Mating Season

The next day, I woke up in the basement. Memories of Tim's father made me want to die. I looked at my arm and it was covered in scabs from last night. I licked my wounds, and I felt a little relieved that Tim's father didn't sleep down here again. After I cleaned myself up, I waited for someone to enter the basement.

An hour later, I was starting to get worried and hungry. I crawled to the door and knocked on it. In response, someone kicked it and it made me fall backward. I went up to knock again, and I got the same response. I looked around for an escape, and I saw an air vent. I unscrewed it with my claws and I crawled through. Luckily, the vents in this city were big, so I was able to crawl through. In the vents, I heard Tim crying.

I rushed to the source as fast as I could, and I looked through another airvent and saw Tim's room. I pushed the vent open, and I heard a gasp. Tim rushed to the vent and he shouted, "Rudy!?" The master named Jack rushed over and said, "Woah! You said he ran away!" I crawled out of the vent, and Tim hugged me. "Oh, Rudy! Where were you?" I said, "Your father locked me in the basement."

I saw Jack's left eye twitch, and Tim just cried even more. Jack said, "We need to inform Tony of this madness. He'll know what to do."

We walked to Tony's house, and Jack knocked on the door. Jet opened the door and said, "What?" Jack said, "We need Tony for a personal meeting. It's very crucial for Rudy and his well-being." Jet just glared at them, then he shouted, "Tony! Your noob friends are here!" I heard footsteps rush to the door, and Tony shouted, "They are not noobs! Where did you even learn that word?"

Jet shrugged, and Tim said, "Hurry up! This is important!" Tony walked out and Jet followed, but Jack said, "Uh... I think it would be better if Jet stayed home." Tony looked at Jet and said, "He's going to find a way out anyway. Besides, I need to watch him since mating season is close by."

I tilted my head, and I asked, "What's... mating season?" Jet laughed really loud, and Tony asked Tim, "Wait how old is he?" Tim scratched his head and then he said, "I believe he's fifteen." Jack said, "Woah! He isn't mature yet?" I didn't know what they were talking about, and Jet said, "Are we going to that stupid meeting or not?"

Tim said, "Alright, don't be pissy. C'mon everyone." We all walked to the treehouse and the others started conversating. Jet sat next to me and asked, "Are you really fifteen?" I said, "Yes. The breeders that sold me sell pets when they're fifteen." Jet tilted his head, and I asked him, "How old are you?" He said, "Hn... I'm eighteen."

I stretched out and Jet said, "You have so many bruises on your arm..." I said, "Yeah. It's been worse though. One time, he almost broke my leg." Jet stared at me for a bit, and he said, "So that's why they're having this meeting." I yawned and said, "I think I'm going to stay here tonight. If Tim's father realizes I escaped, I'm going to get the beating of a lifetime."

"Escaped?" Jet asked. I nodded and said, "He locked me in his basement, but I escaped through the vents." Jet said, "That's ridiculous. I can't believe that Tim's father is like that." I wanted to change the subject, so I asked him, "Will you tell me about ma-" Jet put a finger over my mouth and hushed me. He whispered, "Let's talk about that later."

He pulled his finger away from my mouth and I whispered, "Okay."

After the meeting, Jet and the others left, and I told Tim that I would stay in the treehouse, and he agreed.

That night, I heard the door creak open and I perked my head up. Cleo and Jet arrived, and Cleo said, "Long time no see Rudy!" I smiled at the presence of my new friends, and Jet said, "Okay. We will now tell you about mating season." We sat in a circle, and Jet said, "Okay. Mating season is when girls like Cleo go into heat."

Cleo said, "It's the worst." Jet cleared his throat and continued. "Being in heat is a sign of maturity and their body is ready to make babies. Being in heat attracts males, and the males... you know... " I tilted my head, and Cleo said, "He means that they fuck us girls senseless until we get pregnant." I suddenly remember what "getting fucked" meant, and I asked her, "Doesn't that embarrass you to say that?"

Cleo shook her head and said, "I had puppies of my own once! But I was only able to keep two of them. I can still have pups, but Master Jack locks me up because he doesn't want to sell any more of my pups." I said, "Well thank you for telling me about this "mating season" guys." Jet said, "No problem at all. By the way, when's your birthday?"

I had to think about that question. My family and I only celebrated it once, and it wasn't that memorable. I finally remembered, and I said, "Tomorrow is my birthday." Cleo barked excitedly and Jet was surprised. Then Jet yawned and said, "Well we're going to head home. We'll see you tomorrow Rudy." I waved as they left, then I drifted back to sleep.