Chapter 3: This is giving me serious cult vibes
A couple of hours of flower crown making later, the meat was cooking on the fire, letting an absolutely delicious fragrance out into the atmosphere—at least what I could tell through the faint smell that wafted through the seal tight coverings. It was clear that they had a promising cook in the group, and with how many animals they hunted, no one would go hungry tonight.
Well, no one but me.
Must be nice, not like I'm sipping vinegar or anything
I had no problem going without food in my cell because they only gave me cold mushes of something (don't know how I never got sick from malnutrition), but this right here is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
As my keepers went and filled up their bowls with food, I could only sit in silence, waiting for the right opportunity.
When Kenji, my main watcher, came back with his bowl, I tried to catch his attention. Turning to face the teen's way, I clapped my hands together.
Clap! Clap!
Surprised by the sudden noise, Kenji turned towards him with apprehension coloring his voice.
"...Yes?"
Oh, now he is just a treat.
Wait-what next? Um, oh!
Feeling around for my pile of flower crowns, I picked two up and motioned towards them before pointing to Kenji. Then, I cupped my hands up in a bowl-like fashion and made an eating motion. The older boy was confused as to what I was doing, so it took me a couple more tries before the fool finally got it.
"You...want to trade?"
I fiercely nodded his head.
Yes, you damn idiot!
"With your...flower crowns?"
Another fierce nod. I ignored the stares directed towards his mangled mess of flowers. (It's been a while okay!)
During this strange exchange between the two boys, the other members of their group stared as the two communicated. Interested in what was happening right now, they quieted down to hear what was going on. The silence stretched out until the boy clapped his hands to snap Kenji out of it. It worked.
Chuckling a bit sheepishly, it sounds like he was scratching his head.
"Sorry, I have a question though."
He made a 'go on' motion.
"How are you going to eat it?" Kenji questioned, his tone not unkind, just curious. "We were informed that you had a muz-I mean—your mouth is covered."
Smooth one, aren't you? At least you tried to sugar-coat it.
At this point, I threw manners out the window and just showed him. Flourishing my hand, I pressed the cloth that hung around my head against my face to show the indentations of where my muzzle was. I moved my other hand out in front of me and stuck out my index, promptly shoving it through the area where my mouth would be. The finger did not meet any resistance and instead went past the area
There was a pause
"..."
Faintly, a voice coming from the cooking area said, "So that's how he does it." followed by a laugh "You owe me a meal, Kousuke!"
Finally relenting, Kenji placed chopsticks and a bowl full of meat and what I presume to be rice in my hands. In return, I tossed a couple of crowns at him. All of them successfully made it to their intended place if the sound of them sliding down the teen's neck told me anything.
Happy with our trade, I promptly stuffed some meat in my mouth and let out a worrying gag. It seems like my body wasn't used to the rich flavors and actual shape going into my body. It had so many strong flavors that it actually almost hurt to eat, but I couldn't stop. It was just that delicious. Picking up another piece of meat, I made sure my next bites were slower than my first.
After I had finished, I placed the chopsticks on top of the bowl and laid it down where I thought Kenji was. Sitting on my legs, I humbly bowed to him, showing my thanks. It wasn't every day that I'd be able to have such a great meal, much less a hot one.
Ignoring his surprised and embarrassed splutters, I curled up on the ground and started to sleep. Despite how it was a little chilly, the grass was extremely soft for some reason so it was pretty comfortable.
The sounds of the others preparing for night shifts filled the forest until they finally settled down to sleep. The only constant sound was the crackling of the campfire and the crickets in the grass.
Throughout the journey, my movers had been kind in their own way despite their positions. Never being overly indulgent, they had made sure to keep me safe and never yelled or harmed me whenever they had to stop walking for me to catch my breath. They even fed me! Which, yeah, is a pretty low standard—but hey! It's pretty good food.
As the last of my consciences blinked away, my mind couldn't help but give thanks for their mercy.
Goodnight, and may your future ones be blessed with nourishment.
Help us! Please, help us Honored One!
My nose twitched, picking up on a smell. One that was...I can't put a word to it.
O Honored One, I beg of you, please take it away!
It made my mouth water and my stomach rumble, aching for something to soothe the emptiness.
Have mercy on us O Honored One!
Like a whip, I jerked my head up immediately at the sound of voices, all sounding completely different than the teens from the camp. Almost...distorted? It wasn't something that could come from a human mouth, that's for sure.
Feeling the grass for some sort of grounding, my fingers could only feel something soft. My body curled into itself as I caught on to what was happening.
Was I kidnapped or something?
My ears strained for the voice of Kenji, even Emo would do! Sadly, none of them were in range.
"Oi, get the fuck away from the child!" A booming voice barked out.
A shiver ran down my spine at his words.
At once, the crowd of whispering voices disappeared with squeals of fear and terror; leaving me alone with the unidentified person in an unknown location still—I checked if the chains were still on—bound and no way to call for help.
Heavy footsteps made their way towards where I was laid down on the dirt, each step growing louder and louder in my head. A soft curse came from the person's direction as he hurried his pace when he was about halfway near me.
Large, rough hands pulled me up from the ground and righted me in a sitting position. Those warm palms made their way onto my shoulders in an attempt at comfort. They were too hot.
It felt...nice.
"Shit. Are you okay kid?"
Oh.
I'm shaking.
(My mouth was still watering.)
Right. Communicate. How does one do that again? Oh.
Stiffly, I nodded my head in answer. Hopefully, it wasn't too dark; judging by how the crickets were still chirping, I'd say it was still nighttime.
"Come on, up we go." The stranger spoke in a measured and steady tone.
The stranger was nice enough to help me stand up despite the sketchiness this whole situation was probably screaming out.
Nice man.
The sound of something dripping took my attention away from the obviously concerned man. It brought my attention to the present, causing my senses to be attacked from all sides.
A metallic scent flooded my sensitive nose that should not be as strong as it should be. Making me realize with a pat to the face that my muzzle was missing. My whole body was shivering, as something wet, hot, and sticky seeped through my robes and bandages. It was reminiscent of blood and clung to my skin.
I did not like it.
(My stomach rumbled in hunger.)
Quickly covering my nose with my left hand, I had to hold back the urge to vomit at how much blood there was. By the sound of the concentrated area of dripping, there was a definite trail of blood possibly leading back to where I was taken from.
Taking my mind off the sensation of stickiness, I paid attention to the fact that my chains were nowhere to be found on me; it was jarring how light my body felt in the real world without the heaviness on my neck and wrists, a positive in this mess of events I suppose.
Strong arms connect with short legs and pull me up against a sturdy chest. A large hand was placed on the center of my back, pushing my cheek against a broad shoulder; my body was unable to do anything as I put all my effort into ignoring the scent of blood flooding through my nose.
"Focus on me kid." The stranger's voice softly rumbled, pleasantly sending a low vibration through his chest. "Focus on me."
My body relaxed in the man's comfortable hold as he started walking. Probably back where the stranger came from.
He let out a heavy sigh. "Really kid, this ain't spelling out anything good you know. How'd you even get yourself in this mess." He pushed back his hair with a hand and dragged it down his face in frustration. "Four dead a kilometer away and a group of Cursed Spirits surrounding a child soaked in blood."
Letting out a hysterical laugh, he groaned to himself. "You struck gold Osamu, you struck gold."
Wow, it must suck to be him. I totally understand the number of nopes this scene induced to a sane person. Hopefully, Kenji and the rest were okay aside from the ones dead. They were a pretty nice group.
My body couldn't help but shiver as each minute passes with the scent and feel of blood on my body.
I want...