Ready, Aim, Fire!- chapter 2
I wake up around seven A.M and head straight to the address printed on the back of the paper from the officer. It's deep within the small town nearest to my farm, and the building is an unmarked cement monument. As I climb from my old truck I hear loud barking, and it almost sounds like there are words mixed in.
That's silly; I think to myself, dogs can't talk! Still, as I enter the building, muffle words seem to be mixed with barks and growls.
I step up to the large desk and ring the bell, looking around the large lobby. The whole building seems to be cement, with one door leading into the rest of the structure. It's a heavy steel door and has a lock that looks like a card-key lock like at hotels.
The floor resembles the floor at a home depot, though there are reddish brown stains spotting the floor.
As I look around, a stout man with an obvious comb over comes waddling from the heavy door. His smile is filled with white teeth and he's dressed into camouflage from head to toe.
What kind of business is being run here? I think to myself as the roly-poly man walks up to me.
"Hello!" he exclaims "I'm Lucerne. Pleasure to meet you! Here to take a look at our wide selection of anthropomorphic canosapians?" his broad smile of little white teeth is just a little scary. I nod at him and take a small step back. His breath smells of pure death.
I begin to think he may be dangerous, but just as I think about leaving he exclaims "EXILANT." And walks towards the heavy steel door.
I walk a few steps behind him, and we walk deeper into the belly of the building. We pas doors that look like entrances into jail cells. I can hear words more clearly now. Some are smoother than others, but words all the same.
So they DO talk. I think to myself. I see many different creatures. Some are standing on two legs, some on four, some have hair along with their fur, and others are just covered in fur. They all seem to be of the same three dog breeds. Irish wolf hounds, Great Danes, and German shepherds.
We reach what seems to be a small waiting area and we stop. There are two canosapiens there standing against a wall. The one on the right is a large German shepherd. His pants hang loosely around his hips and his shirt is snug around his torso. His fur is obviously very well taken care of, and hiss ears are pinned forward. His tail hangs somewhat relaxed as his eyes meet mine.
He gives a respectful nod.
The one on the left seems a bit friendlier than the first. He's a tall and muscular Great Dane. Is clothing fitting him the same way as the other male, but his shirt hangs a bit looser around his stomach. When our eyes meet, he smiles, rows of sharp teeth exposed. I take a step back and look at the other hman in the room.
And realize he's still talking to me. And I have not heard ANYTHING he's said.
"And their stamina and physiques are higher than any dog or man alone. Their military training makes them a number one in guarding jobs, and even stable hands." his nasally voice explains. I nod to him and look back at the males in front of me.
The one on the left steps forward. "Hello, Ma'am." His voice isn't as deep as I thought it would be for a creature of his size. "My name is Ryan Artiega." He holds out one hand (paw?) and as I grip it to shake it, his warm fur brushes my skin. I sigh softly and try not to let myself remember my fallen companions.
He looks down at me curiously and for a moment I think he can read my mind, but then he looks at the other cano against the wall and smiles at me. "That is Alex Shaddix. He doesn't speak, ma'am, please don't think he's being rude."
I look over at Alex and he nods at me, his muzzle spreading into a very small smile.
The man next to me taps my shoulder. "So what do you think? Nice boys, eh?" he wiggles his eyebrows as if we're in high school and he's introducing me to a potential hookup. I nod then sigh.
"How much?" I ask softly, fearing I may not have enough.
The man gives me a once over, looks at Ryan, then looks back at me, giving me a creepy grin. "You look like a nice girl so how about two thousand. As long as you promise to give them a loving home." His voice does an odd waver on the word 'loving' and something in my stomach flutters at it.
I nod and think to my bank account. Did I have enough? When was my last truck payment? I think hard. Yes! I did have enough! I smile to myself, and I see Ryan straighten a little, then out of the corner of my eye I can see Alex shoot him a look.
"Wonderful!" the man says "Let's go get all the paperwork filled out!" he begins walking away. I follow him, with the two canos right at my heels.
When all the paperwork is done, I shake the man's hand and thank him. He nods and pats my shoulder.
"Just make sure to take good care of them!" he says
I nod, smile, and look at Ryan. He grins his wide grid and walks at my right side, Alex at my left. As we reach my small truck I remember how rickety and old it is.
I blush and look down. "Sorry about how small my truck is, you guys. Uhm, I guess one of you ca-"I'm cut off by the violent rocking of my poor little vehicle. The two males hopped into the bed of the truck.
I smile and climb into the driver seat, and wonder what to do with my new companions the whole way home.
A few months later, life had gone back to normal. The two canos from the kennel quickly warmed up to me and my little house, though they did home trouble adjusting to the old farm cat. I laughed, remembering Cain's hatred of the little feline as well.
There was only one thing I'd change.
Ryan would not call me by my name. No matter how many times I tell him, he insists on calling me "Ma'am". It bugs me to no end.
Unfortunately, the peace is interrupted four months after I brought my new buddies home.
I was in the shower washing up from a long day at the junk yard when all of a sudden I hear barking. I immediately know its Alex, because I can hear Ryan yelling.
"I told you to leave!" his voice is rough and angry. I fear the worst, quickly finishing up my shower as the barking gets louder.
I dress quickly and run outside, seeing Ryan holding Alex back as he growls evilly.
Watkins standing there, mouth agape, shut gun broken in half.
I look at Ryan, who looks at me with big eyes. "Ma'am, go inside, please." Shake my head.
"I can't. This is the prick that killed my dogs." And as I utter those last words, Alex lunges forward. Watkins lets out a yelp and runs backwards, diving into his Mercedes Benz and kicking up a plume of dust as he speeds away.
I stare in awe at the broken shot gun on the ground.
I see Ryan walking towards me slowly with his hands help up a bit, as if to show me he's not a threat.
"Are you okay, ma'am?" he asks softly.
I nod and let out a sigh, hoping this scared the little asshole enough to make sure he doesn't return.
Ryan hugs me softly, gently licking my neck and whispering "We shouldn't see him again, Ma'am." And Alex shoots him a look at he walks by.
I shiver at the feeling of Ryan's warm slick tongue against my skin and pull away, blushing a little. He takes a step back and chews at his lip, then looks me in the eye.
"Alex said he'd make dinner tonight. i need to... ah... take care of something. If you need anything please do not think you are bothering me." His eyes bore into mine and his wet black nose twitches a little.
I nod and smile, hugging him. "Thanks, Ryan. You're the best."
I feel him tense and I pull away, walking back inside. A few minutes later I hear the guest bathroom shower running and Alex shakes his head as I walk by.
How odd. I think to myself.