Chapter 2: Shadows in the woods

  The sun peeking through the curtains stirred me out of my slumber, while Fang sniffed at the door signaling he had to go out. I left him outside as I began my morning duties. Once finished I headed to the open fields, Fang at my side. I was going to train him in scouting so we can go hunting. We walked along the brush as Fang caught the smell of something. I followed him closely as we crept through the woods. What we had found was the corpse of a rabbit, the smell of rot lingering in the air.

  “Get back Fang.” I ordered, I could smell the corpse from where I stood. If Fang had eaten it, he would have likely keeled over. He was a stubborn dog but even he could tell that rabbit was well past edible, so we continued our adventure. We took a break from practice to play in a small clearing.

  “Go boy,” I say flinging a stick towards the woods, Fang swiftly took after it, catching the stick as it hit the ground. He proudly trotted back and placed the stick on the ground. I grabbed it but I ran away from Fang instead. Fang let me run for a moment confused before engaging in the chase, I tried to outmaneuver him but whenever I gained distance I heard his playful pants behind me. Before I could turn he lunged at me knocking me down, I laughed as he licked my face before trying to wrestle the stick from my hand. I got the stick out of his mouth and hurled the stick to the woods, Fang chasing after it once more.

  It had only been a few moments, but I had begun to worry, Fang was quick for his size, so this was odd of him. I ran in the direction I threw the stick calling out for Fang to return, I could hear growling, growing louder as I approached. I had found Fang ready to attack staring into the deep trees.

  “What’s wrong---” before I could finish, I began to feel nauseous as my ears began to ring. Fangs growling grew quieter as the world began to close in on me.

  “One week, my child.” Boomed a familiar voice. My senses slowly returned to normal as Fang was licking my face, barking worriedly.

  “Stop, I’m okay” I said rising to my feet. “Let’s head home.”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  As we walked anxiety filled my mind, that voice must have been the god, coming to remind me of my fate.

  We made it home just before the sun had set, beating mother’s wrath. Fang ran to his food bowl while I washed up and joined my parents for dinner.

  “How did Fang fare in scouting today?” My father asked in between bites of food.

  “He did well,” I replied staring at Fang. “Stubborn as a mule-he only likes to scout anything that smells almost like food.” This made Fang huff as he returned to his food.

  “Now don’t poke fun at the poor beast,” my mother said, scratching his head. Fang wagged his tail and padded out of the room as we finished eating.

  After dinner we all went our separate ways, my mother headed to the kitchen to wash dishes, father went to his study. His battalion was heading out to the front lines in a week. His usual smile and boastful chuckle replaced with stress and doubt. His battalion was injured and fatigued from the last battle. We went to bed without talking much today.

  A few days had gone by, the air growing sour as the day drew near. I gave Fang a bath and set out for the day, I went to the woods and just sat with my thoughts. I had a decision to make, and I had to make it fast. My ears began to ring signaling the gods presence, but I could not see him as the clouds grew darker casting a shadow over my home. After arriving home, I decided to bathe. I sank into the bath, letting the warm water ease my thoughts. That’s when I made my decision, settling on my sacrifice. We ate and I headed to bed, Fang led the way; he lay down close to my side.

  My father left early in the morning without a farewell, only leaving a letter I wasn’t allowed to read it. Mother was weeping as she prayed for his safety. In my father’s place I tended to the animals and gathered firewood. After my duties I grabbed my bow as me and Fang went into the woods.

  We traveled to the woods Fang leading the way wagging his tail. He would circle back and nudge me forward trying to move me

  “I’m coming,” I said, my voice failing me.

  I grabbed a stick and hurled it into the woods.

  Fang gave chase, I raised my bow shakily as the wind howled.

  Pulling back the string, hands trembled and fired.

  The arrow made no noise as it flew.

  Fang let out a small whimper falling to the ground.

  I walked to his side clutching my knife without saying a word.

  The forest was silent, the only sound being Fangs shallow breaths.

  His brown fur grew darker as he whimpered.

  I pet his head. His breathing calmed, and his body became stiff.

  I don’t recall when tears began to fall.

  I left Fang in the woods, my body trembled as I trudged home.