”How the hell did I get here?”, I asked myself, very, very, very confused.

Sure, I know 'how' I got here. But how did I get into this situation in the first place.

Here's what happened. I tried to explain things to the guard and tried to negotiate my way out of this mess. Well, apparently the guards in Trottingham are not jerks who are just super strict about the law. They are full on assholes. The toll must have been just an excuse to get me into even more trouble. Racist, all of them. Down to bone racist.

So, somewhere along the ride, my brain took over and I just let them throw me in jail.

Why, in the name of God, would I do that? I must be really stupid or something. Who let's themselves get imprisoned? No sane person does that. No insane person doest that. Nobody. Does. THAT!

”Hope you enjoy the view.” Said the smug looking guard, smiling like he had just saved the world.

'I want to shove my swords up your ass!'

Yeah, that's another thing that pisses me off. The not only took my swords, but also took my money. I'm pretty sure one of them talked about selling them. I'm also pretty sure they would have taken my suit if it wasns't, you know, a part of my body! These guys are more corrupt than hollywood movie makers. I'm looking at you George Lucas! I still blame you for creating Jar-Jar.

”And don't even try to escape.” No shit! I'm in a fucking cell. In a prison. That is filled with guards. I don't want to die as a wanted criminal! ”After a late prison break in Stalliongrad, every outpost has boosted security. Unlike that stupid band of cats and that ugly bird thing, you won't be going anywhere.”

Ohhohoho-how wrong this guy is. Those bars? I could easily just slip through them. The guards? I could beat them all if it came to that. Locked doors, etc.? I could just smash them open. There is literally nothing keeping me here.

Why haven't I escaped yet? Because I don't want to be a criminal! I don't want a bounty on my head and have to deal with bounty hunters all the time. That is the only reason I haven't gotten out and kicked this guys ass.

”You won't be alone though. One of the boys caught some shady punk sneaking around the city. Hope you two get along.” He said and left. I heard the metal door to the cell block close.

So I'll get company? At least it's better than wasting time alone. Also,

'I want to crucify you with rusty nails, cut of your dick and then whip you with barbed wire till you die!'

Thanks Brain. Needed to get that one out. Now I'll stay sane and won't kill anyone for a few more hours.

…........

I'm sorry. I get really edgy when my sword is taken from me. When that happens I just want to- [Doctor D has censored this piece of mindless rage for your safety. Exposure might lead to such hazards as: insanity, vomitting, becoming catatonic, puking blood, committing suicide, killing your cat(If no cat, then dog), murdering your family, raping dead corpses, your blood turning into acid, having to play Ultima 9 until you beat it and don't go insane(*insert evil laugh here*), becoming jewish(don't take this one too seriously), going to hell, having to find a working Atari Jaguar CD(I hope you know Doctor Insano, otherwise you're fucked) AND seeing flying poptart-cats that shit rainbows.] -that son of a cock sucking whore!

….........................

…..............

….....

I really need to see someone about my issues.

'You tell me.'

Shut up Brain!

I would look around to look at my cell, but I already knew what I would find. No beds of any kind. Just a square room, walls of stone on all sides, except one that had bars. This damn cell didn't even have a window, because this place couldn't get any darker if it had one. Thank God I got semi-good nightvision. Still was dark but at least I saw further than my metaphorical nose.

That thought got me thinking. Did I have a nose? Or eyes? Or a mouth? Hell, I didn't even know if I had a face under this cylinder head of mine. Maybe it was a helmet of somekind? I could try taking it off, but the slight possibility of me tearing off my head did not spring confidence.

Can I even eat? I haven't felt hungry for some time now. Then again, I have been here only for..... about four hours, I think? Maybe six. I don't care right now. When I do get hungry, then I care.

Why am I even thinking about this? I have been here for, like, six minutes and I am already getting bored. Well that blows! I need to stop thinking.

I sat next to the back wall, in a dark corner. I took the lotus position and began emptying my mind. When I get stressed, I meditate. It helps, usually.

I began to forget my surroundings and go into my own little world. The only place where I could experiense true solace and serenity. It also helped me gather my thoughts. I already started to feel calm.

And that world was shattered as the metal door was shot open. You have no idea how loud that is. Two guards walked to the hall and stopped by my cell. They both turned to me.

”We are going to open the cell door. Don't try anything.” The other, I'm going to call him Guard A, said with a stern look.

”Or we will put you down.”, Added the other, who happened to be the same jackass who put me in here. I'm calling him Jack Ass. Fitting, isn't it?

They opened the door and a third guard came and pushed someone into the cell. My new fellow prisoner fell on the stone floor and I could hear a yelp of pain. I can imagine why. The door was closed and the guards left. It's official, these guards are now twenty percent more jerkass.

I take a closer look at my new cellmate....... My mind just froze. What is that phrase I was looking for?

'You have got to be kidding me?'

Thanks Brain! And ditto.

On the floor was a very familiar form of white fur with black stripes on the arms and legs, wearing a grey vest. The female diamond dog. What was she doing here?

'You left her with Mayfly's family'

I mentally facepalmed and yelled ”D'oh”, in my head of course. How could I have forgotten that! She must have woken up, panicked and tried to sneak out of the city and got caught. This just proves my point about these guards being racist. Also, HOW DO I FORGET SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!

'Because you don't use me enough.'

…..............

Oh my god! Brain has a point.

'See why you suck yet?'

Shut up!

I was broken out of my mental argument with..... my Brain, by a small noise. The diamond dog had crawled to the back of the cell and was now huddled against the wall, hugging her legs. She was't that far away from me. I saw her.... shivering. I saw something in the corner of her eye. Realization came to me like a bullet train.

She was crying.

It was silent crying. I saw the tears, but I didn't hear anything. Like she was afraid to let out even a wimper.

”Scared?”, I asked.

My sudden question seemed to startle her. She started frantically looking around. She must not see in the dark as well as I do.

”No need to be afraid.”, I tried to assure her. ”I'm here, in the corner to your left.” She turned to look into my direction. The knowledge of my location seemed to ease her up a bit. I was glad that it was so dark. I didn't want to frighten her again.

The diamond dog looked at the floor, her ears drooping slightly. ”Me scared.”, she confimed. She really did have a broken way of speaking. I wondered if it was usual to her kind.

”And why is that?”, I questioned futher. I attemted to keep my voice as gentle and non-threatening as possible.

She hesitated for a second before answering, ”Dark.”

I thought as much. I got up and sat next to her. I placed my hand on her shoulder. ”It is allright to fear the dark. The unknown.”, I said. ”But if you just evade it and shut it out, how will you know if it's that bad?” Here I go, being Obi-Wan again.

Sadly, it didn't seem to work. ”Me want home.” She said, her voice barely holding together. This is getting very hard for me to watch. Emotinal rollercoasters are never fun.

”You will.” I said. She looked at me again. ”They cannot keep neither of us here forever. Besides, I could just get up an leave if I so wished.”

That seemed to get her attention. ”Why you not leave?”

”Simple,” I said. Hopefully this will have some effect. ”If I were to escape, I would embarrass the whole guard for letting that happen AFTER they tightened security.”

This got a few snickers from her. Mission success. ”You weird.” Her mood seemed to have elevated just a bit.

I let out a chuckle. ”That's not the first time someone has called me that.”

A few minutes of silence passed. Neither of us spoke at all.

”Who is you?”

That came out of nowere. But hey, she made the initiative and asked. Points to the diamond dog.

”My name is Hollow. Yours?” I gestured towards her, but then remembered that she didn't see as well in the dark as me.

Her ears drooped again. ”Me have no name. Everyone call runt.”

I could feel a vein appear on my metaphorical brow. Did I just hear correctly? She has no name and the other diamond dogs call her a runt. Must be because she is smaller than them. That just makes me angry.

”That's not much of a name, is it?” I say.

She just nods lightly, hugging her legs a bit tighter.

”If the others call you that, why do you want to go back?”

My question seemed to have an effect I did not desire. She started crying again.

”Dad is alpha. Must go back.” She responded. There was no longing in those words. Only fear.

I started gathering the pieces together. She was the daughter of the alpha and she also was the runt of the pack. Father is not pleased by this and most likely disowned her daughter. The alpha controls every dog in the pack with fear, daughter included.

….......

Wait. Alpha? As in the pack leader?

….......

”Say, your father wouldn't happen to be the big diamond dog that shouts orders, has a temper and a big sword?”

She looked completely puzzled. ”How you know?”

”Well....”, I start and prepare to say the next line. ”I might have beat him unconcius.”

I saw her jaw drop. It looked quite humorous. ”You beat dad?”

”With one hit.” What? It was. One clean hit to the back of the skull. Instant K.O.

She seemed amazed and a little bit fearfull. ”You strong.”

”That or very lucky.”

She hesitated before asking me, ”Did you beat that scary thing too?”

Hold it. Is she referring to me? Dammit! So I AM the reason she was seeing nightmares. I should propably not mention I am that thing. I don't need to freak her out. Let's play the part of the unknowing.

”And what did that scary thing look like?”

She hesitated again. ”It was big. Wore weird clothes. Beat many packmates easily.” She said, fear covering her voice. ”Very scary.”

I have to admit, I must have been a frightening sight. To beat them while I was unarmed. Let's try to mend this situation. ”Why are you so scared of this creature?”

”Hurt packmates. Would hurt me.”, She said quietly.

Got to admit, that is pretty good reasoning. If something hurts others, it just might hurt you. ”How do you know that?”

She didn't answer. Maybe she didn't know.

”Just because somethings seem evil and scary, it does not mean they are.”, I said. ”That is like judging a book by it's cover. It might be uniteresting at first glance but the content inside might be the complete upposite.”

She seemed to be thinking over what I just said. ”You say it not harm me?”

I smiled. ”I'm pretty sure it won't. And if it does, I could protect you.” This earned me a smile from her. ”How about this? When we get out of here, I'll help you get back home.”

Her ears rose and she gave me a small smile. ”Me would like that.”

At that moment the metal door opened yet again. Through it walked a very familiar mare. A guard followed her.

”Hollow!” Mayfly said and looked through the bars. ”I came as soon as I heard. How did you end up in there?”

I shrugged slightly, not that she would see it. ”Something about not paying the toll and carrying a weapon.”

The mare shot a glare at a guard dressed in a golden armor behind her. Then she turned back to me. ”Don't worry. You'll get out of there soon.”

The large stallion in golden armor stepped forward. ”From what I hear, you saved my little sister from a band of diamond dog slavers.”

That guard was Mayfly's brother? ”I stumbled onto the scene and gave my assistance, yes.” Wait. Did he say slavers?

I was suprised when he gave me a brief salute. ”I am Green Shield. The commander of the Trottingham guards.” He was in charge? This could be good news for me. ”I want to personally thank you for helping my sister and her family in a time of need. You are to be pardoned and released. Effective immediately.”

Green Shield opened the cell door and gestured me to come through. I got up and walked out of the cell, staying close to the door to the cell. As I stepped into the little light that came from the outside, I saw the diamond dogs eyes widen.

”I would also apologise for the guards actions.” Green Shield continued. ”I will also get you all the thing you will need. After that I expect you to leave the city.” So I was still going to be kicked out of the city. I can live with that.

”Firstly, I want my swords and my money returned.”, I said. The important stuff first.

”Already done.”, He said as the guard I dubbed Jack Ass came in, carrying my swords and my bag of bits. He didn't seem happy. I took my swords and put them on my back. They just attached and stayed there with no support. Must be magic. I took the bag, opened my zipper slightly and threw it in.

If they were suprised that I could do that, they didn't show it. Except Mayfly, whose eyes were the size of plates.

”So I can request anything you can provide?”

”Yes.”, Green Shield answered.

I was hoping he'd say that. ”I'll give you a list of things I'll need. But before that.” I walked back into the cell, gaining a questioning look from Green Shield. I walked to the diamond dog and knelt down. I offered her my hand. ”I'll get you out of here.”, I whispered so only she could hear.

She looked at my hand. Her eyes showed hesitation and a glimpse of fear. After a few seconds she slowly took my hand. I helped her up. She really was smaller than the other diamond dogs. While they were still a few inches smaller than me, she barely reached the spot where my chin would be. I turned to Greenshield. ”I will take this one with me.”

He seemed rather hesitant. After sharing a look with Mayfly, he sighed. ”Fine. If you are sure.”

I nod. ”Now, about those things I need.” I say and start listing. After a a half an hour, they've got all the things I requested. I just opened my zipper and threw them all in. I, as I promised, left the city after that was done. The diamond dog following me. She still looked a bit fearfull of me, but she seemed to fear being alone in the city even more. She stayed very close to me as we walked out of the city gates.

I gave her a look and placed my hand on her shoulder reassuringly. ”Now, how about we get you home.”

At first she looked at me with a tiny bit of doubt. Then a weak smile appeared on her face.

Together, we started to walk towards the Everfree. Until she gets back to her pack, I will protect her. Just as I promised.

So, now our little Nobody has cleared up some issues, been released and has promised to help the diamond dog get back to her pack. What could go wrong? By the way, the prison break refers to the latest events in the fics Through Feline Eyes and Leather-Winged Oddity

Writing this chapter was slightly infuriating. I just got distacted by so many things. Remember, listening to music while writing is not allways a good idea.

Most sincerely,

-Doctor D, the Not-sincere Next Chapter: Great danger, the first fragments make an appearance! Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 51 Minutes