Blind To Reality

16- Hostage

Ashe p.o.v

... That was diseased. Gross. Definitely not hungry in any way shape or form after smelling that. I would have taken more care in going around had there been time, but there wasn't. From the sound and rapid spreading of the blood, the guy had cracked his skull open. I really hoped no one ingested or touched whatever disease that guy had that could make him smell so disgusting. I tried to keep myself away from any and all creatures as I neared where the breeze originated- the jingling of keys to my left in front of me. There were large cages and crates, pushing me to take this blunt route right past the almost-dead body. Beat..... Beat..........Beat........Beat, beat, beat.......beat................... I don't think it was just that one fall that injured him, or he wouldn't have faded that fast.

A fall like that wouldn't have caused enough damage, which means that one of these creatures did more than just knock him over. Probably whichever one was going for his keys that were hooked onto the other side from where he fell. I could hear the sound of it scraping on the ground as whatever it was tried to reach or move his body to get to it.

"Ah," a sound suddenly came from my left as I was trying to pass by, some part of my jacket getting pulled. "Ah, ah... wait."

I pulled the jacket from its grasp, taking several more steps away in surprise, only to accidentally knock into another rectangular one that started to sway as the creature within it squawked hideously. I turned from the cage, the sound momentarily disorienting me, but giving whatever it was a chance to call at me again.

"Ah, help, help," whatever it was called to me. "Keys. Help, keys- please!"
The voice was quiet, the pain embittered. Whether good or bad, if anything, it was thanks to this creature that I didn't have to deal with 'Paul', making my escape easier. I was also pretty sure that... If I don't help, the creature might make my escape harder.

I went over near the cage, about as high as mid chest on me, almost tripping on officially dead Paul, "Shooo, Ah, hurry hurry, keys."

"I know, don't rush me," I quietly grumbled at it.

"Hah!" It laughed, but quickly covered its mouth, from the sound of it. "Okay, hurry."

I rolled my eyes, feeling how the keys were hooked and removing them and tossing them, from the sound, through the bars, "I'm blind, so you're gonna have to find the right key yourself."

Having done what I could for the possibly dangerous creature behind me, I got to the area the air was mostly coming from, a door that was being slightly propped open by a block of wood. I pulled at the door, only to realize that it wouldn't open much more than the space the block of wood held because there was at least one chain and lock keeping it that way.

"Ah, Ah, wait," the creature, along with several others making small noises now, was still making odd noises as the keys were jingled, followed by a 'snick' and pop as a lock was undone. "Ah, wait, wait."

I froze as the cage door opened and whatever it was came out, he keys jangling as it moved and stretched, if the sound of popping joints was any indication. It didn't come towards me, but to another cage, where the sound of it trying to open another one could be heard, "Ah, wait, Ah. Quick, quick, quiet."

This click was faster than his, "Ah, come, quick, quick."

I heard small movements with the original creature, 'Ah', that neared me, but only the light feel of my clothes being held occurred, "Ah, wait, wait, quiet. Quick, quick."

I had no idea- well, I knew that 'Ah' was releasing some creatures from the cages, but I didn't know what he had planned or what was touching me right now... But I guess we both didn't have much choice right now, since we were both hostages and he had the keys that could open the door. I just hoped that no one was hungry enough to try to take a bite.

I could only stand there, waiting, as the keys needed for freedom were held in someone, or something's, hold. Each click of the lock, cage opening and creatures coming around me was time that could have been spent leaving before the other guy-

The sound of a shutter slamming closed was heard, "Paul, I got demn bitten. You was right, bitch ain't worth losing a digit. Thankfully, looks like it'll only need stitches."

- came back. Keeping my voice to a subtle hiss, I looked in the direction where the sound of the keys were, "We need to leave, now! Unlock the door!"

"Hah!" The creature barked quickly, as if it was outside of his control. "Stupid man comes, ah."

The slight sound of some kind of metal object being lifted from the ground nearby reached my ears. At this point, I was too busy trying to keep my wits about me as it seemed like creatures started to line my pocket and mess with my backpack.

Did I expect something like this to happen? Hell no. This is something way out in left field, so weird that one could even imagine that it was a prank made by the gods. I could only sigh in my heart that I hadn't checked the door first.

"Paul, why ain'tcha answerin' me? You already go on-"

And another one was laid out on the ground, a second and third swing almost ensuring the same end as dead-Paul. The metal was lightly dropped, and another picked up, Ah moving closer to me. I couldn't help the slight tightening of my hand on my own metal staff, wondering what he would do next.

"Ah, you help, we help."

I figured I was the 'you' he was referring to, "Help how? I already gave you the keys- I just need the door opened and this secret will stay here."

"Clothes. Help carry, I guide."

"I have some clothes in my bag you can have, but I don't think it's good for us to go together," I also didn't like the probability of getting eaten by one of them later. "Hey!"

I couldn't help being surprised when my bag was yanked on, the sudden shift of balance introducing worry into my veins. Have I come this far only to fail just at the door to freedom?

I was scared, but just as the fear started to thicken in my heart, an oddly shaped hand patted my head and slid down to lightly cover my eyes, "I be this, ah, you carry... Small we."

With all the stresses of this day, the best I could do at this point was nod. Considering those around me, I doubted I could do much to change whatever they decided. And, just to tack on a bit of cosmic empathy- while I was not incapacitated, I still had drugs in my system that definitely made it that much harder to function.

Gotta say, when I woke up... Whatever time this was, in my condition, I was expecting to either get out or get caught. I never would have expected to be weighed down by small creatures in the numerous pockets of the large jacket and now-clothes-less backpack... Being lead by an 'Ah' and loosely surrounded by who knew what.