De Vil-Radcliffe

Chapter 3- Dude

"Okay! Carlos, we're going to do some sprints. You ready?" Prince Ben asked.

Carlos nodded as Dude barked. Carlos started running fearfully, and I realized what was going on. I ran after them, Carlos screaming as Dude barked.

I found Carlos in a tree while Dude was barking at him. I scooped Dude up, and he calmed down. He knew my scent.

"Carlos, Carlos, it's okay," I assured him.

"This thing is a killer! He's going to chase me down and rip out my throat. This is a vicious rabid-pack animal," Carlos ranted.

"Who told you that?" I looked at him in disbelief.

"My mother," Carlos said.

I shuddered. "C-Cruella?"

"She's a dog expert. A dog yellerer," he explained. "Why are you holding him? He's going to attack you!"

"Carlos, you've never met a dog, have you?" I questioned soothingly.

"'Course not," Carlos said.

"Dude, this is Carlos. Carlos, this is dude. He's the campus mutt," I explained.

"He doesn't look like a vicious, rabid-pack animal," Carlos said, softening his hold slightly. He climbed down slowly. "Jeez. You're a good boy, aren't you?"

Dude whimpered as I handed him to Carlos. "I try my best to make him look orderly."

"You take care of him?" Carlos questioned, looking at me with wide eyes.

"It's my specialty to look after dogs," I explained.

"How are you not afraid?" Carlos asked.

"Carlos, whatever that... horrible woman told you is the opposite. Dogs are a person's best friend. They're used as emotional support animals with some people who have medical problems, such as social anxiety. As long as you know how to train them and to take care of them... they're angels," I explained.

"Mom always told me they're bad news," Carlos said, frowning.

"They're the best thing in the world," I scoffed, smiling. "I grew up surrounded by dogs and they are the most wonderful things in the world." I thought for a moment. "Why don't I show you my dog?"

Carlos shook his head no. "Do you need more time?"

"Yeah. That sounds great," Carlos nodded.

"Come find me if you need anything, okay? Tips, homework, you name it," I said.

"Got it," Carlos nodded.

"Dude, be good," I said sternly.

Dude looked at me for a moment before I turned and walked away. His mother put in mind all those horrible things. Such a horrible woman.

"Hello, my dear roommate," Blossom said. "Why do you look so breathless?"

"I had to run after a boy who his mother brainwashed him into thinking dogs are the Devil's spawn," I sighed.

"Carlos De Vil is afraid of dogs?" Blossom raised an eyebrow.

"I think I talked some sense into him," I explained, sitting at the piano. "Cruella De Vil, Cruella De Vil. If she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will. To see her is to take a sudden chill."

"Cruella, Cruella De Vil," Blossom sang as I played on the piano.

I stopped, looking at the keyboard. "It's sad that that was the first song I learned to play as a kid. It's sad that all of us have to be haunted by the memories our parents gave us of the 'horrible villains that changed everything'."

Pluto whimpered as he brushed against my leg. He knew of the horrors his parents and his grandparents his parents told him about. He hides under my bed every time I say her name.

"What'd I tell you? They're doing this because they want us to fix their past mistakes. To make amends, hoping the children of villains will change," Blossom said angrily.

"And I'm happy they're doing this. We will not change them entirely. They're not puppies entering a new home and need to be trained. But, we can show them that there's more than just being evil to this world."

Blossom sighed. "You're completely right. As always."

"Thanks, sis." I smiled, turning back to the piano. "I know you. I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar, a gleam..."