Chapter 4 - Home sweet home.
----------------------------------------
I jolted out of sleep in a nightmare induced panic, that damn nightmare again. I look around, trying to remember where I am and how I got here. Hmm…Oh yeah, I'm in my new room, after I was dragged here, I was shown around the Mine site then I took a nap to sleep off this wicked Migraine I've had all day. I shrug off this groggy feeling I've got at the moment, the type where you wake up from a rough nap feeling like you don't know what planet you are on.
I look around my new room soaking in the contents of it. It is basically a slightly better looking jail cell with a giant wooden door and no see through bars. There is a large window so there's that at least. It allows just enough light in to brighten this grey dank room up a are 4 'beds' to this room. Well I say 'beds' but that is being overly generous, they are simply just a pile of hay with a blanket on the top of them. The only thing that stands out are the footlockers at the end of our beds. What are we meant to put in those?
So I stay seated on my bed, refreshing myself on today's activities while I wait for dinner to be ready.
----------------------------------------
(FLASH BACK)
I'm currently being escorted to the dig site they called it. Oh by escorted I mean tied to a rope and dragged across the floor still bound completely. They could have carried me, they could have left me in the wagon, nah dragging me is so much more fun apparently. So with nothing better to do, I stew on my last night's betrayal from Sneasel. After getting dragged for a while the nice, smooth grass has turned into a rock infested dirt path. The jolting from going over rocks is really agitating my already throbbing headache. Plus it's getting hard to breathe with the dirt going in my nose. I cant use my mouth to breath since it too is bounded. Looking up from trying to block out the dirt, I can start to make out a large double sided Wooden door. It reminded me of the types castles would use, just without the metal bolts. The giant door opens up widely when the Geodude guards identify the Machoke at the front. We enter inside and with a giant 'Chunk' noise the door is closed behind us.
Looking around I see a large dug out area, a dig site. It's about the size of an oval field. There are 4 watchtowers posted evenly around the dig site. There are Pokémon stationed up there, but I can't make out who, from here.
In Front of those towers is a wooden wall that connects them to them all. Like a kingdom's inner walls but only around the towers. Straight at the far back wall I can make out a building of sorts, some Pokémon are exiting from it. They don't look like guards so maybe the living areas for the inmates? To the left most side there is a fairly large outdoors stage with a podium in the centre of it. Finally on the furthest right area is a mining area of sorts where there are Pokémon smacking rocks with hammers, as well as others pushing large carts over to them. The layout here kinda reminds me of my world's jails. Open courtyards, watch towers, fences connecting them and inmates working out in the sun.
A couple of Geodudes and Durants approach us now. I'm guessing they are the lackey guards. There are numerous of them throughout the area.
I am untied from my webbings, feeling good to be able to stretch again. I look over to Machoke, anger still bubbling in my mind. I'm not going to be a slave without a fight. My vine shoots up out of my back waiting for my command.
"Hmm? Oh go on then. Give it your best shot. It's the only one you will be getting after all. So make it count as you will be heavily punished afterwards." he opens his arms wide, daring me to do so. "I can't wait to show you what I have planned for you after you freed my prisoners." I continue to glare at him. After some time I gave in, retracting my vine.
"I'm a little disappointed. Oh well there's always next time haha." he said walking off. This sucks so bad. "There are some rules to go over but that will be explained in due time. Mightyena you know what to do. I will see you again shortly, Tah Tah." He said, waving his hand.
"Alright you will be gathering with the others at the stage." Mightyena said, pointing her snout in the stage's direction.
"Yeah let me guess, some glorified speech about how great it is to serve your noble cause. Oh gee, sounds like fun, sign me up. Might go pillage a village for our leaders' cause."
"Shut it you." Mightyena said whilst shoving me towards the staging area. "I would watch your mouth if I were you. You don't want to end up being sent to the 'Correction Zone'." She visibly shivered after saying that.
Correction zone huh? 10 points to the 1st person who can guess what magical things happen there.
I moved towards the staging area tailed by Mightyena's crew. When I glanced back I noticed Nuzleaf was walking slower whilst holding his stomach, guess last night's smacking was still stinging. Sucked in, although my head is still sore from my smack, it still kinda hurts to use my nose. I couldn't help noticing that there were multiple wagons being stored near the gate with more Tauros there, unpacking and parking their respective wagons. I mean slaves don't capture themselves after all.
I arrived at the stage area, my followers split off to act as guards now. There is a small crowd already gathered here. Something I noticed about them is that they are all 1st evolution. Well besides 1 but that is only because it can't evolve. I'm guessing it's easier to capture smaller Pokémon, train them to your cause then make them evolve once they are completely dedicated. There are 7 in the crowd, those being Nidoran, Pachirisu, Nidoran, Pansage, Helioptile, Machop, Scorbunny and a terrified looking Vulpix. Quite the selection.
Moving in closer to the crowd I can hear them talking amongst themselves. I avoid this, I'm not in the mood for small chat or any sort of conversation at the moment. I sat down in the dirt, closing my eyes, trying to help this aching headache.
"Hiya there." I open my eyes only to see another pair of black eyes staring straight back into mine. I blink in confusion but they are gone in an instant.
What? Where did those eyes go? I swear they were just here a second ago. I'm not going crazy, am I? I turn around trying to locate these phantom eyes. Not behind me either weird. I turn back around, only to see those eyes again, even closer this time!
"WaaAH!" I shout jumping backwards.
Hahaha that was fun, you're funny. I like you, I'm Scorbunny." The new creature said. Turns out the set of eyes belonged to a Scorbunny who currently has his arm extended for a hand shake. I kinda reacted on auto pilot as my vine went out to grab his hand. "Oooh vines cool!" He yanks it towards him studying it over. "I've never seen one of you before. What are you? What is your vine made from? How far can you stretch it? Does it taste good?"
I yank my vine back from Scorbunny. "Ok now, don't yank my vine again or I will smack you. If I answer your questions will you leave me alone? I'm not in the mood for chatting." He nods his head. "Ok im a Bulbasaur, my name is Ace by the way. Don't know what they are made from, haven't tested how long I can stretch it and don't even think about tasting it. Now leave."
He ignores me staring at the sky in deep thought "What is a name for?" He asked
"Hey, you said you would leave." I reply more irritably.
"Just this last one pleeeaase" he pleads with the biggest puppy dog eyes i have ever seen.
I rub my eyes with my vine. Breath in, breathe out. "Fine last one. a name is a way to tell someone apart from others, they can also be used as a sign of friendship depending on the culture."
"Can anyone have a name?" He looked at me eyes wide.
"Yes, anyone can have a name, now can I please be left alone. My head is really hurting."
"OK! Bye bye…Ace hehe." He ran off giggling to himself. I half expected him to keep asking me more questions.
Noise comes from the stage so I look up to see what it is. Oh hey, it's Machoke from earlier and 2 others are entering the stage. Let's see one is a Zoroark while the other is a Loudred.
They take positions on the stage next to each other, left to right is Machoke, Loudred and Zoroark. Loudred walks to the podium. Loudred? Oh crap here we go.
"ATTENTION, THE OVERSEER IS ABOUT TO ADDRESS THE NEWCOMERS. NOISE IS TO BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM!" he shouts like an loudspeaker. He returns to his spot at the back.
With my ears now blown, headache on maximum throttle all i can do is bare it. Doing whatever I can to sooth my head I notice that the sun has been blocked out leaving a large shadow over us. I look up in time to catch a glance at this large object hurling down towards us. It pulls up before hitting us, creating a large gust of wind, causing a couple of the onlookers to scream at this new creature. The creature lands on the stage, back towards us in one fluent motion, it was quite impressive to be honest. It turns its head looking us over before turning around completely.
"Greetings. I am Corviknight, otherwise known as the Overseer of this establishment. In then name 'The Master', I hereby welcome you into your new home. Here we offer a varied number of jobs you will be placed into, to find your true place amongst us. Prove your worth to The Masters' cause and you will find life here rather enjoyable. Disappoint The Master…well lets just say, you won't be disappointing The Master for very long. There are rules that will be announced in a short while but in the meantime I would like to introduce those besides me. Machoke" she looks over to Machoke. "And Zoroark" She does the same for Zoroark "They are my hands, you will do what they say when they say to do so. The final one is Loudred, he is my mouth. He speaks my announcements so keep an ear out for those. Once again I welcome you all into your new home. To your new family."
"You aren't my family. My family is at home. Please, I want to leave, I want my mom and dad." Pachirisu said with a desperate tone to her.
Once the dam broke all the others began to speak up complaining about how unfair this situation is, how they miss their families too and want to go back home.
Corviknight all while just stayed silent, barely moving with her head held high. Loudred meanwhile at the back is taking in a deep breath.
"SILENCE BEFORE THE OVERSEER!" He shouted. The complaints all ceased in an instance.
Corviknight just stayed there in silence for a short time, she took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm sure for a time you will…miss your old attachments. But one way or another you will learn to appreciate your new, no better family." no response from the crowd this time. "As a welcoming home present, The Master has generously allowed you all to have the remaining rest of the day off. This will help you all settle in a bit better. Now I will be departing you all. Farewell for now." with a set of mighty flaps of her wings she has left the stage area for who knows where.
"THE WARDEN HAS NOW LEFT THE STAGE, ONLOOKERS DISMISSED. NEW RECRUITS, REMAIN HERE. THAT IS ALL." Loudred walks off, followed by the other spectators to resume what they were doing prior to the speech.
"Yes, while I would love to stay and chat with you all, we have some important matters to deal with." Machoke said to us.
"Aww do we have to?" Zoroark complained, slouching her shoulders.
"Yes you know we do! In case you have forgotten we have a meeting with The Overseer now." She immediately fixed her posture with a joyous expression now plastered on her face. "Now if you all would look behind you, Granbull there will direct you to the living areas and your assigned rooms. Make sure you all behave, I would haaate to have to punish you." Machoke says now walking of with Zoroark to the direction The Overseer went of too.
"Hello everyone I'm Granbull, I too am a fellow inmate and head of the living quarters so we will be staying together. Now then before we move off there are some rules to go over. Ok now um: Don't attack others, don't disobey orders, don't break things, be in bed by curfew, Loudred will announce curfew and don't talk bad things about The Overseer. As long as you don't break these rules you should be fine. Worked out for me after all. Haha. Now, any questions?" Granbull asked, his voice kinda sounded like that of an elderly man.
"How long have you been here?" Machop asked.
"About 1-2 years give or take, this place is fairly new all things considering. Any other questions?"
"What happens to those who break the rules?" Pansage asked this time.
"Ah break too many and you will be sent to the correction zone, trust me when I say you do not want to end up there. Some that break too many rules don't come back…" he looked down with a sad expression. He clears his throat with a cough "Anyone else?"
"Has anyone ever escaped?" I asked this time.
"Hmm no..wait yes, there was one. Who was it again? Oh yes it was Sneasel if I'm not mistaken I wonder what happened to her."
Hearing Sneasel being mentioned flared up my anger again to an instant boil. the buzzing noise from last night returned. The more I thought about her being free whilst I'm now stuck here just added to my already high temper. I'm snapped out of it when a familiar pair of eyes suddenly appeared in front of me.
"Ooooh are we doing a scary face game? Here's mine grrr!" Scorbunny said. I'm making a scary face? I looked over to the others, they all were staring at me with a slightly worried expression. Vulpix being more fearful than the others. I relax my face muscles, trying to return to a neutral expression.
"What? Is there something on my face?" I asked the crowd, irritated continuously being stared at. They all look away from me after that. Man, talk about over exaggerating. I mean I couldn't have had that scary of an expression, could I?
"…um, yes well we should be getting a move on then. Follow me please." Granbull said. Granbull began walking away towards the single building with the others quickly following in behind him. They all make extra efforts to avoid being near me. All but one though who was walking next to me.
"Was my face really that scary?" I asked Scorbunny, who was still making weird faces.
"Yep, you looked like you wanted to hurt someone. How about this face? Is it scary?" He replied, changing his expression again.
"Uh yeah, really scary." Guess I need to keep a mental note to watch out for making a face when angered.
"Yay" he said jumping up in the air, he then ran towards the others making that face to them.
We arrived at the living area. It looked like a very simple 2 story apartment building. The word cheap would be accurate, since it looks like it was made with spare bits of wood.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
"Here we are, home sweet home. Come in come in." Granbull entered, gesturing us to enter. We all enter inside, the others still avoiding me best they can. The room we have gathered in has 2 wide doors to my left and right, a staircase leading up to the next floor with another closed door beside it.
"Now to the right is the social room, this is the room where you can chat, get out of the sun, warm up during winter or simply just a place to relax after a hard day's work." To be honest for a bunch of prisoners it isn't that bad. It's a large room with a couple of large rugs spread out, a fireplace with some logs next to it, a bookshelves with some books filling it out, a piano with a guitar leaning on it and 3 rather rugged looking sofas." I wonder who uses the Instruments or even why prisoners would be allowed to have them.
Granbull walks back towards the other large door. "Over here is the dining area. You will eat your food here. The cooking is done by the chiefs. We used to have fellow inmates cook, but after the fire we leave it only to the chiefs now. We do however take turns cleaning up." The dining room is a couple of long tables with chairs and a separate area behind it for cooking. "Ok now for where you will be sleeping".
We make our way back towards the staircase.
"What's in that room there?" Machop asked, pointing towards the single door next to the staircase.
That is the toilet area, when you enter left for boys and right for girls." Granbull responded.
"Oh ok."
"Oo Oo, can I use the toilet? I really have to go" Scorbunny asked with his hand raised.
"Ok make it quick please. "
Ok." In a second Scorbunny bolts into the toilet area, heading right instead of left.
"Other left there, sunny."
"Haha I knew that."
"Can't we continue without him, he's already annoying as is, we don't need him wasting out time." Nidoran spoke up.
"We can afford to wait a minute or 2. Young ones these days have no patience." Granbull responded, making Nidoran's cheeks puff up in irritation.
With Scorbunny returned we continued up stairs. It is a corridor stretching left to right with 8 doors running along it.
"Now you will be separated into 2 groups of 4. Get used to seeing your room mates as they are also your team members for team jobs." Granbull informed us.
"Can we choose who we want to group with?" Nidoran asked.
"No sunny, they have been chosen already. Also a big rule, if you are caught in someone else's room without permission, you will sleep outside. Am I clear '' We all nob in response to this. "Good" He says with a nod of his head.
Granbull then walks over to the door with a 1 marking on it. Huh, so they use the Decimal system here, weird but more convenient for me. I already have to learn how to read somehow. Underneath the letter 1 there is a small list of sorts. To me it's just scribbles a child would draw. "Room one is Nidoran, Pansage, Helioptile and Machop.
"Ha! I couldn't have asked for a better team. We don't get annoying Scorbunny, tiny Pachirisu and a scaredy Vulpix." Nidoran smuggle said. There's always one isn't there, one person/Pokémon who just wants to play the antagonistic role.
"Uh yes, moving on. Room 2 will be Vulpix, Scorbunny Bulbasaur and Pachirisu. Now introductions are done, you are free to wander the dorm and courtyard. Supper will be called out for when it is ready. If you need me I'll be downstairs, Or I'll be in the room furthest right down the hall. Make sure you knock." Granbull leaves us on our own.
Team 1 has already gone inside their room. I return my focus to our new room Scorbunny has already entered with Pachirisu following closely behind.
"After you." I say to Vulpix who has waited outside.
Uh uh n-n-n-no after you I um…" Geez this is going to be annoying if she continues to act like this the whole time.
"Whatever" I say walking inside. The room is simple in design, grey, 4 beds and a window opposite to the door. Some moss here and a footlocker at the end of each bed. Before anyone else does anything I walk up to the left corner bed, near the window claiming it. Pachirisu and Scorbunny take the beds near the door, leaving Vulpix opposite me at the window.
"So what do you want to do now?" Scorbunny asked.
"I don't know about you all but I'm going to sleep now." I get as comfy as I can on this poor excuse for a bed.
"What? but it's still day time." Scorbunny winged.
"Yep it sure is." I manage to find any sort of comfort in that mess, and with that I fall asleep.
(END FLASH BACK)
----------------------------------------
So now here I am. Home sweet home. I contemplate leaving or just trying to get some more sleep. Gods know if this place turns out like the movies, I'm going to be needing it. I decided to stay inside for now. Always was an inside person.
So I'm just sat there, on my bed looking out from the window, enjoying what little view of the outside world there is from here. I imagine myself going on some awesome adventure in these lands with my partner in crime, getting into all sorts of trouble instead of here, a prisoner.
"ATTENTION CURFEW IS DRAWING NEAR, RETURN TO YOUR ROOMS." A sudden ear grating shouting comes from the stage area, to where I can make out Loudred there standing proud to have done his job.
With that done I return to daydreaming. My daydreaming led me to think back upon a precious memory of mine. Back to when I was younger, running around with my best friend. Just enjoying our company and the freedom of youth in those moments. I enjoy that memory although it leaves me feeling sad at the end. I do miss those simpler times, back when i was still relatively happy. A single tear runs down my cheek.
I hear the door 'Scree' behind me, so I quickly harden my heart whilst wiping the tear away. I look over towards the door. Its Vulpix standing barely in the room staring at me.
"Um hi there Vulpix. you can come in, i mean it is your room too after all." She didn't move, just stayed there staring at the floor, with the occasional glimpse towards me. She begins to open her mouth but quickly closes it. She does this several times before…
"...Di-Dinner is ready…" I was barely able to make out what she said.
"Oh thank you, I will head down now then." Vulpix quickly runs off after my reply.
Dinner wasn't eventful. There were however, 9 extra Pokémon seated there including Granbull. Guess they were working when I arrived here.
Dinner was meh some berries and fruits in an attempt to make a meal out of them. A for effort, D for taste.
Later that evening when we returned to our room, Scorbunny wanted to do a get to know you activity. Pachirisu and Vulpix joined in, but I stayed out of it. Scorbunny insisted but I continued saying no. Plus I'd imagine Vulpix would feel better if i wasn't participating. Everyone went to bed shortly afterwards.
That night I wasn't able to get to sleep, tossing and turning. As I lay there trying to fall asleep, I could hear something nearby. Soft whimpering. Quietly i move my head to locate the source of it. The moonlight was hitting at just the right angle providing just enough light to see in the room. Looking around I could see that it was Vulpix whimpering in her bed. I could hear out lightly from her in the midst of the whimpering.
"Please save me, I know you are out there. Please." Poor thing. I just continued lying there, feeling slightly sad for her. Hang in there, it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better. At some point in the night I was able to fall asleep.
I'm awoken by yet again another damn nightmare. Guess they are the usual now. I lie there for a time, really struggling to find the energy to get up when I'm assaulted by a god awful noise.
"ATTENTION! IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP!" Ah guess he is the local alarm clock. Where's the snooze button on him? I want to make it permanent. Well good time to get up anyway, there was no way i was getting back to sleep.
I leave the room to head out as the others are still waking up. Down the stairs I go where Granbull is at the bottom waiting.
"Morning, sleep well?
"As well as a fresh prisoner does."
"Yeah it takes some time getting used to it. Now head into the cafeteria and get yourself some breakfast. You will be needing the energy today. Afterwards head outside, Zoroark will be arriving soon. I would not keep her waiting."
"Yep, will do." After a couple of steps I turned back towards Granbull. "Are the Captors as sadistic as I think they are?"
He doesn't answer, he just stares at the ground with a grim expression. With that i head down to the dinning hall.
Breakfast is just an apple with some jam covered toast. Apparently they usually don't get things like sugar so making jam is a rare treat for the house.
The others entered, choosing to sit away from me with their meals. It didn't bother me though, I enjoyed my own company after all. After finishing I leave heading out for the courtyard to where Zoroark is standing with 2 new Pokémon I haven't seen before. They don't pay me any mind, so I just sit there enjoying some of the early morning sun.
After a short time the others gather. "Goooood morning." Zoroark sang that part. "What a wonderful day to serve Mistress Overseer. Now that you all are here let's get moving. Don't want to disappoint the mistress. DO WE!" Suddenly in my face with a finger pointed and a snarl to her face. Real 0 to 100 there.
"Wouldn't dream of it." I'm suppressed I was able to keep it together with the sheer amount of fear she sent to me.
That however seemed to be the right answer as she rubbed my head with a very happy expression. "Right answer."
"Everyday is a bliss, when you serve the high mistress." she sang as we walked to the mines.
When we arrive, she turns around, "Alright split up into your groups. Come now chop chop. Good. Now your tasks for today are quite simple, half of you will bring rocks up from inside the main mining area and the other half will be breaking them open. Super easy! Now then I will explain the demerit system. Everyday you will have a quota to fill, fail to fill this quota and you will receive a demerit. Get 4 and you will be punished. The punishment will depend on the Mistresses Overseer's mood. If it were me you all would be punished for getting 1 demerit, but the mistress is merciful like that, isn't she wonderful! ISN'T SHE?!" She screamed that last part making the less courageous jump in fright.
"Yes!" we all shout in response, earning yet another happy expression.
"Now don't think about being smart and slacking off a day thinking you will only get 1 demerit point, if you fall too far behind you will receive more demerit points. They however do reset at the end of the week. Should be 2 if you ask me." After some grumbling about how no one should disappoint the Overseer she continues on.
"Now let's see. YOU!" She vigorously points to Nidoran. "Your group will fetch the rocks. Now then eeny meeny miny you." She points to Tyrant who looks quite uninterested at what is happening. "You will be the watcher for this group, let me know if there's any trouble. Now off with you all shoo shoo."
"Yes Ma'am. Right, follow me now." Tyrant said in a bored voice.
"Zangoose, you will watch this group. Make sure they do a good job. Everyone must serve The Mistress. Toodles." Obsessed much? Yes, I think so.
"Ha ha I like her, she's funny." Scorbunny said with a grin.
Zangoose smacks Scorbunny over the side of the head. "Oi qwiot yous. I will not 'ave yous be distrpectin the lady. Come follow mes, you lot will be werkin over 'ere."
We are led to a side area next to the entrance of the mine. It protrudes inwards to the walls, allowing a bit of cover above us from the sun. There are hammers and pickaxes of various sizes leaned up against the walls. There are grey slabs evenly placed across the floor. In the middle of the slabs is a small minecart. There is also a ramp leading up to a much larger minecart. I'm guessing someone will pick up the scraps, bring them up the ramp, brushed in the bin, to be taken away.
" 'Ere we are. Yous will be breakin open rocks 'ere, to be finding these 'ere gems." He raises a gem from a pile of others. They look like small white diamonds with a tint of blue mixed in. "Yous three will break open de smaller rocks lookin for de gems. Big en here will break open de bigger rocks for ye to break open alone. He he, Machoke, told us to says hi now he did." Oh you prick.
We all get to work breaking open rocks. So my job is to break chunks of larger rooks whilst the others break those apart searching for gems. We Want to avoid any damages to the gems if possible. They arnt particalrly fragile, its the already broken ones we need to look out for. See they apparently explode. So yeah I'm hitting a potential bomb with a sledge hammer.
"Found one!" Scorbunny shouted.
"Ah very goods, now her into this 'ere wheelie bucket. We fill 'er up to be taken away ya hears."
After I reckon an hour of breaking down rocks, that this sucks, this sucks so freaking bad. If I had my arms this would still suck but much easier to do. You see, I'm using my vine as I can't use my stubby paws to lift the large sledge hammer needed to break the large rocks. So I use my vine but my leverage over it is shot, requiring much more effort to keep it balanced, let alone adding power to my swings. So I reckon this is taking 3 times more energy to do. I'm so glad I'm in the sun though, my back plant is feeding my energy consistently throughout my swings. I reckon I would've been out of energy in 15 minutes without it feeding me. If I had my second vine I could balance the sledge hammer allowing more power per swing. Just another thing to be pissy about I guess.
"Oight lunchtime. Come over 'ere an get ya grub.'' I dropped my hammer so quickly after that. I'm completely out of breath. My little legs are sore to the joints and my plant is extremely tense from overuse. I take a second to catch my breath, stumbling over where the food is. Luckily this place figured out that if Pokémon don't get water throughout the day, you get less workers due to heat stroke. Crazy I know. Unfortunately that doesn't translate to me as I have been giving half rations throughout the shift. I wonder who authorised that one. It also sucks since I need water to convert sunlight to energy. So my plant takes some of the water i need for more energy. Photosynthesis baby, Op to have available but a bitch to keep operational.
I destroyed my food and almost choked on my water.
"Um…Excuse me Bulbasaur.." Pachirisu called over in a tiny voice.
"Hmm what is it?" I ask, still catching my breath.
I was just wondering why you are only using one of your vines? Don't Bulbasaur have 2?"
"It was sliced off in my last fight. Thanks for the reminder."
"But don't they grow back?" She asked, shying away from me.
I just stared dumbly at her. Oh come on please don't tell me I have been doing it the hard way the whole day. I pull out both vines, looking them over. While the cut one was still shorter it had regrown majorly since I saw it last. I'm not going to lie, i feel a bit stupid for not testing it out.
"Well would you look at that." i say waving the vine around
I thought your parents would have told you about that. Mine told me that I should be careful with my fur when it sheds. It holds electricity, you see."
"No. Mine did not. They didn't teach me much of anything." I said with a coldness in my voice thinking back on my parents.
"Oh I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to anger you. I'll leave you alone now, sorry." With that she quickly darted away. I realised a second later why she had that scared expression, my face was stiff in that angry expression I had yesterday.
With break being over we are right back to work. Swinging the sledgehammer is still hard but way easier now with 2 vines. It feels like I have more control now, more momentum with my swings as a result of better balancing.
I reflect on my earlier conversation with Pachirisu about parents. Must be nice having parents that give helpful advice. Mine gave not so helpful life lesions, some were indeed more painful than others. Lets just say you don't get a cigarette burn scar by chance.
I continue hitting the stone. Harder as the memory plays in my mind of my dad put his cigarette out on my arm. Harder, as I remember how both parents laughed at my pains. HARDER, as I was told how shameful I was for acting so weak by crying from the pain. I was only like 10. This sends a flare of pure rage through me, down through the sledge hammer onto my target. The rock I was hitting was split in twain down the centre with that last hit. I just stare at it, breathing heavily.
"Are you ok?" Scorbunny asked next to me with a concerned look to his face.
"Yeah I'm just fine." I replied.
"Are you sure? I always feel better when I talk about my problems with others."
"I'm fine!" I snapped at him. I pick up my sledge hammer, continuing to break down rocks. Scorbunny just stood there staring at me, I didn't look towards at him once. I think he wanted to say something since he kept raising his hand but before he could he was told to get back to work.
I continue breaking rocks, completely ignoring any thoughts that come to mind. Just listening to the rhythmic sounds of everyone breaking rocks. It's oddly soothing.
After a couple of hours of work I'm finally greeted with the musical words i have been waiting for
Everyone, jobs done for de day. Since it was yos first day, you are given some slack. So no Streaks for today. Now yos will leave the mines. Come back here tomorrows for your assigning. Yous don't have to go to bed, but yous cant stay here. So of with ye." Zangoose announced everyone here.
I look for Scorbunny, I want to apologise for snapping at him. I don't want bad blood between us, especially since we are room mates.
Everyone has already left so I'm last to leave. I leave in search of Scorbunny but I'm greeted by a voice id rather I didn't. A voice that instantly sent me into a mood.
"Oh hello there dear Bulbasaur, did you enjoy your 1st day?" Yep Machoke, he stood over me looking down on me.
"Oh I had a blast today. Piece of cake really." I realised my mistake as I said it.
"Oh? A Piece of cake ? Well guess I'll have to make tomorrow a bit more challenging for you then. Look forward to it now, bye." He had a nice big smug smile to his face after that. This flared up my anger again.
I stay there looking down, frustration boiling over. What was I doing? Ah who cares now, I need to calm down. I found a nice rouge patch of dirt to lie down in to enjoy what little sunlight was left of the day.
ATTENTION CURFEW IS NEAR, RETURN TO YOUR ROOMS. I hear from a nearby booming Loudred. I doubt even industrial grade ear muffs could keep his voice out. I drag my self away little patch i found headed back to the dormitory. As I walk back I ran into Pachirisu who was also returning.
"Hey Pachirisu wait up." I yell at her.
She stops dead in her tracks, turning around to face me with a nervous expression. "Uh hi there Bulbasaur, I'm sorry about earlier so please don't be mad at me." She said scrunching her face bracing for something.
Am I really that fearful? I haven't done anything besides show a scary face. "No, don't be sorry, you did nothing wrong. I actually came to thank you."
"Thank me?" She opened her eyes with a puzzled expression.
"Yes if it wasn't for you I have no clue how long it would've taken before I noticed my other vine would have grown back. Your tip made my day a hell of a lot easier, so thanks."
She stood there with the same confused expression before. "You're welcome!" her face now with a big radiating smile. "I'm glad to have helped."
"Hey, have you seen Scorbunny? I want to say sorry for snapping at him earlier. I know he meant well." I did feel bad, I know what it's like to offer help and have them snap at you for it.
"Hmm, no, after work I did see him run off with a sad face though. I hope he's alright."
When inside I tried to approach him, but he kept avoiding me. impressive since we are in a locked house. It could also be the fact that I didn't try too hard to catch him. I mean we share a room after all. Oddly though, I was asked to join a gang by Nidoran. Saying the strong should stick together and all that lovely stuff. I just told him to shove it where the sun don't shine.
That dinner Scorbunny wasn't there, did he go to sleep early?
When we were told its bed time I went to our room only to find him already asleep. Guess I'll apologise tomorrow then. I really need my sleep after all.
Sleep came really easy that night.
----------------------------------------
End chapter 4