Under the Dome

Chapter 1

I spread my fingers into Lex's soft, red fur and it was all in knots. His fur smelled like smoke, dirt, and something rotting like he rolled in a carcass, I knew I had to wash him and soon. His head gently touching mine as he sniffed my face with his adorable black nose and I giggled in response. I looked in his light blue eyes, he stared back waiting patiently for something; It seemed like he would wait forever.

Our gaze broke when a clap of thunder made me jump in my skin. The sky looked gray, and it was the end of hurricane season making the situation seem tolerable. It has been raining for two days straight and trying to go outside our cave was not an option for Lex even though the rain has toned down to a sprinkle.

"Geez" I muttered under my breath. "If I don't eat soon I'm not gunna die from starvation."

Lex looked out the mouth of the cave while his nose went to work. I tried to get his attention by whistling, but his nose was in charge instead of his ears. Out of habit, I cocked my head to the side like Lex did when he was a pup.

My father said he found Lex all alone on the other side of the mountain heading home from Paradise route and he wouldn't stop shaking. When he picked the small pup up, Lex started chewing on his fingers and stop shaking immediately. My father said he had a loyal and hopeful heart, and I believed his words. The trip took at least two days, and when my father returned I was overjoyed to see Lex. He told me to take good care of the pup and one day he'll return the favor.

I snapped out of my wonderful memory of my farther when Lex got on all fours now and walked to the edge of the cave, daring to test the limits of his adventurous side. Ever so lightly, rain drops fell all around Lex and his ears start to turn in every direction like a radar. His nose didn't stop moving and the muscles in his boulder-like shoulders twitch once and a while. I sat and watched him for 30 minutes then gave up. I turn to look over my shoulder; my sleeping bag laid next to my father's. I was afraid to move it and lose my connection with him or I would forget him completely. On the far wall is our weapons hanging on a metal rack; two swords hovered above five different sizes of k-bars, three spears and two pocket compasses. Next to that is a large chest filled with seasonal clothes, first-aid kit, and emergency food. On the other side of the cave is a small tunnel I used to hide in when I was little, now my shoulders and ass won't even fit due to puberty.

I took a long sigh and closed my eyes while taking a deep breath. I turned back to Lex keeping my eyes close, feeling the cold air, listening to the birds and frogs. "Alright Lex, once the..." I finally opened my eyes and Lex disappeared. I pushed myself to my feet, lingering closer to the mouth of the cave.

I walk out of the cave and look around. To the right is pine, oak, and aspen trees huddle close together by the edge of the rock wall. Once the trees spreaded a little further out, a small trail leading to the river. Then to the left of the cave is my training area, my favorite place to be in my free time.

My father, William, started training me since I was ten years old. I'm grateful that he did, it paid off.

I kicked my ass in gear and walked to the training area and decided to search there. The training area is a perfect cemi-circle, trees and bushes on the outskirts made a 12 foot growing wall. A huge white oak stood above the rest and hanging from one of the many strong branches was two metal chains with rings hanging at the end of the chains. On the far side was a row of four targets for practicing archery and throwing spears. What laid perfectly in the center of the training area was a twist target that extended random metal bars.

My father told me that it helps with hand-to-hand combat, which it did.

Lex was nowhere near the training area, I was starting to get nervous. He never left my side once in my life time and he would always be in ear shot distance.