The Only Exception

Part #8

Nai's P.O.V

I woke up to a soft stream of light cascading over us through the curtains we left open. I sit with my mouth slightly agape opening wide into a yawn. I see Mitzi in the kitchen cooking some kind of weird olive mushroom pasta. I make a face and realize I have to work in the dungeon today. I hear singing and slowly tiptoe to the kitchen pen to see Mitzi and Bridget singing quietly and dancing around while cooking. It's quite an adorable sight. Not wanting to disturb them I slip back into the bedroom and crawl back under the covers. I look over at a sleeping Gareki and decide to leave for work without waking him. I do my morning routine, put on my cap and contacts, and walk into the kitchen to tell Mitzi and Bridget I'm leaving for work. I kiss Bridget's head and hug Mitzi before I silently slip out the door.

The dungeon of death is cold and damp as ever. It reeks of death and decay and they are now chaining people to the walls. I shiver and run my hands along the bars as I walk past. I hear the door to the dungeon open and the lady at the desk walks briskly over to me. "So I hear that you're a special little brat." She gives me a sadistic smile and if possible comes closer. I freeze and make little movement as possible. She grabs me by my shirt collar and throws me against a cell holding pacing twins. I hiss in pain and scramble to get out of her reach. She grabs my foot and flings me again with ease. I land on my back and cough trying to get my breath back and get the pain to go away. She walks closer and picks me up with one fist balled in the collar of my shirt. I see her pull her other fist back as I try to struggle and get out of her grasp. I feel sharp pain then nothing at all. Blackness engulfs my vision and I'm out like a light.

Gareki's P.O.V

I get up and rub the sleep from my eyes. I stretch and go into the kitchen to get something to eat. Too bad I slept in I didn't get to say goodbye to Nai before he left. 'Good thing he should be back soon' I think to myself and say good afternoon to Mitzi and Bridget. Mitzi whispers good afternoon and gets up to tuck a sleeping Bridget into the bed.

For the rest of the afternoon I mostly just sit and talk with Mitzi. It starts to get dark and we start to worry. "Nai should have been here by now!" Mitzi screams in anger although I know she's more worried than anything. I look outside and see people gathering. They are setting up a fire in a giant circle. I point to it and realize someone is chained to a post in the middle. Mitzi comes over and grasps my arm and screams. "It's Nai! We need to get him!" I look closer and realize it is him. I can't see much but his strange white hair with purple tips tells me it's definitely him. I can also see his hands and legs chained to the post behind him. "We need to disguise ourselves and get him out of there." I state trying not to cry and bust through the window. Mitzi moves to get some clothes from the dresser and some bandages. I grab scissors and random dyes from the cupboard. Mitzi cuts her hair shorter and ties it up in a formal bun, she also uses some dye to stain her lips and eyelids and puts on a tight skirt and blouse. I slick my hair back and put on a suit and a tie. After we pretty much look like the people gathering we head out making sure to grab Bridget first and trying not to stab anyone with our hidden knives just yet.

We finally reach the circle and punch to the front. To my surprise Nai is still unconscious and has his head and shoulders slumped forward. I resist the urge to lunge out and scoop him up whispering sweet things in his ear. Mitzi snaps me from my thoughts when she pokes my arm pointing to a woman hushing everyone. She steps onto the perch as the president steps aside making room. She starts speaking but I don't listen as I watch Nai twitch.