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The next day, Ash perused the morning paper. “What are you looking for, Ash?” Mr. Fox asked as he entered the metallic dining room where Ash sat.
“Oh, nothing, just reading a human interest story.”
“Smart man.” Mr. Fox replied in all sincerity. “Good to know when those farmers will finally be off our tails.”
But Ash wasn’t reading about the farmers. His eye had played on an interesting article about fox domestication. It was the wildness of Ash’s family that had gotten themselves, as well as the rest of the valley, in trouble in the first place. Supposedly, according to what he read, some foxes, just like dogs, had become quite domesticated to humans. The thought, Ash mused as he put the paper down, of living with humans, getting food whenever you wanted, not having to run and dig away all the time. Ash smiled. It was worth a shot.
“Hey, Mom, I’m gonna’ go out for a bit.” Ash said long after his father went to work.
“Alright Ash.” Mrs. Fox said, peeling potatoes.
Ash exited his house, which had no door, and quickly ducked around a corner.
Pausing for a moment, Ash listened. Convinced no one was nearby, he quickly jogged down the nearby hallway to get to the store ladder. It would be easy enough to sneak out and get to the science lab, where these experiments with foxes. Ash was about to climb when he heard a voice.
“What are you doing, Ash?” It was Agnes.
“Whuh?!” Ash conked his head on the ladder and quickly rubbed his head.
“What are you doing here?” Ash said quickly, his voice low, looking around worriedly in case someone heard him.
“I read an article on domestication. I know that’s where you’re going.” Agnes paused, looking worried herself. “I, I want to help Kristopherson.”
Ash paused. “You really like him, don’t you?”
Agnes paused, then nodded.
Ash nodded. “Ok,” with that, he stepped aside so Agnes could climb first, then followed her up.
Agnes had seen the layout of the store, and quickly climbed out, ducking for the cover of a shelf. It seemed to be near closing hours, with only one or two persons walking about checking on the foodstuff. Quickly the two moved from one shelf to the other. The two looked around quickly, than ran ducked over along a shelf line, constantly watching for danger. Finally the two reached the edge of a shelf, diving in behind a bread basket where they caught their breath.
“I didn’t know, *pants*” Ash said, “that you had experience in reconnaissance.”
Agnes panted, looking at him, “I don’t.” she shook her head.
“Well,” Ash panted, “you’re doing quite well-”
“SHH!” Agnes said, covering Ash’s mouth, which Ash looked at a few seconds afterwards. A pair of footsteps tromped by.
“We should go.” Agnes said, then crept out. The pair quickly dashed through shelves and soon made it out of the store and into the dark night.