Escape (2)
Ugh... Where am I?
Heaven?
It feels too tiring to be in heaven, I feel sores all over. There is like a fog in my mind, clouding my head, a term 'Mental exhaustion' surfaced, but I have no ruddy idea what it means other than it's literal meaning.
Not that the light shining brightly in my eyes helps. I shift my body up and use one of my paws to block the light. I suppose I'm in some place that is not a prison, am I still captured? Can't possibly be. Since when prisoners live in log cabins? The room I'm in looks far from a prison. Wood logs all over that make up the structure of the house, a window across the room from my bed. And talking about my bed... I won't call it mine, but it is placed against the wooden wall. I have no doubt that the bed is most likely made of wood. Other than the blanket and the pillow, the mattress that separates my body from the wood bed is a tatami mat. The pillow... is that even a pillow? It's harder and tougher than a usual one. Perhaps using this pillow, a pillow fight can actually cause bruises.
Another thing is that my pants are no longer there. Again. Do the people around me love to disrobe me and see my naked figure? It's just annoying. I have my pride and modesty too.
"H-hey, you're awake," a voice call out from somewhere in the room.
I jump and sit up immediately. My body muscles scream against this and I winced. But my hands are still up to defend myself if I need to.
"Wow, easy there. I-I'm not going to hurt you," the voice continues. My ears hear him tiptoe across the room. It's a him because of the husky tone. To my delight, the light shining on me is blocked by that guy. But all I can see is a huge silhouette in front of the window. From the rounded ears, my guess is a bear or a tiger. Well, at least it isn't a stinking human.
That figure pulls down the blinds to keep the light out, I won't be surprised if the blinds are... well, it is wooden ones. My eyes gratefully adjust back to the normal light, allowing me to look at the source of the voice.
The bear in front of me looks at me, not sure if it's safe to approach me. The brown bear, like most bears, have a big size. This bear is more muscular than the rest; even his abdominal pecs are slightly visible. I can see those since he is only wearing pants and a vest. He is slightly taller than me, and he is holding a familiar folded cloth on his arm.
"Umm, these are yours, I'm just going to leave it here, and I'll be-"
"Wait," I stop him, "Who are you?"
"M-me? Oh, how rude of me. I'm Musa and I'm a bear. Well, kind of obvious isn't it?" he answers with a dry chuckle. I stare at him with a raised eyebrow, and then he coughs and continues, "I found you on the river yesterday morning. I caught you with my fishing net, so... I brought you back to rest. Your pants were wet, so I took it off for it to dry..."
"Thanks," I say to him, using my right paw and rest it on my heart before giving a bow, "you have saved my life, and I'm in debt to you."
The bear shakes his paws frantically, "Oh, no no no. I don't expect any returns from you. All I did was to bring you to the shore."
I chuckle at the bear, "Still, if you have any problems, feel free to ask me for help. Can I have my pants now?"
The bear flusters a little, "Ah, of course! I'm so sorry. I'll be waiting outside."
As the wooden door closes, I shake my head and try to dress myself. My whole body is sore and numb. I struggle hard and managed to put on my pants. The brown pants contrasts against my greyish fur. I've also notice that my fur is matted at my white belly. There's so many questions buzzing in my mind, but there are no answers in my head. I stretch and massage my limbs for the numbness to go away. When I'm finally ready, I reach for the door and open it.
Like the room, the entire house is made of wood. Wooden chairs, wooden tables... My nose sniffs out food from somewhere in the house. I don't remember my last meal, and I'm sure I didn't eat during my escape here.
"I'm here!" the bear shouts out from the back of the house. I move towards his voice and find him cooking... more like grilling some fish. The sweet smell of fresh fish and the soft refreshing smell of lemons waft to my nose. Mmm.
"I hope you don't mind eating fishes, I'm a fisherman, if you don't know that, so my diet usually comes from my catch," the bear says, gesturing me to taste some cooked ones that he have prepared earlier, "Here, give it a try."
I use one of my claws and carefully slice a piece off, picking it up and nibble on it. Maybe it's because I am hungry, but the fish tastes great! The piece of fish is so sweet and tender; every bite makes the smooth fish meat break apart so easily, it's almost like melting in the mouth. On top of that, the skin is grilled to be crispy, not sticking to the gums, has a tinge of refreshing sourness and fragrance of the lemon filling my muzzle.
I growl in delight and begin to munch on the fishes. Musa laughs at my actions; especially when I stuff my muzzle full of the fish.
"Easy there, wolf, I know you haven't eaten or drink for a day, don't choke, you're eating so fast. Here," the bear says, placing a large jug of water on the table.
I manage to thank him without spilling any contents in my mouth and guzzle down the water after pouring a cup. I don't want to look like a mad glutton, so I swallow and slow down, eating in a slow, orderly manner. My heads is clearer after chewing on those awesome fishes.
"I can't thank you enough," I say, bowing to him again.
"Hahahah, wolf, I told you it's fine, I'm not looking for any rewards in helping you. Hmm, actually, I haven't had many guests in my humble loghouse for quite a while. Take it that you're keeping me company. Why not tell me about yourself? I'm sure you have a name, don't you? I can't keep calling you wolf now, can I?" Musa says.
That reminds me. What's my name? Where do I come from? Why was I captured? The only memory I have is the escape that I've made. I realise I should be wounded, I check my belly, but there are no visible gash. Where did it go?
"Uh, you have a cut on your side when I found you, if that's what you're looking for. But you seem to heal quite fast, your fur is already growing back," the bear says, sitting down and begin to eat.
Cut? I freaking got shot! And my running should have torn the wound further... He mention about healing fast though. Perhaps I have fast regeneration?
"Er... Musa?" I test out his name, the bear nods with a soft 'yeah?', "I... I don't remember my name. I don't remember where I come from either."
The bear drops the fish he is holding, "Memory loss? Did you hurt your head? Does your head hurt?"
"No, I've already forgotten those when I escape from a dungeon two days ago," I say.
"E-escape?! Dungeon??" the bear asks incredulously.
"Yeah, but I have no idea what's going on or why I was there in the first place. I was hoping to find some answers, but..." I end with a sigh.
"Wow. That's like... so are you some kind of wanted criminal?"
"Aren't you afraid? I may be a wanted criminal. I might have been a serial killer... or a rapist, or... I don't know..." I stutter. I hate this feeling. Musa probably won't want to have any relations with me. I shouldn't stay around him either, what if those pesky humans caught him and torture him for information or to make me show myself?
"Afraid? No way, man. I don't believe you are a bad guy, come on. You've not shown any signs of violence or twisted thinking, I thought you are just as normal as other wolves," the bear says, beaming with pride, "Don't look at me like that, I know how to fight too, you know."
"Do you use magic?" I ask. Perhaps he has the knowledge to my freezing powers?
"Magic?? What magic? Oh no, I'm not a magic folk. Some of us furs have magic, but it's a rare occurrence. Even more so now, since the humans have been hunting them down... It's best not to talk about magic outside, it's almost like a taboo. A slip and the guards will be after you. Er... D-don't tell me you do?" the bear asks.
I don't know whether to tell Musa the truth or not. It's a taboo, isn't it? I stare at the cup of water. Withdrawing the chilling sensation, the water in the cup freezes immediately into ice.
Musa's jaw drops as he watches my little performance. His eyes widen and he gasps, "Oh my gosh..."
"Does being a magic user mean anything?" I ask.
"Of course! You're really a wanted person! Oh my, please don't do that outside, you'll get caught!" the bear exclaims.
"Why do the humans want to catch us magic folks for?" I ask, tapping a claw on the table.
"Only the tribal and the blessed furs can obtain magic. The tribal almost never set their foot outside their natural forested homes, and their homes are usually protected by their magic. Blessed furs on the other hand, are a random occurrence. It's like an extra talent. Humans can never have magic, and other furs without magic are jealous of magic users, thus the hunting for magical furs is established. They have been devising an equipment to extract the magical power from magic users and transfer to their own body. Usually magical folks who are caught never come back out. You... must be really powerful to escape there," the bear says.
I snort, "If I was really powerful, I won't be caught in the first place. Do they know who is a magic folk, who isn't?"
"That, I am not so sure. I'm not a magic folk. There may be ways you magic users can use to detect magic, I don't know. But try not to use it at all," Musa explains.
"No way... I'm sure I'm a wanted wolf right now, w...what should I do? I don't have answers yet, I don't even know my name!" I howl. Can my life be any more surprising?
"Well, then we will have to come up with a name for you now... How about Frost? Since you freeze things up, and your fur is grey," the bear asks.
"I'm fine with anything... I'm just worried where I should start finding for answers. Anyway, since I'm a wanted wolf, I think I should leave as soon as possible. I shouldn't drag you down into this," I say, standing up.
Musa looks lost. "You're leaving already?"
"I can't stay here too long, I don't know where to go, but I'll find my own way. You say the tribal homes are protected from the outside, where do the tribal live? Any ideas?" I ask, washing my paws with water.
"I heard that they live in the south, but you're really leaving?" Musa asks, letting out a soft whine.
"Of course I am. You're innocent, and I'm not going to risk my saviour in danger. You staying with me will only cause more trouble," I say, turning about and walking to the door.
I am suddenly being pulled back, two arms wrap around me, "Don't go."
"I'd love to stay, but I can't, Musa, I'm sorry,"
I try to pry his arms away, but he won't budge. Talk about being strong.
"It's really been a long time since someone visited me, please bring me along, if you're leaving," Musa says with a sob, "It takes a few hours to reach the city from here, not many of my friends will travel so far to find me. I have a boat that travels faster so that I can trade my fishes for other things, but my friends don't usually have a boat too... I'm quite a lonely bear here..."
"But my road will be treacherous, I can't let you go with me, and I won't let you come along either," I say.
"I'm strong," the bear argues.
"But the weapons that my captors hold, they are capable of piercing flesh, no matter how strong you are, I've barely made it with magic, and you are a non-magical folk," I say, "You can't just leave your home like that."
"I can tell my parents for that. My parents left the house to me as they go to the city for their other business, they usually come visit me once a week, but I know where they live in the city, I can leave a message," the bear says, still holding on to me.
"I don't think your parents will want their son to follow a wanted magical folk. Look, I won't let you go with me no matter what you tell me, give it up already," I sigh.
"Just stay here a little longer for me, please? Take it as a payment for my food and shelter... please..?" Musa pleads and let go of me.
Rubbing my temples, I turn to see a tearing bear. For a big guy like him, he tears too easily. Not that he is crying like crazy, just a few stray tears. I... I am in debt to him.
"Fine... but just this once."