MUTATION: THE FATE OF A SOLE SURVIVOR

Chapter 2: Insanity

     Since the city was deserted, it was not surprising that it would be overrun by wild animals who decided to occupy the desolate city. A wild deer strode along the road until it stopped beside a playground and found some edible plants. I laid in ambush behind a white car, my rifle aimed at it's throat. My ammo were tranquilizers, since I wasn't sure whether the animal itself was infected but hasn't shown any signs of infection yet. Quick Fangs laid beside me and observed, wiggling it's tail as if it was expecting dinner. But before I could pull the trigger, two hyenas pounced upon it and took it down in less than 20 seconds. Their remaining pack mates quickly rushed to the scene and with  murderous intent, devoured the prey whole. Quick Fangs growled and bristled, then looked up to me in protest. I shook my head and gave it the thumbs up. Without thinking twice, it got up and raced towards the hyenas, barking with all it's might. At first, the hyenas fled, thinking that Quick Fangs had backup. But when they ascertained that it was alone and saw it dragging away their pray, their anger knew no bounds. It was obvious that they hadn't eaten for days, and for them to see their meal taken away by a lone dog was an insult. They rushed towards Quick Fangs all at once and flew straight towards the lone dog.
     In a twinkle of an eye, Quick Fangs darted towards them as well and began the bloody massacre. There was twelve hyenas in total, and ten of them lost their necks while the remaining two fled with injuries all over. Quick Fangs sustained little injuries and dragged the deer to my location. I patted it on the head and gave it a raw steak as it's reward. It sat down and ate happily, while I looked at what remained of the deer and wondered whether I would still be able to eat it.

***

     I had barbecue with Quick Fangs on the front porch, roasting the game we snatched from the hyenas. Quick Fangs barked wildly with excitement as it devoured a large portion of meat, while I ate mine as well. Night came faster than I had expected, forcing me to pack everything inside and shut all the doors and windows. I bathed Quick Fangs and later watched a movie from a DVD player with it. We watched a scene where two soldiers who were hiding in a forest while being hunted down by their enemies sought refuge in a cave. They made a campfire and sat close to it to dry their bodies from the rain and relieve themselves of the cold it brought.
     " You think we're gonna make it out alive Billy?", one of the soldiers asked his comrade.
     " Sure thing Kenny", replied the second soldier," They aren't gonna kill us, not on my watch".
     " I ain't ready to die yet Billy. Got a family to take care of".
     " Fool. If you really want to take care of them then quit the army".
     " That's the thing. Serving my country has always been my dream. I just don't want to leave behind my family without supporting my seven year old daughter with everything I've got".
     Billy shook his head and replied," Idiot. You of all people shouldn't be talking such bullshit when you know that this is pure fate. Kill or be killed. Be prepared to brace your losses and glories. You don't know when you're gonna lose not only your comrades or  your family, but the only thing we can do is to protect our people with our own lives. Protect the nation, protect the people, protect your family. You're gonna have to learn when to move on or you'll become nothing but a madman".
     Kenny nodded his head and said," Thank goodness I have you Billy. You always have some really good advice".
     " Just shut up and sleep already dumbass. We gotta move out tomorrow and see whether we can get out of this damn island alive".
     Only Billy survived later in the movie, after Kenny sacrificed himself to make sure he escaped. Billy avenged Kenny's death with reinforcements who launched a devastating assault on the enemy base. He killed the leader and brought their campaign to an end.
     Quick Fangs slept off when both soldiers drifted off to sleep. It woke up and saw the credits rolling, but no sign of me. I quivered in fear and slowly paced up the stairs and into the second floor. A door by the left was partly opened, so it peeped it's head through and saw me sitting on a chair in the empty room, close to the window. The moonlight revealed my insanity as I laughed and cried simultaneously, holding my head with my right hand and my chest with my left. I did this for a long time, then stopped and looked at the moon in dead silence. All Quick Fangs could do was to watch in fear, failing to understand this odd nature of his new master.
     It didn't stopped there. Immediately the wooden pendulum clock clocked twelve midnight, I stood up and left the room. Quick Fangs followed far behind, observing me carefully. I grabbed my rifle and machete and headed for the door at once. Quick Fangs watched as I shut the door behind me, then laid down and waited for my return. Hours passed by, until I returned around five A.M. Quick Fangs, who was already fast asleep, woke up at my presence and studied me. My clothes were torn apart, blood covered me from head to toe, the machete also had it's fill of blood, while the rifle was no where to be found. I had a few bruises myself, and the only thing that worsen my appearance was an odd smile that frightened Quick Fangs even more.
     I bent down on one knee and patted it on the head with my right hand while the left held the weapon." Don't be afraid Quick Fangs. There was a lot of noises outside. I had to go shut them up", I said calmly
     The dog whined and brushed it's head against my chest in affection, while I rubbed it's back and hummed the song," Somebody said".