Well, I've finally finished my story, "You Can't Keep A Good Dog Down," and I thought of this prequel the other day that I really felt would perfectly add to the backstories of the characters, namely Charlie. Even though we already know hisstory, I'm going to be sharing my take on his past. This story will focus on how Charlie ran away from home as a puppy, befriended Itchy, formed a partnership with Carface, and eventually met Oaklyn. It will be much shorter than my other story, and will probably have a max of 5 or so chapters unless I need to add more, but as of now I think that'll be it.
My best friend on Tumblr, animationgirl89, has shown a lot of excitement and support for this prequel, and I'm so grateful to her for motivating me and just being such a sweet and kind friend! I really am, buddy, so thank you! :)
I think I've said enough here unless I'm forgetting something, so I guess it's time to begin! Anybody who decides to read, I hope you enjoy this story that I'm really hoping will be enjoyable! Thanks, everyone!
"Mr. Charlie, where did you grow up? Y'know- where'd you come from? What were your parents like?"
"Oh, uhhh... well... you ever felt like you were raised in the wrong setting? Or the wrong way? Like... the way your folks raised you didn't feel like it was right for you? Yeah, that's how I felt from the time I could speak."
Charlie lived in a medium-sized, fancy house in the 'rich' neighborhood of Lansing, Michigan, with his parents and their owners, Henry and Opal. There was a fountain smack in the middle of the yard, and the big expanse would've been a source for fun for a normal puppy... but Charlie didn't get that opportunity all that often.
Henry and Opal were very prim and proper, like you'd expect from a stereotypical wealthy household. Even their dogs were posh and spoiled like them!
Henry was a very tall, thin, black-haired and mustachioed man. He wore eye glasses and almost always had a pipe in his mouth; stereotypical rich guy. His hair was always slicked back and perfectly combed, and even his mustache was perfect looking.
Opal was a lot like him, but prettier. She had long and puffy blonde hair that Charlie swore she dyed once a week because it was so pale. She was never seen without makeup on; she looked almost exactly like Marilyn Monroe, except with very, very green eyes.
More often than not, Charlie was frustrated by his parents' (and humans') snobby and privileged way of life. But he was still a pup, so he had no choice but to put up with it.
The typical day in the Anders household consisted of black coffee or tea for breakfast with bacon and eggs, which Charlie thought wasn't so bad. After that, Henry would read the paper and Opal would vanish out of the home, probably to shop for more 'rich person stuff'. Then Henry too would leave for business meetings nearly every day, leaving Charlie home with his folks until the humans got home that evening. That was the worst. There was always something they could nag him about.
"Charlie, sit up straight!"
"Charles, stop causing trouble!"
"Charlie, why can't you just behave?"
It got so old after a while. The only real escape Charlie got from them was Dianna, the family's cat. She was kind of like a big sister, and Charlie loved to poke fun at her. She could be a little crabby, but at least she was willing to listen to him and offer some agreement to his words. Especially when he felt so trapped at times, being stuck in a household he didn't feel like he was suited to.
Today was a windy, cold day, and everyone was home at the moment. Henry was sitting on the loveseat, listening to the jazz music coming from the crackly old radio, and Opal was knitting something, as she did when there was nothing better to do. Charlie's mother, Loni, was laying at Opal's feet, resting, and his father, Burt, was sitting at the window and watching the leaves blow in the wind. Dianna was pawing at the string of yard Opal's knitting produced. Charlie? He was lying on the wooden stair, on his back, and staring up at the ceiling.
"Henry, dear, would you turn that radio down a bit? I can't concentrate," Opal asked without looking up, and her husband just stayed quiet. He turned the dial down and said nothing- that was the end of it. Boring, right?
There was absolutely nothing to do here. Anything he did got him in trouble, besides playing with a chew toy. But those got old fast. I mean, c'mon, he was only a three month old puppy! There had to be something else to do, or Charlie thought he might waste away from boredom.
Charlie slowly rolled himself over and looked around. Everyone was distracted by something. Perfect!
Trying clumsily to descend the tall stairs, the puppy slowly hopped down one at a time, watching everyone to make sure he didn't get caught. Finally, landing on the carpeted floor, he started to slowly make his way into the dining room with a mischievous little grin.
"Charlie, where are you off to?"
Startled, Charlie turned his head and saw his mother looking over at him. Another thing that irritated the pup was how well groomed Loni always was; her tan and cream fur was always perfectly brushed, no matter how much she'd done during the day. Charlie blinked, glancing at his paw as he put it down mid-step. "Oh, I'm just... goin' outside," he replied, straightening a bit and wagging his tail, putting on an innocent smile. Loni raised an eyebrow. "To do what?"
Charlie lowered one ear, and it flopped over at the end as he did. "Uh... to... pee in a bush?" Loni blinked at his words. "Oh, well... run along, then." As Charlie was about to scamper away, Loni stood up. "Oh. Wait, hold on. Your fur is ruffled." The collie mix came over to her son and licked his head a few times to smooth his fur.
"Agh! Mom! Stop it!" the puppy growled, rapidly backing away and shaking his head. Loni simply shook her head and walked away, calling over her shoulder, "don't get dirty, either. We're taking family photos this evening."
Ugh! I've gotta look perfect to go outside?! Charlie thought, immediately fleeing into the kitchen. At least if he went out there, he wouldn't have to stay inside with nothing to do.
Charlie padded up to two small, silver bowls; those were his, and the other two sets were his parents'. Charlie sniffed at the puppy chow in his food dish, but he wrinkled his snout at the smell. It was nasty stuff! Yeah, it was expensive for sure, but it wasn't worth the price. Charlie instead sat down and scratched at the light blue collar around his neck, irritated. What was worse about this place is that they made him wear this awful thing. What was the point of it besides making a stupid noise whenever he shook himself or itched?
Whatever. Charlie tried not to pay attention to the irritation and slipped through the dog door that led to the backyard. His short legs were a disadvantage on the cement steps at the door, though. Charlie turned around, stretched his hind leg down to touch the first one, and then lowered himself down carefully. Then he paused.
Woah, this is easier than last time! Had he grown a bit? Because the stairs felt a little easier to do this time. Charlie hopped down the second one too eagerly, and before he could catch himself, the young German shepherd fell over and somersaulted down the steps, huffing as he landed on the stone path below. Charlie shook his head, looking upward at the door. Maybe not.
As he turned to walk away, the doggie door opened. Uh oh. Not wanting to get lectured for some reason he didn't want to think about, Charlie turned around nervously, but he was relieved when he saw it was only Dianna.
"Where are you going, barkie?" Charlie blinked at the nickname she'd dubbed him. "Just gettin' away," he answered, starting to walk away nonchalantly. Dianna leapt down gracefully and trotted beside Charlie.
Dianna had short, pale ginger tabby fur and a white "bib" over her muzzle and chest, but it was made fluffier around her neck by the pink collar she wore. Her green eyes studied him as he made his way to the front yard. There was nothing but grass and bushes in the back, anyway.
"Lookin' for trouble?" the cat teased, raising an eyebrow. Charlie didn't look at her; he only scowled. "No. Why does everyone think that?!"
"Probably because you always are," she retorted, rolling her eyes. Charlie glared at her. "Not always!" he insisted. At Dianna's unconvinced look, Charlie shrugged. "Ok, fine, almost always. But, c'mon, I don't wanna be Mom and Dad's 'perfect little puppy' all the time." As he said those words, he scrunched up his nose and put his small paw under his chin, mocking the 'perfection' he always thought his parents wanted. "Can't you say you don't wanna be a 'good kitty' every time?"
Dianna shrugged and held her tail high. "Well, I was born a feline princess, and I don't see why I shouldn't act the part." She trotted along, and, surprised, Charlie ran after her, tag jingling. "You mean you never wanna be a little... I dunno, um... mischief-ous?" Dianna stared at him. "Mischievous."
"Yeah, that."
The cat shrugged again. "I guess not. The most mischievous thing I've done is use Henry and Opal's sofa as scratching post. And it didn't end well." Charlie's face dropped, and he looked down, disappointed. He thought Dianna would have said something else. The molly padded along with him until they reached the front yard. The wind made Charlie's ears flap, and he shivered just a bit. Dianna jumped up onto the fountain and began grooming, but Charlie sighed and sat down in the grass.
"Dianna, have you ever wanted to... well, leave? Y'know, not live here anymore? Live your own life?" he asked, looking up at his surrogate sister. Dianna rubbed her paw over her ear. "Well, Charlie, I'm no alley cat. I guess I've never thought about it, you know?" She looked down at him, flicking her tail. "I was a just kitten when Henry gave me to Opal for Christmas, and I liked it here. I still do. Besides, what's out there for me when I've got a nice and warm house, a fireplace, and anything else I could ever want?"
Charlie stared up at her, intrigued but still disappointed. Then he came over and put his paws on the fountain, glancing at her. "Little help?"
Dianna grabbed his collar in her teeth and tried to pull him up, and Charlie's little legs helped him get up. Panting, Charlie blinked. "Uff... thanks." He looked down at his reflection in the rippling blue water.
"I wonder what it's like to be out there... on my own. It sounds nice, really, to be away from here. Then I would've have to be under Mom and Dad's control all the time. Oh, did you know that I can't remember the last time my dad hugged me?!" Dianna stopped licking her foreleg and looked at him. "Charlie, you're a puppy. You wouldn't survive a day alone out in the world."
Frustration pricked at Charlie, and he looked up at her sharply. "You don't think I could take care of myself? Why not?"
Dianna put her paw down and sighed. "I didn't say that-"
"But that's what you meant." Charlie glared at the cat before looking back down at his reflection. He saw a puppy who felt trapped in a home that wasn't meant for him. A puppy who would one day be free, and never have to be around these spoiled humans again.
"Most dogs aren't like that." Dianna's voice broke into Charlie's thoughts. "You know what I mean. Uh, free-spirited and rebellious like you, I suppose."
Charlie grew angry this time. He stood up and faced her. "Oh yeah? Well, I'm not most dogs! I don't wanna be kept here until I'm old and gray! I'm gonna go out and live my own life! Where I can be far away from snotty rich people! And from strict fathers and perfection-seeking mothers!" He panted a bit, realizing that was probably a little much. The fur along his spine slowly lowered. "I-I'm sorry."
Dianna didn't seem to care too much. "It's alright."
Charlie sighed and sat down, looking away. "I don't know why I got so mad. I just... I don't wanna grow up to be strict and boring like them." Dianna watched him, somewhat sympathetic. "Well, that's not you, Charlie. You won't grow up to be like that. I know it."
"I hope not..." Charlie looked to the side, and he immediately spotted a mud puddle; he'd forgotten it had rained all day yesterday! Being a puppy, his anger was quickly forgotten, and he wagged his tail. "Hey, a puddle! Dianna, look! Wanna go jump in it?"
The cat shook her head promptly. "No, no. I don't wanna be forced into a bath, Charlie. I'm sure you don't either, right?"
Charlie stood up excitedly as Dianna thought about how quickly he could switch emotions. "You're no fun!" Charlie declared, "I'm gonna go jump in anyway! Besides, sitting here is boring." The shepherd puppy jumped down clumsily and ran right up to the large puddle, and without stopping, he jumped up high and came splashing down into the muck. He was also kind of doing this because it would drive his parents crazy, but it was still fun!
He rolled onto his back and wiggled around, laughing. "C'mon, Dianna, join me!!" he shouted, laying upright to stare at her. His underside and back were completely soaked in mud, and his ear flopped over his eye, dripping a little. Dianna looked disgusted. "Ew. No way, Charlie, I'm staying here."
"Yeah, I knew you would! You're no fun!" he repeated, but the cat didn't care what he said as long as she didn't get dirty.
Finally, after a while of splashing in it with his paws, rolling around, and spitting it out when the mud got in his mouth, Charlie stood up and shook himself off. Then he decided it would be fun to get Dianna covered in it, too. The cat had leapt down and was lying in the grass, dozing lightly. Charlie smirked and began to creep up to her, but Dianna didn't notice until it was too late. Charlie jumped up and pounced on her back, trying to cling to her so she couldn't run away. Dianna gasped, twisting around with a hiss.
"CHARLIE! Get off me!!!" she demanded, trying to flip herself over to claw at the puppy. Charlie laughed and smirked down at her evilly. "No way!" he teased, shaking his head and sending little droplets of mud onto the car's once-clean fur.
Dianna finally gathered her strength and kicked him off of her, and Charlie tumbled into the grass, huffing. He stood up again and shook his head quickly. Dianna stood up as well and growled. "You're a little scoundrel, y'know that?" Charlie smiled and shrugged. "Maybe I am. But I like to play with you anyway."
Charlie finally rolled off and lay upright, giggling. As he did, though, Dianna stood up and stretched, having started to groom the mud out of her fur. "Look, I know we haven't been out here long, but you're gonna need a bath, Charlie."
In response, Charlie shook his head firmly. "Not if they can't catch me," he said, puffing out his chest confidently. He saw Dianna's face transform from a scowl to a smirk; suddenly, she lunged at him, and before Charlie could leapt out of the way, she had him by his scruff. "Ow!" he yelped, baring sharp white milk teeth and squirming, "what are you doing?!"
Dianna began to drag him inside, grunting with the effort. "Getting payback!" she hissed through a mouthful of dark brown fur. "I can clean myself, but you need a bath! This is my revenge!" Charlie glared up at her and struggled fiercely. "Rrrrgh!" he snarled, twisting as he was dragged across the cool grass. "Let me go!" he demanded, but Dianna did no such thing. "Nope. This is my punishment! I'm bringing you right inside so Opal can bathe you!"
Charlie struggled more. "No! No, I don't wanna smell like a girl!" he growled, wondering how he couldn't escape so easily. He pouted; then they reached the steps, and Dianna paused. "Hmm..." While she debated how she'd force him up there, Charlie smiled. Just as she was about to let him go, Charlie jerked loose and started to stumble away. "Oh! Hey!" Dianna called, chasing the puppy.
Charlie laughed, looking over his shoulder at her. "You can't catch me, cat!" he yelled back, racing into the front yard again. He dodged behind the fountain before Dianna could grab him, and he pressed his back against the stone, panting. He wished his legs were longer, and that he didn't have a round, spoiled puppy belly. He cringed; he was sort of like the thing he hated. Overfed, probably slightly out of shape, and too privileged for his own good. Charlie tried to push the thought aside and peeked around, seeing nothing. He smiled and wagged his tail, feeling triumphant. Maybe she gave up already! However, to Charlie's dismay, he looked up to see a pair of green eyes were peering down at him. "Did ya really think you'd get away that easily?" she asked, preparing to leapt down on him.
Startled, Charlie let out a "yip!" and began to run away again. He looked back; Dianna wasn't following him anymore! She was staring ahead of him with a surprised expression. Charlie was confused, and tilted his head, still running. Then he crashed into something, and he fell backward, having been winded by the blow. Charlie sat up promptly, growling. "What was th-!"
He fell silent. He'd crashed into his father's foreleg; the large dog was glaring down at his son, and he didn't look happy. Not in the least. Charlie found himself shrinking lower to the ground, lowering his ears. "Um... hi, Dad!" he said nervously, wagging his little tail. His father's gaze hardened, and Charlie blinked anxiously. "I mean... hi, sir," he corrected, hoping that would get him out of whatever he'd done this time.
"What did your mother tell you about playing in the mud?" he asked. Charlie rubbed his paw over the grass, growing frustrated. "To not to," he mumbled. He looked up, straightening. "B-but I was only playing with Dianna!"
Burt pulled his lip back to reveal sharp teeth. "Exactly. I don't know what to do with you sometimes! It's like you try to irk me and Loni," he growled, shaking his head in frustration. "We won't have time to clean you up before the photographer comes..." Charlie glared right back.
"You should quit getting on my case about everything I do!" he muttered, wrinkling his muzzle. His father looked at his son like he'd been bitten by him. "What did you say?" he demanded lowly, standing up.
His father was very firm that when Charlie had done something wrong, he had to be disciplined. Like most parents, right? But Charlie had been spanked before, and he really didn't enjoy it. Obviously. But right now, he was only growing angry. Charlie stared hard at his father as if to challenge him. "I'm sick and tired of being scolded for 'misbehaving!'" Charlie spat, bristling. Even he was surprised by how quickly this was escalating. "Whatever I do, you and Mom always find some way to scold me! I'm tired of it! I wish you'd just let me be a kid!"
"You have to understand, Charlie, that we are trying to raise you right! It's you who's always trying to find some way to misbehave!" his father retorted, growing angry himself. Charlie didn't understand why, but anger exploded in his belly. He snarled. "Listen to me!! You've never encouraged anything I've done! You've always tried to make me into the son you wanted! But I'm not that son! I want to make something of myself besides a snobby, spoiled mutt! You chose that life for you, and for Mom, but I don't wanna live that way! I don't WANT to stay here and act perfect for the rest of my life! I don't WANT to be tied down! Why can't you understand?!"
Burt growled and then barked in his face, furious. He was too angry to care about the fact that he was acting this way around his young son, and he figured that he'd teach him a lesson for talking this way. "If you ever talk that way to me or your mother again, you'll see what happens," he hissed, but Charlie was unfazed. His nervousness was forgotten completely. "I'll talk that way if I want to!" he shouted, "and you'll see what happens if you punish me one more time!"
That was enough to set him off. "Enough!"
Charlie's father, in a fit of anger, swung his paw around and bowled the pup off his feet, landing a blow to his ribs. Charlie huffed, tumbling to the side and having bitten his tongue. That had actually happened? His father had hit him? Hard enough to knock him off his paws? Charlie licked his lips; he tasted blood. Gross. He really thought his father would refrain from actually hurting him, besides spanking, anyway.
Shocked and hurt, the pup stood back on his feet. Dianna had run over to help him up, and he noticed that in the commotion Loni had come outside. "My God, Burt, you killed him!!" she yelped, beginning to panic as she saw Charlie struggle to his paws. "He's fine," his father told her, "see?"
"Are you alright?" Dianna muttered in Charlie's ear. The puppy sat up and huffed, gaining his breath back. He didn't look at Dianna or either of his parents; he didn't want them to see him cry. Charlie stood up, turned around, and began to trot away, head held up like nothing had happened at all. Dianna hurried after him, and Charlie heard his mother begin to speak behind them, but he didn't look back.
"Hey, Charlie, are you okay?" Dianna repeated, but Charlie refused to look at her, fighting the anger and hurt that rose in his chest. "I'm fine," he whispered, flattening his ears and lowering his head to stare at the grass as he walked away. Dianna persisted, but she didn't push too hard. "No, I mean... you're not hurt, right? Heh, you sure do switch emotions quick!" she teased gently, flicking his ear with her tail tip. Charlie sighed through his nose, hopping with some difficulty up the stairs. He entered the house and Dianna followed, but she paused by her bowls.
"It's ok," Charlie said, slowing for a second, "you don't have to come with me." He turned his head back forward. "I-I wanna be alone, anyway." The cat seemed to understand; she just turned and began to lap at her water bowl. Charlie quickly slipped out of the kitchen and fled into Henry and Opal's bedroom, and he creaked the door shut before making his way to the dresser. He plopped down beside the leg of it, laying his head down and beginning to cry.
Why do you hate me? Charlie thought bitterly, sniffling. I meant it, when I said I didn't wanna be tied down forever. Even Mom thinks I should behave better! The puppy shifted and curled into a ball, wrapping his mud-stained tail at his side. He stared at the gray wallpaper.
I'm not the problem, though. It's you. You think every puppy should behave like an adult, I swear... what happens when I grow up and really act like an adult? Then you'll wonder where my childhood went, and you'll wish you let me act my age! And maybe I am mischievous and... naughty sometimes, but shouldn't every puppy be?
Charlie's ears perked up as he heard rain begin to fall outside, and he lifted his head to look out the window. It wasn't pouring, but judging by how dark the clouds had gotten, he assumed it would with time. Not wanting to think about anything anymore, Charlie put his head back down and listened to the rain fall. Then a thought popped into his head.
What if I really did run away?
It didn't seem like such a bad idea. It never had- although, Charlie never thought he actually would. He'd only wished such a thing. But...
I know I'll only be stuck here forever anyway. I don't want that, for sure. Charlie's gaze relaxed. It's not like my dad would miss me, anyway... Mom might, though... Charlie inwardly shook his head.
Maybe. But it's either I stay here until I die being the perfect little puppy, or... I live freely and without anybody to tell me how I should act.
Charlie's face brightened in a smile. That's it, then! I really will leave this place... sorry, Henry and Opal, Mom and Dad... but your 'troublesome' pup is about to take it one step farther!
He must've fallen asleep sometime later, because when Charlie opened his eyes, he was in the living room. It was dark; the shades were open, letting cool moonlight stream in. Confused, Charlie looked around. His mother and father were lying on the floor together, fast asleep. Charlie himself was on the floor as well, and when he looked at his fur, it was cleaner than it had been. Huh? Maybe Henry or Opal rubbed me with a towel or something.
Charlie yawned softly and sat up, tilting his head. Then he remembered what he'd wanted to do. Oh! Right. Wait... did they take those stupid pictures? Without waking me up?
Curious, he glanced at the wall above his parents, noticing that something was different, even in the dark. A framed, black and white photo was already hung up; squinting, Charlie saw immediately that he wasn't in it. The human couple were both sitting in chairs, of course, and their dogs sat proudly in front of them. Not that he cared all that much that he wasn't in it, but his mother hadn't even tried to wake him for it...? Or did it not matter anyway?
A little hurt, Charlie flattened his ears and turned to the window, glaring at it. That's how it's gonna be? Fine. I didn't wanna take a dumb picture anyway.
He walked carefully over to it and craned his neck to look up, beginning to wonder how he would escape. He wished he'd planned this out sooner; puzzled, Charlie looked down and tried to think.
Well... I can't reach the window, so... the doggie door? Charlie looked behind himself, looking for something to boost him up there. No... that's always locked at night. There's nothing in here, though.
After a bit more thinking, Charlie decided to try and find another escape route: the kitchen. He'd crept past his sleeping parents and had reached the tile floor, and before he put his paw down, he stopped. They might hear me and wake up! Swallowing, Charlie placed his paw down, blinking when it made no noise. Oh. Right. I had my claws clipped.
Wrinkling his nose, the puppy slowly came up to the dining room chair at the table, growing anxious. Hope I can make this-
Charlie leapt up on short legs, gritting his teeth, and struggled to heave himself onto the chair when he did reach it. "Rrrgh!" he grumbled softly, panting as he finally steadied himself. That took a lot more effort than it should've, he thought grumpily. However, it faded when he saw the window at the kitchen counter. Charlie climbed onto the table and thought about how odd it was to be doing this. His mother would've scolded him, and his father would've done the same- just more harshly. Maybe he'd hit him again or something...
Charlie crouched, belly fur brushing the table cloth. It was a far jump, and if getting onto just the chair didn't make noise, this would for sure. He could only imagine what would happen if he failed...
Dread laced with hope gathered in the puppy's chest, and he took a deep breath before springing up and squeezing his eyes shut. To his surprise, he landed on the countertop with only a soft thump. Charlie almost cheered, but he caught himself as he opened his mouth. Stupid! You're gonna get caught!
Charlie just shook his head and put his paws on the window, looking out into the front yard. I'm so close!!
He looked down at the window latch and pulled upward; Charlie scowled when it didn't budge. He pulled harder, baring his teeth, and finally he heard it click loose. Charlie smiled brightly and gathered this strength to push it up, and he did so with a soft grunt from the effort. He halted when the window squeaked, fearful. Oh no!
He glanced across the kitchen from where he was to where the living room doorway was; nothing had changed. Relieved, Charlie smirked and finished opening it. This is it!
Charlie found himself pausing, crouched in the windowsill as the cold wind ruffled his fur. His excitement began to fade away, making room for doubt and fear to grow. Was this... really the best decision? He felt his heart pounding in his chest, and blood roared in his ears, obscuring the paw steps coming up behind him. So many emotions were flowing through Charlie's body: curiosity, fright, doubt, joy... he didn't know how to process it all.
"Charlie?"
Horrified, the puppy's fur spiked fearfully, and he spun around, words tumbling out of his mouth. "I-I-I'm sorry! I was j-just looking out there, I-" He stopped, realizing that it was only Dianna. "I..."
"Shhh." The cat lowered her ears, staring up at him. "You're really leaving...?" she whispered, and Charlie saw her green eyes dim with sadness. He tried to calm his breathing, relaxing his posture to a sit, but he slouched a little. His eyes were watery, and he hoped she couldn't see. "Y-yeah... I've got to." Charlie turned his head before immediately facing outside again, as tears threatened to fall from his eyes.
He exhaled softly. "I've gotta do this, Dianna..."
The feline leapt up beside her "little brother" and sat beside him, staring up at the glowing white moon with him. She was silent for a while, but after a few moments she said, "I know." Charlie glanced at her, confused. "What?"
Dianna blinked, but she didn't look at him. "There's a train heading somewhere out of state. I think it leaves at 4:30... if you wanna get out of there, catch it. The station's not far from here. Just head down that street." She flicked her tail to the side Charlie sat on. The pup was dumbfounded. "H-how do you know that...? And what time is it now?" he asked, staring in surprise at the cat.
"About 4. I heard Henry talking about it... he has a friend that's boarding it to visit his folks." Dianna blinked slowly. "That way... they won't find you."
Charlie's chest ached. "Dianna... why are you trying to help me...?" he whispered, completely confused. "I-I thought if you found out, you'd tell Mom and Dad..."
Dianna sighed and wrapped her tail over her paws, staring into the night sky. "Because I feel for you, Charlie, I really do. I wish... you could've been happy here, and I wish you'd never thought of running away," she admitted, eyes clouding with pain. "But I have no right to tell you that you can't. If-if you're not happy here with the humans, and don't want to be a house dog..." She looked at him. "Then I say you should go out... and get happy. Go live your own life."
Totally stunned, Charlie smiled, and his eyes went from wide to teary in a second. Without thinking, he pressed his muzzle into Dianna's fur, squeezing his eyes shut. Dianna stiffened, spooked, but she also relaxed and sighed. She put her head on Charlie's, and he heard her say, "I'm gonna miss you, barkie..."
Charlie pulled away and smiled at her, but, somewhat embarrassed, he quickly frowned and cleared his throat. "I-I'll miss you, too," he murmured, lifting his head to stare outside once more.
Without warning, Dianna put her paws on Charlie's back and said, "don't make a sound." Then she shoved him out the window, shocking the pup. He couldn't even yelp before he'd landed in Opal's flower bed, wheezing. Charlie rose to his feet and looked up, surprised, and Dianna looked down at him. "Bye," she whispered as her voice broke a little, quickly turning to jump down from the counter. "W-wait!!" Charlie called, and the cat startled, turning back to him. "What're you gonna tell my parents?!"
"Nothing," she whispered back, "unless they ask me directly. Then I'll say exactly what I should- I don't know!" Charlie was about to say something more, but he froze when he heard his father's voice.
"Dianna, what's going on in there?" The cat jumped, frantically waving her paws to make him flee. "Charlie, go! Run!"
Conflicted and frightened, Charlie took a step backward; then he spun around and began to run across the lawn as quickly as his short legs would allow. As he reached the front gate, he panted hard, quickly looking for a way to get out of the property. Finding no solution, Charlie snarled, desperate. Then he sucked in air through his teeth and stuck his front legs through the bars, trying to wiggle through. It was only just big enough for him to get out of; he shoved his shoulders through, trying to crawl the rest of the way out.
Charlie finally fell to the ground as he burst through the gate's black metal bars, gasping. He sat up with a struggle, panting heavily. Shaking himself, Charlie began to run once more, remembering the direction Dianna had told him to go. When he reached a street with four corners, he skidded to a halt on the sidewalk, puzzled. Wait, wh- ugh- Dianna didn't tell me which way to go to catch the train!
Luckily, as though Heaven-sent, a train's whistle reached his ears. Perking up, the young puppy smiled and wagged his tail, relieved. "Yes!"
He took off in the direction he'd heard it, hardly noticing the rubbing of his collar around his neck as he raced along the sidewalk and past a stone half-wall with bushes along the top. Finally, he stopped in the dirt when he saw a sign he unfortunately couldn't read. Confused, Charlie tilted his head, trying to understand. "Um..."
Looking forward again, Charlie spotted train tracks by squinting in the night. He ran up to those and quickly found himself at the train station!
"Yeah!!" he cheered, rearing on his hind legs and pumping his fists into the air. However, his joy was short lived.
"Hey! What's a dog doin' here?" a man's voice called. Frightened, Charlie looked back and saw a young man with a flashlight and a brown vest standing there, surprised. "Hey, Rich, lookie here! It's a pup!" Charlie dropped back to all fours and slowly started backing away, fearful. The man drew closer, holding his hand out curiously. "It's got a collar!" he called, and, startled by his loud voice, Charlie whipped around and began to run.
This is crazy! Charlie thought anxiously, running harder as another man's voice called out behind him. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea!
He hadn't noticed that a few people had begun to gather to board the train. A sleepy looking boy holding his mother's hand saw Charlie standing there, shocked, and brightened. "Mommy, look! A puppy!" he cried, letting go of her hand and starting to walk towards Charlie. Head spinning, the pup leapt down from the cement walkway beside the tracks and fled to the other side of the train, frantic.
What am I gonna do?!
Charlie finally stopped after a bit and nearly fell over, barely able to breathe anymore. He sat down on the ground and gasped, struggling. He jumped as a loud voice boomed, "all aboard! Last chance to come aboard!"
Forcing himself to rise, Charlie trotted along the train cars, looking for one he could enter. He must've been running for longer than he thought, because suddenly, with a deafening shuff noise, the train began to move. A beam of light cast over the puppy, and when he looked back, the same man was there, and so was another one. "Hey!! C'mere, dog!" the younger one yelled, now frustrated. Scared, Charlie started sprinting away as the train moved a little faster.
He kept going, the men still behind him, but he was struggling to keep up with the increasing speed of the train. Panting hard, Charlie gritted his teeth as the men's feet pounded closer. Finally, just as it grew too fast for him to run alongside, he leapt up as high as his exhausted legs could get him, and then he found himself struggling inside an open train car as it picked up speed and left the station.
Charlie flopped over onto his side, heart racing and head whirling. I really did it, he thought, I finally escaped. He opened his eyes briefly to catch a glimpse of the moon, which was beginning to set as the morning drew near. Then the reality of the situation dawned on him; Charlie sat up to stare outside, eyes heavy.
I'm never gonna see them again. The thought stung; Henry and Opal had never been bad to him. In fact, they'd treated him quite well. But... his father didn't seem to want him around, anyway. But his mother did... feeling a bit guilty, Charlie settled himself in the corner of the train car, in the shadows amongst scattered hay.
I'm sorry. I know you loved me, Mom, and... I love you, I guess- but Dad... he doesn't seem to. Maybe he did, but even so... I couldn't say there. And Dianna... I'm glad I had you while I was still there. Thanks for being there...
As he grew sleepy, Charlie found it harder to think. He eventually gave up and fell into a deep sleep, but not before he thought about one more thing.
Now... it's time to really start living.
I... am so sorry that the ending to chapter one was so rushed. I just really wanted to get this out because I was kinda excited, and- yeah. Um, if you did enjoy it, somehow, please let me know! Thank you very much! I'll be back soon.