Dog Gone (1.5)
Dog Gone (1.5) By Roofles
I wasn't about to tell the 'jury' before me what actually happened that night. Their judgmental eyes was bad enough as they forced me to relive the time since I met him. Dissecting every word and phrase I said or used to see if there was something behind it. A hidden meaning or plot that he was conniving. And in doing so tore me apart in the process. Laying my life and secrets on the table before them to think and ponder over as they sipped their cheap coffee or tea or gin whatever it was they were drinking in those glasses of theirs.
That night hadn't gone so well and peachy. Once Chuck waved me goodbye I didn't have the nerve to head back inside. I didn't want what was waiting for me. But even with those watchful eyes from my doorstep I felt unsafe out here in these slums. It was the only place I could afford with the debt I had stacked up. Even the cops didn't come down this way. I couldn't blame them. So, I was alone with a... monster waiting for me in my own home.
Without any real other choice I turned around and headed back up the steps to my apartment. The door was opened and there he was. Standing before me, looking down his muzzle at me with those hazelnut eyes. Looming before me. His very presence seemed to weigh me down as if gravity itself was heavier the closer I got. Until my knees almost buckled standing right before him. He stepped aside still watching me.
Slinking past him with a bowed head I went inside. I was too tired for this. All of this. And if the camera's weren't on and running I would've stripped down and fallen asleep on the couch right there and then.
"I'm just going to crash for the night. Do whatever you want." I said halfheartedly as I headed for the bedroom down the hall. I was just tired. I just wanted to go to bed and call it a night. Forget this day ever happened and pray that when I woke up in the morning it was nothing but a horrible dream.
I heard the door shut behind me and didn't even look back as an almost familiar heavy paw step followed behind, catching up to me rather quickly. I turned to look at him when I could feel his hot musky breath on the nape of neck. I had half the mind to tell him to fuck off and get the hell out of my apartment and to trouble someone that didn't have enough problems as it was. But I held my tongue as I saw the curious look on his face and just shook my head. "I'll be in my room if you need me or something," I mumbled heading inside.
The dog didn't follow. His ears perked up as I sat down and his tail twitch, wagging for just a second before he headed off. I could hear him rummaging about and didn't bother inquiring what it was he was doing. I just kicked my shoes off, peeling the sweaty socks from my feet and rubbed them forgetting all about my house quest. Until he reappeared the next second that was. No matter how hard I tried to ignore him, I ended up acknowledge the dog which made his tail wag again. He probably would've stood there all night until I recognized his existence. Popping the beer can open he offered it to me, still staying in the door way. The frothy foam bubbling up and over his thumb. I wasn't sure what he did with the other can. And I wasn't about to ask.
"Sure, why the hell not?" I laughed a bit like I had earlier that night. A forced, fake laugh to try and ease the tension in the air. "Well?" I asked as he stayed outside the room.
"You said not go in." He spoke slowly forming each word before pronounced them carefully obviously still struggling with the language.
"Well I give you permission to come into my room. Only when I'm in it." I added just to match sure things were clear. He instantly perked up bounding inside and offered the drink once more to me sloshing the can around and spilling a bit on the edge of my bed to my disdain. I took it timidly eyeing him suspiciously. He grinned innocently fumbling with his paws a bit unsure of what to do with them. He was trying to keep himself casual but his tail betrayed his emotions. It twitched every now and then. I figured he was just as nervous, possible more so, than I was.
As he closed the distance between us the cruel reality of my situation hit me. He really could tear my throat out with those sparkling teeth of his. He was larger than I was. Pure muscle like any rottweiler and just as intimidating. So close I could smell his breath, that musky tinge of dog seeping from his fur and I couldn't help but notice the fact he had gotten rid of his pants. He wore nothing but a tight thong that sagged with his...male bits. I wasn't about to ask where he got it. And was doing my best not to stare. He was already making me fear for my life and now I was feeling inadequate in comparison.
His strong face softened as his ears fell back and those large puppy dog eyes stared at me. "Figured you need drink." He spoke slowly again articulating the words that growled from his chest.
"Didn't think you'd even know what a beer was." I scooted over a bit to increase the short distance that was between us. He must've mistook the motion and took a seat next to me making my skin crawl. I looked away, down at the can I had in my hand. Still out of the corner of my eye I could saw him licking his thumb, looking around the room. Giving an approving sniff every now and then. Sniffing the air and the sheets. He seemed to like the sheets and kept sniffing them.
"We learned a lot while we there." He said constantly looking over at me while his nose was buried in the covers. He wasn't exactly subtle. Clearing his throat which only further the fear building in my chest. It came out more as growl than anything else.
"Save it for the camera's." It came out a lot colder than I had intended and he winced, ears folding back again as he let go of the blanket. "I just don't want to talk about it anymore tonight." I moved back in the bed a bit before laying back, resting on the edge of my pillow.
As I laid there I could feel him shift at the edge of the bed. Scooting up a bit before pulling back uncertain as to what to do. A rough paw pad touched my stomach making me jump back and he pulled back again. I looked at him not wanting to take my eyes off him.
"You tense. I was going to give, belly rub?" His lip twitched into a smile. It was clear it wasn't something he did everyday. I never saw a dog smile before but looking at him now it creeped me out a bit.
"Look, I just want to sleep." I scooted up a bit more in the bed moving further away from it. He moved as if to get closer but stopped looking down a bit.
"Can...can I sleep here. Tonight." A large black furred paw touched my leg making me jump. "I no hurt." It's voice died down to no more than a whisper, no more than a soft whine.
"Just do whatever." I rolled over pulling the covers over me, facing my back to him. Forced my eyes closed and dreamt of sleep. Of a better tomorrow.
The bed creaked as Brutus moved again laying down on my legs. The weight was uncomfortable but familiar. If I closed my eyes, shut out my thoughts it was almost as if my friend was back. The heavy, musky dog crawling into my bed every night even after I told him dozen of times not to. It always annoyed me. And at the same time everynight when he did I never told him to get off.
It was that familiarity that brought an ache to my chest. Better days were behind me and the future looked grim. But I wasn't one to cry for myself. I was taught someone only cried for two reasons. For oneself and for others. And I wasn't about to do the first. It was just a rough day... I kept telling myself. Even so I felt like shit that night and I wasn't about to tell the jury in front of me that, it was none of their damn business.
Nor was I about to tell them that was why Brutus crawled up in the bed to cuddle next to me. To rub my belly and lick my cheek. He didn't say anything but I knew why he did what he did. Why he curled up behind me...grinding against my back as he rested next to me. Call it a sixth sense or that he really could smell emotions, either way I wasn't about to say I was thankful that he was there that night.