Left for Dead

Chapter 4

The rest of the night is uneventful, save for the smell of dog protruding from the bathroom, clouding my senses.

I grit my teeth. I have to figure out what the hell I'm gonna do with that thing... I check the alarm clock on the bedside table.

It reads 5:15am.

I grab my weapons and sheath them, whistling for the dog.

Within moments, we hit the streets, still damp from the night prior. The long roadways are dead, the only people being me, and the early birds leaving for work.

I walk in silence, dog at my side.

My eyes dart around the area, checking for any potential threats. But it's too open, no one would come after me in public like this.

After an hour or so of walking, the sun touches the horizon, and children start making their way towards bus stops. One little girl walking with her mother, spots me walking with the dog.

"Puppy!" She exclaims.

I grimace. I despise children. More than dogs.

"Look, Mommy! Look at the puppy!" She pulls on her mother's jacket, but her mother is eyeing me.

I narrow my eyes as her eyes travel from my not-so-concealed weapons in my leather pockets, to the not-so-concealed weapons protruding from my boots.

Once her eyes meet mine, I toss her the most menacing smirk I can manage, and snarl.

Her eyes widen, and she pulls the child close to her, but the child wiggles away, running towards me.

My eyes widen and I take several steps back. "Hey! Get away, rodent!"

Her mother runs up to grab her child, her eyes never once leaving mine.

"Puppy!" The girl says again.

The dog makes eye contact with me, and I suddenly get a marvelous idea. The girl wiggles in her mother's grasp, but her mother holds tight.

"Do you want to pet the puppy?" I ask the girl.

She grows still in her mother's arms, a grin forming. "Yes, please!" I smirk.

"Come on, then. Come pet the puppy."

She struggles more, before once again, breaking free. Her mother shrieks. "Clara!"

But it's too late, the little girl has made her way to the dog, and has begun stroking its matted fur.

He stands awkwardly at attention, unsure what to do. I kneel down to get on the girl's level, remaining a fair distance from her. "Would you like to have the puppy?" I whisper to her.

She grins and nods eagerly.

"Then, it's yours. Go on, take it." She begins walking, and I whistle for the dog to follow her.

Her mother steps forward. "Clara, no. No dogs."

I step forward. "Relax, lady. It's well trained. It'll protect the little devil. Now, she's going to be late for the bus." I nod my head in the direction of the bus, already pulling towards the bus stop.

She grabs Clara's hand and begins speed-walking towards the group of kids gathered in front of the now ajar bus doors, dog awkwardly in tow.

"Hey!" I shout.

The mother turns, and I make eye contact, producing my best glare.

"I'll know if you get rid of it."

She gulps and turns around, watching as her child disappears into the bus. I remain still as she quickly walks back into her home, angrily snapping at the dog to follow.

I chuckle and begin walking once more.

Eventually I find a rather small vehicle, and shatter the window, to allow myself in. After hot-wiring the car, I begin the long journey ahead.

Houston, Texas. A 25 hour drive.