Savage?

Ten

The goose lasted me another day, but hunger didn't stay away long. I had used my temporarily full stomach to search for some sort of semi permanent shelter. Until I figured out some way to get back to Master and my old life, the city would be my home.

The result of my search efforts was a broken down car in a foul smelling lot. Gasoline and other strong smells attacked my nose, but it was the only place that I could find real protection from the elements. It also provided a slightly cushioned seat, something I wasn't used too. I had been forced to fight for it, as usual. When I first approached it there had been a tall gangly dog who already resided there.

He was a Great Dane, at least partially, with mottled grey fur. He was missing an eye, with a long scar stretching over it. He was a battle scarred opponent for sure, but I only considered that an advantage. Old wounds made great places to strike again. It hurt even worse than a fresh one. 

I approached the car warily, hoping my own appearance would spook him into running. I just wanted to lay down for a little while.

To my slight disappointment, he stood and extended to his full height, a dull growl emanating from his broad chest. He was a full head taller than me, possibly more. I flashed my teeth at him and laid my ears back. I wasn't frightened by his height. His legs were his weak spots, and I planned to use that knowledge. The hair on his back was straight up and he snapped at me confidently, not used to being challenged.

I let out a vicious snarl and dug my teeth into the tender flesh between his shoulder and stomach. I felt his teeth on the nape of my neck. He tried to throw me backwards, but was unprepared for how much I weighed. I felt him lose his balance and struggle to regain it quickly. I unhinged my jaws, lowered my head, and lunged up into him.

Those longs legs of his did nothing to help him as he crashed onto his side. I noted with satisfaction the sound of his breath forced out of his body. I took my chance while he was down and dived for his throat.

Icy cold water rained down on me and I stopped my attack, bewildered. The water was sprayed directly in my face, almost blinding me. I stumbled backwards, trying to escape it's wrath. The fountain eased and I blinked the last bit of water from my eyes.

Before me stood a bulky man holding a hose in his shaky hand. I growled and rushed at him, and his icy attack resumed. By this point the Dane mix had gotten back on his feet. I whirled to face him, restarting my attack. Water blasted me, and the other dog, relentlessly. It was almost impossible to concentrate. I turned away from it the best I could, so it only hit my neck.

The other dog was just as muddled as I had been, and I was given the perfect opportunity. He raised his head to clear his eyes, and within seconds my teeth closed around his neck. My fangs found their mark and cruelly ripped open his neck. The Dane sputtered and collapsed, his blood mixing with the water.

I turned back to the hose-bearer. He had backed away, the hose still aimed at me as a threat. I growled low, and turned around. I trotted back to my prize and stepped up into the seat. I shot my eyes back at the man. He seemed to understand what I wanted, and warily walked back to a trailer a few hundred feet away. This was enough distance between us. As long as he let me be I wouldn't disturb him.

It was only late afternoon, but fatigue washed over me. I closed my eyes and fell asleep quickly.

I was startled awake by a heavy drop of water on my nose. It was raining, dark storm clouds making it impossible to guess the time. I grumpily crawled into the back seat, since I didn't know how to shut the door. I was still drowsy, and slumber welcomed me back into its warm embrace.

The next time I was awakened, the sky had cleared. The sky was beginning to show a hint of light at the very edge of the horizon, but the main source was the moon. At first nothing stood out to me, and I couldn't figure out why I was awake. Crickets chirped in the distance, and I was able to settle back down when I heard the crunch of feet on leaves. My ears perked up and I looked around, expecting the man from earlier. Instead it was a different human, a gawky man who stalked with his head low. I didn't like it. I watched him survey the lot, and settle his gaze in my direction.

I lowered my head behind the driver's seat and narrowed my eyes. He walked in my direction, approaching my car. I stayed silent until he slid into the drivers seat and started fiddling with the dash. I waited no longer.

I shot out over the middle console and got a decent grip on his arm. He let out a terrified scream and yanked away, only further injuring himself. His hand smacked into my temple, and I winced. I forced my jaws closer together and heard the crushing of his arm bone. His yelling was almost constant now, and he had someone dragged us both out of the car onto the dirt. I noticed a light in the distance, one from the trailer. It bobbed and grew, until I realized it was a flashlight.

The bulky man from earlier was at my side in a second, and watched solemnly. At the time I didn't even question the fact that he would stand up for a dog, but not one of his own kind. He spoke harsh words to the one I had my teeth on, and the man responded in a pained tone.

Eventually the man underneath me stopped struggling, and I advanced towards his throat. A harsh sound of disapproval came from the bulky man. I instinctively shrunk back. Looking up at him, I was tempted to growl, but sirens distracted me. A car with flashing lights pulled in, and I decided to quit while I was ahead. I wheeled and dashed into the brush on the outskirts of the lot.

The flashing cars stayed until the sun was creeping up towards the middle of the sky. When they finally left, and the man went back to his trailer, I crept out. My mouth was dry, and water was my top priority.

The only place in my recent memory to get water was the pond where I had caught the goose. The thought of more waterfowl made me lick my lips. I loped down the streets, fairly crowded at midday. People either made way for me, or did so when I growled. To my great dissatisfaction, no more birds had taken up residence. I spent a good hour at the park, drinking, laying in the shade, and repeating. When I finally felt like I was gonna burst I went back to the junkyard.

I climbed back into the car to escape the blazing sun, and laid down to rest. I had no idea how to get back to Master. The door to the trailer squeaked open, and I flicked my eyes up. He was carrying a plate of red meat.

I eyed it curiously, and hungrily.
He got closer.
My nose twitched.
He came closer.
I opened my mouth to taste the air.
He sat the plate down a few feet from me.

I eyed him suspiciously. This seemed like a trick. He had seemed almost hostile the day before. He turned away from me and walked back to his trailer, sitting in a rocking chair outside. He lit a cigar and watched me.

I quickly scrabbled out of the car and to the plate. I barely had time to taste as I wolfed it down. All the while, I heard him cooing in a soft, but deep voice, "good dog... good dog."

Author's Note: Wow, it's been a while hasn't it. Sorry guys, here's a decent sized update to try and smooth things over. Soo who is this mystery man? Why isn't he more angry over the death of the other dog? Has Pumpkin found a new home? Will any of these questions actually ever be answered? And if so will it be in a timely fashion?

Who knows.