The next chapter is posted! Enjoy :)
In interrogation, Wanda was getting more pissed by the minute with Pete's disobedience.
She promised him that if he answered her questions he would be allowed for much needed rest and food. Then told him she would make it a little easier for him by asking him which apes have helped him.
Pete insisted that many apes have helped them in the past. But Wanda didn't believe him. Even when he insisted it was the truth.
She went on to explain that only one ape has ever defended him and that was Galen. Then asked again which humans have helped him. This had to be the fiftieth time she asked this question.
He just responded by saying no humans have helped them.
She pressed him for the truth. He stated he didn't know what she wanted though.
"I want their names!" She yelled.
"I can't, my mind's...blank." Pete stated.
Wanda then looked over her shoulder at the Lieutenant.
"Lieutenant, you know what to do." She said.
"Yes, Wanda." He replied.
Pete shared a look with them. Then Wanda turned to leave. But the Lieutenant stayed behind with him.
Pete did not like where this was going. The Lieutenant and another guard approached him. Then they grabbed him roughly and started dragging him off.
Meanwhile at a road check point leading into the city...
Gorilla guards were stopping every cart and carriage, they were thoroughly checking each one for the fugitives.
Galen was not far behind in the line of carriages waiting to get in. He just hopes he could sound convincing enough in this get up. Otherwise, they were all screwed.
After they were done with the carriage in front of him, they let them go. Then a bunch of the guards approached his carriage next.
"What is your business in Central City?" One of them asked the disguised chimp.
"My son, he raises hey for the troopers' horses. He usually pulls in..."
"Give me that pitchfork." The guard rudely demanded, cutting him off.
If it weren't for the situation they were in, Kristin would've laughed at his high-pitched girly voice he was using.
"Oh, he would usually deliver it himself. But he was sick, and I told him he sounded awful and told him to stay in bed." Galen explained while handing the guard the pitchfork.
"So, I figure I'd deliver the hey myself. Oh yes, yes, he's such a good boy. If I do say, so, he is so helpful and kind. So helpful." Galen prattled on in that high-pitched tone.
He was a tad nervous as they kept stabbing the pitchfork harshly into the hey in the back. At one point some lifted off the bottom and you can see Alan and Kristin underneath, peaking through a hole int eh bottom of the carriage.
"Alright, go ahead. Dump your hey and come right out." The guard ordered.
"Thank you, goodbye." Galen said, with a sweet smile.
Galen gave him one last fleeting look before riding off.
He drove the carriage in and away from the prying eyes of the gorilla guards. He felt better when they were able to put more distance between them and the troops.
He pulled it over up to the huge wooden containers that held all the hey. He parked the carriage between them, got off and rushed to the back of the carriage.
Then he pulled off a straw covering that went over the bottom of the back to reveal Alan and Kristin underneath.
He gestured for them to get out. They crawled out, Galen reached out a hand to help Kristin out. Once she stood she let out a shaky sigh and placed a hand on her stomach.
"Are you alright?" Galen asked, concerned.
Her gaze shifted to him, and she lightly nodded.
"Just felt another wave of nausea. All that moving about on the bumping road didn't help my stomach. But at least we're in and that's what's important.
"Yes, that was probably the hardest part. It's getting dark soon, and it will make it easier for us to travel through the city on foot." He assured her.
Then the three traveled on the rest of the way on foot. But not before Galen pulled off the ridiculous pink dress and threw it away.
It was pitch dark by the time they made it to his parents' house. Galen approached the door and knocked a few times, while Alan and Kristin stood a few feet behind him.
After a few minutes an older, female chimp answered the door.
She squinted through the dark to see who it was. Then a bright smile came to her face.
"Galen!" She said, then reached out to hug him.
"Mother." He replied with a smile, and gladly returned the hug.
Kristin thought the whole scene rather cute.
"Oh, Galen, Galen, come in." She said.
"Oh, how are you?" She asked, pulling him in for another hug and a small kiss to his cheek once he was inside. Alan closed the door behind them.
"So good to see you." Galen said.
"It's so good to see you." She replied back enthusiastically and started to clap a little.
"I would like you to meet my very good friends. Alan Virdon and Kristin Vinci." He said gesturing to them.
Her clapping gradually slowed down as she turned her attention to the two humans.
"How do you do, Virdon, and...Kristin was it?" She inquired.
"Yes, it is very nice to meet you." Kristin said, with a small smile.
"Fine, thank you." Alan replied politely.
Then his mother turned back to him.
"Have you eaten? Oh, you look so tired." She explained while reaching in to lightly grasp his cheeks.
"Oh, mother. Tell me first, where is father?" He asked.
"He's in his study. He has a great deal to do these days. He had just been elected to the council. Sit down, I'll get your father." She told him.
Galen smiled and nodded. Then she walked off to get his father to let him know Galen is here.
"Your mother seems very nice, Galen." Alan stated.
"And very sweet." Kristin added with a smile, as they watched her go.
"Oh, yes. You...may need to find another word to describe my father." Galen told him.
Not a few moments later, the door opened, and an older male chimp that looked like an older version of Galen came walking out.
Galen gave him a nod, "Father."
"Uh...father this...uhh. We need your help. My friend, Peter Burke, has been taken prisoner." Galen explained.
His father leveled him with a look, then started to approach him.
"He's a human. I'm an ape. He's my enemy." The older chimp stated.
Galen gave him a look.
"He is not an enemy. He is my friend. You'll be helping me." Galen said, trying to convince him.
"It is between you and Burke." His father snapped.
Then he walked away a little before stopping and making eye contact with his wife.
She had a slight look of concern and pleading on her face as they shared a look between them.
"I will give you shelter, but I won't help you in any other way." He announced.
"I'll send a servant to the roof as a lookout. If you wish to see me, I'll be in the garden. Just you, son." He made clear, by pointing at him.
Then he left the area, closing the door behind him.
His mother gave them a small reassuring smile. Galen smiled back. But he was still uncertain. Then he walked back to Alan and Kristin. Alan gave him a couple light pats to the arm.
While Kristin gave him a reassuring smile. He smiled back and reached out to lightly squeeze her hand. Something his mother saw as she became a little baffled and surprised by the looks they shared between one another.
It almost had her inquiring wanting to know more.
Meanwhile a guard went to Urko to tell him about an abandoned hey cart and he had the female's garbs in his hands.
Urko asked where the female was, but the guard told him he didn't know. The gorilla had a sneaking decision of who the female ape really was. Then made a quip about was the guard expecting the fugitives to stand up and wave at him.
He was clearly unhappy about the turn of events.
Urko than demanded the guard go to councilman Yalu's home with three troopers and search it from top to bottom. And that if the older chimp tries to stop him just to go ahead and do it anyway.
The guard quickly hurried off, not wanting to be around the pissed off chief any longer. While Urko threw down the clothing in frustration and anger.
Back at Galen's parents' home.
Galen finally decided to meet his father out in the garden. He took a seat at the outdoor table where a single candle was lit. While his father paced around in an agitated manner.
"Apparently, it doesn't matter to you that your mother worries." His father said.
"Of course it matters." Galen told him.
"Then why aren't you at home? Instead of running around the country like a hunted human?" His father snapped.
"It's not my fault that I'm being hunted. My friends are willing to live in peace, so am I." Galen reasoned.
"You are an ape. Your friends are humans. Strange friends for a chimpanzee." His father declared.
Galen sighed, "Not if you know them. You'd respect them too if...it wasn't for your stupid prejudices."
"I am older than you, perhaps those so-called stupid prejudices are based on reason." His father countered.
"No, they are not. They are based on custom and on habit. And you know it." Galen pointed out.
"Even if I agreed with you, and I don't. Do you think you can change the whole world?" His father inquired.
There was a brief pause before Galen answered.
"I'd like to." He told him confidently.
Meanwhile inside the house, Alan and Kristin were sitting at a small counter with Galen's mother, Ann with a couple drinks of water.
They became a little fidgety and nervous as Galen was out there a long time talking with his father.
"We didn't come to this city to visit, I'm sorry, but we came here to get Burke." Alan stated nervously and impatiently.
"Alan." Kristin said, as he went to get up and go to Galen and his dad.
But Ann stopped him.
"Just a few more minutes. My husband is not entirely unreasonable." She assured them.
They sat in silence for about a minute, then Alan remembered something.
"Ann, do you...mind getting a healer here if you can? Kristin hasn't been feeling very well for quite some time now." Alan told her.
The older female slightly tilted her head then shifted her gaze to the young woman.
"Really? What's the matter?" Ann asked, concerned.
"Umm, just...been feeling a lot of on and off bouts of nausea as of late. There were also times I've been feeling a little more tired than usual." Kristin admitted to her.
The older female studied her for a moment.
"You mind coming with me? Would like to speak with you alone for a moment, if that is alright." She requested.
Kristin shared a glance with Alan. He gave her a small, reassuring smile and nodded.
The young woman shifted her gaze to the female chimp.
"Sure." She said.
Ann got up from the counter and gestured to opening that led to a small hall on the other side of the room.
Kristin got up and let out a small, but nervous sigh. Why she was nervous, she was unsure. But she followed the female chimp anyway, around the corner in the hall, and out of sight from Alan, who decided to stay put sitting at the counter.
They stopped when they were out of hearing rang from Alan. Then Ann turned to her.
She could see the young woman seemed uncomfortable and nervous. So, she placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a soft smile.
"There is no need to be nervous dear. I just have a few important questions." Ann said.
"Ok." Kristin replied.
"I...saw how Galen held your hand earlier. I also saw the shared looks you have each other. Are you...two involved?" Ann asks.
Kristin stood there frozen to the spot for a moment. She was shocked by the question and surprised the older female saw that. Looking at the older female, she couldn't bare the thought of lying to her.
Not when she has been nothing but kind to her and Alan.
"Will you...be upset...if I said...I was?" She hesitantly got out, while looking at the floor.
Kristin felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. That is when her light gaze slowly raised to look at Galen's mother. The older female had a warm smile on her face, surprisingly enough.
"No. While it may be different and to most unusual, I am not angry. The way he looks, at you, he clearly cares about you." Ann said.
Kristin was silent for a moment before speaking up.
"And I...really care for him too." She quietly admitted.
Ann tilted her head slightly to the side.
"Do you love him?" She asks.
Kristin was a little put on the spot by that question. But she won't lie about how she feels about Galen. She made direct eye contact with the older chimp.
"Yes, I do. Very much. And he loves me." The young woman spoke, confidently.
Instead of seeing a look of disgust or anger though, Kristin saw Ann smile at her again.
"I see. And while it is different, I'm happy for him and for you. He is my son after all. I want nothing but for him to be happy. It's clear, that happiness lies with you." Ann told her.
Kristin couldn't help but smile back.
"Now, will you tell me why it is you believe you are sick?" Ann inquired.
The young woman was silent for a moment before answering.
"I have been battling with on and off bouts of nausea now for the better part of the last couple weeks Have even thrown up a couple times. I have also found myself on some days feeling a little more tired than usual." Kristin explained.
Ann stood there, listening and nodded.
"And...when was the last time you bled?" Ann asked.
Kristin felt like she really had to think about it. Though she was drawing a blank. It must've been a while now. She doesn't recall having one for at least the last couple months.
"To be honest, I think it's been at least a couple months." Kristin replied.
The older chimp gave her a small smile. A knowing look in her dark eyes.
"I think...I know what ails you. But to make sure, I'll call in a doctor for you." Ann assured her.
Kristin was unsure what to think. But she was grateful either way.
"Thank you." She said.
Ann nodded, "Of course."
Then to Kristin's surprise, the older female chimp gently wrapped her arms around her and pulled her in for a hug.
"Thank you, for making him happy." Ann lightly whispered, as she hugged Kristin.
The young woman was fighting down a lump in her throat and tears in her eyes as she embraced the slightly taller female back.
"You're welcome. and as I said before, he makes me very happy too." Kristin told her.
After a few moments, they pulled back. The smile has yet to leave Ann's face.
"I'll call for a healer right away." She informed the human woman.
"Thank you." Kristin told her.
Then the two walked back out and headed back to the counter where Alan was still hanging about.
"Everything ok?" He asks.
Kristin gave him a reassuring smile
"Everything is fine." She assured him.
"I will call a healer over right away for her." Galen's mother informed him.
Alan nodded, "Thank you."
Back outside in the garden, Galen and his father were still going at it.
"Without your help, we got to do something..."
"I just want to know what you're up to!" His father said, cutting him off.
"You can get Burke out without compromising yourself." Galen argued.
"This conversation is over!" He father snapped, while standing up to level him with a look.
Galen let out a sigh, "Alright, father. Goodbye."
As soon as the words left his mouth, they heard a loud tapping sound from the roof.
Both chimps turned their attention to it.
"That's the signal from Loomis." His father pointed out.
He quickly led his son back inside the house.
"They're coming!" Yalu said, as he burst through the door.
"Well leave now, we won't risk your lives by being caught here." Galen reasoned.
They all started talking at once. The two humans started to become nervous. Especially, Kristin.
Then Yalu asked his son to help him move a rather heavy oak chair. Which he did. Then Ann instructed Alan and Kristin to help her move the rug aside.
Beneath the rug, was a trap door of sorts. Yaku stated it was for security purposes.
Alan grabbed at it and opened the heavy trapped door.
Then Yalu instructed Galen to go down in a hasty tone. Ann quickly and carefully helped Kristin go down next. The last one in was Alan. Then they quickly closed the trap door over them.
Afterwards, Yalu and Ann quickly covered it all back up. They placed the rug over it then the chair. Then Ann sat down in the chair and got out her knitting supplies and started to knit like nothing was out of the usual as her husband went to answer the door.
"Open up, Police!" They ordered.
After a few moments of silence, the guards banged on the door again.
"Open up, Police!" They repeated.
Yalu rushed to the door. But paused and looked behind him at his wife in the chair. He noted she was ready, so he went to answer the door.
"How dare you bang on my door." Yalu stated as he opened the front door to his home.
But the police came rushing in anyway.
"We have been ordered to search this house." They declared as they rushed in.
"Search this house!? This is a mistake! I am council member, Yalu!" Yalu argued.
"Sorry, councilmen. But the order was given to me directly by chief of security, Urko." The policeman said.
Then they started to search the area.
"I command you stop!" Yalu yelled, clearly outraged.
But they ignored him and continued searching, against his wishes.
"Where's he going!?" Yalu asked, as he saw a guard run off.
Meanwhile, Alan, Galen, and Kristin were hiding beneath the floorboards in a rather cramped space.
Kristin didn't like this at all. She was rather claustrophobic, and this was a very small and cramped area for her. She was trying so hard not to hyperventilate.
Galen turned to her and saw she was in distress. He grasped her hand and rubbed a finger over her knuckles in comfort.
She turned her gaze to him, and he gave her a comforting smile. Kristin gave him a small nod, and closed her eyes briefly, trying to keep her breathing under control.
While Urko's men continued raiding the home above them.
The guards told Yalu they were to examine the bedroom. Yalu got angry and said this was an outrage.
"I will be just as everything to be as you found it." Ann said, as she sat there, knitting.
One of the guards opened their drawers and proceeded to throw clothes about.
The Lieutenant didn't like that one bit. He went in and approached the guard and roughly slapped him in the face and asked himif he thought he was going through a junkyard.
That put a stop to throwing things about right away.
"Thank you, officer." Ann said, as she continued to knit.
"It's alright." The Lieutenant assured her.
She looked up and nodded, then went back to her knitting.
They continued their search. But stopped at a large light colored throw rug in the middle of the floor. A couple of them grasped the ends and quickly lifted them up and pushed them aside. But they saw no door in the floor.
When they saw nothing there, they quickly glanced at Ann and the carpet she was sitting over in her chair.
"Have you found what you were looking for?" Yalu snapped.
"No, councilor." The Lieutenant replied.
"Then I suggest...you leave! Now!" He yelled at them, while opening the front door for them.
"I apologize for this intrusion." The Lieutenant politely said to Ann.
She nodded, with a small smile then happily went back to her knitting.
Then they all started to clear out.
"The apology is not sufficient. You may so, inform, Chief Urko!" Yalu yelled at them on the way out before slamming the door shut.
Then he quickly turned around to look at his wife.
She crossed her hands over top of her head with a little giggle. While her husband remained silent. That was a close one for them. But at least they didn't find their son and his friends.
Meanwhile back in interrogation...
They had Pete on a rotating table and the gorilla guards were swinging it around continuously. It was apparent, they were still trying their hardest to break him and get the answers they needed.
They kept it up for quite some time. Until Pete was feeling good and dizzy. Eventually, they stopped, and Wanda asked if he had enough.
The room was spinning to him, and her voice echoed. But it was clear, he was quite discombobulated.
She then ordered the guards to untie him. Then afterwards asked about one of the humans that could've possibly helped them.
But instead, Pete started saying his name, rank, and numbers. Something they taught him to do if he found himself in situations like this. Something Wanda didn't like one bit.
She yelled at him to stand up. But he kept repeating himself, even as she hauled him up off the table to stand.
But Pete, was too discombobulated, and he collapsed back down onto the table, unable to stand. Though this didn't stop Wanda. She was clearly angered and started to shake the table back and forth, asking him angrily if he wanted more.
But Pete just laid there and kept repeating himself. Despite the words were coming out a bit more slurred now.
She grumbled angrily and stated that she knew the humans that have helped him. Though, that was a boldface lie. She still doesn't know and has yet to get answers from Pete.
Then they went to tie him down again and started to spin him again.
Meanwhile outside near the jailhouse...
Alan and Galen snuck out to try and see if they could get into the jailhouse where they believed Pete was staying.
Kristin wanted to go with them. But Galen and his mother insisted she stay behind at the house where she will be safe. The young woman didn't like being housebound. She wanted to help.
But Ann informed her that she gotten ahold of a healer and that they were on their way to check her.
Galen was relieved to hear this. He wanted to make sure she was alright because of how she's been lately. This is when Kristin reluctantly agreed to stay behind for the time being.
On the way out, Galen's mother cautioned him to be careful. He assured her they would be fine, before he and Alan headed out.
Kristin and Ann chatted a little more, trying to get a little more about each other. The more they talked, the more Ann decided she liked the young woman and can see why her son was so taken with her.
About a half an hour into their conversation, there was a knock on the door.
Ann went to go answer it. The person at the door was a middle-aged chimp by the name of Eldor. He was the healer that Ann had sent for. As she led him in, she explained that her new 'female' servant was a bit under the weather and would like for him to check on her.
Kristin spotted the male chimp as he was led in and directed towards her.
He smiled and gave her a nod.
"Hello, I am healer, Eldor. I hear you have been having stomach issues and fatigue?" He inquired.
It took a moment before Kristin responded.
"Yeah, that's right. For...quite some time now." She replied.
He nodded, then turned his gaze to Ann.
"Is there anywhere for her to lay down while I examine her?" He asked.
"You can set her up in my son's old room." Ann instructed.
Then she led them to Galen's childhood bedroom.
The doctor then instructed Kristin to lay down on the bed. She did so, though still a little nervous. Ann stayed with her at least to put her a little more at ease. Which she was thankful for.
"Now, what kind of issues have you been having?" He asks.
"On and off nausea for the last couple weeks. Threw up a couple times. Some days I find myself a little more tired than usual." Kristin told him.
He nodded, "I see. Well, let's have a look."
The healer carefully pulled her tank top, exposing her abdomen. Then he carefully started to palpitate her stomach and feel around. He didn't find anything wrong in the stomach area, but when he moved lower, he did feel something.
He pressed around below her bellybutton very carefully.
After a couple minutes, he pulled his hand away then shifted his gaze to Ann and Kristin.
"I didn't find anything abnormal. Though I will say she is with child. The nausea and fatigue are clear symptoms of it. By the looks of it, she isn't too far along. Only a couple months or so. I advise that she takes it easy for a while." The healer explained.
Kristin's eyes widened. She almost couldn't believe what he had just said.
Even Ann seemed a bit surprised, despite having her suspicions. But this just confirms it.
"You say, she's a new servant?" Healer Eldor asks.
Ann was silent for a moment before answering.
"Yes, she is." She replied.
"I would recommend that she be given a lighter workload, with little strain as possible. Otherwise, it could put too much stress on her and the unborn child." He informed Ann.
Ann nodded, "Yes, of course, I understand completely. Thank you, Eldor." Ann told him.
He nodded at her, "Of course. If you wish to send her along for annual visits as her pregnancy progresses, feel free to do so. Though we may have to call in a specialist who is a little more versed in human anatomy and reproduction.
A specialist may be needed for delivery too. Seeing, as I'm not entirely sure that human deliveries are similar to that of apes. I do know of at least one healer in town that is quite versed in human anatomy and reproduction, if you would like their name."
"That would be great, Eldor." Ann replied.
"Very well, her name is Meera. Perhaps you heard of her? Her father was the late senior healer, Mallis." Eldor informed her.
"Yes, it does sound very familiar. In fact, I believe he was the one that delivered my son, Galen. I heard his daughter was practicing medicine but didn't know she specialized in human anatomy and reproduction." Ann stated.
"She is one of the very few who did. And from what I know, has delivered many human infants over the years." He assured the female chimp.
Ann figured if Eldor highly recommended her, then she must be very good.
"Thanks for letting us know. I will see if I can contact her as the months progress." Ann said.
They only talked a couple more minutes before the healer decided it was time to leave. Before he did, he paused and glanced at Kristin.
"I'm sorry, I almost forgot to ask, do you have any questions for me, young lady?" He asks Kristin.
She was still reeling from the news that she almost missed what he just asked her.
"What? Oh no, not really. But umm, are there any special vitamins or prenatals or anything I should be taking?" She asks.
He scratches his chin in thought, "I'm not entirely sure what 'prenatal' means. But I can tell you to eat a healthy amount of food with each meal every day and obviously, stay hydrated and don't overwork yourself. If you feel the need to rest, take it."
Kristin nodded, "Thanks."
Eldor gave her a brief nod, then he left the room. The healer then let himself out of the house.
Kristin only continued laying there for a few moments, before she slowly sat up. Her head was still spinning a little from the news. She just couldn't believe it. A part of her wasn't expecting for it to happen so fast.
"You alright, dear?" Ann asks.
The young woman shifted her light gaze to her. She was silent for a moment before giving the older female a light nod.
"Yeah, just...still pretty shocked I guess." Kristin admitted to her.
Ann lightly grasped her hand and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Think we all are. But sometimes, it's just how it happens, when you least expect it." The female chimp told her.
"I...I just don't know how to tell Galen. Especially, right now with everything going on with our friend Pete and being here in the city with all these troopers about." Kristin said.
"Just tell him when the time is right and you're ready. I won't say anything. It is your decision." Ann says.
"Thanks, Ann. Though, I know it is something I will have to tell him soon. Otherwise, it be hard to explain to him why my stomach is gradually getting bigger each month." Kristin lightly teased.
Ann chuckled a little at that.
"Yes, I suppose. But either way, I know he will be very happy. I know meeting someone special and having a family is one of the things he wanted most in life. So, I highly doubt he'd feel anything else, other than happiness and excitement." Ann told her.
It helped put Kristin's mind at ease hearing this.
Though she knew it meant they would have to be extra careful as the months progress and she knew eventually, they would have to settle down somewhere once the baby was born.
Because it would be too dangerous to drag an innocent baby along on their dangerous journey.
Until Next Time ;)