Run Away With Me, Pet Shapeshifter

Money

We woke up together the next morning, Liana's room seeming peaceful, if not for the knowledge of what was outside the door, hopefully asleep in some unknown part of the house. Liana immediately started to dress herself, letting me stay in my relatively clean clothes.

"I've got to go to work, you stay here, okay? Don't leave the room until I get back." I agreed that was best. Her parents didn't seem like the sort to be happy about me leaving the room. I hated being confined like this. I hated being in a cage in general, and this room wasn't much bigger than my cage at that warehouse. I deeply hoped she would take the band away soon, I had no intentions of leaving her after meeting Liana's parents.

Hours ticked by, and it was beyond boring. I napped for much of the time, exploring the small room the rest. There weren't many new things in the room, most might have been collected at a garbage dump. Little trinkets, like small toys or bottle tops, we're her decoration. It reminded me of my den, but in a less homey sort of way.

My exploration was dampened by the bedroom door swinging open, slamming into the bookshelf and making various things flatter to the floor. My perception of time was immediately slowed, letting me calm myself a moment before looking at the intruders.

They were Liana's parents, looming in the door way. I watched in slow motion as the male grabbed my ankle, dragging me out of the room and into the entryway. I resisted the instinctual urge to kick him, that surely wouldn't end well. I watched his face, trying to figure out what he planned.

He wanted to sell me. This was ridiculous! Liana paid for me, paid them for me, and they were planning on selling me. I was livid, but unsure what to do. If I fought, he may hurt me. I decided to submit.

My plans were short lived when Liana came home. It took her a moment to process the scene before her. Me, laying in the floor, her father, holding my ankle. She stood, her jaw dropped, before rushing to assist me.

Her father was startled by her behavior, releasing my ankle. I scrambled onto my feet with Liana's help. I dodged her father's attempt to grab my arm. We ran out the front door together, dodging her angry and aggressive parents. Over the yard junk, around the fence, down the street. The ground flew under our feet. Over grass, sticks, the forest surrounded us. Liana tripped over a log, I stopped to help her up.

We ran for a long time, until we were sure her parents didn't follow. Liana and I were deep in the woods then, and I almost felt free again. We panted together, dropping ourselves into the undergrowth.

Published 2/21/18