Chapter 2: Two Boys, One Stone
Hey guys sorry the last chapter was so short, for now on I'm going have a minimum of 1000 words per chapter. Hope this one makes up for it!
"Hey, Bain! Quite standing about and help me with this!" Father's shouting snapped me out of my day dream and I quickly made my way to a now middle aged man with the hairs on his beard beginning to grey. "Sorry old man," I said apologetically "just got distracted." Shaking his head, he handed me a knife and continued skinning one of the rabbits that were snared last night. Their numbers have been increasing for some reason. And it's becoming a serious problem. "I know you were distracted." he grumbled as he started pulling out its entrails. "you've been doing that a lot lately. You need to keep your head on straight, or you'll hurt yourself someday." I just rolled my eyes and grumbled "ok", and we continued our work without another word.
Three years have gone by now since that rather brief encounter with the Centaur, and not much has really changed since then. Now approaching fourteen years of age, I'm a little taller and stronger than I was before. And with my Father leaving his golden years behind, he needs my help around the farm more than ever. Boredom is now a common thing with me, however, and I'm beginning to lose interest in my farm chores (much to my Fathers annoyance.) Though you can't blame a guy for wanting to travel and try new things when it's the same thing every single fu- fracking day! Sorry. I think my man hormones are starting to kick in…..
When we were done, Father took the meat to the smoker while I was left to scoop up the insides and fed them to the pigs. And then, with a bucket of water and an old rag, I spent the next ten minutes cleaning the knives. With that taken care of, I gave a few of then a good sharpening with a whet stone. Making my way back to the house, I stopped when I saw someone heading my way. Releasing a moan when I realized it was my annoying little brother. At five and a half years old, Sherwin was a short, chubbier version of me. With an annoying air of excitement about him, he began pestering me with his usual nonsense. "Hey big brother!" he yelled out as he tried his best to keep up with my now hastened pace. "What have you been doing? Hunting? Did you catch anything? Did you get a Fox? I bet you shot a fox!" (This kid just doesn't know when to shut up.) "I've been helping the old man with skinning some rabbits, if you have to know" I replied. Trying my best to hide my annoyance. "Ewww gross!" He cried out with an over exaggerated look of disgust on his face. "Yeah, but it has to be done" I said with a sigh.
After a drink of water from the well and eating some bread my sister kindly had baked me, I quietly entered my parents' bedroom to check on my Mother. She was snoring soundly in her bed. Sadly, her condition hasn't improved. But with Tania taking over the housework and Sherwin helping, things aren't so bad anymore. From under my bed, I pulled out a book heavy with pages and protected with layers of leather dyed a deep shade of red. "Monster Girl Encyclopaedia" could be seen on the front cover. Don't give me that look! This is strictly for educational purposes, and there is nothing perverted involved!
With the book in my arms, I sat myself down under my favourite resting spot: Right under the apple tree as, I have done for the last ten years of my life (my life is so boring.) I quickly flicked through the pages, and continued from where I left off earlier "chapter 37: Conflicts between elves and dark elves." My brother, meanwhile, was running around in the yard swinging a stick around like a sword and singing a stupid song he made up: "Up on the hill and past the mill, an evil demon I must kill. Mighty monster turn and flee! Or else I stab you one two three!" Over, and over again. This made it difficult for me to concentrate, and I was beginning lose my patience when he suddenly shouted "A visitor!" and made his way to the fence. Waiting to greet the traveller that was slowly making their way along the road towards our home.
As you already know, I listen to everything my old man tells me and avoid strangers like the plague. My stupid brother, however, takes great delight in greeting strangers (both human, and monster girl alike.) And Im usually the one that has to keep an eye on him when he does this! When he was younger, I used to try and grab him and bring him into the house whenever someone approached. But he decided to make this into a game and would have me chasing him all over the yard. Much to the amusement of whoever is travelling past. And despite being so short and chubby, he can move rather quickly. I eventually gave up on this tactic, and decided to just keep close to him whenever he goes to talk to someone. But that has problems of its own. Being so close to the monster girls means I have to politely converse with them should they turn their attention to me. And many of them seem to enjoy talking, as these conversations can often go on for hours at a time! Most of the time they seem quite civil and stay on their side of the fence. But every once in a while, someone will start making "suggestive" hints my way. After having a few panic attacks the first couple of times, I've gotten used to it, and politely decline( despite their eagerness.) Now knowing what that actually do to humans, I'm not as scared of them as I used to be. But I'm not really ready for such things….although I have been tempted on the odd occasion.
"Hello! How are you!? I'm Sherwin, and this is my brother Bain!" I was already standing next to him by the time the stranger had gotten close enough to converse. And it didn't take me long to figure out that she was a wore nothing but two straps of leather that were wrapped around her lower and upper body like a Mummy. Her skin was tanned yet unblemished, and her body was petite yet curvy at the same time. Two ginger tails with white stripes swayed peacefully behind her. And a messy heap of hair of an identical colour almost covered her entire face. But a pair of yellow eyes with sharp pupils could be seen hidden within, and they made me nervous. "Well, hello there! It's very nice to meet you two nya!" Her voice was sweet and almost purred like a kitten. Her ears drooped slightly as she spoke, and she raised one of her furry paws into the air as if she were waving at us. "Err, yeah. Nice to meet you too." I said nervously. Trying my best to stay calm despite the rather alluring odour that was filling my nostrils. "My name is Kat nya! (Of course it is) I'm looking for a husband! (Of course you are) Are either of you interested nya?" (Of course I would- wait what?) "Oh, um. That's very kind of you to offer." I responded with a forced chuckle, "But were both a little young for that!" And that's when it happened. Before I could even blink, my brother was in her hands (or paws.) Being prodded and examined like a hunk of meat, whilst giggling from all the tickling he was receiving. "That's ok sweetie. I can wait a few years for this one to grow a little nya!"
The sudden abduction had taken me off guard. But I soon shook that off and, for the first time in my life, jumped over the fence. I tried my best to look tough as I approached Kat. Who now had her eyes fixed hungrily on me! "Let go of my brother right now! He is not for you to keep!" With a lustful grin, she put my brother down and loomed over me with a look of hunger and desire burning deep in her eyes. "Your right," she said softly, her breathing becoming heavy," I'll have you instead nya!" By some miracle, a rock was sitting right next to me on the ground. It fitted perfectly in my hand as I held it up at her. Ready to strike, "just try it! I dare you!" She didn't even hesitate. She reached out to grab a hold of me, but I quickly jumped back and swung the rock at her paw like my arm was a club. I might not be very big, but years of working at the farm has given me some muscle to work with. The impact was enough to make her pull back her hand with a very surprized look on her face. I saw an opening and charging forward.
leaping into the air, I struck her in the cheek with a force that would have broken my own teeth. "OW! YOU FILTHY RAT! She screamed out as I jumped back, awaiting her next move. Sadly, I wasn't ready this time. Before I could even think, she came at me with her claws now protracted and slashed me across the face. "Aghhh shit!" I cried out as I fell to the ground. Holding the left side of my face as blood began to pour from my wound. "Serves you right for making this so difficult!" she hissed, baring her sharp teeth. She was now making her way towards me, her hand out stretched, when "No! Leave him alone!" My little brother was now pulling on one of her tails, which was clearly causing her a some discomfort. "Get off me you brat, or I'll have you too!" My sister's screams could suddenly be heard as she ran out of the house. "Father! Help! Help us!" Snarling, Kat realized she was running out of time. "Fine! You'll just have to do, little boy!" Sherwin tried to run, but Kat quickly had him in her arms again and she quickly turned and fled back the way she came. I couldn't get up. Too much pain! I wasn't good enough! Now I'm on the ground, in a puddle of my own blood as my brothers cries for help rung in my ears. My brother was gone. And it was my fault.