream despite trying to write it off as nothing, though I focused on finishing with my dinner and did the dishes until I went to go to bed and fell asleep after that.