A/N: Okay, this is where it gets pretty dark. A quick warning of violence, and abuse. Anyway, on with the story!
Both Ethan, and Alison woke up with a start as they heard a dog whimpering and scratching at the rock before barking excitedly. Before either of them could respond, a huge arm, most likely from an engine, or freight truck, swiftly grabbed Ethan by the leg, and dragged him out into the open within the blink of an eye. Alison could hear Ethan screaming, and others laughing. Her worst fears were confirmed. A patrol had found them.
Alison yelped as the dog, a German Shepherd, stuck it's head into the crevice, and barked incessantly, alerting the patrol she was still inside. She quickly scooted to the far back of the crevice, where the patrol couldn't reach her. She cowered, and screamed as the rock above her cracked after it received a powerful blow form one of the members of the patrol.
The dog yipped as it was pulled back by another member of the patrol, still trying to get to her. Alison had a choice, either make a run for it, and risk getting caught, or stay there, and risk having the rock cave in above her, and crush her. She took her chances, and bolted out form the crevice, only to be grabbed by the back of her shirt in a vice grip by one of the members of the patrol. She choked a bit as she was lifted off the ground with ease before she came face to face with one of the member of the patrol, a money truck with a smug smirk on his face.
"Where do you think you are going, little human?" The money truck chuckled softly. He was huge compared to her. She had never felt so tiny before. Alison whimpered softly, and looked at each member of the patrol. There was what looked like a dynamite truck, obviously female, with long hair stylized to a Mohawk, and who had a hold of Ethan by his hair.
An armaments truck was with them, wearing dark sunglasses, and holding the German Shepherds back. His expression appeared cold, showing no emotion whatsoever. He quickly, but gently tugged at the leashes that restrained the two dogs, and the two animals immediately grew quiet, still wagging thier tails. He was armed with a hunting rifle, and a pistol, the fate of the two children were in his hands. For a brief moment, his expression seemed to soften before steeling up again, and going back to his emotionless expression.
"What do you think we should do with them, Krupp?" The money truck looked back at the armaments truck. Krupp was silent for a few moments, and opened his mouth to speak, but the dynamite truck seemed to had made the decision long before him.
"Let's squish them!" The dynamite truck's expression turned into a sickening smile as he yanked Ethan's hair, not hard enough to break his neck, but enough for him to feel the pain. Ethan screamed in agony, and tried to force the dynamite truck to release him.
"Stop! He didn't do anything wrong!" Alison cried out as best she could. The dynamite truck smirked. Alison could see something dark dwelling deep within her eyes. The dynamite truck smirks.
"Or what, you pathetic little parasite? You humans have no power her anymore. You are obsolete." The dynamite truck let out a deep, and guttural growl that most certainly didn't sound human. Alison shark tenfold in the inside. The stories her grandparents told her about the machines being so gentle, and sweet seemed to be nothing more than a myth.
"Joule, that's enough. We will take them to Electra. He will decide what to do with them." Krupp finally spoke up in an indifferent voice that was cold as his expression. Joule let out a growl, though much softer this time.
"Fine.." Joule rolled her eyes, and yanked Ethan's hair, forcing him to stand up. She snarled, showing off her long canines. "Get up you little brat!" She snapped.
Immediately, Ethan yelped, and stood up. The money truck set Alison down, but grabbed her by the neck in a vice grip. If she tried to run, he would most certainly break her neck with just a quick jerk. The money truck tightened his grip a bit, and pushed her forward, almost forcing her down onto the ground.
"Come on! Move it!" The money truck snaps. He didn't seem to be as aggressive as Joule, but it would be best not to anger him. Alison quickly complied and walked with them, struggling to keep up with the money truck.
Ethan was scrambling to keep up with Joule, every time he lagged behind her, she would give his hair a quick yank, forcing him to yelp, and speed up a bit. Neither of them knew where the patrol could possibly be taking them.
They walked for hours through the ruins, and over forest trails, forcing the patrol to walk on their toe stops, and slowing them down a bit, much to the relief of the two children. Ethan was stumbling along at this point, on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion. Alison tripped, and nearly collapsed on the spot. It seemed that the only thing holding her up was Purse. Purse quickly pulled her back up. Krupp sighed, ad shook his head before bringing the patrol to a complete stop.
"Take the dogs, Purse. I will take care of her from here." Krupp held out the leashes that were restraining the two dogs. The two German Shepherds looked up at Purse, and wagged their tails.
Purse shrugged, and shoved Alison over to Krupp as he grabbed onto the leashes. Alison fell at the wheels of the armaments truck. Krupp sighed before ever so gently picking Alison up, and easily slinging her over his shoulder, as if she were a sack. She was taken by surprise at first at the sudden increase in height. She looked around. She was pretty high off of the ground. Joule looked at him in distaste.
"We are not to spoil the slaves, Krupp. They need to fear us, not love us." Joule growled softly. Krupp's eye roll was concealed behind his sunglasses.
"I know. I know, but these humans are just children. They probably won't make it if we force them to keep walking like this. Carrying them is faster anyway." Krupp's cold glare was concealed behind his sunglasses as he stared her down, challenging her.
Joule sighed, she knew it wasn't a good idea to fight with Krupp. "Fine.. Come on, human." Joule grumbled before lifting Ethan up, and slinging him over her shoulder with ease. That being done, the patrol resumed their journey to wherever they were taking the two children to.
It wasn't long before Alison started to nod off, trying not to fall asleep on Krupp's hard shoulder. The last thing she heard before she fell asleep was Krupp whispering to her in a very soft, and gentle tone of voice, much different than the voice she had heard before.
"Not much longer now, little one. We are almost there." Krupp whispered softly. Almost immediately, Alison fell asleep.
A/N: Whoo! Another chapter done! I know this chapter was rather dark, but it will only get darker from here on out, just a warning. Anyways, as always, see you later!