Bumpy ride

The journey was all bumps and fear during the two days of travelling, the men scared their victims. Put into pet-sized cages, tied their arms and legs, Alyce was one of them. Alyce stayed motionless he was even carried and put into a small cage along with another kid. Separated from the kids in his village.

There were two separate cages. One for the common species that includes those who have cats, wolves, fox traits. And one for the abnormal, rarely seen traits. Along the kid beside him, the child shivered and refused to talk nor shout. Her bangs covered her eyes, impossible for Alyce to see if she was crying or asleep.

They sat there for awhile, Alyce eventually drifts off from time to time. The ride was plainly boring if the men didn't show off their weapons.

'How many days has it been? Its getting kind of boring, and I still don't know what world this is.'

He thought as he only gaze on the wide meadows in astonishment. Never knew he could see the sceneries with his own eyes. But what was the point in looking at beautiful landscapes when he is chained down to the floor.

'Now I know what does a bird in a cage feels like, except I aint pretty to be called a bird.'

The distribution of food was also very disturbing, every child were given portions smaller than the ones townspeople feed to their pets. And for each cage, their food was limited on how special or rare their race are. Alyce didn't have much problems on that as he was given two stone bread and water every break.

His case was special that the men decided to feed him more than the other kids. But Alyce didn't feel grateful.

'Who the fuck will even feel grateful with a two stone bread and a can of water? I need at least a cup of spicy noodles to be satisfied.'

Alyce drools on the thought; what, he wanted good food who can blame him? On the other side of the cage, the girl sat motionless yet her stomach can't hide it any longer.

*GROooowlS*

Both children came to an awkward face, Alyce slowly turned his head facing the girl while the girl slowly looks away.

'No worries, I accept that your totally embarrassed.'

Ever since he was placed in the cage with her, he never saw the men gave her share. Not even a speck of food given to the girl beside him. She has no beast trait on her, no showing tail or ears. The men seemed to have captured a normal human girl, but in the village full of beastpeople? I think not.

Alyce didn't mind and gave her his other bread and also a half of his drink, she paused for a second and seemed to look up to him. Alyce shakes the food infront of her again and jokingly pulls it away, only then she reach out to grab it. She stuffed the bread in her cheeks and munched it all so fast. She must be so hungry even when she was captured. She finished the stone bread that takes three minutes to eat in all a minute.

Her throat became dry, she reached for the can of water in Alyce's hands. Alyce gave it to her and she drank it all, she didn't leave anything for the other blonde boy beside her. The last drop slid on her throat, feeling all full then she realized the can was empty, no more left for the kid who shared her his food.

She slouched and didn't dare to look him in the eyes, not that he can see it anyways. Shouldered with guilt when she finished it all, his water. He gave it to her and she just finish it all, she cursed herself over and over for being stupid. She pinched her legs with her small and sharp nails leaving small red marks all over her skin.

'NNOOO, my water is all gone. And awhile ago I was itching to get a drink. Now my water is all gone, gone I say!'

Alyce had a pouting look just now but shrugged it off, she must be so hungry to finish his share, its fine. He was happy to help out a girl beside him.

'Its fine Alyce, its fine. Its not like I'm so thirsty anyways,boo-hoo.'

Mentally cried, he turned his side to the girl again. Seeing her create more marks on her own body, his hand shot up grabbing her small coarse hands.

"STOP, you'll destroy yourself more!"

"Bu-but I drank all your water, its fine. Go and shout at me, pinch me, hit me. I de-deserved it anyways..."

"..."

'This girl is a total freak, who asks for pain for their mistakes?'

Alyce sighed on his thought, but he can't blame her too. Who knows what kind of environment she grew up for her to say all that. She must have the same lifestyle as me. Alyce placed his cheeks on his knuckle and sat comfortably, his free hand went out to touch the kid's head and pat it.

"Its fine, I'm not angry. Feel free to eat, cry, and shout to me, until then don't show this act towards the humans. Unless you want to be in pain."

He looks away for a moment feeling embarrass while saying some advices, then when he look back, he found the girl pouring her tears down. Like a waterfall.

'Eh?'

*sob-sob*

"UUWWAAAHHHHH"

After his words, the girl went into berserck, overflowing with tears and sobbing so loud. She grab Alyce's clothes, squeezing too hard that Alyce pulled her closer embracing a hug.

'Let it out, let it out cause you won't be able to when the humans wake up. Luckily they are too dumb to hear all the drama.'

Alyce patted her back. But it wasn't a drama, he too is in verge of crying. But he shouldn't, he has to stay strong. But how long will it take him to be on guard? He don't know and will probably won't try to think again. All he can do is think of a way to survive, and live a good life.

The breakdown came to an end when the humans started waking up from their nap. Didn't even bother to clean themselves up as a pair of flies flew on top of their heads.

'Ew, atleast I clean myself up when I was once a human.'

Alyce thought looking away. Does he even mean it though? The girl in her arms drifted to sleep with swollen eyes. Alyce shifted her position to a more comfortable pose, paying mind to her head and back. And once again, they travelled on a bumpy ride.

****

Alongside the tall towers in a vast structures, a dark-hooded figure crept through the halls. Moving upwards to a narrow staircase, not even sure if he was walking or just sliding upwards due to his fast steps. It came across every floor in the building and finally arrived on the top floor. The figure went ahead towards a door that seems to be designed in grand designs.

But the figure didn't open nor knock on the door at all, instead it went through it. Leading it to a dark room but not fully pitch-black. Light of the nightsky leans on the tall glass windows on the side with a man just staring at the moon.

His ruby-red hair glistened along the night light. He wore a dark suit that drapes down to the floor, he stood and quietly stared at the moon knowingly a figure had entered the room.

The figure didn't show any movement but was facing the man.

"Reports to His Highness, we've recieved a report of someone who looks exactly the same with your description."

"Two people?"

"One, Your Highness"

The man paused for a second, he showed quite an unsatisfied sigh. The figure took a small step backwards sensing the man before him is in a bad mood. But the man look back in staring at the moon and questioned.

"..And what is the location of this person?"

"On the north side of the kingdom's outskirts."

"Very well, prepare for a departure tomorrow. Make it only three of you, make sure to do it secretly. Dismiss."

"Understood Your Highness, have a good rest."

The figure faintly faded into thin air leaving the man bothered.

'Damn, one is missing. No matter, it will only be a matter of time until I capture the twins. I wonder which twin did they saw...'

He put out a snicker and continued to stare again at the moon.

Yes, it is only a matter of time.

****

"Ella, my name is Ella"

"I see what a beautiful name. Call me Alyce"

Going back on the line of the wagons that travelled through the meadows, two children built up a small hope and became friends. Using the time they had, they shared their stories.

Having a good time in the journey, if you minus the treatment of the humans.