Your sleep is restless as you travel. It is not due to the confining space of the pouch. In fact, it seems to get a bit roomier as you continue your trip. But as you drift in and out of consciousness you notice odd pains in your body. Your feet in particular seem to hurt, like they are being pinched. In your dreamlike state you hope you didn't injure them in some way walking barefoot in the forest. It isn't just your feet that bother you, though. Your nose feels bloated and tingly and your jaw aches a little.
The kangaroo suddenly stops, interrupting your nap and temporarily distracting you from your aches and pains.
"Okay. I need to take a break and get something to drink. Would you like some water, too? Maybe a chance to stretch your legs?" says the kangaroo patting her pouch.
You yawn loudly, stretching your arms in the pouch. You don't feel the need to get out of the pouch and wouldn't mind continuing your pleasant nap inside it. But you are a bit thirsty and you certainly don't want to drink the kangaroo's milk. You struggle to make your way to the top of the pouch. The opening seems a little bigger and further away than you remember. When your hands break through the opening of the pouch, you get a little help from the kangaroo. She reaches down and pulls you out, lifting you up into the air in front of her.
You are a little surprised at how tall she looks. You remember the kangaroo was big, bigger than you, but as she gently puts you on the ground it seems like she towers over you. It is a little disconcerting, but you have pressing needs. Your thirst demands satisfaction.
In front of you is a large pond full of cool refreshing water. Your feet feel stiff and you find it difficult to walk towards it. Luckily the kangaroo put you at the edge of the pond. You just have to hop a few feet to get to the water. But as you look down into the pond you are shocked by what is staring back at you in the reflection of the calm surface of the water - a small Joey!
You look down at your fur covered hands and your large, long clawed feet. No wonder you couldn't walk and had to hop! You reach behind your body with your left hand and grab your tail, while you run your right hand along your snout.
You turn and glare angrily at the kangaroo.
"What have you done to me?" you spit at her.
She places her hands on her hips and glares down at you. Staring up at her you realize how much larger than you she is now. She has to be over three times your size!
"Joey! What are you talking about? I haven't done anything to you, other than give you a ride," says the kangaroo.
"Joey? I'm not Joey...."
Then it hits you. Riding in her pouch. It must have changed you somehow.
"I have to get out of here," you say in a panic, looking around at the dense woods surrounding you. You have no idea where you are or where you can go. But you can't stay here with that kangaroo. You have to get away from her.
You stumble, forgetting that you can only hop now. You quickly get up and try to make a break for it. But the kangaroo is much bigger and quicker than you. She rapidly catches you and scoops you up, lifting you high in the air. You kick your feet wildly, but the kangaroo has no problem keeping you in her tight grip.
"Oh no you don't! I won't let you run off again. It took me all morning to find you and it will take me all afternoon to get us back home. Your sisters must be worried sick! You are going to stay right here for the rest of the trip, where I can keep an eye on you, " says the kangaroo as she stuffs you back into her pouch.
You struggle to pull yourself out, but the kangaroo overpowers you. She easily stuffs your head back in every time it pops out.
"But you have to let me out! I am thirsty and I need something to drink!" you say loudly.
Although you are trying to use this as an excuse to get out of the pouch and escape, it is also true. You are very parched and the kangaroo snatched you up before you could get a drink.
"You don't need to go outside to drink. You have plenty of milk in there. You need to drink up so you will grow big and strong like your sisters," say the kangaroo.
"What? No way! That's gross! I want some water," you say.
You can feel the kangaroo shrug from inside your prison.
"Suit yourself, dear. But you aren't getting out of that pouch until we get home and we still have a long way to go," says the kangaroo.
Before you can protest, you feel the kangaroo continue your trip, hopping down some unseen path. As you travel your thirst grows unbearable. You slap at the nipple, now roughly the size of your snout, in frustration. A small dribble of milk escapes and spills across your hands. The liquid is cool and enticing. It seems a shame to waste it when you are so thirsty.
You lift your hands to your face and gently lick the milk off your hands. It is surprisingly refreshing. But it is not enough. You are still not satisfied. You stare at the nipple in front of your face, beckoning you to taste it.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to try a little more, you think as you lean forward and begin to suck on the teat. But just a little.
You are rewarded with delicious milk and your initial disgust is soon forgotten. You are sucking with gusto, trying to elicit as much of the tasty liquid as possible from the stubborn nipple. You feel the kangaroo briefly stop hopping and pause. Part of you knows this might be your chance to escape. But all you care about now is getting as much of that delectable milk as possible.
The kangaroo gently pats her pouch.
"Good boy, Joey. Drink up and grow nice and big and strong. Your sisters will be so proud, " says the kangaroo with a smile, before she continues hopping through the forest.