A LEAP OF FAITH

Chapter 10: Kidnapped by a pushover.

Ari woke up, a small sound filled his ear. He looked over and noticed that Mugi was awake too. "Did you also hear that?" He whispered and glanced around.

Ari gave a soft nod before standing up, "I'll go check it out, alright?" He muttered drowsily, rubbing his tired eyes. He picked up his comically large hat and placed it atop his head before walking away from their base. The crunching of the autumn leaves filled the quiet forest. He heard footsteps, "Hello?" He called out softly. "Perhaps it was just the wind," he murmured to himself, glancing around once more before he began walking back. "Hey, Mugi, I didn't see anyth-"

That was when he felt a cold pair of hands grab him from behind.

He woke up, feeling himself being held in someone's arms. He heard a familiar voice screaming and yelling, "Kiren?" He glanced down.

"WILL YOU SHUT UP?!" A new voice yelled back. Ari was slung over someone's shoulder; his wrists and ankles were tied together. In the mystery person's other arm was Kiren, he was kicking and screaming, which was valid for someone who had just been kidnapped.

"LET ME GO, YOU FREAK!" Kiren screamed angrily and continued to thrash around wildly.

"DON'T CALL ME A FREAK!" The strange person yelled. Their voice was quite obnoxious and slightly high-pitched. They sounded like a little boy going through puberty. They ran quickly, it almost sounded as if their limbs were metal.

Ari glanced around, "Where are you taking us?" He asked in a kind tone.

"Don't worry about it! You'll know when we get there!" The strange person scoffed.

"Very well." Ari chuckled under his voice.

"WHY ARE YOU SO CALM?! WE'RE BEING KIDNAPPED!" Kiren yelled, panic in his tone.

"I'm sure nothing will happen." Ari shrugged.

After about thirty minutes, they made it to an odd place. It was a large metal building, being quite messy with tools and random contraptions and such. The person dropped Ari and Kiren down onto the cold, stone ground. The two could finally see what they looked like.

He was most definitely some type of robot. But they noticed he was incredibly expressive and such, unlike a regular robot that seemed to hold the same expression for hours at a time. He seemed around their age, being sixteen years old. He had sculpted fluffy but stiff hair that was a dull purple color. His 'skin' was light gray and smooth, a few metal plates of varying colors were all along his skin. His eyes were wide, one of the pupils being an X rather than the other that was a circle. Atop his head were two antennas that stuck out. As for clothing, a large, unzipped jacket sat on his body, it was a dark but dull purple color. Under that was a form-fitting turtleneck neck tank top that was the shade of a dark black. He wore cargo pants that were a shade of black, they seemed a bit too big for him. Though, a leather belt wrapped around his waist, holding them up. His boots were just plain black, they gave him about one inch of extra height. He was quite short, roughly around 5'3. Though, his shoes made him 5'4. He was lanky but had a subtle pear-shaped body.

"So... why did you kidnap us exactly?" Ari asked in a calm tone.

"I got the news that you, the hall of elements, were near me! So, I just had to take this wonderful opportunity and snatch you right up!" He clasped his metal hands together, making a clunking noise.

"So... what does that mean?" Ari tilted his head, not quite understanding.

"I mean that my boss told me to take at least one of you." He sighed heavily.

"Who's your boss?" Kiren asked.

"I CAN'T TELL YOU!" He stomped his foot on the ground.

"You're quite whiny, aren't you?" Ari chuckled.