Taste of Freedom - [TXT FF]

EPISODE 8

Another restless night had passed, and it was Monday again. The morning welcomed the new week, but the new week was anything but welcoming.

The crossover family were huddled around each other, as the night had been very cold. It felt like it was even colder today, right at the crack of dawn.

Again, the usual slamming of the door became present.

"ALL OF YOU, GET UP!" the keepers shouted.

Beomgyu's eyes shot open first, and he glanced up at the keepers. They were heading towards their cage, and unlocked the barred door.

"Finally, we'll have a new one," the keeper smirked.

Beomgyu immediately placed his hand on Hueningkai's shoulder protectively.

The keeper glared at him and didn't hesitate to whack his head with his hammer. The ravenet winced at the contact of the iron club. A collar was thrown around his neck, and he was yanked out first. He could only obediently follow the keeper out.

The second keeper threw the next collar around Yeonjun, who just woke up. The yellow haired snarled when he felt the iron item around his neck.

"Why the hell are these five pumas especially so hard to handle?" the keeper groaned, tugging Yeonjun harshly, nearly choking him.

The strange sounds woke Hueningkai up next, and he snapped his eyes open.

Although he was used to it, he felt extremely scared and sick to his stomach when he saw his hyungs being treated like literal shit.

But what really made him terrified was when he too felt a collar being strapped on his neck. He yelped, tossing his head in attempt to get rid of it.

"Hueningkai!" Yeonjun shouted.

He froze.

"Don't! They'll only be more motivated to stab you!"

The youngest became quiet, and lowered his head in shame and fear.

Beomgyu looked at him with worry before the three of them were dragged out of the cage area, leaving Soobin and Taehyun alone.

He wondered how those two slept so still and peacefully with all the commotion.

The three crossovers were pulled out of the area, and towards the stage. They all heard roars and yowls coming from the arena, along with the boisterous cheers of the audience they have all learned to loathe deeply.

"Is there already a game?" Hueningkai asked.

"Yes," Yeonjun responded.

There suddenly was a change of positions.

Beomgyu felt his collar being removed, and was replaced with handcuffs around his wrists, which were attached to the walls.

He glanced towards Yeonjun, who only shrugged his shoulders. Then, also he and Hueningkai had their collars removed and replaced with the iron cuffs, but unlike Beomgyu, they were not chained against the walls.

Beomgyu could only come to one conclusion.

"You guys will fight each other," he said.

Upon hearing that, Yeonjun felt his heart drop into his stomach.

"WHAT?! A SENIOR FIGHTER AGAINST A ROOKIE?! WHAT KIND OF INHUMANITY IS THIS?!?!"

Suddenly, loud cheers and roars of anticipation were heard.

One of the animals, a lion, defeated the other.

The three crossover peered through the curtain cracks, only to be met with a more horrifying view than yesterday.