Scars of the Past, Hope for the Future

[clouds just clouds]

Zachariah stepped away from the cage door, carefully, and moved subtly over to Mimi. He kept an eye on Rick, too. He was trying to decipher the man's behavior. Carefully, he lowered himself down next to Mimi, so she could whisper to him quietly. Instead of looking at her, he watched Rick. It helped make it seemed as if the two weren't conspiring. He refused to think about Aidan or feel guilt, only because if he did, he would want to rescue the boy too.

Rick's eyes lowered to where the boy motioned. Sickness suddenly shot through him and he looked back up at Mimi and Zachariah. Swallowing thickly, he heard Fred pull away from the warehouse. He knew he had only a few minutes. Patting himself down, he realized with a jolt that Fred took the keys. "Gods damn it!" Rick growled. He patted his head and closed his eyes tightly, "Alright, think, think..." He closed his eyes tightly, but the serum kept any answers out of his reach.

Then quite suddenly, something dawned on him. He knew how to pick locks. How did he know? He didn't know, but he knew. Glancing over at the limbless child, he nodded, "Do you have any bobbypins? Or--" His jaw snapped shut as the serum and his orders took over and he felt himself being swallowed by darkness once again. "You need to go to the boss at this moment," Rick gasped, "and ask for the serum. It's running off and losing contro-"

"No," Rick growled, cutting himself off. "What ever I just told you, don't listen to me." He picked through his pockets once again, as if he didn't know what he was wearing, and as if he was unsure of what he might keep there. After a few moments, he came out with a lock picking set and came towards the cage. He paused and glanced over at the boy. "You'll get punished for letting me do this, I hope you know that." His eyes dropped to Aidan's missing limbs. Sighing, he shook his head and knelt down to start picking the lock.

(I hope you don't mind I'm doing this now XD)

[Moon]

She glanced briefly at Zachariah, but otherwise kept her gaze squarely on Rick. She didn't trust the man's erratic behavior and the sudden, if not abrupt, changes in his behavior. It made her even more anxious to get out of the cage that they were trapped in, but she was scared of what would happen once they were all on the same side of the bars. "I...don't like where this is going, Zach." Mimi was sure to keep her voice low. She swallowed thickly, feeling knots form in the pit of her stomach. I'm scared. She held her breath, wanting to tell Zach how terrified she was, but she couldn't bring herself to do it, especially not in front of Amy.

Aidan glanced over his shoulder as he heard the vehicle pulled away. He briefly wondered to himself why Rick had sent Fred off by himself to see the boss, especially when they had a delivery owl standing before them. But he was quick to push that thought away so his curiosity wouldn't wander. If they didn't want to use his services he wasn't about to question their motives.

The boy's head snapped back to attention. He stared, practically dumbfounded, at Rick. Bobbypins!? Why one earth does he want those? A better question to ask would have been, why would Rick even consider the slave having something that could help him escape. Aidan chalked it up to Rick double-checking to make sure that he clearly had no means of escape. It wasn't uncommon for masters to check their slaves for such objects. All I really have is that shiny paper stuff I found on the way here. Aidan bit his lower lip. If whatever he found could be used to escape he was done for. Though Rick's next command caught him a bit off-guard. "Y-Yessir" Confused, but not wanting to upset him further than he already was, Aidan turned back toward the entrance, ready to transform.

He flinched at the intensity in Rick's voice and, once again, turned back to him. "S-Sir?" He watched Rick produce a lock pick set from his pockets. He blinked, not quite sure what was happening nor what he should do. Rick was right about his punishment, but it wasn't like there was much of anything the boy could do about Rick breaking them out. He was too small to pose much of a threat if it came to a fight and he would get into even more trouble for attacking his master. He swallowed thickly, feeling fear well up in his chest. "Sh-Should I fetch the other master then?"

Mimi couldn't believe what she was seeing, or rather what she believed she was seeing. Is he really helping us? She shook her head. That couldn't be it. She figured he was unlocking the door that way because his partner had the keys. She dreaded to think of why he would want to get in the cage. "Zach..." Her voice was quiet, yet laced with the fear that she felt. Instinctively, she held Amy tighter and glared at Rick, despite her paralyzing fear.

[clouds just clouds]

Zach already started to rise to his feet, cautiously watching Rick. He could take him, especially since he didn't have those fancy electrocuting bars. But he doubted that he would have to. His mind was already searching for answers. Serum? Losing control? He had heard of such things--mostly because his grandfather had threatened it with him a few times--but he didn't think it was real. He watched Rick use with unsure practice, as if he didn't really know how to pick a lock, but was using his motor skills to walk him through it.

"Look, kid, I'm sorry to say but you either have to escape with them or get another limb caught off. I wasn't thinking, and it's too late for me to send you off, plus I doubt you're a good actor." Rick said, licking his lips and he concentrated on the lock. "Gods damnit! Altaira, fuck you!" Rick glanced up, cursing the dragon. "Fuck you!" He shook his head and worked on the lock again. "I could knock you out, I guess," Rick was telling Aidan, "But honestly, I think I've done enough damage. Just guessing, that is."

The lock popped, and then Rick swung the door open, staring Zachariah face-to-face. "What is happening?" Zachariah growled, allowing his canines to grow in.

"Look," Rick held up his hands. "Don't attack me. I'm letting you go. You need to hurry, though. I'm not sure when the serum will kick in again, and I honestly don't have time to explain everything to you. You just need to take this kid right here," Rick pointed to Aidan. "And go. As fast as you can."

Zachariah stepped forward, and Rick backpedaled, hitting the cage behind him. "There's no trick. There's a serum that basically breaks away all my free will. I'm given a set of commands--like a robot. I follow those commands. I've been on the serum.... for a long time, which means I have no memory of what I've done, and who I am." Rick's smile curved a bit, but fell away. "I'm sorry if I hurt you..." He looked down and away from them, staring at the floor. He seemed to be blinking back tears.

[Moon]

Aidan glanced up in surprise. His pale blue eyes darted from Rick to the pair that were in the cage. Go with them? And do what, exactly? Be hunted down and have another limb taken from him, that was what. He felt his wings wrap protectively around him and he slowly rubbed his long since numbed shoulder. He felt his teeth begin to grate against one another. But anything would be better than living as a slave for the rest of my life...wouldn't it? Somehow Aidan doubted that he would ever be truly happy. He knew nothing but how to serve and how to receive orders without question. Would that really allow him to survive in the real world once he was separated from the caged pair? He doubted that too.

Mimi couldn't believe her eyes, let alone her own ears. The man that had tormented them, caged them, and dislocated her wrist was actually letting them go. She shook her head once more, feeling her muscles lock in place. No, it had to be a trick. Some sort of false hope, to make them let their guard down. There just had to be a motive to his course of action. She bit her lower lip, studying him closely. Despite her fears, something felt odd about him. All kinds of emotions were flowing off of him, some contradicting each other. Yet, Mimi could sense that some of those emotions were forced and robotic. Which ones exactly, she could not tell. She swallowed, hoping to any of the dragon gods above that her guess was right.

Slowly she began to rise, urging Amy to follow her lead but stay behind her as they moved forward. She moved to be just inside of the cage door, leaning on it to try and hide her quaking legs. "Zach, I...I think what he's saying is true. I don't quite understand it myself, but I do know some of his emotions do seem forced. Whether or not those forced emotions are negative or positive I can't tell."

[clouds just clouds]

"Forced feelings?" Zachariah muttered again, and then he nodded. He didn't want Mimi to have to go first, so he slipped by her and stood in front of her, staring at Rick. "A serum? Do they use that for all slaves?" He raised a brow, watching Rick. He wanted to know more of this thing. What if he was injected with it? Or Mimi? What does it mean to be injected with this thing?

"I don't know," Rick shook his head. He closed his eyes, trying to remember, but so much of his memory was blocked out. He only had a few episodes of memory. The beginning of it was arriving before the first serum injection. Did he have a family? He had never been so awake before to really know. He didn't even know what his real name was. Swallowing, Rick opened his eyes back up. "You guys need to get out of here." It was like sleeping all your life, and occasionally waking up to a new place with new people, only to have no idea who you were, but all this time someone else had been controlling your body, your actions, and who you were. "They'll have dogs to set on you, to find you, so you're going to have to find a river or something, and then walk in it for a long while, alright?" Rick groaned, reaching up and holding his head.

The serum won once again and he looked up coldly at them. "I suggest that you get back into that cell before-" The cold look broke and Rick gasped. Blinking, he shook his head and walked further away from them, toward the entrance. "Give me something of yours. Give me that shirt, I'll throw off the trail so they'll run after me instead. The worst they can do to me is inject me again." Rick smiled tightly. Or kill me. That works too. I wonder if it's expensive to keep me induced. I wonder how old I am too. Huh.

[Moon]

Mimi slipped by Zach as he talked with Rick. She wasn't particularly keen on learning about whatever these particular group of slave traders used to control their subordinates. It only served to make her more anxious and eager to escape. Instead of standing by Zach she made her way over to Aidan, hopefully with Amy in tow. She crouched down in front of him and offered her hand. "What's your name little guy? My name is Mimi and this is Amy." She gestured to the little girl if she had followed her over. "Would you like to come with us?"

Aidan felt himself shrink back and he avoided her eyes. "A-Aidan. M-M-My name is Aidan, M'am." His wings flexed, but did not. Only the left portion of his head and a some of his chest could be seen. Even so, he reached out to grab Mimi's offered hand. Despite his lack of eye contact, her second question gained his full attention and he stared intently at her. He had been offered so many choices in a small amount of time, it almost made his head spin. Why were these people, strangers and a slave master, asking him what he wanted? He couldn't even begin to think of an answer. He swallowed thickly, nodding his answer.

Mimi smiled and reached up to stroke his hair. "Alright, come on then. Stick close to us when we do make our escape, okay?" She was satisfied with another nod from him and rose to her feet. She glanced back at Zach and Rick, watching them carefully. For a moment her heart skipped a beat when she saw a dark look on Rick's face, but as soon as it appeared it disappeared. She bit her lower lip. They had to get out before that serum kicked in. She blinked curiously as she felt a tugging at the back of her mind. She turned back to the entrance and squinted. Damos? Are you here?

Aidan glanced up at Mimi, feeling small now that she was standing at her full height. Despite Mimi not being extremely tall, he still paled in comparison to her height. He felt his body begin to ripple as he transformed into an owl once more. He flew up to Mimi's shoulder and gently wrapped his talons around her shoulder, making a conscious effort to not dig his talons into her bare skin. He buried himself in the crook of her neck, making himself as small as possible. He made a sort of cooing sound that could have been akin to a cat's purr.

[clouds just clouds]

Zach nodded towards them and threw the clothes toward Rick. He wasn't sure if he should care or not about Rick and quickly walked over to Mimi and Amy. He smiled over at Aidan. "Welcome to the team. I didn't catch your name, I'm Jere-" Zach flinched and shook his head. "I am Zachariah." It felt weird to introduce himself instead of using his brother's name. Quickly shrugging it off, he motioned for them to hurry out of the warehouse. He was glad to finally be out.

Rick watched, making sure to edge away so they wouldn't be afraid to pass him. He was worried about the serum kicking in as he was working, or even before that. He had to focus on keeping his conscious, which already was taking a big toll on him. He leaned against a cage and closed his eyes, trying to pick together what memories he had, hoping that there was something in his memory that might help. Everything was fuzzy. Some of it was about a boat, but he wasn't sure when that was.

[Moon]

Mimi didn't need to be told twice about escaping, she was all too eager to get out. Though she wasn't too keen on fixing her wrist. She pushed that thought to the back of her mind and stepped out into the pale rays of the moon. She shielded her eyes with her good hand and glanced at her surroundings. The tugging at the back of her mind started up again. Only this time, it became a constant buzz until eventually she felt Damos' mind crowd into hers. It was odd, feeling his senses link with hers after so long. She wondered just how long they had actually been captured.

Damos pushed his way through the underbrush, a noticeable limp in his gait and dirt crusted over his fur. His eyes glanced up to see Mimi and the others emerging from the traders' headquarters. Mimi! As fast as he could, he trotted over to his partner and jumped up to lick her face. His tail wagged behind him and, for a brief moment, he didn't look like a wolf but rather a large dog.

Mimi laughed, feeling herself stumble back from the sudden weight. "Damos! There you are! Did you manage to find that help I told you to go find?" She glanced up, eager to see if Chance and Annabelle had indeed followed the wolf. Though, she was glad that there didn't need to be any fighting. She wasn't so sure she wanted to, especially with the two precious cargo that they had gained. She glanced over her shoulder at Zachariah, glad to see Aidan had taken a liking to him too. "Zach, our backup has arrived." She crouched down so that Damos was face to face with her and turned to Amy. "Amy, this is my partner, Damos. He was with us before we got here, but he went to go get help."

Startled by the sudden appearance of Damos, Aidan screeched and flew off Mimi's shoulder. He made his way over to Zach instead, where it seemed to be quiet, and nestled up against his cheek. Again, the same cooing noise rolled in his tiny throat. He adjusted his talons so that he wasn't digging them into Zachariah's shoulder, despite his intail fear.

[clouds just clouds]

"Alright," Chance came out of the forest, looking extremely dangerous. "I can see that all is well and you've escaped on your own." He looked dirty and as if he hadn't slept in a while. He probably had been running since Damon had found them. Slowly, he walked over to them and his eyes locked on Mimi's wrist. "What I don't understand is why he is here, and above that, why are you shirtless?"

Zachariah suddenly felt extremely self-conscious. He blushed deeply and crossed his arms over his torso. "It's a very long story-"

"Jeremiah," Chance let out a sigh. "I'm guessing we don't have much time, come on, let's go." He rushed over to Mimi, smiling finally and then before she could escape, he wrapped his arms around her and breathed shakily a sigh of relief. "Mimi, Mimi.... you're never allowed to go out of my sigh again. Never, ever again. Never."

Amy had instantly became attached to Damos. She wrapped her arms around the wolf's neck. She gave Chance big eyes and smiled shyly into Damos' fur. "Can we go now?" She looked tired, and extremely run down. "I want to go back to Mommmy and Papa...."

Zachariah pet Aidan unconsciously, gently petting his fur. He moved past Chance, remembering how much the man didn't like him before. He must absolutely hate him now. Instead of waiting for the others to get moving, he started head back towards the forest. They needed to get out of there.

[Moon]

If not for the fact that her wrist was hurt, she would have struggled out of Chance's hug to try and calm him down. She didn't even need to feel his emotions to know he was extremely displeased with the situation. His voice was enough to convey that. Mimi sighed, allowing herself to be held. Though as she watched Zachariah move off into the trees, she felt guilt and heartache well up in her chest. She swallowed thickly and glanced up at Chance. "I-I can explain..." She glanced back at the traders' headquarters. "but maybe not here."

Annabelle followed Chance out of the forest, shifting as she emerged. She walked over to Mimi with her usual frown to show her displeasure, though she felt relief in her belly to know that Mimi was relatively unharmed. She gently held up Mimi's wrist, noting her discomfort and her empty willingness to allow herself to be handled. "It doesn't look too damaged, but the faster we get you settled in and the wrist realigned the better." She placed a hand on Chance's shoulder, giving him a gentle yet stern squeeze. If she could help it, she didn't want to voice her objects to what he said until later. She moved to the edge of the forest, waiting for the rest to follow.

Damos nosed the girl's cheek. His tail kicked up dirt as it moved back and forth across the ground. Slowly he stood and moved to be beside the girl instead of in front of her. Though he continued his gentle nuzzling to keep her busy.

Mimi smiled down at the girl. "Sure thing sweetheart. We'll get you back. Why don't you follow Damos, for now? He'll follow Zach and they'll both escort you back to the camp." She watched as Damos got up to follow Zachariah, hoping the girl would follow. She glanced up at Chance, trying to untangle herself so that they could move. "Please, don't be mad at Zach. It was my idea to go save the girl."

Aidan simply continued to coo, not really keen on the newcomers. If he could help it, he would have rather stayed by either Mimi's or Zachariah's side. And since he wasn't going to transform back anytime soon, he really didn't need to socialize.