Chapter 4- They grow so damn fast- Kane.
It has just been a few weeks when the kids found themselves wanting solid food. Ember in particular, she's the oldest of the four. Owen is the youngest and was somehow born the smallest. I didn't think that was possible with the way my wife ate… but let's keep that between you and me.
Ember was the queen bee sort of speak of the four, she was the one who protected them, she fed them, she was acting like a little mom! But her main concern was Owen; she had always looked after him. Thus explains why my sons have so many bite marks on their fingers and hands. I know they try and take Owen to teach him all they know, but Ember quickly snaps at them and makes them let go… normally her bite is strong enough to make the older ones growl… waking me. She's a smart cookie there's no doubt about it.
Owen however refuses to try and fly, he doesn't want to stretch out his wings or even attempt. I don't push it on him either. I took the kids to the catering room for something to eat when they devoured everything… this… was going to be a problem. "Kane!" I turned to see Kahn with a paper in hand… my prayers were answered.
"Please say it's a realm with short pig people!" I begged.
"Hippo people?" he asked with a slight smirk. Thorn told me about them, I had to see it to believe it myself.
"How fast do these things populate?" I demanded.
"Too fast to keep count, track and consume… their cannibals as you know…"
"I got the whole speech…" slowly I turned down to the kids, they were big enough, all outgrew the pouch and they were as hungry as ever. They are ready to grow again.
"I think you need more than just newborns," Kahn whispered. "I suggest you go and another one of you… those kids can't handle the workload"
I agreed. It was a nice little vacation while it lasted. Hunter was walking the halls when I flagged him down. "Hunter, wanna go see some hippo people?"
"Not you too! Man, I am going to PROVE once and for all they don't exist!" he announced back to me… so his answer was yes.
Kahn was kind enough to teleport the six of us to this odd realm… once Hunter saw the hippo people he rolled his eyes. "Damn it they do exist!"
"Yeah… now then, ready to get to work?" asked Kahn.
"Work?" Hunter asked. "What do you mean… oh no… not this time!" he growled to me.
"You did volunteer to come on this one Hunter. There's always a reason why we… Ember get him out of your mouth!" I scolded. Ember was getting restless and already shoved a hippo person into her mouth. I was able to get him out and apologized for her… keenness. We were taken to where those who… 'Won' the lottery were held… I got to admit I was creeped out by the massive turn out.
Hunter stared at me and back at the hippo like creatures. "Uh… you're doing this too aren't you?" he asked of me.
"I won't be here if I wasn't going too…" I then noticed the kids looking at me oddly. "Yes, you are to eat them" I said to them. The kids took off and began to eat… oddly enough these creatures were very sedate. I don't think they were really breathing either! Anyway. Hunter and I started on a small batch when I heard my kids whimpering! Instantly I got concerned, I found them not too far from me, with very full little tummies. "Hey, what's wrong?" I asked.
Ember was very full yet she kept reaching out for something; I looked from her perspective… she couldn't reach the other hippo she wanted to eat! "Darling you have had enough to eat." I told her as I picked her up and propped her against the wall. I did the same for the others. Hunter and I weren't that hungry but we ate our fair share… not much though. But like what Kevin said, these things make you sleepy… and we found ourselves falling asleep on the job…
When we awoke, I felt someone shaking me. Instantly I thought I may have gone and done something utterly stupid like a feeding frenzy again! Instantly I woke up, I looked about… the room was empty. Utterly empty, I checked my stomach… no… I didn't do it! "Dad… you finally woke up!"
Turning to my side was Ember… she was all grown up! "Ember? How… I mean… you were this small…" I asked and showed with my hands. "Who clothed you?" I demanded.
"Matt snuck in clothing into your pouch the moment we out grew it while you slept. Just in case" she explained. Owen approached me and helped me up to my feet… his eyes… more than ever reminded me of my friend.
"Dad… did you see, we ate ALL of it!" he announced proudly. Yet he still kept his wings wrapped around himself and tucked in like a cape. He looked past me and saw Hunter was still out cold. He went over and nudged him gently with his foot. No reaction. "Anyone have a marker?" he asked aloud.
"You leave him alone Owen… wait till we get home," I whispered.
"Home? We can go home now?" asked Sonja.
"Yes darling, let's go home," I announced. I had to carry Hunter over my shoulder as we teleported back. These kids grew up much faster than the other ones. Yet the moment we walked the locker room halls as a family. Kratos, Creed and Beowulf instantly rushed Owen!
"Little brother! Come with us, come on!" Kratos called. Yet Ember quickly stepped in.
"Why is it you're always after Owen? You have sisters too you know!" she growled to them.
The boys were confused. I nearly was as well until the Deadman fielded that one. "She wants in on your fun," he announced. "Just because she's a girl, doesn't mean she can't keep up"
The boys looked to one another at first but they tried to break it to Ember nicely that they wanted some boy bonding time with Owen. "You got to grow up with him, it's our turn to have some time with him!" announced Creed as they ushered Owen down the hallway.
Ember crossed her arms bitterly, "We'll show them," announced Sela. "They'll see"
"Yeah, but I am more worried for Owen" muttered Ember.
"Why?" I asked of her, ever since she was small she had always protected Owen fiercely. She wasn't afraid of anything, she certainly wasn't afraid to bite either.
Ember didn't quiet answer, not even her own sisters knew her reasons. She walked away from me; I'm starting to think she knows something I don't.