The big city; a giant concrete jungle populated with many sky-touching buildings and colored in many tones of grey, black, and white with hints of rainbow colors all around. The crescendo of loud horns of cars and pedestrians pushing passed one another echo and drown out any quiet noises produced. 
Walking along the sidewalk, the orange fox keeps his brown eyes straight forward. He clutches at his blue bandana, hoping luck will come to him while he presses on. His blue baseball cap keeps his head protected by the sun’s advancing rays, while schlepping a backpack of the same color around and a plastic bag of various food products. As he ambles alongside the paved path, his way becomes open from other walkers avoiding him. 
Just as he nears a corner, the fox collides into another figure, knocking him back slightly. He then glances at the unknown pedestrian, who happens to be a dark grey wolf in a black beanie, red and black plaid jacket with white t-shirt, and light grey cargo pants. “Hey!” His voice sounding rather brash and deep. “What’s the big idea?!”
“I’m terribly sorry, Sir,” says the fox. “I didn’t mean to bump into you.”
“Next time, keep your eyes straight, you damn fool!”
“Sorry…”
“Wait a minute.” The wolf inspects the orange animal, even getting wafts of the fox’s scent. “Well, what do we have here? Fresh meat in the city, eh?” The fox grips at his shoulder straps in anxiousness. “You’ve entered trouble territory, my friend. The big city is no place for country folk like yourself.”
“First off, I come from another town. Second, I’ve been living here much longer. So, I’m already established in the city.”
“Townsfolk like you don’t last any longer than you. You’ve made a big mistake, Fox Boy.”
“Uh… listen, I’d love to stay and chat, but I’ve got somewhere to be. Good day.” The fox begins walking, about to leave the area.
However, he is stopped when the wolf gets in front of him. “No, you listen to me, Newcomer!” The grey canine grabs him by the chest. “You’re in my territory, and you better not cross paths with me! Because if you do, I’ll make you wish you stayed in your hometown! Understood?”
“E-easy… I’m just trying to live a simple life… I don’t want any trouble!”
“Better not give me any!” The wolf releases his grasp of the fox. “Now, get out of my sight before I change my mind, Fluffball!” The orange animal dusts himself off and continues on his way, distancing himself from the wolf, who has his gaze fixed on the shrinking fox. 

*** 

The fox begins to appear into view as he ascends the flight of stairs and arrive onto his level; the sixth floor. As he ambles down the hallway, he catches sight of a white rabbit, same build as him and wearing a red bandana. The orange animal nears a grey door with the number “630” on it.
“Ah, hello there, Zach!” utters the rabbit. His higher than the average male, and more melodious, voice stops the fox in his tracks. “How’s your day going?”
Zach turns his whole body to face the snowy-colored bunny. “Hey, Ralph… I’m… okay, I guess.”
The rabbit’s smile transitions to a flat affect expression. His mouth balanced on both ends of his cheek. “You don’t sound like you’re okay. What happened?” The fox falls silent. “Come on, you can tell me.” Ralph manages a slight smile to him, showing a sign of trust toward Zach. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”
Zach lets out a sigh and begins to relay his earlier encounter. “I ran into this wolf on my way back… All I did was bump into him by accident, and he thought it was deliberate… He also said not to cross paths with him because I was a newcomer. I told him I wasn’t looking for trouble, but he didn’t think so… I barely got away from him…”
“Ugh!” shouts a voice from nearby. The two boys pinpoint the source to be a chicken standing nearby. Her brown eyes glare at them. “Of course! Why do predators have to be so demanding and aggressive?”
“Oh, hello, Winnie,” spurts Ralph. “Eavesdropping again?”
“Predators are just the worst!” she shouts. “They’re so hostile, territorial, and possessive, especially toward us prey.”
“Not all of them are like that, Winnie,” Ralph adds in, extending his arm out to the fox. “Zach’s not one of those kinds of predators.”
“Nah, I know he isn’t. Zach’s much too sensitive and shy to be part of them. He’s pretty much the only one I tolerate around here.”
  “Um,” Zach starts, breaking his silence. “Thank you, I guess… How kind…”
“You should be happy I don’t take out a broom and smack you around with it,” the chicken tells him sarcastically.
“I feel like you almost did when we first met… And I don’t think it would do any good against the wolf I ran into if he were here.”
“Oh yeah? If that wolf dares come around here, watch me!”
“You shouldn’t worry too much about that wolf, Zach,” interrupts Ralph. 
“I know, but I can’t help it,” Zach tells him. “The way he was toward me reminded me of a wolf I knew back when I was in Heroto.”
“Oh?” 
“Jay the Wolf from Team Rescuers… He was a big bully toward me for much of my life, and he was quite aggressive… Every time he was around, it was hell…”
Ralph puts his paw on the fox’s shoulder. “You don’t need to worry about him anymore, though. And don’t let that other wolf get under your fur, either. You’ve got to be brave; show people you are not someone to be pushed around and kept quiet.”
The creak of one of the doors nearby catch the three animals’ attention. Standing in the doorway is a tan warthog, half the height of the fox, with a female build and long, chocolate hair and eyes. She wears a charcoal jacket over a pale t-shirt, complemented by denim-blue jeans. The small girl walks by the three without any eye contact or a word. The chicken, fox, and rabbit watch on as she disappears down the stairs. 
“Ugh, the new girl,” comments Winnie. “She’s been here a while and hasn’t warmed up to us. Why?”
“Patience, Winnie,” Ralph tells her. “Maybe she’s not ready to interact with us yet. Give the girl some time and she’ll turn around. Maybe…”
“I don’t know… What if she’s one of those kinds of people that avoid interaction altogether? You know, like a complete nerd?”
The rabbit crosses his arms with a pout and halfway-closed eyes, showing displeasure. “And what do you have against nerds?”
“Nothing! Look, I’d love to chat with you boys, but I’ve got things I’ve got to do. Catch you both on the flip side.” The chicken disappears into her apartment and closes the door.
“Yeah, right… Speaking of chatting and interacting.” Ralph turns to Zach. “I was thinking you and I could go out for a little hangout. What do you say?”
Zach stares at him, keeping silent for a few seconds before giving his answer. “I… guess I could… Let me just put some stuff away, first. I’ll join you out here.”
“Sounds good. I’ll wait for you.”
Zach makes an about-face to his door. Using a key, the fox unlocks the door and pushes it open, allowing him to walk into his SRO apartment. Upon entering, he gets a full view of the place; a long, rectangular room with all the essentials, including a kitchenette by the front door, a little living room area with a tv, and a full-sized bed in one corner with a small bathroom on the opposite corner. A rectangular window is placed between them. The fox heads for the bed. Going over, he takes off his backpack and hat, setting them onto the bed along with the bag of groceries. Examining the pieces of apparel before him, he then grabs at his blue bandana. His memory takes him back to the moment he left.

*** 

He stands outside the orphanage with his bag on his back and his cap fixed on his head. Before him stands a figure, covered from head-to-toe in a brown robe with a hood that resembles a medieval mage.
“All set?” asks the figure, toned in a female voice. The fox gives her a nod. “There’s nothing more I could do for you now except wish you luck.”
“I appreciate all you have done for me through the years,” the earlier Zach tells her. 
“Let me walk you off the grounds.” She pulls alongside the fox as they head for the gate. “It’s a shame I couldn’t help you any more than I wanted… I really did fight for you, Zach. I wish I could’ve adopted you as my own son, but alas, I wasn’t allowed.”
“I wish you did... You would’ve been an amazing mother.”
“Have you got everything you need?”
“Yes… It’s all in my bag; my diploma, my id, some food for the journey, money, and all the other stuff.”
“Good. Once you head out of town, proceed down the road and follow it to the bus terminal. Once there, get on a bus to Anitropolis. You should be okay there. I can’t really offer you any more guidance, so be careful.”
“I will. Thank you very much.” Once they stop at the edge of the gate outside the perimeter, the fox wraps his arms around the figure for a hug goodbye. After ten seconds, he lets go and proceeds out. 
“Well, well, well,” begins a wolf with a red armband, stopping the fox. “What do we have here? I thought you were kicked out of the orphanage, Flawed Fox. Why are you over here?”
“Hi, Jay…” He starts walking away. “It’s not of your business.”
The wolf gets in front of him, stopping the fox. “Yeah, right!” His tone becomes more aggressive. “Everything you do is my and the team’s business! You need to tell me where you’re going, now!”
“Just leave me alone… You and your teammates got what you wanted. You don’t need to worry about me anymore.”
“You’re not going anywhere! Now, I order you to tell me!”
“You have issues!”
“You’re damn right I have issues! I do everything to protect this town, and you come along and ruin everything for everyone! It’s no wonder why everyone hates you!”
Zach turns away. “This conversation is over…” He begins heading off. “Goodbye, Jay…” 
The wolf grabs onto the fox’s chest and lifts him up to face him. “Why you little punk! You’re dead meat, now!”
“Jacob the Wolf!” shouts the figure from nearby. “Put him down now!” The wolf growls. “You want me to report you to your mother and Master Ezma about your behavior?! You let Zach go right now and leave him alone!” The wolf keeps a grasp on the fox, not following orders. This prompts the figure to come over and grab him by the head, forcing the wolf to release the fox.
Jay opens his paw, letting Zach fall onto the ground, landing on his seat. The figure then lets go of his head. “You’re lucky, Flawed Fox! You won’t be so lucky next time!”
“Get out of here, Jacob! Scram!” Jay continues to growl, yet does as he’s told and wanders away, finally. The figure helps Zach off the ground. “You okay, Zach?”
“I think so,” Zach responds. “I think I’m going to have a bruised butt…”
“You’ll be getting worse wounds than that if you continue to stick around. You should go now, and be quick about it before more trouble comes about.” 
“Okay…” The fox starts walking away from her. Once he’s twelve yards from her, he pivots back to her. “Thank you for-”
“Just go!” interrupts the figure. Zach remains silent, faces away and begins to distance himself from the figure.

*** 

Zach is brought back to reality when he hears Ralph talking outside. After he puts his groceries in the fridge, he makes his way out of the apartment and closes the door.
“Ready?” asks Ralph.
“Yeah,” responds Zach. “I’m ready.” The two boys head down the hall and descend down the steps, exchanging small talk with each other as they do so.
Winnie peeks out from her door to catch a glimpse of them before they vanish from view. “Boys…” She backs up and closes her door.