The Crimson Retriever

(Pilot chapter) Canned Bread

Freezing rain was the only surprise the dark grey clouds above brought. They all knew they had screwed up when they felt the early winter winds carry in slow droplets. Vincent had advised they made their way to the next checkpoint around a week ago so they could gather supplies and wait out the wrath of mother nature; of course no one listened.

Now here they were.

Only thirteen minutes into the trek and everyone was beyond exhausted. While lugging the rations, health care items, personal possessions, and pet supplies each passing second was another inch of agony into the slush on the abandoned roadside. Walking down the highway for a half a day wasn't fun for any of them. This evening was now spent in the middle of snow and water just now starting to see something other than cement and natural sadness. Although most of them had no right to complain.

Vincent by far had it the worst, his ankle had only healed recently from a harsh fall off a balcony. Still he walked in the front along with the most disobedient out of the four dogs on a tight gripped leash. The young german shepherd wasn't trusted enough to be off leash with the others yet.

Tace marched on after him with her heavy set of the group personal luggages all piled into two rather heavy backpacks only a step or two behind Vincent's flank incase the pup tried to make a get away. It was astonishing how someone in constant discomfort was the most determined to keep moving. Wynter let this drag on for another three minutes. "Vincent we're turning here." She looked up to face him allowing a few splashes to reach her face before rebalancing the hood to tilt over her head.

"What?" Vincent seethed. Already annoyed he turned to look over where she meant.

"Over there." Tace took his head by the chin turning it to where Wynter was now facing.

Byron huffed rubbing his hands together for both friction and dramatic effect as if they were scheming, "Which house?"

"I already told you all. No houses at night. They're not safe enough. It's like you all nev-" Vincent ready to rant was silenced by Tace once again.

Wynter sighed walking over to Byron who looked like they were shaking to their core. She wrapped herself around them in a huddle before continuing, "Yes Vinny, I know how you feel about houses. We all do."

Tace and Byron hummed in agreement.

"If you look behind that white house- or the maybe second one.. there looks like a Smartmart. Its one of the smaller ones by the looks of it, but it should be warm enough if we gather up blankets and stuff. Maybe some nice plushies."

Byron lit up like a fire at the last sentence. "F*ck yeah, lez get them plushies!" They took a step forward breaking away from the huddle only to slip on slush. Tace stifled a laugh when a glare from Wynter gave her a chill worse than the cold air. She didn't want to get beat anytime soon. Wynter sighed then helped Byron back up.

"Fine." Vincent huffed in response. He took hold of the kazoo attached to his necklace with a smug grin. Wynter shook her head in disapproval as he attached his lips to the inappropriately anime-themed kazoo. With a blow, a shriek similar to a loud duck rung out of the other side of the kazoo located on an orange and black ninja's butt. Wynter knew exactly why he bought that kazoo.

First of the dogs to hear the call was Reed standing behind Vincent; who seconds ago was fully focused on the burr on his paw. The reddish brown mutt with rather excessive darker markings stood on alert and howled while slapping the closest pairs of legs with his tail. Within seconds excessive barking was heard by the group from behind the clumps of trees by the road. Navi, the large elkhound mix, led the way out the bushes followed by Yeti, a mostly grey and white husky, who was starting to blend in with all the slush. Last of them was Sumo, a large older Saint Bernard with graying fur paced down his muzzle, who lumbered after the pair. All dogs had returned to the group unscathed.