Darius here,
This is my very first creation. Please enjoy and review, especially if you like it and want me to write more.
P.S. My sister Phillippa has already published this story's prologue and has greatly influence my writing and the story. Please read and review her masterpieces as well.
Jonus Harper had always liked dogs. Sure, he liked all the other animals too, but he had always liked dogs the best. He especially liked one dog in particular, named Jack. Jack had been a stray until it had found its way to the orphanage. Jonus had seen him one afternoon scrounging through the trash looking for food. When he had called out, the dog had backed away its fangs bared, but as Jonus continued to soothe it with soft sounds and slow movements, the dog had slowly calmed down. He had calmed enough to let Jonus toss him some leftover meat, and soon, Jonus was scratching its head and rubbing behind its ears. From that day on, the two were inseparable. They played all over the streets, and Jonus talked to the dog as if he could understand what he was saying. He had taught it every trick in the book and a few extra besides. Naturally, the director of the orphanage, a plump middle aged woman with a big heart called Mrs. Swanson, had become worried about the boy spending so much time with his dog and not with the other children. She had talked with her friend Ms. Griddle about it, but Ms. Griddle had assured her that it was completely natural for the boy to spend time with his dog. He would learn to respond to the other children in due time. There was nothing to worry about. So, Mrs. Swanson let the boy play as he wished, letting things go as they may. The result was a deep friendship between Jonus and Jack. The boy loved the dog like nothing else. It was his joy and happiness. For as long as Jonus had his dog, he was a healthy and happy little boy, but their togetherness could not last forever.
The day had started out like any other day. Jonus had been woken up by a gritty lick from Jack and had returned the favor with a pat on the head. He had gotten dressed and eaten breakfast with all the other orphans enjoying the slabs of bacon and pancakes with orange juice. After helping with the clearing of the table, he had gone outside to play catch. The sun was shinning and the sky was blue, perfect whether. As Jonus threw a nice sized stick for Jack to catch, he had realized for the first time how content he was. He didn't care any more that he had no parents, that he couldn't be normal. He was satisfied with being Jonus, an orphan playing fetch with his dog. Perhaps Jonus was so deep in thought that he wasn't paying attention or maybe it was fate. Whatever the reason, Jonus' hand slipped as he threw the stick, causing the branch to wobble over the busy street nearby. Jack, oblivious to the danger and caught up in the game, had run out onto the street. Jonus, realizing the danger that was invisible to Jack, called out in fear. The dog heard and after turning its head had sprinted back toward safety. At first it looked like he would make it, but a semi-truck had been going too fast and had applied the shrieking breaks too late. With the sound of crunching bone the semi had flown by, leaving Jonus to gaze in horror at the grotesque animal twitching only by speratic nerves that was his dog. The semi driver had eventually stopped and run to the shaking boy of 14. Blurting out several I'm sorry's and a few it was an accidents, the driver tried to apologize and comfort the young man, but the boy didn't even realize that he was there. He merely gazed on with a blank expression, one tear trickling down his cheek.
Jonus had run away from the orphanage that day. Unable to handle the strain of interaction with people and his grief, he had run off to live in the streets. His own hunger had eventually brought him back to reality, back to sanity and life. But it was cold and bitter life indeed, and passer-bys who gazed in his blank eyes would have had to wonder whether he would have rather died.