Gabriel's Rescue
Chapter Four
(c) Cederwyn Whitefurr
May, 2010
All Rights Reserved

 Blinking, the human didn't know what to make of Gabriel's grief, and he stood there a few moments, just feeling this terrified and hysterical young Anthropomorphic Grey Kangaroo clutching at him and wailing with such grief and suffering, it would have melted the coldest of hearts.

 "Hey...hey there – easy...come on – shhh...its okay - " Murmured the man, as he carefully stroked Gabriel.  "Hey...someone get a Vet in here!"

 From outside, others could be heard cursing and shouting orders, then finally, a young woman stepped in, carrying a black valise style bag, and wearing a white laboratory coat. As she approached, Gabriel took one look, then screamed and retreated to the far end of his cell, where he crouched and his eyes sparkled with a look of pure, unmistakable animal terror.

 “My god - “ Whispered the woman, as she looked at the deplorable conditions in the cell, then at Gabriel.  “I...what the hell were they doing...no, I don't want to know."

 Gabriel suddenly emitted a piercing wailing, that echoed and reverberated off the walls of his cell, as he stared at the woman, who frowned and splayed out her hands, to show she was unarmed and assumed a submissive posture, trying to calm Gabriel.

 “Hey...easy there boy...come on – it...it's alright – we – we'll take you away from this hell, I promise." She spoke quietly, taking a half-step forwards.

 Gabriel shrank away from her, his ears flat and eyes wide in terror, then thankfully, the man stepped forwards and snapped his fingers at Gabriel. It took several attempts, but finally, Gabriel's head turned and he looked up at the man who had come to save him.

 “Careful – he's scared – no, beyond scared – look at his posture and eyes...this poor creature is downright terrified." Whispered the Vet warningly.  “He's hysterical, and could very well be dangerous."

 “Hey there fella - “ Whispered the man, as he too adopted the open palm gesture, facing Gabriel. “Come on, we won't hurt you – I promise...let us help you."

 Nervously, Gabriel snapped his gaze from one human to the other, then transfixed his gaze on the male, then leapt at him, causing the Vet to shriek in alarm, thinking Gabriel was going to attack – but all Gabriel did was wrap his arms around the neck of his saviour and begin crying, in loud, braying sobs, burying his head into the humans chest. Hesitantly, the man reached down and laid a hand on Gabriel's back, then felt the buck involuntarily flinch.

 “Shhh, its okay...we won't hurt you – nobody will hurt you, any-more..." He whispered, soothingly stroking Gabriel's back, and hearing the choking sobbing coming from Gabriel.  “I promise – we'll take you from this place – and it'll be okay...I promise..."

 Gesturing to the Vet, the man cradled Gabriel like a child, holding him close and stroking him soothingly, as the Vet produced a small syringe, then grasped Gabriel's nape.

 “No!" Gabriel screamed, throwing himself backwards.

 Thankfully the Vet managed to inject Gabriel with the tranquilliser, then both humans stepped back, as Gabriel staggered back against the wall, his eyes wide.

 “No...you...you can't - “ Gabriel rasped, then hit the back wall and slowly began sliding down it, the tranquilliser spreading swiftly through his body.

 “It's just a mild sedative," Explained the Vet.  “It'll help to calm you, so we can get you out of here."

 As she carefully approached, then as Gabriel screamed and tried to pull away from her, she stepped back, then glanced at the man, who shrugged as if to say he had no idea why Gabriel seemed so scared of her, then he knelt and gently picked up Gabriel's cold paws.

 “It's okay – you'll sleep for a little while, then when you wake up, you'll be far from this terrible place – and all those who hurt you. I promise." He whispered, then stroked Gabriel's muzzle with his fingers.

 “You...they – they'll come and..." Gabriel gurgled, then his eyes rolled back and he went limp.

 “No, they won't - “ Whispered the man, as he gently laid Gabriel down onto the floor, then stood and brushed his hands on his trousers.

*

 Once they had taken the surviving animals and Anthropomorphic creatures from the place in which they'd been kept and so cruelly treated, many were so badly mistreated, many of the animals had no chance of rehabilitation, and were in such poor condition, they were humanely euthanised, whilst many of the Anthropomorphic creatures were sent to specialist hospitals, where they were committed for ongoing intensive psychiatric care.

 Gabriel had been taken to a veterinary hospital, and kept heavily sedated, whilst numerous blood tests and both external and physical examinations were undertaken, to reveal the extent of Gabriel's injuries. Many of the Vet's had been downright sickened and horrified by what had been done to Gabriel, yet somehow, through-out it all – there was no life threatening injuries – but Gabriel was well underweight for his height, and his skin when pinched up, took too long to return to its normal position, revealing severe dehydration. They put him on an intensive IV drip of glucose and vitamins, gave him multiple injections to cure any intestinal parasites he may be carrying, and then purged his stomach, but the most distressing for many of them, was the colonoscopy, which revealed terrible scarring and tearing of his bowels.

 Finally, they had bathed him in an anti-bacterial and disinfectant solution, scrubbing the unconscious buck from ear tips to tail end, before placing him in a dim, quiet room, and binding his paws and ankles with soft restraints, as they remembered the original investigative report, and feared he may be dangerous, if not near completely insane.

*

 Two days after his rescue and treatment at the hospital, Gabriel awoke with a snort, then he heard footsteps and he tried to stand, but found himself bound paw and foot, with soft restraints, lying on a thick mattress. His eyes rolled in terror and he struggled, glancing around himself, as he found himself in a small white painted room, and a door opposite him. As the door opened, he caught a glimpse of humans walking back and forth outside, then the Vet came in, and brought in a chair, before she sat down near the door and closed it behind her.

 “Go away - “ Gabriel shrieked, struggling as best he could in the restraints.  “Please – please don't..."

 Frowning, the Vet looked at the obviously hysterical Buck, then down at her white lab coat. She took it off, then placed it outside, before returning to his room and sitting back down, resting her hands on her knees, in a non-threatening posture. Gabriel continued struggling, but in his weakened state, his struggles soon ceased and he just lay on the mattress, sobbing and trembling – fearing some new terrible torture was going to be inflicted on him.

 “It...its my coat? Is that what's frightening you so much...we – I mean, they found what looked like...no, there's time for that another day.  I'm Kess," Whispered the Vet, as she gestured to herself.  “I'm a Veterinarian, with the SPCA – you...my God – what those...those bastards - “

 Gabriel flinched as she moved, but she realised his incredibly traumatic state and she nodded, then sat patiently, letting Gabriel make the first moves. Gabriel looked down at the leather wrist and ankle restraints, then up at her, giving her a look of such terrible suffering – it brought a tear to her eyes.

 “What is...your name – please, I would like to know.  You...you're safe here, those restraints are for your...I mean...our protection. You – you've been so unimaginably...no...you're safe now, we – we won't hurt you, nobody here will hurt you. Those...those bastards – can never find you now, you're safe – we'll care for you, and help you get better." Kess whispered, as she slowly leant forwards, then sighed as Gabriel screamed and wriggled backwards, his eyes wide in terror.

 Kess sighed, then rose and carefully let herself out, leaving Gabriel lying curled on the mattress, sobbing heart-brokenly. He was terrified, taken from a place of unimaginable cruelty and depravity, then brought here – but it was the people in the white coats, that terrified Gabriel to death, as they brought back terrible memories of the cruel 'Doctor' and his experiments.

*

 Days later, as Kess tried everything in her knowledge to get Gabriel to come out of his shell he had erected around himself, but nothing worked. They tried feeding him, but Gabriel ignored their food, and after a few hours, they took it away again, but kept a surveillance on the young Buck, who seemed to be growing sicker and sicker by the day.  Finally, in desperation, Kess called the man who had first encountered Gabriel, and convinced him to come down, and at least see if Gabriel would respond to him, as Kess and the other staff members, were at a loss – and all of them were genuinely concerned for Gabriel's health.

 It took a few hours for Gabriel's rescuer to finally get off work and drop by the hospital, but he did so willingly, then met Kess at the front door.

 “Alex, thank the Gods you've come – he...I don't know what to make of it. I've tried everything, except for sending some assistants in to..."

 Alex winced and shook his head.  “No Kess, please – don't do that – we...we've found out more information about what was happening there – and...Gods...you...you don't want to know the details, believe me – how those sick bastards...no – I...where is he, has he said or done anything?"

 “We've given him extensive examinations – keeping him heavily sedated of course, but he hasn't eaten anything we've offered, and when I...I don't know why, but he's terrified of me in my coat, I think...I think those...they must have worn them, to cause such a terrible reaction in him. My God, how could anyone do such terrible things, to a creature so..."

 “He's a person Kess, just like you and me – of course, we – I mean, I know what you mean, he looks like an animal, unlike most Anthropomorphic creatures we know – but he – he's a person, just like any of us."  Alex admonished her gently.

 “I...Gods – I'm sorry Alex, he – I didn't mean to sound so...he...he's down here. We've got him restrained, only lightly – but I...I don't know – is he dangerous? I've seen his foot claws, and I know well, what sort of damage they could do to someone if...he – you know..."

 Kess sniffled, then dried her eyes with her sleeve, then led Alex down the hall, and waited just outside Gabriel's room, as Alex carefully let himself in and then closed the door, his eyes taking a moment to adjust to the dim lighting.

 “Hey...are you - “ Alex stammered, then swallowed and carefully approached and knelt, then rested a hand on Gabriel's shaking shoulder.

 “Please master – please...don't...don't let them hurt me!" Gabriel wailed, as he instinctively curled up tighter.

 “My name is Alex – I'm...I'm not a...a master – I...I want to be your friend, you remember me, don't you – I...we saved you, and brought you here, so you could get better, and no-one wants to hurt you any-more – I promise."

 Gabriel slowly uncurled, then still remaining very timid and frightened, he lifted his gaze up to look at Alex, then looked down at his bound paws and ankles. Alex took a risk, and slowly reached down and unclasped the restraints, then carefully lifted the surprisingly light Gabriel up. Gabriel burst into fresh tears, then clutched at Alex with a surprisingly tight grip around his neck, burying his face into Alex's chest and sobbing.

 “Hey, come on now, its alright – you're safe – I promise. These people – they're...they're not like the others – they only want to help you. Please, stop crying – its okay, here...are...are you hungry? Thirsty?" Alex whispered, gently rocking Gabriel and stroking his back.

 “Please master – may...may I...a...a drink, please – I'm so thirsty - “ Gabriel snuffled, his voice choked with fear and trepidation.

 Alex gestured and Kess brought in a bowl with clean water, then set it down gently, then left again, resuming her observations through the window set into the door. Alex took the bowl, then gently lifted it up and held it to Gabriel's muzzle. Gabriel flinched and gave Alex a look of pure terror, fully expecting the bowl to the taken away at the last second, but Alex carefully tipped it up and Gabriel gratefully began drinking, resting his paws either side of the bowl and gulping down the cold water.

 When he was finished, Alex put the bowl down, then timidly reached out and stroked Gabriel's shoulder, feeling the Buck flinch and whimper piteously. Alex soothed him as best he could, but there was little he knew, about Anthropomorphic creatures – all he knew, was somehow, this terrified and hellishly tormented Buck, had suffered unimaginable suffering – and would take months, if not years, of careful work, to regain even a semblance of what he may once have been.

 “What – what's your name little one," Alex asked. “I'm...Alex – I'm the one who found you, you remember?"

 Gabriel looked up at him, his eyes sparkling with un-shed tears, then hugged him tight and mumbled against his chest.

 “Gab...Gabriel - “

 Alex continued hugging Gabriel gently, holding him in a light embrace, as the Buck continued crying and shivering, still so very very frightened, after all his years in that hellish torture.

 “Gabriel?" Alex asked, as he gently cupped Gabriel's muzzle and pulled it up. “Your name is Gabriel? Any – any other name...?

 Gabriel sniffled and shook his head weakly, then resumed clutching at Alex tightly, afraid to let him go.

 “Here – try to get him to eat something - “ Kess whispered as she quietly came up behind Alex and Gabriel, then sat a small bowl down with an assortment of fresh vegetables.

 Quickly, knowing how adverse her appearance appeared to be to Gabriel, Kess left again and continued watching this growing bond, between the human and the kangaroo.

 “Here Gabriel – here...come on now, stop crying – its okay – I promise, those...people are going to go away, for a very very long time. They can't hurt you any-more – not you, and not anyone."

 Alex produced a small baby carrot, then held it in his hand, palm upwards and showed it to Gabriel, who looked at it, then at Alex, before turning his head away and beginning to cry again.

 “No...you...you'll take it away from me - “ Gabriel suddenly screamed hysterically. “You give me food – then...then take it away and make me do...do things..."

 “Gabriel...please – no...no my sweet, innocent Buck – please, hey...settle down, its okay – here...these...these are for you, I won't hurt you, nobody will hurt you, or take away your food, or do anything to you...like those...those evil men did." Alex whispered, holding the shaking Buck and then pulling him tight, cradling him like a terrified child.  “Come on little one, it...its okay now, shhh – its alright – eat these...please?"

 Gabriel sniffled, then glanced at Alex, expecting a slap across the snout at best – then reached out a trembling paw and hesitantly touched one of the carrots, before he snatched his paw back, fully expecting to be brutally punished. Alex nodded at him, then made no threatening gestures, trying to reassure Gabriel, it was all going to be alright, that he was safe. Gabriel nervously took one of the small carrots, then clutching it in one paw – he lifted it and sniffed at it, before taking a very very small nibble, and screaming, then dropping it and flinching away, waiting for the punishment to begin.

 Alex sighed and pulled the struggling Buck close to his chest, then rubbed his neck and back, trying to soothe him.

 “Its okay Gabriel – I know you're afraid, just...come on – please? You're very weak and malnourished – you need food, so please – please eat." Alex whispered comfortingly.

 “I don't want to be punished master!" Gabriel wailed.

 “I'm not...not going to punish you Gabriel, nobody is – what...what they done – it...it was wrong, you understand that – it wasn't your fault, what...what they made you do – or did to you, it was not your fault, now, please – here...eat this..."

 Alex picked up the carrot, then held it up, and with slow, trembling paws, Gabriel glanced at Alex again, then nervously licked at Alex's fingers – then took another tiny nibble on the carrot, his sharp teeth easily breaking a piece off.

 “That's it - “ Alex praised him.  “Good boy, come on – eat some more – here, look – we got all sorts of vegetables and fruits here – pick out something you like. Its all yours, nobody will take it, or hurt you – I promise, it – its all going to be okay Gabriel..."

 Alex felt like a fool, reiterating the same message again and again, not to mention speaking to a obviously very intelligent creature, like it was a common dog on the street – but then he suddenly came to realisation, of what a terrible existence – Gabriel had endured for all these years...

 Gabriel nibbled a little more on the carrot, before he carefully put it down on the floor, then looked at Alex.

 “Master...I – could I please..." Gabriel whispered, then bowed his head and shivered.

 “Gabriel, I'm...your friend – not...not your master. Do...do you want some more water?"

 Gabriel sniffed, then nodded his head weakly and kept his submissive posture, still so very afraid and timid. Alex gestured to Kess, who quietly come in, then knelt and reached out, placing a silver bowl on the floor, before retreating again. Gabriel watched her, his eyes wide with paranoia and fear, but at least he didn't flinch away from her this time – and she made a mental note, to note the remarkable progress in her report later that evening.

*

 Alex spent hours with Gabriel, often just sitting on the floor, cradling the crying young buck, and gently stroking him, trying to soothe his fears, and reassure him that nobody was going to come and hurt him, or force him into terrible things...ever again.

 He was sure, Gabriel would recover – but it was to be a slow, painful process, that was to take many, many months.

To Be Continued...