"The thoughts that raced through Charlie's head as he died for the very first time." Drabble. Told from Charlie Barkin's point of view.
Final Hour
Thinking back on it, I'd forgotten the cold, senseless feeling. How my arms reached and reached for something study, something real to grasp and hold between my paws. But there was nothing. The water swirled around me, pulling me this way and that in some terrible, sick dance. Though my mind was half gone, depressed by the amount of alcohol I had so stupidly downed, I could sort through the fog of my thoughts and realize that yes, this was the end, and death would be coming. Soon, my body had seemed to reply as my organs shut down one by one. Soon. The water slipped down my throat and filled me up like a bottle beneath a faucet. There was no air beneath the waterline to breathe though I did try. Bubbles escaped through my nose and mouth though I've ceased my startled cries. Who would've heard me anyway? I was far, far down. It was night and the bay was much harder to see through then it was in daylight. And by then, I knew I'd surely be gone. I watched as the grime and pollution, oil and old beer cans floated around me. I tasted the copper of the oil as it sat in my lungs, burning heavily. I don't know how long I was down there, beneath the surface, but every second ticked by like an hour as I fought for consciousness against a body which had already given up. No, cried the last bit of my sanity. It was la beacon in my sub-conscious, pulling aside the panic and useless thoughts in favor of keeping me afloat, you need to get to the top, you need air, you need to breathe. You can live Charlie.
It wasn't much to go by, but I went for it. I wanted to live; I knew that deep down beneath the intoxication, there was a part of me striving for life. This couldn't be the end, no. Charlie Barkin was so much stronger than this. He'd freed many a friend from doggie debt, earned quite a keep for himself too. Why, there was no reason for me to go down like this, so easy. I refused to wave my white flag.
My strength had left me. Barely anything seemed to work, despite my best efforts to do so. All I had going for me was the constant beat of my heart heavy in my ears. But with each passing moment, the thump da-thump slowed just a bit. I inched myself closer and closer to the surface, but with every upward motion, I feel myself slip back down further and further.
My eyesight was going, the blue blur of the water churned before my eyes until there was nothing but black. I couldn't remember opening my mouth, releasing the oxygen that had kept me moving and breathing and living. No. It must've been something else.
It was then that I realized it was quiet. And I could no longer hear the steady rhythm of my heartbeat.
'Oh not to worry Charlie, you'll go to heaven. All dogs go to heaven, because unlike people dogs are naturally good and loyal and kind. '