Lab Rats: The New Addition 2: Lost

Speak

  "Genius, sit," I command my new dog. He immediately obeys. "Good boy," I praise, patting him on the head. He pants with delight. "Genius, roll over," I command. Genius obeys. "Good boy," I say, cheerfully. "Genius, speak." I expect him to either stay silent or bark. He does neither. Instead, Genius says, with what seems to be his own, little boyish voice, "Hello." My mouth drops open. I must be hearing things. I have to be hearing things. I am crazy, right? The dog isn't actually talking! Right!? "What," Genius asks. "You wanted me to speak, so I spoke. Is there a problem?" Nope. I'm not that crazy. This dog is actually speaking. "Well...I-I just...uh-I..." I stutter. "Oh, right," says Genius. "You didn't know that I can talk. Well, I can do much more than that. Check this out. Oh, and you might wanna cover your ears." I cup my hands over my ears and watch in awe as Genius barks, sending an electric sound wave through the air. I slowly uncover my ears. When I suddenly remember how to speak, I shout, "WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!?" Genius whines. "Yeesh," he says. "Easy on the volume! Not only do I have a Bionic Bark, but I also have ultra sensitive Bionic hearing, too." My mouth is hanging open. I'm confused, but happy. I have a talking dog with bionics! This is awesome! "What happened to you," I ask, kneeling beside Genius. "How did you end up like this?" "Well, I used to be a regular dog," Genius replies. "I couldn't really talk. I was just like any other normal stray dog. Living life without a care in the world. Until I got zapped by a bolt of lightning during a thunder storm. I should've died, but instead, the lighting gave me special abilities. That is how I ended up the way that I am. I can fend for myself but...I've been feeling quite...lonely lately. It's nice to finally have some company." I smile and pat Genius on the head. "Well, don't worry, Genius," I say. "You have me now. I'll never leave you."

  Genius nuzzles into my hand. "Thanks," he says. "I'll never forget that, Princess." My heart skips a beat. He just called me Princess. Just like... "Are you okay," Genius asks. "Oh, uh...yeah," I lie. "I'm fine." Genius tilts his head, "Are you sure? You don't seem okay. Is something bothering you?" I swallow hard and look down at my hands, "I'd...rather not talk about it." "Oh," he says. "Okay." I smile sadly and stare off into the distance. "The sun is setting," I say. "It's getting late. We should find a place to sleep and get some rest." "But I'm not tired," Genius whines. He starts bouncing up and down. "I'm not tired at all," he says, excitedly. "I could stay awake all ni-" He plops down onto the ground and falls asleep snoring mid-sentence. I giggle, "Oh, Genius." I pick Genius up in my arms and wander around the woods, trying to find a good place to sleep. I eventually choose a remote place deep in the woods under a tree. I set out my supplies, lay back against the tree, and set a sleeping Genius in my lap. Is this my life now, I wonder. Am I just gonna spend my whole life running? Or am I gonna fight? Suddenly, I remember everything. Everything that I have to live for. My friends. My family. My dog. Chase.

No. I'm not gonna run. I'm gonna stop running. I'm gonna fight. And it'll be worth it. Whether I live or die.