Diary From The Carrot Union

Chapter 15: #God

One day I was kidnapped at midnight by some little rabbits a third my size, and the next day, I have stripped off my liberty, gagged and tied into bondage by this dangerous pack of dire wolves and rabbit goons, led by a hunk with the scent of cold tobacco and mint.

Now that Mr Leon is gone somewhere, the glimmer of hope I once had slowly eroded over time, even more as the scent of burning wares fills up my lungs as Guava and his goons take their feast near the campfire. The cats breed the sheep, the gazelle, and the cows for food, while we wolves got chicken and rabbits for being the loyal guard dogs they are. Covered by the tall canopies and illuminated by fire, as the rabbits have returned with the spoils of war.

The sheep and chickens, of course, were aware and as intelligent as any one of us, and Guava brought them malnourished, blindfolded, and scared. Sometimes I see the wolves sing songs and play the guitar as they watch a headless chicken dance, and other times I'd see some of Guava's tigers, high on catnip, tear apart a sheep in cold blood before taking turns feasting on its corpse like wild animals.

That is how the rabbits and the herbivores become subservient, for they all fear being eaten. But, of course, there is no such thing as an ideology or Animalism, there's only mother nature, and I'm pretty sure even Joseph knew deep down it's all a twisted and sanctimonious show for the cats to derive pleasure from.

"I fear that I haven't introduced myself properly, Violet." Guava said, "My real name is Guava Carlton. It's nice to meet you."

It disgusted me, but the last thing I wanted was to piss off the tyrant and thwart my escape attempt. So I grinned up my innocent face and smiled back at him.

"I guess everyone knows who I am by now," I replied quickly, "

"Hmmm...Good." Guava recuperated quickly. He then led me near the campfires, where the wolves have begun taking the share of their feast.

It was sickening to see his grin as his wolves took feast on the dead rabbits, whose blood was cold as ice with a heart made of stone. He was the fine in the sin, the light of their lives, and the fire on my loins.

Big Mew also partakes on the feast, downing fifteen pieces of sardines and potatoes in a single sitting, and I, of course, is forced to sit next to Guava.

And at these turbulent times, the thought about getting back home is excruciating, but I knew one should play a part in a bid to stay alive, so I took the piece of chicken leg and gnawed on it. Blood flowed down my snout as I tore it half raw, and it tasted juicy and succulent.

Across the campfire, Big Mew has made quite a ruckus as he and several other cats fought over a dangling rabbit head, one whose appearance raised questions on my heart, as he always looked apart from the rest of Guava's squad, for his appearance was pompous and proud, with an inherent charm reminiscent of the old aristocrats that ruled whatever empire past of the Carrot Union.

And yet he was here alongside the rabble, as a lost and confused little boy with being made fun of. It irks me, to say the least, for I always thought about the lost potential he'd bring other than being that glorified fur mattress.

For some reason, I have developed a concern for the rabbits, as I felt somewhat safer with them compared to the wolves, looking back at me with a twisted intent upon my own realisation that there were practically no other girls other than me.

But each time they sneer, Guava would always be there to scare them off. This was one of those times, but it never got less scary each time.

"Don't worry, Violet, you got me on your back," Guava said, hushing me close.

"Should I say thanks to you, sir Guava Carlton?"

"Just call me Guava, no need for this sir's pleasantries. After all, we're all equal here, yeah?"

"Hmmm, as in the juicy red fruit? Right."

"Juicy," He smiled with lewd intent, "I like that."

I wanted to throw up, but he approached me close and held my paws, "It isn't wise to brood. Come, let's go somewhere."

In a country like this, most women are treated more or less like a dishwasher. Considering everything that I've been through, I believe Guava upholds that ideology the same way as everyone else.

So be a meek and worthless object like I always am, and follow him I did.

Now, where is feminism when you need it? Huh? Shouldn't feminism be about liberating women in parts of the world where they're treated like cattle and not about colouring your armpits rainbow coloured while sipping your pumpkin spice latte?

Anyways...Guava led me into a pathway to a grassy hill, where the mist stayed, and flowers bloomed underneath the starry night. At that moment of respite, I took a deep breath and felt the breeze cold and fresh.

And now, amidst the cold and lonely night, an unexpected emotion surfaced, one that came as a vice grip on my chest. My eyes felt warm and heavy as that emotion emerged in tears, for I feel alone and worn out at the end.

I pulled out a sigh, "I miss my family. I want to go home."

I expected Guava to be the last one to care, and reality is as disappointing as expected, for he's as numb as a wolf could, coming to me with a smile as if everything was a joke. "Well, I have good news. We're crossing the borders tonight for asylum. Then we'll be home free."

"Sharp teeth," He smiled, "What a wonder of nature indeed wolves are. But, first, I would like to apologise for this treatment, Violet. I assure you, I'm trying my best to give you comfort even though most of it is...Inadequate.

Yet deep inside, I knew he was still the face of the enemy, so I took his comment with a grain of salt, "What do you want from me, Guava?"

Guava scoffed, "Well, of course, we want the ransom, but things have not come into fruition the way my benefactors expected. So, of course, no point beating around the bushes."

He patted my back, and I tried resisting my urge to slap his arms away

"We're setting you free to meet our contacts. Lucky for us, our contacts have proposed to extract us tomorrow, so please be patient."

I thought I wouldn't try to risk asking him any more questions, but I acted out of impulse and flung a question, "Any of you got news about Mr Leon's whereabouts?"

"Nothing good," He casually responded, "Part of the reason why we're all leaving. I'll make sure my friend picks him up before things get worse."

"Oh...Well then."

"Well, Violet, I guess I'll miss you, but well, you're better off without me."

"Hmm?" was my natural response, "What do you mean?"

Guava chucked, "Heh, never mind, silly girl." He pointed on the road behind us, which seemingly led into complete darkness, and coughed lightly as I heard light footsteps closing from up the hill.

"See that dirt path? I want you to follow it until you see the light in the end. It's probably an hour-long trek, but you won't be alone."

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Guava smiled, "See for yourself."

I looked down and saw Joseph, Big Mew, and Cinnabun and Macedonia carrying full duffel bags, assault rifles, and flashlights, and for some dumb reason, I thought this wasn't supposed to happen.

I...I thought Guava was gonna harass me...But I guess I was proven wrong

"Let's go, miss Violet!" Macedonia smiled, "We're burning moonlight!"

"Go now, Violet, and good luck."

The chill on my stomach disappeared, and without further thought, I looked back at him and nodded.

As Guava went out of sight, I felt a warm sensation on my chest as Joseph offered me his water bottle filled with grape juice. The clouds above my head have parted away, and the bright moonlight pathed the dirt way for me.

And so I looked up into the stars, with tears of jubilation upon my cheeks as I gasped and said, to whoever was listening...

"Thank you..."