Excerpt:

“Well, helloooo there.”
Sol jumped back and noticed a fox standing atop a tree stump a few feet away from him. He couldn’t breathe and he couldn’t move.
“The polite thing to do at this juncture would be to say ‘Hello’ back,” said the fox scathingly.
“I’m sorry. You scared me is all,” Sol was on his toes, ready to run if need be, “Hello.”
“That’s better,” the fox jumped down off the stump and slowly circled Sol. He sniffed the air around him, “You smell funny…”
“I’m sorry.”
“…but delicious.”
Sol turned to run but the fox was quicker than he and jumped in front of him. Sol skidded to a halt and fell on his back. The fox leapt onto his chest and stuck his muzzle in Sol’s face, inching his way closer and closer until their noses touched. His breath was hot and smelled dreadful.
“Going so soon?” The fox’s words were slow and deliberate.
Sol was frozen.
“I don’t want any trouble sir. It’s time for me to get back to the house. They will be looking for me.”
“Don’t let them fool you boy. They pretend to care for you. They give you good food and fires to sit by, some pleasant conversation, but what is that really?”
Sol stared at the fox, not sure if he should answer.
“Stuffing, I say.”
“Stuffing? I don’t understand.”
The fox rolled his eyes and sighed. “What I mean is, they are preparing you.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“You will. Believe me you will.”
“I think you are lying.”
“My purpose is not to deceive my boy, only to inform,” the fox turned and stepped off of Sol, a grin was across his face.
Sol was now able to sit up. He went to stand and the fox leapt at him. They were on all fours, face to face again.
“They are my friends. They said they would help me any time I needed them. Anytime…anything I needed, I just have to ask.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes.”
“Do you feel you need them now?”
“Yes.”
“Are you afraid?”
“Yes.”
“Well call on them then. You will see that I am right,” the fox sneered.
“I will. Chester said to call him when I was in trouble.”
“Ha ha ha. Chester? That old bloke?” The fox snapped at Sol, “You really think he can save you from me?”
“Yes.”