I sat quietly in he cage for a few hours, waiting for something to happen. Passing humans glanced, and turned away. Rob and his friends ran by, and the friends both stopped, sitting down in front of me. One spoke how most of us creatures do. Formally- the only way to speak.

"What are you?" The one asked.
"Yes, I was curious too. I know I have seen your kind before, but I cannot remember when or where."
"Guys, this is a lava creeper a soldier caught today hanging around a local village."
"That was it! A lava creeper. I have seen you before."
"Jerome, there's no way you've seen it before. You've never left here."
"I saw it when I was a cub. He was smaller back then. How old are you, lava creeper?"
"My time or yours, bacca?"

The two human boys froze, looking shocked and confused.

"Jerome, why'd he call you a bacca?"
"Because I am one."
"But- no. You're human! If you're a bacca, why aren't you furry?"
"I have not been in my home environment for far too long. I have been humanized by you two. And your time, lava creeper."
"I am a single year old."
"How old's that in our years, Jerome?"
"6, Mitch. And in my time he is 24."
"24?! How old are you then, if you're 8?"
"Mitch, what is 8 times 4? I am physically not capable of mental maths."
"You're 32?! What the heck, J?"
"It would have been worse, had I been 10, Mitch. And how have you not noticed my speech? My formality?"
"I thought it was just how you were taught."
"That is true. But it is the true English language- the one we are taught as children in the Wilds. Mitch, you will not understand right away. I guarantee that."
"Well, what do we do? He's stuck in there waiting for a punishment from my dad. He's gonna get himself killed."
"We all know that that can't happen."
"We must break him free of his bonds. Destroy the cage and not injure him."

The boys set to work, collecting materials that Jerome rattled off. Soon, they had what they needed to break the cage open. Jerome used his materials to unlock the cage, and led me out with a helping hand. I wobbled on human legs a moment, and realized I no longer looked like myself. It was greatly upsetting. Sensing my distress, Jerome took me out to the lawn, and led me up into a tree that overlooked the entire forest.
Jerome allowed a tear to fall down and off his face, probably thinking of his family and home. He wiped at his face, and crawled out of the tree, bacca style. Instead of being sensible like me and sliding down the trunk, he leaped out of the highest bough of the tree, landing on all fours effortlessly.

"Do you ever dream of home? Do you ever have nightmares that your family may have forgotten you? You seemed sad in the tree."
"I do, friend. It pains me just to think of them. Do you have family?"
"Just Mother. What family do you have?"
"Just a twin and Poppa."
"Small pack, huh?"
"Pack split off when I turned 12. Poppa started our survival training that day. Mitch and Rob found me before I finished."
"That must affect you greatly."
"It does. I never caught your name. What was it?"
"Preston. My name is Preston."
"I should get back to Mitch and Rob. You should go back to the cage. You do not want to get into more trouble with the King. He is very strict when it comes to punishment."
I nodded, "You should come home when I am released. Bring Mitch and Rob too."
He nodded back. "Will do."

He ran off, and I stealthily got back inside, and back into the cage without being seen. The King called for me, and I started to shiver a little.

"Child. I won't punish you severely, as you're still young. But you're still getting punished. You broke my rule."
"I apologize, sir."
"I know you do, and I accept your apology, but you stil need a consequence."
"Yes sir."
"One week- you stay here. At night, you'll be in that cage. During the day, you'll be in a pen outside. You'll be allowed to converse and play with the boys, but you aren't to leave the cage at night, or the pen during the day. Am I understood?"
"Yes sir. At night, will I be allowed a blanket and pillow?"
"A small one, yes. I won't let you be entirely uncomfortable."
"Thank you, sir. I will be on my best behavior."
"You better be. If I catch you not on your best, most not gonna be happy. You can fool around with the boys and play, but don't be obnoxious and loud. Now go. You have a few hours outside before you go back in the cage."

The human opened the cage door and led me out to a small penned-in corner of the lawn. Jerome came bounding over, with Mitch and Rob in pursuit.