Comes In Small Packages

Chapter 3: Mistreatment

Third person POV
"Bye bye! We're off to school!"
"Bye boys, have fun!"

Two boys in their respective school uniforms wave their mother goodbye as they walk down the pavement to their school, Windmill Elementary.

"Shishishi! Daddy is date again," a boy with black hair, no younger than 4, giggles as he happily skips around his brother who is about 7 years old, has black hair and freckles adorning his cheeks.

"It's 'late', Luffy. Seems like he found another animal in the streets again." It is not the first time his father's superior calling their household about their father's whereabouts. The older boy kicks away a pebble as Luffy's eyes shine with excitement.

"Another animal?! Ace, we're gonna have another pet?? Is it a cat? A reindeer? A polar bear?!" Luffy squeals as he presses his brother for more information.

"How should I know?! And where could Dad finds a reindeer and a polar bear from around here?! Besides... A phoenix would be better as a pet." Ace looks to the side.

"Huh?! You're so stupid Ace. Phoenix don't even exist! Not counted!! Reindeers are better!"

"I don't care! And who are you calling stupid! Phoenixes are better!"

"Who cares, they're just CHICKENS!!" The two boys continue bickering till they arrive at their school.

Your POV
I am surrounded in darkness. I remember I escaped from the sewers and blacked out. I also remember being lifted up and feeling warmth enveloping me. It was so sudden yet so comforting, almost hard to believe if it was Death's embrace. I let my consciousness fade as I snuggled into the soothing warmth.

"Ah, hello again! What brings you here today?"

"I found this mouse near a manhole down Syrup Street. Seems like it escaped the fumigation in the sewers. I'll pay for its treatment."

I grimace as I cover my big ears to block out the noise. "So noisy... Let me sleep in peace..." my thoughts are interrupted by a feeling of something cold and hard on my belly.

As I slowly open my eyes, I immediately see a gigantic furless paw beside me. I instantly freeze, raising my head up to see who is the owner of that paw. "Can this be...??" My eyes widen and I scream;

"IT'S A MONKEYYY!!!!!"

I quickly jump up and dash to my left as fast as I can. As I was running, I feel a sharp sting at my rear region and my hind legs are slowly being lifted off the ground. I slowly turn behind to see another furless paw grabbing my tail.

"NOOOOOO!!!!! I'M BEING MOUSE-NAPPED!!!!"

Third person POV
"Aww~~ Look at it, it's so cute~!"

"Oi, you're hurting the patient. Yet you call yourself a veterinarian." The younger man taps his finger on the reception desk as he watches the obviously panicked mouse dangling like a pendulum by this "proclaimed veterinarian".

"What did this poor mouse do to deserve this?" He readjusts his spotted hat before clearing his throat.

"Like I said, that mouse escaped the fumigation in the sewers. Has it occurred to you that it might have been poisoned?"

The older man immediately stops his childish antics, carries the mouse and gestures the younger man to follow to the examination room.

The older man then lays the small mouse on to the table and examines it while the younger man waits patiently for the veterinarian's reply. The younger man watches as the mouse holds its tail and gently pats it, he thought he saw comedic tears in its big beady eyes. The younger man feels a bit bad for the mouse, he fishes out a biscuit packet and cracks a few bits. He slowly brings his hand towards the mouse and waits for the mouse to notice.

The mouse stares for a moment before taking small cautious steps on all fours, sniffing every now and then. It looks up at him, as if it is asking permission to proceed. He nods with a gentle smile, "Go on, you can have some."

The mouse brightens as it grabs a crumb and starts nibbling on it. It seems the mouse likes the biscuit a lot, soon enough it has finished all the crumbs on his hand and even licked his fingers. Once it has finished, the mouse retreats back to it's original spot to clean itself.

The older man comes back, pulls out a syringe and sticks at the mouse's butt, making it let out a high pitched squeak before lying back onto the table.

"OK. So far, there are fumes in its respiratory system but not enough to harm this little fellow. I even gave a vaccination shot, so as to prevent other disease problems. Just let it breathe some fresh air for about a week or so, it'll be fine." The veterinarian concludes.

"That's it? Those fumes are strong enough to knock out a whole school of rats, how is it possible he is unharmed? There has to be some sort of medication for him." The younger of the two protests.

"My thoughts exactly, but the symptoms she shows are similar to a secondhand smoker. It's not unusual for a mouse since they're both mammals. In any case, I say she's lucky."

"She? How did you know it's a- " the younger man thinks back, "Ah, he saw the mouse's butt as he dangled her." He frowns and places his hand on his forehead, "Shanks-ya, I question your ways of assessment."

"What? It's the most logical and fastest way to assess one's gender!!" Shanks retorts as he escorts the other to the reception desk with the sleeping mouse cradled in his hands.

Shanks gently puts the mouse down on the counter before proceeding to the store room. When he returns with a small carrier, he grins as his customer looking irritated at his phone.

"You know... you're risking your job if you keep coming here during working hours Law." His smile widens as Law huffs in annoyance, "Don't worry, you can pick your mouse up from here after work."

"I appreciate that, thank you. I'll see you again at 6pm." Law gives a quick bow to Shanks and rushes out of the veterinary clinic, slamming the door behind him. Shanks stares at the closed door before placing the small carrier beside the now sleeping mouse.

"Daww~~~ You're so cute cuddling into a ball~~" Shanks coos as he gently pats the mouse's head with his index finger, squealing quietly when the mouse lets out a small cute yawn.

"Maybe I should consider keeping you instead."