In Smiles Secrets Lay

Chapter 8

Zalgo traveled through the forest, watching the green fade and shift to several shades of black and brown. His black and scaly skin was rough and hard, so the torn blanket Jeff had thrown at him actually protected the pup against cutting himself.

Zalgo made is all the way to his Victorian style house, the forest around it starting to reclaim the building, vines enveloping it. He laid Pup down and fastened a leather collar that matched his own cloak around pup's throat, sitting down next to him. As the drowsy pup began to stir, Zalgo sat up, gripping the collar tightly, expecting a struggle.

He got what he expected.

Once pup realized where he was, he began to thrash and kick, growling. He bit hard into Zalgo's arm over and over, but it didn't seem to do much. Pup wore himself out, submitting after hours of fighting. He panted softly as Zalgo shifted, raising his hand carefully. Although Pup let out a warning growl, Zalgo didn't heed and began to pet him, his claws gently scratching his scalp and down his back. Pup fought valiantly, but eventually gave in to the petting, a low rumbling purr rising in his throat. He whined a little as Zalgo let go of the collar, pulling the mutt into his lap and continuing to pet him. He stood up carefully, keeping the blanket around the boy's shoulders. Zalgo placed him on the counter and pulled out a plate with a slab of red meat on it, covered in cling wrap. He pulled the cling wrap off and handed it to Pup, watching as he devoured the plate, growling softly as he did. Pup looked up as he finished, jaws covered in blood and meat. Zalgo already had a warm wash cloth in his hand, wiping down Pup's face and hands while Pup was distracted by the environment around him.

The inside of the house was nothing like the outside. It was modernly furnished with working power and water, clean and warm. The kitchen they were in looked and smelled like it had been cleaned recently. Zalgo pulled his hands away and dropped the bloody rag into a bucket of water. Pup whined and backed away from his hands as Zalgo reached to pick him up again. This time, the taller male backed away, letting Pup have his space. He kept his distance respectfully as Pup crawled around, investigating.

The home seemed that it used to House many people, but they had all left. Things were clean, placed high in closets as if waiting for their owner's to return home. Pup walked about, settling in a room that was mainly windows. He stared out, able to see bits of the territory's boundaries where the grass turned a soft green and plants other then dark thorns and grey lichens grew. Few birds dared to build nests here, wary of the surroundings. Zalgo leaned in the door way of the room, watching the teen. He stood like a dog waiting for its owner at the window, hands on the sill and legs slightly bent, standing on his toes. He let out a soft huff and hopped down, turning to watch Zalgo. He barred his teeth, but it was weak and half hearted. Pup was tired from being passed back and forth from home to wild, to home, and now to this place. He rubbed his face and laid down in the corner, burrowing under a blanket. Zalgo stayed there for a moment before letting out a soft sigh, smoke billowing out from his lips.

"Goodnight, Pup. I guess this is your room now.

Zalgo turned and left, Pup staring at his retreating form. For a moment, Zalgo seemed lonely. Pup laid his hands under his chin and closed his eyes, letting out a quiet sigh. This was his home now. And he. Ended to get used to it.