As, do you think your mother is still alive?

  Ever since Wayne had asked him this question seconds ago, As’ thoughts centered on it, and his emotions hopeful. Though the dungeon was dim, a brightness urged inside of him, and he knew the answer immediately.

  “Yes... I think about it often.”

  The two sat in silence as Wayne was tempted to reveal something.

  “You know, my father died when I was nine. I was really close to him.” Suddenly, a wave of sadness crashed down upon him out of his control, caught inside of a whirlpool. “He had a heart attack... I miss him...” As if he was now drowning, his face was evident, and after the many weeks, months, and years, he finally broke down.

  ‘I’m sorry’ wasn’t enough for As, and he tried to think of more to say, but found he was unable to. Consoling was too light of a substance for this injury.

  “I’m sorry-”

  “Why does this SHIT keep happening to me!!!” Wayne roared, followed with wobbly crying and breathes. No amount of mentua tea would be able to calm him. Amidst the wreckage, As interrupted.

  “Wayne. I’m not sure if you can hear me, but when we get out of here, we’re going to Owarr. I’m tired of living alone. We’ll go there and stay. Their power as a kingdom may be less than before, but it’s still sacred; no others can step inside without invitation, I remember, no- I know. The parliament is nothing but selfless.” He pushed the thoughts of brigade out of his memory. “Just like you said, we’ll make it out of this mess, do you understand?”

  With every time Wayne had heard As’ voice, he had never heard it with such intent or purpose, and it sounded like he had meant to say this from the very beginning. Now, all that was heard was Wayne’s deep, stifled noises, attempting to control himself.

  “’Ey! What’s goin’ on ‘ere?” A porcupine guard had burst into the scene, causing both of the two to jump. Stopping in front of Wayne’s cell, he looked in, seeing his head bent down to the floor. The guard watched for a moment, “’Ey, why’ya cryin’?” With maliciousness, he leaned closer to the gate, “You get ta be set free.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Hey, leave him alone!!”

  The porcupine perked up, swinging around towards his right. Taking a few steps to the other cell, he swiftly grabbed As’ wrist through the metal.

  “Are you keepin’ me from doin’ my job, owl?” His voice gritted, “I’ll give ya somethin’ ta cry about, too.” Removing a knife from his holster, As recognized it as they brandished, “Remember, we took this ‘way from ya for a reason.”

  Attempting to pull away, the guard had an iron grip. His wrist would be dislocated.

  Putting the blade against the top of As’ talon, across the metacarpals, he slashed, making a large gash.

  “AH!” As tumbled backwards after they loosened their grasp, laughing.

  “Now!” They began again, “C’mon ya baby. We got somethin’ for you ta do! What’re ya shitheads doin’ I need help over here?!” He shouted down the hall, to which two more porcupines appeared, both of them just as dirty, slimy, and irredeemable. Lifting Wayne out of his seat, he struggled, only for his feet to quickly be lifted off the ground.

  "No!! Stop!!” Wayne cried through tear struck eyes, “AS!” He forced him arm to outstretch.

  "WAYNE!! Stop!!!” As yelled out to deaf ears, shoving himself back against the door.

  “He’s got a mission!~ We can’t keep ‘im from it!” The leading guard sang jovially, laughing once more.

  As’ head turned sharply to the rusty metal bar Wayne had given him, hidden behind the bale of tool reed. It was time to put his idea into action.