Chapter 14 – When Life's a Fleech, Get a Steef!
*Hello, everybody. It has been such a long time since the last chapter was uploaded, but I've jut been SO busy and I've had no time at all to get any writing done. But here it is at last, the one and only 'Oddworld: Al's Oddysee'! THANK YOU!*
I watched in awe as he enormous ship crawled across the ravine, the Bolamite still clinging to the underside. As it reached the other side, I tensed up in anticipation. I could only hope that it fell. And sure enough, it did. The Bolamite, with the Boombat still in its' grasp, plummeted toward the ground with perfect timing. It struck the stack of barrels by the outhouse. That was when I found out what the barrels were. The entire site suddenly caught ablaze, followed by an enormous explosion. It looked like things had finally gone in my favour. Now I just had to bag the body of Long Limbs Larry. This proved to be sightly diffcult.
Now obviously, the buildings that had just been destroyed were at the other side of the ravine. Which meant I would have to cross it again. Without legs. Nevertheless, it would have to be done. So, putting my best foot, or arm, forward, I began to drag myself across the ravine. It was difficult at first, but I managed to get much further than the last time I had attempted to cross it. Unfortunately, I had not predicted the huge gust of wind that blew against me as I got closer and closer to the other side. Needless to say, it knocked me off, and needless to say, I fell.
I awoke in a warm, inviting room in a large chair. I was amazed that I had survived the fall. Or maybe I hadn't. Maybe I was dead. Regardless, I had to find out where I was. I tried to climb out of my chair, then remembered my lack of legs, and collapsed on the floor. I lay there for a few moments until a sleg came up and began to lick my face. As I pushed it away, I glanced around the room and realised where I was. No… No, this couldn't be. But it was. The various paintings of the Oddworldian landscape covering the walls, the fire roaring away in the grate. The thick, wooly carpet covering the floor, and the chairs made of what appeared to be slogskin. I'd been here before, only last time I had not felt such a chill down my spine. Yes, I was in Fope's house.
There was only one thing to do. Run. I had to escape, as quickly as possible. Now that I knew what Fope wanted with me, I knew that I didn't want to be within a thousand miles of this farm. I recalled the rusted pair of mechanical legs outside, leaned against the barn. I crawled for them as quickly as possible, and as soon as I reached them I attached them to my own shriveled legs and stood up. They were stiff at first, but eventually I began to walk with ease. Then, I began to jog. Then, I began to run. Then, I began to sprint. I moved as swiftly as I could to the farm gate, and when I reached it I pushed it wide open. Then, I hesitated, and thought to myself: "Where is Fope?"
She was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she had gone hunting, or to sell a bounty. But if that was the case, who had brought me here? Why had I ended up back at this place, who had saved my life, and then potentially threatened it? But, it didn't matter right now. The point was, Fope was gone. No-one was guarding the animals, no-one was watching over them. There was only me. And it was about time I did a good deed. So, without any further hesitation, I walked toward the first animal pen. The Paramites. I reached for the enormous bolt and slid it to the left. The pen's gate creaked loudly as it slowly opened. The Paramites immediately ran out of the pen, and all of them fled across the desert. Next were the Scrabs. I didn't know how, but Fope had managed to get them to stay together without killing each other. As before, I slid the bolt and the Scrabs charged through the gates. I hurried to release the other animals before Fope returned.
Not long later, I had released all but 1 animal. The Steef. I slid the bolt on the pen, as I had with all of the others. But the Steef did not run. It stood, tall and proud in its' pen, and then leaned forward. After a few moments, it edged closer toward me, as if inviting me to climb onto its' back. I took the opportunity and mounted the magnificent animal. No sooner than I had climbed up, the Steef rose to full height and we took off at full speed. It seemed to know for some reason exactly where I was headed, and it galloped spectacularly in the correct direction. How I'd gotten into this situation, I didn't know. But I sure as hell knew that I was going in the right direction at last. At this rate, Abe was as good as saved.