"Papa, are we there yet?"
"Da, almost there," he replied, his eyes on the road.
Papa was a big man, close to two meters in height. He had a small beer belly from all the alcohol he drank, but his breath never smelled. The time of year was a small window of warmth in the region, hence our shorter clothing.
There was always that one kid that came to school pretty much in his underpants when it was freezing outside and that other kid that came with a fur jacket in the heat of the short summer, I always wondered what would happen if the two fought for some silly reason.
I watched the passing pine trees from the window, every time I tried to focus on one object, it'd quickly disappear from view, and I'd move on to the next. The clear blue sky was as gorgeous as ever, this far into the woods the air was much healthier than where we lived in the city.
I placed my forehead against the window, the rattle of the car giving me a funny buzzing. When we come back home, babushka's yummy borsch will be waiting for us, warm and full of flavor.
Today was Sunday, so Papa decided it was time to teach me how to fish. I was a little reluctant at first, preferring to stay at home to play CS:GO while screaming a bunch of Russian gibberish at players that annoyed me. Interacting with other people was the best part of video games, anything could happen, sometimes it was more engaging that the actual game.
Papa turned the wheel to the left, coming to a stop near the biggest, separate body of water in Norvinsk; the Lake. There were numerous other boats already in the clear water, their occupants either enjoying the scenery or catching fish like we intended to, or both.
Once the car came to a complete stop a some steps from the shore, he brought the clutch into parking mode, existing. I followed by doing the same, shutting the door behind me with a gentle swing. Behind the car was a trailer carrying an old row boat my grandfather used back in the 90s. Despite its degradation, it still served its purpose well.
Grandpa used to live in a very poor village near the Gulf of Finland, the only way to survive at the time was to either hunt or, as you can see, catch aquatic animals.
Unless you were part of the "comaneest" party, whatever that was, but he doesn't like talking about those days.
"Help me unload the boat."
"Okay," I replied, walking towards the trailer with him.
He reached to the boat in order to unbuckle the rubber bands keeping it in place. When he was done, he grabbed the bottom from his side while I did the same from my side. The boat was worn out from the many years it experienced in the sea, countless scratch marks as its scarred medals, proving its courage and loyalty to our family.
"On three," He said, readjusting his grip last moment.
"Okay."
"One, two, three!" We heaved the boat off the trailer, setting it down on the ground behind it. It was heavier than it looked, that's for sure.
"Go get the equipment in the back while I take the boat to the shore," I nodded, walking to the back of the car.
I opened the trunk and began taking out everything we'd need to catch some fish; rods, bait, spare hooks, paddles, water bottles, snacks for later, and some extra string in case the line snaps. It was my second time doing this, so I was still a bit of an amateur.
Then, I began transferring the items to the boat, Papa had quickly brought it to the shore while I was busy. He helped me get the rest of the things, storing them in a box built into the boat itself at the front.
Before getting in, he threw the paddles in the boat, placing both hands on the boat for the final step.
"Ready?"
"Yup."
Together, we pushed the boat away from the shore and fully into the water, jumping in ourselves and starting to row to the center of the lake. I learned that one way to row is to have one do it and have the other follow up, creating a rhythm.
Or to just do it at the same time. As long as you get where you want to, it's all that matters.
We passed another, bigger boat with a family on board. They waved at us, and we waved back, no words needed to be exchanged. Once Papa decided we were far enough, he signaled with a raised hand to stop. We pulled the paddles back into the boat, picking up our fishing rods. Mine was newer than his, it was recently bought from a store owned by one of his friends, so it was basically free.
"Okay, do you remember what I told you?"
"Don't pull too hard, let the fish tire itself out."
"Aaand?"
"Be patient," I muttered, reflecting on the first time I caught a fish.
"What was that?"
It was also the first time I lost a fish, and a hook. But he wasn't angry at the time, more disappointed that I didn't listen to his instructions which stung all the more.
"Be. Patient," I repeated. Come on, give me a break! Although I wanted to impress him, he was right. He was the master and I was the student, I could do as I wish when I become the master myself.
"Good, and if you catch something before me, I'll give you some beer," I perked at his challenge, a stupid smile on my face.
"Really?!"
"No," he snorted, snickering without shame, "Mama will kill me ten times over, and then you."
I grunted, but I couldn't help grin as well. I had a year left before I could finally taste the forbidden fruit; sweet, sweet liver damage. What's a year anyway? Nothing, it'll pass like a fired bullet.
Papa got some salmon bait out of the box, attaching one to the end of his hook before giving me a piece. I took it and did the same as he threw his hook into the water.
"Hey, not fair!"
"Haha! Welcome to life, son."
I shook my head, throwing my own hook into the water. The bait swam about just below the surface, floating without a care in the world.
Yeah, without care in the world.
I frowned as I imagined what tomorrow would be like. Monday was already a bad day, even for adults. But in school? Why does that day exist in the first place? I wish it didn't.
We waited for what felt like forever, the flat water barely pushing against the sides of the boat. A few clouds carried by the wind appeared, casting a shadow over us. When I considered moving the bait a little closer to us to simulate real prey, something tugged at the line.
I stopped myself from freaking out and yanking the line, I've learned from my past mistake.
I let the line loose, the fish swam away with what it thought was its meal. Then, I tugged back, just a little.
And so began my tug of war with the fish. I brought it back some distance to the boat before letting it swim away, repeating the process over and over so the fish would exhaust itself. Papa was watching my effort while keeping an eye on his own bait, a glint of pride in his eyes.
Eventually, the fish couldn't resist anymore, but I knew it still had some fight in it. Slowly but surely, I brought the line back to us, growing more excited at the idea of beating my father in his own game.
Come on, come on, almost there-
The line snapped.
It just snapped. No warning, no tension, it just happened .
My jaw dropped, I had no words for to describe the sheer astonishment. I turned back to my father.
He wasn't there.
"...WHAT THE FUCK?!"
I turned around towards every possible direction in rapid succession, the other boats were gone too. I was alone in the lake, the water a perfect mirror of the sky.
"Hello?! Hello?!" I called out in distress, my mind couldn't process what was happening. How?! Just how?!
Thunder boomed in the sky.
I snapped upwards, the blue heaven was gone, replaced by a furious layer of gray and black.
Another boom, this one much closer. I kept shaking in... in...
I grabbed both of the paddles and began rowing like a madman. The water was thick like honey, I was exerting more energy than I should be. I huffed, giving the paddles another pull before they snapped into two.
I yelped in shock, letting the broken sticks sink into the lake as I darted around in pure panic. A strong wind blasted me back onto the bed of the boat, shrieking as the waves became more violent, demanding a sacrifice. I held on as the boat rocked from side to side, fresh water slapping into my face.
Another boom, deafening my ears.
Rain poured down on me, lightning striking through the sky with a painful crack. The back of my head hit the hard wood when a particular wave rocked the boat with greater force, my eyes stung from the falling drops, my ears rang from the nonstop strikes.
I couldn't take it anymore, it was too much, too much! When I was about to scream my heart out in raw agony, a wave flipped the boat over, sending me straight into the darkness.
My eyes snapped open, my heart drumming in my chest like the suppressing fire of a machine gun.
It was a nightmare, just a nightmare. That's all it was, just... a bad dream.
I was safe, nothing could hurt me.
"...Hmm?"
I couldn't breath with my mouth.
I tried opening it, but there was something around my head keeping my jaw shut. I couldn't see a thing, darkness was all around me. I tried to move my limbs, but I couldn't do that either.
I was sitting in a chair, my legs were tied to its front legs and my hands were behind the back of said chair. Is this another dream? Some sort of inception?
Then, everything hit me like an avalanche. The sniper in the outskirts, the rusted bunker, the cabin, the captive, the trap, the knockout.
I screamed obscenities into the gag, wiggling uselessly against the thick rope. It was all futile, they were going to kill lime, all because I did the right thing.
Fuck the right thing! Fuck all of them! Fuck that bitch! Literally!
Tears stained the rough bag over my head, I lowered my head in defeat. I had nothing to give them, absolutely nothing. I had no ties, no intelligence, no allies. Hell, I wasn't even a good shot. Dread filled my heart as my mind showed me pictures of the things they could do to me.
Why would they take me? Why not just dispose of me on the spot? Wherever I was, the air here was old and humid with a touch of something bitter.
O-oh no, what if they were the sadistic types? Nonononono!
My screams were muffled once more by the gag. I slammed my body into the chair, attempting to break it. It was sturdy, the wood didn't even make a sound against my sorry tries.
Footsteps came my way, someone was unlocking the door into the room.
I ceased my grand plan of escaping, going limp on the chair to pretend I was still asleep. After a few moments and a ton of locks being, well, unlocked, a light source bled into the room.
Then, the door shut again. The stranger was inside the room with me.
They began approaching my still form, my muscles tensed in fear of what was to come. They couldn't have heard the commotion I was causing, right?
Have mercy, please, please-
A hand lifted the bag off my head, though the image my eyes perceived remained the same. I held my breath, expecting something horribly painful to happen at any second.
Instead, a furred hand gently caressed my cheek, wiping away a tear. I whimpered into the gag, moving my head away from the alien hand. They brought their other hand to hold the back of my head in place, grabbing a handful of my not-so-stylish haircut, damn you long hair!
"Shhh, shhh. I'm not here to hurt you," oh thank- wait a second, I recognize that voice.
"Hmph! Mhm hmm!" What I tried to say was 'Bitch! Fuck you!', but I was still gagged.
"If you promise to stay quiet, I'll take the rag out of your mouth," yes! A million times yes!
I rapidly nodded my head, so she brought her other hand to the back of my head as well, untying the cloth around my mouth.
Once I was free to speak, I coughed away from her, swallowing a lump in my throat and breathing to my heart's content. I still couldn't see a thing, but at least I could speak.
However, I didn't say anything.
"So... how... are you feeling?"
...Are you fucking kidding me?
"Are you fucking kidding me?"
"I-I thought I hurt you really badly, you didn't wake up during the whole trip back to town," so that's why I feel so refresh- wait, what?!
"TOWN?!"
"SHH! People are sleeping, you know?!" She whispered, her hand over my mouth. I'd love to make all of their lives miserable, but I didn't want to find out what they'd do to me when they were angry.
"Mmm, mhm," she sighed, letting me talk again, "I'm feeling great, fan-fucking-tastic."
"Really?!"
"Yup, thanks for the backstab by the way, real nice of you," sarcasm was the name of the game, and I was the champion.
"Oh... look, I'm really sorry about that-"
"Fuck off, you're full of shit. I swear, if I get out of this I am never, ever , helping other people again. And what the fuck are you anyway? I don't remember animals talking and walking on two."
She didn't respond for a while, I grew worried as she just stood there, menacingly. I couldn't see her, but I felt her bore into my very soul.
"I'm sorry, but we can't talk about that. H-how about names? Hmm?"
"Do... what the actual- do you think we're friends or something?"
"I'd like to..."
"What was that?"
"N-nothing. Um, no, not really."
"You're correct. So, why are you acting all buddy-buddy with me? What is this? Good cop, bad cop?"
"U-uh-"
Slow clapping came from the corner of the room, a deep, feminine chuckle that was too familiar to be good.
"He got us, sister. Guess we should get straight to the point, right?"
The younger sister puffed, "I was having fun..."
"It's okay, you'll have plenty of time with..."
An awkward silence hung in the room, it made me cringe in my seat.
"What's your name?" The older sister asked, more like demanded, but with a nicer tone.
"Like I'd tell you-"
"Do you want me to break you arm or leg?"
"P-Pardon?"
"Do. You. Want me. To break. Your arm. Or leg?" That time, it came from behind me, she was extremely quiet for a big animal... thing.
"M-Mikhail."
"Hmm, I think I'll call you Mikey~" She said, placing her hands on my shoulders, her hot breath washing over my ear, "You don't mind that, right?"
"N-Nope, absolutely not."
"See? That's how you do it. Try to be more confident, okay?"
"Okay..." The younger one responded, ashamed she couldn't do as well as her sister.
"As my little sister said, we won't hurt you as long as you comply," wow, what a fucking deal. That's some big brain shit right there. If I could applaud her right now, I would.
Anyhow, I nodded my head with a nervous twitch. I was at their mercy, if I somehow get the opportunity to leave, I'm running for the hills.
"Now, we're going to ask you some questions, let's start with something simple, shall we~?"
The sisters, mainly the older one, interrogated me about every possible aspect; 'Were you in a gang?' 'Are you BEAR or USEC?' Do you have any friends?' The answer to all of those was a hard negative. 'Where did you live?' 'What did you do before the war?' 'How was life before?' Blah blah blah- why were they asking such personal questions?
However, I didn't dare voice my curiosity. Man, not cussing these hoes out was more difficult than I imagined. I had to keep my cool, show no fear, no weakness.
But I did show some, I fell for their trap like a fool. I hated myself for that, but mistakes are meant to be made. Everyone makes mistakes, but the wise ones avoid them, and that doesn't really apply here because one mistake could cost you one between the eyes.
"What did you study?" The older asked.
"Engineering."
"Wait, really?"
"Yup. The end of the semester was only three weeks away, or was it four..."
"What kind of engineering?" She sounded genuinely intrigued, perhaps I could do something with it.
"Electrical circuits, a little programming, robotics, logarithms-"
"What was that? Robots?"
" Robotics. Things that included both machinery and computers. I can't just summarize years of-"
"Can you fix the electrical systems in buildings?"
"Y-yeah?"
"Ah~ I'm glad we went out. Not only we caught a cute little humie, but a smart one too!" Thank you, thank you. Please, stroke my ego- CUTE?!
I felt my face heat up, the older sister laughed even harder, the younger did too, they had night vision- of course they had night vision! They were some sort of wolf mutant things, I have to figure out a term for them.
Once they calmed down, the older one continued, "I think that's enough for today. Tomorrow we'll start work, and if you do good, I might give you a little reward~" I didn't like the sound of that one bit, there was something going on right under my nose.
"W-What kind of reward?"
She chuckled, dragging her wet tongue over the side of my neck, "Anything you'd like~ Any. Thing. "
"Can you let me go?"
"HAHAHA! You're such a great comedian! If you try to run, I'll chop all of your limbs off," any confidence I had was crushed under the iron boot she most likely wore, sending more shivers down my fragile spine.
"U-um, can I... you know..." the younger said, a bit unsure of herself.
"Of course, but tomorrow is my turn, okay?"
"OKAY!"
"Now, Mikey, I am going to untie you. Remember what I said about running?" I had to bid my time, play along with whatever the fuck they were planning.
"Yup, down to the letter," with a swift flick of her fingers, she cut the rope around my hands. Then, she crouched down to my legs and did the same. I stood right up, but didn't move anywhere.
"Good boy~ Stay still for me," please don't hurt me, I did as you asked, you cunt!
She wrapped the same gag I had in my mouth around my eyes, how did I know it was the same? It was soaked with my spit, fucking gross.
"There. Keep him on a tight leash, I need to take care of something," she said, adding, "See you later, baby! If I hear any complaints from my sister I'll make you regret iiiiiiiit~..." her voice faded out of the room, her steps becoming quieter as she went to wherever she was needed, leaving me and the other wolf-woman alone.
The younger sister grabbed my right forearm, though there wasn't much pressure, as if she trusted I wouldn't run.
Pff, yeah right. Bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks.
"I'm... sorry for my sister's... enthusiasm. She really likes you," yeah, no shi- what?
"Likes me?!"
"Well, she can be a little rough at times, but that's just tough love," TOUGH LOVE, I'll give her a piece of my mind!
'If I hear any complaints from my sister I'll make you regret iiiiiiiit...~'
On second thought, she was a hundred percent right. I had no reason to disagree because there was nothing to disagree on in the first place.
"I'm going to guide you, okay? Just keep walking," not like I had any other choice.
"Whatever," stupid bitch.
She began walking me out of the room, the light outside was a little visible through the cloth. I didn't know what she wanted to do with me, I had a really bad feeling about this.
You always have to watch out for the innocent types. It's always the shy ones that act all quirky and shit that have some nasty secret, I swear. And she just happened to hit a bullseye without even looking.
We went right, left, right, left, left, right, left, left, right, right, there and here, here and there, activated a cheat code along the way with all the turns we were making. Whatever this place was, it was big, really big.
Or she was just trying to throw me off, if the latter was the case, she had succeeded.
Suddenly, she came to a halt, bringing me out of my thoughts. She opened a door and led me in, locking it behind her with a key.
"You can take the blindfold off now," " considered doing that while we were on our way, but that would've served zero purpose and complicated things more than they had to be.
I yanked the cloth off and threw it to the side, the light stinging my eyes as they adjusted. I scanned the room around me, a torture cham... ber...
It was a girl's room. Pink walls, everything fairly clean, a plushie of a...
Is that a Loot Lord?
"So... this is my room, what do you think?"
"Huh? What?"
"What do you think of my room?" She repeated, holding her hands behind her back.
Unlike when I'd found her in her underwear, she was wearing cargo pants, black boots, and a plain, olive t-shirt.
"I... don't care. I'm more surprised it's an actual room and not some... never mind," her ears perked up, the red tail behind her back swishing from side to side.
"Glad you like it!"
"I didn't say I-"
"Would you like to eat? I should have something in the drawer," she pointed at a nightstand near her bed with a thumb.
What's this casual talk all of a sudden?! She kidnapped me! No, even worse, she hit me in the back of the head! She could've fucking killed me!
However, I didn't say any of that, or anything hateful for that matter. Damn her, and especially her sister.
I grumbled to myself, but my belly did all the talking for me with a single growl. She giggled at that, walking over to the stand. She opened the top drawer and got a... holy fucking shit.
She threw the plastic bag to me, I was so entranced by it I almost didn't catch it. I mouthed a quiet thanks before opening the bag, the orange dust erupting like a volcano.
For some reason, she smiled at me and her tail was swishing even faster.
She was a wolf. Wolves have great hearing.
"...Ugh..."
I grabbed a cheese puff with my index and thumb, popping it into my mouth. So fucking good. I grabbed another one, and another, and another.
As I consumed ball of cheese after ball of cheese, the younger sister sat down on her bed, crossing her legs. She propped her head on a raised palm, watching me eat the snack with a smile.
I stopped, a bunch of them in my mouth at once like nuts in a squirrel's mouth. I slowly chewed them, a single gulp down the hatch.
"You're being creepy as hell right now, you know that?"
"Yeah..." her half-lidded eyes gazed over me, her smile turning into a smirk. See? I told you! Did I not? It's always the shy ones.
She patted the spot next to her, the sheets so soft and tender, and clean too. A real bed-
No! Why was she being so nice? Why? Because the big bad sister was away? It doesn't make any sense! Women never made sense to me, and now I have to deal with this shit?
I will stand my ground, the guard shall not fall!
...
My legs hurt.
It seems the guard was too weak, it perished under the siege of the mighty she-wolf.
"If you tell me what you are, I'll sit down next to you," sometimes my genius is... It's almost frightening.
"I'm a wolf," she answered, blinking with pure innocence.
...Well shit, a deal's a deal.
I approached the bed, plopping down in relief. I felt around the covers, enjoying the smooth fabric. She scooted closer to me, her left hand beside my injured thigh.
"I changed your bandages," she stated, locking her eyes with mine.
"Wait, really? Thank... you?" I am officially lost, out of the boundaries of the map.
She knocked me out, kidnapped me, and treated my wound. The golden question being; why? I don't get it and it's frustrating me to no end.
"You're welcome~" She said, sliding her hand over where the bullet had entered. I didn't move away, as long as she didn't go to my no-no zone, I could tolerate her.
"You know... I'm really sorry about what I did. A-And before you say something, I mean it!" Sure you mean it, I trust you with every cell of my body. Does she buy me for a fool? Trick me once, shame on me. Try to trick me a second time? Shame on you.
"... Apology accepted," I lied through my teeth, averting my eyes away from her.
She gasped, "REALLY?! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOUUUU~!" She hugged me from the side, she was way stronger that she looked.
She pushed us both onto the bed, still holding onto me.
"Uhhh... What are you doing?"
"Cuddling~" Ah, ahaha, what?
"Excuse me?"
"I wanna cuddle~" She rolled us further up the bed, our heads resting on the pillows.
I tried to get out of her hold, but she didn't relent. I grew nervous at her strange behavior which was becoming stranger by the second. I need an adult, but I am an adult!
"W-Why?" I stuttered, her arms tightening around me.
She whispered in my ear, "I think I have a crush on you~"
"W-What? N-No?"
"You-"
"No no no, you are so fucking lying. Holy shit, you're lying. First of all," I lifted my hand up, the free one, "I am average looking at best. Second... well, I'm average. So, what the hell is your game?"
She giggled, rubbing her snout against the side of my head, "I don't care about what's on the outside, silly, and that's your opinion. I think you're really cute, and you're a good person!"
No I'm not! Fuck you!
I turned my back to her, folding my arms over my chest while grumbling- thinking very rude things. Stupid super-hearing bullshit.
She simply sighed, locking her arms around my midsection. She then lifted one leg over mine, trapping me in a lover's embrace. Only problem we weren't lovers! This bed was awesome, but I valued my freedom over everything else, it was the only thing I had left.
"I'll never let you go...~" I didn't catch what she said under her breath, and didn't think much of it.
Is this my life now? A living body pillow for this weird creature in some crack house? My father would not approve of this, and neither would my mother.
I missed them. I missed them so much.
I buried half of my face into the pillow, the wolf behind me inhaling whatever smell my hair gave off, sighing with content every time. What would they think of me if they were still here? Would they love me? Would they hate me for all I've done? Would Dad finally give me that beer he owed me?
Ha, yeah. He probably wouldn't.
I yawned with closed eyes, clicking my tongue.
"Aww~ Are you tired?"
"Yes," I muttered, her soft fur brushing against my exposed skin. They'd taken away everything beside my pants, t-shirt, and shoes.
She let go of me, moving away to the nightstand. I rolled over to see what she was doing, cocking an eye brow- nope, nope.
She was taking her shirt and cargos off, hell to the no. I shut my eyes, but I did take a peek, glad to find out she still had her underwear on when she was done.
There was a small switch behind the stand. She reached out and flicked it down, sending us into total darkness once more, the same darkness I'd come to love and hate.
Then, she began crawling back to me, the springs of the bed creaking closer to me as she advanced. Before I could turn away, she hugged me around chest, my arms glued to my sides. I couldn't see her, but she sure as hell could see me.
"Good night~"
"...Good night," I have no idea what's going on, why it's even happening, or what her intentions are. What I did know was that if I disobeyed, big sis would fuck me up.
I forced myself to relax in her grip, she brought me even closer to her, nuzzling her head on top of mine. She hummed, caressing my back with a hand as she licked my hair from time to time.
I know it's completely unrelated to the moment, but they stole my hard earned loot! Okay, it wasn't mine to begin with, but... eh, it didn't matter now.
As the minutes ticked by and I lost track of time, she continued coaxing me into sleep, grooming my hair as well as cooing sweet nothings in my ear. And it was working, her fluffy fur was so soft, and her tail had wrapped around my right leg. There was nothing I could do anyway, might as well get some much needed sleep.
And with that, I drifted away to a better reality, one that life went on as it should've.
Tonight was a peaceful night, but tomorrow?
I hope it won't be as bad as yesterday.