The Silent Paw and The Gentle Bark

🐾 Chapter 41: The Nightmare Returns

Catnap knew it was a dream the moment he opened his eyes.

But that didn't make it any less real.

He stood in the middle of the factory. Or at least, what was left of it. The walls were torn apart, thick wires snaking through the cracked floors. A rotten stench filled the air—like old metal, rust, and something worse.

And then—

A scream.

Dogday's scream.

It came from deep within the shadows, echoing off the empty halls. The sound was sharp, agonized, like someone was tearing him apart piece by piece.

Catnap ran.

His paws pounded against the cold floor as he sprinted toward the sound, his heart hammering in his chest.

"Dogday!" he shouted. "I'm coming!"

But the halls stretched endlessly, twisting and warping as he ran. No matter how fast he moved, the screams never got closer.

And then—

They stopped.

Catnap skidded to a halt, his breath sharp in his throat.

The silence was worse than the screaming.

"No..." He shook his head. "No, no, no—"

A faint, wet drip echoed through the halls.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Slowly, hesitantly, Catnap turned the corner—

And froze.

Dogday was there.

Or what was left of him.

His body hung limply from the wall, wires wrapped around his limbs like puppet strings. His golden fur was soaked in dark, glistening red, deep gashes torn across his chest and stomach. His head drooped forward, his ears barely twitching.

Blood dripped from his mouth.

The floor beneath him was soaked in it.

"Dogday...?" Catnap's voice broke, his entire body going cold.

Dogday twitched.

Then, slowly, his head lifted.

His eyes were empty.

Lifeless.

His mouth opened, but no words came out—only a horrible, wet gurgle.

Then—

"HE DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU."

The voice came from everywhere at once. Deep. Distorted. Wrong.

The Prototype stepped from the shadows, its massive, mangled form towering over Dogday's broken body. Its metallic fingers dug into Dogday's shoulders, making the golden retriever jerk in pain, another strangled noise escaping his throat.

"LET HIM GO!" Catnap lunged, claws out—

But the moment he got close, the Prototype's hand ripped through Dogday's chest.

SHRRRK!

Catnap's world shattered.

Dogday coughed violently, blood spilling from his mouth in thick, red splatters. His body convulsed—

Then went still.

The glow in his eyes vanished.

The Prototype grinned.

"He's mine now."

With a sickening crunch, it ripped Dogday in half.

Catnap screamed.

Then—

Everything went black.

🐾 Catnap woke up gasping.

His body was trembling. His heart raced so fast it hurt. His sheets were soaked with sweat, his claws digging so deep into the mattress that they nearly tore through.

It took him a second to realize he was crying.

Then—

"Catnap?"

A familiar voice, groggy and confused.

Dogday sat up beside him, his ears drooped sleepily, his fur ruffled from sleep. "You okay?"

Catnap stared at him.

At his warm golden fur, his bright blue eyes, the way he blinked in concern. He was fine. He was alive.

Without thinking, Catnap grabbed him, pulling him in so tight that Dogday let out a surprised yelp.

"Whoa—!" Dogday squirmed, but Catnap didn't let go.

He couldn't.

Dogday hesitated—then slowly relaxed, his tail curling around Catnap's leg. "...Did you have another nightmare?"

Catnap didn't answer. He just buried his face in Dogday's fur, his entire body still shaking.

Dogday softened. His paws rubbed gentle circles against Catnap's back.

"I'm here," he murmured. "I'm okay. I promise."

Catnap squeezed his eyes shut.

But for how long?

Because deep down, he knew one thing—

That nightmare wasn't just a dream.

And next time?

It might not be fake.