Short Stories

Believe

I walked along the trail with Apache walking ahead of me. The German Shepherd's tail wagged side to side. I giggled at his enthusiasm and continued the trek through the long walking trail. Apache yipped as he hopped from tree to tree like a little pup would. "You ready to run?" I asked, earning a yip in reply. I laughed again before taking off in a sprint with Apache running beside me.

Apache started to tug on his leash, causing me to almost fall. He tugged harder and started to bark. "What's wro-" Before I could finish my question, Apache slipped out of his collar and took off in a sprint toward the middle of the woods.

I chased after him in a dead sprint, swinging my arms as hard as I could. My legs and lungs started to burn causing me to slow down a little. My breath was coming out in short puffs rather than the long puffs they're supposed to be. Apache kept on running; even though, I was about to pass out from the lactic acid building up in my legs.

Finally, after ten long minutes of running, Apache came to a stop in front of a huge pile of leaves. His tongue was lolled to the side as he panted for air after his little adventure. "You, my friend, must want me to die," I said out of breath. I clipped his collar back on him and tugged on the leash. Apache stood solid where he was and whimpered softly.

"Come on, Apache," I urged softly. He still stood where he was and whimpered. I groaned and started to push on him so he would back up. Still, he stood where he was. I stepped on the pile of leaves so I could redirect his focus only to step on something hard. I looked down and screamed when I saw a human hand covered with leaves. Apache growled and nudged my leg. He stood guard in front of me, searching for the danger he felt was near.

Noises in the distance were nearing where we were. I grabbed Apache's leash and pulled him behind a shrub. He continued to growl, causing me to shush him. I peered from behind the shrub to see two men walking towards the pile of leaves. The two men seemed to be arguing over something. Apache snarled at the two men. I grabbed his snout and held it to keep him from making any noises.

"Stupid coyotes," one man said with a snarl of disgust as he looked around the woods. A sigh of relief escaped from my mouth before I could stop it. Luckily, the two men didn't hear it.

"What are we going to do with the body?" the man from before asked.

"I don't know, Jack. The boss wants us to get rid of it any way that we can," the other man replied.

Boss? Are they in a gang? I thought to myself as I continued to listen to the mystery men's conversation. Apache growled softly causing the man, Jack, to look around once again.

"Let's just bury it and get out of here. This place gives me the creeps."

"What? Are you afraid of a little coyote, Jack?" the other man laughed.

"I'm not afraid of some stupid animal," Jack said, "I just don't want to get caught."

I have to do something. I can't let these people get away with murder! I looked down at Apache to see him glaring toward the men. I patted my pocket to see if my pocket knife was still in there just in case something were to happen.

"Who's next on the boss' hit list, Bill?" Jack asked as he started to clear away the leaves.

"Some kid," Bill said as he scratched his beard. He grabbed a shovel and started to dig a hole.

"Why a kid? I thought the boss avoided killing anyone younger than eighteen."

"The girl's parents made a deal with the boss that the girl would marry his son in return for her protection. They backed out a few days ago," Bill said. My eyes widened. They were going to kill an innocent girl. She probably doesn't even know what's going on!

"That's a shame. The girl probably doesn't even know," Jack said with a long look on his face.