Iceheart

Chapter 4: A Weakling or a Warrior?

Jason felt a tongue on his face. He groaned and heard his alarm clock. "Uh... good boy," Jason yawned. He looked at the white dog. He continued to lick Jason's face.

"H-hey!" Jason said, his voice slowly waking up. "That's enough, boy! I get the message!"

The dog hopped off of the bed. He pulled open Jason's shirt drawer and slid his backpack over with his nose. Jason looked at the dog in bewilderment.

"How did you know how to do that?" he pondered out loud. He shrugged and began digging through his drawer to find a shirt. When he had found an Iditarod hoodie, he turned around to see the dog gently holding Jason's textbook in his mouth. He dropped it into Jason's bag.

"You are the wackiest dog I have ever met," Jason said. "But, you're also a big help. I guess that balances things out."

The dog smiled and barked, running around Jason. He jumped up on Jason, causing him to fall.

"Heh, slow down, you big old polar bear of a dog!" he laughed. As he said that, an idea dawned on him. He slowly smiled.

"I know your name, boy," he said. "'Nanuq' means 'polar bear' in Inuit, and since we're in Alaska and you weigh as much as a polar bear, I'm going to call you Nanook."

The dog ran around the room, barking happily. His barks seemed to say "I love it!". Jason sighed and pet the dog. He grabbed the box under his bed. In it was a faded leather collar.

"I always did want a dog," he sighed. "So did my mom." He pat the dog on the head. "You would've liked her. She was kind and sweet and loved animals. She always wanted to take me around Alaska, just us two and a couple of dogs. I bet you'd be one of them. Who knows... maybe I can fulfill her dream one day. She'd like that."

Jason sighed and grabbed a picture of his mother. Nanook whimpered and nuzzled Jason's hand. Jason sighed and put the picture over his heart.

"I miss her a lot," Jason sighed. "She... she really made the family. I know there was a lot she wanted for me. Siblings, a caring dad, a bright future... guess she'd never guess all of this would happen."

Jason softly sniffled. Nanook whimpered more. Jason sighed and pulled the dog closer. He looked at the clock. He needed to head out.

"I'll get you some dog food after school," Jason said, slipping some cash into his backpack. "Can't have you eating up everything in the fridge."

The dog nudged Jason's backpack to him. Jason sighed and slipped his backpack on over his coat. He leaned down and petted Nanook.

"See ya later, boy," he said quietly. He shut the door. Then, he remembered something. He walked back into his room and set down a newspaper.

"Please don't, but if you have to, use that," Jason sighed. "Unless you can use a toilet."

As Jason said that, he chuckled and walked out to the bus. As he walked away, he heard his dad shaving. He kept walking away. As he walked outside, he slipped his hood up to try and hide.

"Well, well, well!"

Jason sighed. Looks like hiding didn't work. He kept his hood up, but turned around.

"I didn't expect to see you today!" Jaxon laughed. "Thought you'd run home and hide and cry to your mommy! Oh wait! I forgot! Your mom's dead! Boohoo, poor wittle Jason! All alone!"

Jason heard that and slipped off his hood.

"What did you say?" he grunted, clearly annoyed.

"I said your pathetic dog of a mom is dead!" Jaxon yelled. "Now hand over that homework or do I have to make myself clear again?"