Dog Lost

The full moon cast shards of light that cut through the weakest parts of the canopy. They are as razor-sharp as the piercing air that burns his lungs on every breath. As he watches the vapour escape his mouth there is a flicker of warmth from his memories: the comfort of the fire and the gibberish noise from his human’s mouth. Their souvenir is still with him, the small heart-shaped pendant hanging from the collar around his neck.

He lay silent and still in the undergrowth. An innate instinct of survival. His prey unaware of the delicate perfume she oozes from every pore. It tangos with his senses. Impulsively he attacks. He sees the golden glow in her eyes. Not just a reflection from the moon, but from her soul. He tries to retreat, but feels the soft and doughy flesh of her neck and the blood, thick as honey, explode in to his throat. Sated he returns to his den. Alone.

He feels the collar tight around his neck. He remembers the day of promise. The arms of his human wrapped around him in a loving embrace. He does not know about the inscription on the heart-shaped pendant. The engravings now encrusted in the decaying tissue of his last meal. He sleeps. He no longer dreams.