Descendants: Remastered

Chapter 11 - Dude

Carlos's POV

I was standing on the empty tourney field with Ben and Tracey, trying to train so I could be on the tourney team. I didn't even want to be on the team that much, but the other boys were and I didn't want to be left out.

"Okay! Carlos, we're gonna do some sprints!" Called Ben from the sidelines. Ben blows the whistle hanging around his neck and I start running. Then I hear it. The sound from my nightmares. Barking.

I glanced behind me as I ran faster. A small brown blur was chasing after me, its teeth bared ferociously. I screamed and ran even faster, into the forest that borders the school. Maybe I can lose the dog in here, I thought.

"Carlos? Carlos!" Called Ben and Tracey, racing after me. I didn't stop, didn't even look back. I just ran along the dirt track until I saw a dead end. This is the end of me, I thought hopelessly. The vicious animal advanced, barking and slobbering. God, it has rabies! 

I looked behind me and saw a tree. It was tall and bare, but there was a fork just low enough for me to reach. I hoisted myself up and clung to the tree.

"Carlos!" I heard Tracey call. "Tracey?" I call back, desperately trying to fend off the furry beast at my feet. Tracey and Ben run along the path to where I am. "Tracey, Tracey help!" I plead to her. I point a shaking finger at the dog. "This thing is a killer!" I whimper. "He's gonna chase me down and rip out my throat. This is a vicious, rabid pack animal! I-" Tracey just smiled at me and picked the beast up!?

"Hey, who told you that?" Asked Ben. I shivered. "My mother." Tracey raised an eyebrow.

"Cruella?" I nodded. "She's a dog expert," I told Tracey since she didn't understand. "A dog yellerer." She hugged the dog tighter.

"Why are you holding him" I ask her fearfully. "He's gonna attack you!" Tracey giggled.

"Carlos," She said gently. "You've never actually met a dog, have you?" I frowned.

"Of course not." What did she think, that we have pets on the Isle? Tracey grinned.

"Dude, meet Carlos. Carlos, this is Dude." She said in her sweet voice while rubbing the dog - Dude's - back. "He's the campus mutt," Ben said proudly. My fear faded and I saw what was actually in front of me. A fluffy brown dog with big black eyes and his tongue lolling out.

"He doesn't look like a vicious, rabid pack animal," I said, while slowly climbing out of the tree. I looked Dude in the face. "Jeez. You're a good boy, aren't you?" I said and cautiously patted the dog's head. Tracey smiled a gorgeous smile at me and passed me Dude.

I  smiled back at her. "I guess you guys have it pretty rough on the Isle," Tracey said, subdued. "Yeah." I replied sadly, "Let's just say we don't get a lot of belly rubs." Ben patted my shoulder. "Good boy." He said.

Me and Tracey looked at him weirdly. "I-I mean, you're a good runner. You're fast, you know?" Ben stuttered. I was surprised at the compliment. Nobody but the other VKs had ever complimented me. I thanked Ben hesitatingly.

Then Ben looked at his watch. "Oh boy. I gotta run. I have this... other thing I have to do." Then he ran back along the track, leaving me and Tracey alone with Dude. I sat down on a log that was behind me and patted Dude. Tracey sat beside me. 

"Why would your mother lie to you about dogs?" She asked me. I shrugged. "Probably to frighten me into doing her bidding. I mean, that's all I'm useful for in her eyes." Tracey looked shocked. "But- but surely not. I mean, she's your mother!" 

"And?" I asked, confused. "If she's your mother, I mean, surely she loves you more than that?" asked Tracey, seemingly horrified. I shrugged. It had never really occurred to me before. I had just accepted it as a part of life. 

Tracey bit her lip, then hugged me. I froze. No one, not even the VKs had hugged me before. It wasn't a thing you did on the Isle. Love and affection were frowned upon. Tracey then recoiled. "I- I am so sorry." She stuttered. I smiled at her. "Nah. Don't apologize. But we should probably head back before someone gets worried."

Carlos has realized that dogs are not what his mother made them to be, and maybe a little affection is good in life. Here's today's meme