The Corruption of Innocence

Chapter 13

With two boys sauntering behind him, Blackie sniffed the woodland path, nose disturbing the leaves and the creatures that lived under them. The dog accidently trod on an ant, causing its friends to scatter away to safety. Just another casualty, they muttered to each other as they went. The dog carried on, unaware of the life it had just destroyed in a single second. It wouldn't matter, anyway. It was only an ant.

The sun was pouring down through the trees on to the faces of Jack and Philip, who shielded their eyes with their hands as they talked. They laughed about the intrusion they had made, wondered what would happen if they were caught, and joked about the stupidity of adults and how inferior they believed they were.

"Oh, look at me, I'm Sir Jackabelle of Chippenham, and if you come into my land it shall be off with your head!"

"Oh no, don't execute me Sir Jackabelle, I'm only a peasant!"

"Off with your head, boy!"

Jack took a big, thick stick from the pathway and began attacking Philip with it. The other boy pretended to trip over and lay screaming in mock terror on the path as his friend sought to separate his head from his shoulders. The pair were squealing with laughter as they struggled on the floor, and caught the attention of Blackie, who plodded over to them to join in with the fun.

Then they were off again, heading through the forest, still messing around, pushing each other over and attacking one and other. Blackie suddenly froze, positioned in an attacking position with his tail in the air, hackles up, growling softly. Jack and Philip stood still next to him and looked ahead curiously.

"Move," Jack said, kicking the dog in the back of the leg. The dog, however, remained stationary, until the 'danger' came skipping through the forest towards the boys and the dog.

A little child.

"Oh my God, you absolute meater, it's a bloody child!" Jack complained to the dog, who then unfroze and plodded up to the little boy. The boy shrieked and gave Blackie a slap.

"Get away, get away!"

"Erm, excuse me!" Jack shouted, marching up to him. Blackie growled at the little boy and went to sit by Jack's heel. Philip stood by, watching the little, smartly dressed boy with icy eyes.

"Do not let dogs like this come on to this land!" He seemed only 6 or 7, but the little boy wearing the white shirt, checked shorts and bow tie spoke in a voice that seemed older, despite its squeakiness.

"I'll do what I want!" was the answer. "Don't you dare hit my dog, you little brat!"

The boy opened his mouth, then closed it, and folded his arms.

"My mother says Dobermans are nasty dogs, work of the devil."

"Your mother doesn't know what she's talking about, now get out of the way."

Jack moved forward, followed by Blackie, and they walked past the boy, who stood firmly where he was. Philip stared at him, not moving an inch.

"Come on Philip, let's go."

"Where are you going?" the little boy questioned. "You can't go down there, it's private property!"

"Oh, shut up, you little brat!" Philip moaned, marching past to join Jack. As the pair walked on, they muttered to each other about the boy.

"Is he lost or something?"

"Don't care, let's go."

"No," Jack said, grabbing Philip's arm. "Let's go back and ask him if he's lost."