Pet Humana Prolouge and Chapter One

       Long ago, a barrier separated the worlds of demons and humans. Humans were ignorant believing the peaceful demons dangerous. As time passed, a new ignorance came to be. No longer were demons viewed as dangerous; instead, they were an inferior race whose only purpose was to serve. The barriers to the portals cracked and humans flowed in to take control. Many young demons were kidnapped and sold ino slavery under the guise of "pet". Each family was forced to donate at least one child to appease the humans. Any who refused suffered, their livlihoods destroyed. Eventually, a semblance of peace returned and the demon realm began to thrive, becoming a popular resort and vactioning area. However; demon children were still being smuggled over the borders.


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       Crimson jolted awake from dreams of a childhood she could no longer remember. Stretching, she slipped from her window to begin her chores, the bell on her neck jingling. Her father would be up soon and he would be disappointed if his shop was not ready to be opened for the day. One by one she opened cage doors to let the occupants use the bathroom and to feed them. As she approached the last cage, Crimson heard the door to her father's living quarters open.
       Approaching her, he sccratched her furry black ears. He handed her the bag in his hands with instructions to change. Then he turned to prepare the occupants of the cage for their first day on sale at his pet shop, their blue eyes scared and shy.
       "Welcome", said Crimson as the bells on the door jinkled. Her new customers regarded her cautiously before noticing the chain that connected her new festive collar to her cage door. They smiled as they looked at her.
       "We were wondering if you might have any young ones. Our daughter just moved out on her own and she could use some company", the woman asked. Crimson pointed them toward one of the employees near the back,"He should be able to help you."
       The couple hurried away to see about finding what they had asked for. It was still a little early for most of their potential customers to be out. Seeing no one on the street she leaned against the wall to wait. Her eyes followed the couple who had come in earlier. She smiled as they stopped at the cage of a young boy whose siblings had already been adopted. Her smile widened as the couple headed toward the door with the young boy in tow.
       "Crimson, I'm going home!", he cried as they neared her. His fluffy brown tail wagged and his blue eyes sparkled. Leaning down, she ruffled his brown curls and hugged him. Then he walked out of the door, and her life, as so many had before.
       Not  long after, her father exited the back room, three young boys tumbled out behind him. They had been here longer than most and Crimson hoped they would get a chance at a new life this year.
       As if on cue, an older woman came through the door. Immediatly her eyes were drawn to the three boys, their blonde hair and ears bouncing as they rough-housed. She didn't notice Crimson signal her father as he led the boys their way. Arragnements were made and the oldest left with the woman and a promise to return for the other to who were ushered to the back again.
       Slightly before closing time, Crimson's father unhooked her chain and replaced it with the leash. Today they were going to meet with the owners of other shops to discuss the business of the local establishments and their upkeep. As they started down the streets, the snow that had been falling all day stopped. A little over two blocks away Crimson saw her friend Spirit round the corner. With the leash running out behind her Crimson ran and lept between the pale grey wings on the other girl's back.
      "Hello", she said as she wrapped her arms around the bird girl's neck. Spirit squeaked and stumbled before straightening with a small smile and placing a hand on the fox girl's arm. The group paused to allow Crimson's panting father to catch up. After exchanging greetings they continued toward their destination, Crimson talking animatedly and Spirit nodding shyly.
      As they neared their destination, the light began to fade and the snow fell again. Her father reached for the door handle as two very large snowballs smacked into Crimson. Spirit ducked behind her owner narrowly avoiding third ball. Whirling around, Crimson launched herself at their attackers, landing squarely on top of the luaghing boys.
      Shoving the blonde's face in the snow, she scooped a large handful down the second boys shirt. Laughing, the three played on the deserted road, the amused shop keepers looking on fondly.
      An impatient clearing of a throat had the shop owners guiltily turning. The older lady in the door tapped her slippered foot and glared angrily at her visitors.
      "You are late... again." She moved aside so the five could enter but when the dripping pets arrived she slammed them out. Meekly they continued to the back of the shop where Spirit met them with a change of clothes and some towels. The three changed quietly, ashamed of having made their masters the subject of the last owners scorn. Silently, they made their way to the room belonging to the final member of their group.
      "How long are you planning on making me wait?", sneered the person inside the room. Crimson stepped forward as the door clicked shut.
      "We're sorry Mistress Snowball", she bowed mockingly before tackling the girl in a massive hug with the others. The feline smiled, enjoying the warmth her friends brought with them even though they were quite cold at the moment. Slipping from the embrace she led her chatting friends toward the fire and hot chocolate.
      They all selected their places and began to chat about the time they had been apart.
      "... he was after the newest pups", said T-bone from the floor. He was lying on his back in front of the fire, tail thumping lightly. Looking pleased, he continued, "Lets just say he'll think twice the next time he sees a 'Beware of Dog' sign." He bared his teeth in a laugh shared by all.
      "Oooooh", said Crimson, "the goldies got adopted today!" She smiled a sad smile. "I'm so happy for them." The other four shared a look as the fox became absorbed in her cocoa mug.
      "Adoption is overrated!", exclaimed Snow, her long white tail twitching in irritation. "This latest guy......" The group dissolved into laughter as the cat became very animated with her story.
      As the night wore on, the five huddled closer. Curled around the sofa they all looked to the door. Cautiously, T-bone crept over and placed an ear to the wood. Sighing a breath of relief, he scurried back to the others.
      "Mistress Nasty is in full tirade, it won't be over any time soon.", he laughed as Snowball smacked him ligthly on teh arm.
      Getting serious, Snowball looked at the others, "So what's the plan?"
      "The end of the month", said Nutaniel. "Their sales will be up so our loss won't matter much in the long run."
      "T and I can pick our locks so we can get ourselves out then come for you", stated Crimson, laying her hand on the dog's shoulder as he nodded confirmation.
      "B..Bu...But not t..too close t..to Cnristmas", blushed Spirit. "That w..would break their hearts."
      Crimson hugged the younger girl, "No, the twenty-eigth, just everyone be ready." Suddenly, T-bone's ears snapped to attention. His eyes widened and he threw himself on the carpet, followed by the fox and squirrell. Snow feigned sleep and Spirit curled her wings around herself in a chair just as the door clicked open.
      The canid looked up sleepily at their owners as they entered the room. His owner smiled as she looked down at them. Following her gaze, he blushed at how the fox had landed in her frantic fall, her head on his lower back, hugging his tail. His best friend was curled at her back, twitching in his 'sleep'.
      Crimson's owner came and picked her up, carrying her towards the door as the women gathered the boys for their return trip. The boys ran out fast, T-bone alert and scanning for danger. As her father carried her out into the early morning, Crimson's eyes met the other girls' in silent promise.