Stardust

Chapter Three

The next morning, the crew turned on the lights and knocked hard on the tank. "Wakey wakey, freaks!" Komako woke first from the vibration of the knocking. She shook Avysoss awake as soon as she realized the crew was there. They both swam to the front of the tank, watching the crew bustle around. A few got up on a ladder and pushed open a trapdoor on the top of the tank. They dropped in a large bundle of raw meat. The two circled the meat, watching it drop to the bottom of the tank, confused as to what it could be. Avysoss swam bravely to the meat, poking and prodding at it. He hadn't eaten in a few days, although they had no sense of time, and he started feeling his alter personality creeping in. Desperate for some form of food, Avysoss peeled off a sliver of the meat and placed it on his tongue, chewing it slowly. He swallowed it and, once he realized that it was in fact food, he alerted Komako. "Koma, it's edible!" She swam over quickly and started taking slivers of it along with Avysoss.

This amount of food was new for them, as usually Komako would sacrifice her meal for Avysoss' sake. She experienced his hungry self once before, and it traumatized her. He attacked her and she barely made it out alive, having to punch him in his eye to escape. She swam around quickly, desperately trying to find something, anything, for Avysoss to eat. After hours of exhausting swimming she found a group of the small creatures they eat. She didn't eat again for a while, leaving the food for Avysoss.

But this time, there was plenty of food for both of them. Within a few minutes it was completely gone, the only thing left of the meat being the memory of it. Avysoss scoured the floor of the tank, just in case there was any more. When he found none he was slightly disappointed, though he was anything but ungrateful. The food he had just been fed was more he had ever had in one sitting before.

Avysoss, caught up in extreme joy from the large amount of food, swam to the front of the tank, excitedly eyeing the crew, begging with his eyes like an excited puppy that they send more. They of course ignored him, too busy with whatever they were doing. Avysoss, now downhearted, swam back to Komako. She smirked.

"You know they weren't going to give you food."
"It was worth a shot!"
"They already gave us more than we could ever ask for. Don't be greedy."
"But I like food!"
"Oh, stop whining."

She smiled, obviously amused by his behavior. He smiled back innocently. Komako shook her head.

"So anyway, I think I have a plan."
"On getting more food?"
"No! To escape!"
"Oh, yeah. I knew that."
"Yeah..."
"Hey I was just messing with ya!"
"Sure. Anyway, you know how they open that door on the top of the tank to drop in food?"
"Mmm, food."
"Focus!"
"S-Sorry! Whatever they gave us was way more tasty than those creatures we eat up in space."
"I agree, but we need to get home."
"I know..."
"So you remember the door they opened to drop in the food?"
"No"
"Not surprising... well trust me they do open a door."
"Cool, what about it?"
"Well, what if when they open the door to drop in more food or whatever, we jump through?"
"Jump through the door?"
"Yeah! While it's opened we jump through and escape!"
"Sounds fun! But one problem..."
"What?"
"This place is weird. I can't swim around unless I'm in water."
"Right... Well I have legs, so I'll just carry you."
"Can you carry me?"
"I'm stronger than I look."

He smiled and gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up. She gave one back, though more casual. She swam to the front of the tank and Avysoss followed. They watched the crew bustle around quickly, seemingly getting something ready. The two swapped looks with each other and watched them run around, confused. Just then the captain walked in, walking up to their tank. "Ah, finally. The day has come. I can just see it in the headlines! "New Species of Fish Discovered, Fishing Boat Captain Becomes Rich!" He sweeps his hand in front of him as he reads the fake headlines. They of course had no idea what he just said, but they knew it couldn't have been good. The captain laughs and starts barking orders to his crew, causing them to work faster.