Family

Chapter Eight (Rewritten)

An old friend

?

Ever have that person, or in this case pup, walk up to you and say they knew you when you were younger? They look so familiar that you go along with it. You believe them. Hopefully it's not a lie and it won't in the long run affect your Family.

...

Family
°

At the vet Exdious met this other human named Katie. She was nice and complimented his fur a lot. She checked their hearts and drew some blood. Before moving into checking other things, and when she was done Katie gave Exidous some head scratches.

"It'll take two to three days for the blood to come back from the lab but it seems like Exidous is in good condition."

Exidous makes their way out of the clinic with Rocky and Chase while Ryder thanks Katie.

"So how are you feeling? The first time I got my blood drawn I felt lightheaded and Chase passed out."

"Did not, I-I simply fell asleep" Chase argued.

"I don't remember a time I ever felt lightheaded or passed out from blood loss before." Both Chase and Rocky froze from that comment.

Chase was the first to speak "Dude, are you okay?"

"Yeah, we asked about getting your blood drawn, not you bleeding out" Rocky followed up.

"Are you ok?"

Exidous has never thought about that. He didn't have time to, if he took to long to think then he died. They couldn't take that risk.

"Yes, do not worry about me. I am fine."

Chase and Rocky looked at each other with worry painted on their face as Exidous walked passed.

"Well then, are y'all coming?" Exidous asked the two pups. The sunset hit them perfectly as they stood in front of the two.

"Yeah." Rocky responded and motioned for Chase to follow.

The crisp autumn wind hit the three pups and the sun made its way further and further down, shadowing the bay in darkness, waiting for the moon to dimly light the bay.

...

In a dark alley a pup watched the three pups walk back to the lookout.

"Perfect" he mumbled.

He raced out of the alley and up to the three talking pups.

"Hey you! Your Exidous right?"

Exidous looked at the pup confused before shaking his head no.

"Who are you?" They asked.

The pup dramatically bowed and introduced themselves, "I am Percy, we met once in the woods, you were running from something and you took refuge under my bridge, shame they caught you." A light blush dancing across his muzzle.

Exidous didn't remember that happening but at the same time they don't remember much of anything when the doctor drugged him.

Percy smiled and nuzzled Exidous lovingly. "I'm so glad that your okay, I was so scared when they took you away that night. You were screaming and shouting and all I could do was watch."

Exidous was speechless, he never would think that they would fall for a pup. He show so much emotion that night.

"I, I'm sorry you had to witness that, and I'm sorry that I don't remember any of it."

Percy only nuzzled Exidous more, "Less talking, more nuzzling."

Exidous felt his muzzle heat up and he light pushed Percy away. Percy didn't care though he was just happy to see Exidous again. That night was scared into his memory, he could remember every scream, every gunshot, every growl, he never had the courage to open his eyes as he ran into the woods with his eyes screwed shut. As he ran the smell of blood began to fade, but because his eyes were still shut he tripped over an exposed tree root which in turn caused him to trip and gain a gash on his lower right leg. When he picked himself up he looked back towards the origin of where he came from and regretted almost immediately. The little shack under the bridge that he once called home was now in flames and the body's of both human and pup were littering the grounds surrounding the burning shack, with no Exidous in sight. With tear filled eyes Percy turned away and made his way down the hill, away from everything.

Percy snapped back into reality when Exidous spoke to him.

"Percy? Are you okay?" Exidous, concerned about his "friend" tried to snap him out of what ever trance he was in. Eventually he succeeded and Percy looked up at Exidous nervously as he stumbled over his words.

"I-oh I'm s-sorry," Percy calmed himself down and regained his composure before continuing. "Sorry just remembering some things I'd rather not"

"I'm okay," Percy said more to himself than he did to the pups.

I'm okay, I hope.

...

Later in the evening Chase was wandering around looking for Exidous to let him know that it was dinner time. He was about to give up and head beck in inside when he saw a silhouette on the tire swing up on the hill. Chase smiled to himself and made his way up the hill to greet his friend.

Exidous' ear twitched at the soft paw steps that he has become so fond of these past days.

"Hey Exidous!" The German Shepherd exclaimed excitedly but in a soft voice. Exidous felt his heart warm at the pup's voice and that warmth spread all throughout his body.

"Hey Chase." That night was the first time he smiled, a real genuine smile.

The sound of their voices are the only thing that the both of them could hear as they talked into the night.

...

Marshall began to worry about his best friend after a while so after finishing his dinner he exited the Lookout to find Chase. It didn't take him long, finding the two cuddling at the top of the hill. The moonlight danced on their fur as the two slept in peace, their breaths in sync. Marshal smiled and left the two, knowing that they were safe