Canid Undead: A Dog's Story

10 - Invasion

Toby stretched, peering through the tree's leaves and intersecting stems.

No humans, or Ferals.

"Thank the stars!" He prepared himself to leap from the tree.

You can do this, Toby. Come on. You have to. You can't just sit up here until your little legs rot off! Well, you could. It just wouldn't be very fun... It'd hurt a lot, actually. Ok, ok! Just jump, Toby! Yes! You can do it, Toby!

He jumped from the tree, landing awkwardly. His spider legs caught him.

Several animals, ones that were like Toby, emerged from undergrowth. Their paws thrummed, the cluster of fur approaching Toby, barking.

More, bigger, mutated animals emerged.

The biggest, possibly the only normal one, hushed her followers. She was a brute-ish canine with a short snout, sharp ears, and a nub of a tail. Her pelt was white, gray spots covering her back.

Well holy shit. Oh no. What are they going to do to me?

The big one yawned. "We've been waiting for you to get outta that tree."

"Wait, what? Waiting for me? Why? Who are you? Don't eat me, please!! Spider dogs don't taste good, I promise, they taste like.. Spider dog legs!!" Toby whinnied.

"Eat you? Are you kidding me?" They glanced up to the biggest one. She looked down at Toby.

"Don't worry, we won't eat you, Spider Legs. You probably definitely don't remember me, then, judging by that reaction," she went on. "We were waiting, since, well, you seem to have been a rat to those humans, too. Am I not right?" She tilted her head.

"Yes, I was! I have no clue who you are, though, no. I'd remember who you are. I think. I don't know, my memory isn't the best. Sorry." Toby spoke frantically.

"Well, in that case, I'm Ruby. We're friends!" The big one exclaimed. "Well, now we are. Again. I was sent to follow your scent, to recruit you, as one of my assignments."

Another one, a really big ferret-looking-guy replied, "We were surprised to discover Ruby knew you!"

"So, here we are," Ruby finished.

Toby exhaled. "Recruit?"