Echoe - Miracle Behind a Dumpster

by Duos_Deathangel

When I left the house that morning, I knew I shouldn't have. A feeling overwhelmed me as I stepped out the door.

I needed to go to school, I'd been home a lot lately, watching Kesh and Miiroe, my little sisters. My mom didn't seem to do much anymore. She just laid on our straw couch (which I hated, because it was SO itchy!) and tell me to do things.

Don't get me wrong, I love my mom, but sometimes I think I take care of her more than she does me. I do the cooking and cleaning and I raise Kesh and Miiroe all by myself. And a Shoyru like me needs her school. But all I hear is: "Karmieo, do the dishes" and "Karmieo, wash Miiroe's clothes" and "Karmieo, get me my shoes!"

I've put up with a lot from this family, and shown all smiles. I'm a happy Shoyru, I mean, I only complained till now, but I fail to see the happiness in what has happened....

Like I said, it all started when I first left a week ago. I was finally going to go to school, I hadn't in 3 weeks! Then I paused by the door, wondering what was pulling me back.

I always won Neopoints for Mom on the psychic card game, I am very smart for a 6 month old Shoyru. That morning, I should have listened to my insides. And I was always told I was special, maybe because I'm the only shadow Shoyru that wears glasses that I've seen. But my thin gold rims didn't make clear what I couldn't see then.

I took a drink of my mug of coffee (something I'd taken up) and gazed off into the icy cold morning, shrugging off any warning I could have received.

Once at school I starred intently at the board as my instructor reviewed quadrilateral equations AGAIN.... Then a call came for me, and I followed the stout little Poogle up to the office. There, I saw an image I will never forget. Kesh, my tiny little yellow Kau, was weeping in front of the front desk. Behind her, a crouched green Zafara, Miiroe. Miiroe looked very confused.

"Ke, Mi? What's wrong?!" I called, rushing towards them. Headmaster Z. was gazing down with her stiff look.

"There's been a... hack.... hacking, down at your house. They took everything, and changed the account password. Your mother is gone, she's gotten a new one. You're abandoned, the pound truck is on its way."

Now I felt a lump in my own throat. Gone? I thought, wanting to cry just like Kesh.

"Where's Momma?" whispered Miiroe. I sniffed back the tears. I had to stay composed, for her, for them. Headmaster Z. turned away, with a smile she shouldn't have. I wanted to attack her, as I felt my blood boil.

Now, I'm usually a peaceful Shoyru, but never underestimate me, I'll tell you that much.

I jumped at Z., making her scream as she fell.

"Run! Kesh!! Take Miiroe outside, I'll be right there!" I had called, feeling Z.'s struggling. I growled in the back of my throat as Kesh snatched Miiroe's hoof and slammed the door closed.

After they were out of sight, I rolled Z. towards the wall and jumped up, flying out the door. I pulled Kesh and Miiroe into my arms and struggled into a tree. I rocked Miiroe so she wouldn't cry as Headmaster Z. stepped out and peered around. I heard the brakes of the pound truck squeaking, and we all held our breaths.

A man with a mustache and curly black hair stepped underneath the tree, scratching his head. I could smell his strong cologne, and Z. stepped back, nearly coughing on it. My eyes were watering.

"Eh...Where's da' shadow Shoy'?" he asked, muffled by a wad of grape gum.

"The little wench escaped..." Growled Headmaster Z.

"I can't stay, ma'am." He sighed, turning. "I got a stupid stray t' pick up."

I could almost feel Zs anger.

***

I wasn't sure how long we'd slept, but when my eyes opened, the sky was the colour of me. I felt the trembling bodies of my younger siblings, and I woke them. They opened their eyes wide and Miiroe began weeping again.

"I'm cold Karmeio, c-c-c..." Mi trailed off. I sighed and let my shoulders slump.

"It's okay, Mi, Ke, I'll bring us somewhere warm. Remember when you were younger? That place we went with the nice lady? It was warm and you were happy. Well, were going there." I had said, forcing a smile.

"Nope... I don' remembeh'," rang Miiroe.

"Me neither..." said Kesh, cocking a brow. I smiled and patted their heads.

"We'll get there."

But of course they didn't remember, because I was making it up.

***

It had been 4 days of walking, 4 days of hiding, 4 days of hunger. And Miiroe seemed to cry 24/7.

"No! Mommy!!" She'd screech as I held her.

But one night, my tiny little cry was answered. As we hid behind the NeoBurger shop, Kesh looked for the extra fries they always tossed because no one ate them. We were grundgy, but you couldn't tell on me. Kesh's yellow fur on the other hand...

"Kar'!! I found them..." she said through the muffled dumpster. All of a sudden a deep voice came from behind me.

"Can I help you?" said the green Nimmo that had a trash bag slung over his shoulder. He was very muscular. I didn't know what to say. I was embarrassed, I was cold, I was hungry, but most of all, I was scared.

"Where's your owner? Are ya stray?" he asked, setting down his bag.

"Momma is gone..." said Kesh as she rolled out of the dumpster. "We're going to the nice lady, Karmeio even said." She smiled. Youthful innocence, big mouth.

"Ohh... are ya?" blurted the Nimmo, crouching on one knee. I'll never be sure why, maybe just because they were cold, or because the longed for another friend, but the both rushed towards him and hugged him tightly. Kesh lifted his yellow hard-hat and put it on as he stood. 'Who WAS this guy?' I had thought.

"You want some real food?" he said kindly towards me. I remained frozen.

"C'mon, I'd never hurt you. Lemme guess, you're Karmeio?"

I nodded, but couldn't bring myself to move any further.

"I'm Chek....Echoe?" He chuckled. "Fine, I'll call ya Echoe." He smiled. I couldn't help a giggle. Oh! A giggle! How'd I missed laughter!

"Okay, Chek." I smiled, flying after him and landing on his shoulder.

***

Weeks, years even, I've lost track. But I'll never forget those days, and those pets that helped us along the way. Strays, Unwanteds, Perfect NeoPets... they're in the pound you know, pets like me. Pets that were abandoned and lost.

And when Christmas rolled around, Kesh had just gotten into school. I was older, reading constantly. Turns out Chek had a big ol' NeoHome alllllll to himself. Not for long =). Miiroe made new friends, has started her new small life. And I, Echoe, as I've been called by Chek ever since, has my laughter... forever.^^

The End