Savage?

Five

I had never been outside of the compound save when I was taken to the veterinarian. That's why I was so surprised one day when Master approached me with a new object, a leash. It was softer than the harsh ropes that tugged along most fighting dogs.

Complete with a collar, he led me through a door I had not been to before. I had never known my surroundings outside of the building, the one time I left it I had been unconscious. I stared up in awe as my paws hit soft, moist earth. Tall skinny trees blocked out most of the sky , but patches of sunlight dappled the ground. It was beautiful, and I drank it in. There was no foul smells out here, just a gentle, clean breeze.  Master started walking, and I followed, my mind still reeling from this great, big world I was just starting to get exposed too.

We wound through the trees, with no destination it seemed. My fur was short, and I had missing patches around fresh scars, but the cool wind found a way to rustle within it. I growled suddenly as a large leaf hit my nose. I snarled and ripped it.

Master started laughing at my wariness. However, it was a good thing I had it. A strange growl answered mine. From the trees a skinny wild dog appeared. His coat blended well with the trees and ground.

Master shifted uncomfortably and turned to lead me away. "Coyote..." He mumbled under his breath. He shouldn't have turned his back on the foul creature. With no seeming interest in me, the coyote leaped at Master. He hit the ground with an anguished cry, dropping my leash. I was befuddled, I had never seen any dog dare attack Master. I furiously grabbed the scruff of the wirey coyote and flung him into a tree. He weighed almost nothing it seemed, but he was resilient. He stood back up and launched himself at me.

He was unskilled and I parried his every move. Finally he made the mistake of raising his head to 'intimidate' me. I grabbed his neck and ripped out his throat, leaving him sputtering on the ground.

I left his dying body to check on Master. He had sat himself up and watched the fight between me and the coyote. "Pumpkin.." He whispered, petting me roughly. This was not a beating, or a dominant gesture. He was showing me genuine affection. By protecting him when I didn't have to, I had jumped a level. I was no longer just a champion fighting dog, I was a companion. Master pulled himself to his feet and we started back to the compound, my leash dragging the ground.

I cannot explain to you how much animosity fills me as I tell you this last important fight of mine. The one fight that knocked my whole world off.

It started off like any normal fight, Master came to retrieve me after I had snuck a steak out of the kitchen. (Maria had not returned but the girls in there had started turning a blind eye on my activities.)  I was led down the corridor, filled with the smell of urine and raging hormones. My eyes widen but I didn't skip a beat as I saw my opponent.

Before me stood a fully grown bull mastiff, standing a full head over me.  My confidence swelled, I could do this. The gunshot sounded numbly in the background. I went for the only weak spot I could think of at the moment.  With a burst if motion I locked my jaws around his neck. My teeth pressed into his wrinkles, but he seemed not to be in pain. He swung his head, almost picking me up off my feet, and bashed me into the wall. I let go with a silent cry and paced away from him.

The eyes of the dimwitted dog followed me. They held no anger, just a deadly obediance. I could tell he had been raised similar to me, but he lacked the ferocity. I inched closer and closer until with one swift movement I struck his shoulder. I was not quick enough. His canines drug down my side and ripped my skin. I gritted my teeth, not wanting to give in so easily. Maybe he would be like the doberman. I tried to rip at his stomach but he flung me away with a head but. The impact itself was harder than hitting the ground, and I stumbled to my feet warily.

The mastiff was on me within a second and knocked me back over. He grabbed on to my throat and started throttling the life out of me. I couldn't believe it would end like this, me laying here in the dirt with barely a scratch on my enemy. My eyes wandered up to Master, he was pressed against the siding, watching me with unreadable eyes. I saved you, I wanted to bark, will you save me? I remember watching only him as the pain started to fade and black crept into my vision. I closed my eyes, for I was suddenly very weary. I heard shouting and booing from the crowd, along with some noises I couldn't name. I ignored them and drifted into a dark sleep.