Empty Shells (reader insert)

Chapter 1

"(Fn)!" A small voice calls out as you sleep. "Wake up! You're going to be late for the day!"

You lazily roll over and open one eye. Sitting on the edge of your bed is a little plushy sized red fox with nine tails. It's heads is slightly tilted and eyebrows are furrowed down in annoyance. You close your eye and pull your blankets over your head.

"You know what happened the last time you slept in (Fn)?" The female fox's voice echoes through your mind. "You were late to your college classes and as punishment got assigned an extra 500 word essay. Not only that, you forgot to make me supper because you fell asleep at your desk typing." At the end there's a little whine in the fox's voice.

Not wanting the fox spirit to start biting you to get you up, which she has done in the past, you pull off the blankets and get up. "Warm milk or porridge with honey, Vulpes?"

At the question the small fox starts hopping up and down with excitement and happily shouting for porridge with honey. You shake your head silently at the usually strict spirit's child-like behaviour. It always puzzled you how beings that don't need to eat love eating human food. After taking a quick shower you come in the kitchen still towel drying your hair. Vulpes had already started the tape and filled the microwaveable measuring jar. The little fox is crouching and staring at the water as it starts to bubble on the countertop. "I thought I told you to stop using that fire power of yours in the house." You whine grabbing the porridge mix from the cupboard.

"If I don't the water wouldn't be ready in time." The fox says smugly jumping from the counter beside the sink and tapping across the tiled floor to the table. "Besides, I've been alive for millennias, it's not like I'm going to start a fire in here."

"Yeah yeah." You mumble still half asleep. After mixing the two bowls you carry them to the table and set them down at the two chairs. Vulpes jumps on the chair and starts licking up the porridge. You blow on your bowl to cool it off before you also start.

After quickly devouring the bowl the red fox licks its lips and smacks it's mouth in satisfaction before tilting her ears forwards and looking directly at you. "So, (Fn), there's something we need to disscuss." You put your bowl down and nod your head to show that you're paying attention. "Recently there's been an increase in the number of white spirits being hunted and killed. Normally, as you know only limited numbers of humans such as yourself, can see us. These hunters must be able to see white spirits somehow. This is dangerous news for you too so don't take this lightly. Every human that was connected with a white spirit that's been killed has gone missing. You need to be careful (Fn)."

"Vulpes, I'm always careful. You're the one that needs to keep an eye out. If this is as bad as you say,then you need to stay in the house. No following me around the day at classes anymore, ok? At least until this white spirit hunting thing is over." You say picking up the bowls and taking them to the sink. "You usually don't get worked up over these kind of things.is it really that bad?"

Vulpes looks down and takes a moment to answer. "One of the white spirits killed was Equus. He's been around almost as long as I have. If he was killed it means that these hunters are serious. Can you tell the spirit guarding your friend, I think her name is Ursa, that she needs to be careful. She's still inexperienced and can't even communicate with her human yet."

"Her 'human' is named Emily, and how am I going to tell Ursa? I can't really tell her when Emily is just standing there. She'll think that I'm crazy." You say packing your bag for today's classes. "Can't you just contact her with that telepathy spirit talk thingy that you guys do?"

"Haven't I at least after all these years taught you to respect the spirits? They do more for this world then you realize." Vulpes sighs jumping down the chair and walking to the couch to sit. You mentally face palmed at how you just walked yourself into another one of the fox's lengthy lectures. "We keep balance in the world from those who would wish to take advantage from you humans. We seek humans who have the ability to see us as they also have the potential to become white spirits and take our place. We stay with them from childhood to death to protect and train them. One day you'll. be a white spirit (Fn), and you need to understand the responsibility and dangers of that."

"Vulpes, I do. You've been with me since I was five. You were my first friend, you are my closest friend. You've been with me through everything. I understand all you have to deal with in order to protect us 'humans'." You walk over and gently scratch Vulpes between the ears where you know she loves to be petted. Her ears twitch and she struggles to keep her face straight. "So yes. I understand the responsibility and dangers you're talking about. I'll be fine. This isn't the first time something like this has happened Vulpes."

"Yes but, this feels different. More organized." Vulpes says jumping off the couch and sits with her back facing you. "Just, be careful (Fn). You know I don't worry easily. Now, go." She turns her neck and looks back at you with a small smile. "You're going to be late."

After checking the clock you realize that she's right. After grabbing your bag and saying a quick goodbye to the nine tailed fire fox you leave the apartment and lock the door. Once the door is closed you just lightly lean you're head on the wooden door. You've never seen Vulpes this shaken up. For a highest level white spirit to be scared by something like this, it's serious. "Just only three months left. Please let me make it, for Vulpes' sake."

You quickly pick yourself up and walk down the hallway. As you turn a corner you bump into someone and get pushed back. You look up and see a tall man with dark hair looking down at you with an annoyed expression on his face. His pale blue eyes pierce right through you. "Sorry! My bad." You say quickly apologizing and side stepping the intimidating man walk down the hallway. When you step into the elevator you take a quick peak back at the man down the hallway as the doors close. His eyes are still glaring at you.