#almost made it

Whumpee sighed, then forced themselves to their feet. The freezing muddy ground quickly numbed any pain from their foot, and they were soon off again. They were moving slower now, searching for more obstacles in the dark. They were almost free, they could taste it.

There, ahead of them was the fence. Nothing special, just a chain link fence. But it marked the edge, the end of Whumper’s domain. The monster was many things, but they always held to their word. Whumpee smiled, gripping the tree next to them tightly. They desperately wanted to run for it, they could get across the narrow strip of grass in just a few seconds, another few more and they would be up and over the fence. Then they would free.

They held themselves back, searching the dark for anyone who might be watching him. There was nothing. Whumpee gnawed on their lip, then, without giving themselves more time to think about it launched themselves across the grass. Their feet slammed into the springy turf, nearly slipping on the dew with every step. Whumpee took one more step then flung themselves onto the fence, wondering too late if it was electrified.

Nothing, no sudden jolt of power flung them free. They released the breath they had been holding and started to pull themselves up the fence.

“I’m impressed.”

Whumpee froze despite themselves, Whumper’s voice like ice. Painfully they looked over their shoulder at Whumper, they were standing at the tree line a small form beside them.

“Don’t let me stop you Whumpee, I’ve already replaced you.” Whumper said, their voice airy over the suddenly oppressive silence. They patted the child beside them on the head, and Whumpee felt sick. A child?

“It seems so bothersome to train.” Whumpee replied, the cold wire digging into their palms and toes, “too young to understand.”

“Easier to condition though.” Was Whumper’s response. They hadn’t moved, and Whumpee suddenly realized that they hadn’t heard the dogs in a while. “Of course,” Whumper said, leaning against the same tree Whumpee had held seconds before, “easy to condition can’t compete will fully trained.”

Whumpee stared at the tree, Whumper had been so close. There was no way they would have made it all the way to the fence if Whumper hadn’t been slowed by the child. Bleakly they wondered if this had been planned, let Whumpee get so close to freedom then snatch it away. Their freedom or the child. Whumpee knew what they had to choose, and they knew it would leave them broken.

“I want your word.” Whumpee said hoarsely, “give me your word that the child will be returned to their home, that they will not be harmed in any way. I’ll come back, and I won’t try and leave again.”

Whumper laughed, “I knew you would see it my way. It’s a deal Whumpee.”

Whumpee forced their fingers to unclench from the wire fence and allowed themselves to drop the foot or so to the ground. They picked themselves up and turned back towards Whumper and the silent crying child beside them.