Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I've been crying a lot lately. I don't really understand why. During six months of hard labor, constant beatings, shitty food, and filthy living arrangements, I really only cried like once a day, before I fell asleep. Maybe twice if I got a particularly bad beating. Now, I break down into tears maybe 10 times a day, a statistic made more impressive by the fact that I spend most of the day sleeping.

I mean, I'm finally free. I should be happy. No more beatings. No more mining. I've been rescued by a group of murder ninja tribesmen. I even managed to somehow convince them that I'm one of them, for them to take me in. And yet I cry over the smallest things. Yesterday, I spilled some water and just lost it. The day before, I started bawling when Charok started singing a sad song. Right now? I'm crying because I cry too much. Most of the time, I don't even know why I'm crying. Fuck, I'm useless like this.

I can't even hide my tears. I'm literally tied to Alsantset. Under normal circumstances, I would be ecstatic to engage in some light bondage play with a gorgeous cat girl. Unfortunately, things are anything but normal. I'm tied to her because, aside from being too small to sit properly in the saddle, apparently, I also keep blacking out. She's afraid I'll fall off while we travel. Added to the fact that I'm all weepy, all the time, makes being tied to her extremely humiliating. I'm not into that sorta play. It doesn't help that she notices the crying and is trying to comfort me. She's very nice about it, but all it does is make me cry harder. Live Free and Cry Hard: The Story of Rayne.

We stop riding at dusk, and everyone starts setting up camp. Alsantset unties me and makes sure I'm comfortably bundled in some blankets. She treats me really well. Don't cry. She also hurt Gortan for me. That brings a smile to my face. Stupid pig bastard. Wish I had a video. Or selfie with his corpse. Glad they're all dead. Those piggies didn't stand a chance. I'm glad they were able to experience how it feels to be powerless before they died.

My rescuers are a scary, tribal looking bunch. They're all dressed in fur-lined leather vests and pants, metal plated leather gloves, hard boots, and round open-faced helmets. They have shirts made of some very colorful cloth underneath. Some don't wear anything under the vests, showing off massive biceps, pecs, and shoulders. The women are all fully dressed unfortunately. Some of the murder ninjas paint their faces, while others have their clothes adorned with various feathers, horns, and scales. I find them thoroughly intimidating.

At least I didn't see anyone collecting ears, scalps, hands or anything like that, so they seem pretty civilized. Minus the murdering, but they did that for me, so they're A-ok in my book. I didn't see them use any magic at the mines, so I guess they're all muscle. Then again, the guards magic didn't save them from a vicious beating before murder. Stupid piggies.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Bows seem to be their weapon of choice, with short-spears and knives close behind. They're a very diverse bunch, in skin color and animal type. Most have animal ears and tails, but a handful are human, like Charok. Most of them have an Asian cast to their features, but not all. There are a handful of sorta-European, like Baatar, and even a few maybe-African types. It's all almost familiar, with enough of a difference that it unsettles me. They're a very cheerful group, smiles and singing, but I'm a little wary of asking too many questions about them. I mean, I'm supposed to BE one of them, so I can't really ask about every little thing.

How are you feeling, boy? Baatar always speaks slowly and quietly to me, like I'm retarded.

Much better than yesterday. I haven't been coughing.

Good, good. Good. Same dialogue every day, same wolfish smile. Baatar stands up to leave.

I haven't properly thanked you. He turns to me with a quizzical look. For saving me. Just thank you so much. I don't know how to ever repay you, and everyone else, for just how much you've done for me, but I will, even though I'm so useless. For feeding me delicious food, and giving me warm clothes, and helping me so much, with the slavers and... God dammit, I'm going to cauterize my tear ducts.

Baatar stands around for some time while I cry. After I calm down a bit, he speaks.

Look me in the eyes boy. Know what I say for truth. I look up at him timidly. Is he gonna yell at me for crying so much?

There is no need for thanks or repayment. You are one who was lost to us, and now you are returned. All we have done is right what is wrong. In two days, you will be home. There, you can begin healing. Rest easy. His smile isn't so scary this time.

I give up though. I don't think I'll ever stop crying.