The Ends of Earth

Chapter 6

The sun hadn't risen yet. Stars scattered the sky.

But the boy was awake. He was rummaging through some boxes trying to find something fun to do.

"Monopoly multiplayer game." The lemon-colored puppy stood close observing.

"Scrabble multiplayer." He was starting to get annoyed.

"Chess, I could play that alone but that's just sad." He slid the box on the floor next to him, almost hitting the friend.

"Battleship, Clue, Risk. Multiplayer multiplayer multiplayer." He was going to give up, but a rectangular metal case caught his eye. He reached his hand to the bottom of the box and pulled it out.

"Dos...hmmm." He flipped the box over.

"Be the first person to play all the cards from your hand..." The boy looked at the friend.

"Dos...What do you think Dos?" The puppy wagged its tail and panted with its strawberry tongue out. The boy petted the dog.

"What do you think Dos? Will you play this game with me? Huh? Huh?"

At that moment he felt genuine happiness for the first time.

The thoughts of death, loss, and abandonment fled from his mind.

He had begun to create a relationship.

Although his side and head was throbbing. He decided that he had something to do. He picked up Dos and put him into the top pocket of his backpack. He tied the bandana around his face and fastened the goggles around his eyes.

"Ready to go?"

He was consumed in a bright feeling, it energized him. He made his way quietly down the street keeping in mind what Melany said.

He opened the door, and the bell greeted him again.

"Hello again I'm back." He made his way to the pet essentials aisle.

"Let's see, let's see what do you need." He picked a variety of things out, including several toys squeaky, not squeaky, crinkly, and chewing. As well a harness leash and dog food and bowls.

"Gotta make sure you're fed well in case I have to eat you."

He said goodbye to the bell and made his way back down the open street making sure to be quiet.

Dos let out two high pitched barks.

"Be quiet Dos or you'll be spider food before you're my food."

Dos didn't listen and let out three more high pitched barks.

"Dos be quiet-" The boy became covered in darkness. He knew exactly what was happening. He did not turn around, he just ran. An ear-splitting hiss pierced through his ears.

"A snake it's a snake!" He screamed, taking lengthy strides. He could feel small pieces of gravel getting launched in his direction hitting the backs of his legs.

"Dos hold on, we're about to make a sharp turn."

He slid down a slope baseball style into the woods. His boots digging into the wood chipped ground.

"Hold on!" He pushed his heels into the ground to slow himself. But he was met with another horror at the bottom.

"A massive lizard. Could it get worse?" The monstrous creature stared into the boy's eyes, and Dos and the boy stared back. He sat there accepting his fate for a few minutes but realized he wasn't in any danger. He remembered

He slowly stood up and began to limp away. He realized what he'd done. He had to walk slowly because he couldn't take deep breaths. Even the shallow breaths pierced his lungs. He didn't bend his right knee or really his whole right side while walking. With every step he winced in pain.