9: Bully Story

SANJI

And now, there was darkness.

It was a bag, it was definitely a bag; large and cliche and itchy and rough on the inside. And it was fast moving; the edge was fitted right over his body as much as possible up to his ankles as he fell back, and dragged before he even had time to completely hit the ground. In the blackness of the bag with all the daylight suddenly and so purely blocked out, Sanji was in another world and reality and again- things had changed and a new path that could likely continue to change this singular life.

His elbow hit the rough jagged earth as he twisted in the fall and drag. The person was strong that could pull him so easily and with such speed. He was tumbling across and back down the hilly slope, sound and nature brushing past though he couldn't see it. One arm scratched from elbow to palm and then the other leg, bumped, trying to keep up and position itself with his roaming body. All he did was utter a very simple wimp at the first tug and then he went silently along for the ride. Tumbling and falling for minutes as the environment felt changing rapidly. They were making distance without pause and soon, passed into trees to hide from awry eyes.

There was no talking and Sanji understood he was meant to be kidnapped so of course he didn't resist. Could he have used power? Who knows if he really had any.... The underground evolved from rocky hill of the past, to brambly forested earth with many branches whipping his face and tearing at the thick scratchy bag. The speed never ceased however, and this allowed Sanji to remain inbound in his capture until 10 more minutes had passed. It felt like they were finally in a manner of earthly clearing. Sanji fell across mostly solid mud that seemed soft and freshly turned. But he still could not see where he had come to a rest.

He turned over from off his stomach, and laid on his side. He presumably knew he was facing the direction of his captor. He felt, he knew his captor was some feet away finally still standing and looking at him. Deciding what to do..? No. SImply absorbing the moment. And just as suddenly as his capture had occurred, the brown rice bag was roughly ripped off his head and body. Sanji's head jerked forward with the movement, his bangs brushing the browned sturdy arms of his captor and laying across into his eyes.

He didn't look at his captor, more so he looked slightly off the boys' broad shoulders into the sky and world beyond. It was still the same world, the same world where beauty and peace existed but the path was temporarily meandered around away from his own. Could he go back onto that path...?

Titan knew and expected that unacknowledging gaze so he didn't bristle as he stood before his roommate. His hard breaths were steady and unprovoked at present.

"You don't want to look at me, that's fine." Titan's voice unrecognizably calm but the strength of the hatred was still there. Sanji was also steady in his reaction, gazing just over Titan's shoulder as he lied await. "Don't look at me, but you will listen." Titan reached over and tugged Sanji off his lazy poise to a semi pivot so that he could bond him again, this time with cord. Purposefully, the broader fingers of the older boy tied up the young ones arms behind his back. He pushed Sanji forward back onto his stomach and began working on his legs.

"..." it didn't feel intentionally rough. It felt like a final recourse. The surroundings Sanji's mild grey eyes swept as he was being spun around provided that he was somewhere to the east of the school grounds, between the forest and the farm lands. Not many people frequented here except for daily tasks. He could see he was near a 5 feet long mound of turned earth and could not see beyond it. It was brown earth as far as sight's eyes, with a peak of green hill on the horizon and the castle centred on the apex far away.

Finally, Titan stepped back and took a long breath. Sanji of course, was not giving acknowledgement but this was something he had to do. He looked around at the skies and land of his home and knew he too was taking a path. It was probably the path most likely to happen though not predestined. Everything predestined yet chosen in live living moments. And this is what he wanted. His hatred. His life.

Sanji laid quite peaceful to be unaware if he'd live or die. And then, Titan began to talk. "This, is my story."

Titan was a boy. He was a young boy but he had parents who he sometimes wished would kill each other. They were dysfunctional people, fighting and negligent and they spun his head with their reoccurring world wars. They waged wars with each other, wars with him who was not allowed to defend himself, and wars upon his pets. They would fight and threaten and neither back down and Titan would be scared that one might actually kill the other or would project it onto his pets. In the heat of the moment, he was also afraid of himself for he felt something wild rising and it scared him to know what he might do. He wished it sometimes. And sometimes he feared it. Maybe it was a pretense. But in that kind of every day world, you had to do something to cope.

He had to and did grow up strong. He never claimed his victimhood and could forgive all of his past as long as they didn't touch his own children. Everything was done to him made him strong. Yes he could forgive. But he couldn't forgive if it wasn't done to him, it wasn't in his capacity. The vengeance was bequeath to him by innocents so it wasnt his doing. It was his vulnerability.

"Yip yip ruff ruff ruff!"

"Ruff ruff ruff ruff!"

"Ruff ruff ruff rufff ruff ruff!!!"

"Shut those bloody dogs up!!!" His father's voice roared from deep within the abodes. It was the middle of the night and he knew it would happen. He was restless that night knowing his 2 freshly plucked street pups would wake his father up. He was always picking up stray animals that he saw along his journey of life but if his father stirred again, he was scared of him. Scared of being helpless to defend, not himself, but the pups. His father was probably missing his smokes, his eyes would usually become red and shifty. Paranoid, his hands would be excited to trigger. His mother had left about a month now since last time (not that she was any better) and he was alone with this man in the house again. A man who sometimes became a stranger.

Titan sprang to his feet and skipped to the outside to quieten the canines as best he could. There were so many; four were such small pups they could fit into the palm of your hands, 3 more were restless pups about 8 months and two adults, one nervous one called Bashful and her sister Lucky. There was 1 rabbit his classmate had given up when it was sick and most dramatically, one sole cat, a pregnant Black footed wild cat that he was taking care of for a short time. His father had probably not noticed this was not a regular housecat because it was such a small species. Even though he preferred canines, somehow, this was Titan's favorite of all for her quiet and obedience and they all got along with each other because of Titan's influence. It wasn't that the noisy puppydogs didn't understand him, they were simply young and excitable sometimes.

"Please shhh," Titan begged quietly in the middle of the black night when everyone else was dead asleep in bed. But the puppydogs only became more excited at his presence. It was quiet and their barks were distinct in the blackness that the sound alone scared Titan. He had to do something but he didn't like running around in the night world to be honest. He knew already the world was dangerous. He felt things others didn't. Whether it be humans... or before anyone believed in Migurigum. And he had alot of little ones to protect.

He knew the sound of a hard heel hitting ground when his father would get up heatedly. He had stopped grumbling and was finally getting up to deal with the matter. So when there was no more sound from inside the house despite the barking, Titan thought fast to get away from his home. There were 11 animals so he had to run inside to get a bag and with no other choice, stuffed the small ones into his bag, carry three bigger pups in his arms and ordered the rest to follow him out into the dark road. He kept off the centre of the road though there was no side path because bad drivers never switched on their headlights and humans here didn't have respect for animal life.

There were no streetlights, a few houses had a dim one in the porch, there were pot holes and loud crickets and looking shadows. And there he was, a lone boy out of bed hurrying about with a bunch of animals around him. Hopefully it was alarming enough to keep predators at bay, but the night felt more malevolent to Titan with pent up agitation in his body.

The puppy dogs yipped harder when they passed barking guard dogs and slipped in his arms. He looked to his heels as he tried to hold them back, the larger ones at his heel pouncing at the neighbors gate.

"Stop it, shh, down!" He had one leash he used on Bashful; the most skittish and cowardly dog and she twisted in between his legs then, as the guard dog jumped onto the fence. She sprinted off and he loosed the leash as it yanked him. He had to keep his smaller ones from falling. Bashful disappeared as if into the ink of the night at the end of sights line. The night gobbled up the dog as Titan watched and his heart pounded hard in panic. He started to, then paused and looked back. Blackfoot was not there either. The noise was making a raucous.

Oh no, where should he head. He stepped off the curb and a small yelp alerted him to a car that swooshed past inches near. He couldn't think of Bashful, he had to get somewhere relatively safe. He had to rest down his backpack to readjust then he hobbled to his neighborhood park.

The night felt like a globe surrounding him and no other place existed. As if the sun would not come up again. One tall headlight indicating the basketball court of the park lead him straight. The dogs he had left, lead him. Some random birds called out to him but he chose not to listen that night. He couldn't deal with it. He got to the park with its monkey bars and broken swings and sat on a concrete block that children tended to skip across.

He rested the puppydogs down, except for the new born that he cradled. The dogs and puppy dogs ran around unawares of danger. He huddled the smallest, he didn't know the time but he would remain for an hour before going home. Hed forgotten his feelings of anxiety about his father. This was his life. He'd lost a dog. Blackfoot was somewhere. His head tucked into the small nestled pups and he hugged them the more tighter. He didn't want to worry right then. He was tired. The night was scary and he did... feel eyes on him. not animal eyes. Like a child, he wanted to squeeze his eyes shut till the sun came up. Till it went away. He imagined impossible things because he was alone. What was lurking inhumane in the dark? He'd heard too many stories. Migurigum demons. Devil worshippers. Things that could take you and you never return to day again. Creatures with backward feet that lead children into corn fields, wide brim straw hat hiding everything but a wide grin, goat horns, dancing around a fire this time of night in the park.

"..." he squeezed his eyes and tried to concentrate on the fur on his face. Please just let it pass. When am I going to grow up and be strong..? And he saw it. A man like a penguin on the horizon even though it was pitch black. The man was looking at him. He startled and jumped up glancing about, the puppies yawned and woke up. His eyes perused left to right unable to penetrate more than a few yards around him. The other dogs had returned resting at his feet, lapping tongues for needed hydration. But there was no one, he'd fallen asleep hadn't he?

That was it though. It was time to head back so he got up and ran. They all ran back to his house without stop feeling as though the night itself was chasing him and closing in. He stopped only when he was in his house, and he saw Blackfoot outside. She'd come back. But Bashful hadn't. His sadness and heart hurt. But this was his life. His father was back asleep so he returned the rest of his animals to his backyard and went to sleep.

The leather strap instantly stripped a slither of skin and Titan woke up with a yelp. He tried to roll away from the pain but his mother caught him by the foot and dragged him off the bed, licking another lash across him. He cried out in pain as it cut a corner of his eye. His mother was back.

"And don't ever-" she pelt the belt down hard and as Titan recognized it was his authority figure, he curled over so that the strikes would only hit his back. "-bring those animals inside again." She accentuated a few more lashes with her words and stormed out the room. Titan trembled slightly from the beating but it was not as severe as he was used to and it was not the first time he would wake up to a beating. He breathed out tension, shocked awake from his sleep. The dim sunlight coming through the window indicated that it was too early to be up for school, but he realized he had to pick up poop somewhere inside the house. One of his dogs must have snuck in and defecated.

He preferred her hitting him than both of them fighting with each other. Cause then there'd be tension. And big brave Titan would want to howl as he left the door but be prohibited to. He'd swallow it for fear of his children left behind to be hurt. And after cleaning up and putting the puppydog back outside, he went to school like this and seethed through first class where the students cringed away from him. He felt he hated his mother more but you weren't allowed to say that. You were allowed to hate your father sometimes, but never your mother. It made him more snappy and confused.

He had a short temper in mornings, but his reputation wasn't all bad. After it died down, he was reasonably liked. He wasn't unpopular in school, in fact, a lot of students knew him; the bigger size junior who helped his team win in the various sports and games. Or the fact that he would sneak a random animal into school on occasion and all the children will gather at break time in the back, to secretly have fun with it. But it didn't get to his head. He didn't care about people so much. Sometimes he'd snap at them just as though it was morning time.

He also didn't have specific friends that walked with him to and from school. It was always the company of a lizard crawling on the wall beside him, or a squirrel following him playing an invisible game of tag, as well as other children (who were not aware that this game was going on.)

On the good days, one of his bigger dogs (Bashful or Lucky or even the puppydogs) who would be tied to logs or tree branches at his home, would drag it all the way to his school to meet him much to the delight of everyone who knew exactly whose pet it was. On bad days, he would walk home to find his dogs splayed in the middle of the road due to a hit and run of a careless driver or uncaring neighbor. His yard was not enclosed completely and it was his responsibility when he came home, to scrape the animal off the middle of the road and dispose of it.

Titan had several acquaintances in school, but when the home bell rang, he would rush outside to talk to his more important furry, winged or scaly friends. This was why he was never that close to any one, or why he had not much animosity towards his abusive parents. They were not in his mind.

Of course, talk was an exaggeration. Talk was the affirming words of humans made up of syllables to convey a message. Words were not needed to communicate. It should be used for clarity and specification. One did not need language to communicate with another. Even humans were more socially cued before they lost the ability with the rise of modernity. Titan understood the animals when he saw them and 'felt' the body signals and knew their emotions. Sometimes on a walk home from school with all the kids running down the street alongside him, a desperate critter would discreetly approach or get his attention out of the blue and then leave him running away. Away from the other school children, into a random side street.

They didn't understand him. At a young age that was okay, but in the future he would probably become an outcast. They weren't able to understand his random behavior but they knew something was off. He was a child and he too didn't know that his parles-vouz with animals was out of the ordinary. But he knew he wasn't crazy, he knew exactly what the animals wanted.

The kids didn't see him when he would run out from that side street and creep under the chicken wire fence to rescue a small frog, caught in the vines. Or the Great Moth, with a ripped wing fluttering helplessly, stuck to a cobweb under a pinning boulder. And carefully, because he could feel the pain coming through his bare hands, he lifted the top of the wings out of the spiderweb and set it on the bark of a nearby tree. It turned out it was not so badly off and flew away in glee.

And how happy they will come up all the small mismatched creatures change for Titan of the box flew into the air; he had saved the day yet again.

Maybe this was what additionally his father started to sense as Titan's Geltun power grew more and more by the day.

The terror of the previous night passed. The morning passed. School was out. Titan would rescue a fallen bird one day and ran all the way home, ready to set up his new pet into the fold with the others when he rounded the corner and felt the darkness over his home. And again.

Even before he set foot on the compound he could tell firstly that; his father was home, and secondly, that he was in a bad mood. But why this time...

Even with his body trembling, he tried not to disturb the docile injured bird in his cupped hand. He entered the house as the side gate was locked from the inside and he had to pass through the kitchen to enter the side yard. None of the animals were there.

He rested down the bird slowly as if disrupting the stillness would bring about tragedy and sin. And then gingerly, he walked round the back of the house, alongside the drainage. That's where he saw them and knew. The still plastic bags lain across the floor by the drain. Four small garbage bags and a bigger tough torn one, the only one that wasn't lumpy.

He already knew and anguish tore into him. The puppies were stuffed in there. Stiff bodies. Suffocated. Like rubbish. Already gone. He stood still. Only Blackfoot wasn't accounted for. But Lucky, she was the only one escaped. He didn't even want to touch the bags and feel them but they were semi translucent and he could see unmoving fur. Three puppies stuffed into one bag and the bigger puppy dogs In their own. All dead.

He started to cry silently but didn't notice, too horrified. He walked slowly between the bags when he saw Lucky huddled by the second gate. She was uninjured, apparently having had escaped from the bag being a bigger dog. He approached and stretched out his hand toward her. "Lucky ...."

And she started screaming in a throaty frightened way he'd never heard before. He jumped instantly. She cried as though he was torturing her though he was no where close. "Lucky..?" he didn't understand yet. That she was scared .. of Him. He'd failed to protect her. He backed away slowly as she howled and scraped against the gate to escape and then saw him and started shrieking again.

He looked at her howling and lowered his hands feeling deep shame and regret. They'd come into his life for help and he'd failed to protect them all. All of his pets were in garbage bags dead, all of them he'd met and experienced their personalities and had a routine with were dead. In one day. Why...

His father stepped out of the kitchen to throw a mug of old tea into the bushes then and glanced at Titan. No words passed between them. He didn't even appear to be angry at Titan. It was another normal day for him. He turned back around and went to the tap to fill more liquid into it. "Get inside or go if you want to go," his father said casually. "That's all you're good for. You and your mother."

"..." that was the reason. His mother had come and gone again in the space of one day. That was a record. But was that his fault that they hated each other? If it was, then they should beat Him, not the pets. That wild thought that he had was growing again. Kill each other don't touch Them! Don't look at them! His view became tunnel vision and there was nothing to restrain him anymore. That primal feeling that grew inside him also seemed to be affecting his physicality this time and he let his arms rise from his sides and felt the muscles thicken and pump with hot blood and take over.

This was Titan's first experience of letting himself go wild. His body launched forward across the rest of the yard length and into the kitchen where he grabbed his father wherever he could get hold. The force knocked his father mug and all to the floor, narrowly missing the edge of the counter. Titan pinned him with his boyish arms before he realized what had happened, before he could twist and thrust his head back savagely and then forward, he bit into his father's shoulder hard.

What possessed him to bite into flesh didn't seem logical at that time but it had a definite response. His father gasped short then yelled though not nearly as dramatically as poor Lucky had and Titan didn't let go. He twisted his neck side to side and pulled and his father screamed a little more halfly out of surprise for the boys teeth were still humans though had an unknown strength suddenly. But the triumph was short lived as Titan was unable to lash on thoroughly. it seemed an odd strategy and fight style and his father managed to twist around with a shock momentum and kick his son off.

Titan's smaller body received it and winded out his strength momentarily. it was enough for his senses to return. What... had he just done.? His father was up on his feet and though alarmed, his eyes were shifty and angry at the audacity and something else. His son, couldn't be normal. His regular anger was the automatic response. He lashed a kick out at Titans body, to ensure he stayed down and his rib felt it fully. He wheezed and didn't move. He didn't want to...

What did I just do???? Paranoia. Reality settled back in like a cold wave engulfing his body from head to toe. This was real life again and he'd broken the rules. He was scared. A scared boy. What would his father do to him??

"I'm sorry I'm -" His father grabbed him by the neck and pulled him. They rounded the corner out of the kitchen and into the living room. They took another left into the bathroom, the only room that had a proper lockable door both inside and out. Here, Titans father threw him hard inside the cramped space and he flew back against the toilet and stayed there, afraid. there was minor leakage around the tank on the floor but he dared not move. His father glared down at him, he too taken over by a psychotic rage he must have inherited. He spin and slammed the door shut on Titan which made him obviously jump and scare. And then he returned, slammed the door open again which had the same level of fright effect on Titan. And Titan could see rope in his father's hand where he stood.

Titans heart thudded as he laid back trying not to move a muscle. His father marched into the bathroom and bent over him. He didn't stir, he allowed it, he didn't want to make it worse. Maybe his father would feel sorry for him, maybe if he cried his father would think it was enough. Maybe if he agreed and went along with it he'd be forgiven. But he knew it was too late. For the first time he'd fought back and with an inhuman ability. it was the end of life as he knew it. He was so, terrified.

His legs and arms were grabbed and twisted and tied; he ended up as a hog tied in the shower stall. His father finished hand stepped back. Titan was in an uncomfortable position but didn't protest, his neck leaning against the wall looking back to the door, and his body on its side twisted toward the wall, arms legs bond behind. He parted his lips to beg, the word please almost escaping his lips but it probably wasn't a good idea. no reason could reach the man. not like this. he'd make it worse. he whimpered so quietly not knowing what would happen next. His father turned and left.

He didn't have to wait long to find out what would happen. The screams were just as loud and high as before but they went on for much longer. Lucky's yells permeated the houses walls an resonated around the bathroom in such a begging, horrifying tone. Titan lost his willpower and cried aloud too. His father was killing Lucky. The screams followed a small race around the yard but he heard pounding and this he knew, were collected each time the dog's cry broke and returned, almost a gurgle. It was blood In Lucky's throat. The yelling wasn't as loud, just gurgling screaming.

And he was doing nothing but lying in the bathroom crying. he was letting it happen. He was a coward. He was too scared to try to escape and help. Lucky was dying right then she was going to be no more. He cried and didn't hear when the sound was gone forevermore. He cried in his world, hot body temperature aching neck and huddled there in the stall awaiting his fate. He hated his life. He wanted things to go back to normal.

His father came back and there was blood on his hands. Titan saw it and cried again, unable to control himself even if it disgusted his father. His father hailed him by the rope and his body stumbled after him. They passed through the living room again and Titan could glance out the kitchen doorway to see just the end of a brown black tail lying still in shallow water mingled with blood. Blood droplets were scattered around the kitchen where she had apparently dashed in and out in her attempts to escape. But he'd caught her.

His view passed the kitchen as his father hauled him into the backseat of their truck. They didn't say anything to each other this whole time. Titan whimpering and his father focused dead ahead. They drove off.

Titan didn't know if he wanted the car to keep driving or to reach their destination as soon as possible. He was overwhelmed with nerve wracking fear of the unknown and thought of everything that had passed so swiftly. However, the ride did not take more than 15 minutes before they hit the forest and drove in a fair distance before stopping. It was as though his father was dropping off luggage. Extra things he didn't need in his life. No longer a father.

The man opened his car door and hauled Titan out. Titan was still tied up. "My legs are still," he started to protest thinking not even his father would leave him tied up in the middle of the forest. His father slammed his car door hard and loud. He didn't look back even once since driving off and Titan remembered what had just happened. And things had changed forever. The car started up close to him feeling the muffler heat blowing past his cheeks as he laid close. His heart was falling low in his chest, more sadness. It was really, over? His whole life?

He lowered his head and decided not to look at the car drive off, closing his eyes with hope fleeting away...

"!!!" A soft bristle landed by his nose as the car drove off and he opened his eyes. Blackfoot had jumped out of the van where she's been hiding. Titan's eyes widened brightly. "Blackfoot!" he cried over excitedly. The small cat looked back at him as though he was weird. She was bleeding around her rump but her small round face and eyes calm, cute and almost confused. Her expression was constantly puzzled and her body was small like she'd never grown up. She was standing inches away but still out of reach, a typical cat.

It was such a small fortune but Titan felt happy tears blur his view as he cry-laughed. It didn't even change things much but he felt so immediately happy. "Blackfoot... good girl," he laugh-cried. Blackfoot's ear twitched, stared wide eyed. Titan smiled a while more at his curious cat. Then he slowly returned to reality. He tried his arms and legs. It was way tighter than he imagined. He couldn't get out at all. He looked back at Blackfoot, wondering if to ask but she didn't look capable of helping him.

Her rump, she's probably been hurt by his father, ex father. And she was so heavily pregnant. In fact, she probably was in more danger than him. His eyes fell to the floor. And she was sick. It was still afternoon. He realized .. she was better if she left him.

He laid his head down to stop from straining. He looked at her, and caught her big eyes. "Blackfoot, you have to go. Leave me," he said. She stared back at him as if dumb. He knew she understood. "Blackfoot goo," he stressed. She stared innocently. Titan grew stern. He glared at the furry ball and tried again.

And she spun around and laid down. She indeed understood him. Her bleeding back in his face. And her heaving body. It was still afternoon but it would be dark soon. He could understand wild animals and they understood him but that didn't stop them from being animals that needed to eat and survive. Blackfoot shouldn't be looking after him right now.

He wiggled forward and bit her lightly. She jumped up and settled further away.

"Please Blackfoot, please please go. Find safety. "

"..." not even a mewl.

The sun was even lower for the trees. Now there was only shadows of light breaking through. Blackfoot was stubborn and quiet. Titan was tired and hungry. It was getting darker and colder in the trees. He couldn't return to the village but even so he knew he would eventually be safe. Safe from wilderness but his life...

"Don't fall asleep," he told himself looking at his foster cats side rise and fall and bleed. It looked liked internal bleeding but he couldn't tell. It was matted but still somewhat runny. He did not want to see it but how could he not. "Blackfoot go," he alternated. It was the same. Time was passing. Of course, Titan tried his bonds again and again and failed. Blackfoot did not leave but would occasionally glance to see whether her catetaker was alright.

But more and more time and he grew much wearied too. It was night. He was aware to danger again. Migurigum creatures, animals, hunters. Anything. He wanted to be in bed. Blackfoot was asleep. It seemed sleep was the only escape but a certain doom. He didn't know how to escape either. He would stay awake.

But he awoke. Burning darkness and a long scream. "Blackfoot!?" he cried out instantly. It was close to him but it was pitch black and he could not see much. He'd only just opened his eyes when he realized he must have succumbed to dreams after all. It didn't last long. He caught small movements of the bundle by his head twitching, a big heave and then a slow exhale. He thought he could make out her side. It was flat. He trashed about with new vigor and yelling.

He knew what was happening and again he was to fail...

He went bestial again and blacked out this time. He came to with a body in his freed hands sitting crouched. "Black.?.." the small body was still and literally drained. He could see more clearly. Her birth had drained out of her and was still semi attached. An icky mess with two forms inside, stillborn kittens.

He put her down as he quietened. Her body rested lightly for its size and her eyes were no longer an open and curious stare. He could make out more lifeless forms. Three dead cats. And him alone in the woods "..."

It was quiet and he sat still letting everything come to rest in his mind. He was sad but calm. He let himself feel the wind and waited until it was time to move. And then something happened. He saw a white spot in that dark and it was moving. "???" he stretched his hand forward and touched- it was a paw. It was so small, a white paw. There was a third kitten and it was alive.

It mewled when it realized touch and moved blindly toward him. Even though the species were known for black feet, only one paw had a crazy white pattern that had kind of saved its life. He picked up the newborn gently and cradled. The last one. He stared at her. "Whitepaw," he whispered to her. She was his now.

He looked up. There was a black and white silhouette on the horizon again. Just like the other night. But not threatening. He got to his feet with Whitepaw in two palms even though he only needed one, and he followed the path of the silhouette. A new home. Two of them from then on.

By the time Titan had finished the story, he was crying.

Sanji looked away quietly. It wasn't embarrassment, he hadn't realized he was listening so intently. Titan was silent crying but the pain was gone. He wiped his face with dignity. "Then everything changed when you came." His voice was still firm and Sanji had returned to gazing elsewhere as though he was disinterested. "This place can no longer be my home as long as you're here. It's not my home anymore..."

"..."

No response. Of course, he knows nothing could happen to him. He's not talking to anyone cause he doesn't care. He knows he's special and that the Migurigum teachers would defend him. Titan bristled and his calmness broke. He spun and back kicked Sanji. Sanji didn't expect it. Before he could turn back, the kick landed and he rolled back and fell into the gaping hole Titan had dug. He fell on his back and winced, then stilled and breathed. He looked up out the grave and saw Titan walk over. The hole was at least 7 feet deep. No one else could manage this but Titan. Did he really intend to bury him so deep no one would find him?

I'm sparing his life but he doesn't even care. Titan gnashed his teeth. "Shit," he forgot to blindfold him. He acted out of haste again. But this... 'boy'. His anger filled him again. He could fool everyone else but not Titan. That boy was evil. And now he had no home again. He stared at Sanji looking at the sky almost tranquil. "..." maybe, maybe he knew he could escape. Titan dug his feet into the mound of earth at the top of the hole and kicked it down onto Sanji's eyes.

The dirt pelt and stung Sanji in the eyes that his head automatically turned to the side and he began blinking out the earth rapidly. He moved his hand up to scratch at his eyes and then remembered he was bond. "..." he stopped. He blinked slowly and let the dirt sting since he couldn't get it out. He closed his eyes.

Titan stared at Sanji as he closed his eyes. Of course he'd get no response. His hands clenched and unclenched and he looked to his side. He was going to bury him. The figure bonded on the ground though. Just like...

Time passed. Lots of time passed and Sanji realized that Titan was gone. But he didn't open his eyes again. What was the point. He didn't want to escape. Bullies, depression, loneliness... This reality was shielding him from a bigger reality.

"He's coming he's coming," And the voices were speaking to him again although he'd blocked the boy inside his head out. They were coming from the dirt now. And with the same lines over and over again. Either 'help' or 'he's coming/ they're coming'. Sanji blocked them out. That was not his reality. He'd stay here till the end of time.

He just wished the world would collapse.

SICO

Sico entered the city and instantly felt liked he'd been transported to another world, although it hadn't seemed different from outside the perimeter. In fact, he still couldn't put his hand as to why it felt this way. As soon as he entered, passing the street lamps on the outskirts, there were overhanging trees and only stone paved roads and sidewalks with patterns on them. In that aspect, it was similar to Onawa, but the roads here were narrow and one and two story buildings closed in on the them like a canopy. He already knew one would have to take the main road on the edges, all around the city borders if they were transposing from one location to another and not stopping by. That was why he had to take the boat. The city felt as though you couldn't leave once you entered, as everything encircled you.

Even the tree shadows, albeit thin shadows which allowed most all the sunshine through, were making patterns on the ground. How did the trees and branches know to grow in that way, so deiberate that the hexagons of cattails were almost symmetrical all the way through; furry hexagonal snowflakes. Like they chose to grow that way. The sun was still able to permeate and view sky since all the leaves seems transparent and thin, but when the sun would undoubtedly shift in the sky, further and further west, these shadows would multiply excitedly. He could only imagine. It was to be beautiful, beautiful enough but for now, why was it so quiet?

After some time, Sico recognized he'd been walking so long and nothing was going on. Everything finally clicked; there was nobody around. He'd just been walking and observing the scenery for well over an hour. And now he was finally tired and thirsty and, those places were closed, weren't they? But it just looked so natural; to not have signs shouting in your face or enticing you out of your journey for the day. But also, it seemed fitting to be still. Away from everything hectic for no reason. To just exist...

But where was everyone? He didn't even realize the unnaturallness that he had to make sure. He walked hurriedly to the corner of the street to look left and right. No, he had passed no one at all heading in one direction. And he felt as though if he passed anyone, because of the single collectiveness of the place, he was bond to see them.

He looked closer as he passed, trying to pay attention to the lesser details. Without sign, he could tell they were 'normal' stores: clothes in the display, cashier units lining the front of a supermarket, different cafes and restaurants. As another hour started, he started seeing people randomly spaced out, doing their own thing, and before he could run up to ask them what was going on, he realized how normal they were being and how out of place he would be behaving like that, and he began to wonder if he was the weird one.

He just stopped himself and observed more, walking slower and ventured into any open buildings one by one. It seemed safe. He stopped in one department store. There was a young lady tending to the clothing articles. Sico set his teeth and stared from across the room. This had gone on long enough. He was on a mission, no. More like a quest. He didn't have to waste time on humans. He walked up to the girl hardily once he made up his mind. She looked up with the expectant raised brows and an almost-,greeting smile coming to her lips.

"Hi, do you need any help?" She asked.

Sico fixed his brows down low and steeled his jaw. "So what's going on here?"

The girl twisted her head to the side, at first repelled by Sico's direct and brash introduction. He knew it was rude how he greeted her, and he should have been more enticing if he was to get anyone's help, but after only a momentary pause, the girl decided to carry on with the conversation.

"What do you mean specifically?" Didn't mean it was going to be a helpful exchange.

"I mean what's going on, where's everyone, what are they doing?" He snarled having not learnt any lesson. But he was getting comfortable again, among people and not battling. They were nothing but in the way of him helping the world be rid of evil beings. They needed to be more helpful. He'd gone through so much pain on their behalf.

"They're doing whatever they're doing," the girl replied again, possibly merrily. "Are you not from here or something?"

"No I'm not."

"That's why you don't know."

"Don't know what?" So there was something to know.

"If you lived here you would know."

"So tell me then."

"But then you would know."

"I Want to know,"

"But how could you know if you're not from here."

Sico finally bristled. He'd misjudged them. He'd misjudged the people here thinking they were trivial and one dimensional. Why did a random conversation have to become so convulated? At last, he felt himself like a puzzle piece, falling into place in the larger scale of things. He had started to feel so out of place in the outside world, like a character amongst ignorant people leading completely different lives. But now, he'd found a place that was larger than life, just as large as him and maybe, where he was supposed to be. Real life was finally happening to everyone else too and he wasn't crazy or alone.

But he brushed it off again realizing that despite this, he was still being held back and who knew what the Migurigum were up to and destroying in their path. He'd wasted enough time being misguided and ... Forget it. Just think about the anger, forget her. Remember your purpose. The anger had helped him this whole time. Protected him, his heart and gave him energy and will. It was safer. Pull back his energy to himself and not be mingled with others- only for guidance. Not get close. Use them. The Migurigum had to die no matter what.

"I can't tell you if you don't know. If you were supposed to know, you would."

Just as Sico was about to lose patience at the girl, he saw a movement at the corner of the stores window. It was somebody else, a boy and he seemed to be sneaking about and out of place in this type of scene, genuinely not wanting to be found. Quickly, the young Renji darted to the door wondering if this was what was meant that he would be able to find out if it was meant to be.

The door was not an automatic one so Sico burst through with his hand on the handle and looked around to see if he could catch sight of the sneak with quick turns of his head. He barely had time to realize the shadows were growing deeper and taller into the evening when he saw the only hurried movement dart around an opposite corner store. There were so many pockets and fences of trees lining the sidewalk and alleys that it felt almost like tree walls creating a maze. And with it's tall natural canopy: a lovely maze at that.

Sico ran around three consecutive corners barely catching glimpses of the passing pant legs, and then finally came to a stop at a cul de sac dead end. A few houses circled the grassy walking patch, these living quarters smaller to the front like cottages. The trees were closer and taller here, almost hiding in the area although there was ample and growing space to the back yards. With a thick tall tree in the very centre, and outlining shoulder length yellow standing lamps, a large resting caravan was the only other disturbance in the clearing.

Sico went to the single vehicle even though it didn't feel too highly suspicious, he just really wanted to see what else there was in the city. There was some random paraphanelia, shells and chimes hanging around the roof. Chalky words or rather a symbol language was scribbled large around the window and roof. On the one facing side, the barred window leaned upward so much that it was too high to look into. So Sico went around the other side and found the only door with more markings.

With a little precaution, he twisted the handle and the door opened easily. It was unexpectedly somewhat dark inside with too many shadows and objects casting shadows to not be careful to tiptoe in. Sico stepped in looking at his step, the wood creaked and he could distinguish that many of the shapes on the ground, were toys. He got to a clearing and looked around better since there was no light on. It was cluttered, wasn't too big and there was a rocking swing before him by the corner bay window, with a big sheet covering it completely.

Sick walked up and snatched the cloth off in one go. Of course the boy was sleep/hiding there but he jumped surprised anyway as Sico ripped the sheet off.

"Who are you?" The boy squeaked.

Sico wrinkled his nose seeing his escapee was possibly just a 6 year old boy. "Who are You?" Sico countered defensively, "why you hiding in this weird place. What's your name?"

"Vessel," the boy was slightly emboldened seeing as he hadn't been attacked and that Sico was only a bigger boy like him. He looked Sico up and down for a second and then climbed out of the bed.

"Vossel?" Sico said, "that's a weird name."

"Well, I'm adopted," he smiled thinking he had just solved everything. He thought for a second whether to be trusting or not, then walked in a circle around Sico with an excited skip. "That's a big sword, you have, how come I've never seen you before?"

"I'm not from here," Sico grumbled again.

"Oh right that makes sense!" He stopped skipping but was still merry. Sico frowned down tiredly and made a face at the child. What was his purpose again?

"So is everyone indoors? Why are you the only one outside?"

"Well everyone's asleep still!" Obviously.. "I'm not supposed to be up so late but I just wanted to see what it was like."

"Everyone's asleep..." Sico trailed off quietly. In the daytime. He entertained the idea briefly yes, that they were a town of vampires. That would be so obvious. But at this point of his life, he was open to believe many different things. He wouldn't be so surprised. "So that means you're only awake in the night." Why. "When do they wake up?" He asked the boy. "I need to find out some info, I need to talk to someone."

Inquisitiveness wrinkled the little boys face. "Do you want to go to the library then?"

Sicos expression dropped to a dumb leer.

"Well everyone will be awake soon," the boy pitched in quickly, "there's going to be a show at Winwood river. It goes on for three days!"

Soco frowned even more wondering if this was a good idea. Was this another distraction, but alas, a place that was larger than life. He fit in, it wasn't all happening to him alone. It was part of the real world and he was part of it and had a mission. So it was ok if he had to slow down a bit more if it was helping not. He wouldnt waste time on deceitful allies, he just knew he had to listen and keep them at arms bay. To go blindly was senseless, to trust again was wreckless. Either path was the same defenselessness so he had to be careful. "Come show me where." Sico said solidly. He stepped back, the sword big on his back and indicated the open door. For once, the boy stepped back in small fright.

"Oh no I can't come with you, it's too late. I would get into trouble. The day is scary, no one is around ."

"So what's the show about?"

"It's just like a holiday event. I can't really describe it."

"You can try." Firm.

His tone scared the boy a little who backstopped behind the swing bed again. "No really, you should just see it for yourself," his voice shook a little. "Dont you believe me?"

"Believing and trusting are two different things."

"I don't understand."

Sico stopped. The little boy was pissing him off. How dumb was he. Dumb and naive much like he was, he'd better grow up fast. He didn't want to stay around the brat anymore. He reminded him how easily innocence could be taken.

"Just point me in the direction and I'll find it myself," Sico huffed, not caring whether the boy was offended. But instead the boy, tiptoed to the door and pointed out to the right of the cul de sac deadend. Sico walked up behind him.

"Just go back out and keep on the right road straight." The little boy said, "if you keep going up I uh think you'll get there." He paused, "follow the tree walls, they'll go the river."

"Thanks," Sico muttered gruffly and stepped down the stair.

"Hey hey hey hey hey hey!" Sico paused as the boy whisper shouted in his ear and turned around. He was climbing to the doorframe excitedly. "If you're staying for a few days, I'm sure I'll see you again. If you need any more help, I'll be right here."

Sico scuffed quietly to himself. Help. There would be no reason to meet someone so useless again. Sico thought, he seemed like a boy who would die young. "Sure," Sico muttered under this breath and stepped down. The scene outside was so different in the nightfall.

Like a fairytale village it seemed fa but magical. The yellow abundant streetlights were yellow in the night and about level with the eye and lower. The shadows they cast went up and to the sides and downward and the thick patterns on the ground were more vivid but everything was still absolutely washed in yellow light and brightness below a deep purple sky. The hedges living the road, so thick of trees yards deep lead him on and on without means of detour.

But he did soon find himself among the growing streams of people who all minded their business in pleasure. They were certainly sniking about the festival or whatever it was. Sico ignored them, knowing it was useless to try to talk to anyone else wrapped up in their own ceremonies and belong. He walked behind those walking in the same direction when he spotted someone taller than the rest and among all the people he'd encountered, he easily recognized this one from the time before. The time before the gardens with the backstabbing Ayaka, before the cave and the fall off the cliff fighting Axishi. Before finding out the backstabber was a woman, before the fight with the thieves. It was the barman of Onawa who warned him clear of the city, though he didn't listen. The rope mark was there around his neck.

How...dare he be here. Sico started marching through the emerging peoples swifter as they rounded onto he apparent event gates. The roof here too lead all the way to the building covering the entire lanterned yard. It was already dark but bright. The barman's head and shoulders disappeared into the building and Sico shoved in with the others.

A plain empty lobby circling around in a square. Three pathways but where'd he go. Sico looked about. The head and shoulders had disappeared straight ahead through another door. Sico pushed on through and attempted to enter. Two doormen stopped him however with badges on their panels. Sico had to stop remembering his size.

"Are you with the event committee?" One asked.

"Wh.. no."

"Everyone else has to pass through the sides."

"I'm here for!" His voice raised.. here for what exactly.

"Don't have to be so obvious you're following me," the barman reappeared in the doorway and Sico stepped back at his size, looking down upon him. He was lost for words momentarily.

"That's right," Sico found his voice again. "You'll take me to the mayor."

The barman didn't flinch. His expression didn't change. He only took a moment to breathe and then turned to the side, stance still open to Sico. "Well then, follow me."

"..." mute. He looked at the doormen at the side who had lost interest and had eyes ahead. He looked back at the large man framing his forward path unsure what to say. "That sounds like," the words stammered before finding footing, "you were expecting me or something."

"Maybe." The barman spoke losing interest and already walking inward. Sico followed quickly and decided to stop arguing. He steeled himself for what was to come.