Playlist: 1. Lifehouse - Storm. 2. Disturbed - Criminal.
How many hours had it been? Or had it been seconds that this stray has been in my arms? It withdrew its head from my shoulder and stared into my eyes. This was not normal. For how could such a creature stare with such intensity?
It took my elbow in its mouth, biting at first I thought, but then the dog began to pull me. I was shocked when the dog had moved me about a foot, I underestimated its strength. I had a tendency to do that.
Another foot the dog moved me. I pulled back my arm as quickly as I could trying to be released from its grip. After pulling vigorously a few more times, I was finally free.
I watched the dog as best I could with my stinging eyes. Why was it pulling me? Did he want me for his dinner?
"Shoo!" I managed to croak with my weak voice. It pained my dry throat too much. I waved my useless arms around trying to rid the dog. What good could I do it? I couldn't even help myself, so how could I with another life?
The lives of others around me seemed to slip away so helplessly. Was there a point to try again? To try to sustain this life of a stray even when I couldn't sustain my own life properly.
It persistently sat by my side. The dog was alone, just like me.
After a few moments, the dog took my elbow in its mouth again. It pulled and pulled me further away from the wall I was laying against. I attempted pushing it away, but I had nothing left. The dog stopped pulling and licked my face again, then barked and wagged its tail. What did it want? Food? Drink?
Again, its slobber covered my face as it licked me. Yummy.
The creature then climbed on top of me as I lay on the ground, barking at me as if encouraging me to stand.
Slowly, I propped myself up on one arm, feeling the dizziness of a head rush. I collapsed back on the ground in defeat.
No more.
No more!
The dog barked right next to my ear, the harsh noise so deafening.
I can stand.
I know I can.
Looking into the dog's beautiful eyes, my mind took me back to all the memories where my parents would always encourage me.
"Come on, Bella!" My mother told me, giving a warm smile of encouragement.
"You know you can do this!" My father said as I recalled the time I first rode my bike without any help.
"But I'm scared," I was absolutely petrified. Everything in my head told me not to do anything, it was frozen by fear.
"Don't let the fear stop you, if you conquer your fears, Bella, you can do anything," he replied, imitating my mother's grin.
How fucking cliche can you get?
Disgusted with myself, I made it to my knees, ignoring the flooding memories of my parents.
They only bring pain, no happiness, simply sadness and hurt.
My muscles ached and protested as I finally made it to my feet.
The dog jumped up on me, attempting to lick my face again.
Right, so you want me to fucking stand but then you do this?! Stupid fucking animal.
As I thought this, the dog went back down, standing on its own four legs.
I looked down at the animal, the creature that gave me strength. I guess I owed it something at least.
Maybe some comfort and food.
Then, hopefully, the dog will find a good home, with people to feed it, people to love and care for this beautiful creature.
I picked up my bag, slowly but surely, feeling the horrible aching hunger twisting my stomach, yearning for energy. A chocolate bar! Yes, there was food in my bag!
Rejoicing, I snapped the bar in half and threw the dog's share into his mouth. The crunching noises were strange, yet slightly amusing. A small smile crept onto my cheeks as I examined the chocolate stuck between the creature's teeth.
Taking out a bandanna that I found near the bottom of my bag, I held apart the dog's lips and started to wipe off the chocolate. The Husky started to fidget.
"Stop moving!" I croaked, swallowing a little bit of chocolate that had found a home at the top of my mouth.
The Husky then started to whine like a pathetic little baby.
Urgh. He's gonna be a handful.
.
.
.
We stuck together, stray and stray, finding food and shelter as the sun fell under the horizon. I gave Ice, the name I called the beautiful Husky, no leash.
What right did I have to control this animal?
None.
It deserved freedom like everything on this earth and I for one wish to be free from my memories, but these pointless desires get people nowhere in life.
I guess that creatures deserve the physical freedom, if anything at all.
I must forget the past and move forward.
The task seemed impossible, but I had someone to care for now, this energetic underweight dog that seemed bipolar.
At some moments in the day, Ice was incredibly friendly and gentle, others it was very boisterous and loud, sort of like my parents actually. My mother was the gentle one and my father was the more out-going type.
Perhaps this dog was the reincarnation of my deceased parents.
Pathetic I know, but it gave me reason to move my muscles and open my eyes when daylight comes.
.
.
.
I looked at the few shops with little interest. What I wanted I could not buy. For it did not exist.
We came across a television shop, its front window crammed with flat screens all playing the same thing. A news reporter read out the headlines in silence. I read the title at the bottom - Breaking News - James Thompson escaped from South Idaho Correctional Institution. Sentenced to life in prison for a horrific triple murder seven months ago. Considered extremely dangerous.
I pressed my face against the window wanting to see more of this news story. His face, his horridly familiar face appeared on the screen.
Nausea emerged as I took in his sick expression and his merciless eyes.
They then showed the pictures of his victims, Mary Kranz aged twelve, Jonathan Carroll aged seventeen and Amanda Levine aged fifteen.
My hands started to shake as the tears welled in my eyes.
I ran. As fast as I possibly could.
How could he have escaped? How? Surely he should be in a maximum security prison where he could never escape! I was the one to put that bastard away and he could be lurking at any corner. My muscles in my legs ached as I ran faster and faster.
Ice was behind me, I could hear his raspy breathe. It wasn't long before he was beside me clearly enjoying the thrill of the run. There was no thrill, not today. Not if I knew that the finish line was safe.
It could never be safe now. Not until we were far, far away from this place.
My lungs burned as did my muscles, yet the adrenaline and fear swirling around my sanity, made me keep running as fast physically possible.
Ice accelerated ahead of me, I couldn't keep up the pace.
I turned a corner and headed for an alleyway, there I could catch my breath from prying eyes of strangers.
My heart pumped hard and fast, hitting against the insides of my ribs it seemed. Ice looked back and began to circle around me as I sucked in as much oxygen as possible.
Hands gripping my knees, I tried to calm myself down, an impossible task.
Fear made my hands begin to shake, so frightened, so alone, why is this happening?
I slowly stood upright, bringing my hands to my sides. I closed my eyes for a moment, wishing the nightmare to disappear, wishing that I could wake up from this hell.
Then I opened my eyes.
One of the biggest mistakes of my life.
He was in front of me, with those twisted eyes and that sick smile on his face. I was too shocked to scream, too scared to move.
"Hello, Bella," he murmured, the smile widening. "I've been waiting for this moment a long time."
.
.
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My birthday present to you.
And I apologise, exams, sigh, I've got two GCSE exams tomorrow. I haven't revised for either :P
Anyway.
Review!
Oh, almost forgot, I've also started a brand new FanFiction for the Host, so if you're interested check it out! [When All Hope Is Lost]
It's quite dark and gritty, rated M. Not sure if I should continue it, give it a read and tell me your thoughts!
Much love,
Drown.