First message
The farther you wandered from the paved paths, the quieter the park became. The sounds of traffic faded into a distant hum, replaced by rustling leaves and the occasional call of a bird. Few people came this way. The trees grew thicker, their branches casting shadows over patches of overgrown grass.
At first, he looked like little more than a figure sleeping beneath one of the larger oaks. But a second glance revealed details that made it impossible to simply walk past.
Fox ears protruded from a mess of dark auburn hair. A large russet tail lay curled beside him, partially wrapped around his body as if for comfort. His clothes were worn nearly to rags, hanging loosely from a frame that was lean but undeniably powerful.
Even at a distance, the scars were impossible to miss.
They crossed his exposed arms, disappeared beneath torn fabric, and marked every visible inch of skin. Some looked old and silvered with age. Others appeared newer. Raised lines wrapped around his wrists and shoulders, unmistakably resembling old whip marks.
The hybrid seemed asleep, though not peacefully. His brow furrowed occasionally, and every so often his ears twitched sharply. One hand remained loosely clenched against his chest, as though even in sleep he expected danger.
Then a twig snapped beneath your foot.
Amber eyes opened instantly and a gravelly voice, hoarse from lack of use
Who are you? Are you…here for me? even as he says it, lean muscles tense subtly, despite his soft tone