The ash becomes like a layering of cake on my fur. I struggle to move as it piles on my back. I shake, and the pellets of rock go speeding off in all directions. That will let me walk faster for a couple of minutes, anyways, but the ash is becoming too much. I don't know how Phoenix could survive this long. I don't know how I could survive this long. I let out a howl. A crusty, weak howl. My body shivers. I can feel my ribs press against my skin as I trot through the ash. I sneeze, my head cloudy. I need water and food. Clean water. Fresh food.
I begin to run through the ash, pain searing through my throat as I inhale it. Just the air hurts enough, but the rocks hurt beyond anything I can imagine. The grey sky above seems a tinge lighter. But that can't be possible. Boom. There are now five vents open.
I cough violently, my body quivering. A speck of ash stays in my throat. I shudder as I try to cough it up. I get it out, but only by vomiting which means I just wasted precious fluids. I whimper to myself as I trot along, my body frail. Frail enough to the point where I'm scared it'll break.
Is anyone else out there? That's all I can ever think of now. Everybody and everything in Yellowstone seems to have just... vanished. I haven't seen one living creature besides Shadow and Phoenix, and of course, myself. I don't think I can make it much longer. I wag my tail as I remember the joyous times I had back at home. Yes, those were the days. Sure the volcano's only been erupting for a day or two, but it feels like weeks or months. After all, the only color I ever see is grey. But all of a sudden, I see a different color. Black. It feeds on my vision, tearing it away from me. It starts at the corners, and then grows until I can only see a hint of the ashen grey. Then that disappears, too.
I awaken. Ash covers most of my body. I cough as I jump up. I must've just dozed off, or something. After all, I haven't slept for two days. I shake yet again and then once more begin to trek northwards. My paws clumsily stumble over the piles of ash. Then I hear something. I barking. I quicken my pace, my heart racing. Phoenix. It must be. A rich howl erupts the still air. I begin to gallop towards the call. I can see bird's circling the area. One swoops down until I can see that it's a vulture. I whine as I cautiously approach a huddle of them. They squawk in protest as I nip at them, trying to scare them off. They fly away. I know they'll come back soon, but I want a meal. I'm famished. I look down to see what they'd been feasting on so eagerly.
Suddenly I didn't want to eat anymore. I look into the dull, lifeless eyes of Phoenix. The ash around him is scorched with blood. I take a deep gulp as I look at him closer. His body has been pecked to where he looks the size of a coyote. His nose is bloodied, and his fur is scattered around the area.
"Phoenix," I say stupidly in disbelief. I refuse to believe what I'm witnessing as the vultures swoop back down. I strain to hold back the tears, but they come anyways. I gasp, trying to get air. I cough compellingly as the particles come into me. But I welcome them with open arms. Kill me. I no longer care. Everything I've ever loved is dead. I may as well die now. It can't get any worse.
I take large breaths of the ash infested oxygen as I mindlessly walk around, not knowing or caring where I am going or what I am doing. Nothing matters anymore, I state again to myself. My eyes stare off vehemently into nowhere. My body combatively fights the entering ash, but my mind doesn't care. It's like the two have switched positions.
I turn my head and see the vultures feeding off of Phoenix again. I snarl and run forwards savagely, my fangs slashing the air. I circle Phoenix frenziedly, keeping the predators at bay.
Ten minutes later I halt. Froth comes from my mouth as I pant. The bitter taste of rock is strong, but I don't mind it any more. It is going to save me from pain. It is going to kill me, and rescue me at the same time. I smile as I lay down beside Phoenix. I'll be with you soon. As the vultures try to return, I barely keep myself from going berserk and slaughtering them all. After all, if I'm going to die, why shouldn't they? They deserve it.
Taking in breaths becomes harder and more strenuous as the minutes wear on. I can feel the ash in my lungs. I know now that the ash is dependable and flawless in its work. It's killing me. Nice and slow. Just enough time to think of the past. And then once I'm ready, I'll go up to the sky with Phoenix. Hmm, I hum in my throat as I look up at the billowing clouds of smoke and minute rocks. I imagine stars twinkling above, casting light down on us. I smile, my body outstretched. I gasp for air involuntarily. If it weren't reactions, then I would let myself die more peacefully. I'd let it drown me nice and easy. But my body has to fight. I sigh as I exhale my last breath. My lungs constrict, and I know the end is soon. For the second time, I can see the blackness creeping up on my vision. Except this time it's not just a blackout. It's the end. Everything becomes fuzzy and distorted. I let out a half-whine half-sigh as I feel my heart slow. The blackness takes over. I can feel my body slow, my heart stop pumping so hard, my veins stop running so much fluid and blood through them. There's a second where I can think clearly, and I use it to think back. Ah, peace. No more pain or suffering. Eternal happiness. No pain, no pain…. Then I can think no longer.