Iceheart

Chapter 9: Red Eyes, Red Blood

Jason shot up, panting. He looked around, his eyes wide with fear. After establishing that he had not been crushed to death, he took a deep breath and collected himself. He rubbed his temples, trying to shake the bizarre dream he had just had.

Jason stood up and slipped on some clean clothes, brushing his unruly hair. He stretched as he peeked around the corner, looking for his father. He didn't see him. He shrugged and went to go fetch Nanook from outside. However, when he looked around, he didn't see him.

"Nanook?" Jason called, stepping farther out into the yard, shivering from the cold. "Where are you? C'mon, this isn't funny!"

As he looked around for his dog, he felt himself be tugged back by his collar. He yelped in surprise, turning around to see none other than his dad.

"You think you're so smart, huh?" he growled, his glare piercing through Jason. "You think you can just come back here, huh? After running away and doing who knows what?"

"Dad, calm down!" Jason said. "Just please chill out, okay? I didn't do anything, I swear!"

"You dare come back here, you and your mangy mutt!" Malcolm revealed that he was holding a snarling Nanook by the collar. The white dog writhed around, trying to escape the hands of his captor.

"Dad, let him go!" Jason said. "You'll hurt him! He'll choke himself on his collar!"

"You want me to let him go, huh?" Malcolm growled. "Fine! I'll let him go!"

Malcolm flung Jason first, then threw Nanook on top of him. Nanook yelped in pain, standing up and nudged Jason with his nose. He licked his cheek.

"I'm fine boy," Jason whispered, holding his face. "Now hurry. My room."

Malcolm approached Jason and Nanook, wielding a knife. "Heh," he said. "You'll pay. You'll pay for Nicolle's death."

"Dad, it wasn't my fault!" Jason pleaded. "I-it wasn't! I loved Mom as much as you!"

Nanook tugged on Jason's pant leg, telling him to hurry. Malcolm swung at Jason, but the loyal husky tugged him out of the way quickly. Jason grunted, slipping to the ground. Adrenaline pumped through him, his flight or fight response activating as he saw the knife swing over him... it was mostly flight. Jason quickly scrambled after Nanook, darting inside and slamming the door in his father's face. He shakily locked the door, panting heavily. As he heard his father slam against the door, he shakily slipped against the wall, trembling.

"Oh god... that was WAY too close..." Jason stood up and took a shaky breath. He ignored the pounding and screaming behind the door and looked around for Nanook. A few seconds later, he spotted his fluffy friend, curled up in a corner. Jason sighed and kneeled down next to him, petting him. "If he gets back in, hide in my room, m'kay? Don't try and bite him."

The husky let out a low growl. Jason sighed and wandered to his room... then thought of something. He smirked.

"I've always wanted one of his coats," he said. He wandered into a room he never had dared to go in before. His father's room.

The room was a mess. The carpet was stained with beer stains and what Jason believed to be vomit stains. Jason fought the urge to gag as he shook his head, stepping over the stains towards his father's closet.

"Now," he said, "where was that big old coat he'd always wear? I may not be big enough for it, but hey! I'm certainly tall enough."

Jason smirked and slipped on the coat. For some reason, it made him feel confident, as if the coat had shot stature and pride through his veins. Oh, how good victory felt. He chuckled and grabbed his backpack, walking out to the bus stop.