Thantophobia

Chapter 1: The Beginning

The sunlight flashing him with the light of the day, through the window could be heard the birds chirping. A familiar sound to Joshua, who was used to it by now.

Joshua opened his eyes, the light immediately clouding his vision, driving his eyes mad. He tried to sit up but the comfort of his bed would not let him. His bed didn't want to let go of the body within it. Joshua stretched his legs a bit and got up. Finding the motivation to at least sit up. He looked out the window, seeing what lied ahead of him.

He got out of bed, hesitantly and walked down the stairs, and saw the two faces he faced the most. His parents.

He saw his mother cooking breakfast for him and his father, both silent. His father imbedded in a small invention of his. To break the ice, Joshua greeted them with a simple,

"Good Morning".

"Hello, Joshua.", his Mother yawned.

He looked at his father, slightly more stern this time, annoyed that he had gotten no response from him.

"Good Morning, Father."

Still no response. Now Joshua's mother could see the anger on his face.

"David, Please say hello to our son."

David sighs,

"Good Morning, Joshua."

His father glanced at him for a second, and went right back to work on his small invention.

"He doesn't even greet me anymore. It's worse enough having to be a lowlife in this tribe. But then my own father only wants to talk to me when it's about him. He doesn't even care I'm here.", Joshua angrily thought.

"Joshua?" His mother called.

"Yeah?"

"Can you go to the marketplace please? We need some more fruit."

"Sure."

Joshua began to walk off, but just before opening the front door his Mother looked at him and said,

"Don't forget to get dressed, honey. It's getting colder outside, we can't have you getting sick!"

Joshua sighed and headed upstairs.

As Joshua headed outside, he adjusted his coat as the cold breeze hit his fur. As he walked down the dirt path he got stared at by random people. Some parents even shielding their kid's eyes. Though he was used to this, being a cross-breed and all.

The tribe Joshua lived in was one made of out cats and foxes. The cats generally were medics, doctors, and had simple jobs overall. The foxes were mostly rich and were seen as higher up of the rest. They had well paying jobs and were respected as the most powerful in the troops. Even though they did, nothing. But Joshua was a cross breed. His father was a fox, and his mother was a cat. Though this wasn't forbidden most were disgusted. It was seen across this community of people that cross-breeds don't belong. All because of this, it was decided by the leader that they may reside with them. But they would be low lifes. Not able to have expensive things, or have a good paid job, and Joshua hated it.

His clothes were practically rags, and the food he ate would always taste gross. Worst of all, everyone stared at him, made faces, and even some would make fun of him.

"At least it doesn't get violent.", Joshua thought.

He arrived at the fruit stand (that his family could afford) and asked for some mangos and pineapples. As his Mother asked of him. He paid for the fruit and walked off again. He put the now cold fruit in his backpack. Before he stumbled upon 3 foxes that looked his age.