Specimen

Others??

No way. He just flew, literally flew away. There is no way that just happened. I turn around and head for the stairs. I sprint down them like my life depends on it. I find my bike and start driving around the deserted area looking for any sign of him.

I must have been looking for hours because it's starting to get dark and I haven't even seen a sign of existence. It quite and everything is the same. Not a single sound is being made and I just know no one is around. I start to make my way home, disappointed. I don't why I am; I guess I was expecting more.

As I drive down the quite empty street with the small bulb from my motorcycle being the only source of light, something in the corner catches my eye. I start to slow down but that doesn't help. It's too dark to see what's moving.

I turn my bike in the direction of whatever's moving and I'm surprised to find an injured dog. I get off my bike and start making my way towards it. The minute it sees me it tries to move away but it can't. It has a cut the size of my hand on its hind left leg and its bleeding badly. I decided to get closer but it keeps pushing away, and if it keeps moving like that it'll probably bleed to death.

I put my hands out in front of me and take slow steps towards it.

"Hey there buddy. I'm not going to hurt you." I quietly whisper but it only helps for a split second.

I remember that I have a muffin left from this morning and I pull it out of my bag slowly, trying my best to keep quite. I put my bag down and start moving towards it again with the muffin extended out. It pushes away but stops when it sees the muffin. It starts sniffing and I know my plan worked.

"You're hungry aren't you?"

It answered my question by moving closer to me and whining.

I placed the muffin down in front of it and it became a distraction. I get closer and the cut becomes clearer. There are rocks and mud in the open flesh and I can only imagine what it's going through. I slowly go to stroke its back and I feel it tense up under my touch, and that's when I know someone has done this to it. I go to pat its head but something around its paw catches my eye.

It's a name tag. I find a what appears to look like a bracelet made out of rope with a name. I rub of some of the mud, and the name Dex appears.

"So Dex, you're a boy.'

I let him finish off the muffin before I attempt to pick up his big body. It takes me multiple tries but by the fourth time I succeed and turn around and head to my bike. I'm grateful that I have a big basket at the back or else I would have had to leave him here. I make sure he won't fall and I start to make my way back home.

I manage to get Dex all the way to my house in one piece. I park as close as I can to the front door, and gather my things as quickly as I can knowing that my time to get through my front door is running out. And fast.

I pick him up and climb the three small steps that lead to the front door I'm wishing is unlocked. My wish is granted as I quickly adjust the way I'm holding Dex and open my door.

Once I'm inside the sirens go off for lights out and I sigh a sigh of relief. I've only heard stories of what happens to people who are out past lights out. And none of it is pretty. I walk quickly over to the old couch and gently place Dex down. I turn on a small lamp giving me just enough light to see where I'm going. I run over to the sink and grab the cleanest cloth I find and dampen it with cold water. I grab 2 bowls and fill one with cold water and the other with luke warm. I make my way back towards Dex and I smile slightly when I find him asleep. I place the 2 bowls on either side of me and sit on the floor in front of Dex. I start to lightly wipe off the mud only stopping when I feel him move beneath my hand.