A long way.
#1 of A Long way.
I was bored. So I decided to write something up, it's not very good, long or detailed I know. But it's not meant to be a serious thing.
_"It's a long way to Mukumbura. It's a long way to jawl." _Scott sang loudly as he made his way through the front door. Dumping his bag on the ground as any self-respecting teenager would do.
"It's a long way...from your home town. But you can have yourselves a ball. (With your muckas.)" he continued as he walked through to the Kitchen.
"Goodbye...Bulawayo. Totseins Cecil square. It's a long, lon-" He paused suddenly, something was wrong.
By the time he heard the growl it was too late, he turned to see the grey blur as it bowled him over in a flash of tooth and floor. Knocking and pinning Scott to the floor. Scott, shocked stared up at the creature above him whom was now Growling steadily. Paws firmly planted on Scotts chest, ears folded back. Eyes staring.
This silence mingled for a while, each staring at the other, only the beasts growling breaking the steady silence. And then shockingly to any would be spectators, Scott burst into laughter.
"Fucking hell Dusk! You got me good that time." He smiled as he reached up to stroke Dusk's head. Dusk Barked happily and licked Scotts face before jumping off and allowing him to get up. "I suppose that'll teach me to let my guard down hey?" Dusks tail wagged in agreement. Prompting another smile from Scott.
I know what you're thinking. Dusk? Strange name for a dog. True, but there is a reason behind it.
Scott didn't purchase Dusk, nor was he given to him. He found him. Two years ago to be exact, badly injured by the road leading to Fort George, Scotland. He was unconscious and badly hurt but still breathing; no broken bones but plenty cuts, bruises and bites. It looked like he'd been fighting with another dog or some of the wildlife, probably a couple of Pine martens.
It didn't take much convincing for Scott to take him home, although it was somewhat difficult. Firstly, he wasn't old enough to drive. Secondly buses wouldn't let him take the dog with him. He walked for a few miles before someone was kind enough to give him a lift into Inverness, where he managed to get another lift home from a friend. A few weeks later, Dusk was healthy. Scott checked with the SSPCA to confirm that the dog was fit to go before posting advertisements around town. Dusk was rather aggressive, (He bit Scott quite savagely when he first woke up.) and although his aggression faded over time and he seemed comfortable with Scott and his Mum he couldn't really trust him around other people.
_ Dog Found. _
_ Large, dark Grey mongrel. Somewhat aggressive. _
_ Call : 01381758463 _
But, no-one called. This wasn't the end of the world, they could easily have turned him into the SSPCA. He'd get a safe home, and they wouldn't have to worry about him biting the neighbors.
Scott didn't want to rid himself of the dog, he'd grown fond of Dusk. And the dog fond of him. It was lucky for Scott that his mother had also grown fond of Dusks company, despite past misgivings. With a great deal of bartering and promises she allowed Dusk to stay.
The name? Oh yes. Scott chose to call him Dusk because it was dusk when he was found near Fort George.
Back to the present, Scott continued to wander over the pin-up board in the Kitchen. Dusk at his heels, this was where his mum usually left a note if she was away. Which was often.
He ripped a note off the wall and read it quickly, before crumpling it and throwing it in the bin.
"Looks like we've got the week to ourselves then." He said to Dusk. Who had now begun to whine.
"Oh right! Food." He walked over to the fridge. "Come on then."
He opened the fridge and rummaged around a bit before pulling out a large piece of beef and throwing it to Dusk. Dusk didn't like dogfood, and who could blame him. He liked fresh meat, which was only reasonable.
Scott left Dusk to demolish his dinner as he picked up his bag and sat down to read. He'd been assigned a copy of John Steinbecks 'Of mice and men'. He would have enjoyed it if he'd read it in his own time, but school work has this nasty habit of destroying anything you find remotely fun. He sighed and sat back, beginning to copy down some quotes.
A few hours later he'd given up on homwork and just sat, there was nothing good on TV and he lacked the energy to do much else. That's when it started.
Throughout the evening Dusk had grown increasingly uneasy, he'd glance to the windows or doors and just stare. Occasionally growling.
"'You okay there mate?" Scott asked tiredely, prompteing a brief sideways glance from Dusk.
"Anyway..." He said standing up. Walking over to his room, stroking dusks head on the way. "Goodnight Dusk. Try to keep the barking down eh?"
......................................................................................................................................................................
It happened so fast, one minute Scott was lost in the bliss of his dreams. The next he was being grabbed and dragged violently. The large form which attacked him held a gloved hand over his mouth as it moved over to the cupboard. Which he promptly hurled Scott into before climbing in himself, closing the door behind it.
"What-" Scott started to say before a large, gloved hand clamped over his mouth.
"Quiet!" the figure growled. Holding Scott tightly to stop him struggling. An order Scott directly disobeyed, kicking and shouting into the hand.
"Quiet or you will die!" The voice repeated, causing Scott to finally shut up and try to work out who this person was. He seemed to be wearing some kind of fur coat and gloves, he even had a...
No it can't be.
"Dusk?" He asked, his voice muffled by the han...paw. But still understandable.
Dusk looked down at him and said nothing, only held Scott tighter.
Scotts eyes began to tear up, he was going to die. And it would be his own dog that killed him. Softly he began to cry.
Dusk continued watching him, he was about to say something when something made him jerk his head up. Voices.
"They're gone." One cursed.
"Shit, how is that possible? They were in the house not five minutes ago." Replied another, infuriated.
"I don't know. But they're not here so we have to go to phase 2. Go get the perol."
Petrol! Scott Started. They couldn't be doing what he thought they were.
Dusk seemed to react to this as well, moving into a crouching position at the door. Still holding him.
Scott could smell the smoke by this time, he could even feel the heat. they'd started the fire. He squirmed in Dusks grip.
What are you waiting for? He thought. Do you want to burn alive?
It was then that Dusk hose to move, bursting from the cupboard and sprinting towards the window, spinning as he hit it so he'd take the brunt of the blow. The glass shattered and they landed on the grass outside, rolling. Dusk let go of Scott. Scott took the oppertunity to watch his childhood home go up in flames. He started sobbing.
Dusk seemed to be busy looking around for potential dangers to focus on him. So he did a very stupid thing and began sprinting away from Dusk. Who noticed and easily closed the gap, tackling him to the ground.
He then picked Scott up from under the the armpits and held him up.
Dusk was a werewolf, he stood about seven foot tall and had bright amber eyes. And he looked concerned.
Scott was once again shocked when Dusk pulled him into a tight hug. Whimpering.
"Don't run away. Please, I promise I would never hurt you."
Scott had no response to this, just amazement as he watched Dusk look around nervously. before turning back and saying.
"Scott, we need to go. I know you're scared and this is a lot to take. But please, you have to trust me."
He didn't wait for an answer, he just started to run, holding Scott to his chest.
Scott didn't know how long Dusk had been running, but he was sure that by the time they stopped they were a long way from home.
Dusk set Scott down and sat down next to him panting. Scott tried to shuffle away from him, but this prompted another whimper from Dusk. So he stopped.
Scott started to speak before Dusk cut him off.
"I know you have questions but they'll have to wait till tomorrow. I'm exausted and so are you."
Scott had to admit that he was right, he wanted to sleep.
"But how can we sleep here?" He asked. "It's the middle of winter and we don't have any blankets."
Dusk smiled at this, and reached out to pull Scott into an embrace. Scott simply melted into the soft warm of his fur.
"You don't need any. I'll keep you warm."
"Just one question." Scott said.
"Okay, just one."
"What's your name?" Dusk smiled in return.
"Dusk is fine." he answered. "Now sleep.".