A Life Time Lost: Chapter 1: A Life Time Lost in Shadow
A Life Time Lost: Chapter 1: A life time lost in shadow
This is my first story of what I hope will become many. Please write any criticisms you have good or bad because they will be most helpful. I hope you enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it. (Which was a lot).
This first paragraph tells you what the planet (my story is based on) is like and some of its history.
The planet is situated in the Solaris system on the outer rim of the corrilean galaxy. The year is 2469.
This particular planet is called Praelyn 4 but to many it is known as "hell." It was colonised 462 years ago by an advanced race of furries known as the Praetorians. 205 years in from original colonisation the species had moved on and developed a new identity through civil war between two different factions, the ruling government on one side and the Propionates. The war lasted for 6 years with the Propionates coming out on top and becoming the new rulers of the planet. The planets name stayed the same but its inhabitants were renamed and they're race became known as the Pioneers. However, unknown to the general population they were actually better off with the old regime. It was only on the surface that things were pleasant and the planet prospered.
With its twin suns the planet was never dark on the surface so it is mostly a barren wasteland incapable of supporting life. There is only one city on Praelyn 4, which is encased in a protective colonisation dome on the only viable place that could support life on the planet, where there is water. The city was a paradise, a complete contrast to the rest of the desolate planet. It was a thriving metropolis, although it received no trade from other planets or star systems. Its vast wealth was created by the fantastic agriculture supported by the suns super energetic rays.
The city had no need for fossil fuels, because of these great circling suns that provided it with a surplus of solar energy. This resulted in the dome being completely free from all types of pollution. One sun would bathe the rolling hills in a glorious orange glow in the morning and would rise up in magnificence only to disappear behind the horizon as if slipping off the edge of the world. It was then that the second sun would arise from the opposite side of the planet to mimic its counterpart almost like it was chasing it in a race it could never win. The outer shielding of the dome was designed to shield out all light if need be so there was a day and a night for the surface dwellers of the city.
It certainly is a wonderful place, but Praelyn has a much darker past.
This story starts in a place only thought of in a nightmare.
A sickly green smog looms above the dark city streets that were dimly lit by a few pathetic lamps. The many industrial factories spewed endless streams of thick smoke, which created the noxious green gas. All the buildings were dilapidated, never exceeding a height of four stories high as any taller and they would penetrate into the toxic green gas cloud above. The dark alleyways would strip your soul of all hope, which only left despair. It was a rattrap, a maze that was seemingly designed to lose you in its confined walls and constant corners. There were no roads, just alleyways, as nobody owned a vehicle of any kind. The poor unfortunates who lived amongst the maze like city buildings could never venture further than a miles worth of turns of the city's corners before getting lost. Most would use scent markers of their own urine down a certain route that they would never deviate from for fear of losing their way.
It was always dark in the cavernous city, as it never saw the twin suns above ground. So there is no day, only night. It is an under city that was developed by the condemned forced to live out a meagre existence beneath the haven of the upper city.
The under city was LITERALLY a sewer for the paradise above and is ruled entirely by ruthless gangs who controlled everything from food production to manufacture. The buildings that were still in liveable condition were also owned by the gangs who wasted their pitiful lives drinking vast amounts of alcohol, taking copious amounts of drugs and abusing the many homeless women.
No citizen of the paradise city above knew of what lay below their feet and they lived in blissful ignorance. Only the ruling government know of the under city as they were the ones who put its residents there. Any problematic furry was simply tucked quietly away out of sight where they could not cause any more trouble. But was the government really the only ones above ground who knew of the horrors beneath.
Aalya sat crouched underneath a small sheet of metal holding her hind legs close to her flat chest. Her artic white fur was fluffed up around the ruff of her neck but was flatter over the rest of her bony body. Her tail was almost as big as she although it had next to nothing in the weight department. It had a small almost unnoticeable red tinge at the tip. Her ears were always perked up and on alert listening to the various haunting sounds of the alleyway she resided in. Her second name was that of her fathers, as it was customary for a female to take the second name of the male she marries. So her father's second name, which consequently became her second name, was Bolt. Unusual yes, insignificant no. Aalya is neither wolf nor fox she is a cross breed between a wolf and a fox which would make her a wox... no a folf... ummm... doesn't matter all that is important is that she carriers the genes and abilities of both species.
She would often wait for her mother to return in the exact same spot as being only 6 and uneducated she knew nothing else. Her mother, a beautiful red fox, (despite her line of work) with a large bushy tail and a perfect fury body. Her name is, Kiyra. She is a warm, caring and loving mother that would lay down her life to protect her young little kit. Neither of them wore clothes for two reasons. One, it reinforced social bonds and two they couldn't afford any.
She would be forced to leave Aalya every night at any time she had to. Aalya was left alone, cold and hungry. She had to leave her cub because she needed to provide food for the both of them so they could struggle through another day. Aalya would pass the many hours her mother was away by sleeping, chewing on her tail fluff and sharpening her adolescent claws. The only work available for Kiyra, was to satisfy the lusts of the many alley gangs. It was the only way a female of the under city could earn her keep. Some nights she would return with anywhere up to 5 gang members who had their way with her in her home alley, although she would usually get down to business in another location. Aalya would watch in fear as she saw her mother squirm in agony under the forceful actions of the male wolves. She hid silently behind her rusty sheet of metal, which was basically her bedroom, and prayed they wouldn't find her. If they did she wouldn't stand a chance.
However, it was good training for her as she one day would also have to follow in her mothers sticky paw prints. (You can use you're imagination to think of why they were sticky).
Aalya knew this life did not belong to her and she often dreamt that she was living in the upper city, but was dragged back to reality when she was woken by the usual sounds of gunfire that echoed loudly through the hollow streets. Weapons fire was not uncommon in the under city as rival gangs were always fighting over territory or shooting female furries as they would sometimes refuse to perform certain "tasks." For that reason Aalya always feared her mother would one night not return. Every gunshot she heard was like a dagger in her heart and would send a shiver down her little spine. Fortunately, her mother did return to her this evening as she always did. Tonight she must have had a few horny punters as she bore many bruises, her pussy was swollen and bloody. Her ample breasts were covered in sticky cum and she had a few open wounds on her red furred back where she had been repeatedly lashed by the sharp claws of her rapists. When Aalya saw her mother approaching, her tail perked up and wagged in a fast repetitive motion.
"Hey baby," Kiyra struggled to murmur out of her beaten muzzle.
"Hi Mum," she replied in a sweet almost pathetic tone.
Aalya hugged her mother affectionately around the waist; Kiyra winced in pain but returned her daughters hug with an equal amount of affection and scratched behind Aalya's ears as she murred pleasantly.
Her daughter's kindness was rewarded with a few measly scraps, which would not satisfy her hunger but it was enough to keep her alive.
After they had gulped down their meagre meal, Aalya yawned, as she had not had much sleep in her mother's absence. Kiyra licked her fur clean of dirt and other substances, turned to her daughter to do the same for. Aalya disagreed with the whole washing thing, but she knew her mother liked her to be clean. After a very thorough clean Kiyra noticed the sleepiness in Aalya's eyes as her eyelids they began to close over only to reopen. The young fuzzy girl rested upon her mother's shoulder basking in her warmth.
"Time for bed sweetheart," Kiyra chimed as she scooped the sleepy little Aalya up in her arms carrying her off to the side of the claustrophobic alley. Kiyra lay down against one of the walls and tucked her kit in between her fore legs. Aalya snuggled up to her mothers warm soft belly fur.
"Mum," Aalya whined.
"Yes dear," she replied with little anticipation of the following question.
"Tell me about dad," she asked in the sweetest voice she could muster in her sleepy state. Aalya would often ask what her father was like, as she loved to hear about him. Her father was an honest artic wolf with a heart of gold, which reflected in Aalya. He had pure snowy white fur which was fluffed up more so around his neck. Her mother would never go past describing her father's looks and personality. Partly because Aalya had usually fallen asleep by then but mostly because her past with him was a subject not up for discussion.
"Sweet dreams Aalya," she whispered softly into her ear.
After a few hours of sleep Kiyra woke up, as she would need to get work again soon.
She gently muzzled her cub's forehead; she stirred a little but did not wake. Kiyra slowly manoeuvred Aalya from between her legs and settled her underneath the usual spot. She would usually leave her kit to sleep, as she knew that she was safe in her dreams. She gave her own fur another lick wash, as she at least wanted to look somewhat presentable for this evenings punters.
Kiyra walked off down the same path as every other night following her scent trail to the alleyway that harboured the vicious "blood tooth" gang which she was a whore for. It was a good mile walk but for one of such long legs she was able to cover the distance rather quickly.
When she arrived at the gangs alley she saw only two gang members loitering up against a blackened wall, which came as a happy surprise as she would usually have to satisfy up to than 4 or 5 lustful wolves simultaneously. One of the wolves was jet black, obviously not his natural colour, and the other was grey with blue streaks in his hair.
The black wolf caught sight of her as she approached them shaking her hips from side to side in a seductive manner. He grinned in an evil soulless way that complemented his colour, as his soul must be as black as he was.
"Get over here you skinny bitch," he growled with an almost grin.
"The name's Kiyra fuck face," she snarled toothily.
Now within striking distance the male black wolf clawed Kiyra across the muzzle leaving a distinctive bloody mark. Her head went swinging like a pendulum but she did not regret what she said.
"Bitch's don't talk!" he barked in a harsh tone.
Kiyra simply stared into his eyes with sheer contempt, which only riled him further. Another quick paw collided with her gut slicing open more fresh wounds. Kiyra suppressed a cry of pain with a moan as she held her stomach with both paws. This seemed to please her attacker and she then noticed the second, blue haired wolf, circling around behind her.
"What do you have to say for yourself, bitch." The black wolf laughed tauntingly as he expected an apology from his new plaything.
She did not reply, which was really asking for trouble she just gave him another a cold hard stare right into his black eyes.
"Fine, then we'll makes you apologise and beg for forgiveness," he grinned again.
At which point the blue wolf grabbed her arms from behind sinking his claws past her fur and into her flesh. H then proceeded to pull them tightly behind her back making sure escape was not an option. She tried to struggle free of his grasp but he was too strong for her weak malnourished muscles. The black wolf landed three rapid upper cuts to her belly taking off much of her fur as his claws scraped upwards between her cleavage. This took the wind and energy out of Kiyra leaving her winded. The blue wolf behind her released his grip and threw her to the ground with a great painful smack. This forceful action left a large graze up her muzzle and left her dazed. She could do nothing to stop them and could only watch as she saw the black wolf's cock lengthen from its sheath already covered in a thin stream of pre-cum. They were both obviously aroused by the sight of a female helpless and in pain. The blue wolf raised Kiyra's hind up into the air and wasted no time in mounting her. The black wolf in front of her knelt down, picked up her head, forced open her maw and rammed his cock into her mouth. The blue wolf held each side of Kiyra's hips and pumped his waist into her. He missed the mark a few times but eventually found his prize as he penetrated deeply into her cunt. Kiyra squealed sharply as his cock was withdrawn and rammed home again. Kiyra is very sexually experienced but it was the shear force of his thrusts that made her shout out. The grey wolf liked the vibration on his tool inside her mouth and clawed at her back to make her cry out again. The beast behind her cunt fucked her faster as he could feel a twitching in his cock and only just managed to shake the feeling.
It was Kiyra's usual system to switch off the conscious part of her mind to distract her from the shameful act. Each time the blue wolf withdrew, only to slam back in to her soaking pussy she was interrupted from her "happy place." Kiyra could never feel aroused while on the job but it was her body's natural reaction to stimulation that made her produce more and more lubricant. This only made it easier to slip between her cunt lips and slide down further. Again his dick began to twitch but he couldn't fight of the feeling any longer. His sac ached and his knot swelled to three times its original size as he exploded into orgasm and shot three powerful loads of hot cum down her hole. Withdrawal was relatively easy as the mixture of her juices and his cum lubricated her pussy walls so he could slip out with a quick squelch. The mixture flowed out of her as the plug had been removed and ran down her legs. As her rear was no longer being supported it fell to the ground. But her ordeal was far from over, as the black furred wolf had not finished with her yet. He slashed Kiyra's back again and again, which made her call out in agony. Kiyra repaid his cruelty by biting down hard making him yelp. He pulled out frantically, inspected the damage then punched her around the muzzle bruising her badly and reopening old scars.
"Bitch!" he barked loudly. His harsh voice echoed hauntingly.
He walked around behind her and lifted her limp rear into the air. He yanked her tail upwards in one swift motion and held it firm against her back. He scooped out some of her juices with one claw then brought it up to her tail hole. He stuck it inside her with one rapid motion making the tight hole clench. His sharp claw cut her inner walls of her rectum causing blood to seep out of the entrance of her tail hole. Satisfied with the amount of lubrication he pulled his furry finger out and positioned the tip of his cock up against the small moist opening. He muttered something that Kiyra didn't hear clearly but didn't care anyway as the black wolf forced himself inside her tight tail hole. Her concentration was broken as his thick stiff cock forced its way inch by agonising inch into the depths her bowels. Her walls were being stretched to the point of splitting open. The black male pulled slowly backwards increasing the pain on Kiyra's clenched tail hole. When he was out enough he pushed back into her all the time with a pained but pleasured expression on his face. The rhythm of his pelvic thrusts became more rampant as he moved backward and forwards at a quickening pace. Kiyra's hole acclimatised to the intruder as passage became easier and more frequent. She could feel him ready to unload his balls into her closed confines. Without much more warning than that her rectum was filled up with cum. His knot was firmly stuck inside her disabling him to pull out. However, it did not take long for him to become flaccid enough to withdraw after finishing his orgasm. He stood up and joined the blue wolf that had been observing them the whole time.
Kiyra honestly thought it was over and took a big sigh of relief, but she couldn't be more mistaken. The black wolf took something from his jacket pocket. It was relatively small and also black but shiny at the same time as it caught a glint of light from a nearby source. The object was worse than any toy of sexual torture, as this metal object was designed to end lives not to make them more of a misery. The black wolf held a pistol to Kiyra's head and cocked the firing pin. There was no need to pull the firing pin back; the only reason for it was that it makes a frightening noise that could make even the hardest of furries quiver in fear. Badly beaten and weakened from the brutality she received, Kiyra was in no state to defend herself.
"Beg bitch, beg for forgiveness, beg for your life!" he snarled.
Kiyra continued to remain silent and stared menacingly into his eyes. She may have been a whore but she still had pride.
"Any last words, bitch," he growled. She stared at him again.
She simply replied, "The names Kiyra fuc...." at which point he pulled the trigger blasting the contents of her skull over the alley in a splatter of blood and brain tissue. He did it without remorse, without pain or pity, he was a cold blooded killer that did not care for anything. The last thing that went through Kiyra's head, apart from a bullet, was of Aalya sleeping peacefully under the small sheet of metal dreaming of wonderful things and not knowing of the tragedy that had befallen her mother.
Aalya awoke to find her mother gone which was not unusual and her instinct was to wait for her to return. She always felt lonely when her mother left her, probably because she had nobody else to talk to. The walls seemed to move in closer and closer creeping towards her in the darkness. It was not so much the darkness that scared her, as her eyes were somewhat acclimatised to the dark. It was the feeling of defencelessness. More than once she has had a narrow escape from the clutches of a stranger. She remembered one in particular. She remembered him wearing a hooded cloak but could see that he was an elderly grey wolf. As she fled from him he shouted something, which she didn't hear because her heart was racing so fast in her chest, although she could easily recognise the same voice if she heard it again. She did not know if he was chasing her but she feared to look back. The other furry alley dwellers watched her speed by not caring one bit because nothing was unusual to them. She shouted for help but nobody listened. Aalya eventually found a secure hiding place and stowed herself away in a small crevasse. She stayed there silent for several hours listening carefully to every sound including the rumbling sound of her empty stomach. It had been many hours since she had eaten anything. She sobbed quietly to herself matting her fur as her tears dribbled downward from her eyes. Then she heard a distant call. It was her Kiyra calling her. She crawled out of her hiding place and shouted back. The two saw each other and ran into each other's arms. They shared a passionate hug as kiyra tried to comfort the distressed Aalya whose tears were running down her cheeks. This was about a year ago now and they had since moved street to avoid another encounter. This haunted her deepest nightmares and she would never forget his face.
Time is non-existent in the under city (although age could still be calculated) but she knew a lot of it had passed and her mother still had not returned. Although afraid she decided she would have to build up some courage and search for her. Aalya lifted the metal sheeting from above her head and stood upright. She had never ventured past the length of her alley walls since the incident last year. She arrived at the first corner as if at the edge of the high dive at a swimming pool (what ever that is) ready to take the plunge. She stood there motionless almost paralysed. She came out of her trance and without realising it she had taken a step forward around the corner of the alley.
"That's one small step for me, one giant leap to finding my mum." She said quietly to herself quite puzzled to why she had just said that or even where she had heard it.
"Why did I just say that corny line," she asked herself but this was no time for her to get into a arguement with herself and she continued walking. She tilted her head backwards, closed her eyes and took a big whiff of the air, which was something her mother taught her to do. An abundance of putrid stenches wafted up her sensitive nostrils and she gagged on the somewhat toxic air.
"Wish I hadn't done that, yuck!" She exclaimed again talking to herself. She would often talk to herself when she was alone and scarred. It was her way of over riding her fear. Her acute nose was able to pick up one particular scent. It was the weak scent of her mother's urine markers. Keeping her nose in the air and eyes shut she followed her mothers scent. This was the first time she found a practical use for her nose instead of just using it to play a game with her mother called "name that smell." Kiyra would always win but would sometimes graciously step down and let Aalya win, as she liked to see the happiness in her cute little face. Being the first time she was inexperienced and having her eyes closed didn't help much either. She was continually bumping into things but none of the other female foxes and wolves didn't seem to care as long as she didn't bump into them. It took a little bit of practice but she soon learnt how to look and sniff at the same time. After about a 3/4 of miles walk she smelt that her mother's scent was getting stronger and she quickened her pace slightly. As Aalya progressed further the scent changed but she could still tell it was her mother's. It was a mile in when she looked downwards to see a familiar shape on the ground. She ran towards the shape at a rapidly increasing pace with a smile on her lips as she had finally found her. As Aalya padded closer the smile disappeared from her mouth and was replaced with a shock saddened look.
"Mum," she shouted, but there was no answer.
Her hind legs slowed to a steady stop as she found herself stood over Kiyra's body, led down pressed against one of the alley walls.
"Mamma," she cried in a soft whimpering voice, but her mother still did not answer.
"Mummy," she called, louder this time.
She did not understand why her mother did not reply to her cries. She looked up at her mother's head and saw a large pool of red stuff oozing out of it. She got to her knees supporting her self on the wall and shook Kiyra softly at first. She did not move. Aalya shook her again, more violently this time but there was still no movement or reply. Tears started to drip from her eyes and onto her mother's fur turning them a red colour. She howled out loudly into the dark with an echoing cry. She was angry and crying at the same time not knowing which feeling to obey. Unwilling to leave her mothers beaten and limp body she curled up between her fore legs snuggling up to her cold lifeless body. She did no understand or could accept that her mother was dead, as she did not fully understand the concept of death. She only knew what her mother told her. Her mother said that death was like going into a dream world but never waking up. When she applied that knowledge to her own experiences she concluded that death was good, at the time. Now she realised that death was a lot more horrific than first described, as she had to come to terms with it.
She stayed curled up in her mother's arms for what seemed like years sobbing the whole time. Although she was dead she still felt safe with Kiyra and still felt the connection between each other. After a long time had passed the feeling of hunger and dehydration became too strong to ignore any longer. She realised that she must leave her mother's body if she is to survive. Aalya reluctantly crawled out from between Kiyra's arms and knelt on her hands & knees scraping them on the ruff ground. Her body was tired and she had cramp from staying in one position to long. She turned around and took one last look at her mother and whispered softly into her ear, "Sweet dreams mum." Aalya rose shakily raising her nose at the same time. She could no longer smell her mother's markers, so she could not find her way back to her home alley. She did not even remember which end she had entered from and consequently walked off the wrong way. She had stopped crying now, as she could not produce any more tears from her dried out body. Aalya did not look back, did not stop. She did not know what to do. What do you do when you've lost everything you hold dear? Her strong will kept her going even though her body was weak and malnourished. She slipped unnoticed through the alleys; nobody paid any attention to her, which could be considered a good thing. Her skinny little legs were working over time to keep her stable and keep moving forward. Aalya did not even think about where she was going or where she was going to end up. Nobody took pity on the poor little orphan as she passed silently by.
She did not know how long she walked without sleep, food or water. She had nothing else, she was like the walking dead. Her thoughts were only of Kiyra, lying alone on the ruff stony ground. Dizziness swept over her thoughts as she lost control of her footing and collapsed to the ground headfirst. Her reaction was delayed and she did not bring her arms in front of her head to soften the blow quick enough. Her collision with the pavement left a large graze up her muzzle and on her forehead. So weak yet so determined she climbed onto all fours and eventually stood up but slightly more slumped over than usual. She licked her paw and washed of the blood seeping out of her cuts. She repeated this a few times until the blood had stopped flowing. Her eyes could not focus on the path ahead like she had just spun around several times. Her weight seemed to shift from side to side making her careen out of control stumbling dazed and confused. It was not long before her legs gave up unwilling to support her any longer. Her determination to continue was all for nothing as she fell again taking of more fur and skin as she thumped hard to the ground. With her last ounce of strength she rolled over onto her back to give air access to her lungs. She gazed up at the green sky not caring what happened to her now. The icy cold winds of the alley wrapped around her making her body shiver trying to warm itself. She huddled up in the foetal position to try and keep warm. She was so tired and could not fight the increasingly over powering will to sleep any longer. Her heavy eyelids closed over and she began to dream.
She dreamt about her fondest memory. It was about 2 years ago when Aalya had just turned four. A birthday in the under city means nothing, its just another day, but this time it was special. What made it special was the fact that Kiyra had some extra time off after receiving a generous amount of food. It was a very warm night, which was an unusual but welcome change from the usual bitter cold winds. With her time off Kiyra was able to indulge in some quality time with her kit. Since neither of them knew of any games they could play they just led on their backs and gazed up at the green sky. They imagined what the stars would look like in the night sky above ground. Aalya shared her wonderful dreams with Kiyra who was intrigued not just by the imagination of her little one. Aalya asked what she thought the real upper city was like. Almost as if she were regressing Kiyra painted a glorious picture as she described how the suns would burn in the sky giving off a succulent orange glow. How the glass like trees inside the protective dome would reflect the suns rays and create a rainbow pattern on the hills, just like the northern lights of the mythical earth. Kiyra continued her description, seemingly lost in a world of her own. When night was scheduled the great shield slowly turned from transparent to opaque blocking out all light. Seconds later the city would come to life with lights in multiple colours of greens, reds, yellow, oranges, blue and more. Its beauty glittered like twinkling stars in the artificial night. Aalya starred upwards entranced by the majesty of her mother's description. She did not think to wonder how her mother could imagine of such a perfect place when they were stuck night in night out in a dank, dark, soul crushing sewer city. She just turned her head to look at her mum who looked right back at her. Neither of them spoke, they only smiled at one another basking in the warmth of the other love.
"Aalya..." a voice called echoing in the still of the night.
"Aalya you have to wake up," more focused on the sound now she heard it clearer. She felt her shoulders being shaken which shook her entire fragile body. Her eyelids began to open ever so slightly. As she opened them further a shadowy blur appeared over her.
"Come on Aalya that's it fight it," the voice sounded familiar like she had heard it before. This extra encouragement fuelled her natural curiosity and she forced herself to open her eyes wide. As her sensitive eyes adjusted to the dim light the blur took its proper shape, a familiar shape in deed.
"There's a good girl, you frightened me for a minute there it wouldn't have been long before I would have lost you," the voice said. She could not believe who it was she thought she would never see them again. She tried to lift herself up but could not even get her head an inch off the ground.
"No don't move its not good for you right now, you'll only do yourself more damage," the voice commanded but not in a forceful way. Her eyes were playing tricks on her, she must still be dreaming. She looked upon the familiar figure with quiet awe. She could only describe him as an elderly hooded grey wolf. His body was shrouded in a brown cloak covering all but his feet. He removed his hood to reveal glorious silver hair that travelled part way down his back and around his ruff.
"My name is Yana and I know yours is Aalya," he spoke gently. She knew his name had a certain significance to it but didn't care much at this moment in time.
A million thoughts went through Aalya's head all at once causing her to mutter, "But...how?"
"Hush little one," he replied softly putting his finger over her lips.
"You look very unwell, you can't have eaten for several days," he said again very softly. He held out a tiny piece of what she assumed was meat and told her to eat it. Not about to turn down food she closed her mouth around the morsel and hurriedly chewed it up swallowing it with little satisfaction. She was very dehydrated as well and Yana noticed this by the dryness of her lips. He opened a water bottle and wet two of his fingers. He then brought them down to Aalya's mouth and spread it over her lips telling her at the same time not to drink it. The second thought that came into her head was why was he being so kind to her when a year ago he attacked her? She built up the strength to ask him. She mumbled weakly, "Why...did you attack me... so long ago?"
"Why did you run?" he said a little bit angrily. Aalya was confused. "I wasn't attacking you I was trying to help you," he said calming himself.
"But... you chased me," Aalya said with a low growl.
"I'm too old to go chasing after fast little cubs like you," he replied cheerfully ignoring her displeasure. He tended to the grazes on her muzzle and forehead with a damp cloth. It stung but was ultimately soothing. Neither of them said anything for what seemed like an eternity but the silence was eventually broken.
"You don't belong here Aalya," he whispered as if he only wanted her to hear it. With that he removed his cloak and wrapped Aalya in its warm confines. He scooped her into his arms like her mother used to and struggled to his feet. He pulled out a map from his trouser pocket and studied it for a while. When he got his bearings he headed off through the alley's still holding Aalya in his free arm and the map in the other. Aalya was still very tired but would not allow herself to sleep. It took a very long time before Yana reached his destination. A rock formation, which had long ago collapsed in one of the alley walls. It was built up of earthy jagged rocks that obstructed movement between the passages. It had never been cleared because nobody had the equipment to do so. Looking back over his shoulder Yana made sure that nobody was watching. He placed Aalya gently down on the ground up against a wall. She watched him as he removed several small boulders from the pile. He disappeared into the opening he had created then reappeared moments later to fetch Aalya. His slender body allowed him to navigate both her and himself through the opening. She had no clue where he was taking her but she trusted him for a reason she did not understand. They arrived at a hidden metal contraption, which Yana promptly stepped into. He put the map back into his pocket and withdrew another piece of paper. By the looks of it, it was old. The paper was dirty and torn in places. Yana read what was on it a few times it appeared to be some kind of code. As only having one free arm he replaced the paper into his pocket and then reached over to a panel with strange numbers on it. He punched in the code, 23,1, 25, 8, 15, 13, 5. There was a loud clunk as the elevator started to climb upwards. Aalya was still oblivious to where she was going and only hoped it was somewhere nice. It continued to climb for a while but came to a sudden halt with a crash, which made Aalya jump slightly. The doors whirred open and Yana stepped out of the lift to reveal the upper city and the sky lit by one of its two glowing suns. For the first time in her young life she saw the sun in all its magnificence. It was like one her dreams but this was real.
To be continued... (If readers wish of course)