Freedom

Her eyes shut as she was trying to comprehend things. Her lonely, lifeless eyes stared at the creature whom she didn't recognize. The burning sensation that was caused by the flame of the torch was blinding and irritating her. Suddenly, her killer instinct kicked in. Just like the other insects and pests whom she had associated with for the last nineteen years of her life, she quickly crawled to the dirty floor and squeaked furiously. She was acting like a rat that ran around and angrily jumping and hissing, trying to protect herself from the sudden intruders, not just herself but also her territory.

“Everyone, back down!” the man in the torch yelled to his fellow warrior who was ready to advance. But when some of them saw her, immediately, some of them stopped but mostly ran like cowardly chickens. Running their way out with balls curled up. She then tilted her head upon seeing their reactions. She was afraid, yet she was wondering why this weird creature looked more terrified than her. They look weird in her sight for the reason that they don't crawl or lick themselves. Even the smell of them is giving her wonders and pure blessing. Thinking that they might be here to play with her, her mood quickly became elated. She then started wagging her tail like she had one. Her whole body was shaking together with her so-called furr—the tangled hair and dirt. It is most likely a tangled matter with a disgusting odor.

“Call Alpha Kaylon. Because I didn't know what to do with this strange creature. It's the weirdest being I've ever seen my whole dämn life.” The man's brows furrowed as he was trying to figure out what he was looking at. He was looking at her full of disgust. Her bony and ugly appearance were striking hard. Her dirty long curly hair that was covered with hardened mud looked heavier than her body. Even her prominent cheekbone was showing and resembled the face of a bat. Surely she looks more terrifying than a normal wild animal or beast.

“Hisss!” She couldn't help but greet him. She extended her little hand, which was protected with heavy, sharp, and slightly curved dirty nails. She was anticipating looking for a nose rub to rub but she didn't expect her visitor's response.

“Sh*t!” He jumped again, trying to avoid the creature's deadly yet brittle claws. Who would have thought that the huge and brave warrior was afraid to get his skin scratched? He tried to swallow the built-up saliva in his mouth, for if he didn't do it, he would shamelessly puke anytime. They were suffering not just from her looks but also because of her scorching smell. The girl wasn't aware of any of it. All she wanted was to be good and friends with them.

“Sh*t, bro. This creature looks so much more horrifying than the ugly creatures I fought before! Even more disgustingly smelly than a cat's litter and Samon’s boots!” the other man yelled as he was trying to scare her with the torch. The man aggressively nudged his torch —making its fire look even bigger. A typical way of scaring animals away.

“I wish I could compel that beast right now,” someone says before peeking at her again.

“You aren't a purebred, bro. So you wish. Only Alpha Kaylon could do that,” said the elegant one while leaning on the old dusty wall. The stairs are a little small for them, which resulted in them squeezing each other like food in a rusty can.

“I should go out so you can all have a bigger space.” The man moved and was about to turn away.

“Shut up! Keep watching and stop being a coward. Min will be here anytime soon,” said the leader and tapped his man's shoulder.

Bal unintentionally smiled because she was entertained by the way they were acting. She could compare them to her mice friend who always brings her some rotten animal flesh so she can feed. Also playing around to keep her entertained.

Being undeniably extra happy after a long-long time, Bal took the magot's rotten meat and tried to hand them the portion of her meal. She smiled again, showing off her black and heavy tart teeth. She then tilted her head, flapping her long dried eyelashes.

“Oh, God!” exclaimed the others.

“I can no longer hold it!” The man's face was turning red as his last meal was pouring out of his mouth. He could hardly even speak, trying to catch his breath. He was trying to shoo her away while banging his chest. His stinky puked was all over his feet and on the stairs.

“Ah! God! Sh*t!” All the three of them screamed while looking at her with wide eyes open.

Bal put the rotten meat on the floor just next to them and started to lick the man's puke. Her face lit up and formed a satisfied smile upon tasting the man's puke. With her understanding, she mistook it as a gift.

“Oh! God! I can no longer stand it,” said the big man, and quickly rushed outside, leaving the heavy wooden door with a metal frame ajar.

While their comrade was running away, the two guys exchanged glances and also ran outside as fast as they could.

On the other hand, the girl, who was in a curious state, slowly stood up trying to mimic her visitor's act and way of mobilizing themselves. When she realized that she could do it too, she was ecstatic! She walked around and couldn't believe her eyes that she had discovered a new way of moving aside from crawling. She even stomped on the floor and was grateful to them. She wanted to say thank you. So she sat on the floor and was waiting for them to come back. But to her dismay, she can no longer sense or smell them.

She became agitated and confused. Wondering if she didn't treat them well. So she slowly got up and curiously held onto the wooden door when she saw the dead torch on the floor left unattended. Bal remembers that this was the stuff that caused her eyes to be badly hurting earlier. And without a word, she angrily stepped on it until it was fully destroyed. Then she smiled in satisfaction, thinking that it would no longer hurt her, and also her friends.

But when she looked up, she could see a distinct light that was coming from a distance. She quickly hid at the door and slowly looked at it again, checking out if the light was still there. Her face was agitating yet full of curiosity. But the harder she stare at the light, the harder her curiosity peeks. Just like a curious animal, Bal slowly approaches the light while holding and dragging her heavy hair. She moved her feet one step at a time on the stairs that led her up to the top. In an instant, Bal shivered. She subconsciously covers her eyes. At the moment she couldn't believe her sight. She jolted, smiles and even looked behind her to check if she was just seeing things. But the realization hits her when she saw a strange things falling everywhere that made her subconsciously shut her eyes. She then begins running aimlessly while both of her eyes are still firmly closed. She could feel her toenails were broken while still quickly running from the ground that she finds interesting too. She felt something hit her, but the sensation coming from the cold air that was hitting her body at an uncanny speed is tickling her skin. She couldn't help but giggle. Even the pain from her feet couldn't stop her from enjoying the new sensation she discovered.