Mindless Beasts

Sly’s eyes suddenly glazed over and for the first time since Ayana passed a shy smile was pasted on his face and Dr. Jennings saw a shadow of the happy boy he used to be.

"It’s getting late and we have to leave out early in the morning. So because I need you to get a good night’s rest. I’ll be taking my leave now. See you tomorrow."

The doctor finished packing the last of his utensils in his large leather bag and gave the attic one last look to make sure he wasn’t leaving anything behind before turning to leave the room.

Disappointed, Sly snuggled under the blanket but kept his feelings to himself

Sly had so many questions but they would have to wait until tomorrow.

He intended to ask Dr. Peter Jennings all of them while they journeyed to the private academy.

Last night he barely slept a wink and despite the lack of sleep Sly still woke up early the next morning.

Sly sat up, yawned loudly then stretched his arms and legs that felt cold and stiff.

Even though the thick blackout curtains were meant to hide the presence of the illegitimate children in the Attic, Sly could still tell it was daylight.

He went and took a shower and put on his clothes.

Then packed a small burlap knapsack with the clothes that Sly got from his grandparents.

Sly had no intentions of taking anything from the Duncan’s household with him.

The only thing of value in the bag was a keepsake journal that had passed down through the Foxx family; it had belonged to Ayana and after she passed it was now his.

Sly had yet to open the journal that Ayana treasured so tenderly the memories were still too fresh and painful so he buried them at the bottom of the knapsack.

There was a slight tapping on the door.

"Sly... Are you ready?" inquired Doctor Jennings softly so as to not wake the rest of the household.

"Yes," responded Sly. "Just give me a minute."

"Make it quick then."

Sly took one last look, the bed was neatly spread and nothing was out of place he would leave this prison of an attic just like how he first encountered it.

"Do you have everything Sly, let’s go then."

After Sly stepped out and closed the door gently behind him Doctor Jennings wrapped a plain knitted scarf around his neck.

It was five in the morning and even though the sun was out the air was still slightly cold.

There was no one to see them off so Sly didn’t have to suffer the injustice of saying goodbye to people he wished to never have the misfortune of seeing them ever again in the future.

Sly was curious when they walked past the stables that held the horses.

The doctor took a cobbled path that cut through the manicured lawns and led out into the dark woods.

"Sir, how did you get to the Duncan’s residence?" asked Sly.

Looking around for some kind of mount that he had perhaps tied to a tree away from the boundaries of the Duncan’s property.

Dr. Jennings stopped suddenly and Sly almost walked into his back.

"That’s easy, I flew over here when I got the message that your sister’s condition had worsened."

Shocked, Sly repeated, "flew?"

"Don’t worry I know you’re afraid of heights so I prepared something that can carry the both of us with ease," teased Dr. Jennings.

After ensuring that there was space between them Dr. Jennings summoned his spirit beast.

Dr. Jennings, like most spirit beast masters, practiced bone evolution since spirit beasts’ growth depends on the strength of the spirit bone.

Since medicine was his passion, he decided from an early age that he had no desire to go past the intermediate stage.

As such the beast summoned was a reflection of the doctor’s mentality not mediocre but nothing to brag about either.

Just enough strength to make the doctor’s life easier and assist with daily tasks.

Sly questioned, "Is that an antelope?"

Irritated that his handsome spirit beast was always misnamed, Dr. Jennings shook his head.

"A deer?"

After letting out a low-pitched nasal whine the proud spirit beast tossed its head arrogantly before stamping the ground twice with its hoof in a show of defiance.

Before Sly could say anything further to aggravate the intelligent but sensitive spirit beast Dr. Jennings explained.

"This is my land spirit beast and it’s called a pronghorn. This beauty runs very fast and we will reach your academy before midday."

Sly’s stomach grumbled, "It looks delicious."

Alarmed, the pronghorn let out a series of huffing grunts called a snort wheeze in distress with Sly eying him like a juicy tender steak.

"My cutie is not on the breakfast menu. Try this instead."

Dr. Jennings handed Sly a simple roast beef sandwich, that consisted of a thick slab of meat between two thin slices of bread, there was no added sauce or vegetables.

Sly ate quickly and left no crumbs.

Dr. Jennings calmed down the disgruntled spirit by tenderly stroking its velvety golden-brown fur.

While the doctor adjusted a double saddle on the pronghorn’s back so that their weight would be evenly distributed Sly chose that moment to ask.

"Dr. Jennings, do you have any other spirit beasts?"

"Just two others: an air spirit beast that’s a peregrine falcon and a sea spirit beast that’s a black marlin."

Perplexed, Sly muttered, "...just three."

"Three beasts are more than enough for the average bone user. Too many beasts can become taxing as they drain your energy." Dr. Jennings warned, "Always remember that bones can be broken or disintegrate so don’t take on more than you can manage."

Since it was Sly’s first time riding a spirit beast the doctor seated him in front and once Sly got comfortable the pronghorn started galloping away.

Two hours later they reached the outskirts of the town and were far away from any human settlement.

Sly had never travelled so far without a break before and even his legs felt numb but he still clutched the saddle tightly.

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