Fiction|Series|SciFi|Adventure
Gone Rogue — Prelude Part 2
92 of 💯 — The capturing of innocence.
Previously: Gone Rogue — Prelude
The small, scruffy dog was filthy, smelly, and in much need of a bath but Xoey didn’t notice as she set her precious dolly on the rough pavement beside her and hugged the dog close. Burying her face in his matted fur, she emitted a string of high-pitched giggles when the wriggly pup covered her face in wet kisses.
Suddenly, the dog’s ears perked up and it scrambled from Xoey’s tiny arms, drawn to a sharp whistle.
“Puppy!” Xoey rose from her knees, eyes locked on her furry friend as it scampered off. She followed its bounding form as quickly as her small legs would take her, dodging a myriad of people’s legs as they strode past — unaware, or uncaring, of her pursuit.
A tall lady with light brown hair in a french twist quickly turned as she left a vendor’s stall. She knocked Xoey to the ground with a large, nearly overflowing bag of groceries.
Her dark eyes wide in shock, Xoey stared at the lady who cast the quickest glance of disdain at the small child before scurrying off.
She sat sprawled on the ground as salty pools sprung up and filled her eyes, running down her silky cheeks in tiny rivers. Her blue floral dress was torn from the fall and soiled with street grime.
Hearing the friendly dog yip, Xoey’s eyes focused through the tears as they darted amongst the people in search of his fluffy form.
The small dog had paused near a booth with vibrantly colored scarves, waving in the light breeze. Metallic threads stitched in intricate designs on each scarf blinked and shimmered in the morning rays.
The small dog barked again at the fabrics waving playfully at him.
“Puppy!” Forgetting her hard landing and the trickle of blood slowly running down her leg, Xoey hurried to her feet as the object of her affection was again in sight.
Arms outstretched and tears forgotten, her little sandals slapped the pavement as she ran towards the dog, still jumping and barking at the shop’s wares.
Xoey weaved her way around several people when a strong hand reached out, painfully gripping her arm.
The brute force from the man’s grasp abruptly stopped her momentum. Xoey fliched against the man’s bruising hand shackled about her tender skin and the shock this strange man would even grab her. “Let go!”
The man rasped around a cigarette between his lips, “Where’s your parents little girl?”
In a panic, Xoey attempted to tug her arm free as he surveyed the crowd for distraught parents. “No! Let go!”
Unconsciously, his grip loosened as he scanned the passing people for any that appeared to be in a panic. Xoey tugged several more times with all of her strength, finally pulling free.
“Hey! Get back here!”
The delicate skin on her arm burned as Xoey darted into the bustling crowd where her small form was quickly lost from the man’s sight.
She had run a short distance before ducking beneath a table laden with carrots, potatoes, and other colorful root vegetables. Xoey peeked around a lady’s flowing skirt bartering the price of artichokes. Her eyes frantically sought the man who grabbed her — or the puppy.
Not seeing the man, she took a step closer to the booth’s edge. The pounding in her chest hurt nearly as much as her bruising arm.
She took another tentative step from the booth. Her small chest heaving as her large eyes scanned the towering adults hurriedly striding throughout the marketplace.
She looked at the pavement around her, only seeing bits of trash and dirty puddles. Holding her hands to her heart, she whispered, “Dolly?”
Taking a step back into the the safety of the vegetable booth, her lip quivered as she scanned the crowds of people milling about the busy market. Her big, dark eyes began to mist over as her voice wavered, “Mama? Where are you, Mama?” Slim streams ran down her silky cheeks.
Suddely, her face lit up and a smile blossomed. In the distance she saw the little pup jumping and twirling excitedly.
Forgetting her fears, she again ran wholeheartedly with her arms outstretched, ready to embrace her furry friend. Reaching the small dog, Xoey fell to her knees as she pulled him close. Burying her face in his fur, he wiped away her tears.
A nasaly voice broke through their reunion, “You like my dog, little girl?”
Xoey leaned back so far to look up, her lips parted. The tall, lanky man wore a sleek grey suit that seemed to match his slicked back hair.
Xoey nodded, her curls bouncing in agreement.
“Would you like to give him a treat?” The man smiled down at her, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he glanced around at the crowd.
Xoey nodded again as she slowly stood.
The man turned and strode towards a black conversion van, whistling for the pup to follow.
The small dog scampered after the man.
Xoey stood as she watched the pup follow the man, jumping at the fist buried in the man’s pocket.
Xoey raced after them both, her sandals beating the pavent like a drum. She was oblivious of the filthy puddles she ran through, of the grime that splashed on her legs and ran in trickles, mingling with the blood.
When she caught up to the man and pup, she stood with her hands clasped in front of her, looking expectantly at the man. As he reached for the door handle, Xoey heard a faint, but familiar cry.
Turning her attention towards the path of pursuit she’d taken, she heard her mother’s voice in the distance. “Xoey! Xoey, where are you?!”
Xoey began to turn towards her mother’s frantic call, “Here I am Ma-”
The man grabbed her, slapping his well-manicured hand over her mouth, cutting off her reply.
Xoey’s eyes grew twice their size as the man grabbed her, flung the van door open, and tossed her in with three young whimpering children.
The children cowered together on the far side of the van.
The man’s face contorted in a vile sneer, “You aren’t going anywhere!” He took a treat from his pocket and tossed it to the small dog. “None of you have a family anymore!” Then he spat to the side and slammed the door firmly closed on their world.
The children were engulfed in darkness, being consumed by their fears.
Next: Abducted and delivered.
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Inspired by Zane Dickens’💯 Story Challenge.
