The Stinky Life I've Accepted

Chapter 3: Not Great

Ryker

I inch my way over and under backyard fences, keeping clear of domesticated pets. I don't want to be lunch today. 

I finally near the edge of the neighborhood, which breaks off into another town part of the city. Humans confuse me so much. I'm glad I'm no longer one. 

I stay hidden in alleys, waiting for the coast to be clear before springing for another one. 

Some humans see me, but lose sight of me in five seconds tops. I've learned to be quite fast. 

I find a good alley not too shabby, but it smells awful. Worse than any other alley I've passed so far. Good. Any human would be absolutely insane to walk down here. 

I find a corner, and huddle against it, curling around myself for warmth and to keep an eye on my surroundings. 

I yawn, and let sleep overtake me once more. 

I wake up with a hand grabbing the scruff of my neck, and another one grabbing my tail. I hiss as I open my eyes to find an animal control dude peering at me, his face not even a few inches away. 

"Hello, little fella." He coos and I hiss, trying to shake myself out of his grip. He chuckles as he places a muzzle around my own muzzle, and carries me over to a van. 

A few other guys in the same gray uniform watches on, their eyes soft and kind. Ha! I could care less how sympathetic they might look. 

The back doors to the van are opened, and I am placed in one of the smaller cages that has blankets on the bottom. 

Only then is my neck and tail released, and the last thing the man does is place a dark blanket over the cage. 

It is weirdly soothing, but I am too agitated and nervous. I will have to settle before I give myself the chance to react to any other emotion that might pop up. 

The van starts to move, and I huddle there, frozen. This is not great. 

Not great at all.