The Smiling Dog

Chapter 7: Is it over?

July 26, 2024

The next day, buoyed by the success of our previous outing, Tom, Mark, and I decided to venture back into the forest. There was still so much to explore, and the tranquility of nature seemed to be the perfect antidote to our recent ordeal.

The morning was cool and crisp, with a slight breeze rustling the leaves. We followed the same path as before, but this time with a sense of familiarity and ease. Our conversations flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and stories of past adventures.

As we walked, the forest grew denser, the trees closing in around us. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. It was peaceful, almost hypnotic, and we found ourselves walking in a comfortable silence, each lost in our own thoughts.

We came upon a new trail, one we hadn't noticed the day before. It was narrow and overgrown, as if rarely used. Intrigued, we decided to follow it, curious to see where it might lead.

The path wound through a particularly dense section of the forest, the canopy overhead blocking out much of the sunlight. Shadows danced around us, and the air grew cooler. There was something slightly unsettling about this part of the forest, but we pressed on, driven by curiosity.

Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by a rustling in the underbrush. We froze, exchanging wary glances. The rustling grew louder, more frantic, and a low growl emanated from the shadows.

"Did you hear that?" Tom whispered, his eyes wide with fear.

"Yeah," I replied, my heart pounding. "Stay close."

Before we could react, the bushes exploded with movement. Out of the undergrowth leaped the grinning visage of Smile Dog, its eyes burning with malevolent glee. It launched itself at us, teeth bared and growling fiercely.

Instinct took over. My eyes darted around, and I spotted a rusty axe leaning against an old, rotting log nearby. Without thinking, I lunged for it, gripping the handle tightly. As the dog sprang towards us, time seemed to slow. Its jaws were inches from Tom's face, its breath hot and foul.

With a surge of adrenaline, I swung the axe. The blade bit deep into the creature's neck with a sickening thud. Smile Dog yelped and fell to the ground, writhing in agony. Blood pooled around it, soaking into the forest floor.

We stood there, breathing heavily, our hearts racing. The creature lay still, its twisted grin finally fading. I yanked the axe free, my hands trembling.

"Is it... is it over?" Tom asked, his voice shaking.

Mark stepped forward, cautiously nudging the body with his foot. "It looks dead," he said, relief evident in his voice. "I think you got it, Alex."

For a moment, we allowed ourselves to believe it was truly over. The dog lay motionless, its sinister presence finally vanquished. We exchanged relieved smiles, the tension easing from our bodies.

But then, a chill ran down my spine. The air around us seemed to thicken, and the forest grew eerily silent. I turned to look at the body, dread pooling in my stomach.

The dog's eyes snapped open, glowing with an otherworldly light. It began to twitch, its movements unnatural and jerky. Slowly, it rose to its feet, the wound in its neck closing before our eyes.

"No... no way," Tom stammered, backing away in horror.

Smile Dog's grin widened, more malevolent than ever. Its eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a wave of pure terror wash over me. The creature lunged again, faster and more ferocious.

This time, we were ready. Mark grabbed a heavy branch, and Tom picked up a large rock. Together, we fought back, striking the dog with everything we had. But it was relentless, its body seeming to absorb the blows without effect.

"Keep fighting!" I shouted, swinging the axe with all my strength. "We can't let it win!"

Despite our efforts, the dog seemed invincible. It snarled and snapped, forcing us to retreat step by step. The sense of hopelessness grew, but we refused to give in.

Finally, with one last, desperate swing, I buried the axe deep in the dog's head. It let out a final, ear-piercing howl before collapsing once more. This time, its body disintegrated into a pile of ash, scattering in the wind.

We stood there, panting and covered in sweat and dirt, staring at the spot where the dog had been. The forest was silent once more, but the sense of unease lingered.

"Is it really over this time?" Tom asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know," I replied, my grip on the axe tightening. "But we need to stay vigilant. If it came back once, it could come back again."

Mark nodded. "We'll find a way to make sure it never returns. We have to."

As we made our way back to the edge of the forest, the weight of our ordeal hung heavy in the air. We had won this battle, but the war against Smile Dog was far from over. And as the shadows lengthened, I couldn't shake the feeling that the true horror was still lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike.