The Countdown: In Between the Lines

A Circle of Perspective

Sorry this chapter took so long to publish. I had a lot of stuff happen in the past couple of months, including a total drain of any creative energy I had. Plus I didn't realize how long this chapter was becoming so it took me a few days to finish once I actually sat down to write it. I hope you guys like it. 

Early in the morning, an extremely grumpy emu trekked through the grounds for any sign of his student. He only had one. The others had been extremely disobedient and were punished accordingly. They wouldn't be any of his concern for a little while. He stalked around for a while, slamming doors open, stomping around, and kicking bushes straight into the air. She was small enough. She could be hiding anywhere. The emu checked the kitchens, the training arena, and even the bedroom. Where on earth was she?! 

Frustrated, the emu took in a deep breath and screamed at the top of his lungs, "MEI-LING!!!!!!" 

The master only had a few seconds to wait before a small figure suddenly appeared before him with a look of terror. 

"Well?!" the emu demanded sharply. "What's your excuse this time?!" 

"I'm sorry, Great Master Aruf," Mei-Ling stammered apologetically. "I could have sworn you said training began at 6." 

"Don't give me that! You were out of bed two hours ago when I came in to punish you! What have you been doing?!" 

"Meditating." 

Master Aruf gave Mei-Ling a dirty look and walked angrily over to her. Mei-Ling backed off a little in fear, but the master reached a wing out to her, yanked her forward by her high brown collar, and immediately noticed a bulge in the side of her equally brown pant pocket. He reached down and grabbed hold of the object, pulling out a small stuffed rice ball. "Where did you procure this then?!" he demanded. 

Mei-Ling turned sheet white  and a look of terror passed through her eyes. "Th-the market," she admitted. "I-I-I really do try to obey your orders, really I do! But I'm just so hungry!" 

"A true master doesn't need the sweets of the world outside it's walls!" Master Aruf snapped. "You'll never learn to survive on the good nutrients required for someone of my stature if you don't apply yourself!" 

"D-d-don't you think three pinches of rice per day is too small?" Mei-Ling suggested with a crack or two in her voice. 

"You're spoiled rotten!" the emu accused, throwing her roughly to the ground. "If you can't appreciate everything I've done for you, then perhaps a good lockdown in the dungeon will refresh your memory!" 

"No no no no please! Anything but that I beg you!" Mei-Ling pleaded in terror, getting to her knees. "I'll be better behaved I promise! You're right! I don't know what I'm doing! I'd be dead if you hadn't taken pity on me!"

"That's right!" the emu master snapped. "Not everyone takes in a skill-less orphan for charity! You ought to be grateful every second of your life! Now go fetch me my whip! If you're not going to the dungeons with Tye-Roll, you're to be punished that way for your insolence!" 

Mei-Ling bit her lip and silently got up and did as she was told. Not that this punishment was any better, but it beat the week-long alternative.....