CLAYTO's blog: "an abandoned soul"

Snarls and howling filled the small kennel. Rows of cages lined the walls, each filled with a scared and enraged dog. Their muscles flexed as they growled at each other and at imaginary opponents. In the corner of the darkened prison, sat a lone pup curled up in the corner of his cage. His eyes were closed, trying to block out any other noise other than his own thoughts. The muscles on him weren’t as full as his neighbors, although he had far more scars. His head buzzed with the thoughts of what was to come next. He pried his eyes open. Both bowls at the front of the cell were bare. The masters had sent him to his cage without filling either of them with food or water. His stomach barked at him, but he was far too nervous to care. Turning his head away from the door, the young pit bull closed his eyes, blocking out the rest of the world. Think of something else, he told himself. You’re not really here. He imagined he was back with his mother and siblings. Lying on her flank, the air smelled of warm milk and warm fur. And love. But the rest of the world; the kennel he and his siblings had been born in smelled even worse than the kennel he laid in now. It was scented with the smell of feces, blood, and the worst smell in the world. A smell he had come across far too many times; Fear. In his headworld, he pretended that he would never have to leave his mother’s side. He would just be able to lay there forever, with his mother always there to protect him. His heart throbbed. This could never happen. His mother was long gone now; in a far better place. The place he had many times begged to join himself. It was a wish that refused to come true; he was still curled up on the cold floor, waiting for his masters’ decision. Slam! The closing door shook him from his dreams. He could feel the pounding of the masters’ shoes in his eardrums. Closer, closer, closer still. With eyelids sealed shut, the sound was his only connection to the outside world. The kennel had grown quiet; all anticipating what their neighbor’s fate would be. Keys fumbled along with much loud swearing. “GET OUT HERE, YOU WORTHLESS MUTT!” The terrier’s eyes shot open and looked up at the steaming human. Before he could whimper a reply, the human’s giant claws grabbed him by his scruff. This is it. A whine grew in his throat. I’ll soon be with you, mother. More humans had gathered in the kennel. Their faces furious and menacing; like the look you’d give a dog who had just bit your ear. Yells and jeers had replaced the barks and howls. Some threw blunt objects. Shoes, small boxes with foul smelling sticks in them, glass bottles filled with a nauseating liquid. The lead human still had his paws clutched on his scruff fur. He yelled insults. “This is what you get, stupid animal!” With his free hand, he held up a large, heavy stick. The canine victim shut his eyes so tight, he got a headache. Fearscent filled his nostrils and made him dizzy. It’s almost over. Wham!! Crush!! Crack!! The master beat him over the head repeatedly. The others cheered him on. One blow right after the other struck his small body. There had to be a better way to die! As he waited for the blow that would end it all, a loud wailing of sirens sounded outside. The humans looked around with fear. A scream rang out—the police were here! Police? What’s a Police? The humans scrambled out of the kennel. The dog’s limp body slammed against the floor. Every inch, every fur on his pelt tinged with pain. Is this what it feels like to die? Is this what his mother had to go through? The kennel door slammed open. The newcomer’s scent was foreign, but not flooded with the same smell of evil and hatred as his attackers had. The dog heard him yell something, but was drifting in between consciousness and un-consciousness. He couldn’t tell what he was saying. More people rushed in, all examining the residents of the prison. Just as he felt enough pain to give up, a voice whispered in his ear, “Don’t worry little guy; you’re going to be alright.”