Freedom Pets: Part Two

by luvpugz

Ettne was hauled off to a large mansion. Once inside, she was released from her cage and stretched eagerly. The pain of her mother still lingered in her mind, as she was lead down a long staircase. At the bottom was a huge kitchen full of NeoPets, and one human.

The human was screaming at a green Wocky. The Wocky seemed bored and use to the yelling. Suddenly the human pulled his leg back, and kicked the NeoPet straight in the stomach. The Wocky's eyes widened in shock and pain. Ettne gasped as anger filled her, how could these humans be that mean?

"You the new one?"

Ettne looked up to see a human looming over her. "Yes, I'm Ettne."

The human sighed and muttered, "Awfully small. She'll have to stay in the house, until she is older. But we'll take her."

Ettne watched the human hand the hunter a bag of Neopoints.

"Have fun, Wocky," the hunter sneered before leaving.

The human showed Ettne over to a table and placed a plate in front of her. "This is your breakfast. Afterwards you go to work."

Before Ettne could respond, the human was gone. She stared at her plate with a few bread crusts on it. Her stomach rumbled and she eagerly stuffed the food in her mouth. A large red claw landed on Ettne's shoulder and she jumped. She whirled around to face a Skeith face to face.

"You are the new worker? You are so small!" the Skeith jeered, pulling Ettne off her chair.

The green Wocky hobbled past, noticing the two. "Listen short stuff, I run this place. If you don't want trouble from me, then obey me. Got it?"

Ettne frowned, shocked at the Skeith's meanness. "I don't understand. What do you mean?" she stuttered, stepping back.

The Skeith laughed and stepped closer, "What's there to understand? Do what I say! And I say, give me the rest of your meal."

Ettne glanced at her plate of partially eaten bread crusts. "But, it's mine. I still want to eat it." Ettne muttered, staring at the floor. The Skeith glared then shoved the small Wocky against the table. Her meal clattered to the floor, with a crash.

"What did you say? You won't give me your meal?"

Ettne began to tremble, unsure of what to say. The Skeith pounced on her and began to hit her. She burst into tears, and then a green streak sailed by. The green shoved into the Skeith, sending him flying.

"Leave her alone, Akal," the green Wocky snapped, then turned to Ettne. "Are you okay?"

Ettne nodded and stood. The Skeith stalked back over, hate filling his eyes. "You want to make a deal about this?" He taunted the green Wocky. The Wocky replied by growling. Just as a fight was about to break out, the human hurried over.

"You three! Break it up, now!"

Quickly, Akal stepped back, glaring, but returned to his seat.

"Thank you so much!" Ettne said to the green Wocky.

The Wocky blushed and led the way to an empty table. They hopped up on separate chairs.

"You better be careful of Akal. He's a mean one."

Ettne nodded, wiping away a tear.

"You're new here. Listen, I'll show you around. You know, the ropes." The Wocky smiled at Ettne, and she grinned back. "Okay, thanks!"

The Wocky grinned, "By the way, I'm Kit."

Ettne smiled, "I'm Ettne."

***

The breakfast bell rang, signaling the end of breakfast. "Come on Ettne, let's get going!" Kit called, already out of the door. Ettne sighed and hurried after Kit. "Who do we have today?"

Kit grinned, "Luckily, Belle."

Ettne smiled and followed Kit up the staircase. Ettne was now one and half years old, and a worker at the mansion. Still being a child, her job was to serve the lead human's NeoPets. "Kit, if the boss hates NeoPets, why does he own three?"

Kit shrugged and walked out onto a marble floor. "I'm not sure, Ettne. I think he shows them for money." Ettne frowned but stayed quiet. Kit stopped in front of a large door.

"Here you go, Ettne. I have to work outside today." Ettne sighed and nodded, waiting until Kit left until she knocked on the door. A blue Kau opened the door and smiled.

"Ettne! Hi, come on in!" Ettne smiled and entered into a large bedroom. Toys were cluttered in the room, as a large bed.

"I'm glad it's you. You are the most fun!" the Kau said, jumping on her bed. Ettne nodded and sat on the floor. She also enjoyed working for the Kau. There was also a Uni and Blumaroo. From what Ettne had heard, the Uni was the worst. The Uni, whose name was Precious, was somewhat of a brat. Luckily, Ettne never had to serve the Uni, yet.

"Want to play blackjack?" Belle asked, pulling out a deck of cards.

"Sure, but I don't think you'll win. Again," Ettne warned, stepping closer to the Kau.

Belle laughed, and began to shuffle. Before the two friends realized it, their time together was over. Belle whined and Ettne ears dropped at the sound of the dinner bell.

"Maybe I will see you tomorrow, and we can finish this game," Ettne said hopefully, cleaning up the small mess.

Belle nodded and led Ettne out of her bedroom. As the Kau headed to the dinning room, Ettne watched with a stab of jealousy. A steaming turkey dinner sat on the middle of the table, and Neggs rested at the end. Precious pushed past Ettne, shoving the Wocky against the wall.

"Hey, watch it!" Ettne snapped, not realizing who it was. "What did you say, worker?" Ettne paled and bowed her head.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize who you were," Ettne apologized hoping it sounded sincere.

The Uni snorted before prancing off to her seat. The Wocky released her breath and got in the food line. That night, lying on the top bunk, Ettne shifted uncomfortably. She twisted and turned, but she couldn't get to sleep. Kit's head popped up from below, startling Ettne.

"Hey earthquake, can't sleep?" Ettne giggled, and allowed Kit up.

"Me either. I was wondering what's it like to be free? Not having to work day after day?"

Ettne frowned, "What do you mean?"

Kit sighed and replied, "I've never been free. I was born a worker, and have worked all my life. I use to work at a factory, but I got into trouble. After continuous threats and beatings, they sent me here."

He stared down at a scar on his arm. "You could say they made me shape up." Ettne's eyes filled with tears as she stared at her friend.

"Don't look so sad, I got use to it. Just like you did."

Ettne nodded and tried to dry her eyes. "You know Kit, I really appreciate you. I mean, helping my out all the time. I really appreciate it."

Kit blushed and nodded. "No problem, kiddy."

Ettne held up her paw, unfinished. "And you deserve to be free. You and me, someday, will be free. And we can find our parents and be happy." Kit looked down, and pushed at the thin blanket.

"What's wrong? Don't you want to be free?" Ettne asked, shoving her face into Kit's.

"Yeah, of course I do! It's just, my mom. You won't find her, she's a goner."

Ettne gasped and pulled back. "How, um, did she go?"

Kit frowned, anger flashing in his eyes. "Those stupid humans, they did it. We worked so hard for them, and they go and kill her. It was mainly my fault. You see, I was still little, and was bad at my job. The humans thought that if they beat me up, that'd help me work better. Of course it didn't, just made my work worse. My mom got mad, and would fight them. So they treated her awfully. One day, I messed up completely, and they got really mad. They took me outside where my mom was. They hit me and kicked me, until my mom couldn't take it anymore. She attacked with the love of a mother protecting her child." Kit paused, shuttering. A tear slid down his face. "They took her away in a cage. I never saw her again, never got to say good-bye. I heard, a week later, that they tortured her. Then just destroyed her. Can you believe it? For no reason!"

Kit's body shook from sobs, and Ettne felt her heart go out to him. She wrapped him in a hug, whispering and trying to comfort the Wocky.

"It's not fair," Kit cried.

Finally, Ettne managed to settle the Wocky down. Exhaustion caused Kit to fall asleep in Ettne's arms. She laid him on her bed and crawled down.

To be continued...