Taste of Freedom - [TXT FF]

EPISODE 2

While everyone besides him was being shoved out of their cages, Hueningkai was waiting all alone in the cage he shared with the rest. But not for long: he knew that once the show actually starts, he will be put in the case.

Basically, the bulletproof case was a game for the audience during breaks (if there even were any for the performers). They could shoot at the animal inside of it (with an actual gun even), and win a grand prize if the case is severed, or even broken.

Thankfully, the feared scenario has never happened to Hueningkai up until now. But it has to others, resulting into serious injuries, or even worse, death.

Even from here, far away from the main arena, Hueningkai could hear the loud cheers of the crowd, and the snarling of animals.

I pray that Soobin and Beomgyu won't attempt to murder each other. Those drugs must be bad.

Of course he knew about the drugs.

Of course he knew that they were used to force them to fight.

Otherwise he would be mortified to share a cage with his older brothers. The only thing is... he's never seen them in action.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching and stopping by his cage. One of the men spat onto him without any remorse or human sanity. It hit Hueningkai's shoulder, and he grimanced in disgust.

"Have fun being safe today," the keeper said before yanking the cage door open.

Hueningkai wished he was a little braver and just lash out at them. But instead, he let the keepers chain his hands and drag him out of the cage.

"Good boy. So patient."

The other keeper smacked Hueningkai's back with a lance, causing him to flinch slightly.

Hueningkai trotted towards the front of the circus building, and then made eye contact with the bulletproof case.

The keepers shoved him inside, and closed the case again. One of them even banged his hand on it, teasing the young crossover, but that left no effect on the glass.

It did frighten him though slightly.

Hueningkai shifted around, trying to make some use of the tight space. Although he was the youngest of the five, he also was the second tallest (Soobin was taller than him by a mere few centimeters). It was a miracle he could still fit in the case, with his broad back and long legs.

He somehow remembered the times when it was both him and Taehyun having to be stuck in the case together. Back then, the two were much smaller so it wasn't too bad. But as they grew older and taller, it was way more cramped in here.

However, Hueningkai would do anything to go back to the time when he and Taehyun were in this cramped space together. Now, Taehyun is out in the arena most of the time, always having to be careful to not be killed, and he was just lonely in the case (A/N: lonely boi staayyy loneeely— sorry, bad timing :,)).

Suddenly, Hueningkai snapped out of daydreaming when he heard voices from outside.

"...Yes, this is the game section."

That keeper from earlier bent down to a little girl, who had bangs and round eyes, and was curiously looking around.

"Would you like to target our animals?" the man asked sweetly, covering up the inhumane intention of this game.

The little girl looked at Hueningkai.

She saw how he was cramped up inside the case, his paws (she only saw a puma) tapping the glass, as if he was trying to escape.