Chappie 4

"Aah!" 2D screeched as a Labrador came up to him and sniffed his feet.

"Stupid dullard. It's only a bloody dog!" Shouted Murdoc and whacked 2D around the head with his hand.

"Ow…" 2D rubbed his head and looked down at the dog. Its slobbering jaws and flapping tongue seemed disgusting to him. A glob of drool slowly dripped down and onto his shoe. His face scrunched up in disgust. He wiped it on the floor and quickly caught up with the others.

"Doesn't anyone run his place?" Russel asked, since they hadn't seen any manager or caretaker behind the desk. They had past the registration counter and walked into the backroom where the kennels were.

The barking and howling echoed and became louder and louder. One dog threw itself at Murdoc. He laughed at its feeble attempts of biting through the cage bars. It was obvious that if a single dog were let loose, it would tear anything into shreds. That thought made 2D gulp nervously.

Noodle went ahead of the rest. Every time she passed a cage, the dogs wagged their tails and seemed smile. However, with Murdoc, they fell into a frenzy and went wild.

Russel caught up with Noodle "Hey, Noodle, what d'you think of that dog there?" He pointed to a Welsh Corgi.

"Kawaii!(Cute!)" she replied reaching into the cage to pat it.

"It's after me!" 2D came running along the kennels and whizzed past Noodle and Russel. They both turned and were about to shout out "Where you going?" but Murdoc came running too. Russel stood up and gasped as a whole pack of dogs came charging towards them.

"Oh crap…" He grabbed Noodle and legged it.

All four weaved in and out of the kennels. Dodging corners and avoiding other vicious dogs.

Eventually, 2D saw a door in front of them. He got ready to break it down. Instead, he crashed into it and began to slide down when Murdoc slammed into him. Then it was Noodle and finally, Russel. That broke the door down. They scrambled to their feet and bolted the door shut. They could hear the dogs trying to stop themselves, but rammed into the door anyway, leaving face prints in it.

Noodle wiped sweat off her forehead and sat on the ground. They had exited the dog shelter through the back.

"What da hell 'appened back dere?" said 2D, looking back at the door.

"Shut it, prat." Murdoc hissed "I let 'em out."

"And why did you do that?" asked Russel, folding his arms, expecting a good explanation.

"I wanted to freak out 2Dents. I didn't know all the bloody dogs would get out!"

Russel and Noodle sighed. What could they do?

As the three continued their walk, 2D looked down at his hand. He uncovered it. Countless teeth marks covered it "…… I hate dogs…" he grumbled.

Vultures circled over them. They had already walked about three miles from the dog shelter. Even Noodle was a little tired.

Then, salvation? The four came across several buildings connected to a small bustling city.

Noodle jumped up and down with joy as Russel let out a sigh of relief. Murdoc showed minor delight in finding a little civilization. Apart from 2D. He looked at the city and a wave of sorrow and fear flew over him.

Murdoc saw this "Hey, dullard. What's wrong, shit face?" 2D shook his head "Fine. Suit yourself."

"Russ!" Noodle called to him and dragged him to a sushi bar "Sushi wa suki desu-ka?(Do you like sushi?)"

"Yeah, I love the stuff."

While they pigged out, Murdoc went off to find a suitable residence for them all to stay in. However, 2D stared up at the highest building. The one he had tried to commit suicide on many years ago.

Flashback

"Mum! Please, stop it!" Stuart pleaded (Stuart was what 2D was called before the car incident). But his mum wouldn't. She kept throwing clothes and possessions into a suitcase. She then zipped it roughly, catching the clothes and ripping them in the zippers.

She completely ignored him and threw the case down the stairs. Stuart watched helplessly as his father was thrown out of the house.

Even his father pleaded for a second chance, although it would have been his fourth or fifth. Stuart had lost count of how many times his dad had been framed for cheating on his mum. He knew that he hadn't. Ever since he could remember, his dad had been gambling for money to feed the family. Then, one day, he lost to the wrong guy and had been on the run ever since.

It tore Stuart up inside to think that his father gambled anyway. But it was for the family's well being. He had even been admitted to a school and made a few friends. Life had seemed to be getting better, but now… Where will he go? Which parent should he spend the rest of his life with?

He cried silently as his dad walked away carrying one small, tatty suitcase. He couldn't even say goodbye to him.

His parents never abused him. He couldn't even remember when he was last shouted at or told off. He always got hugs and smiles from them. They looked so happy together.

He ran away. The stress was too much for a nine year old to handle. He didn't care where he was going, he just hoped it was somewhere he could live happily. Everywhere he went, people were horrible to him. Some kids threw rocks at him and made him even more miserable. Then, he thought the very thing many kids think when their parents split up… It's my fault…

For months, he lived on the streets, constantly blaming himself. He found food from restaurants that were nice enough to give him scraps. He had tried begging but it didn't work. People would just walk past him or kick him aside.

One day, he snapped and broke down in tears in an alley. He had never really cried before. Maybe the odd few teardrops, but never the weeping and sobbing other kids do. He repeated over and over again out loud "It's my fault! It's my fault!"

End Flashback

"Oi! Dullard!" Murdoc's voice interrupted 2D's thoughts "What hell are you doin'?"

2D realized he had been standing there, looking up at the tallest building for quite a while. He rubbed his, now sore, neck and walked past Murdoc.

"D? What's up?" Russel said with a mouthful of sushi.

"Nufin'." 2D replied bluntly.

"Well, Murdoc found a hotel we can stay in for a while. It's just 'round the block. You comin'?"

"In a sec."

Russel shrugged and made his way around to the hotel with Noodle. Murdoc was just about to push 2D over, but he saw the solemn expression on his face so decided to leave him alone, for once.

Continuing Flashback

Stuart climbed the stairs up a building to the top. The wind collided with him, almost knocking him over. He had a minor phobia of heights and had to crawl to the edge. There, he managed to stand and looked down. His hair blew about his face. He watched the clouds stroll by above him.

He remembered that feeling he had when he was younger with his family. He'd gaze up at the clouds as the sunlight bounced off them, and how something that simple made him feel like part of everything, and all alone at the same time. That was a feeling he could never put into words. He had vowed to spend his whole life chasing it, hoping others will understand that feeling as well.

It was, perhaps those thoughts and feelings that saved him from death. He swayed and fell backwards, onto the hard concrete of the building's roof. There he gazed at the clouds. Thanking them for a second chance at life.

End Flashback

2D smiled. He was saved by one of the most simplest things on Earth. Maybe his childhood trauma had finally ended. What surprised him is that he had still kept that vow he had made since he was three.

As he walked to the hotel, he had learnt a lesson. A vow can stretch beyond childhood and can stay with you forever, even if you don't realize it…