Page 25 of Caged By the Orc

I spin on my heel and sprint back to where I left my team, shoving past drunken spectators and dodging spilled drinks. Relief washes over me when I see they're still there, huddled together near the arena's edge. Their familiar faces are like a beacon in the storm of my emotions, and I surge towards them, already formulating a plan.

"Listen up," I bark, cutting through their chatter. They fall silent, sensing the urgency in my voice. The air around us feels thick with tension, and I can see the worry etched on their faces. "Grokus has taken Josie. We need to find them, and we need to do it now."

Thokk steps forward, his brow furrowed deep enough to cast shadows over his eyes. "The human girl? Why would Grokus-"

"It doesn't matter why," I snap, my patience wearing thin. I can feel the anger bubbling up inside me, threatening to spill over. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in my chest. "But she's my property and I don't intend to let him get away with this." The words taste bitter in my mouth, but I know it's what they expect to hear. "She's in danger, and we're going to help her. That's all you need to know."

I see the confusion on their faces, along with a lot of surprise. To their credit, they don't question me further. Instead, they nod, ready for action. I can see the shift in their posture, from relaxed to alert, and I'm grateful for their loyalty. Zorg, theyoungest of our group, cracks his knuckles, a determined glint in his eye. The others follow suit, preparing for whatever comes next.

"Alright, here's the plan," I say, my mind racing faster than a zyrphix ball across the field. "We split up. Thokk, you and Zorg head to Grokus's usual haunts. Check every sleazy tavern and back-alley dive you can think of. Shit, even look under the rocks if you have to. The rest of you, fan out across the city. I want eyes and ears everywhere. If Grokus so much as sneezes, I wanna know about it."

I pause, looking each of them in the eye, my gaze lingering on each face. I can see the fire of loyalty burning in their eyes, and it steadies me. These aren't just teammates; they're my brothers in arms.

"If you find anything - anything at all - you come to me immediately. I don't care if it's the middle of the night or if you're taking a piss. You drop everything and find me. Understood?"

They nod in unison, determination etched on their faces like war paint. I can feel the energy in the air, crackling with anticipation. We're more than just a team now; we're on a mission, and by the gods, we're gonna see it through.

"What about you, captain?" Zorg asks, his young face etched with concern and eagerness to please.

I feel a snarl tugging at my lips, my tusks gleaming in the dim light. "I'm going to have a chat with some of Grokus's... associates," I grumble. "See if I can persuade them to share what they know. If not, I'll just beat the shit out of them until they comply." My fists clench involuntarily at the thought, knuckles cracking.

"Sarod is serious about this one," Grul remarks, gesturing towards me with a meaty hand. His eyes meet mine, and I see the understanding there. We've been through hell together, and he knows when I'm not fucking around. He offers me a firm nod,his voice gruff but loyal. "Alright. We'll help you, Captain. We'll get you your human girl back."

Damn right. I'd expect nothing less from my team. These orcs, they're more than just teammates - they're my brothers. And right now, we're going to war. Not on the zyrphix pitch, but for something far more important. For Josie. The thought of her makes my chest tighten, a feeling I'm not used to. But I push it aside. There's work to be done, and by the gods, we're going to do it.

20

JOSIE

Grokus shoves me into his dingy hovel, despite my cries. The stench of sweat and rotting food assaults my nostrils, making me gag. Filth covers every surface, and I struggle not to touch anything as he pushes me further inside. My skin crawls at the thought of being trapped here, in this disgusting pit that Grokus calls home.

"Welcome to your new home, human," Grokus sneers, his foul breath hot on my face. "Not as fancy as Sarod's place, is it?" His yellow teeth gleam in the dim light, and I fight the urge to spit in his face.

I clench my fists, fighting the urge to shrink away from him. "Let me go," I demand, my voice shakier than I'd like. I hate how weak I sound, but fear grips me tightly. I've never felt so alone, so vulnerable. My eyes dart around, searching for anything I could use as a weapon, but all I see is decay and ruin.

He laughs, a harsh, grating sound that sends chills down my spine and makes my stomach churn. "You're not going anywhere, little bitch. You're mine now." His words drip with malice, and I can smell the stench of alcohol on his breath.

"I belong to no one," I spit back, though fear gnaws at my insides like a ravenous beast.

Grokus grabs my chin, his meaty fingers digging painfully into my skin as he forces me to look into his cruel eyes. I try to jerk away, but his grip is like iron. "You're nothing but a plaything for orcs like us. Sarod may have forgotten that, but I haven't." His yellow teeth gleam as he leers at me, and I feel bile rising in my throat. I silently pray for someone, anyone, to come to my rescue, but deep down, I know I'm on my own.

I try to wrench away, but his grip is like a vise, unyielding and painful. My heart races as I struggle, desperate to put some distance between us. "Sarod will come for me," I say, forcing the words out through gritted teeth. I hope I sound more confident than I feel, but the tremor in my voice betrays me yet again.

Grokus's lips curl into a cruel, predatory grin, revealing his yellowed tusks. The sight makes my skin crawl. "Oh, I'm counting on it," he sneers, his foul breath washing over me. "That's the whole point, you stupid girl. You're the bait."

My stomach drops, a cold dread settling in the pit of my belly. I'd suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed makes it all too real. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut – I'm just a pawn in his twisted game, a means to an end. I feel used, helpless, and more afraid than ever.

Summoning what little courage I have left, I meet his gaze defiantly. "He won't fall for it," I lie, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. But even as I say it, I know full well that Sarod's pride won't let this stand. He'll come charging in, right into whatever trap Grokus has set. And it'll be all my fault.

Grokus releases my chin, only to grab a fistful of my hair. "He will. And when he does, I'll crush him. Do you really think I was going to let what he did to me slide? He thinks he can walk all over me. Well, the bastard should've known better. I'll catch him off guard. Then you'll see what a real orc can do."

I bite my lip hard to keep from crying out, tasting the metallic tang of blood on my tongue. "You're pathetic," I hiss, my voice dripping with venom. "Using me to get to him because you can't beat him fair and square. What kind of warrior are you?"

His backhand comes so fast I don't even see it coming. Pain explodes across my cheek, and I stumble backward, my vision blurring for a moment. My head spins, and I have to brace myself against the wall to keep from falling.

"Watch your tongue, human," Grokus snarls, his foul breath hot on my face as he leans in close. "Or I'll cut it out and feed it to the hounds. Don't think I won't."

I touch my stinging face, feeling the heat of what will surely become a bruise. Glaring at him with all the hatred I can muster, I try to pour every ounce of loathing I feel into my gaze. But beneath the anger, despair threatens to overwhelm me. I'm trapped here with this monster, this brute who seems to revel in causing pain, and there's nothing I can do about it. My heart races, and I struggle to keep my breathing steady, not wanting to show him just how terrified I really am.