Chapter four: Expectations and experiences

How would you react? Enjoy readers and thank you!

-4- Expectations and experiences

It has been about three days since I arrived here and already I have met at least two dozen beast men. They fed me as well, some kind of rice cake with no flavor but it was filling. From the way they treat me I have gathered that they use humans like pets... Though this is not a far stretch from my original theory of slavery, it does have better odds of leading to a... decent life. The freedom I knew and loved will soon be gone forever. Not that I am currently free to do anything, but sit here and wait. It has been maddening just pacing in this one tiny room awaiting the irritatingly upbeat message from the loudspeaker. But without stomach pain it has been much easier to sleep at night when the lights shut off. That is the only way I know it is night,  or at least I assume it is night time. The guards come in every now and again to ask if I am alright or if I want a, food brick, as they call it. I have seen about four other guards aside from the two that saved me and then tortured me. Sitting here thinking makes me want a food brick...

"Smile and be friendly!" The speaker blarred once more and I groaned back for it to shut up.

Watching the door open I saw a face peek in. He had wide chubby cheeks and a short rounded muzzle that was groomed into a goatee along the bottom. His ears were small circles that twitched a little as we made eye contact with me. His thick round nose lifted a bit as he smiled my way and closed his amber yellow eyes happily. The bear enetered and I quickly began to cower. He was the biggest beast I have ever seen since I first witnessed the attacks in L.A. The bear brushed the ceiling which must have made him at least eight feet tall. My fear quickly dissolved as the rotund beast stepped into the room and took a seat in the middle with a loud thud. He shifted a bit to get comfortable, which looked silly, but then smiled at me showing only his two longest fangs. Examining him I noticed he was more fat than muscle and that made his size a little bit less intimidating.

"Hello there lil fellah." He said in a deep rumbling tone. "You are awfully young aren't ya?" He asked tilting his head to the side as he examined me from above.

"Im twenty years old." I replied quickly not sure what to make of the seemingly gentle giant. 

"Well that is still pretty young for a human." He chuckled bouncing slightly from how fat he was. "My names Urving. Im glad to meet you Iza." He continued after his short laugh was over.

"Hi." I said unable to keep myself from smiling as the huge animal stared at me warmly.

Urving was black in color but his muzzle, paws, and the lower half of his belly were mud brown. I could see his stomach due to his open shirt, which sort of resembled those hawaiian shirts people wore on earth. His lower half was covered by an enormous pair of cargo shorts complete with multiple pockets. He wore a pair of tiny glasses and the top of his head was adorned with a tiny ball cap, which hung off his right ear. The hat had some kind of logo on it, but I couldn't make it out that well. Urving seemed interested in me as well, for he looked me over during the time it took me to take in his attire.

 

"You're a male right?" He asked very forward causing me to scoff.

"Of course! You're a bear right?" I responded sarcastically but he didn't seem to mind my biting tone.

"Yup!" He retorted happily. "But if your a male why is your hair so long? And your so thin man, you-." He continuted before I cut him by simply speaking over him.

"While on the run cutting my hair wasn't a priority and being fat, like you, is hard when you don't have any food for days at a time." I snapped back carelessly insulting a beast that could crush me without a second thought. 

"Well when you come live with me, we both can be fat!" He replied with a growing smile until he began laughing.

"You... mean that?" I asked shocked at his generousity and somewhat alleviated by the prospect he offered.

"Of course! Any pet of mine is gonna be well fed, well looked after, healthy, and happy!" His billowing voice got louder as he reached the end of his sentence and had a short laugh. "But I get the feeling you don't like me that much." He said frowning a bit as his laughed faded and he looked back into my eyes sadly.

"I... well... you... if-." I struggled to find the words I wanted but he cut me off and gave them to me. 

"Your not comfortable. Is that it?" His wide grin shrunk to a tiny pouting circle and his eyes slanted with curiosity.

"Yes. I suppose that defines how I feel pretty well." I replied with a shaky smile that brought a big goofy grin to his face.

"Wanna sit in my lap?" Urving asked spreading his arms and shortening his smile to a tiny smirk. "It's really comfortable!" He declared patting his fluffy knees and leaning toward me widening his smile to reveal his huge teeth.

Though the mere sight of his fangs made me shudder, I managed to choke out an uncomfortable laugh and rub the back of my head. Looking up at him I made an unsure expression and the emotion on his face turned to dissapointment. Urving quickly seemed happy again as he leaned toward me and reached his paw out. When I recoiled, it seemed to bother him greatly and he sighed softly. Looking at the floor away from me, I could see a little regret brewing in his eyes. As his brow lowered, he moved his mouth to one side and made a dispirited face, which spawned a little guilt in me. Again an animal has been nice to me and I have shown nothing toward them in return. As Urving began to stand up I was suddenly overwhelmed by the horrible thought of never leaving this room. Images of my dead body being discarded like trash, caused tears to form and my breathing to sharpen. It was difficult, not understanding the systems in work around me, but being so desperate to escape them. Everything felt like it was spinning as I sat there, unable to comprehend what I was experiencing emotionally. My feelings of trepidation were valid concidering the way I was treated, but my only chance of escape would be out there... in his world.

Urving was standing now and he looked down at me after fixing his hat. "I understand bud. I'm just too scary." His voice was softer now but still grinding and deep even when saddened.

"No you're not!" I blurted out, faking a friendly laugh. "I'm just... not sure what to do,  ya know?" I tried to explain how I felt, my voice brittle with the confusion and strife.

Turning back his eyebrows raised and his muzzle lifted slightly as our eyes met. "You sure kid? I mean, like... GRRR!" He imitated an acutal bear as he raised his paws and released a loud growl at me.

Honestly I was not happy he did that, but when he laughed afterward I couldn't help but chuckle along. "No see, that wasn't absolutely terrifying at all!" Though actually disturbed I managed to keep a nonchalant voice, which caused him to laugh heartily.

"I like you Iza!" He practically shouted as his laugh began to fall. "I really hope I get to bring you home with me human!" Urving said almost dancing a little as he bounced in place on his huge paws.

"What do you want with me?" I could not help sounding fearful when I asked him this.

"To be buddies! I have lots of friends already but no one... with me." His last few words were accompanied by a softer tone and a bow of the head. "I get lonely pretty easily." He mumbled as if ashamed of that character trait.

Staring at Urving I couldn't help but feel a little bad for the huge beast. Being a bear he was vicious looking but he had the demeanor of a teenager and that cut through the illusion. He looked up at me and produced a smile, his hopeful eyes beaming into mine as his ears lifted with excitement. Not knowing how else to proceed, I got up off the ground and stood facing Urving a few feet taller. Still peering down at me his face turned to curiousity, as I put my hand out and awaited a handshake. Looking down at my hand he looked puzzled, but then perked up suddenly, as if he remembered what to do.

"Hello Iza, nice to meet ya!" Urving growled happily as he shook my arm rampantly.

"I'm glad to meet you as well, Urving." I replied softly while ignoring the aches in my shoulder.

"Can I greet you now? Like my people do?" He asked emphasizing the words "you" and "my" and for some reason that made me nod in agreeance.

Regret filled my mind as he scooped me up off the floor and lifted me into his huge arms. Kicking and thrashing I soon felt his arms lock around me and he gave me a powerful hug. I squished against his huge gut and sunk in several inches as he crushed me against him in a loving way. He let out a low growl as he cuddled me before lifting me away and setting me down. I felt sort of violated but at the same time that wasn't so bad... just sudden. I did technically say he could so I just smiled back at him and chuckled a bit. Urving seemed alerted to something and he removed a cellphone like device from his pocket. He popped it open with the press of a button and read a few lines, which caused him to seem more alerted. 

"Aww man... I hate to cut this short but I have to go to work." Urving said with a glum face and depressed voice. "Can I come back tomorrow?" He asked the normal excitement returning to his amber eyes.

"Yeah if you want." I replied nodding my head and smiling as best I could.

"Great! I'll see you then! I promise I will come back! I won't leave you here buddy!" His voice raced as he said all of this in one excited breath then headed for the door. "Bye now Issac!" Urving said just before he was leaving the room and I waved in responce.

The silence afterward was heavy and ominous. I felt strange almost... excited, no... What I was feeling was a combination of anticipation and residual fragments of fear. The feeling of being alone now was harsh and I wanted someone to talk to. It feels strange knowing lives are going on out there somewhere. Lives like the ones all humans used to lead, before earth was invaded. What was it like out there? How many humans have achieved happiness and how many have perished as food or slaves? A chill rushed up my spine as I looked around the empty room and felt so helpless. Holding myself, I began to shiver and I fell on my side. What if Urving is tricking me? He is big enough to swallow me whole and no one would ask any questions or even come looking for me! Would they? Do they have laws in place out there that protect humans? My head hurt as I awaited the next beast to be let into my little cage, strangely no more came that day.

Reviews

[Brittanie Bardwell]

Oh I really love Urving. I can imagine him perfectly in my head and see his big eyes all loving and goofy like personality. I like how you kept to what an actual person would react to this (if it ever happened) situation. It's feels more realistic.

[Thatonedawg]

YEA! I tried to write it as if Issac was just any random kid! OMG Urving is my favorite character to write! It would be a strong toss up between Zenex and Urving, but they are both so much fun to write! Ty so much! *Huggles*