"Up," two pirates, armed with quantum guns, shouted, hammering on the gym's door with the ends of their firearms.
The people inside the gym were startled. Some of the kids even started to cry.
"Line up, two by two, and follow me off this spaceship, let's go!" one of the pirates commanded.
Yuri nudged Tuss and whispered, "Pull your belt tighter."
Tuss looked at her, confused, wondering if he'd heard her wrong.
"Hurry," Yuri pushed.
Tuss glanced down, tightened his belt, his cheeks flushing a bright red. Yuri, though, was too focused on the pirates to notice his embarrassment.
"I did it," Tuss murmured.
Without turning her gaze to him, Yuri bent down in front of him, "Climb on."
Doing as he was told, Tuss climbed onto her back, holding onto her neck. Yuri grabbed onto one of his pant legs, tucking it between her own legs, then did the same with the other. Once he was secure, she tied a knot with her mouth and her good left arm.
