“Well that was fun. It must’ve been nice to meet other humanoids, eh? You seemed to get on well with that Equinox girl.”
“She reminds me of Jessie.”
We had returned to my room. I’m sat on the bed, Cellum deciding to perch on the table. They’re teasing me, trying to cheer me up I think. It’s not working.
“What did you think about what Jodie said, about the magic? I think it would be cool. Maybe we’ll get flying cars or something. Make my commute easier, that would!”
“I think it should be left well alone.” I growl deep in my throat, ears twitching.
“Well, surely, if they can find a way to make it safe, they can let people use it?”
“No. It’s too big, too dangerous. Any safety they achieve will be temporary.”
“You never know, Ben. And it could do great things for the world. I think it’s worth it.”
“It could also do terrible things for it, to it. The risks are so high, and the benefits uncertain. And there will be accidents, especially at first. You can’t have an expert in something that’s only just been discovered, and is so different to everything else we know. While they figure it out, who knows how many people will suffer at their expense? Suffer as I have suffered, Cellum. As we, all us humanoids, have. And what then? You think we’ll be accepted back into society, claws and teeth and all?”
Cellum sighs. I’ve never seen them look so…uncertain. They pick at the skin beside their nail. “I don’t know, Ben. I don’t know. Media coverage of your rescue and rehabilitation has been limited, but…well, people know. And they’re not all happy with our aim to get you guys back into society.”
“Maybe they’re right.”
Cellum looks up, shocked. “Of course not! Ben! You guys are still people. Even if you’re not exactly human. You deserve the same rights as all of us. We’re gonna get you out of here, you and Equinox and all the others. You may not feel you are worth it,” they continue, walking over to me, “but you are. I know that you are. And I will tell you this until you believe it too.”
I rest my chin on their head as they hug me. It’s nice to have someone so eager to fight for us. It’s not me that I’m worried about, really. It’s the others. Equinox deserves to be able to go back to their family. I have nothing to go back to. But when even the other humanoids shunned us, how will society take us back in?
They’re afraid of us. I tap on my tablet screen. Even the other humanoids, they ignored me and Equinox. My stylus falters over the speak button, before I delete my words. But Cellum had seen.
“It’s their loss, Ben. You guys are great! If they don’t want to get to know you, they’re missing out.”
I wrinkle my nose. Looks like Cellum managed to cheer me up after all. Suddenly, their eyes widen.
“What do you plan to do when you get out of here? Go home?”
I snort. “What home?”
“Ah, yes…sorry. Um, do you have any plans then? Or are you just gonna, y’know, wing it?”
“I don’t know. I’ve not thought about it. I have nowhere to go, I guess I could do anything. Within reason of course.”
“Um, I had an idea. If you’re ok with it, and all. I was wondering if you’d like to come and stay with me? At least for a bit, while you get back on your feet and decide what you want to do.”
My tail wafts gently behind me. “That sounds good. I’d be delighted to.”
“I wonder what Equinox will do? Maybe we should ask her at the next meeting.”
“I hope she can go back to her family.”
“Yeah. I’m sure they’ll be happy to see them again. You two should stay in touch though.”
I chuckle, sort of. As best as I can. “Yes, if she’s ok with that. We have only just met.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll be firm friends in no time! Shared experiences and so on. Plus you’re really charismatic, which is quite good for making friends.” They trail off slightly at the end, as if catching themself saying something they shouldn’t.
“Thanks, Cellum. Though you’re more of a making friends person than me.”
“Ah, I wouldn’t say that.”
“Who started the conversation?”
“Ok, ok. You have a point.” They grin at me. “Doesn’t make you any less charismatic though, wolf boy.”
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