FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Five years ago.

Wake up. Get up. Stand up. Shut up. Listen up.

Such is life. Such is my life.

"I_ live because you allow me to live."_ Repeating the phrase again. "I_ am worthless."_

"One more time..." Ruaridh insisted.

"I live because you allow me to live. I am worthless." I said once more.

"...And?" He was standing directly in front of me now.

"Thank you, you're kindness is more than I deserve."

He struck me hard across the face. My vision clouded and tears formed in my eyes.

"And don't you forget it." He growled turning away.

As I rose to my feet a took the opportunity to feel my face, it was bloody. He was more gentle today must be in a good mood.

It was then that I heard the buzzer for morning line-up. I especially dreaded todays, for one reason in particular. Never the less, reluctantly I marched with the others to the 'recreational area'. The blood still stained the walls.

James was there 'surveying the stock', he smirked when he saw the blood on my face but said nothing. Instead waiting untill we were all in place, not hesitating to 'motivate' the stragglers. Before speaking.

"Listen!" _He started pacing "I take it you all know why we've called you here now. If not, well...tough luck."_ He giggled the last couple of words.

"Ruaridh!...Are you done yet?" He called out.

"Yes! Come help me shift this thing!" Came the distant reply, to which james heffed and marched off. We stood there for a few more minutes before they managed to pull it in. Having to get a couple of slaves to help too.

It was a brazier, filled with hot coals and riddled with various brands. It filled the room with an orange glow. My chest tightened, I knew this was coming but it didn't make it any easier. I could hear my own heartbeat, Ruaridh was talking but I didn't hear him. I was too busy staring at the coals.

A strike to the face woke me from this state. James had hit me in the face.

"What did I just say?" He snarled. I stared blankly.

"...I...I don't know sir." I whimpered.

"I told you he wasn't listening." Ruaridh announced victoriously from behind him. Prompting another growl from James.

_" I know..._How should we punish him?" He had a cruel glimmer in his eye.

"We don't have to." Came Ruaridhs reply. "They're all being punished today. He can have the honour of going first."

"Good idea." James chuckled in return, grabbing me by the arm. "But this ones quite the trouble maker, I think you'd better use the 'special' brand."

"True." Ruaridh was smiling while pushing me to my knees. He then shuffled through the various brands and selected one. Checking it was hot enough before turning to James.

"Chuck me a gum guard will you?"

"You could just let him bite off his tongue." Replied James, throwing one ove_r._

"Where's the fun in that?" Laughed Ruaridh, stuffing the rubber guard into my mouth. "I might want the pleasue of cutting it out myself."

It didn't last long, one second I was kneeling with the two slavers laughing on either side of me. The next I was lying on my back gasping for breath as my skin peeling and bubbling beneath the white hot brand.

They left me there, as an example to the others. It might have been minutes...it might have been days, I don't know. But when I finally regained my senses the other slaves had gone. One of the slavers had kicked me into the corner to get me out of the way.

Somehow I managed to make it back to the dormitory on my own, but not without a few falls. My mouth was dry and my lungs hurt. But worst of all was the horrile scar across my upper chest, I could make out a few letters but that was it. When I made it to my bunk one of the other slaves brought me some water, I drank half and poured the rest over my chest. The others had brands too, but they were all small and placed apon the arm rather than the chest, and none featured writing.

"What does it say? I can't look down." I gasped to a passing slave, gesturing to my chest.

He stayed silent, giving me a pitying look.

"It says worthless."

....................................................................................................................

Worthless.

"Siver?" Sean interrupted my thoughts. He does that a lot.

"Yes sir?" Came my hasty reply.

"Tch...I thought I told you not to call me sir." Giving a false stern expression. "I was asking if you're alright. You seem to be staring off into space a lot."

"Sorry si...Sean." I corrected myself quickly. "I was thinking."

"Well you've been standing there 'thinking' for five minutes." He pulled me gently by the hand into another room. "The least you can do is sit down" At these last words he pushed me into the couch. "I need to make a couple of phone calls. Will you be okay for a few minutes?" He sounded concerned. Reluctant to leave me.

"I'll be fine." I assured him. "I'm a bit tired, is it okay if I take a nap?"

"Sure." He walked away before turning around and asking. "Do you need a pillow? Blankets?"

"No thanks" already dozing off. "Everythings fine."

....................................................................................................................

I dreamt. I cannot remember of what exactly, but I dreamt. I dreamt when I was at the warehouse as well, but those dreams were always hazed by exaustion and my own feeling of worthlessness.

This was a real dream. I can't explain why, I just felt safe and secure. And warm.

"Silver?" Seans voice. Of course he'd be in my dream. "Silver?" Louder this time.

"Silver, it's time to wake up. Come on." His voice was gentle, and ic ould now feel myself waking. I slowly opened my eyes.

"There you go." Sean was smiling down at me, I was stunned to see he was holding me in his arms. "You were really out of it."

I responded by rubbing my eyes and groaning. For some reason, Sean found this incredibly cute. I blushed in response.

"Sorry to wake you pup, but it's time for dinner." He walked towards the kitchen and set me down on a chair by the table.

"I thought I'd cook some steak." He'd turned around as was now busying himself with dishing out the food. "You look like you need some good food."

"Um...Okay." Sitting quietly. I had no Idea what steak was. Most of the meals ate the Warehouse consisted of oats and bread. Sean suddenly put a plate in front of me. I stared down at the think slab of meat. Unsure what to do.

Sean noticed my silence and asked;

"Are you okay?" He stood behind me and put his paws on my shoulders. "You've never had a propor meal. Have you?"

I shook my head in answer.

"Well let's start from square one." He put his paws on my hands and made me pick up the knife and fork. "First. You cut the meat. then you eat it." He cut a small but juicy piece of steak and put it in my mouth.

It was delicious. Words can scarcely describe such a taste. I smiled warmly after swallowing.

"Good huh?" I nodded profusely. "That's great. Now eat up." I must have been savouring the taste for a while, by this time Sean had cut up all my steak into bitesized chunks. I grabbed the fork and dug in. Sean sat down across from me. Happy to see me in high spirits.

"Who were you calling? If it's alright to ask."

"Well, I was ordering you some clothes and other stuff. I haven't sorted sleeping arangements for you so you'll have to sleep with me. Okay?" He answered

"Okay, but how did you get my measurements?"

"It's all in your file, I thought this would be a good time to bring them out." He brought out a thin booklet and opened it. "I want to see what the slavers thought of you."

Needless to say, I was interested. I didn't know I had a file.

Seeing that I made no protest, Sean started to read aloud;

"'Slave J95-04. 'Number 4': Born 15th January, 1995'...That makes you 19 years old. Correct?"

I shrugged in response. Sean frowned but continued.

"'Report by Slave officers Ruaridh Syke and James Sinclair. There have been several discipline problems with Number 4. If he isn't sold by the summer of 2015, Euthanasia is strongly recomended." Sean gave me an alarmed look, but I prompted him to continue. "He seems to be incapable of listening to any orders and often mantains threatening behavior. This seemed to lessen somewhat after the application of a...'" Sean stopped suddenly. And looked at me concerned. "It says you have a large brand mark on your chest. Is this true?"

I nodded. Only to see Sean get even more distressed.

"Can I...see it?" I nodded once more, standing and unbuttoning my shirt. Then pulling it over my head and standing with my arms to the side.

Sean was speechless. It took a few seconds for him to stand up and reach out to touch my chest. Reading the writing and whimpering softly.

"Does...does it hurt?" He asked. His voice rough with sadness and anger. I looked at the ground. I didn't want to see him like this.

_"Not anymore. But it did for a long time after." _ A loud growl forced me to look up. Sean looked fearsome, snarling in anger. A black beast. I flinched when he raised his arms. I thought he was going to hit me, I couldn't have been more wrong.

His growls changed to whines and murrs. His fearsome expression to one of despair as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.

He was so warm and soft, I melted into his arms and nuzled the fur on his chest.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I had no idea your life was so hard." I swear he was crying.

"It's not your fault." Funny that I was the one consoling him.

"I could have helped. I didn't have to let you suffer." He continued.

"And you did help. You saved me."

At this he seemed to pull himself together.

"Thanks..." He murmured. "I think it's time for bed."

"But what about the dishes?" I protested.

"I'll deal with them in the morning. come on." He picked me up again and started carrying me towards his room.

"You should strip down." He told me putting me down. "Those clothes are dirty, and you'll be warm enough."

I obeyed, stripping down to my boxers. And waited for him to do so as well. When he had, he grabbed me and pulled me under the covers. Wrapping his arms around me.

I simple shrunk into the soft warmth of his fur.

"Goodnight Silver." he whispered.

"Goodnight...Sean" I answered.