Oren ~Two~

“Do not worry child. I will not hurt you.” the toy said soothingly.

The mouth of the fox did not move one inch, but it waved its arms about as it spoke. My mouth ran dry. I could feel my heart repeatedly throwing itself against my ribcage. I shakily made an effort to grab my phone. As soon as I laid my trembling fingers on the smooth casing, a soft paw rested on my hand.

“Please.”

I froze. The way the fox looked at me...something about it made me release my hold on the phone.

“Okay…” I said, still taking shaky breaths. “I won’t call anyone...fo-for now…” I backed up against the head of my bed, still terrified. The fox stood up on its hind legs and walked closer.

“Don’t m-move!” I commanded the toy. Its tiny brows turned upward in confusion.

“I already said I would not harm you. Do you not trust me?”

“No.” I said flatly. This seemed to hurt the toy, who promptly sat down on its haunches again. We stayed like that for a few minutes. The fox staring sullenly down at my bedsheets as I, a boy of fourteen, remained pressed against the headboard of my bed in fear.

Come on Oren! Pull yourself together! It’s not like he has anything to attack you with! And you’re how many times bigger than him?

“I’m willing to talk.” the fox said, as if it could sense that I was calming down. I nodded faintly.

“How can you speak?” I asked it right off the bat. “And what are you doing in my room?” I praised myself for covering up the shakiness of my voice.

“I do not know why I can speak, nor how I came to be in your room.”

“So you know that normally I’m not supposed to be talking to toys?”

“Yes.”

“But you have no idea how you can speak?”

“No.” The fox confirmed.

Great. Just great.

“Well…” I continued, sliding slowly off the bed. “You can’t stay here at any rate.”

“Why not? I like it here!” the fox replied, suddenly cheery. “Besides, anybody could use another friend.”

I froze again.

Friend. Me becoming friends with a toy fox? I wanted friends yes, but not that badly. People would think I was crazy.

“Nobody has to know I can talk either.” the fox’s eyes seemed to sparkle and if it could, I was sure it would be grinning.

“It can be our secret.”

Our secret?

“I already told you that you can’t stay. I’m not partnering up with you on some...secret.” I snapped.

For all I know this could be some crazy dream. I didn’t feel like cooperating with it.

My fear of the talking plush gone, I stormed over and swept it into my arms. I thundered down the steps and dashed out of the front door. My shoes crunched the autumn leaves scattered in the grass as I made my way to the backyard. I did my best to ignore the slightly warm toy snuggled against my chest. At last I stopped. My eyes scanned the familiar forest that started from our backyard and continued on for miles.

“There.” I said with finality. The fox turned around in my arms to face the forest. It immediately shook its head rapidly.

“How will I manage in there? I’m made of fabric! I’ll be destroyed in a day!” It wailed. I sighed as it gave me a hug.

Nothing this creature could do would ever change my-

“Please let me stay with you.”

I stiffened as I felt the tiny arms wrap around what it could of my chest. Something changed. It was like there was another energy flowing through me. A foreign, but still calming energy. I didn’t exactly make me feel happy...but I didn’t feel like leaving the fox anymore. At least not today.

“Fine. You can stay for now.” I found myself saying. The fox released me and the strange energy left along with it.

“Thank you.” the fox said, its eyes shining with gratitude. “I know we’ll be great friends.”

Again with the friend thing.

“I never said we were going to be friends.” I retorted before kneeling down and placing him in the grass. I figured I might as well stay out here. The fresh air helped relieve the stress of the day.

“Are you sure you don’t remember anything about yourself?” The fox shook its head.

“Not even your name?” I received the same reply.

“Would you like to name me?” It asked excitedly.

Haha. Cute.

“No.” I replied dryly. “But I have to call you something.”

“Oren! Oren!” I turned to face Erin running towards me.

“What is it Rin?” I asked her, a faint smile on my face.

“Nothing. I just wanted to know where you were. I haven’t seen you all day. Other than when you first came in of course. But you only gave me a quick hug- which doesn’t count,” my sister rambled on breathlessly.

She never failed to amuse me.

“Well congratulations. You’ve found me.” I chuckled.

“What’cha doin out here?” the seven year old asked, plopping down next to me

Oh I’m just talking to a toy fox I found on my bed. Wanna join me? Right. What could I say?

As I struggled to come up with something, she noticed the fox.

“Where’d you get that?” she asked enthusiastically, pointing at the plush. I glanced back over at the fox. He had gone limp. The shine is his eyes was gone. He looked like a normal toy.

Was I just hallucinating the entire conversation?

“I- Uh.” Before I could stop her, she reached out and grabbed the toy.

“He’s so pretty…” She gushed, holding him gently in her hands. I was torn between snatching it from her, or just waiting and hoping it would speak again.

If it ever spoke at all…

By now my sister was patting its head and talking to it. I didn’t pay attention to what she saying. Instead, I focused intently on the plush. I didn’t like her touching it.

“She’s so sweet. What is her name?” I heard a voice say. The fox had returned to its ‘live’ state and was looking directly at me as he spoke. Not bothering to answer the plush I hastily looked at my sister. She was completely unfazed.

How can she be so calm? The fox just spoke out of nowhere! She should have dropped him and taken off running by now!

“Erin! Don’t you hear him?” I cried out in desperation.

“Hear what?” She asked, surprised at my tone.

“You shouldn’t scare her.” The fox chided, still cuddled in her arms. He reached up to stroke her strawberry-blonde hair. She didn’t even flinch. It was like…

She can’t see him moving.

“Sorry... “ I told her gently. “I just- What is the fox doing right now?” The fox struck a pose in her arms. I frowned. Erin held it in front of her face.

“What are you talking about Ore? He isn’t doing anything. He can’t do anything. He’s just a toy.” She told me, confusion written all over her face. The fox now had its paws covering its mouth as it seemed to fight back laughter. I began to panic.

She can’t hear him either. This is bad. No. Not bad. This is horrible. I must be crazy now. What am I going to do-

“Are you okay?” she asked, looking at my panicked expression.

“I’m fine!” I squeaked. I quickly forced a smile. I took the fox, who had now burst into a long fit of laughter, back from her. I stood up and started back towards the house.

I need some time to think.