Home Before Dinner

Chapter 2

9:03 am

"Snowball, can you PLEASE stop doing that?! You're gonna give us a heart attack!" Max barked angrily. Sitting next to Duke, Rooster muttered, "Too late, I think someone did." Laying on his back, the hyperventilating Newfoundland mix wheezed, "I... I think... my life... flashed before my eyes..."

"Oh come on, I didn't scare you that bad!" Snowball protested. Calming down, the white bunny rabbit put a big smile on his face as he declared, "So I have some exciting news-"

"Uh huh, sure," Max muttered sarcastically. Rooster rolled his eyes and Duke clearly grumbled something under his breath. Offended, Snowball ordered, "Sit!" The three dogs groaned in unison but reluctantly obeyed the command. Satisfied, the rabbit clapped his paws together excitedly as he exclaimed happily, "I have decided to invite you guys to one of the most amazing games in the world!"

"I swear, if you're dragging us into the Hunger Games..." Max snarled.

"I'm not."

"Poker?" Duke chimed in.

"No, can you let me-"

"Perhaps it's a fight to the death," Rooster rumbled.

"What- no! It's a race!" Snowball declared. Beckoning the dogs to follow him, he continued, "It'll be fun! I promise!" Scoffing, Duke headed for his untouched bowl as he remarked, "Heh, heard that one before." Looming over his bowl, the Newfoundland mix was about to take a bite when something pricked his side. Suddenly, he felt very sleepy. Without warning, he collapsed on the floor.

"Snowball, what the heck?! You darted him with a tranquilizer?!" Max yelled, glaring at the rabbit. Reloading his dart gun, Snowball stated, "Tiny Dog, I invited you to a game. You're coming whether you like it or not." He then shot the Jack Russell terrier. With two down, he turned to the last dog with the intent to dart him as well. His eyes narrowed to slits, Rooster bared his teeth and growled in a low voice, "Dart me and I'll make you wish you were never born..."

"Noted, can you just help me get these guys down to the taxi outside?" Snowball pleaded as he pointed at the window. A taxi horn could be heard from the street below.