With Good Company: Grimm Beginnings

  Another day in the Big Apple… Another street going by my side as I walked… Another morning had come and gone, afternoon taking its place, the sun high at its peak and shining on my fur. I smiled, taking in the wonderful feeling of the hustle-bustle city life around me. People passed me by, sometimes nudging me aside gently with their feet, but I didn’t mind, as long as they didn’t really kick me. The city is crazy, filled with dreams and clashing ideals, but everyone has one thing in common: they have thoughts like that.
  But enough about the city life I live in… How about me? Don’t you want to know my story?

  It was three-O’ clock P.M., and Grimm was walking down the street. His stomach growled deeply, and his ears pinned back. He was hungry, but didn’t know where he would get the food his stomach wanted so badly. He glanced down some alleys, but he couldn’t find any garbage cans to dig through. He turned a corner, and up ahead, past the crosswalk, was a hotdog vendor. He could smell the hot, meaty dogs from his position as the breeze blew it his way, and his stomach groaned louder in longing.
  The starving dog licked his chops heavily, and he began to move forward, trying to come up with his own idea to get some of the hotdogs. Within a few steps, he paused, ears perked. Past the city noise of music, cars rolling by, and people chatting, he could hear faint voices that sounded like they were coming out of the alley to his left. Turning, he went in, hiding behind some cardboard boxes to get closer. The voices got louder the closer he got, but he could only go so far before his boxes ran out, so he tried peeking over them.
  From his position, he could see a Terrier mix, a Bulldog, and a huge Great Dane right off. Scooting his head over to try and get a better view, he saw a Saluki a bit behind the Dane and just next to her was a cat. Grimm’s eyes widened with surprise, wondering why a cat was hanging with a group of dogs. He tried to listen to the Terrier mix speaking; he seemed to be making directions but had a constant frown on his calculating face.
  “Hey man! What are you doing here?!” A sharp voice barked right behind him, making him jump with a slight yelp, making the other dogs look over. Grimm turned around quickly, but didn’t see anyone behind him. “Down here!” The voice growled, and Grimm felt his leg bitten a bit and he jumped back into the boxes, collapsing some under him. He held his footpaw up and hanging on was a Chihuahua, growling at him around his leg. Moments later, he saw the other dogs and the cat over him.
  This isn’t good… He thought, nose stating to get a nervous sweat, I gotta get out of here!
  “Hey Tito, why don’t you get off the guy’s leg? I want to talk to him.” The mix said, his eyes brightening up and a roguish smile forming on his face. The Chihuahua glanced at him then at the dog’s leg, both of which were still in the air. “Oh, right.” The Terrier said, pushing Grimm’s leg down to the ground.
  The small dog released the appendage, backing off. “Thanks Dodger.”
  “No problem.” Dodger replied, then looking back at Grimm on the ground. “Mind standing up for me, dog?” The Shep-Chow mix quickly stood, afraid of the dogs surrounding him and not wanting to make them mad at him. Dodger began to circle around him, checking his size, his tail beginning to wag as he grinned.
  The other dogs watched curiously, wondering what their leader was up to. Soon Dodger sat in front of Grimm, his grin staying. “He’s perfect, we have our tripper.”
  “What…?” Grimm said, blinking. What does this guy mean by ‘tripper?’
  “Dodger, not trying to tell you you’re wrong, but isn’t he a bit young to be trying something like this?” The Saluki asked. “He only seems to have just come into his older years…”
  Grimm bristled a little. “I’m eighteen!” He said, a bit offended, feeling she was judging him by his size. Before anyone else could say a word, the big Dane stepped forward and began to sniff the Shepherd mix, eventually having his big nose in his ear and sniffing deep, making Grimm shiver and giggle as warm air was blown into his ear. Everyone stared at him for his strange behavior, before he looked back at them.
  “I like him, he seems nice.” The big dog said, smiling in his big, doofus way.
  Dodger chuckled. “You heard Einstein, he’s okay.”
  “Well if he likes him, I guess he is fine.” The cat said, walking up to Grimm. “I’m Oliver.”
  “Grimm.” He replied, relaxing. Seeing he really was okay, everyone introduced themselves properly, and Grimm felt comfortable with the crew now. “So… Dodger, what did you mean when you said you guys had your tripper?”
  “Simple.” He chuckled, smiling wide. “I’m sure you saw the hotdog vendor across the street, am I right?” Grimm gave a nod to show what he was talking about. “Well, other than Francis here, we needed someone to trip up the vendor. Depending where he is or where he’s facing, Einstein here,” he motioned a paw at the big, dim dog, “is going to jump on him, and knock him over one of you two, which’ll give us a chance to grab some dogs and get out of there.”
  “And we’ll be jumping all over his face, covering his eyes, bouncing on his nose, all that fun stuff.” Tito added with a grin, pulling Oliver in for a noogie, which the cat quickly escaped.
  “Anywhere in particular we’re going?” Grimm asked, tilting his head.
  “Back to our home, a ship forever docked under the bridge, dark and tragic.” Francis said somberly.
  “Jeese Frankie, way to make our home sound so dark and gloomy eh?” Tito said, bouncing around the Bulldog’s paws, dodging a quick swipe at his head.
  “It’s Francis you annoying little imp!” He growled as Tito snickered at him.
  “Cool it guys, we need to focus on the plan.” Dodger said with an exasperated roll of his eyes. The two quieted down, but Francis continued to glare a bit at Tito.
  The Shepherd mixed glanced at everyone before he spoke. “So… When do we kick the plan into action Dodger?” The Terrier didn’t answer, going to the end of the alley and peeking around the corner to check.
  “Almost time guys…” He grumbled, eyes set on their goal. “Come on… Turn around… Now!”
  All the dogs shot out of the alley and towards the vendor, jumping cars like they were nothing. Grimm stayed close to Einstein, scared stiff about the car jumping but quickly getting the hang of it as he followed. Soon the gang was by the vendor, and like an instinct Grimm got behind the man running the thing and crouched down to keep steady. Einstein went around and pounced him in front, the man stumbling but tripping over Grimm, getting him to the ground.
  When the man was on the ground, Francis got on his stomach to pin him down a moment, Oliver and Tito jumping on his face, making him yell in surprise. Grimm darted around to Dodger, Rita, and Einstein, who were grabbing hotdogs quickly, and helped take some himself. The dogs tasted so good, but he stopped himself from eating them, knowing they had to get away. As they got the last of the dogs, Dodger gave a sharp bark to let them know they were leaving and darted off, Oliver and the other two canines getting off the vendor and darting off behind everyone. Einstein stayed with Grimm to help him keep up, hotdogs wrapped around his own thick neck as he ran.
  The rush from the heist felt great to the short dog, sent his heart racing, and made him want more action. He knew he could get this thrill with this group, but he had a slight concern about it. What if they just wanted him for this one stand? Then what could he do?

  Everyone was soon at the ruined boat, patting backs, high fiving, and just enjoying themselves from a plan well done. Grimm enjoyed the atmosphere, being friendly as it was. After a bit of congratulations, the dogs settled down and started to eat. The Shepherd-Chow mix enjoyed the taste of the warm dogs, especially since his stomach had been empty for quite awhile. Tito went over and turned on their TV at some point, and they all enjoyed the show on.
  Grimm was hardly aware of what was on, being too full and happy to really pay attention, especially being around with his new friends. After a bit of time, all the dogs heard a noise on the stairs, Grimm curiously looking over. Down the stairs came all the canine’s owner, Fagin. He seemed tired, but the sight of him made Grimm want to hide since he didn’t know whether or not this guy would let him stay. Before he could move, Dodger cast him a look that told him wait, so he didn’t move.
  “It was a long day you guys…” Fagin said with a groan as he passed them, but then he paused and looked at them, noticing Grimm and Oliver. Seeing the familiar orange cat, he smiled. “Well, look who came to visit.” He chuckled, picking the cat up, who promptly gave his hand a lick.
  Then he noticed Grimm. “And who is this guy?” He wondered, reaching a hand slowly to the mix. Grimm shied away a bit, but let out a content growl as his head was pet and scratched. Then Fagin reached to his tag on his collar and checked it over. “Grimm… Nice to meet you then, Grimm.”
  Fagin then looked at the cat he was holding. “You should get home, Jenny might miss you.” Oliver mewed at him, and then the poor man set him down.
  “See ya guys.” He said, the others giving their own farewells before he left. When he was gone, Dodger nudged some hotdogs Fagin’s way, who picked them up with a nod of thanks before going to his chair. The Terrier was about to start eating again, but he noticed Grimm was tired and needed a place to sleep.
  “Hey Einstein, you care to help our new, tired friend find a place to sleep for the night?” He asked the Dane, who seemed a bit tired himself. He shook his head, then looked at Grimm.
  “Come on, I think I know the spot for you.” He said, yawning. Grimm nodded, then Einstein started to lead, bony tail wagging slowly. He went to a door that he pushed open, leading down a long hallway. There were holes in the wall to let moonlight in so they could see, and they went down. As they went, the dim Dane thought it would be nice to have a bit of conversation.
  “So how do you think today went Grimm?” He asked, smiling back at the younger dog tailing him.
  “Pretty well.” The mix said dozily. “I hope it all goes that way, it was fun.”
  “And how do you like our home?”
  “Cozy place for sure, I never want to leave.”
  “Maybe you’ll like your room. We would have you sleep out there with us, but there are no more good places.” He said as he pushed the next door open. It was a fairly big room, not too small, but not large like the main one. Grimm looked around, noting that it could look really nice with a bit of work if he nudged things around.
  “You like it Grimm?”
  Grimm looked back at the hopeful-looking Dane and smiled at him. “Yeah, looks great.” He looked around again, and then had a thought. He was a bit unsure, this being a new place and all, that he could sleep by himself, so he glanced at Einstein, who tilted his head curiously at him.
  “What is it Grimm?” He asked, sitting.
  “Well… Don’t think I’m a pup or something but…” Grimm seemed nervous, so Einstein, in good nature, walked up and gave his face a reassuring lick, like a father to his pup.
  “Come on, out with it or I’ll drop off right here.” He chuckled.
  Grimm smiled and wagged his tail, knowing for sure Einstein wouldn’t laugh at him now. He was a simple dog, he understood how he felt. “Well, I was wondering if you could sleep in here, just for a few days, so I can adjust to a new place.”
  The big dog gave a nod, smiling in his usual good-nature way, then walked to a corner and lied down, head on his paws. Grimm went and lied down next to him, curling up and scooting up so his back was against Einstein’s side.
  “Night Einstein… And thanks…” Grimm growled lightly as he started to fade off.
  “Any time Grimm. Nice dreams to ya.” The big dog replied with a yawn. Both dogs faded out into their own dreams, glad to have company around them, especially as new friends.

  It was a crazy day when I met those guys. But I loved every moment of it, especially finding a place I could actually live in. Einstein and I get along great, he’s so simple and I can trust him with anything I have to say. He’s like a father figure, albeit a bit of a goof, but that’s what I like about him. Everyone is great, and we all like to go places and explore the city. In fact, spreading out a bit we actually found new places we could hit.
  So now you know how my adventures began. But I’m off to another one now, where I need to be. Hey, I see the others waiting on me right now! Sorry, but this time you can’t know about it. Maybe next time, and I’m sure you’ll like the plan, but I’ll see you later.
  Enjoy the moment, each one is special. Stand out, and make friends. Like what I did with everyone here, especially Einstein, and having a grand old time, enjoying every heist we do together as a team.

This fic, my first for Oliver and Company Source, is dedicated in loving memory to Charmyte's Great Grandfather. ~ Jordan, The Writer’s Shepherd, April 25^th, 2011