The Willowbed

Waking Up

I opened my eyes, and immediately, a searing pain shot up my spine. I yowled in agony. I was on the side of the road, in a remote area. It looked like I was in between two forests. I lifted my head, trying to stand up. "GAH!" I bellowed.  Whipping my head around to face the rest of my body, my heart dropped as I froze, my eyes wide with terror and disbelief. I couldn't believe what I had seen. My front legs, my front legs are gone.

All that was left of my front legs were fleshy nubs with slivers of tendons hanging out of the open, gaping wound. As I weakly lifted my head more, I could see an inch-wide hole in my chest, with dried blood that had gushed earlier from it and spilled all over the ground. Something had shot me as well as remove my front legs. It had to have been Kyoko. She ruined everything. She took away my spirit, and now my front legs. Tears slipped down my nose as I tried to fight the pain. I jerked myself to my side, and pushed my nose off of the ground, trying to balance with my hind legs as I nearly stood up, before collapsing again, the pain disrupting my progress. I gritted my teeth. The pain was too incredibly unbearable. I couldn't fight against it. I gave up, completely. 

But then I started to remember. I had a blurry glimpse of another pup. I had forgotten who they were, but the thought still wandered. Who was this pup?

They had a black and beige coat, with light blue eyes. They had been with me when I was a stray puppy on the streets, before the woman came into my life. We had scavenged food together. We had huddled together on cold and blistering nights. We explored the streets together. We protected each other. I squinted, closing my eyes. I have to remember this, I have to. This pup helped me survive and gave me company. They were there for me before Kyoko came into my life. 

Wait.. this pup.. was with me when I was attacked by a larger dog, I remember! I remember who this pup was. His name was Mitsuo. We were scavenging when a large dog darted toward us and grabbed me. Mitsuo was quick to charge at the large dog and bite at its eyes, blinding it. Mitsuo gave me the ability to break free and escape. I owe my life and well-being to Mitsuo. I could have been killed, but they were with me. They were willing to sacrifice themself to save me. 

I sucked in my lips, squinting. I took a few slow, powerful breaths. Then, I jutted upward, and stood up. My determination overwhelming the pain. I took a sluggish and uneasy step forward, then another, and another. I began to walk. Although it was more limping and hopping rather than walking, I was moving. I started to advance myself into the ominous thicket, with the great trees looming overhead. I was making progress. I wasn't going to die. I had a genuine chance of survival, and that was what really mattered.