Addicted to You

Chapter Five

Elliott's POV

Something felt wrong. Seriously wrong. 

I glanced up at the clock only to sigh in frustration as it read 4:45 am. 

I hadn't slept a wink. My mind was on an overdrive as my gut continued to tell me something was absolutely wrong. But wrong with what, exactly? Elaine was asleep beside me perfectly fine and Xavier was curled at the edge of my bed. 

As if sensing my anxiety, Xavier blinked open his intelligent brown eyes and looked over to me, head cocked. Slowly as to not awaken Elaine I pushed the covers back, sitting up, and placing my hand on his back. His bushy tail thumped happily as I scratched him. 

"Do you know whats wrong boy? I can't put my finger on what it could be..." My shoulders slumped with exhaustion as I talked nonsense Xavier. 

Xavier leaned forward, gently licking my forearm. I couldn't help but crack a smile despite the looming sense of dread that blanketed me. 

Heaving another sigh I stepped out of the warmth of my bed and padded towards my dresser. Opening the top drawer quietly, I pulled out a white wifebeater t-shirt and a pair of khakis. After slipping the clothes on and tugging my blue tennis-shoes over my feet, I stood back up. 

"Coming Xavier?" I whispered through the darkness. 

The bed rustled slightly before I heard Xavier's feet hit the ground. His claws clicked harmoniously against the hardwood as he followed me out of our bedroom and down the hall. 

~~~~~~~

Taking a walk outside provided me no comfort, it was just as dark and leery as it was back inside and in my bed. At least I had Xavier with me. 

I distractedly ran my calloused thumb over Xaviers rugged red leash. He didn't even need a leash but I kept it on at night just in case. Xavier walked patiently by my side however I did notice how alert he was. The top dark black coat of his hair stood up particularly straight and his large ears were perked, swiveling back and fourth as he listened. A small growl rumbled from deep inside his throat the further into the park we walked. 

"What is it boy?" I whispered, halting in my steps and kneeling down to stroke Xavier's ears. His body quivered under my touch as he whined uneasily. Having no other option, I unclipped the leash from his collar, hoping Xavier wouldn't disappoint me with what he had found. 

"Lord help you if it's just a squirrel." I grumbled under my breath as I watched Xavier take off in a steady trot down the sidewalk. 

Pretty soon I was jogging after Xavier while gently calling his name to get him to slow down. However with him being a trained Shepard he had no plans of stopping once he found a trail. Xavier leapt over the small bushes that lined the sidewalk and quickly darted in the direction of the woods. His jaws snapped as he tasted the air. 

I ran after him, "Dammit Xavier!" 

Xavier ignored me and kept going into the woods. I struggled to keep up with him as he ducked and turned under bushes and thick branches. A few thorns snagged my skin causing me to hiss with pain, but I kept going. 

Xavier's large body came to an abrupt halt. He swiveled his head towards me, whining, his large eyes rounded. The bones in my knees cracked loudly as I knelt down and rubbed my hand along my dogs back.

 "What is it?" I asked him. 

As if he could hear me, Xavier jutted his nose towards the left, another loud whine erupting from his jaws. His paws scraped at the ground with unease. At this point I was completely and utterly confused as to what Xavier had found. Was it a lost trail? A dead animal?