READ PLEASE! Ok so this is a courage the cowardly dog fan fic it's about courage as a human and his life and if you don't like please don't leave nasty comments. Thanks for reading! (there will be more chapters)

It wasn't all bad. Living in the middle of nowhere. This old house I grew up in, with the paint slowly fading and the floors that never stopped creaking. "Where's that dam dog!" Eustace yelled from the living room. Dog, that was his nickname for me, of course Muriel thought it was just a cute little nick name her mind could never wrap around the idea that it meant I was nothing more to him than a dog. His voice was an old cracked voice one that made children run in terror. I could never understand why Muriel had chosen Eustace as a husband. I had heard a rumor and various hints that Muriel, after marrying Eustace, had fallen in love with his brother and was planning to divorce Eustace and marry him. But Eustace's brother died. Muriel was so depressed after that but her wounds soon healed and she was back to her normal self.

"Where are you dog? And where's my dam dinner?" The kitchen door slammed open and there stood Eustace, the bags under his eyes and wrinkles that covered his face told that he was old. I had been praying and hoping for the day he would die. Even though that was a terrible thought to think I couldn't resist the urge to think of it. The day where the scars would heal and I wouldn't have to wear these long sweaters to cover the many bruises.

I turned to him "Dinner will be ready soon Eustace, I made you a chicken stew with carrots, peas, and turnips".

I felt a sting across my face and the spoon that I had been holding was flung across the floor. "I told you I don't like peas you stupid dog! Get it right!" He pushed me to the floor and stormed out of the room. I collected myself, placing my hand on the now open wound on my cheek. I muttered under my breath and picked up the spoon that was knocked out of my hand. Eustace was careful with the beatings he gave me. He would only beat me if Muriel was running errands or in a deep sleep. I was silent while he beat me I would also say nothing to Muriel. If she found out….I don't know what would happen. But I couldn't let her know so I hide the marks best I could.

I clutched the spoon in my hand and continued to stir, removing any peas I saw. If I angered Eustace anymore he would do unthinkable things. I guess my dinner for tonight would be, you guessed it, peas! Eustace hated wasting money so I would eat what he didn't want. "Dinners ready" I called into the other room where I heard Eustace grumble and rise from his chair. Although he was old Eustace moved quit fast and he was soon in the kitchen whining about how slow I was. I set his bowl of stew down and took my set at the dinner table, but I did not sit for long before Eustace yanked on my hair pulling me from my chair and forced me on the floor.

"You're a dog and dogs belong on the floor" He continued by throwing the plate of peas I had onto the floor. They scattered everywhere I tried to grab them but it seems my efforts were useless. Eustace just ended up kicking the plate anytime I got a small amount of peas to stay still. His dark laughter seemed to creep around the room as he devoured his stew. He stopped laughing for a moment and grabbed his blow of stew he stood above me as I was still trying to collect the lost peas that had fallen. He poured the rest of the boiling warm stew on my head. It cascaded down my back burning my pale skin as it progressed. I clawed into the palm of my hands biting on my lip and trying to hold back tears. Eustace's laughter echoed thru the house, each dark chuckle only worsened my pain. He finally strolled away, smiling triumphant to himself. I felt my eyes burn but held back the tears that were screaming to get out. I grabbed a rag from the table and began to clean up the spill from the stew. The shocks of pain I felt when I moved didn't stop or even decrease in intensity. I decided after I cleaned up I would take a bath, avoiding talking to Eustace I snuck past him while he was watching TV. Once the tub was filled I slipped in and sighed with relief, the warm water soothed my bones and I found peacefulness in the silence that formed around me. I closed my eyes for a moment trying to forget the memories that filled my brain. I started to doze off when I heard the front door click open, I smiled imagining Muriel's warm humble smile. Jumping out of the tub I almost slipped on the water that had spilled out. I quickly slipped on some pants and threw on my old sweater that Muriel had bought for me. I dashed down the stairs almost tripping several times but not caring, suddenly I saw Muriel standing there in the threshold. Her face was a tad bit plump but was a warm bright face her rosy cheeks and smile told of a kind woman, she was wearing her old dark green jacket and underneath was her usual apron and dress. Although she was old her face still looked younger than her age truly was. I skipped the last step jumping down joyfully and rushing to Muriel for a hug. She meet my hug with a smile and reached her tender hands around my back.

"Well hello there courage, you seem happy tonight, did you and Eustace have a good dinner together?" I glanced at Eustace who took time from the newspaper he was reading to glare at me. I nodded not making eye contact with her; it really hurt me to lie to Muriel. But she could never tell when I was lying; her mind was so innocent I don't think she could even imagine the pain that Eustace was capable of. Muriel later took her usually seat in her rocking chair I sat down next to her. She rocked back and forth knitting a new scarf she had promised me. Eustace grumbled about money, politics, anything he could think of. Eventually Eustace fell asleep and Muriel looked like she was ready to pass out also.

Muriel nudged Eustace awake and shuffled up the stairs about to get ready for bed. I tried to sneak past Eustace without having him notice me and I was successful until I grabbed onto the knob of the bedroom door. "Hey dog! What are you doing? You either sleep in the attic or outside!" He tossed me aside and slammed the door. Muriel must have already fallen asleep for she had not objected to me staying outside like she usually did. Disappointed and tired I wandered to the attic, even though it was cold and damp it was better than outside.

I took my usually spot in the attic lying in the only place where any light hit. I grabbed the small torn blanket I had and curled up yawning to myself. It will get better I cooed to myself until I eventually fell asleep.

I woke up early in the morning; as soon as the sun rose I rose too. Muriel would usually wake up around the time I did. But it seems like this morning she was going to sleep in, I didn't mind she has been working hard lately and needs to rest. Eustace could care less; he just grumbled and got dressed putting on his overalls and getting to work on his precious truck. I worked on breakfast making the eggs just how Muriel liked them and the bacon that Eustace would complain about. I hummed a delightful tune while I cooked; singing and cooking being two of my hobbies. After fiddling with the truck Eustace walked into the kitchen giving me a slap on the back of the head, I faked being hurt because I knew if I didn't he would hit me again but after all the hits in the head it had almost gone numb. He chomped away at his food like the animal he was and I just cleaned the kitchen. I glanced at the clock looking at the time and frowning to myself wondering why Muriel hadn't gotten up yet. Maybe I should go check on her. Walking up the stairs I felt the fear crawl up my bones and pray for my body to stop but I ventured forward. She must be feeling under the weather that's all. When I found myself in Muriel's room I felt the cold fingers of death wrap around my neck and capture my breath. I ran to Muriel's bedside her once warm skin looked cold and distant. No movement from her chest or flutter of the eye showed me that she was gone. No, no no no this couldn't be happening, I checked her pulse. Dead. I backed away into the corner tears streaming down my face. The only person who loved me or cared about me is dead….what do I do now?