Freedom Fighter
Chapter 11: Dressed in peels
I pinched my eyes shut and hugged myself into a bundle. I felt the world around me move and shake. Was I back in the crate? I tried to open my eyes, but they won't open. Fear suffocated my heart. My eyes won't open!
I kicked out, but the movement was so soft and pathetic. My muscles wouldn't cooperate and I suspect that their betrayal was because of the comfortable heat wrapped around me. A sigh lifted my warmth-filled chest.
There was a rubbing on my back and I relinquished myself to the comforting gesture. I even leaned into it. My eyelids relaxed and I sunk back into the softness containing me. "Shh, go back to sleep, everything is okay, you're okay."
The deep voice was comforting in its firmness and I easily got swallowed by the welcoming warmth. I don't know the voice, but I can feel that I'm safe around him. I would know when a situation is safe or not (maybe) and I'm going to trust my senses with this one. There wasn't a way in the world that a voice so tender can be evil. No way.
'But what about Trix?' I shiver at the memory of my old master and the heat around me turns suddenly cold. 'No, Trix was Bipolar, I swear! One moment she would be all whip cream and caramel and the next she would be whip lash and shock cell.' Those thoughts didn't placate me at all and my shivering became more pronounced.
Suddenly the peels of warmth around me were shed and arms engulfed me. I tensed. Did I disturb my new master? Oh no, I hope he doesn't squeeze me to death. That won't be pleasant; breathing is something I like to do.
"What's wrong?" I turned my head to the side. I took in my surroundings. We were in a vehicle of some sort, but it didn't look like any truck I've ever seen. There were no filthy random stains and the surface area wasn't filled with takeout food or controllers and electric prodders. There was a woman up front behind the steering wheel; apparently it was her who asked the question.
Distrust clawed at my brain. If these people didn't have any weapons or controllers what were they planning to do to me? There could be a chance that they were first time arena betters, but that wouldn't be likely, judging by their clothes they don't look like small time betters. Besides if they were high rollers they wouldn't have bought me, I'm only on level six. If you want to really reel in the paper you would go for the level 9 players- the highest ranking hybrid.
I've faced a level 9 fighter once. But I've never seen that man again, not since I was first thrown into the arena. "I think he's scared. Maybe we shouldn't have given him muscle relaxers, he's been out of it for a while and waking up in a new environment with no idea what's going on is reason to be frightened."
The vibrations of the man's vocal cords tickled my ear. In the position with my head against his chest it would be quite awkward to move, lest master get angry. I still had no idea what they were saying. Humans were weird.
"Well then, genius, maybe you should let go of him, because I'm pretty sure that you hugging him is going to give him a headache." The pressure around me left and I sat back down on the blankets rolled around me like a nest. They were soft and fluffy and the texture was interesting.
Involuntarily I reached out and took the material between my fingers, completely ignoring the fact that the man was staring at me. It felt soft and tingles every time I rub it over my fingers. I stared fascinated. How can material be so soft? Were humans able to change texture as they please?
Wow, this is totally cool!
I dropped the blanket and went over to the seat. My hands brushed over the smooth ridges. There's this bone-deep pleasure that tickles into my hands as I'm touching it. I love it! Feeling this is the best thing ever!
I wonder what other stuff there is to touch? The window? Nah, I know windows, they're just like metal, but only smoother. The window. My eyes stared through it and instantly my hands pressed up against the cool glass. "Doctor was right, his system worked right through those drugs..."
People were rushing around, even after dark, and swarmed the streets. Buildings stretched up and scraped the skies, piercing the clouds as if contacting the stars themselves. Signs that lit the darkness declared promises that would probably be met short, and colours bounced of every shiny surface in sight.
"What are you looking at?"
I turned my head. Master was looking at me with a smile on his face. It was a kind smile- just like the one that the stranger had given me. The stranger who gave me the hat and helped me when I was cold.
Maybe everyone who has this smile is good?
He rubbed my hair and it took all my will power not to flinch away. A sad look crossed his face. Was it because I didn't say anything? "Hey, I have a surprise for you, once we get home there's someone I want you to meet." I tipped my head to the side and frowned.
Master smiled again and chuckled. He fluffed my hair and looked as if he wanted to put his arms around me again, but resisted. Why do humans even do that? Is it supposed to help? I don't see how it can help- it's only arms that do stuff.
I felt the urge to return the smile, but couldn't bring myself to fake something so trivial. Instead I just turned my head towards the outside world and stared up, there were vehicles of all sorts zooming around. There was even one that looked like a snake that walked on metal overhead. I found myself staring intently at the long thing.
We stopped at a red light which gave me more time to inspect the weird thing. "That's a train. People get into it and drive places, though I wouldn't use it, there are some people who think it's a toilet and others who believe it's a place to sleep."
I inclined my head and looked at him. "A train." He repeated and pointed at the snake like metal-thing. I blinked. Master sighed. "Hey, be patient, you can't expect him to-"
I tapped at the glass, making the driver stop talking. The light turned green and we moved again, the driver's thoughts completely lost. My finger would have hurt by now, but I tapped the glass with my robotic hand, the sound was completely different from the hollow noise I get when tapping it with my other hand.
I felt like a toddler experiencing things for the first time in my life and I felt stupid. I wasn't making a good impression with my new master, but he hasn't gotten angry yet, so that's a good thing.
Warm blankets were placed over my shoulders, and this time I did flinch at the unexpected gesture. Master smiled at me. "You were shivering. Even if you don't understand me I still want to tell you that I'm here to help you. Nothing is too big or too small, if you need my help I'll be there."
I shuddered, a feeling of déjà vu spiralling down my spine. I wrap the blanket closer and fold into myself. My eyes closed and I willed slumber to take over me, I still feel sleepy, but all the excitement has worked me up.
It was harder to fall asleep, but eventually I slipped into infinity.
Tadashi put his hand around Hiro's shoulder. The little hybrid fell to the side and curled up next to him, using him as a pillow. Though the positioning was a little off Tadashi didn't feel awkward at all.
"Are we there yet?" Aunt Cass turned from the passenger seat. "You sound like- aaaaw." She cooed at the precious sight of Hiro next to her eldest nephew. "Where's my phone, I have to take a picture of this."
"Yes, we're almost there." Gogo answered as Aunt Cass scrambled around in search of her phone. A flash snapped and Tadashi smiled kindly at the camera. "Hey, give it here." He held out his hand and Aunt Cass obliged. "First, let me take a selfie."
With a quick click he handed the device back and stared out the window. "He's purring like a kitten!" Tadashi suppressed his gales of laughter. "Shhh, you'll wake him! Besides, he's not purring like a kitten... he's more like a lion cub. Cute but fierce."
It'll take some getting used to- the purring- after all, it's not every day that you hear your sibling purr like the low hum of a moped's motor, but hey, who said this whole hybrid-adjustment was going to be easy?
To get through this he'd have to be dressed in peels.
They pulled up to a café and Aunt Cass was the first one out. Gogo looked back at the pair. "You gonna be okay?" Tadashi looked her in the eye then back down at his brother. The story that Fred had told him ran through his head.
There was something big going on and only his brother had the answers. Only thing is that they were hidden behind a language barrier and possible brain damage. Being 'okay' was far from the equation that he was struggling with.
"I don't know, Gogo. But there's something you should know." The woman perked up and adjusted in her seat to look back at Tadashi with full attention. "The person who took Hiro is up to something, I don't know what, but Hiro's fight isn't over until we get the people who did this to him and make sure they're brought to justice."
Gogo frowned. "What do you mean she's 'up to something', they're trafficking kidnapped humans and forcing them to fight to the death, of course she's up to something!" She tried keeping her voice down while at the same time screaming her frustration. Tadashi shook his head. "There's a reason why Hiro can't talk or understand us, and I think Baymax is the only one who can help me."
He raked his fingers through his brother's hair. "Baymax has the same... design as Hiro, sort of, maybe he can help?"
"You know that he's just a squishy balloon robot, right?"
The prodigy smiled and wrapped his brother up in the blankets before picking him up gently. "Perhaps, but there's still hope, and I'm not giving up until I know that Hiro is safe, and everyone else, the world will be a better place if that woman is off the streets. And if she's planning something devious I'm going to find out what and put a stop to it."
Gogo shook her head and put the car in gear. "At least your brother is in good hands. Take care of him."
"Yeah. I am."
Tadashi got out and watched as his partner revved down the street at a speed of lighting with the skills of someone from the movie Fast and Furious. He hugged the bundle closer and followed his aunt into the café.
The lights blinked out as the reunited family stole off to slumber, closing the chapter on the horrors of the past and welcoming a new dawn.
"It's hard to fight, but it's harder not to."- Me
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END ACT 1
