Chapter 3; Unwanted Attention

A Home for Scales

Written By : SecretSerpent22

Warning: some content may be disturbing or upsetting to some viewers, discretion of/for the viewer is advised. Ok here we go!

Chapter 3; Unwanted Attention

I decided now would be a good time to go eat so I grabbed my ID and headed out. I was starving at this point, I had refused to leave the dorm room all day. When it comes to others and the odd stares I grow very self conscious. Yet even at night people were still out and about. I guess it was only 8 but still it was dark. The streetlamps around the campus illuminating the pathways and buildings circling the center park. I found my way to a restaurant by some of the academic study buildings. This was a good place to be for social butterflies. Plenty of space, food, and people to interact with. The "best" place for me to be in. Someone had the karaoke machine going out on some small stage in the corner, singing "This Land is My Land." A fair bit of a crowd that had gathered was chiming in too. Somehow, I didn't stand out so much. It was the first time in a while. Between the music, the bright colors of others jackets and fur, and the smells of food everywhere, I didn't get that much attention. Perfect. I slid over to a counter of an Italian pasta bar with ease and ordered a chicken alfredo spaghetti. One of my favorites.

This restaurant was one of those places that had many different cuisines located all over. A Mexican taco and burrito bar, a pizza joint, an Italian pasta bar, Asian cuisines, subs and grinders. You certainly were able to get a lot of different things for sure.

Once I got my food I swiped my ID and paid. Mr. Hansenburg reminded me of the points I can buy things with. I kept thinking I would have to keep going out to buy food everyday. I was relieved to say the least. I'll have free food as long as I don't overdo it, I thought as I started eating with chopsticks like I normally do. Basic silverware doesn't help too much with a snout as big as mine. Again, it's another self conscious feel I get, especially when I have to tilt my snout in order to grab something. So I opt to use chopsticks, plus it's easier to eat spaghetti this way. I continued to slurp my noodles until I noticed a familiar looking wolf from earlier just looking at me from across the room. They had darker red and white fur, and had some sports jersey with the college name on it. After eyeing me for a while, he began to approach. I only looked over for a few seconds, I was half expecting them to turn around and talk with someone else or just have not been looking at me at all. Yet he came over and sat next to me.

"Hey." He said, his voice was more gruff, and sounded serious?

"Uhh, hey?" I replied confused. Why is he sitting with me? I thought.

"A couple chicks told me you were new here. Says you've been scaring everyone away huh?" He didn't sound too pleased.

"Chicks? Who females?" I replied stupidly.

"Pshh, yeah. You know you look tough with those claws and scales but you're dumb aren'tcha. Heh, c'mon I gotta show you something." he stood up and walked outside, leaving me there lost. Wasn't he just being mean, or was he messing with me? Jenny Yors always told me people liked messing with newer students in college? Was that just his way of making small talk? What if he did want to show me something? I sighed. Maybe I'll just never understand other people. I thought, finishing my pasta. I stared at the table wondering what that conversation was supposed to entail. I could go see what he wanted, or I could just leave....

I ended up following him to where he went around the back of the buildings. It was quiet and dark, with little light being brought in. The crickets chirped as I noticed him sitting at a bench beneath a wide and short oak tree. "Man you really did come? Jeez you are dumb." I heard him say, I suddenly got the feeling this wasn't good. Before I could react, two bigger guys grabbed my arms and pinned them behind my back swiftly from behind. One of them shut my mouth with a large paw. It was almost big enough to fit around the entirety of it. I felt my lockjaw snap, I couldn't move it, couldn't make a sound other than a disgruntled hiss. "Man, we got something interesting this year?" the wolf said as he looked me over. "Thinking 'Oh I'm the new big shot' huh? Let me guess you're the tough guy everywhere you go? Hehe, wrong." WHAM! He hit me hard on my snout, jerking it downward to stare me down. I felt my teeth jam and poke into my gums, I tasted blood. Not this again... I grew panicked. He hit me in my gut next with a heavy hit, I felt like puking, the wind being ripped away from my lungs. "Not here you aren't pal, we're the top dogs here...Alright?" He drew that last bit out as he continued to pummel me. I could hear the two pinning me chuckling as their leader didn't let up. "You really think you mean anything, heh a crossbreed thinks he's going to make it big right? That's what you thought coming here?"

This repeated for who knows how long. Every second agony as another punch rocked my body backward. The two restraining me laughing hysterically under their breaths jolting me back around. The taunts, the blows, it all felt so unbearable, tears welled in my eyes as I groaned with every hit... I remember Mr. Hedgesworth telling me a long time ago that people aren't nice. This was after the incident outside in one of the back alleys of the orphanage all those years ago. "If you can't win, or get away, then you let them grow bored. You have scales like not many others, you have a higher resistance, you just need to act like you're beat. Don't let them have the joy they seek..." Some would argue against this advice, but it was true. As much as he hit, as much as he kicked, as much as I was thrown around and slammed into walls, it looked like I was hit hard. Yet in reality it was bearable. My scales were resistant, they were sturdy and able to keep my skin underneath well protected. One of the only positives of the mutation in my genes, overly hardened scales. They don't crack, nor split unless under an extreme force, and right now... at this moment, I was fine... physically at least.

It wasn't long before I was thrown down and kicked one last time. "Now watch it here freak, if I hear you're harassing anyone! Or even think you can stand up to me, Jacob Allison, or my friends here, I'll pummel you until you're six feet under. GOT IT!" He was seething and enjoying this. "C'mon boys leave him. He don't have the nerve to fight or stand up to us..." They walked off, cackling in the night. My mind was empty. I was able to keep it clear of any rage or upsetting thoughts. It was finally over... I stood slowly, my left knee did hurt, but my breath was finally able to return to me. I cracked my neck and back a few times, and relaxed my jaw up. I'm okay... Should I report this? Would I end up just causing more trouble? I looked over myself. My clothes were dirty and I had a few bruises, but my scales did protect me. Good thing I stayed hydrated before. No... I'm good, I don't need to escalate this.

I made it back to the apartment and opened the door. I walked inside, my body numb from the attack. Scales are great, but I guess I still need to watch out a little, I did hurt quite a bit. The others were already there, and quickly questioned why I was covered in dirt, and a mess. "Umm, you good there?" Jagal asked nervously, standing up quickly. He seemed concerned... but was he really? Doubt began to grow.

"What, oh... yeah I'm good." I said without blinking, I was a little tired. I grabbed some stuff from my dresser and went to the bathroom to take a shower. I didn't notice any of the worried and confused glances they were shooting at me. I had no idea they thought I was involved in a big fight, I didn't know how bad this would make things. I didn't even notice I walked right by Hudson so quickly. He jumped back a bit when I started walking near him. I was so numb over I wasn't thinking straight. I was tired, I was hurt, and I was brought back to the same place I was all my life... and back to the alley. Below others, everyone... dead last. Foolish me to think I could live a "normal life" here anyway. I don't have the caretakers to watch over me, I don't have their insight or knowledge or even their kind words to calm me down. I felt as if I had nothing here.

I took my shower, my scales feeling better and my wounds washed by the cold shower. I looked myself over in the mirror again. My knee was sore, my arms too from the pinning, my jaw had sore spots and part of my lip was cut. One of those hits hurt a tooth, and parts of my gums, but it should be fine though no major damage. My chest and back too had a few rough patches, but all scales were intact. I walked back out to the room in shorts and a tank top. I practically crashed when I hit my bed. Jagal and Raymond had a Call to Duty game through the Xbox on the tv. Hudson was watching intently, but he seemed to be having a good time. They were all having a good time. Good thing I didn't ruin their night out by going with them, I don't need to be in their way.

Thanks again for coming this far. I hope you enjoyed another part to A Home for Scales. While editing I realized italics aren't working (not sure if it's just me though) so some of the thoughts and sound effects aren't really emphasized well. Anyway I hope your day/night is going well and continues to do so. Thanks again!

-SecretSerpent22