FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

I sat at my work desk in my office. I was working from home for once. Which honestly surprised me because they need me at the building a lot.

"Mom! Mom!" A child shouted my name, running over to me.

My name is Emma Jewels. I'm a single fox mother. Or a widowed one at that. My husband passed away a few years ago. Now, I live alone with my ten-year-old son, Elijah. Things are well, but it gets rough sometimes.

Turning away from my computer, I looked at my son. "Yes, Eli?"

"Can we go out somewhere tonight? Please! Pleeease!"

I adore Eli. He's always wanting to go out and enjoy spending time with his mother. Though I just don't have enough time in the day anymore. "Sorry, sweetie," I responded with a sigh. "I have to work late again."

His ears lowered, and his tail drooped on the floor. "Again?"

I didn't want to break the young fox's heart, but it's just reality. I have to make sure we have money. "Yes. I'm very sorry, Eli."

He hugged me tightly. "It's okay, mommy. I know you work hard!"

Smiling, I kissed Eli on his forehead. "I'll see if we can do something later tonight, okay?"

His ears perked up and his tail wagged with joy. "Awesome! I hope we can really do something!" Soon, he ran out of the room. I hope he'll kill some time while I work.

I sighed and got back to my work on my computer. Hopefully, I can spend some time with him. That's why I'm working quicker now. Getting these documents done efficiently. Even if it's just the two of us, it's so hard to interact with my son. Or... well... I should say, hard to spend time with him. Sometimes I wish I could have some help. Another guy could work, but I barely have time to go out there and mingle.

As I typed my paws away, something popped up on the side of my computer screen. It was an ad.

It read: Life problems? Need a support group that can help you with anything? Click here!

Usually, I don't click on random ads, but I was interested in this one. Heartbeats passed, and I clicked on it. The ad took me to some dark and eerie website. The colors were a mixture of crimson and black with hints of chrome.

I almost left the site until it read: WE'RE HERE TO HELP at the top.

I had to scroll further. There's a ton of information here. This group is called The Guiding Paw. Seems like a pretty neat little group! This is sketchy, and it's a little unbelievable... I just wish the site was more appealing. Especially for a support group!

Well, it says here that they can help with everyday tasks and jobs. There's even a section here for taking care of kids! They have many pictures of numerous cheerful members. Or at least I hope they're members! Let's look at some of these reviews.

"My life's better now! The Guiding Paw is the best support group in the world!"

"The Guiding Paw is the greatest!"

"We'll rule the world."

Huh. That last review is weird.

"The Guiding Paw is higher than the gods themselves!"

Seems like this person is, uh... very enthusiastic about the group!

"Join us now."

I just might. So, I scrolled down, seeing a JOIN NOW button in some cryptic-like letters. I clicked on it.

What's the worst that could happen?

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Oh, someone's at the door. I got up and hurried out of my room. I stopped at the door, hesitating for a few heartbeats. There was something super ominous about this. Let me just... open the door.

Creeeeeeak...

A black cat woman stood before me with a wide smile on her face. "Welcome to The Guiding Paw!" She began. The feline gave me many pamphlets and papers. "Here's everything you need to know! I'm Kim, and I'll be your personal assistant!"

Personal... what? This is a lot to take in already. Plus. There's so much more information. How could I ever read this all?

"All right! Let's get started!" Kim meowed. "Where's your son at?"

"He's in his room... wait. How do you..."

The cat woman walked off without another word. What the hell? I followed her because I... just need a few answers.

She went into Elijah's room. I was right behind her. What was she about to do? My worry increased with each heartbeat. Then I opened the door.

She sat on the bed with my son, reading a crimson colored book. It reminded me of the site from earlier.

Looking up at me, Kim kept that wide grin on her face. "Hey, Emma! Just showing Eli here this book about The Guiding Paw!"

"Yeah!" Eli beamed, making me glance at him. "It's a super cool group!"

How does she know my son's name? How does she know my name? What the hell is going on? I need her to answer me, damn it!

"Kim," I started, taking a few deep breaths in and out. "How do you... know so much about Eli and I? You just came to our house! How do you have all of this information?"

She tilted her head, blinking at me. "Oh! I knew your husband. He was in the group before he passed."

That makes sense... I think. "Why hasn't he told me about you? Or about this group? How did he contribute to it?"

"Well, he helped a lot with our organization," Kim replied. "Though he was only part of The Guiding Paw for a little while. Pretty temporary! He said little to you because he didn't want to ruin the surprise!"

My husband was very secretive. This... makes sense in a way. It all sounds so weird, but... I'll deal with it.

"You just finish your work! I'll help you out in a few minutes, then we can watch a movie!" Kim meowed.

"Sounds good. Just... have fun reading, okay?"

"We will!" Elijah and Kim answered together.

I left the room as they went back to that book. As creepy as this all seems, The Guiding Paw seems like a very helpful group! Though I just know something's up. I'm just thinking too much, but something's eating at me in the back of my mind. Why am I reacting so little to all of this?

Whatever, I'll just get back to work. Kim said that she'd help me, right? Does she even know... never mind, let's just see how this goes.

Hesitantly, I went back into my room.

Kim was already at my desk, using my computer! What in the world? I just saw her! The cat woman turned to me, smiling. "Hey, Emma! Your work's almost done! Just had to finish up some essential parts!"

What? I scurried over to her, looking over everything she did. Surprisingly... everything looks perfect. How does she even know what I do? "That's uh... awesome, Kim. You did an excellent job," I responded. What the hell do I even say to this?

She hopped out of my chair and grabbed my paw. Then she took me out of that room and into the living room. Elijah was already there. I guess she told him to wait for us.

My son turned to me, waving. "Hi, mommy!" He giggled. "Are you ready to watch this movie?"

"Didn't you want to go out somewhere before?" I questioned, almost hesitating to walk over to the couch.

"Yeah, but Kim told me about this sweet movie made by The Guiding Paw! I want to watch it!"

I turned to Kim. "I didn't know the group made movies. That's neat!"

Nodding, Kim giggled. "Yep! The Guiding Paw has made many movies over the years!" The cat woman took me over to the couch and we sat down with Eli.

This movie seemed like... a mixture of things as we watched it. Comedy, horror, romance, and adventure. So many themes in one! Kim told me the movie was called Hold My Paw. It's honestly not bad, but I felt weird watching it. Don't know why, but... I'm sure it's fine.

*

I woke up. I didn't even realize I fell asleep. Elija was asleep next to me, leaning against me while he snored.

"Good to see you awake, sleepy vixen!"

I whipped my head over to Kim in shock. My husband was the only one who ever called me that.

It's just a coincidence.

It's just a coincidence.

"What's wrong?" The feline questioned, tilting her head. "Did I say something bad?"

"No. Nothing's wrong. I think we should get Eli into bed."

"Right, right! Let's do that! I'll help!"

I picked my son up, and we headed into his room. We tucked him into bed soon after. The cat woman smiled at me while we exited, and I couldn't help but give a tiny smile back. This has been a very weird start with this group. I'm glad Kim showed up right at my doorstep to help me get through it.

Something else popped up in mind as we went back to my living room. I glanced at Kim. "Hey, Kim? What are the other Guiding Paw members doing? Where are they at right now?"

"Oh!" the feline reacted, grinning. "They're off doing their own work involving the group! I'm sure you and Eli will meet them soon!"

"That sounds nice. I'm sure they're as great as you," I complimented her. She deserves it for being so helpful.

She giggled. "Aw! You flatter me, Emma! This'll be the best friendship ever!"

I patted the cat woman's head. For someone who immediately knew where I live, she's been incredibly nice and kind to Elijah and I. She's already made it so I can spend some time with him. This just thrills me!

Joining The Guiding Paw may have been my best decision yet.

*

It has been a few weeks since I've joined The Guiding Paw. Kim's been at my house for a while, leaving every now and again. I feel like Eli's gotten more distant from me. He talks to Kim a lot when the three of us are hanging out, but when I try to talk to him myself, he just gives me a quiet reply or he shrugs.

Am I doing something wrong?

He always wants to spend time with me.

Well, he never really had any friends. So, Kim being there for him helps a lot. Though he doesn't eat with me in the kitchen now. He's always with Kim.

I guess I shouldn't worry much about it. Even though he's talked about The Guiding Paw a ton. We've watched a bunch of their movies. There's so many of them. It's like they make a movie every day. They've been around for so long. Plus, Elijah and I always fall asleep during each movie. It's like it puts us in an odd trance.

Now I'm just talking crazy.

I'm sure Elijah will open up to me later and talk to me some more.

*

I feel so distant from my son now. He barely looks in my direction and is always spending time with Kim.

This is getting worse as the days go on. All I wanted was to spend more time with Eli. That's all I wanted.

What do I do?

While Kim was in my room. I walked up to her. "Hey, Kim?"

"Hm?"

"Does Eli seem more distant from me lately?"

"Oh! Maybe, but that's fine. He's been in his feelings a bit lately!"

In his feelings? I guess that makes sense... "Just let me know if something bad is going on, okay?"

Kim smiled. "I sure will! He's been so obsessed with The Guiding Paw lately!"

"Right..."

*

I haven't seen Elijah or Kim all day.

I've never been this worried about my son. She did something to him. I swear she did. He spoke another language a few days ago. She did something.

Immediately, I barged into his room.

My son was on the floor, passed out. "Elijah!" I yelled, running over to him and picking him up. "Elijah! Wake up!"

Kim did this. She did this.

She...

Wham. Something slammed into the back of my head, knocking me out.

*

Gasping, I opened my eyes. I was in a room lit up by candles. I panicked, seeing a group of people in front of me with brown cloaks on. My panic increased once I saw my son next to me. Tied up and still knocked out.

"Where am I?" I screamed at them with tears in my eyes. "Who the fuck are you people?"

One walked up to me, revealing their familiar feline face under a metallic orange mask. It was Kim. She had an enormous dagger in her paw.

"Kim? What's going on? Help me and Eli!" I pleaded.

She shook her head, rubbing the sides of her dagger. "I can't do that, Emma. Especially since the blood of the Jewels is right in front of me."

"What? What the hell are you talking about?"

Kim stepped closer to me, grinning. "You have blood we can sacrifice to our lord, Garuda. She accepted your husband's blood."

I stared at her in disbelief.

Kim killed my husband?

She tapped my cheek with her blade. "It took us so long to find you and your son."

I said nothing. More tears fell down my face as I lowered my head.

"I knew if I sent ads out, I'd find you!" She meowed, lifting my head again with her knife.

My voice quivered. "Why are you doing all of this?"

"I told you," she began. The cat woman walked over to my son and placed that horrid knife near his neck. "You two have the perfect blood we can sacrifice. Blood that'll please my blood god, Garuda."

Panic singed through my body, and I screamed. "Stay away from him! Please! I beg of..."

Slap. She smacked me across the face. "Shut the hell up, sacrifice. Nothing you say will stop me."

I tried my hardest to persuade her. "You and Eli got so close with each other in a short amount of time! You can't do this to him! Take my life and not his! Let him live!"

In a heartbeat, she slit his throat open.

I watched my son die in front of me. Kim kicked him into a hole behind me.

"ELIJAH!"

Kim slit my throat open. Blood spilled from my maw as I lost all feeling in my body. She kicked me into the hole as my life faded from my eyes.

I saw nothing but darkness.

*

The Guiding Paw's cult leader, Kim, stared down the hole she kicked the rest of the Jewels family into. Her smile faded from her face as she gave up her cheerful act. She wanted to feed more blood to the blood god.

She looked at the reader as a terrifying roar echoed from the hole.

"Look behind you."