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Next chapter of this old story just dropped! Here, we are introduced to one of my villains, Dylan the silver/black (and British, for some reason) fox!

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Back outside, Firefox and Fox were on the board walk, admiring a fancy neighbooring rental house.

“Ello?! Is somebody there?!”

The cry of help startled the couple. Fox looked stuned. “Look, over there!” He pointed to something behind Firefox.

Firefox spun around to face a handsome black fox, no younger than they were. But why was he on the ground? Suddenly, it dawned on her. This Fox’s leg was stuck in a hole in the ground!

“Omigosh, are you OK?” Firefox asked as she ran up to him.

“Yeah, I think so. I was just wandering about, admirering all the wonderfull houses, when my foot got caught in this rabit hole. I guess I wasn’t paying attention to my own clumsy footfalls.” The fox replied in a heavy British accent.

“How long have you been here?” Firefox asked as she and Fox tried to pull the skinny fox out of the hole.

“‘Bout an hour.” He replied.

With one final tug, the fox was freed from his prison.

“Well, thank you very much.” Said the fox before he brushed himself off.

“You’re welcome!” Firefox exclaimed.

Fox’s ears twitched uncomfortably.

“Are you going to the beach, then?” The fox asked. “May I join you?” He added.

Fox opened his mouth to say no. but Firefox spoke first.

“Of course you can!” She exclaimed.

The fox smiled brightly. Firefox felt her cheeks get hot. She turned away so no one could see. She started walking in the direction of the ocean, and the others followed.

“So tell me, what are your names?” The fox asked as they wa;led.

“I’m Firefox, and this is my….friend; Fox.” Firefox replied.

Fox was taken aback. Why didn’t Firefox say he was her boyfriend? Fox lowered his eyes to squints, and stared at the ground angrily.

“Firefox, Fox, it’s a pleasure. My name’s Dylan, but everybody calls me Buck.” Said the fox.

“Why do they call you Buck?” Firefox asked.

“I dunno, really.” Dylan replied, before blowing a streak of blonde hair out of his face.

“So Dylan, do you have a rental house around here?” Firefox asked.

“Well….I did. Until my anoying cuss of a brother kicked me out of it.” Dylan replied.

“Oh. That’s said.” Firefox said.

“Well, what can you expect? I’m the runt of the family….a disgrace….” Dylan’s voice trailed off as he stared off into space.

“Still, that’s no reason for your brother to treat you that way.” Firefox told him.

Fox gritted his teeth. He knew where this was going, and he didn’t like it one bit.

“Hey, Dylan, how would you like to join our lil group of friends?” Firefox asked.

Fox rolled his eyes and sighed.

Dylan stoped walking and stared at Firefox for a moment. “I-I’d love to join you! Of course, only if your friends don’t mind.” Dylan replied.

“They won’t mind at all. In fact, they’d love to have a new member.” Firefox asured him.

“Thank you, miss.” Dylan smiled.

Firefox returned his smiled, and they started walking again.

Fox tightened his jaw and stared at the back of Dylan’s neck with sheer hatred.

“Oh, but a warning to you; I got to bed early. I like to get an early start in the morning.” Dylan said.

“Oh really? I bet you turn into a pumpkin at night!” Firefox exclaimed.

Dylan chuckled nervously. He looked around guiltily through slightly gritted teeth. “Heh heh, nooo. Erm….how did you know about my pumpkin-ey powers?!” Dylan said sarcasticly, before returning to a relaxed state.

Firefox laughed out loud, and walked on with Dylan. Niether of them noticed that Fox was falling behind.

Fox clenched his fists, layed back his ears, showed his teeth and growled. He had had enough of this annoying Brit; Dylan. Suddenly, Fox stoped dead in his tracks. What if…. He thought. What if Firefox likes Dylan because he’s really skinny? Fox looked at his stomach and then at Dylan’s. Dylan was like a stick compared to Fox! Fox’s jealousy sky-rocketed. He decided enough was enough. Dylan had to leave. Now.

Fox was thinking of shoving Dylan off the board walk, when he remembered what Firefox had said the other night…..

“I love you for who you are, and you know that.”

Fox shook his head, and ran to catch up with the others. But he still had a twinge of jealousy and a pebble of doubt….

“So Dylan, What are you doing for Halloween? It’s coming up in about a week.” Firefox pointed out.

“Oh, nothing, really. How ‘bout you?” Dylan asked.

“I’m, I mean we are all going over to my Aunt’s house. It’s kind od a…tradition, I guess you’d call it. We’ve been going there for Halloween for….gee, before I can remember. My Aunt always has a big Halloween party that lasts almost all night. And then all the kids and teens have a sleep over at her house.” Firefox replied as the ocean finally came into view.

“Ooo that sounds like fun! May I join you this year?” Dylan asked.

“Sure thing! My Aunt always welcomes guests!” Firefox replied.

Fox exhaled sharply. Great. Now the little cod’s joining us for Halloween! He thought angrily.

“Oh, thank you Firefox! I’m so excited! My first Halloween get together!” Dylan said, half to himself.

“First party?” Firefox corrected.

“No, my first, real, Halloween.” Dylan told her.

Firefox started to say something, but fell silent as Phoenix joined them.

“Hello, dearie. Found a new friend I see?” Phoenix asked.

“Yeah. This is Dylan. Dylan, this is my friend; Phoenix.” Firefox replied.

“Hiya Dylan.” Phoenix said cheerfully.

“Ello, Phoenix.” Dylan repeated.

“Welp, I just came down here to take a little flight around the neighborhood on a mouse hunt. See y’all later.” Phoenix told them. “Oh, and you might want to let Fox catch up. He seems to be trailing behind.” She added in a whisper before lifting off again.

Firefox was about to go and sit with Fox on a sand dune, when, suddenly, Dylan grabbed her paw and pulled her to the ocean in search of pretty seashells. Imedietly, Firefox got distracted and forgot all about Fox. Phoenix lifted a talon and opened her beak to protest, but soon gave up and joined Fox on the dune.

“Sorry, dear. I tried.” Phoenix said sadly.

Fox didn’t reply. He just looked off into the distance, lost in thought.

“She seems to like Dylan alot. He seems like a nice guy. I should get to know him more….” Said Phoenix.

Fox snorted. “Yeah, and I’d like to wring his scrawny little neck.” He growled.

Phoenix lowered her eyes to squints, and flicked Fox’s shoulder with a sharp talon.

“OW!” Fox grabed his shoulder, which was now throbing painfuly.

“Don’t be so jealous, hon. She still loves you. As a boyfriend. More than she likes Dylan, whom she only likes as a good friend.” Phoenix told him.

“How do you….oh, right, mind-reading thing.” Fox said.

“Trust me, hon. She will always love you.” Phoenix smiled, and took to the skies again.

Just then, Firefox came running up to Fox excitedly. “C’mon, Fox! You have got to see this!” Firefox exclaimed.

Fox followed her to a beached jellyfish siting in the sand. With every step, he felt the jealousy lifting off of him. Firefox was happy that Fox was happy. She even kissed him on the cheek in aproval. But now, it was Dylan’s turn to be jelous. And he was definitly going to fix that.

*****