I updated less than an hour ago, but I'm bored. Random beginning of the chapter:
The rat turned toward her. As Meg watched the monster's lip curl into an ugly sneer, she noticed a movement in the corner of her eye. She didn't turn, she couldn't. Then the rat would destroy her one chance of escape. Peeking wouldn't help, anyway, she knew what it was. The same thing which had saved all those other times.
Just as the rat lunged at her throat, a shiny black cockroach the size of a large bicycle swung in and knocked the creature to the ground. " Who are you?" She asked, just like she always did. She waited for him to reply, but was confused by his answer.
"Be you the princess, be you? I be called-"
A large, wet tongue interrupted whatever he was going to say and Meg was smothered in dog drool. Ares had jumped on her again right as she was about to finally uncover the identity of her "hero". Every single night she had the same dream over and over again but she didn't ever get to find out who her rescuer was, all because of her stupid dog, Ares the second. Her family's first dog had been a black labrador also called Ares. Then her parents had bought her older sister, Betsie, a small black and white pomsky called Nike. Why they named their pets after Greek gods and shoe brands? Meg had no clue. Anyway, when she had been given this Husky/Lab mix for Christmas last year, she named it after their beloved deceased retriever.
Every once in awhile Meg wondered why her family was so strange and secretive. But she rarely ever had a chance. With both her parents working full time jobs, and her sister in high school, also trying to earn money at Burger King, it was usually just her and the dogs. Luckily for Meg, though, she never got bored. On a farm, there was always something to do.
She sat up and patted the bed for Ares to jump on. He tensed his muscles and sprang up like a cat, then lay down beside her with his head on her lap, his eyes looking up longingly. She fondled his ears in response, wishing she had the strength to resist his look. She never had the ability to. Her parents often told her that it was her only weakness. It might be true. Meg was smart. She was a grade ahead in homeschool, and was doing many subjects in the grade after the one she occupied. Since she was a farm girl, she could defeat all the kids her age in an arm wrestle or a foot race. Altogether, she was pretty talented. She felt like she should be content. She lived on a farm, so she had all the pets she could think of. Sure, she had quite a few chores, but they were worth it. Her only sibling was Betsie, so it's not like she was lacking her parent's attention, though she sometimes wished she had another sibling.
She pushed Ares away and rolled out of bed, tugged on her clothes and headed outside. When she screeched to a halt next to the henhouse, Ares was spinning and barking with excited anticipation. Hearing the angry squawks of the hungry hens, Meg scrambled to the food shed to supply them with food and water. She undid the latch that separated the chickens from outside and counted down under her breath, "three...two...one...go!"
At this she lifted the door and the greedy poultry hustled down the ramp, bobbing their heads with every step, each wanting to be the first to the lush grass. While they were occupied scratching and pecking, She circled around to the front of the coop and opened the first row of nests. Again, under average. Each nesting box should have at least three eggs. The last few days Ares had nudged the latch to the pen open and snuck into the coop to eat the eggs. She was in charge of grading and selling the produce of the farm. When things like this happened, she was held responsible. She lost that week's allowance, and, since she was saving up for another goat, that was clearly unacceptable.
She turned to punish the sorry mutt and realized he was gone! He must have gone to run in one of the fields. I'll go look for him after my chores are done.
She bathed the show birds, fed the sheep, milked the goats and cows, and turned the knob to to give them and the garden water. Still no sign of Ares. She walked out towards his favorite field, the only one they weren't using for plants or other animals. Sighing with relief when she saw the big black shape bounding toward her, Meg laughed as he began to canter in joyful rings around her, until Ares abruptly decided to race off towards the edge of their large property.
"Ares!" Meg cried, worried all over again, "Get back here! Come! Coome! Argh! Why won't you listen. Fine! Don't come, but whatever you do, don't get into the flowers again.!" She continued to sprint after her disobedient dog. She was pretty fast and caught up to him quickly. She slid to a halt in front of the red pole which marked the end of her family's fields and the beginning of Kevin Levat's beautiful horse pastures. Even from here she could see some of his prize bay Morgans, but no dog. Annoyed, she turned, and gasped. There, only a short distance away was an ancient barn!
I hope I can get some reviews soon. Bye!
