I don't know how long I've been in this cage.

I haven't even been able to sit up properly. Either, I was constantly slouching…

Or lying on my side, staring behind us…

… just wishing for another chance.

Father... Bandits… a monster… a dragon…

Anything… I'd take anything at all…!

But, there was no such thing.

Instead, what consolation I was to receive, came in the form of cool rain.

Hence, here we were, taking camp in a road between where I was lynched, and where my suffering was to continue.

But, frankly… I didn't care anymore.

I had no more reason to care.

I was a prisoner.

No different to a dog.

Befitting of the cage I was placed in.

But…!

I wasn't going to keep sleeping with dried-up fecal matter.

No more brooding.

I may be a dog now. But, I intend to be the dog who does the best with what she has.

Thanks to the rain, I had more than enough water dripping through the bars overhead of my cage.

"...Hehehe…" I giggled weakly, before taking off the soiled shirt I've worn for… I don't know.

Thus, I revealed my body to the men who hid within the nearby cave.

I had no bra on, and I didn't care. A dog doesn't need clothes, anyway.

I was more worried about my bruises and my cuts.

They've already dried and scabbed, so I had no worries of getting an infection.

But, it doesn't change the fact that looking at myself was the most painful thing I've ever had to endure, though…

So much more painful than any lynching they could inflict on me.

My once-perfect, supple white skin was now discolored with dark blue, and dark red blots.

Joining those discolorations, were the now-uncomfortable blood that had caked and dried on me.

That's not even counting the numerous fractures and consussions they've given me.

"..."

I paused and stared at myself, letting the rain wash the gunk away.

"... It doesn't matter anymore."

It didn't matter anymore.

It didn't matter... anymore.

I repeated it three more times, in my head. And when I did, I was finally able to smile brighgly.

"Right! The rain won't be here forever…!"

With an unspoken 'thank you' to the skies, I used the shirt as a scrubber, trying to get the tougher gunk off of me.

But, at the same time…

"Nnghk!"

I also needed to be careful with my bruises. They hurt enough, when I did absolutely nothing about them.

"Mmk!"

Despite accidentally reopening a few cuts, I just kept going.

I needed to be clean, if I had any hope of being the best dog possible.

…

…

…

I didn't know why.

But oddly enough, as the rain formed a thick curtain which hid everything beyond a couple feet, and battered against me, the water that washed across my face was warm.

The sky really was kind. Regardless of the bright flashes of light, and thunderous roars it released.

How did it know that it was getting chilly?

Thank you so much.

"Hehehehehe…!"

With a bright smile on my face, I was energized!

Once I was done with my upper body, I immediately got started on cleaning my cage.

This was the best time to do it, after all!

Bent over and on my knees, I scrubbed at the dried fecal matter, which was being soaked and softened. Thus, being more easily washed away.

The increased stench was only temporary, so I didn't mind enduring it.

The relaxing warmth on my cheeks helped alleviate whatever disgust I may have felt, anyway.

So I was able to work with no reservations, whatsoever.

Until…

The chill went away. And I could no longer feel the beating rain on my back.

"How?" I asked weakly, and raised my head, wondering what the second gift the gift the skies gave me, was.

Leaves.

Or rather… a large branch was there, acting as a roof. Of course, water still managed to make its way though. And the chilling wind was also still there.

Then, I finally noticed him. Out in the rain, with his hands on my cage's roof.

A male Coalition soldier. Around the same age as me, with dull brown hair and soft, dark-blue eyes. He had his mask on, so I couldn't see the rest of his face.

There was no need to see it, though.

"NOOOO! PLEASE STOP! I'LL BE A GOOD PRISONER!"

Almost immediately, I recoiled, kicked against the cage, and clung desperately to the other side. Shutting my eyes, as I dreaded what would come next.

Then, horrified, and screaming at the top of my lungs, I heard him approach.

But…

Nothing happened.

Time went by, and I heard heavy, splashy footsteps get farther and farther away, before disappearing completely.

Only then, did I finally open my eyes.

What I saw…

Was rope, all around the cage.

The leafy canopy had been secured into place.

And… near the edge of the cage, was a small bar of white-

"S-soap…?"

I held it gently, and closely to myself.

Was it trapped? We're the ingredients used actually going to give me rash? Did they have plans for me, after I washed myself?

So many questions raced through my mind, as I tried to understand the man's motives.

But all of those were quickly discarded.

I stared at my reflection in the puddle around me, before the image of my beaten face was further distorted by large droplets causing ripples.

I was finally able to notice them.

My tears…

"I'm not a dog…" Hands shaking, I took off my shorts, and finally applied the soap on myself.

Though the jangling chain and collar around my neck would say otherwise, I knew who I was…

"I'm still human… thank you… thank you…"

*** *** ***

"Why did you do that? The Commander wouldn't be happy, you know?"

Back in the cave, two young men, with one drenched, walked down a short tunnel to where the rest of the group was.

"She's a prisoner. I doubt the Commander would enjoy it very much, if she was sick, don't you think?"

"You're way too nice, of a person.." His dry companion shrugged his shoulders, and then slapped him on the back. "You better get changed, though. I'll attend the briefing for you. Don't worry."

"Thanks."

With that said, the two split up. WithBWith one running back up the way they came. But, even from far away, they could hear their Commander's voice echo loud and clear.

"What do you mean that we've lost contact with the other forts?!"