Starman's Sky

Chapter 4: Buck

I fell asleep on the roof, not knowing it. The sun was shining already. I got down, carrying the blanket and pillow with me. I had some of the vegetables out of the garden.

I haven't had meat in a few weeks now. I'd kill to just have a dead rabbit. I wrote in my notebook about how I fell asleep on the roof and how town went. I did a little bit of work in the garden.

I hopped in the truck with the shotgun and VCR tape. I looked at myself in the rear view and noticed I hadn't taken a shower in a few days. "I'll take a bath when I get back" I said to myself, backing up and returning to town.

I was there for a few more hours. I went through the houses and looked for anything in there. Then I noticed I left the letter at home. It felt different without it even though I only had it for a day.

I rushed to the truck stopped at the gas station before leaving. Don't want an empty tank. It was almost impossible to drive past the cars I don't know how I'll get to Knoxville.

On the way up the mountain something ran I front of me. I hit the breaks and grabbed my shotgun. It was a dog. I placed the shotgun next to me and sat on my knee.

"What are you doing here?" I said as the dog barked at me. I got into the truck and into a compartment in on the passenger side. There was some old dog treats there.

I threw him one. It stopped barking at me and walked up to me. I gave him another "I mean no harm" i pet it's neck. It looked exactly like Buddy.

I touched it's neck to see if it had a name tag. It's name was Buck. "Buck" I said lightly. It was an older dog. Might've been from the same liter as Buddy because they look similar.

"Wanna go home with me" I asked the dog. It barked. I let it climb in with me. I rolled down the passenger window for it. I'd drive the rest of the way up.

I went hunting for the rest of the day, desperately looking for any animal. I saw a rabbit. I left Buck at the house. I pulled my arrow back, aiming, then Buck ran past me and chased after it.

He must've been a pro. Doing it for a while to be my guess. He caught the rabbit in his mouth and brought it back to me.

"Good job Buck" I said patting his back and grabbing the rabbit. I cleaned the rabbit outside near the house, but not too close to where you could smell it.

I cooked it on the wood stove. Still got it. Once some of it was done I threw a little bit to Buck. By the time I was done eating and cleaned everything up it was time for bed. "I'm going to go to a spring nearby" I told Buck. I grabbed the shotgun. "Stay" I motioned my hand as I grabbed everything I needed.

The spring was specifically meant for showering my dad told me. Nothing else. There was a waterfall that you could stand under too. I washed off, keeping my mask on for as long as possible. I got dressed into my pajamas and took my mask off to wash my face. I looked into the reflection, there was a dog behind me. He followed me.

I put my mask back on, looking at him "you followed me" I couldn't yell at him. I just pet in between his ears. I finished up and went to bed.

I laid down, looked at the bed I made for Buck on the floor. He whined "no, your staying in you bed" he whined again "dad told me I was very stubborn, I said no" he whined again. I wasn't going to continue this.

"Get up here" I said, patting a spot on my bed. He jumped up there. I let him until I slowly started to drift off.

"Goodnight"