\n I forced my way through the pushing crowd until I reached the door to the court room and shoved my way out. A few people were following suit, among them were my parents, Jake and Haley. I went out the doors  to the parking lot and saw that the violence hadn't happened just in the courtroom.

People had been watching the trial on TV, and were just as outraged as those in the court. The years of tension had finally come out in this one night. Cars were being jumped on and bricks were thrown. I ducked to avoid a flying piece of refuse.

"We gotta get out of here!" I cried, grabbing Haley's hand and taking off for the Doomsday.

"Brent, look out!" Jake cried. I turned to see a human with a burning bottle. He hurled it at the Doomsday; I jumped away to avoid the ensuing explosion. Turning around, I saw my car covered in flames.

"No!" I turned to the human and leapt on him. My fists pounded his face; I felt teeth gave way. I screamed, "You dick! That was my car! Do you have any idea how long I worked to get that car?"

"Brent!" Mom screamed. I looked up and nodded. I was losing myself to the aura of the evening. The anarchy and violence in the air was intoxicating.

"Go home! Get Sophie, and get safe!" I told my parents.

"Brent, no! We're not leaving you!" Dad said calmly.

"Dad, I gotta get Haley somewhere safe. Her dad is going to be looking for her! I won't put her in danger," I told him.

"The house-" He tried to argue.

"No! If he hurts you two or Sophie... I won't put you at risk. Just stay safe okay? I'll be fine."

I saw in his eyes that Dad wanted to fight, but Mom being in hysterics stopped him. They left, too preoccupied to question my logic.

"Logan..." Jake mumbled.

"What?" I asked.

"He's at his house. I need to make sure he's alright!" Jake was already inching over in the direction of Logan's house.

"Go! Call me when you're safe!"

"Right." He took off with a spring in his wolf step. I didn't see him for the rest of the night. But I had problems of my own. Mr. Arnold came out of the courtroom glaring at me.

"Mr. Phillips," he spat, "And... you." He pointed to Haley. "I'm surprised you're so accepting of your fur. But then again, you always had those animal tendencies."

"Stop it! Dad I-" she said.

"Don't you dare call me that!. You stopped being my daughter the day you asked this freak out." He maintained his distance but paced the steps.

"Dad! Why are you doing this?" Haley said with teary eyes.

"Because, you furs don't deserve life. You are a crime against nature and against God. A genetic mishap that I will cure." He pulled something from his suit-pocket. "Starting with you."

My ears rang painfully as the explosion ripped into my ear canal. I covered them and winced. Arnold had pulled a 9mm. My eyes followed where it aimed to see Haley slumped over against a car.

"No!" I went to hold her, I applied pressure to her wounded stomach and cried. "Haley! No... No! No... Haley, don't do this!" I held her and kissed her unresponsive lips.

She twitched and jerked. She was going into shock, and had to get her to a hospital. I picked Haley up and ran, ignoring Arnold's angry cries. The gunshots I was able to dodge by some unknown force of luck. My feet pounded on the concrete as I made my way downtown toward the hospital. The violence continued: the stores being robbed, the burning buildings and  the constant whining of police sirens.

"Get back here and face me!" Arnold cried behind me. I increased my pace and pushed forward, determined to get Haley safe before I could deal with him. I was terrified-- so worried about Haley... what  would I do without her?

I went past the barricades in front of the hospital and towards the entrance marked ER.

"Help!" I screamed, entering the building. Orderlies came and took her from me. I quickly told them that she had been shot, before Arnold came in with his firearm. "Fuck!" I went down a hallway and up a stairwell. I pounded up the stairs moving quickly to avoid the very large, and very real threat vying against me. My legs ached and my heart pounded. My abs were in pain from my breathing.

I pounded onto the roof and looked around for a way down. I found a service ladder behind a fence. The fence was high, but as Arnold came onto the roof behind me, I had no other options. I climbed over and jumped, hitting hard. My ankle gave way to the concrete. Knowing my town well enough, I knew that the hospital was right next to the local TV station. It was then that I hatched a brilliant, and perfect scheme. Every detail of it would work so perfectly, as long as I could get enough time to-- Yeah... I should have enough time. I limped down the ladder and pounded my way through the door into the TV studio. It was evening and I'm sure there was still people there, but not enough to be cause for concern.

I went through the offices and found an empty control room overlooking one smaller broadcast rooms. I set up a small program in what little time I had, before Arnold came into the room. I ducked down and heard his gun click empty. Seizing the opportunity, I stumbled down the stairs to the broadcasting area. Getting behind the desk, I waited.

"You little bastard! Fight me like a man!" his shouts echoed as he walked down the stairs.

"I'm not running anymore! You want me, come and get me!" I was more than a little cocky, but my plan was sure. It was golden. No matter what happened to me. He would get what he deserved.

His first attacks came hard and fast, landing on my ribs, driving in deep. I stumbled in pain, but kicked out  landing a good solid hit on his knee. He fell and cried, but came back, harder and with more fury than before.

His next attack was an elbow to the chin, and a kick to the chest. I went to the floor and choked on the blood in my mouth. Standing, I spat in his face and jumped on him, pinning him down and laying into his face.  A good hit to the solar plexus made him breath and disoriented. Furiously did I hit Arnold, until he pulled my tail. I yelped in surprise and pain. He punched me and I flew off him.

"You think you're so smart? You little animal! You fucked my daughter!" He screamed at me.

"You think I'm that lucky? That I would be lucky enough to get in bed with your daughter? She stopped me. And you know what? You want to know the worst part? I wasn't the one that seduced her, as you had her say. She came to me!" I punched at him, missing entirely. Arnold grabbed my arm and, in a horrible motion, hit my elbow breaking my arm. "Ah!" I screamed, clutching the lifeless limb. Arnold grabbed me by the tail and threw me on top of the desk.

His hands wrapped around my throat and squeezed.His eyes bulging,  I saw the vein on his forehead throb. "I've been looking forward to this for far too long!" he sneered. Spots and blackness flood my vision.

Then the doors opened and guns clicked.

"Police, freeze!"

Arnold stuck his hands up. I couldn't help but laugh at the terror on his face.

"Hey, Arnold," I taunted. He looked at me. "Smile, you're on camera!" He looked at the dozens of monitors around the room --with his face on them-- that proclaimed, 'Live.' As the police cuffed Arnold and dragged him away, they asked me if they could help, which I refused. They left and I followed them out.
\n  

\n *****

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The constant bleeps from the machine the next morning kept me awake. Even though the town had delved deep in hell the night before, there was comfort in knowing that those I cared for were safe. I held the furry paw of Haley in my unbroken hand and cried silently. The worst was over, and I was still alive. I was still safe.

"Just wake up, Haley." I cried, kissing her hand and rocking back and forth. Her mom and siblings were in the room with me, but they honestly didn't seem to mind.I think they were relieved that I was there to save her. It wasn't the family that had shunned her, just her dad. Somehow, that was comforting. I squeezed Haley's hand and hoped, praying to whatever Gods may be, that Haley would live; She had to make it out alive.

I deserved that much.

Thanks to ErythWolf, and the two other people who are not on this site for helping me get this to a place where I'm happy with it. I hope you enjoy it. Please read, rate, and review.