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Six was struggling in the clutches of a very tall man, she tried biting his hand to make him let go but all it resulted in was her being unceremoniously tossed into some type of cage. The small girl hugged her knees as she fights back tears of frustration. She was just playing outside in the woods with her friend when the man picked her up off the ground, she can't remember much of what happened but she is aware that she is in an unfamiliar place and is nowhere near her original home. Whatever this tall man had in mind she needed to make a run for it as soon as she had a chance. She felt the cage tumble when it was finally placed on the ground. She looked through the bars and saw a room. The room looked kind of big compared to her, the sound of a door closing made her grumble. So much for running She sighed as she looks at the room through the cage bars, was the man planning on keeping her there? She was too busy with her thoughts that she didn't notice movement right away.
There was a whisper in her ear "There's someone else here"
Her attention looked and she sees a boy probably the same age as her, he was in a plain outfit with a jacket that looked a little big on him, what confused her most was his face covered by a paper bag. She can see him fidgeting when he was spotted, looking this way and that before hearing a quiet and hoarse apology. What did he have to apologize for? He wasn't the one who brought her here. She sees him approach the cage, she steps away from the bars and he opened it before stepping away.
She felt on edge, and it wasn't just her, something that has been with her since she was smaller than she is now was hiding in the dark, observing from the shadows in case something were to go wrong.
The boy fidgets again before he moved further from the cage, he climbed up the book case and knocks one of the books down. It was a book on animals, judging by the feline looking creature on the cover. He was looking through the pages when she finally came out of the cage to look around. The room looked massive, much to big for a small boy, there was a bed, toys and books strewn about, scribbled drawings were put on the wall, some of a tall figure, of the boy and whatever it is that he saw in this room. When seeing the window the pit in her stomach grew. There were thick metal bars on the outside of the window.
She looked from the metal bars to the boy, Was he a prisoner here? She made a small noise, like clearing her throat before mumbling a small "Oi" She never saw someone jump a almost of of their skin in her life like the boy did, he was looking over at her, his expression unreadable because of the paper bag. A small huff from her she takes a step over to him, seeing him step backwards. She makes a motion with her hands, his head had tilted to one side in confusion. She makes the motion again and it seems to have gotten him tp piece together that she wants to know his name. He grabs a piece of paper and writes down the letters M O N O and shows it to her. So his name is Mono, alright its a start. She pointed to herself then held up six fingers. He mimics the same gesture and she nods. He seemed to understand that but also confused why she was named after a number. She answers with a shrug and pointed to the book. He holds the book up and it shows an image of a tiger.
So mono was his name, and he was stuck in here like her but he seemed to perk up a little when the door clicked open. The tall man stood there with a plate of food, setting it down and giving the boy a small pat on the head before leaving again. She missed out on another chance to escape... But would she feel ok leaving Mono? He didn't seem to have anything else or anyone to be around besides that tall guy. but he seemed to less interested in the boy and kidnapping other kids it seemed. Her thoughts were interrupted when she sees him motion her over. Cautiously she walked over to the plate of food, was just meat and veggies but she couldn't complain right now as her stomach growled. She took a bite of meat, seemed safe enough if Mono was eating.
The rest of the day was Mono showing her the things he had in his room. It seemed like a nice place but the bars on the window still made her uncomfortable. He didn't talk much and seemed more into writing words than actually using them. Six made gestures with her hands and for the most part he could understand them minus a few things. He was a nice boy and Six seemed ok with that.
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When evening came Mono was asleep on his bed, Six was wide awake and glaring at the barred window.
"What now?" A voice came form behind her, the shadowy copy of herself stepped out from the wall, her own shadow disappearing once the apparition manifested. She made another gesture with her hands. " From what I can see the only method out is through that door" They motion to the locked door. " But I can't open it and you're too small to reach it" They see Six huff before looking back to Mono. " you worried about him?"
Six nods.
"That's.... Unexpected coming from you no offense" They hear Six scoff. "It's usually just us, you never needed anyone before and you wouldn't have to worry about me... So what brought the change?"
Six pointed to Mono then to the barred window.
"He's trapped here? and you want to help him?"
Six nods again.
Shadow looked to the boy again and held back chuckling. " you know he's probably never seen anything outside of these four walls, he won't be very helpful to us unless he learns things aren't like they are here"
Six huffs and crossed her arms.
"I'm just being honest Six, you know that you have to be smart and resourceful to get anywhere. He doesn't know that"
Six made a gesture with her hands.
"Teach him? you want to teach him" When Six nodded they drag a hand down their face. "Urgh... fine, but we better not regret this Six, now get some sleep"
Six nods before curling up on a pillow that was put in the cage and falling asleep, feeling her shadow return to her as she closed her eyes.
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The sense of time isn't very easy to read when it comes to being stuck in a small room like this but Mono guessed it's been about a month since his guardian brought Six here. He was initially surprised and very apologetic that she was basically kidnapped from wherever it was she used to live, she didn't seem too bothered by it but he could see something was bothering her. At some point he removed his paper bag so Six could see his eyes, the sclera was pure black, the iris' grey and the pupil was white, He was self conscious about his eyes and was about to put the bag back on but Six motioned that it was ok if he wanted to take it off when its just them. He'd see her move her bangs and see her eyes were bright red.
Sometimes at night he would hear voices and think he might be hearing his guardian again but it sounded more like a little girl. But six never spoke outside of small words.. So who could be talking? He would ask her about it and she just shrugged. One night he was going to be awake and see what is going on when he sleeps.
Another month passes and Six has made it a habit of climbing onto the bed and going to sleep there instead of an oversized cage.
Before mono himself could go to sleep he hears a voice.
"You seem to have become a soft spot to Six"
His eyes shot open and he looked around, a silhouette coming from behind Six's sleeping form, they looked almost exactly like Six except for their glowing yellow eyes.
"W-Who...?"
"You can call me Shadow.... I'll get straight to the point, do you get tired of being here?"
Mono looked down at his hands for a moment, then to the window, the metal bars mocking him as far as he can remember. He's read the same books dozens of times but seeing something in a book isn't the same thing. He recalls Six telling him how she's been in a forest, saw birds.... It sounded amazing, and he wished he could see it himself. He looked back to the shadow and nods.
"So you want to leave.... It's dangerous out there, there' a chance you won't have food sometimes or a warm bed to come back to" They say.
Mono coughs to clear his throat. "Don't... Care..."
Shadow raised an eyebrow. "....This made things abit easier.... Alright Mono, Six has told me that she would help you"
"..Help..?"
"Yes, Six is usually patient but being in one place for too long isn't a good thing for anyone, thing is to get out we would need to get out through the door... do you know when would be a good time?"
Mono pondered. "Lunch... tomorrow...." He struggles to speak.
"That solves one thing, but the door is another problem"
mono looks around the room before his eyes fall onto an object, he gets off of the bed and runs over to it.
Shadow looks at him confused until the object he was looking at came into view, it was enough to keep the door from shutting all the way but not enough to be noticeable. "Perfect"
He sees the shadow disappear and he curls up in the blanket, thoughts of being outside was too good to be true...
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Morning came and Mono had a talk with Six about the night before.
At first Six was confused and surprised that her shadow would show themselves to him or talk to him.
His voice would go hoarse when he talked too much so he went back to writing, upon hearing the door open he hid the notes away.
Somewhere between the morning and afternoon the jam was in place. Mono put his ear to the door and listened for any noise, all he heard was a grating static noise but no foot steps, another door was closed.
Six came out to help him get the door open.
Mono trembled, he's never seen outside of his room before, it felt overwhelming and suddenly he wanted his bag over his head again. He made a small whimper and shut his eyes.
This wasn't a good idea, we should go back, forget about seeing the outside world its a bad idea! bad idea bad idea BAD IDEASDSDECXSFS He holds his head when all he hears is static in his own mind.
His thoughts freeze when he feels a hand wrap around his. He looks to Six, who gives a small smile and motions forward. He follows behind her as they look around the room, the windows out here aren't barred, the sun looks so bright. Six runs to one of the windows and cups her hands. He puts his foot in her hands and she gives him a boost up. He holds out his hand and pulls her up to the window sill. through their combined efforts they get the window open. Six hops out first and she waits for him. He's hesitant, every nerve is telling him to go back so he won't get in trouble. But at the same time he knows that nothing will change if he stays there. He takes a deep breath and jumps out the window.
She points forward, it's unknown of what'll happen, but at least Six will be there to help him.
Mono holds her hand and they start walking, where they go from here? Who knows.