Chapter 7: Losing Rocky

"Lennie!" George called Lennie's name and we turned our head to look at George. I didn't know he was going to be here. "George?" I asked as I stand up. He walked in with the soft smile and I literally felt butterflies. "You heard the whole thing?" I asked as I fiddled with my hands. I don't know why I felt nervous. George nodded. "It was I that carried you," George said. I was in shock because I didn't think it'd be him that carries me to my bed.

"You?" I asked incredulously as I pointed at him, George nods once more. "Oh I-thank you," I stuttered as I looked down. "You're welcome," George said as he smiled, I looked up to see him. His eyes soften as it gleamed. I felt myself drawing to his eyes. "What are you doing here, Stacey?" he asked as he nods to Lennie, "Oh I'm just talking to Lennie, is that okay? Because if you want I can—" I got interrupted by him. "No, it's okay. I've never seen him talk to others beside me and the old man Candy." George said.

"Oh," I said lamely. I looked at Lennie as he is holding the pup, "I've got to go, I'm really tired," I said as I turned to look at George then I walked away. "Wait!" I stopped walking as I turned around and saw George looking at me. "Yes?" I asked, curious about what George is going to say. "Stay here, would you?" he asked and I nodded as I turned my body to him.

George nodded and then he left.

I looked around and just wondered why George wanted me to stay.

George walked out and said, "Okay we can go," I nodded as he opened the door and Lennie is following us. "What was that about?" I asked. "I told Lennie to put the pup away because it's too young to be away from its mother," George explained as he looked at me. I nodded, understanding from my point of view. We walked outside of the night and walked back to the cabin as I opened the door and saw Rocky laying on the floor. "Hey buddy," I said softly as I bent down to pet him. He moaned as he closed his eyes and wagged his tail slowly but can see that he's really happy with me being here with Rocky. "You okay?" I asked as I looked at Rocky, he's not himself. He never moaned. "What is it?" George asked as he came by my side and looked at my dog with concerned look on his face. "He's not himself, I don't know what's wrong with him," I said as I looked at my poor dog, worried about him. "Just get that dog out of his mercy!" Carlson shouted that made everyone looked up to him.

"You can't mean that, Carlson!" I shouted back to him as I stands up and was about to go at him but George's strong arm stopped me. "Stacey, listen, your dog is old, he's got no teeth! No nothing! Do you want him to suffer?" Carlson asked as he pointed at Rocky. I looked at Rocky and see him wheezing as he looked at me with such innocence in his eyes. I bent down and tears starts to swell up as he put his head on my lap as if he's asking 'what's wrong? Why you look sad?' I sniffles as I pet him, "I-I can't," my voice croaked, "I'll shoot him for you so that you won't be the one to done it, he won't even notice it. Hell, it won't hurt," Carlson said as he takes out the gun that made me froze a bit then I looked at the guys all around me.

They all looked at me with sympathy and George said gently as he can be, "Carlson's right," I looked at him with shock, I thought he supports me. "That dog of yours ain't good to him and yourself, Stacey." Slim said as he looked at me straight in the eyes. I sniffles as I looked down to Rocky. "I'll miss you boy," I whispered as I held his head and rock back and forth with tears silently coming down to my cheeks. I let my hair hide my face so that none of the boys can see me cry. I sniffles loudly as I lift my head up and wipes away my tears and I put my hands away.

"Take him, Carlson, let it be done with," I said and my voice cracked at the last word. Carlson nods and bent down to let Rocky stands up and he said, "Come on Rocky, come on, boy," Rocky looked at him and stands up as he walked slowly towards him. "It won't hurt him, Stacey," Carlson said as he walked away with Rocky outside, "Carlson!" Slim said as I looked down to the floor. Carlson stopped walking and looked at Slim, "Take the shovel," Slim said as if he's feeling guilty for something. Carlson nods and walked out, the door slammed. Everyone is looking at me with sympathy and they knew that someday I would be heartbroken and my dog would be dead.

A few minutes later, the gunshot blasted that made me jump a bit. Everyone looked at the door then some of them went back to their business but Slim, Candy, Lennie and George are still looking at me. I sniffles and I stands up, my head is still down. I turned to the door and I ran out of the door without looking back. "Stacey!" George shouted and ran after me.

I didn't care if I ran out in the cold night like tonight, I just wanted to get away from everyone for once. "Stacey!" George shouted and pulled my arm to stop me from running. I shake my head and I stopped running because he's too strong for me to get away. "I—George get away from me," I shake my head as I speak. I do not want him to see me at my weakness. George sighed and said gently, "Look at me, Stacey," I shake my head, refusing his request. George's hand is under my chin to make me look at him. Through teary eyes, I can see George looks so sad as if he understands what I'm going through right now. He also looks so handsome with the look. George didn't say anything but let his eyebrow back to normal and looked at me with the stare that I cannot get away from.

"I'm sorry," George whispered as he put his hand on my cheek and gently caressed it. I sobbed and put my head on his chest, I didn't care anymore. I just need…need someone to hold me and let it all out. George's strong arms embraces me as my arms embraces him and just held each other while I'm crying my heart out.

"I'm here for you, I'm not leaving you ever again," George said and kissed my head as he held on me some more and more tightly too.

That is what I needed right now. Some comfort.

That is all everyone! I'm so sorry, I've been busy with school and I never thought this story would be popular! Thanks everyone for the patience! I PROMISE I'll try my best to update another chapters!