Through waves on consciousness, Wayne felt as if he was floating. When unconscious, he was lucid and numb, yet tired and dreary. He could not bring himself to create a full thought. He felt the physical pressure pushing onto him from underneath, the sled, but without the sense of touch itself. That same feeling was felt against his mouth, as if something had been put inside of it; his tongue tingled.

  “What in the hell are you two doin’ here? I got lucky!” Evic gestured behind him.

  “Boss sent us out to get you, you idiot. Where the hell you been? And what’s the hell’s that?” one of the weasels questioned.

  “This... is my ticket up the ladder. I’m ‘bout to get mor’ respect from that old scumbag.”

  “Don’ let ‘im hear that.” the partner to the first flattened his ears. “And I don’ wan’na be underneath you!”

  “Well, too bad, boys. I got some more shit off this thing.” Wayne’s backpack was on Evic’s back. “There’s food in here, and this shithead din’t eat it all!”

  “Food?!” Both of the cohorts perked up.

  “Yeah,” Evic gave a toothy, snide grin. Stopping, he removed some of Wayne’s old energy bars from the bag, some of which were beginning to stale. “Eat up. We don’t get this good food back at the Pit. Better enjoy ‘em. It’s old bread when we get back.”

  Scus and Gaffe gobbled the morsels up, throwing the wrappers to the ground as they began walking again.

  “Uh, ya’know Evic, that thing’s got that thing on its leg. I think it’s inj’red. Will it b’ able to work?” Gaffe noticed with his good eye.

  “It’s fine,” Evic dismissed, “They’ll be doin’ fine in the rocks later.”

  “But wha’if they can’t stand?”

  “Boss’ll force them to stand, and if they can’t, that’s their problem. Jus’ focus on gettin’ back. Get out’ta this weather. I’m cold.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re cold, you dolt.” Scus sounded upset. “I’ve had enough complaining with this asshole.” He thumbed towards Gaffe.

  “Have you been out ‘ere for four days? Din’t think so.”

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  “Hey, it evens out. When you’re back you can start bein’ a lazy piece of shit again.” they chuckled back. Evic just stared off ahead of him.

  “I do my work, you guys just don’ notice.” Evic mumbled inaudibly to himself.

  “Shouldn’t we tie it up?” Scus watched Wayne’s dangling limbs.

  “Ehh, yeah, I guess so. What’s in this we can use?” Evic again went back into the bag, rummaging. “This.” He pulled out some mountain climbing rope.

  “Guess ya did git lucky.” Gaffe remarked.

  "Hold this, my back is gettin' tired. It's heavy." Evic handed Scus the backpack.

  "Whatever."

  After hours, and coincidentally with the last of the Atropa leaves, the four strolled into camp—the operation. Animals of many shapes and sizes were gathered around large boulders inside of the elusive “Pit,” what everyone called the giant quarry with a flat stone floor. Prisoners huddled in every day against their will, mining away, in hopes of finding metal to please the Warden and to line his pockets with more wealth. Meters from beyond the overhang which surrounded the quarry, a large row of cells with iron bars concealing the front openings encompassed the perimeter. The cells were as minimal was one could make them, looking like stone squares. The Warden’s comfortable wooden shack, no larger than a small house, overlooked the business, where he could view everyone working, slaves and leaders alike.

  “You’ve been gone for four days, and you bring back THAT?!!” The Warden was fuming. “One measly slave! If I don’t lash you right now for insubordination!”

  Evic held his paws up before him, not wanting that to happen, “I did my job, Boss! I came back with something!” Evic sounded as if he were pleading.

  “You came back with SHIT!” He threw his arms up, “And what the hell is that on its leg?!”

  Evic stumbled, “I-It’s a... splint, it looks like.”

  “So not ONLY did you bring back some stupid whatever-the-fuck it is, but its leg is broken?!” Evic couldn’t find the words to respond. “Put your paws behind your back!”

  “N-No!”

  “Do it! Or I’ll whip you right here and not where no one can hear you!” The Warden gripped his nine tails wound up at his side attached to his rustic leather belt. The weasel quickly did as he was told despite his impending punishment, and his wrists were bound as they began to be pushed towards the front door. “You two!”

  “Ye-Yeah, Boss?” Scus’ eyes somewhat darted.

  “Take that off! I want that damn thing working down there tomorrow! This guy,” The Warden shook Evic by the arms, “Is going to have a lot of fun training tomorrow.” The look on his face was abundantly austere.

  “Yes, sir!”