He envied them. A small group of boys playing out in ankle deep water with the sun bearing down on them as if they hadn't a care in the world. Johann stared from his spot on the banks of the field and watched.

It didn't take him long to figure he ached for the cool splash of the mud colored water against his skin more than the thought of playing a random game. The heat of the day had gotten to the point where he had sweat sliding down his back and he had to wipe some from his forehead to keep it out of his eyes. And he wasn't even doing anything but sitting in the dirt.

To avoid focus on the heat, Johann went back to watching the game. He had yet to figure out the point and that bothered him. There had to be a point, a reason for the boys to move the yellow ball around the water laden field. Maybe it had to the with the cardiovascular benefits that came with running around, but he doubted that the reason. They didn't look like they ate enough food to need exercise and they didn't act like they were focused on a benefit from their actions. And it didn't look like a competition for some prize either. In fact, though it made the least sense to him, the boys acted like they had no reason for their play, no rules for their game at all. Almost as if they kicked the ball just to kick it and the laughter that came from them made it obvious they were having fun.

"Is this the boy?"

Johann quit his focus on the boys, turning to see the man that had taken him from his home approaching him with another, taller and weirder looking man in tow. The weird looking one had a stomach that suggested at least he was well fed, though his balding head and grating voice made him want to move away from him once the two men reached his resting spot. Not that he could have moved, not with the chain keeping him tied down.

"He doesn't look very science-y." The man scoffed, poking him with a short stick.

"You can't tell by looking at him except that he's a weakling. The science stuff is in his head."

"What's the appeal that I am purchasing?"

"If you can't see then maybe I need to find someone else."

Johann couldn't speak during the transaction, he knew better than to try. And despite the arguments the large man put forth, in the end his bonds changed hands. He took one last longing look at the water where they boys continued to play before he was lead away.