I like the concept of a D&D adventuring party out of Central Park, but I have to say I kept waiting for the NYPD to show up and be incorporated into the story - otherwise, why set it there instead of a forest or random town? Your scene is well-written - it's not easy to write battle without degenerating into a blow-by-blow description.

Ahh, loved the beginning. There's just a small typo in his thoughts, since it's not italiced. Aside from that it's really lovely :D killed me when he said he was a raccoon.

Nice action sequences and flow. Best among the entries I've read :)

I'm glad you wrote this because it was a delight to read. You've compacted an animal action adventure down to an energetic short story. I have to say that this is one my favourites in the competition so far (damn you for swooping in at the last minute with this!). I liked that the fight was the main focus of the story, but there's clearly stuff going on in the peripherals that you can expand on later if you choose to continue with this. In terms of stories focused on animal creatures, this was very, very well done. Really got a feel for Charlie - in my mind, he's got that witty and loud personality that I imagine bundles quite well with an American accent.

Some stuff:
-Seven feet tall and apparently built of naught but muscle and blubber- would be better if it was just muscle me thinks, because you've got the word 'apparently' in there.
-Who would do something like this, Charlie thought.- question mark after this?
-One forepaw clutching at his wounded shoulder- :/ would a wounded raccoon do that? Clutching a wound is more of a human thing.

Anyway, this is really, really awesome.

Augie