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

Chapter 72 - Existential Dread: Starring Go of the Branded

Author's Note: HI! It's me, Niles! I just wanted to apologize for writing yet another texting chapter. I don't know how people really feel about them but I really love writing them and it's a lot easier for me to write with my busy schedule.  Even so, this is an extremely important one so I hope you love it!

=^.^=

The rest of the therapy was uneventful, as most of what needed to be talked about had been brought up. There was more worrying about the essay, but Rikona continued assured them it would be fine. Before they knew it, their time was up and they went home.

As they got inside Legosi stared at the stack of paper they had bought for making the party posters, knowing that now they'd serve another purpose.

Louis noticed this. "All we need to do is write the essay and get it over with."

"Yeah," Legosi agreed. "But...we have a week. What was that you were talking about before?"

"What do you mean?"

"About the person that wanted to talk to you."

"Go?"

Legosi shrugged. "I don't know, you didn't say. It was him?"

"Yeah, it was. Thank you for reminding me I need to text him."

The wolf walked over to the couch and lays on his back, opening his arms up invitingly.

The buck grinned, joining him right where he belonged, a hand laid flat on his strong chest. "I don't know. He seems...different than the other Branded."

"Are they all the same?" Legosi asked, curiously.

"I meant he seems like more of an outsider than them. Like he doesn't belong there."

"And you have his phone number?"

"I have it in my burner phone. Wait...Does that mean I could...message Hachi?"

"Hm? Is that the one that doesn't talk?"

"It is."

"Huh." Legosi nuzzled Louis' shoulder. "So, who to message first?"

"Go. More important," Louis responded.

"Is it weird that I can see? Should I look away for his privacy?" the canine asked with worry.

"I think it should be okay. He doesn't know you know, remember?"

"Sounds good." He brought up his phone and looked down at it.

Shi: Hey, Go.

Not even a few minutes passed before the panda responded.

Go: Finally.

Shi: What?

Go: You used that weird-shaped head of yours and thought to message me.

Shi: I just got back from therapy. Sorry. Plus, our relationship is...something.

Shi: I was going to type weird but that's not the word.

Go: Whatever.

Shi: So what's been going on lately?

Go: Just too much. It's hard to talk about. Especially here.

Shi: I get that. I'm sorry. But I feel like you're...reaching out?

Go: I am, and I'm not. I want to talk about it, but I just think it's really dangerous.

Shi: You text way differently than I thought you would.