“WAKE UP!”

That shrill voice, accompanied by a torrent of cold liquid, is what brought me back to consciousness.

I couldn’t help but to cough and sputter, given the amount of fluid that had hit me. I did my best to gather my surroundings, the voice from before continuing as though nothing had happened.

“We gotta make sure you eat…not that it mattas much to us.”

A lump of bread hit me in the forehead just then, having been tossed from across the room. As I looked about, I noticed two jailers currently upon me. The male from afar had thrown the bread while the female at current spoke to me. She sat the bucket of water down by my side, her rattish features all too apparent even in this dim dungeon light. They both wore light armor over their tunics, said clothing not doing much to cover their forms.

“Oy, can we hurry this up, lass?” the male from afar spoke up, his gruff voice revealing his irritation, “I’m itchin’ for some ‘fun’ after this. You know I’ve been waitin’ all day.”

“The boss wanted to make sure that ‘is ‘special guest’ was well cared for, remembah? Drink, food, and makin’ sure that he’s under lock and key.”

Sure enough, I could feel the bonds behind my back tighten as I tried to sit up. Now things were coming back to me: after that arrow poisoned me in the forest, Voltragen must have locked me up within his dungeon.

“How can you work for such a creature?” I ask, my disgust growing from my current situation.

“Mistah Murinus ain’t such a bad guy,” the male spoke up, moving closer to the female guard, “we get an easy job as this, all the perks of messin’ with the prisoners, and the occasional ‘romp’ whenever we feel like it.” He made his point clear by rubbing closely against his female companion. She giggled, lightly pushing him away.

“Ay, not in front of the prisoner…at least, not this one. We’ve got plenty of time for that later.”

I looked away, not wanting to be encumbered by the lust of these two. I tried to reach for the bread that was thrown at me, my restraints making my movements loud and trying.

“Aww, he hasn’t figured it out yet,” she spoke up, seeing my attempts, “You’re pretty much an animal here, so you may as well act as one. Head first in the water, nose down in the bread. You’ll get used to it…not like you’ve much choice.”

“NOW can we go?” the male guard spoke up, grabbing her sides with desire. She sighed and giggled once more, visibly trembling with delight as she nodded her head. “Good,” he replied, “then we’ll leave our latest prisoner in the dark to enjoy his surroundings. See you later, mousey.”

They hurried out of my cell and slammed the door behind. I sighed, taking note of my surroundings once more. What little light from outside glittered upon the floor before me, showing me a bit of hope: the keys! They must have fallen off during the flirtation of the two.

I stretched my paw as far as I could, just barely able to grab the keys and making a good bit of noise in the process. Using my legs, I tossed the keys towards my head and let them go behind me. They just managed to land next to my hands before I grabbed them and messed with the lock. After a few tries, a loud click gave me the satisfaction that I desired. Just as suddenly, however, I heard footsteps returning down the hall. Quickly, I placed the keys at my feet and placed my hands back behind me. I altered my body to keep the lock’s view obscured, and I stretched out as much as I could from there.

“Hah, I knew it!” came the female voice again, my cell door opening wide, “I did drop ‘em, and here he is tryin’ to free himself!” She kicked my legs out of the way and grabbed the keys from the floor.

“Too bad,” her mate spoke up, “you had your one chance at freedom, and now it’s gone. And now,” he returned his gaze to her once more, “WE can have our fun!”

She giggled as she left, the keys in hand. The door slammed shut behind the two, leaving me alone once more.

With what freedom I have now, I sat against the wall and took the bread I was tossed earlier. I nibbled lightly as I took sips from the water that remained. The bread was stale, but the water was cold, and I was alive. Soon, I would escape this cell and have my freedom. I will make Voltragen pay for what he has done, and I will rescue the love of my life, Setanya.

“Wait for me, darling…wait for me!”