CALLAHAN

I've always thought my parents lucky for having me as their kid. I've never been loud or rambunctious. I never crave attention, my grades in school were, are, decent. My pastimes consist of quiet activities; reading, video games, taking a walk. I rationally think things out, I've never been one to want or ask for things, unless they were absolutely necessary. Childhood fears of monsters hiding in my closet were never a problem for them, because I never believed in them. I knew that the knife wielding maniac in the movie was just an actor.

Monsters in my closet?

There was nothing in them but clothing.

Eerie glowing eyes under my bed?

My cat.

Ominous shadows floating across my wall?

The wind blowing the tree branches outside my window.

So one winter night, nearing midnight, my mother was craving a bag of spicy potato chips. She comically blamed her current state of being pregnant with my baby brother/sister. I, being the good daughter, volunteered to go to the nearby grocery store. My dad offered to give me a ride, but he looked liked he would have fallen asleep putting on his slippers, with the dark circles under his eyes. I declined his offer and said I would ride my bike, tied my red-haired mess in a ponytail so it wouldn't fly everywhere, and zipped up my sweater.

On the ride over to the store, I passed by an alley way. I heard a yelp that sounded like it came from a dog. Not paying it any mind I kept on riding, figuring that it was just a couple of strays fighting over some scraps of food near the garbage bins.

On arrival I chained up my bike on the bike rack and headed inside. The cool air from the store's A/C system sent shivers through my body, making me rub my arms to warm up. I walked over to the potato chip isle and grabbed the desired item. On my way over to the cash register, I passed the pet isle. Remembering the yelps from the alley, I doubled back and grabbed two cans of dog food.

I paid and gave my thanks to the sleepy eyed cashier and went outside to unchain my bike. Items in hand I pushed ahead and made my way home. Arriving near the alley I slowed to a stop in front of its entrance. I dismounted and grabbed both cans of dog food from the bag hanging on one of the handles.

Walking deeper into the alley way I heard movement. Thinking that it may be one of the dogs from before, I whistled to it. "Come here, boy." I called loudly, and popped open one of the cans.

After a while of calling out, I heard a pitiful whine coming from under a pile of flattened cardboard boxes. I placed the cans on the ground and went up to move them.

What I found was the largest black dog I have ever seen. In the dim light of the overhead street lamp I noticed its eyes where a deep forest green color. At the time I didn't take into account that I've never heard of dogs of any breed having green eyes. What I did notice was the bloody gash on the side of its neck. Its whining was what brought me back to myself. At that moment I took out my cell-phone and called up my dad, asking if he could bring the truck.

I gave him a brief explanation of the situation and he arrived in no time. After trying, with no result in picking up the injured canine for it was way too heavy to put into the truck's bed, he drove back home and grabbed a ramp. Loading up the dog became a bit easier when we only had to drag it onto the truck.

Moments later we were back home with the large dog in the garage. My dad went inside to get a medical kit from the bathroom. I noticed that the oversized canine was panting and whining. I sat next to it, petting its leg and saying comforting words to it. Dad then came in with the kit.

"Is he gonna be alright?" I asked him worriedly.

"The best I can do for him right now is clean the wound and wrap it up. We'll see how he is in the morning, sweetie." He answered, mostly concentrating on his task.

I nodded and waited until he was done. When he was, he gave permission to my unspoken request of staying with it. He brought me a blanket and placed it over my shoulders. I thanked him and he left me in the garage with a good night.

Leaning my back on one of the many boxes, I looked over the animal, its dazzling forest eyes boring into my simple hazel ones. With what little strength it had, it crawled on its belly over to me, placing its large head in my lap.

"Don't worry boy, tomorrow morning we'll take you to the vet to get you fixed up." I promised, taking the chance at scratching it behind the ears. At this action it closed its eyes. After a while of being the only one still awake I got as comfortable as one could sitting on a cold hard garage floor and closed my eyes, letting the light snoring, and warmth of my impromptu guest lull me to sleep.

AN:So I actually went back to this chapter and tweaked it a bit so's it can make more senseā€¦ sigh.

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