Page 1 of Fangs & Fur

Chapter One

Noah

“You waste of space! Get out!”

My ex-boyfriend Richard’s voice still echoes through my mind as I stand at an empty gas station with my finger around the trigger of the pump. Rain patters against the ground, and distant thunder rolls through the gray clouds above me. I sigh and pull my phone from my pocket, opening my roommate’s app and scrolling through the listings. From beach apartments to health-hazard basements, nothing catches my eye. I grit my teeth and narrow my location to a smaller range. Lifting my gaze, I look over my shoulder at the magnificent mountains dotting the horizon and the plentiful pine forests that follow the main road.

Surely this quiet little town has somewhere nice to stay?

My phone loads as my tank fills up and the rain continues to pelt down. Finally, as the pump shuts off and I re-hook it, my phone loads a single option.

With dark-stoned walls softened by creeping ivy and tall pointed roofs, along with stunning arched windows framed with black iron, I choke on my laugh.

It’s perfect!

I hurry to open the listing to find a rather vague description from the owner.

One bedroom available. Private bathroom. Shared kitchen & living area. Pets allowed.

About Me:

I work nights. I keep to myself. I won’t disturb you.

Ideal Tenant:

Someone calm, clean, and not easily frightened by creaking floorboards. Must be comfortable with pets.

“Creaking floorboards?” I chuckle and hit the ‘Apply’ button.

Pulling out my card, I pay for my gas, just as my phone buzzes with a new notification.

“That was quick.” I open my door and slide into the driver’s seat before pulling up the app again to find a message from the owner.

Thank you for applying. You are approved to move into 13 Cherry Stone Drive, Moonfell. When will you be arriving?

A grumpy meow fills the car, and I turn to look over my shoulder to check on Pumpkin, my orange cat who crouches in his pet carrier. His green eyes blink at me through the mesh, looking sick and tired of traveling all day. I know he’ll give me attitude for the rest of the week because of it. Turning back to my phone, I type out a response.

As soon as possible, I’m in town. I also have a cat, but he is very friendly and won’t bother you.

Three dots immediately fill the screen as I wait for the owner to reply. If the circumstances had been different, I would have found the immediate response rather concerning. But with recent events, like being kicked out of my ex-boyfriend’s apartment in the middle of the night, I’m taking their clear desperation as a win. Let alone my need to find somewhere to live, pronto.

You’re welcome to move in today.

My heart skips a beat, and a rush of relief floods my system. I’ve been driving for hours with no direction or idea of where I’m heading; I just need to get some distance between myself and Richard.

His screams and threats run through me like an icy breeze, and I shake them off. Turning the ignition, I peel out of the gas station and onto the empty main road while typing the address into my phone.

Pumpkin falls asleep to the shake of the car, and I monitor the growing town as I pass by coffee shops, bookstores, and a blacked-out club with a red neon sign glowing above the front door.

Church.

I grin and shake my head. This town, Moonfell, might be all right. The rain continues, and the sky darkens as more storms roll into the mountains that surround the horizon. The streets are quiet, but lights fill the shops and offices, casting a warm glow across the road as I pass by.

It’s moments like this when I wonder what my family is doing. I haven’t spoken to my parents in years. Not since I came out by introducing them to Richard. The looks on their faces said it all. My father hadn’t said a word. He simply got up from the dining room table and left. I remember my mother came into my room later that night and told me to pack my bags and be gone by morning. My only option was to move in with Richard. Little did I know he’d turn into a narcissistic asshole.

Following the maps, I take a few turns until I find myself on the outskirts of town, where the houses are darker; the streetlamps haven’t yet turned on, and the driveways are empty.

“It should be right around here?” I talk to myself, trying to ignore how my heart rate picks up as I near the destination.