Fabricated World

Chapter 7

"Achoo!"

I sniffed while rubbing my arms in attempt to generate some heat. Who knew it would get colder the further you ventured up a mountain? I sighed, hugging my thin jacket to my body.

Kai'en must have noticed I was cold because he draped his robe/coat thingy around my shoulders.

I looked up at him, cocking a brow at his generosity but accepted it. At least it was warmer.

I sighed in boredom as I stared at the darkening sky. We have been riding for at least 5 hours, which made me start to wonder how far this 'village' was.

"Kai'en," I state, glancing into his eyes. "How long until we reach your village?"

He took a second to process my question before replying. "We're almost there."

I huffed, my patience wearing out. I've heard that line every time I turned to ask Kai'en, it was getting repetitive. In addition, my bladder wasn't holding well with this timely journey.

"Hey, I need to use the bathroom." I say.

Kai'en raised a brow. "The bathroom?"

I dead-panned, reminding myself that they wouldn't understand the term 'bathroom'.

"The water closet, the lavatory, the latrine-- whatever it's called." I retort. After being met with the same confused expression, I scowled.

"I NEED TO PEE!" I screeched like a wild hyena.

Kai'en blushed slightly as he came to a stop. "Ah... sorry."

Wang and Jun hid a laugh as I slid off the horse.

"I don't think there's an outhouse around here... are you okay with doing it in the bushes or...?"

I shot Kai'en a dirty stare as he followed me into the trees.

"I'm fine with the natural way, so would you please leave me alone?" I mutter.

Kai'en was skeptical.

"If bandits attack you--"

"That's not going to happen," I answer. "It'll only take a few minutes."

Kai'en sighed nodding. "Alright. Then we'll be waiting here. Hurry and please don't take too long."

"Sure."

I descend the slope, trying to find a good place to do my business. Just as I found a bush I thought wouldn't mind being watered by my lovely waste, an arm reached out from the darkness and grasped me.

I yelped but immediately shut up when I felt something cold and sharp press against my neck. My breathing shallowed as I stood there in the darkness, confined in a moment of terror.

"Don't move." the man spoke calmly. I could feel his breath on my back. "Now, quickly gimme all your valuables."

I gulped. "I don't have anything valuable..."

"Lies."

The blade pressed harder against my skin as I cringed. My neck could be slit in a quick jerk of a wrist. If I called for Kai'en and his comrades, I would most likely die before they get to me.

  "I have twenty bucks... but it's not worth anything in this world." I mused.  

Maybe I could summon my powers? I tried my best to muster my energy but I felt a warm, airy feeling emitting from my attacker's touch. What was this? I summoned my monotone 'Soul Seeking' eyesight and just as I thought-- he was one of the Zodiacs. The Rat.

"You! Are you one of the Chinese Zodiacs--"

  I was about to confront the mugger when I heard Kai'en's voice rip through the silence. The thief quickly removed his knife and darted back into the shadows before I could finish my sentence.

"Hey- wait!" I shout, scanning for the mysterious Zodiac. He disappeared, no longer in the range for my Soul Seeking. I puffed my cheeks, pissed that Kai'en scared him away.  

"Are you done yet?" Kai'en shouts.

"No!"

"Do you need help? Perhaps constipation..?"

"ITS NONE OF THAT!" I shrieked in embarrassment.