The Realm of Question

Chapter 17

The hill hurt my legs, considering I had spent the day either straddling a horse for the first time, straddling a motorcycle for the first time, or straddling Mason for the hundredth time. Each step took an enormous amount of energy. As I turned around the bend, I heard whimpering. I looked from side to side trying to locate that heart-wrenching sound. My eyes searched the ground and through the trees beginning to build up into the glorious forest. I saw the creature breaking my heart into microscopic pieces. A large black dog was lying on the ground his paw held against it's chest in pain. I let out a loud awwwwww and rushed towards it. Then I remembered my experience with the white fluffy dove. I really should think about what animals I touch before I do. It let out another whimper and my thoughts flew out the window and I crouched low to the ground and gently stroked the dog behind the ears. It watched me with big red eyes the whole time. Its eyes were so intense.

"It's okay, puppy, I'll take care of you. I got you, puppy." I looked at its paw, and reached a hand down to touch it. The dog winced and I drew my hand back in a flash. "You're safe with me." I removed Mason's jacket from my shoulders and laid it on the ground.

"I'm sorry Mason, but this is an emergency." I rolled the dog onto the jacket. It began to whimper again.

"Its okay. I have you, I won't hurt you." I clutched the jacket on both sides lifting the heavy dog from the ground. I hurried through the freezing cold towards the Hunter house. With the first step I took on the walkway Josh was at the door. His eyes were dark purple with rage. The dog began to snarl and bark at him.

"Hush now," I cooed to it. It looked at me through narrowed eyes that looked like fiery slits. I felt a shiver run down my spine that had no connection to the cold.

"Ana, how dare you consort with that-that-." A large shudder ripped threw his body. The dog in my arms gave a loud growl from deep in its gut.

"Josh, we can fight about this later. For now this dog needs medical attention," I snapped, walking past him up to my room. I pushed the door open using my hip. Once inside, I placed the growling dog on my bed and removed the jacket slowly from underneath it. Josh threw my door open and took his seat in my blue velvet chair. He glared at me with icy eyes. At least he wasn't that mad any more. The dog's growling grew even louder.

"Hey, Josh it doesn't really seem to like you. Can we please talk about this later?" I asked, giving him what I hoped was a calming smile instead of conveying the frantic feeling I held inside.

"No, I want to stay here, and make sure he doesn't attack you," he said crossing his arms stubbornly.

"How do you know it's not a girl?" I asked. This was truly sexist, just because it was a strong and angry doggy didn't automatically make it male.

"I can smell it." He tapped his nose.

"You can smell it?" I said skeptically.

"Lupose, remember?" He smirked, putting one leg over the arm of the chair. The dog let out a low snarl in Josh's direction.

"Hush now." I told it, extending my index finger at the silly beast. Surprisingly, he did what he was told.