The Boy and The Giant (Editing)

That Ain't No Raccoon!

June 9th, 1945

Out in our little brown cabin. Me, ma and my dog Bella lived in beautiful harmony.

"Shawn! Take Bella outside. That little dog won't stop barking!" My ma said.

"Okay ma! Come on Bella!" I got up from the table. Bella sat by door whimpering and barking at the same time.

Bella has been barking for over three weeks now. She only barked at something in the woods. I had no idea why she did bark I just thought Bella wanted to do it.

Me and Bella walked out into the dark. Ma and I lived in the middle of nowhere. No city lights for a good hundred yards. Only lights around here are the ones in our house and the lanterns posted in the grass.

I stood by one of the lanterns as I watch Bella trot toward the woods. Her four-legged figure soon disappearing into the darkness. She continued barking casually, I never did think anything yet. That all changed when her bark turned more serious. As in serious, I mean she is barking like she is in a fight for her life. Bella must of saw a raccoon or something. Bella was a German Shepherd, a pretty big one at that. She was meant to attack any type of small animals that dare intruded onto our land. She also is the one that brings us supper at night.

"Bella! Kill that little vermin!" I yelled from a distance. My ma came outside and stood beside me. "I think Bella found a raccoon." I said to ma, "with all that barking I thought she would of killed it by now." The German Shepherd kept barking aggressively. At this point, I grew worried for Bella. Its obvious that whatever she is barking at is not an animal. Bella never barks for this long. She just goes in for the attack. The attack is quick and efficient the few times that I have witnessed.

My ma huffed out some air and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Go see what she is barking at Shawn. I bet she has an animal cornered or something." Ma said.

Ma didn't have to tell me twice. I made sure my boots were laced and ran out to the woods too see what Bella may be barking at. I believe she has an animal corner like ma said. I should of grabbed the shotgun and brought it out here with me. It may be bobcats now that I think about it. I seen a few bobcats run about in our backyard every now and again. Those little vermin are vicious when they sink their fangs or claws into ya. I would know because I have been attacked by the cats. One of the suckers have left a scar on my back one time.

When I get to the woods, I see no sign of my beloved dog anywhere. All I could hear was her loud barks; she had to be barking at something. It can't be a raccoon nor a bobcat, was it a person that she wanted too alert us about? That would only make sense too me. Over the years, Bella has warn us about people trying too break into our houses. She'd continue barking over and over again and even growling.

I continued walking in more and more until... The barking stopped. The barking turned into whimpers. Whimpers that cry of help. Bella was in danger! Now I had to go find her!

"BELLA! BELLA WHAT'S WRONG!" I cried out too her. I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to my beloved Bella. "BELLA!" I kept crying out for her trying my best to find her.

Man, did I not know where I was going. I'm so far from the house no light can be seen. My only source of light was the moon. And even that didn't provide enough light. My eyes could barely adjust to the darkness.

Bella whimpered again. The whimper was much closer than before. If I could just get too her I can help her! "Bella!" She whimpered in response. The whimper sounded right beside me. I looked over to my right and saw Bella laying down on her side. I had no idea what was wrong with her. She looked just fine in my eyes; no signs of blood was on her fur. I crouched and made my way over towards Bella and petted her head. "Its okay girl. Let's go." I said to her. I grabbed her paws with my hands and pulled her. For some reason, Bella wouldn't move. It was if she gained so much weight in five minutes.