Forever Forest

Chapter 6

Having the dog was like having a small vicious raccoon.

It often ate their food but never seemed to get sick. Her father figured the thing didn't even need dog food. It hated sleeping on the floor and seemed to require a blanket to curl under.

Her father, oddly enough, did not seem to mind that she had brought home a vicious pup, a possible grey fox cub. He played with it often, treating it like a small son. He'd call out "Atta boy, that's the way!" Each time it swiftly caught a thrown stick in its mouth.

In fact he was even oddly delighted that it bit his muscles and yelped at the door when he left for work.

Terra was not.

They thought of giving the thing a name, but Terra thought better. She told her father they'd wait a few more days in case an owner showed up. Her father told her it was unlikely but she thought otherwise. Perhaps the dog's owner was that strange blue haired boy she discovered in the woods. She would find out the next day.

~

Terra snuck out of the cabin early that morning with a leash and a collar around the dog's neck.

The dog seemed appalled by her choice to keep it close, but the thing was untrustworthy and she didn't want it escaping in case its owner was still out looking for it.

She secretly wasn't inclined towards keeping it either though she wouldn't abandon it if it had no where to stay.

Following the same path as before, she found the yellow sign and waited with the dog.

Nothing.

Though there were others.

She knew there were, though they couldn't be human. Not in these woods. Though she was certain she caught eyes peeking from bushes. They had to be pesky animals. What she didn't know was why it felt as though they were watching her. Analyzing her. Whispering.

Just when she was sure she'd fall asleep against the tree she'd found to lean against, a voice spoke from above her; "Your back."

The same silky parted blue hair, clear cyan eyes, followed by a cheeky smile. He hung from a branch he somehow managed to silently climb to while she was leaning against the tree.

She rubbed an eye. "I'm surprised you showed up at all."

"Good to see you too." He inclined his head though his eyes kept on hers.

She stood and got to the point. No flatteries necessary. "This dog followed me home. Is it yours?"

His eyes darted behind her to the dog sprawled across the floor, asleep and half snoring. He nimbly slid off the branch and landed on his feet to gaze at the creature.

He turned away for a minute and let out a small noise that could either be a cough or a snort.

The dog raised its head at the noise and blinked sleepily at the boy.

"Dog or fox, whatever that ridiculous beast is, it isn't mine. I don't know him at all."

She narrowed her eyes, the dog seemed to as well.

He smiled.

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes and turned back towards home with the dog.

"Wait!" He laid his hand on hers suddenly.

His hand was warm. But when it touched hers it cooled instantly.

She jerked it away. "What is it?"

"Leaving so soon?" he hummed with a grin. His teeth were actually quite sharp, he reminded her of a vampire. A vampire whose smile was beginning to get on her nerves.

"You're weird and I'd like to go home." she murmured.

"Play with me. Be my friend. In exchange I will care for this dog. Is it a deal?"

She looked at the hairy beast beside her.

Terra didn't think she'd ever make friends again. She also thought she would be stuck caring for the stupid dog the rest of her life.

"Deal."