Chapter 131
Kai pov
Waking up and shaking my head I feel a heavy pull on my neck. Stretching I feel my paws scrap against the cold rough ground. Sniffing in the dark I smell the foul order of kennels. Piss and shit everywhere. Even coming from me. I go to stand just to hit my back against the top of a cage.
Listening I only hear the deep breathing of sleeping dogs. Trying to pull the chain tight so I can snap it off but the chain is just longer than the area I am so I can’t pull it tight enough. Fuck this I go to shift. But nothing. dropping to my stomach huffing out. Laying my head on my paws waiting. I can smell the foul order of dry dog food and stale water.
I lock clicks and a squeak of a door opening before a switch flicks and the buzz of the lights comes to life. Still dim but with this added light I can see more. I have great night vision but I do need a speck of light to make things out. So for a human, it’s still pretty dark but for me, I can see everything. A greasy-haired man with a stained tank top stretched tight over his beer belly walks in holding sever stacked bowls in his grip.
The stench of stale alcohol and smoke came off him in waves. The tank I’m sure had been white at some point and is a dingy gray with yellow-brown and orange grease stains all down the front. Coughing as he walks into the room. Another man younger but just as nasty smelling and looking follows behind. “that new white one should wake soon. He looks big and strong think he could make us a good pile?” he asks opening another dog's door and pulling out bowls as the other guy slides new ones in. “when he wakes we will test him against Killer, and see how he does.” The first guy said. “and your sure Jim said we can fight him?” “think he’d be here if we couldn’t fight him? Sometimes I wonder if mama dropped you in your head.”
When my door opens I just lay there waiting. The younger one notices I’m awake. “he's awake.” “you sure?” “yep staring into his black eyes man. He’s pretty tame where was he found? Man, I bet this mutt is someone’s pet. It ain’t gonna fight good.” The younger one cries out. “naw man he’s a big guy. See the scar he’s been in a nasty fight at least once and made it out. Even if he’s not champ material he will make a good warm-up for Killer. So win-win all around. But he will fight.” He chuckles.
Huffing I roll my eyes. Not a very wolf-like thing to do but who could blame me. “be a shame to ruin that pretty coat you got their boy. But your coat would be too noticeable to sell it.” He reaches his hand in and I growl baring my teeth. “see he’s not tame he’s smart. Let’s get him to the ring with Killer.” The first guy says slamming a cage door. Yes, take get me out of this cage. The young guy grabs the chain yanking forward wanting me to come out. Fighting against him some before I finally crawl out. He slips a spiked collar around my neck tugging at it. The prongs dig in cutting my hair off. Coughing he releases the collar's pressure. I hate this thing. I hear him slide a key into the lock on the chain around my neck. Soon as the lock drops I feel more myself. Guess the lock had something silver in its makeup.
Pulling me along I let him lead me for now. Letting my legs stretch and work out the cramps. Looking around as we come out of the garage-style building. The bright light of the early afternoon blinded me for a second. Sniffing the air looking for a familiar scent.
Walking across a gravel area to a metal garage-style building I try and link anyone. But it’s empty. I am too far from home. Pulling me into the building I smell death blood and infection. A wall is around the center of the room. Dragging me down across the room to a door I sniff the air. Humans and dogs are all I smell. Saving all my energy for when I need to run. I had seen a clothesline with clothes hanging. The scent of feces gets so strong and pungent that it’s all I can smell. Fear is heavy in the air.
Shoving me into a small cage with doors on each side. He yanks the collar and chain off me. Stupid move. A bell chimes, and I can hear humans stomping above me. Looking out I see a dirt floor ring. The ground range in different shades of brown and red. The iron and copper rust scent a thick layer over the ground. The loud sounds of talking and shouting make it hard to catch what’s been said. Too soon the area got quiet. Then the announcer starts.
“all bets are closing get them in. Who will come out victorious killer the reigning champ or snowball the pure white husky. Just arriving today he looks sound.” Taking a break. it registers they plan to fight me. Too bad they think I’m a husky.
A bell goes off and the room goes deathly quiet. The door leading to the ring-opened. I wait. I see a thick-muscled monster of a mutt running around the ring. A sharp stab in my side from a stick has me slowly walking out. Holding my head high. The ooh's and awes annoy me. It was the big guy running the ring that has my attention. Snapping and growling at the crowd before turning to me. His growl died as he drops to his stomach. Pulling his tail close to him. Confusion rushes through the room.
Slowly walking over to the poor pup I lay my paw on his head. Lowering my nose sniffing him. I smell the infection in his blood. He’s in pain he has to be. I can’t leave him here. When men started coming into the ring do I see my chance? Nudging the dog up I throw my head around. Hoping he follows I shoot between the men knocking them over as I make for the open door. Killer at my heels as we run. Breaking through to the outside he heads for the tree line as I sprint to the clothesline. Grabbing plain jeans and a tee I shift and change fast.
While the men are all running for the tree line I head back to where I was kept. Flying through the door I unlock every cage and open the doors. Twelve dogs ranging in size and breed shoot from the cages out the door. Following them, I head for the tree line myself. Howls close in around the area as I sprint through the field. It would be faster in wolf form but I’d be more noticeable. Looking back was by downfall. I should have never looked back to check if I was being followed. Had I been facing forward I would have seen the big strong wall I ran into. Hitting my head hard as I slammed to the ground. A black crescent moon with an arrow and bow over it and bleeding roses shine in the light. I’ve seen this before but where. Trying to place the mark before blackness takes over.
