The Ranch

New Experience (2)

"O-Of course not!?" The ignored Kai at the side speaks up in a fluster. His previous environment didn't introduce him to this kind of thing either and he didn't know how to reach to him. He blurts out," Tih doesn't speak so you can't take that as acceptance! And besides, you're both men!"

Phillip gains some new information," You don't speak? Interesting...I wonder how long you'd be able to hold out for. Getting to hear your voice will be a treasure! I'm excited just thinking about it! Come come, let's walk around together." The man pulls the tiny Tih towards him before lifting him up to carry him on his side. Supporting the child from the bottom and back, Phillip starts walking.

"Hey!" Kai jogs to keep up with the man's long legs. "You can't just take Tih against his will!" Kai feels helpless. If he tried to fight the man, Phillip could easily overpower him, but he can't think of any other way to eat Tih back.

Phillip hears the annoying brat's shouts behind him and feels like he's going to get in the way of their little date. He supports Tih with one hand with he communicates with someone on his digital watch. He speaks into the watch," Hold him back for a while." Then he looks at the weird and unusually obedient child in his hands and continues," Don't hurt him." His hand then returns to the child.

Tih watches in silence as Kai is blocked by what looks to be two bodyguards with sunglasses, in their black military uniforms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I try to dodge past the bodyguards blocking me to no avail. No matter which spot I try to escape from, the gap is quickly filled up, blocking my way.

"Damn it!" I kick one of the bodyguard's shin in anger. I flinch back expecting some sort of retaliation, but it seems like the man didn't even feel it.

I hear a voice behind me," Better give it up." I turn around to see a boy that's slightly older than me by one or two years.

"Why?" I frown. Tih and I only met a couple days ago and haven't formed that right of a bod, but if I won't let him be in any danger if I can help it, I don't want to lose his abilities just yet.

"You must be a newbie. The man that took him away," He points with his chin," His name is Phillip. He's very well-known around these parts."

Kai raises one eyebrow," Can you explain in more detail?"

"Course. Phillip is the disciple of the instructor that owns the major shops in the Market. The first place stores on the leaderboard are almost all owned by him. He's one of the top merchants on the island. He has a pretty high status so, so does his student. Phillip often abuses that power for...well, let's just say, your standards lower when you're on an island of only men. You can see him with a new pretty boy every couple of weeks, at least that's what the rumors say. If he takes an interest in you, you have two options, he his pet for a while, get played with a little, then get thrown away. Lose your pride and earn some cash, a fair deal for some of the people on this island, of course no one agrees with it." The man shrugs.

"You said there were two options? What's the other?"

"What else. Death. Though, no ones actually seen him kill anyone...but it must have some truth to it."

"That's..." Kai grimaces as he hears the two choices.

The man continues,"Now what do you think most people choose? Especially those in need of cash?"

Kai frowns," Is there really no other option?"

The man stares at Kai like he's stupid," People that hold the power make the rules, weaklings can only bow down and obey or choose death. Ignoring Phillip, there are many others on this island that are way worse. All in all, Phillip isn't the worst option, at least he's not completely ruthless. He treats his pets kindly. Though, he's notorious on the island for always getting what and who he wants, and right now, it looks like he wants your little friend."

The agitated Kai tries to bypass the bodyguards once more, but is stopped by an arm. The man says,"If you go after him and ruin his mood, he'll most likely kill both of you."

Kai looks into the distance with a frown," But..."

"Look at it this way, what's more important, his dignity or his life?"

Kai thinks in silence,"...What if the pet was stronger than the master?"

"What?"

"On this island, power is based on strength and ability, right?"

"That's...true... but at the end of the day, Phillip has more influence. He could get you blacklisted from all available jobs if he pleased."

Kai grits his teeth in frustration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~