Upon Three Paws

This story is inspired by Crystal Scherer's story Upon Wings Of Change. Be aware that I added my little twist to it so it's not an exact replica of her work.

Living within the confines of walls never bothered Almond. At least she has her siblings by her side. The day that the ground shook beneath the pups' paws would make itself known to their fragile minds as the beginning of a new era. An era of aliens and fire lizards.

Our small forms rush out into the darkness of twilight. The bright speckles of light against the dark sky don't have time to be acknowledged as another tremor shakes the ground beneath our paws. It trips both Sun and Twig who let out cries of terror. They quickly get back up and dash after the rest of us.

Together, we run in search of shelter. The lack of long term exercise makes itself known when my muscles become shaky and weak beneath me. As my surroundings shake again, I lose my footing and a sharp tingling pain stabs into my right shoulder.

My snout is met with a mouthful of dirt which gets caught in the back of my throat. Unable to chase after my panicking siblings and struggling to breath, more fear adds to the jumble of emotions bouncing around in my head. Pain from my strained muscles, terror due to the ear shattering screams in the distance, fear of possibly choking to death, losing my brothers and sisters, and living alone for the rest of my life. All struggling over the other for more space.

After what feels like years, the scratchy substance of the ground is coughed up and spat out. I catch my breath as everything around me goes through another series of rumbles, screams finally relieving my flattened ears. All goes quiet and the shaking stops. Insects stay silent, birds stay hidden, all that I manage to pick up is the sporadic sound of my heart beat and breathing.

What's happening?