Ol' Flint the Crow

Miss Bleak's Second Tale Pt. 2

Before Bleak and Hobbs could leap away in fright, Mono wrapped the chains around their arms and necks. He then locked the two children together and tugged. However, Bleak tried one last attempt to break free. She kicked her foot, hitting Mono in his busted leg.

"Grra!" the man hollered in agony.

He shoved the girl aside sending her tumbling on the ground. Mono leaped on top of her and was about to take his revenge by plummeting her with blow after blow, but Tang rushed at him. Tang pulled the other man away, slapped the side of his head, and scolded him severely.

"Not her face, you fool!" Tang's false teeth chattered as he howled. "She's a bit on the heavy side; but, if we starve her, Master Shiv will pay us a fair price for her, alive and unblemished. Perfect for the brothel house when she matures. Or would you like to give up your share? Hmm."

Mono hissed, spitting all over the girl's face. He knew that his partner was correct. So he lumbered off the girl and proceeded to wrap the children up tighter making sure that their legs were immobile.

The icy chains around Hobbs's neck bit at him. His eyes began to water. Sniffling he threw his head up and started to cry. With his voice echoing throughout the forest, the two men and the chimpanzee covered their ears. Even Bleak would have done the same if her hands had not been bond.

"For the sake of the gods, stop crying kid!" Tang bellowed as he stuck out his false teeth in his frustration.

Fuming with rage, Mono clamped his fingers into a knot while asking his partner, "This kid's looks don't matter, huh?!"

Tang shook his head, agreeing with his partner's idea.

Instantly, Mono wound up his arm and struck Hobbs mercilessly across the jaw. The boy was sent staggering back and landed on the ground like one dead. Not a peep escaped his lips as he lay their unconscious.

"P-please!" Bleak begged the two men as she gaped at her poor friend in a fetal position. "Y-you're not apes! Why are you doing this to us?"

Tang smirked. "Don't see how us not being chimpanzees makes a difference. Ha! Villagers... Always ready to blame an animal when there's enough humans causing trouble. But who are we to judge... Using your preconceptions to stay in the shadows, how hypocritical can you get. Nevertheless, these furs are truly brilliant!"

"Y-you're the kidnappers?" Bleak could scarcely speak. The chains around her throat choked the life out of her.

Mono scoffed and said, "Ain't da smartest child, now is she, Tang?"

"Perhaps," Tang shrugged, "but I work with denser fools than her. As you should know."

Mono grimaced, but said nothing in reply. Instead, he discussed their captive's delivery. "So da girl goes ta da Master. What 'bout the boy? He's too skinny for da Mines. And it's too much of a march goin' all the way North ta sell him to 'em circus freaks."

"Poor wretch," Tang sighed. He lifted up the unconscious boy in his hands and placed him on a blanket to rest. "If only you were not so feeble and loud as hell. Hmm... With my deepest regret, I suppose we can only sell him to that warlock."

Even Mono shivered at the thought.

Tang gently stroked the boy on the temple and continued, "He'll give us a fair price for the body, and the state of its condition is irrelevant. We'll pass by the old man's hut on our way to the brothel. Hmm... Getting rather dark, huh? Perhaps we should rest here for a few hours. Those villagers won't look for the kids till morning. We have a long journey ahead of us and need our rest, anyway."