Mowgli stirred awake as the nights rest had rejuvenated him. As he started to wake, he realized he was not laying upon fur but a smooth and partially wet surface. He opened his eyes to see he was laying against the wall and upon floor near the spring. He started to worry as, Karina was not where she was but then he looked slightly to the left and saw that she was still there in the room with him. She was sitting upon the stool in front of the stand near the wall with a brush in her hand working on her hair.
Karina had been up for a bit longer than, Mowgli. The Sun outside the room had barely risen over the jungle but she was rested enough. Not wanting to wake the mancub upon her lap she carefully slid him off of her and settled him on her side making sure not to have him fall adjusting his head on the wall and letting him stay asleep for awhile longer.
She stood up and stretched before seeing herself in the partially broken mirror at the stand. She sighed in shame as the slave outfit she wore was such a disgraceful display on herself. It was such a revealing garment. One would think it was attire that one would wear only for the benefit for the sight of someone special on a private occasion but here she was on full display for cretins and dim-whited imbeciles that wanted to see someone that stood above them to be brought something lower than themselves.
Karina tightened her fists. Somehow, she would make them pay for it and would see to the safety of the one she had grown to care for deeply. She looked at, Mowgli smiling at how adorable he looked asleep. He was a little light in the shroud of darkness and that light kept her hopes up. She saw in the mirror her hair was a bit raged from the nights rest and needed to be made anew. She stepped up to the stand and sat down on the stool. Seeing a drawer on the stand she pulled it out to see there was combs and a hairbrush just what she needed.
The Wolf Girl was busy brushing her hair smoothly glad that it was her doing it and not that wretch, Queen Abra. While she was busy, she noticed in the corner of the mirror, Mowgli was awake. She turned her body to look at him with a kind smile. "Morning, Mowgli. Sleep well?"
Mowgli stood up and yawned. "Yes. I did, thank you. You?"
"Mhm-hm." She replied before returning to work on her hair. Mowgli couldn't help but admire, Karina. She was such a rarity. He was infatuated over her. She was the rock he could lean on. She was there for him in every way. If she was gone there was no telling what he would do.
He picked up one of the leftover fruits on the plate from the previous night and ate believing that he and his friend may not get much of a chance later as it was unknown what would become of them both this day. He picked up a banana and walked over to, Karina as she finished brushing her hair making it smooth again.
"Here you go." Mowgli handed the banana over to, Karina.
"Thank you, Mowgli." She thanked peeling the banana and ate it though at this time she was despising having to eat fruits. Being trapped as slaves in place ruled by Primates its all they could eat. Nothing but what grows on the trees in the jungle. How could anyone stand eating only one type of food? She needed some meat and would give anything to have some deer. She would eat it raw if she must.
Mowgli stood by, Karina's side as she finished her banana taking, Mowgli's hand. "What do you think is going to happen today?" Mowgli asked feeling uneasy.
"I am not sure, Mowgli. But remain strong maybe we might find something use today." Karina suggested. "Have faith." Karina petted, Mowgli's head making him giggle but then there was a knock at the door of the room.
"HEY! Slaves! Wake up in there! Its time to get to work!" A voice shouted from outside the door no doubt one of the primate guards.
"We're coming!" Karina called grumbling after. Mowgli followed the wolf girl to the door where it was open by one of the guards outside it. The Two were met by a group of four primate guards.
"Hope you had a good sleep you got work to do today." The Primate guard in front of the other snickered making the other laugh with him. Karina was unimpressed with, Mowgli right by her side.
"Follow!" The Primate demanded. "And no funny business!" He warned.
"That's your job." Karina mumbled quietly only for, Mowgli to hear it and chuckled a little. Two of the primates got behind them and shoved them both on their back to get them moving and the two followed the guard in front of them.
The Sun had risen high by then as most of the primates in the ruins were already up and tending to the matters at hand. Most of the primates the group walked past hardly seemed to bother with them. Just like their race to have no since of discipline or pride. It was a wonder how did the likes of, King Louie and Queen Abra manage to rally such a group to conspire in a place such as this?
Karina and Mowgli continued to walk as ordered staying close behind the one in front of them as they were led outside. It was good to be outside again as fresh air was welcome and it didn't smell as rotten on the outside as it was on the inside of the ruined palace.
The Guard escorted the two slaves past some of the walls that looked to barely holding up due to lack of care and with the ruins seemingly been there for some time it was almost a miracle a place such as that was still standing.
The Two slaves continued to follow the guard past small groups of primates around some topped pillars and statues of various creations to one of the smaller buildings. Out of all the structures in the ancient ruins the building was seemingly one of the cleanest ones as they were taken inside. Within the structure the walls were lined with many trinkets.
Some of the trinkets looked familiar to, Mowgli and Karina as some resembled the Wolf Kingdom society. There were vases that were lined with paintings of warrior wolfs and the moon. Some of them were household items from heirlooms to even portraits that shined made from bronze to even gold. How did the Primates acquire all this?
"Where did all this come from?" Mowgli couldn't help but ask out loud.
"You can say we…acquired them when no one was around or looking." One Monkey chortled.
"You mean, you stole them!" Karina growled getting more laughter from the surrounding guard.
"Maybe we did, maybe we didn't." One guard playfully acted getting, Karina angered. This proved that not only did they kidnap her and, Mowgli but they have stealing from the Wolf Kingdom as well? How was it possible? They couldn't have gotten over the wall into the kingdom as it was too well guarded. It made no sense.
This proved to her that they have been in the jungle a lot longer than she first thought and they have been pillaging and thieving from her and, Mowgli's home. If they had been doing this for so long without being caught, then they were far craftier than first anticipated. They had to escape somehow and tell the kingdom and return what rightfully belongs to the Kingdom.
They came upon a large double-sided door with two round handles upon each one. The Head guard pushed the doors open and inside revealed a large collection of trinkets all laying scattered across the floor in piles and on shelfs. The Room was covered in dust and the air was thick. Hardly anyone had been in there for a time and unlike the rest of the items outside they saw all the ones in the room were not shining at all. Covered in dirt and dust it seemed everything within was junk.
"Here's your task for today by order of my, King and Queen. You are to clean up these treasures." The Primate proclaimed showing his arm about the room to the shock of both, Mowgli and Karina as there were hundreds of treasures and trinkets in need of cleaning. "Do a good job, that's all they said!"
Karina growled as now their captors are making her and her friend work on such bothersome tasks. This room clearly could have been done so long ago but their subjects were lazy bums now they are placing tasks upon those they caught just so they don't have to.
"There's some rags and a couple buckets of water there!" The Guard pointed to two buckets at the corner of the room near the door with two buckets filled with water and a pile of dirty rags. "Get to work! They expect this room to reflect when its done! Now begin!" The Guard and the other left behind him outside the door as it slammed shut.
Karina was furious. First, she was made to practice dancing the other day with the ugly Queen and now this? She just wished she could let out her fury on these primates if the safety of, Mowgli was not at risk.
Mowgli wasn't too surprised by this. After being made to clean dozens of rooms the other day with, Beretta watching over him and threatening him on occasion this was actually a reprieve for him. Thought it was upsetting there was much work ahead of them he was glad that he had, Karina by his side.
The Mancub put his hand on, Karina's arm looking up at her. She looked down at him and smiled. She was upset but this time she had a task that kept her by, Mowgli's side. She was thankful for that not to the Primate Royals but to the spirits who had shown their faith keeps them together and may see to their escape soon.
"Well…might as well get started." She sighed as she found a chair that was cushioned and large enough for both her and, Mowgli to share setting it in front of massive piles of trinkets. From Cauldrons to coin to cups and so many other filthy items this no doubt would take some time. Mowgli retrieved one of the buckets and a few rags then went over to, Karina sitting down next to her handing her a rag and putting the bucket down in front of them.
The Two of them got to work. Mowgli grabbed the nearest item dunking his rag in the bucket getting it wet then proceeded to wipe the cup he grabbed clean. Karina pulled a small cauldron over to her setting it up a little table and got to work on hers.
The Pair worked hard but held miserable looks. One would not complain about doing chores at home for it was the duty of one living in a household to clean and tidy everything within. But here it wasn't home. They were not cleaning for they had a duty to the house but were cleaning for it was a forced task upon them. The Wolf Girl and Mancub worked silently as they didn't have much to talk about at the time. Sometimes one would look at the other as they worked before returning to the task at hand.
The Only noise that filled the room was the primates guarding the door outside with their rambunctious laughter at bad jokes and tall tales that were anything but interesting to listen to. For hours on end the two of them worked together. Already they had cleaned over a couple dozen of the room's items letting them finally see what they look like without all the dirt covering them.
Neither of them knew what time it was as they stayed on task. The bucket they were using was quite filthy as the water turned brown from all the filth upon the rags, they dunked inside it. With nothing but the chatter of the primates outside the door the task was a fiercely boring one.
Mowgli had just finished yet another cup setting it down in a pile where he had finished many of the items having cleaned them till not a speck of dust was on it.
"This is boring." He sighed picking out another item to clean.
"I agree." Karina replied scrubbing a bigger caldron. As they both continued to work something was amiss as they the noise from outside the door began to die down then it was silent. For a little while there was not a single peep at the door.
Karina growing curious she put her rag down and went to the door. She stood right next to it but still didn't hear anything. Either those primates had finally run out of anything to say or maybe they were gone. From when they were brought into the room, she never heard anything that sounded like a lock or something boarded against the door. She wondered.
The Wolf Girl carefully put her hands on the door and gently pushed on it. To her surprise it budged! She moved the door till it cracked open. She moved her head sideways and looked through. The guards were gone. And they were not in the hall either. There was no one and the door was not even locked or barred in any way.
"What idiots." Karina smiled seeing how this was the opportunity they were waiting for. "Mowgli!" She called her.
Mowgli dropped his rag and quickly stood up. "What is it?" He asked surprised to see, Karina at the door not realizing she had left her seat next to him.
"The Door is open! The Guards are gone! This is our chance. Come!" Karina almost called too loudly being sure to quiet herself. Mowgli ran over to, Karina as he didn't have to be told twice. He was eager to finally escape this place.
Karina opened the door slowly not wanting to alert anyone that could be nearby. She peaked out the door to see that no one was around. She didn't understand why the guards would have their post unguarded but perhaps that was something the spirits have granted. An opportunity to escape and they could not throw out their best chance.
"Alright, it looks clear, but we have to remain quiet." She said to the mancub. "Walk carefully and stay behind me." Karina opened the doors and, Mowgli followed. Karina shut the doors hoping that no one will realize that no one was in the room if the guards would return. Carefully they stepped down the halls trying to find the way out of the building. They followed the route they came in but stayed close to walls that had doors to other rooms to quickly hide in if they say anyone.
They came upon two Primate guards that was busy talking to each other screeching in laughter over a joke. Karina and Mowgli took cover through a door nearby glad to find that no one was in it as it was just another room with more dirty trinkets. It figured to, Karina that the room they put them in was far within the building.
Karina peeped out the door and watched the Primates as they were too idiotic to keep an eye around their surroundings. They then stood up and began to walk down the hall with, Karina quickly hiding back in the room.
"Just wait till they pass then we will go." Karina told, Mowgli getting a nod from him but then he began to rear his head back.
"Ah...ah…" Mowgli tried to hold it in, but the room was filled with tons of dust from years of lack of cleaning. He felt a sneeze coming and if he would let it out no doubt the Primates would hear it.
"Oh no!" Karina saw, Mowgli about to sneeze. She had to silence him, or they would be discovered. Quickly running behind, Mowgli she grabbed him and put a hand over his mouth. Mowgli then sneezed hard but the hard grip over his mouth barely let out a sound as the Primates however he got, Karina's hand all wet from his sneeze.
When the Primates passed, Karina let go of, Mowgli but looked at her hand that was all disgusting looking from her friend's sneeze. Mowgli felt so ashamed that not only did he almost ruin their escape, but he made a mess of, Karina.
"Karina, I…" Mowgli was about to apologize but, Karina put her other hand on, Mowgli's lips.
"There's nothing to be sorry for." Karina assured wiping her hand clean off the wall. "Anything that happens here is the fault of our captors and not you." She rubbed his hair to assure him some more that he didn't do anything wrong.
Mowgli was glad he didn't make his friend mad about what he just did but he still felt like a mess up for it. Karina looked out of the door again to see the Primates were far down on the other side of the hall oblivious to what they were doing. Taking, Mowgli's hand she went out the door and pulled him along trying to be fast as there could be more guards around.
Soon they reached the entrance which thankfully the only Primates around were far away. It was already noon and, Karina saw some of them going into the palace and other buildings. Some were still guarding the holes in walls which going through them would be out of the question.
"Karina how are we going to get out of here?" Mowgli asked starting to think that maybe it wasn't a good idea to try and leave in the middle of the day.
Karina tried to think. Of course, it wouldn't be so simple to try and get through one of the areas where there was a hole in wall without risk of getting caught. With many of the Primates not in the open there had to be a way. She looked at the wall again there were guards at the holes in walls but there were no patrols along them like the Wolfs have on theirs back in the Wolf Kingdom. They had to take the chance. The Walls were only big enough to keep out anything within arms reach but with some teamwork they could get out.
"Alright, Mowgli. Here is what we are going to do." Karina kneeled down to, Mowgli to look at him. "We are going to make a run for that wall." She pointed at the wall that was just short distance away. "Once there Ill help you get up top then provide some help for me and then we shall make a run for it into the swamp."
Mowgli understood the plan nodding as he wanted to get out this place as soon as possible. Karina stood back up and looked outside again. There were some Primates around guarding the holes and some of the entry ways to the structures, but they were not paying attention around them. This was their chance to make a break for it.
"Alright, go!" Karina ran for the wall and, Mowgli tried to stay close behind her. Being a mancub he could only run so fast as, Karina made to the wall and it took him several seconds to catch up with her. Immediately she grabbed him by the waist and helped him up the wall. Mowgli tried to grab onto some of the lose cracks and to help pull himself up and he managed to grab the top of the wall and began to get himself on it.
Suddenly there was a very loud angry screech coming from the building they were in. Karina looked back and realized that someone within that building must have discovered they were gone. "Hurry, Mowgli!"
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Mowgli grunted as he was not well built to pulling his own weight up. But with a push coming from, Karina on his feet he managed to get to the top of the wall. He quickly turned around kneeling down giving his hand to, Karina as she grabbed onto his hand and tried to pull herself up. Mowgli tried to hold on but, Karina's weight pulled him down till he was laying flat on his stomach but refused to let go of his friend.
Karina kicked her feet onto the wall and tried climb up managing to shimmy up till she managed to grab the top of the wall. She believed this was it. Once she made it to the top, she and, Mowgli could drop down the other side and run for it. She then heard whooshing noise.
She looked up and saw something coming towards her hand. She let go of the wall just before it hit her hand and saw it was a spear. Karina narrowly avoided getting her hand speared, but she now was dangling with only, Mowgli holding onto her. She tried to regain her grip on the wall, but her weight was pulling on, Mowgli.
Mowgli tried to hold onto the wall but, Karina was pulling him down loosing his grip off the wall he fell forward and both he and, Karina went falling onto the ground. Both of them groaned from the sudden impact but just when they were about to stand up, they were seized by many hands.
"Get off us!" Karina snarled as she tried to break out of the grip of the three pairs of hands that grabbed her and forced her down on the ground. Mowgli was grabbed and lifted up to his feet and held tightly with a hand around his mouth to prevent him from speaking. The Group of Primate guards all hollered and hooted in triumph.
"ENOUGH!" A Loud voice boomed ceasing all of the chatter as another Primate stomped towards the group. All the eyes turned to who was coming. Karina tried to break out of the hold, but she was held down by her arms, shoulders and, back kicking her well subdued. She and, Mowgli looked to see it was, Beretta coming forward with a very wide smile on her face. She stepped close to the two and stopped with her hands on her waist.
"Well, well, well…prove that incompetence can nearly lead to disaster. But that works out for me." She snickered.
"Let us go!" Karina demanded only to have dirt kicked in her face by, Beretta making her cough and wheeze.
"I should thank you, girl." Beretta grinned down at, Karina. "Now, you have given me to the chance to finally have a little fun with you that my, King and Queen will approve. Those two imbeciles that left their posts to have a snack will be made an example of. And of course, you, wolfy will be made one too. I only have to ask how good of one." She walked up to the wall jumping up and dislodging the spear from the wall.
Mowgli and, Karina realized that it was her that threw that spear. They were so close to freedom. How could they have let it slip?
Beretta looked at, Mowgli who had a fearful look on his face as he was held in place still with a hand over his mouth. Beretta relished in seeing him so frightened. "Put the mancub back to work I sincerely doubt he had any capability of thinking of this."
Mowgli was immediately pulled away back to the structure he and, Karina came from. Mowgli screamed through the hand on his mouth at, Karina worried for her as he as taken out of sight. Karina tried again to break free, but it was no use they had her held down well.
"Stand her up!" Beretta ordered as, Karina was pulled up and right when she made it to her feet, Beretta took the blunt end of her spear and struck hard right into, Karina's stomach knocking the wind out of her losing a great deal of strength from the blow she collapsed. She took many heavy breaths to regain air and she wheezed as surging pain ran through her stomach.
Beretta laughed as she watched the fight fade from, Karina. "To the cage with her! Let her bake in the sun till tonight where I shall see how much, my Royals wish for me to put her through. I do hope its something where I can leave that lovely form of hers in a state where her own mother cannot recognize her." She hoped as she began to walk and the guards followed her dragging the winded, Karina with them.
Karina shut her eyes as the pain was heavy in her stomach, but nothing hurt worse than her heart knowing she failed. She failed to escape with, Mowgli and now she was going to suffer for it. She wasn't fast enough. "I'm sorry, Mowgli." She whimpered as she was taken to a small cage in the corner of a wall where she was grabbed by, Beretta and though, Karina tried to show she had some fight within her she was thrown into the cage by the sadistic Primate who locked it then mocked her present state before leaving her alone.
Karina dropped to the floor of the cage where she could barely move. She was fortunate she could even sit. The Bars were closed tight preventing her from getting out. "Forgive me, Mowgli." She pleaded whimpering holding onto her stomach trying to soothe the pain away while the pain in her heart remained over the failed escape attempt.