In Smiles Secrets Lay

Chapter 7

Pup had made weeks of progress, often hunting alongside both Jacks and Jeff. He helped hunt prey with Smile for dinner and played with Seedeater like they were puppies, wrestling and play fighting. Pup had gotten popular with most everyone, yet it was still unclear as to whether he knew how to speak and just didn't want to, or he didn't know how to speak. He had shown over and over that he was smart, chasing things into elaborate traps, problem solving, tricking and deceiving. He showed that he understood what others were saying. When Jeff got pissed, he would wait by the door to go hunting with him or stay out of the way. He respected other's personal space and belongings. A few times when he was out hunting prey, he would deal a fatal wound and stare directly into the prey's eyes. Not as a threat, but as a thanks for the meal before giving a swift death. He wouldn't act the same with humans, often biting their vocal box and then eating them alive with no remorse.

Pup was currently laying on the couch, his body curled up to the side. His head rested against Slenderman's thigh, the man running his pale hand through the boy's hair and down his back. His eyes were open, but he wasn't watching the tv. He could feel something was wrong. Pup's ears would twitch and angle backwards, his eyes flickering from window to window. He stiffened and began to growl lowly as a harsh knock sounded at the door. Slender rubbed his ear gently as he got up, pushing the door open. There stood a figure that rivaled Slender's height. He was black and red, dressed in darkened leather with a scale pattern on the shoulders. He grinned a sick grin from all seven mouths, extending his hand.

"Hello, you have something of mine."

His voice came from everywhere at once, enveloping the room. Pup got off the couch and crawled forward to stare up at the demon king. Zalgo smiled and knelt in front of the pup, running his fingers through his hair. Before Pup could even manage a growl, he slumped forward into Zalgo's open arms, eyes closed and mouth hanging open. Zalgo collected the boy in his arms, wrapping the pup in his cloak. Slender could do anything. By law of the shared territory, Pup had been found on Zalgo's land, therefore rightfully belonging to him.

As the demon stood to take his prize and leave, Jeff came down, knife in hand and smile growling at his side.

"What the absolute fu-"

"Jeffery!"

Zalgo grinned, holding Pup closer to his chest. Jeff's eyes drifted to the unconscious boy in his arms and a flame lit in his eyes. He knew what was going on, hand tightening up around the knife. He growled and threw it roughly, the blade embedding into the scared wallpaper. He turned and stormed back upstairs.

Zalgo turned to Slender, his hand resting on Pup's thigh a little too high making the faceless man shift in discomfort.

"Keep a tight leash on your mutt, Slender."

Jeff came down, still stomping roughly. He threw a blanket at Zalgo, a harsh glare in his eyes.

"That's for him. He doesn't sleep without it. If I found out you hurt him, I will not hesitate to drive a machete through your jugular, understand?"

Zalgo shifted Pup to one arm, tucking the blanket around him and raising the free hand in surrender.

"I don't plan on hurting him, Jeffery. You shouldn't jump to such violent conclusions."

With that, the dark figure bowed to both men and turned, leaving with the pup secured in his arms.

---------------------------...
From now on there will be two branches, one where Jeff and the others save Pup and one where Zalgo keeps him. I will upload two chapters at once, one for each branch so I can keep track.