I shook my head 'Stupid, they'll find the door and break it down, get out while you can!'

I grabbed the bag and tried to pack it as fast as I could, freezing when the noises of casual destruction or arguing subsided. I let out a huge mental sigh of relief as I finished cramming the last thing into the pack. Focusing again, I listened 'Sounds like there couldn't be more than maybe three or four, still, those are odds that I don't want to test myself against, Lady Luck hasn't been a bitch yet, but I don't want to push her'

Slowly and carefully I took out the old plastic bottles that I had used as a window chock to keep the window from opening more than a couple inches. Taking a deep breath and steeling my resolve as I could think of no way to do this next part quietly, I pulled out my multitool and got the knife blade out, I tore the window open as hard and fast as i could, the squeak of the window rubbing against the frame sounding like the scream of a damned soul to my ears, bringing the knife around in an arc and plunging it through the screen as high as I could reach towards the upper corner and pulled, trying to make a hole large enough to fit my pack and me through, the noise of the window opening and the loud snap of the wire screen as it was being cut through alerted the intruders as I could hear over my frantic efforts the pounding on my bedroom door 'Why isn't this working!?'

I could hear my bedroom door starting to splinter. I attacked the screen growling in rage and finally made a hole big enough. I tossed my multitool through and quickly hefted the backpack up and through the window, my sword following before I stepped on a box of old comics and vaulted out the window, I quickly put the pack on my shoulders, grabbed the ninjato and after a short frantic search found my multitool just as the bedroom door gave way. I started running as fast as I could, the direction didn't matter at the time, I just ran, the inhuman screeching noise I heard made me turn around briefly.

I saw some kind of short, ugly, and gangly green creatures that didn't look anything close to human. They screeched louder and started after me, I turned and ran, convinced that I wouldn't survive such an unbalanced fight, fortunately they appeared to be satisfied for the moment at least at having driven me off, as I didn't hear any further sounds of pursuit after awhile, or maybe I had just outrun them. I didn't care anymore as I dropped to my hands and knees, dropping my sword and multitool, my legs aching like I hadn't felt them ache in years, ever since I had started working at my job, being forced to power walk for 5 miles or more just to get done on time.

With a groan I tried to lever myself up, only to fall down. 'I really should have worked out more' I let that thought percolate through my brain, then looked down, seeing my new chest again I laughed at the absurdity of everything that had happened, realizing that maybe it wouldn't have mattered in the end. After sitting for awhile catching my breath, I used my sword as a crutch to succeed the second time. Feeling rather overheated from all the running, I peeled layers off until I was down to the pants and the two layers of shirt, hanging the trench coat on top of the pack. 'Wow, Shadiversity was right, cloth armor really will overheat you, or was that Skallagrim? Doesn't matter, too hot' I grabbed up the clothing and started walking, just forward at first, but as the ache in my legs started to subside I started looking around at the terrain. Looking for any kind of potential landmarks in case I wanted to come back with some help in the future 'That mountain range is pretty big, but it's too far away...what was it they said during Wilderness Survival? "If you can't find what direction you need to go to find the nearest bastion of civilization, move downhill, water flows downhill and people like to build near water, so find a river and follow it, the further downriver you go, the more likely you are to encounter people."'

I started paying attention to the lay of the land, trying to find a way up if possible, it might give me a better look at the area. After a distance I couldn't guess the size of, I finally caught a break, as there was a worn looking foot-path, too wide to be just a game trail on the ground that looked like it actually went somewhere. 'A sign of civilization! I might actually not be that far from help!'

Looking both directions I stood still 'decisions, decisions, which way to go? Don't see any smoke either way, and it's hard to tell which way is downhill'

Mentally shrugging that either direction has to lead somewhere at the very least, and starting to feel a bit thirsty, I started off to my left. The going was fairly easy, no trees appeared to be laying across the path, which I took as a good sign, eventually, I came to the edge of a small valley and realized that I was a good ways away from a river, but looking at the sun, I realized I could probably reach it by nightfall, or be rather close.

The path continued down the ridge, so I made my way down , upon reaching the bottom and continuing on, i noticed several other paths that connected to mine. I felt my spirits rise, buoyed even as I could feel my throat become increasingly dry from all the exertion. It was in the afternoon, looking at the sun's general position, it was probably somewhere around 1 or 2pm,at least it would be back home, considering those things that had attacked me, I obviously wasn't in Oregon anymore.

'No cityglow, probably should find a place to camp soon, river would probably make a good spot' Eventually I stood at the river's edge, dropping my backpack and the extra clothes to the ground with a small cacophony of canned food, my mess kit, and a few other things. I quickly got on my knees on the riverside, cupping my hands beneath the water, leaning close, seeing again the reflection of a face not my own, but one that I wore nonetheless, I didn't spend time pondering it however, I was too thirsty to care as I quickly brought my hands to my face, the water tasted cold and refreshing, I dipped my hands in several more times, drinking my fill and glad that I had found water so soon. 'It's all downhill from here, literally haha'

I thought to myself, reaching into my bag I fished around for my mess kit and for a can of food "Campbells Homestyle Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla" I read the title out loud, while eating I amused myself trying to get my ears to swivel where I wanted them to 'Might be stuck like this awhile, might as well figure out how my new body works'

I heard a rustling noise and smelled something odd from downwind. I put the food down and grabbed my sword, the rustling continued and only increased my worry, my tail tail puffing out as my ears perked up and pointed forward, straining to hear 'I swear I heard something!'

Looking around the only thing I could see and hear was a fox running along the river with a rabbit in its mouth. In all of my worry and stress I hadn't really taken note of some of the differences that I was experiencing with my new body, the food earlier I assumed was different because I had just had my body changed, but I realized it was more than that, my hearing, sense of smell, and probably taste as well were different, better in some cases if I had to guess, looking at myself again I took an even closer look, realizing that the ears on my head now were my only ears 'That makes sense, fox-human hybrid not really needing two sets of ears'

I could hear the fox laboring with its load, and while I could barely see it, I could hear it stop and hear the sounds of eating as it chowed down on it's kill. Turning back to the river after I calmed down, I drank some more water, filling the Camelbak bag that I had packed and got it set up to let me drink on the go. Water source in place, I reached into my bag and pulled out an old roll of toilet paper, taking care of some personal business, figuring out the new plumbing took a bit of experimentation. After that was done, I broke off a small branch and walked to the river's edge 'The river looks fairly still, downstream isn't obvious, and I don't hear any rapids'

I threw the branch in and watched as it floated downstream, telling me the direction I should travel. Watching it for a few more moments as I put the extra clothes back on, with dehydration now not being anywhere near as pressing of an issue.

As it was downstream of me, I watched the fox as I got closer, ears perked forward, my interest obvious to any observer who might see me 'Aw, that fox is so cute! It reminds me of Juniper from Instagram, but thinner, probably a wild fox and not one raised for a fur farm' Eventually it ran, catch in it's mouth and I was a bit saddened. I like watching wild animals eat their prey for some reason, it always struck me as the purest expression of nature, one without censoring and sugarcoating, just the circle of life with all the nasty parts nobody in cities likes to think about left in.

As I watched it run, I took in the sounds of nature around me, I heard the birdsong stop suddenly and heard a strange rhythmic sound coming from behind me I hadn't noticed before! Turning to the sound I tried to find it's source when something hit at my feet and I looked down! An arrow! I quickly tried to run, only for another arrow to land in front of me that way too! Whoever shot it was was across the river, and they had help on this side! Turning towards the trees I tried to run that way only to be hit from the side, my body painfully trying unsuccessfully to bend and fold around whatever hit me, I felt a popping in my side and a warm rush as I fell, gasping and crying out in a scream as the pain hit, laying there like a fish out of water from the pain, I felt huge rough hands quickly pulling my arms back, I wasn't going to escape this time, especially since I think that hit must have at the very least heavily bruised one of my ribs. I felt myself, pack and all being hefted over somebody's shoulder and saw a passingly familiar style of dress, more assorted clothing on a body that even from my limited vantage point looked like it by rights could bench press a whole lot more than my weight, I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose as the sheer stench of this guy, my stomach clenched, he had to have been upwind of me for me not to have noticed that stench. "'EY! DIS HER?!" He bellowed at the other side of the river. I started to struggle and growled out "Lemme go you fucking oaf!" hitting my hands and feet against him ineffectually only to get a cuff to the head and a "Stop movin!" which bought him a second before I redoubled my efforts. A hand around my throat, squeezing off my air and blood as I was brought off the shoulder and face to face with one of the ugliest men i've ever seen, his face was covered with red sores and bulged in strange places like he had tumors growing under his skin.

"STOP. MOVIN'!" he roared across the span of two breaths from less than an arms length away, spittle landing on my face 'Can't breath! ! If I don't stop he might really choke me to death!'

I stopped struggling and went still, hanging limp and hoping he'd see that I'd stopped fighting before I asphyxiated, he held me up for several agonizing seconds and I was about to aim a kick at his groin to get him to release me when a new voice broke in, less brutal, but still not one that filled me with any confidence of a rescue "She's stopped fighting idiot. Put her down, I can't reach that high."

I hissed as I hit the ground, landing like the sack of potatoes I felt like. A small man that reminded me most of a hobbit in his child-like but somehow mature appearance tied arope around my neck, then another binding my arms back, using the bulk of my pack to hold them apart with a length of rope. Taking my coat off my pack and checking all it's pockets he chucked it at the bigger man "Carry that" not even stopping to check if it was even grabbed before he turned to me.

"Get up! We've got a walk ahead of us" he aimed a kick at my leg, less to injure and more to get my attention and motivate, the pain was just too much. I mechanically got up, my mind reeling 'What is going to happen to me now?' My mind churned with the possibilities as I put one foot in front of the other, face screwed in pain. 'I really fucked up...I should have realized, somehow that they were there'

As I walked for most of the remaining day, my thoughts ran over what happened again and again, thinking of everything I could have done differently and feeding a nuclear level anxiety over what could happen to me,finally when I could stand it no longer, I opened my mouth and spoke, the late day sun in my eyes.

"P-P-please, just let me go? I won't tell anyone where you are, just let me get the nearest tow-AAAA!" I mewled out only to scream in pain as I was clubbed to the ground by 'Big & Ugly' while 'Hobbit' laughed "Good one, let you go? Nah, we'll find a use for you somehow, probably sell you, how you like the sound of that?" he laughed even more and I felt the flame of defiance rising in me again, I tried to get up only to feel a blade against my face for the second time today 'Hobbit' did not look amused "You're lucky women like you are rare around here, but my patience is getting thin, I won't say this again, walk." the blade felt cold and sharp against my skin, cooling the rage I had felt, wordlessly I swallowed what I was going to say and cast my eyes at the ground, slowly nodding once the blade was removed from my skin "Fine." I let my tone drip with my contempt for him, but still made the effort to get up, helped roughly by 'Big & Ugly', 'Hobbit' then pulled a lamp out and opened it up, putting a rather bright light on the path ahead, instead of a fuel tank and wick it appeared to just have a strange purple crystal. He set off at a brisk pace, pulling me hard behind him, the three of us traveling along a much more worn path I hadn't noticed we'd been following, we'd left the river behind. 'Dammit, if I had been paying attention I would know how to get back to the river!'

This looked almost like a wagon track, two heavy ruts had been put into the ground and the ground between showed signs of quite a bit of foot traffic, the ground was almost bare of vegetation for a good couple of feet wide if my estimate wasn't off, this was the closest thing to a road I'd seen since I had arrived here! I felt an almost insane hope rising in me again, 'There just HAS to be some kind of settlement around somewhere close, people don't just move things cross country without some kind of destination!' Ignoring the two for the moment, I could feel my tail wagging ever so slightly. Before 'Hobbit's voice broke into my thoughts "The fuck you happy about? You actually like the idea of being sold? Or you just thinking about all the guys you'll be 'entertaining'?" his leering look told me he'd take pleasure in making sure he was one of them. I hung my head, I needed to survive, if that meant having to 'entertain' this piece of shit, I'd just wait for my chance and do...something, anything, to hurt him. But the fire of my rage would not go out 'No! I won't do this, I will fight! I CAN'T FUCKING TOLERATE THIS! I don't care if I die anymore!' Then I realized it, he seemed like he was just trying to get a rise out of me and I had a moment of clarity, as fucked as I was, I couldn't help but feel a chill, I had power at this moment, he wanted me to be sickened, to give up, to just give in, but I didn't have to, with one choice I could turn the tables.

Throwing caution to the wind, I raised my head and started laughing, right in his face, looking at the triumphant look on his face change to one of confusion "Hahaha, what's the matter? Can't get a woman another way? Have to capture them and force them to do what you want? How pathetic, I'd rather 'entertain' HIM as you put it." I aimed a kick, going for broke and leaning back, bringing as much power and weight as I could into it and shockingly managed to hit him right in the crotch, raising him off the ground with the force of it. He clutched his groin and wheezed out in a high octave "You bitch!" before he dropped to the ground. Using my head to gesture to 'Big & Ugly', if anything he appeared even more confused than 'Hobbit', turning to him I tried to use a seductive tone

"Tell you what, you want some of this, right? Kill him and I'll let you do whatever you want to me" I emphasized it with a big wink, laying it on as thick as I could while I took a quick side step and moved away from them both by a few feet to avoid any counter attack, stopping when I saw 'Hobbit' starting to recover and turn over. The bigger man took a step back "Uhhhh..Really? You not lie to Drog?" I turned to him quickly, hearing 'Hobbit' struggling to get up

"Oh is that your name, that's a big strong name, just like you, better hurry though, if he gets up, he'll do what he wants to me instead, I can't do anything with you if that happens!"

I started moving to put Drog between the two of us, not having to fake a scared look "Hurry up! Kill him!" I bent over as much as I could with the backpack on me and wiggled my hips, this finally must have been the straw to break the camels back, as with a shout of "Drog want turn with pretty lady! Not let little man trick Drog again!" he started to move with a great anger and purpose towards the smaller man.

'Hobbit' yelled "No you idiot! She's just trying to trick you!" "Little man always trick Drog! Always make Drog wait! Then sell girl before Drog has turn!" with a roar he shoved me further out of his way, knocking me to the ground as he picked up 'Hobbit' who dropped the lantern and tried to cut at him with what I saw now was a dagger, screaming as he was swung with great force to impact on a tree with a noise like a ripe melon being smashed, what happened next I couldn't describe, by the time Drog finished, 'Hobbit' whatever his name had been, was from the noises I heard now likely a leaky mushy bag of skin and probably pulverized bones. With a grunt Drog turned to look at me and took a step towards me, a look in his eyes that promised that I would certainly be paying for my sudden turn of luck. I swallowed heavily and giggled at the absurdity as the thought bubbled in my mind 'Fuck me, that actually worked!' then I felt my lunch rising up my throat.

End Ch 2

A/N: Not dead, still writing, this looked a lot longer in google docs, upside for how long this took, next chapter is pretty well along.