Caged and Confined

         Drip, drip, drip. The sound of water leaking from a basement pipe was enough to drive a sane man to suicide. However, the vocal reverberations as the droplets hit the floor was the only sound keeping the young boy company. He did not know whether he had been there for days or weeks, as he was unable to see the rise and setting of the sun. It’s not possible to see light when one is locked within the shadowed confines of a metal dog cage.

         He was lethargic and weak, with rust from the bars still dark on his hands. He had tried to escape many times, but couldn’t. Something about the cage was preventing his freedom and he couldn’t pinpoint what. Now… he couldn’t care less about his entrapment. He could barely keep his eyes open. Lack of food and water was beginning to cause his body to shut down both mentally and physically and he wasn’t sure how much longer he was going to be able to hold out in his wait for a saviour. That was, if anyone was even coming to help him. He felt as though he’d been forgotten.

         A slow, quiet click of a lock caught his attention, but he was not willing to acknowledge it. That wasn’t the sign he longed for. It was not a rescue, rather a one-way trip to hell. Footsteps were slow and heavy moving down the steps towards him. If the weight of the sounds weren’t enough to explain to him the situation, he understood by scent. Large boots, typically worn by his capturer when hunting. Leather. The smell was strong. He sneezed.

         The footsteps came to a standstill in front of his cage. There was momentary silence before one of those boots connected heavily with the door – a grunt of disapproval following.

❛❛Look at me, mutt!❜❜

         No response. He wasn’t planning on giving the other any kind of satisfaction. He never listened to anyone before, so why would he start now just because this man was a threat? It seemed silly. He wasn’t one to give in easily, even if he was on his deathbed. Giving a smirk to show he didn’t plan to co-operate resulted in a hand tight around his neck through the bars.

❛❛Smug little bastard, stubborn as always huh? I’d wipe that grin off your face in an instant if I had permission to. Do you know what I can do?❜❜ He didn’t wait for a response, knowing he wasn’t going to receive one, ❛❛limit your rations again. Do you know what that means? You get nothing. You’ve tested me far too many times, Kiyung. You and your shithead brother get on my nerves. I wish my dad had shot you both when he had the chance.❜❜

         The hunter released the boy, who coughed from the earlier force. His brother… yes, where was he? Kiyung wasn’t sure what had become of him. Their identities were revealed to all and all were hunting for them. One was caught, the other – still a fugitive. Or at least, he hoped as much.

❛❛He’s probably dead now, you know. Every wolf hunter in the district is hot on his tail – quite literally.❜❜

         That made his head shoot up with worry. His captor grinned, content with this reaction. It meant that he was closer to being broken when before, he wouldn’t have bat an eye at such a lie. Words could be torture and had the possibility of having a worse effect on a person than force, it seemed. He could use that to his advantage.

❛❛He ran off with his little girlfriend. You know the one? The great hunter’s eldest daughter? I’m sure you’re both acquainted,❜❜ he mused, ❛❛if he hadn’t been killed already, I was thinking that we should make it so that he was shot right in front of her. How does that sound? It would teach her a lesson for copulating with a dog.❜❜

         Kiyung furrowed his eyebrows together, an odd feeling weighing heavily on his chest, ❛❛Cameron…❜❜ his voice was hoarse and dry from lack of hydration, as his throat was raw and torn. He could barely speak, but there was something he wanted to say. Something he knew would rile the other.

         Cameron didn’t pay him any attention and instead continued on his spiel, ❛❛…rumour has it that she’s pregnant. How fucking stupid is that? I hope she miscarries. Wouldn’t want any more mutts in the world. Regardless, neither of them are going to help you. They’re gone. Skipped town. They’d been sighted hours away from here. It’s about time you gave up hope. They’ve left you.❜❜

         The wolf-boy stared. Ignoring him, he mustered up all of his strength to move himself closer to the front of the cage before sniffing the collar of Cameron’s shirt. The hunter was quick to place a hand firmly on his chest to push him back, disgust clear on his face, ❛❛don’t be fucking creepy. I should slice your throat.❜❜

         Creepy was certainly a word to describe the smug look that had begun to spread over Kiyung’s features. It was clear that it was making the other uneasy, as he hastily stood and backed away.

❛❛Whatever. I’m done with you. I hope you rot.❜❜

         He wasn’t finished with him, however. As Cameron turned to make his leave, he managed to talk. His voice was barely above a whisper but in the quiet basement it was as loud as a scream. His words had the other turning on the spot, face pale as snow.

❛❛What the hell did you just say to me?!❜❜

         There was a pause, a long one. ❛❛You… heard me. You, me. You are like me. Yes?❜❜

         Rage. That was all Cameron felt. How dare he accuse such a thing? Equating him to one of those monsters? What a joke. He vowed he would not let such an offence go lightly. He’d cock the gun himself and aim it at the boy’s head without remorse, regardless of punishment. This was the last straw.

❛❛You’re a disgusting liar!❜❜

❛❛No,❜❜ Kiyung barely breathed out. Weak, he fell back against the ground – almost knocking the wind from his dying lungs. ❛❛…it is… truth. Half… you are… half.❜❜ His vision had begun to blur and his voice trailed off. The last thing he heard was an angry ‘bullshit’ and the basement door slamming forcefully before he drifted off into unconsciousness.