"That doesn't mean you get more of the profit, asshole!"
I sighed as they started spitting profanities at each other and the boat swerved as they fought over the wheel. I sank deeper against the cage bars, waiting for this to be over.
I wished I'd never argued with Cloud. I wished I'd heeded Dad's warning. I wished I done anything today except taunt a pair of stupid humans and their stupid boat.
Helplessness crawled over me like a cold blanket. What was I supposed to do? The cage bars were thick steel. It was impossible to bend or break them. I didn't have any fangs or claws to help me. I wished I was a cobra shifter or something so I could spit venom at these two morons and slink off between the bars.
But no. I was stuck with the most useless form ever. A half human, half fish beautiful abomination.
Ignoring the two meatheads’ argument, I cast a pathetic glance over the back of the boat and watched my home get further and further away. The boat tore through water like it was nothing. The fuel stank. Since I was right at the back of the boat where the exhaust funnel was, it was all I could smell. I missed the scent of fresh, clean air.
My gaze drifted. There was a mix of tension and boredom swirling in my chest. I had nothing to do except look around.
Then something caught my eye. I saw that the cage was latched down not with metal bolts, but with four straining bungee cords.
It dawned on me how oblivious I'd been. How did I not notice them sooner?
Hope fluttered in my chest. I followed the bungee cords down to the boat floor, where they culminated in four hooks. I almost had to laugh. Didn't these morons realize I had opposable thumbs? They clearly didn't realize I was smart enough to figure out something as simple as this.
I made sure they weren't paying attention—they were, thankfully, still in the middle of their stupid argument—then slowly reached out to the first hook. The bars of the cage were wide enough to slip my hand through. I bit my lip, trying not to grunt with effort as I fought against the bungee cord's tension. When it unhooked, I held it carefully so it didn't snap back and create a loud noise.
The men didn't notice. Now they were calling each other names too foul to put on paper.
Heart racing, I unhooked the remaining three bungee cords. If this worked, I was halfway to freedom. All I had to do was throw my weight against the cage and knock it over the back of the boat. Once I was in the water, I would sink to the bottom of the lake and they could no longer reach me.
I didn't think about how I would actually getoutof the cage. Since I could breathe underwater, I'd be fine.
Well, until I got hungry.
I decided not to think about that. It would be a problem for future me. Besides,anythingwas better than being held captive by humans.
The moment of truth came when all the hooks were unclipped. I readied myself to bash the cage with all my might.
Then I saw movement in the water behind us.
What was that? It was alive and moving. It wasn't very big, just a lumpy dark blob in the water. I couldn't tell what it was, only that it was definitely following the boat. I frowned in confusion. It was moving with too much determination and purpose to be an animal. It had to be a shifter.
But why? Any shifter in the wildlife preserve had enough common sense to avoid humans. Except me, apparently.
I squinted, trying to make out the shape. It was roundish, dark brown and… Were those little ears on top of its head?
"No, you're a total dickhead!"
"You are! Watch where you're going, asshole, you're going to hit that big rock! Oh, fuck me—"
The boat suddenly lurched and I found myself in midair.
The unhooked cage bounced off the back of the boat, arched backwards, and plunged into the water.
I gasped. I did it. I was underwater. I was free from the humans!
The dark blob rushed towards me like a shadowy bullet. I finally realized what it was. A cute little beaver.
What was it with beavers today?
It came at me with fangs bared. I blinked and pressed against the other side of the cage. Maybe it wasn't that cute. What the hell was this crazy rat doing?
The beaver viciously attacked the cage bars. He bit them so hard the metallic clangs caused little underwater shockwaves.
