Chapter 6

As soon as Nani was caught the night before, she was taken to one of the human prisons she had heard about. This one was in a stadium but was fenced off and guarded by several experiments. She was forced inside and saw that most of the humans were on the grassy field. Everyone looked tired and dirty but no one seemed to be sick or injured. Everyone was given supplies to make tents and beds.

Nani heard someone say her name and turned to see Kumu, Lilo's hula teacher. She was happy to see someone she knew. The man assumed that Nani would of been captured along with Lilo so he asked where she was.

Nani sighed and tried to keep her voice from cracking. "I was out getting food alone when I got caught. I left Lilo at home. Who knows if she's still safe."

Kumu saw the young woman's distress and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Lilo is strong and smart. I bet she is still hiding."

"I sure hope so," Nani said quietly.

After a moment Nani looked around the area. "How bad is it here? Does anyone get punished or tortured?"

To Nani's surprise, Kumi instantly shook his head. "No, we get regular food and water and some of the experiment guards even play with the children. It seems like they don't want to hurt us, they just don't want us to leave. No one has tried to escape because we don't want to anger them."

Nani was relieved and it reminded her of when Lilo had said she did not think they could be all bad. She just hoped that Lilo was okay and if she did get caught, her sister was not too afraid and treated fairly.

As the day progressed 626 was really beginning to like Lilo. The two stayed at the cove learning about each other and having fun. Lilo learned how strong 626 was and how smart and agile. It made perfect sense that he was the leader. A few times she had tried to talk to him about ending the invasion, but he would always change the subject.

626 was fascinated by Lilo and how kind and smart she was, especially for such a young human. He was beginning to wonder if other humans were like her. When they got hungry Lilo showed 626 that coconuts were food. The experiment then eagerly retrieved them from a tree and gave one to Lilo. "Thank you 626," said Lilo.

Once 626 learned that they needed to be broken open, both enjoyed their snack in silence. Lilo looked over at 626 and said, "You know being called a number is not a very good name."

626 looked over at her curiously, she thought for a moment and then said, "I think I'll call you…Stitch."

"Gaba?" 626 said and tilted his head.

Lilo saw his confusion and explained, "I knew if I ever got a dog, I would want to name him Stitch."

626 had heard about what a dog was. Humans kept them as pets and as special friends. Although 626 would never be someone's pet, he did like the idea of being Lilo's friend.

"Meega like that name," Stitch said happily.

By sunset, Stitch had completely forgotten that Lilo knew threatening information, he was having too much fun playing and learning about her. He had never had fun before other than by causing destruction and he liked it.

Suddenly Stitch could hear experiments approaching and he was reminded of the war and how he was expecting reports from his army. Quickly he picked up Lilo and climbed down the side of the cliff. Lilo was surprised by this but did not resist. There was a big tropical flower bush growing at the edge of the water and Stitch put her inside it. She was about to question him when he held a finger to his lips and shushed her. Lilo nodded and stayed put so Stitch climbed back up the cliff.

Stitch made it back to the top just in time to wait for the dozen experiments to emerge from the jungle. They all saluted their leader and a dark purple experiment stepped forward. "We have accounted for 60 new human prisoners today Sir," said the experiment.

"Good. Anything else?" Stitch asked.

"Yes there have been reports that some of the prison guards have been engaging in unusual behavior with their prisoners. I believe the small humans called it 'fun'."

This information surprised Stitch. It told him that other humans were capable of kindness like Lilo and could treat other experiments as friends and not enemies.

"Shall we replace those guards with other experiments?" he asked Stitch.

"No, there is not harm in what they are doing," Stitch replied.

The purple experiment looked at his leader confused and was about to question him. Before he could say anything, a brown experiment with a long snout spoke up. "Hey do you guys smell that?"

"What is it?" a green experiment asked.

The brown one sniffed the air again and said, "It smells like a human!"

All the experiments except Stitch became alarmed.

"Yeah I smell it too! A human female!" said another experiment.

The purple experiment looked at Stitch and said, "Sir, shall we search the area for the human threat?"

Stitch quickly responded by saying, "No! That is not necessary! The scent is from a human I encountered earlier and I already took care of her. Now leave the cove, all of you are to be on watch duty tomorrow for enemy vesicles attempting to land on the island. "

The experiments saluted him and left the area. Three experiments were running off to guard the Southern shores. "Did you guys notice how 626 was no longer wearing his weapon jumpsuit?" one experiment asked the other two.