literature

Small Beginnings pt. 9

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The lid was closed behind me and I heard something snap into place.
Soon several voices muffled through the metal and water could be heard.
Pretty much doubled on myself, I tried to stay still but found it difficult.
The air stopped suddenly, then I, the metal and all was lifted up and the water shifted only to be roughly set down again!

*What was going on out there?!
Gotta stay calm and trust him, he's gotten me -this- far.*

This time after the angry sounding voices calmed down I braced myself on all sides and the movement was much smoother.
I heard-felt a loud thump then silence.
Soon a soft rumbling and more sense of movement.

I don't mind the total darkness so much, and I can handle cramped spaces for a while,
but even I knew it wouldn't take long for this amount of water to start to go stale.
Not understanding human-built stuff, I at least knew the bubbles had something to do with keeping the water in here fresh.
Plus he'd kept the bubbles going as long as he could, I hope it will be enough.

As it is, for the time being I could easily breath and would be able to do so for a while.

_____

A half hour or so out of town, I pulled off the main road and parked among a dense portion of trees and undergrowth.
The main roadway was pretty much bare of traffic at this hour and there was noone for miles to see where I parked.
I frantically pulled the rear doors open, *Is he ok?!*
I hated to think the worst had happened but when there was no noise from inside as I started to remove the tie-downs....

The straps came loose and the lid flew open!

He hoisted his upper half out with a woosh of water, his weight on his arms as he leaned forward and huffed, gasping and glare-growled at me!

*Whew, what a relief!*  
For a moment he looked like he was going to attack, like he didn't know me!
Had he been hurting that much for oxygen or was he just that upset with me?

"What? I got you out like I promised didn't I?" and I stepped aside and swept my arm towards the open truck doors showing him the wild area we were now in.
He stopped being annoyed with me at having to endure such a long time in an apparently uncomfortable container long enough to marvel at the moonlit view.

With a look of disbelief, he snaked from the truck and flowed outward mesmerized, sniffing, staring, touching...like he couldn't believe it was real.

" C'mon, I know of a river near here."
----

Not that I wasn't grateful, but it was getting really hard to breath in there.
I was about to start thrashing around to get out by the time the motion stopped and the lid opened.
I pulled myself out quickly and let my gills flare displaying my agitation at him!
As I gulped fresh air I calmed myself.

*This is the one who has rescued me, he is doing the best he can.* I reminded myself.
*I will not mindlessly lash out!*
After the panic of being contained and on display I was having a reaction to being
confined in such a cramped container. I now throughly hated containers!!
I just gripped the edge more tightly and steadied myself.

He made calming motions, said something I didn't pay attention to as I was busy catching my breath then he stepped aside and I saw past the opening....

* ! *

I don't think I've ever seen or smelled anything more beautiful....
The lesser sun illuminated the woods in cool, silver light.

*Is it real?*

I thought I'd never see the green again!  
Leaving the metal behind, we began to move through the land.
Though the lesser sun was still low in the sky, how much time had passed?
He walked behind for a while moving stuff back as we passed through.
I was about to question his actions when I realized that he was hiding our path from anyone who might follow.
I'll have to keep this in mind if I ever move overland again. ( ! )

When he felt that we'd be safe he took the lead.
-----

He followed and we traveled in silence except for the sounds we made moving through the plantlife.
At first I walked behind disguising our path 'just in case' then walked ahead when we put enough trees between us and the road.
After some time he caught my shoulder making me stop and turn.

"Why? I hurt you. You not leave me, why?"
I stared at him for a moment.

"Noone deserves to be mistreated like that.
They at the circus saw you as just an animal, a strange beast to be displayed.
Hopefully I got you out of there before people decided to go hunting for your kind."
He winced at that horrible thought then continued...

"No, is another reason..." he implied.
I now felt awkward.
"You hurt me only because you thought I was a threat.
Later I understood why you attacked me. Besides, you got me to people who could heal me.
Why? You had a chance, why didn't you kill me?"

He fumbled for a moment and looked away.
"Then,....I...I only wanted to hurt to scare so you not return.
I not understand when I saw the pot and you try tell me what happened,
I was....hate-scared. Not thinking, I attack.
My young was alive and safe, that -only- reason I let you live.
That, before I find the truth."  and he looked horribly ashamed.

"You were protecting your child, any good father would have done the same,
I can't blame you.
How do you think *I* would have acted if I found you with one of -my- children?
He studied me for a moment, the odd thought processing and a disturbed look crossed his face. I guess the thought of eating young humans disgusted him.

Then, "You have young?"
"I..uh, no....not yet. Some day I will."
I blushed, refusing to elaborate on the fact that I haven't yet met the right girl.
He looked confused but said nothing more.
Possibly also not wishing to delve further into such a subject.

There was an awkward silence, then I patted his sholder to encourage him that we should continue.

"Hey, we almost got you home, let's not stop now huh?" He brightened a bit and we move on.
_______

I am not built to travel across land. It's rough, tiring and worse, dry!
My patience has been pushed to the limit several times, this being almost the final point that I could stand! Where was the water?!
I quietly snarled at him.

*No! He is a friend and has risked much for my sake. I will not become a mindless beast that just reacts!*

But I had to admit if we didn't find water soon,....I've never been dry for this long.
My concern for my personal health was growing,
*I'll have to say something to him....Wait, what is that I smell?*  ( ! )

A faint whiff of moisture laden air, barely noticeable but still,...hopefully...

----

I was starting to get tired, we'd been walking for what seemed like hours.
Inspite of the brightness of the moon, I had difficulty trying to see my watch.
So many shadows. It -can't- be much further now.
I glanced back to check on him. He's keeping up rather well inspite of slowly drying out.
I've thought of everything, why the hell didn't I think to bring some extra water for him?!
Well, mentally kicking myself in the teeth wouldn't do any good now.
All we could do is just keep moving.

Around the next stand of old growth trees we could finally hear free flowing water.

*At last!*

The sound increased and soon we were at the edge of a stream.
One could just get their feet wet, but an adult Tentaspy?
He looked disappointed but had flung himself(more -on- to the trickle than into)
and had a good soaking wallow!
I let him go for a short while and finally had to throw some pebbles at him to get his attention.
I pointed upstream and we moved on, he staying in the flow (such as it was) and me on the bank.

As we traveled, now and then he would stop to roll in the shallow water in an attempt to keep wet.
After being dry for so long I'm glad he was able to still travel.
I have a slight idea of how much he weighs and had no desire to have to carry him.
*eep!*
----
The moon had traveled overhead and was heading to the other horizion.
The stream slowly widened and deepened a bit to a small creek.
Movement for him was much easier now and he waited for me to catch up.
*Where was he getting his energy?!*  I trudged behind as he now half dragged himself along.

It was near dawn before the dense woods broke open to reveal a massive lake!
Not big enough to be considered an 'inland sea' but much bigger than most lakes.
There were no roads or footpaths to this place.
It ~would~ have been nice tonight but it's best this way.

The dim morning light let us see the mountain base in the foggy distance with several rivers flowing from it.

Tiredly I asked him "Can you make it back home from here?"
He joined me on the bank and faced me, smiling grandly showing all his pointed teeth.

"We come here when cold is at the top!"
He was writhing all over in his excitement, he knew the way home from here!
Such a relief that was to know.
Then he became strangely calm and looked at me.

"You, what you do now?"
"Not sure, I'll have to wait and see what happens now that the circus and the punks will both be 'out for blood'. I can always go and live somewhere else if things get ugly."  

"You stay with us, be safe!" he generously offered.
"Uh, thank you but I should be alright. I'll come visit when I can."

Then there was nothing more to say.

We just stared at each other for a moment longer, he then pressed my hands gratefully and silently slipped into the water.

I watched the surface of the lake for some time but I never saw a ripple or any further sign of him.

So having no other choice, I located a comfy shaded place near by and fell asleep.
Another unpredictable weekend coming up for me so, just to be sure, here is pt. 9.

And no, not quite the end yet....
© 2011 - 2024 KlayBird
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Lanny9000990009's avatar
Ooohhh..... SO great.....