Dog Days

Prologue

The crushing pressure on your lungs as they filled with water would leave anyone traumatized for years. The painful feeling of cold biting and invading every crevice of warmth in their chest until they were left dead and limp, would haunt them for the rest of their life. If anyone would know this, it would be you.

You had tried to get away quickly, knowing good and well you could have outrun your 'sisters' without even trying. But you were hurt. You had twisted your ankle worming your way out of a tangle of enraged limbs, and had now only to rely on a speedy limp.

They were out to kill you, and you deemed that to be a bit rude.

Why couldn't they just let you leave the gang peacefully? Why couldn't you just start anew with your life and forget you ever even joined the stupid group to begin with? No, they couldn't do that. That would only be merciful.

So instead, you had to die.

And that was where you were at the moment. You put up a good fight when you were caught, screaming and kicking viciously, clawing any girl who got too close. Of course, it was all in vain.

Someone had knocked you upside your head with something hard and heavy, probably a cracked brick or something, because you felt the damn thing crumble into your hair as blood seeped from the new wound it created.

You let out a cry of pain, eyes fluttering as black spots dotted across your vision, and your stomach clenched. You felt your tongue grow heavy, and with a wave of raw terror, you realized you were going to lose consciousness. They would kill you then, and probably dispose of your body so carefully no one would know where to even think about finding your remains.

You didn't know exactly when you passed out, just that when you came to, you couldn't move at all. Your arms, legs and feet were bound tightly together with some sort of heavy duty bungee cords, and by the harsh stabbing in your arches, you could tell that rocks had been shoved into your shoes.

You saw that you had been moved from where you last were, your surroundings seeming to be a huge warehouse with the stench of mildew growth emanating from the walls. A salty breeze blew into the area, only briefly improving the quality of the dank, moldy air.

Then you saw her. Your leader. Your murderer.

You had an idea she would take you wanting to leave the hardest. She was your best friend after all. She probably felt as though you had betrayed her by wanting to break free. She didn't speak as she walked over to you, pulling you up from the wet floor.

You opened your mouth to speak her name, then reeled back as the back of her hand made contact with your face. The metallic taste of blood filled your mouth as you recovered from her slap, your dry lips tearing from the force of impact. Blinking away the sting, you met her eyes and saw that they were brimming with tears.

"You've hurt me, [Name]. You've actually hurt me today." She spoke, her pretty bottom lip quivering slightly. "What happened girl? We were supposed to be perfect sisters, together forever. Why are you trying to abandon me? Abandon us?"

Her voice rose, and from the shadows, six girls around the same age crept out to flank their leader. They seemed new, for you hadn't recognized any of their faces. Probably some little siblings that had been freshly adopted into the 'family.' Oh how you pitied the poor fools.

"You know this isn't right, Sweet, none of this is. I can't live like this, always running from the cops, stealing, never seeing my family. I've cut myself off from my mom because of this." You said, your throat tight. "I don't want this anymore. I don't want this life. I can't do it."

You saw your Sweet's eyes darken dangerously, but her facial features were eerily calm. "Fine," she spat, turning away. "I won't make you." Hope fluttered in your chest. Did this mean she was going to let you go? You felt a smile tug on the corner of your lips.

"If you don't want this life, I suppose you'll forfeit the option to live all together. Goodbye [Name]."

Your heart sank into your aching feet instantly, and with a tsk, Sweet stalked away, not giving you a second glance. The girls beside Sweet advanced upon you, yanking you up from the ground and dragging you away.

You screamed, doing your best to fight like hell. "No! No Sweet let me go! Stop this!" You shrieked, feeling hands lift you up and carry you as you thrashed violently, attempting to wiggle free. A huge wooden chest was brought into your view, and you were absolutely certain that this would be your final resting place.

With some difficulty thanks to you, you were lowered inside and blanketed by more rocks before the lid was lowered on, darkness swallowing you whole. The only light that bleed into your dark prison, was through tiny scattered holes just big enough for a finger to fit in.

You felt yourself be lifted again, and carried outside. The distant sound of waves crashing against a solid wall met your ears. They were going to throw you into the ocean! Panic made your breathing hitch, and you felt your head spin. The pain behind your eyes was absolutely horrendous, but you were in for so much worse.

The drop off from the top of the wall had been so sudden, that you jerked around for a split second before your temples slammed into the wooden sides of the chest. With a splash, you were gone.

Water entered the chest slowly at first, but then began to pick up the pace quickly as you sank. It started as a puddle first, then began to swallow you up in greedy gulps, the chilly black water sloshing around in tiny waves. Terror made you struggle, but you knew there was no use. You were done for.

The water overtook your torso, then covered your shoulders, chin and nose, and out of instinct, you held your breath. You prayed for death to come quickly as you exhaled and automatically gulped down mouthfuls of thick salty water.

The chest was full of water now, and you knew you didn't have much time left. Your vision flashed with red hues, probably your blood vessels bursting from the lack of oxygen. Your fingers felt as though they were going to explode, their tips throbbing and swelling with pressure.

You felt a strange calm when you finally accepted your oncoming death, and you were glad when the pain stopped. Your body grew cold and broken as the pressure intensified, and your soul was set free. Then there was darkness, and you let go.