We're Only Animals: Book 2 - Part 1: Building the Tower

Chapter 8 - Louis' Babysitting Service

Back to the beginning of the day...

After Louis had left the house, he used his phone to find the address that Selena had sent him, finding that it was relatively close by, which was good. He didn't have to take the train. He arrived a bit early and knocked.

The apartment complex was a bit dingy but looked like luxury compared to the Hidden Condo. Heavy footsteps lead up to the door. When it opened, Louis was face to face with an older wolf.

"Oh! You must be Louis!" The middle-aged man refrained from holding his hand out, instead bowing politely to the cervid. He was shorter than Legosi, and his fur was brownish and patterned differently.

"I am. It's nice to meet you, sir. Sorry if you're disappointed I'm an herbivore or something, but I'm sure you don't mind since your child is a hybrid? Well, a hybrid of carnivores...I'm rambling."

The wolf laughed, albeit a bit awkwardly. "No, no! Selena told me all about you. Well, Lee did, mostly. Please, come in." He ushered him in quickly. "I have to tell you everything before I have to leave. Oh, I'm Eiji, by the way."

"I'm Louis," the deer said. "But you, uh, knew that."

Eiji laughed again. The door opened right into the kitchen area, and the wolf pointed to the island in the middle. "So, Selena wrote up this schedule, although I don't think you'll need to really follow it. It's more like suggestions." He pointed his filed down nail to a few points. "Only things you need to really do are meals and his nap. Also, he's going to want to watch this DVD at some point." Eiji indicated the plastic box that was also on the counter, titled The Amazing World of Dinosaurs.

"Oh wow. I'm about to experience what having a childhood is like." He looked at the box with a sad smile.

An awkward silence fell after that statement. "...Well, Lee is still asleep," Eiji said, plowing through the deer's attempt at a joke. "We should wake him up now to tell him what's going on since he doesn't take sudden changes well. Since he likes you, though, it shouldn't be too difficult to get him to warm up."

The deer nodded. "I'll make sure I stay quiet while you do that."

Eiji nodded and dipped out, leaving the deer to explore the apartment.

Louis, being the polite soul he is, immediately went to the couch and sat down with his hands on his knees, rubbing them a bit nervously. He noticed some toys on the floor and thought about what all he could do to keep this hybrid child entertained.

He made note of the place. It was definitely small, the kitchen having led into a living room, which in turn led into a hallway with 3 doors, most likely two rooms and a bathroom. The place was well kept, if not a bit musty. The walls were covered in photographs of wolves and tigers, and many of a certain hybrid of the two. So this is what a real happy family is like...It's such a shame I'll never know it.

Eiji appeared once again, putting on a jacket. Light footfalls followed him and from the hallway appeared a sleepy wiger in his jammies. He was rubbing his eyes as he yawned, not taking notice of the deer yet.

Louis smiled seeing him again. He never learned to enjoy being sleepy as a kid. It was always get up and go. He supposed that's why he did it so much now as an adult who was free.

The boy's father crouched down and held him by the shoulders. "Now, I know mom is usually home on Sundays, so I hope you can behave yourself for Louis-san. Can you do that for me, champ?"

Lee nodded sleepily before looking over. He audibly gasped, a huge smile spreading over his once sleepy face. He started to jump up and down frantically, waving and flapping his arms as his strangely shaped tail didn't seem to know whether to wag or flick.