Things Do Get Better (HTTYD Modern AU)

First Shining Light

Toothless is my pet dog, a black Labrador. He's a very energetic dog, always jumpy and always happy to see me. He was my first shining light in my life. I first met him when I was 15 years old. How I met him was definitely a coincidence.

I was making my way home from school after a day of mockery and humiliation (so basically a normal day at school). I wasn't focused on anything else but making sure I got home. Then, suddenly I heard a barking sound. I knew it was a puppy dog bark, but I didn't know where it came from, so I followed the sound.

Looking back, I probably looked ridiculous, crouching down whilst searching for the sound. I'm pretty sure people looking at me oddly, but if I didn't care before, why should I now? Besides, the barking sounded like the dog was in distress. It sounded quiet and weak, which is a miracle that I heard it in the first place.

After a while, I found the source. There was an alleyway, which wasn't dark, but definitely had that vibe of 'it's dangerous, go back'. So naturally, I went through. (I forgot to tell you that I can be incredibly stubborn).

Anyway, I went through the alley, hearing the barking getting louder and louder. Until I came across a small, scared stray Labrador puppy, hiding in between used boxes.

He saw me and hid further in the boxes until I couldn't see him. He looked so scared and even hungry. Who knows how long he was here, hiding, rummaging in rubbish, shivering in the cold? I could be exaggerating, but who knows.

Feeling already sorry for him, I crouched down and removed my backpack, looking through it to see if I had any food left. Luckily, I did – a small box of biscuits that I had for lunch (I didn't really felt hungry that day). I took one and broke it in half, making it easier for the puppy to eat.

"Hey, little guy." I whispered, not wanting to scare him. "You're hungry?" I extended my arm out with the half-broken biscuit. It took a while until I could see his head poking out of the box.

I smiled at him. "It's OK. You can have it, don't worry. It'll go to waste, anyway."

After a while, he finally walked out of the box. And...well...

Just a reminder, he was a puppy when I found him, being just about 5, 6 months old, I think. As he walked out, he was clearly struggling, slowly walking up to me. Then, it became clear why. This little puppy... had a missing left front leg.

He was practically hopping towards me, constantly wobbling to keep his balance. My heart sank as I saw this site. I'd never felt so bad for an animal like this before, and that's including seeing animals in those animal charity ads. I wanted to help him, but I was afraid of spooking him.

When he finally moved closer, he moved his nose towards the biscuit in my hand. I let him sniff it to get a better idea. I then ate the other half of the biscuit, demonstrating that the biscuit was delicious and OK to eat. Seeing this, he took a small bite of it. He chewed a few times, before, for the first time, giving a happy yelp.

"You like it, huh?" I smiled. I offered him the rest, to which he happily took. He took small bites at a time, which made sense for a puppy like him. When he finished, he was wagging his tail, clearly asking for more. I chuckled as I went back to my biscuit box, taking out another one and handed it to him, who immediately began munching on it. He finished it just as he started, wagging his tail and looking at me with plea.

"You know what? You can have the whole thing." I chuckled. Then, I placed the box in front of him and once he found his footing, burying his head with the biscuits, trying to eat the whole thing. I couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm for getting a descent meal for probably in a long time. I sat down on the ground, not bothering about how dirty the floor was and continued to watch him eat.

I don't think I ever felt genuinely happy in my teenage life until that moment, watching a disabled, hungry, happy puppy rummaging through a box of biscuits. There was something about him, even though he didn't really do anything. Like... I had a connection with him.

I was so focused at this moment, that I became startled when I heard the ringing of my mobile phone. I reached into my pocket where it was located and checked the screen. The word 'Dad' was on the screen. I got up, walking a bit away from the puppy before answering it.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hey, son." he replied. He had such a booming voice, that my ear almost burst, even though he wasn't even talking that loud. Makes trying to skip school impossible in the morning.

"How... are you?" I asked, wanting to have some sort of small talk before letting him get into why he was calling.

"Oh, I'm... fine, thanks. What about you?"

"OK, I guess."

Awkward silence. As always. Sometimes I wondered why I start these things, since it always ended like this.

I heard him clearing his throat before speaking again. "Umm.... I was just wondering if you were at school. It's almost 4:30."

My eyes grew as I checked my watch, realising the time. I was hanging with this puppy for so long that I lost track of time.

"Uh... Yeah. Just... finishing off some work." I lied (because I doubt saying 'I was hanging out with a stray dog' would get off easily).

"Oh...OK. It just... you would have told me if you were...."

"I know. I'm sorry. Just... got too focused with my work. But I'm... on my way now."

"OK. Good. Then, ... I'll see you later."

"Yeah." I simply said. Another silence before my dad stopped the call. I sighed as I put the phone back in my pocket before looking at the puppy. The biscuits were all gone, and he was now licking the box to get the crumbs from the bottom.

I didn't want to leave him. Who knows what would happen to him at the night? But I know I couldn't stay here either. I went up to him, crouching down to his level.

"Hey, little guy. I'm sorry, but I have to go. You can keep the box if you want." I said.

The puppy looked at me, staring into my eyes. It felt hypnotising, seeing how scared and sad he was. But I shook my head before grabbing my bag and heading out of the alleyway. But as I did, I could hear the puppy barking and yelping. He sounded so distressed and scared that I became frozen by it. I was afraid of looking back, knowing if I did, I would never go back home (and arguments with my dad would have hit an all-time high). So, I continued to walk, returning to the street and heading home.

As I walked down the streets, my mind was still at the puppy. I wished I could see him the next day, since the day I first met him was a Friday, meaning I couldn't go and see him in the weekend. I mean, I could have, but I wouldn't be able to have a good excuse for my dad (I mean, I didn't have friends to hang out with back then).

But I made a mental note to myself – that it wasn't going to be the last time I saw him. I just hoped he was still alive when I do.

Well, the fact that he is sleeping next to me as I am writing this, things definitely went well for this puppy.