Chapter 20

Arthur was escorted to the kitchen rather forcefully but the bat won't struggle because he knew that this organised group meant what they said about him and Bill getting eaten. Arthur relied on his ears and nose for this.

Despite the fact that he is in a tight situation, he felt his heart rate calming down. He focused on his task of preparing a meal for hungry lions while he felt someone standing too close to him. Arthur said nothing but thought of a song he would like to play when he gets back, a nice cup of tea and a good braille book to read. Maybe a mystery series or a fantasy novel will do.

Oh yes, the Honduran white bat was comfortable alright.

Bill was indeed with him this whole time, describing to Arthur about the surroundings and what he could see in the kitchen. He was grateful that Bill doesn't mind being the bat's eyes while they are in this predicament.

"So what are you making, Arthur?"

The bat had a small, cheeky smile. "I can't tell you but it's got some insects in it. Because of what we've heard, let's see if this works. If not, it is worth a shot."

Bill was confused by Arthur's optimism in this dire situation. "What makes you so positive about it? Aren't you scared at all?"

Arthur's expression became serious. "Of course! I'm more terrified than you. I know there's a lion here watching our every move but if we play our cards right, hopefully we can go home. Besides, our Dorm Mother is scarier than these pride of lions."

Bill couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah. Okay, just tell me what do you need to see."

So Arthur does the handiwork while Bill guided him on what the bat could not see. The lion in the background name Dolph was watching the pair with fascination. All his life in the Black Market, he never knew disabled animals could be capable of carrying out tasks just like any other animals in society.

In his perspective, handicapped animals were usually locked away so that society doesn't have to look at them. Or the most merciful thing to do to a handicap is to end their suffering. But this bat...

This bat looked contented in his whole demeanour despite the fact that he can't see.

He guessed that as he grows older, there's more to learn from those younger than him.

What surprised him and the Bengal tiger afterwards was the little hums that was barely audible to hear but they were certain that it came from the Honduran white bat himself.

Needless to say, Dolph was interested in what this blind Chiroptera has in store for them

...

Arthur was nervous at what he was serving to the table with the Shishigumi. He hoped the plating was how he imagined it. Thankfully with Bill, he assured the bat that his dish looked fine. He had whipped up stuffed pasta he made from scratch and the filling was cheese and grasshopper which was his favourite and it was cooked in butter and chopped up herbs, giving it a welcoming aroma.

He could only listen to the clinking of cutleries and the occasionally gulping in the room. He wrapped his wings across his body like a safety blanket. He winced a bit when he tried to stretched his torn left wing, smelling the faint scent of his own blood.

There was silence except for the occasional incoherent mumbles of these big cats.

"I think your pasta's good," Bill whispered rather too closely to Arthur's disc-shaped ears. It sounded like a hissing of a leaked pipe that was bound to explode. But Arthur managed to shake it off and smile.

"Thanks," he whispered while his ears focused on the hungry lions. "Though their organisation and mannerism through their tone reminds me of a crime novel I used to read. Family, violence and even holding hostages to gain something that they want."

"Sure but you know this is real, right?"

Arthur sighed dreamily. "I don't know. Sometimes life can imitate art rather than the opposite. We are all caricatures of some magical story while the story in the book itself sounded real to me. But my perspective of things are limited as you can see."

Bill said nothing, not sure how to respond to Arthur's view of what's reality.

Once Arthur heard none of the pride eating, he was nervous. What if they are next on the menu? Has he done enough? Can they go home? What's going to happen to them?

"Not bad, bat," he heard the light tone of one of the lions. "It was interesting to say least but this could only be rated as a hor dourves. You better come up with something better to convince us to let you go."

"He can play music!" Bill blurted out much to Arthur's horror. It was uncomfortable to be put into the spotlight but he tried not to show it. This got all of the lion's attention. Now Arthur was not seen as food but as a toy that most cats get excited with!

"Oh yeah? Let's here you play then, bat! Agata, show him where the piano is."

Arthur let the paw grabbed his right hand-wing and led him to sit down on a rather comfortable stool. He tapped the frame of the instrument, satisfied by the hollow echo it was producing before he could lay his fingers on the keys.

He has to think of a song quickly before he would become soup or Bill is going to become someone's traditional medicine.

Now for the Honduran white bat, he was comfortable with music but when his audience are an organised crime group, Arthur was feeling knots in his stomach and he might as well tear off the membrane from his right wing to even things out.

But the soft chuffing sound he heard from his left somewhat calmed him down. He can't explain why but it gave him a pinch of confidence to play the notes that he felt deep inside his heart.

He decided to play a song that reminded him of his favourite crime novels. Oh, what would he give to reread it and collect his mystery series again? He realised that he could but priorities come first such as school and homework.

The song would've been more dramatic if Arthur had time and patience to practice on string instruments like the mandolin or guitar that required all of his fingers just as he is doing with the piano.

But the problem is that his two fingers could snap the nylon strings with ease.

The atmosphere of the mansion felt heavy through the notes that resonated with what the bat felt. It was fascinating to much and so beautiful to listen to. It was as if these Pantheras are put into a trance with this song that reminded them of a deadly waltz.

Arthur was certain when the flick of his ears caught the sounds of murmurs of approval from those lions. But he has to mentally prepare himself for the worst.

After all, bats are just mice with wings to most animals.

"Well," he heard the voice of one of the lions he couldn't recognised. "I wished our boss was here to see this. He's a bit particular about things and you might fit right into his expectations. So, I take it you and your friend here want to get out?"

Arthur only tilted his head, his cloudy eyes not blinking.

Suddenly, he was grabbed again but the strength could literally crush both of his wings if he tried to struggle. He could hear punches from where Bill was and then, both of them were thrown out.

Arthur landed, getting a cut on his chin.

"Don't come back unless you want us to change our minds about you!" the voice called out.

Without hesitation, both bat and tiger ran out into the night, hoping to find the nearest train station to hop on. Arthur noted to himself that he needs to get to the school's medical wing to at least get his wounds treated.

"Arthur," Bill panted after they ran for what seemed like hours. "You were pretty brave back there!"

The bat could only let out a sigh of relief as they walked together. He was too exhausted to answer back to which the Bengal tiger decided to let him lean close to him for support as they made their way to the last train before the station closed.