Caged

"Let me out of here," my voice came out hoarse from all the screaming. I kicked the bamboo bars again, splintering one of the beams a bit but it was still far from breaking. Hoping that the bars will give away and let me through, I had kicked at them for hours. But all I was able to achieve so far was a small crack. Everyone continued their business, not giving me any glances.

Knowing it made no difference, I decided to sit down and save my energy for when I really got a chance to run. I hadn't realised that I was tired until I sat down. My feet complained from all the kicks and my body protested every movement. I looked around, searching for a less tiring way to escape.

This morning when I had woken up from the unconscious state, my first thought was that someone had stuffed cotton balls in my mind used my tongue for a whip. I wasn't that scared when I found myself lying on the ground, thinking that I had probably passed out. Again.

The fear started to set in when I got up and saw bamboo sticks driven into the ground around me. Surrounding me like a makeshift cage. But I'd say the real panic kicked in when I noticed a few men outside the cage by the fire. Thinking that I was kidnapped or something for ransom, I had screamed. After a while I had gotten over it and started trying the brilliant strategy of kicking to get me out. When I had asked them what they were going to do with me, they had told me something along the lines of 'To sell you as a slave,' then 'shut up or we will gag you,' when I had asked too many questions.

I didn't believe them though. Not about the gags, I'm sure they'd come through on that promise. But I didn't believe slaves part. There was no place in this world that would allow slaves. Probably a few centuries ago but not now. There was no such thing as a slave. Right?

Come to think of it now, how did I end up in this strange place. There was something about the air and the soil that told me this place was different. First of all, which kidnapper puts people in cages made from bamboos? In a forest? Secondly, the guys who had held me captive looked different as well. All of them were taller than average and had long hair, like Vikings. The clothes they wore were made from a rough material and leather.

They held different kinds of weapons too. Except for having guns and knives like normal kidnappers. They had things that I recognised as daggers, swords, bows and arrows and other things that made me wish I had paid attention in history. They lit fires using rocks and sticks, not matches or lighters. For a hot second, I thought I was in one of those prank shows. But while straightening my hair down, I realised how ridiculous that would be.

Everything was so different. But how did I get here? Searching my memory, I tried to find the way I got here or how. The realisation hit me as I sat up and my eyes widened. The door of light. Of course. How could I forget that weirdest thing I had ever seen? That must've been how I came here. A random door of blinding light appears in the middle of the beach and I decide to walk in. Angry at myself for making that stupid decision to go follow Misty throu- wait.

Misty. My cat.

I stood up and clutched the bars. I looked around, trying to find him somewhere. But I hadn't seen him since I had woke up. A part of me was thankful that he wasn't caught by these people. The other part was worried about him. Where was he? Was he safe? Was he napping under a nice tree? Or what if he was lying somewhere hurt? The image of him sprawled somewhere, injured and waiting for me, angered me further. I stepped back and started taking it out on the bars. The bars cracked under my temper. The bamboo's sap oozed out like blood.

One of the men by the fire seemed to notice it. "Stop kicking the poor things and sit down," he was sitting next to the fire, clearly annoyed by my useless efforts to break out.

"Make me," I said, not in the mood to listen to someone right now. He came up to me and stood in front of the bars. I looked back at him fiercely, not showing any fear.

"Spicy eh, how about we tie you down? That will stop ya, won't it?" He looked like someone who was used to having his orders followed. He stared down at me as if he were expecting me to get scared and quietly sit down.

"You could try," I replied. I knew I shouldn't have said that. It would only end badly for me in future. But I was angry. And scared. A bad combination. It stopped me from being logical.

His jaw tightened. "Cesar, bring me the rope," he shouted and smiled at me. Uh oh, this definitely won't end well for me.

He took out the keys from his pocket. The Cesar guy gave the rope to him and went back to his job. The man opened the cage with the keys and stepped in. I jumped on him but he threw me to the ground like a rag doll.

I rolled and stood up, ignoring the pain in my shoulder that had taken the brunt of my fall. I had been thrown around by my best friend Lucas enough times to know how to get back up. Annoyance covered his face. Guess he didn't expect me to fight him. I ran up to him and sent a punch his way. He easily caught it and twisted my hand behind me. Pain shot up my arm, doubling the pain in the shoulder. I lifted my other arm to elbow him in the face but he caught onto that arm as well joined both of my arms together.

I struggled against his grip but it was strong as steel. Exhaustion finally caught up to me and he easily tied the rope around my hands. Pushing me to the ground when he was done, he took out another piece of rope and moved to tie my feet as well. I kicked at him but he just ignored my useless efforts and tied them together as well. I gritted my teeth.

"Good, now that will keep you behaved," he left with a smirk on his face. He locked the cage behind him, I eyed the keys and noted where he put them. Knowing where they are might help me if I find a way to escape. Having used all my energy in the incredibly successful and short fight. I squirmed into a comfortable position and drifted off to sleep.

***

Sounds of fighting grabbed me out of the dreamless sleep. I tried to sit up but the ropes tied around my hands made it hard to do so. I made it up to my elbow and slowly pried my eyes open to see what caused the commotion. My eyes widened as I took in the scene in front of me.

People were fighting. Swords and daggers clanged with each other. Most of them looked sleepy since they were attacked at dead of night. A few people I hadn't seen before were fighting almost playfully. Keeping counts and competing with each other. They looked like they were having fun.

Then I realised that the group was attacking the people holding me captive. But why? To free me, or something else. Not wasting time to find the answer to the question. I hurried to get up. This was my only chance to escape. I pushed myself onto my feet and hopped towards the bar. I watched the fight with desperation, hoping that someone will see me and help me out of here.

The man who had provided the beautiful ropes to tie me down - Cesar I think, made his way towards me. Opening the cage, he grabbed me by my arm and pulled me out of the cage. Having had my legs tied together, I tripped and faceplanted the floor. I rolled onto my back to his cursing. He bent down and took out a knife.

I freaked out for a moment, thinking he was going to stab me or something. Instead, he cut the ropes open. Standing up and pulling me by my arm roughly. He dragged me outside the cage. Putting me in front of him, he placed a dagger on my throat.

"Stop, or she will die," He shouted over the frenzy. About four of them stopped, the ones I had guessed were attacking the people holding me here

I could feel Cesar smiling behind me. "Good, now slowly put your weapons down." When none of them moved, I prayed for my dear life. Then after what seemed like hours, a guy with dark brown hair and amber eyes started to bend slowly. Others, hesitantly, followed his lead.

Dark-hair guy looked at me and his amber eyes met mine. Then his eyes slid back to somewhere behind me. He slightly smiled and tightened his hand around the hilt of his sword. I heard Cesar yell as his hand abandoned his knife and flew to his leg.

I turned around to face Cesar. He was bent, clutching his ankle. I frowned until I noticed Misty. He had bitten him. I smiled and all my worries faded. He was fine if he was casually scratching people. I looked back at Cesar, not giving him a chance to recover. I knee-ed him in the face and his head flew back. Clutching his bleeding nose he stood up and looked at me with fury.

Brandishing a sword from his waist, he faced me. Without giving me a chance to run, he swung the sword at me. I closed my eyes, stupidest move ever, I know. But what else am I supposed to do? Not like I had any training on how to defend against sharp and shiny things.

But the sword never made contact with me. Instead, a clanging sound echoed in my ear. I opened my eyes to see a bald-headed guy standing next to me, blocking the sword with his dagger. The two started fighting and I watched them in awe.

The bald guy moves were graceful. He jumped and flew out of the range of the sword. His dagger flew in the air, slicing the man's skin bit by bit. Another man joined to help Cesar but the bald guy fended both of them off easily. Something caught the bald guy's eyes and he yelled something at me. I stared at the scene with confusion until pain sliced through my skull, leaving me wobbling. Darkness crept from the corner of my eyes, obscuring my vision. I clutched my head and screamed in pain. Unable to stand, I fell.

I caught a glimpse of amber eyes and a pair of arms that caught my fall before I blanked out.