Madison: Never Alone

I was surprised to find that we had a new pack member on such a stormy day. The wind was blowing hard and the snow was thick, I didn't think anyone would be out wandering around on a day like this but he showed up while the Alpha and I were about to start our conversation. His name was Rex and he was a large German Shepherd from the looks of it. He intrigued me to say the least as I watched his reactions to the introduction of his new pack members. He didn't seem like the most friendliest dog but I knew a lot of my pack mates never started off friendly anyways. It must be hard adjusting to such a change, I know it wasn't easy for me at first. 

After all the introductions, I figured he might need a little time to himself. I was so curious about him but I didn't want to overwhelm him with questions either. I had left him to adjust to his new room as I went outside and tried to play in the snow with everyone. I got winded fast however, I still hadn't recovered as much as I would have liked to yet. As I sat in the deep snow watching the pups bound around, the giggle and yapped at each other. I had such a weird feeling that went through my body, I couldn't shake it off. I shivered slightly, it was almost like a feeling of being watched. I became extremely uneasy as I glanced around. Something caught my eye in the distance, like something turned the corner of a nearby abandoned house. Everything in my body told me not to go over there but at this point I was too curious to help myself. I made sure no one was following me and trotted over the where I had seen the movement. As I got closer, I approached around the house slowly and what I saw made me freeze in my tracks. It was Faas, the Alpha of the other pack, he stood before me with his red eyes glazed over. A terrible snarl ripped through his throat as he locked eyes with me. His hackles were raised and his gleaming teeth bared as the snow came down thicker as he approached slowly. I tried to scream for help but I couldn't find my voice, I couldn't believe what was happening. Without warning, Faas charged at me aiming for my neck.

"You're mine!" He growled out.

 I closed my eye tight and waited for the blow but it never came. Slowly, I opened one eye and soon realized that there was nothing there behind that house. Tears welded in my eyes and I began to shiver. What the heck was wrong with me? The illusions were getting worse it seemed... what happened just now felt so real. I was terrified as I stood there in the snow alone, my scar over my eye started throbbing. It seemed that I never really fully escaped from my imprisonment and I never really will. The memories would always be stuck with me.

I heard the muffled crunching of snow behind me but I didn't move, I could already smell who it was.

"Are you okay Madison?" a deep voice called from behind me. " I saw you run behind this old dump, I thought I would check on you."

It was Rex, and I was surprised that he was out in the snow. He seemed so cold earlier but he was rapped in the blanket. I tired to get myself together, I didn't want him to see me crying as he came closer.

"Y-yes." I muttered warily. "I'm fine, you don't need to come closer.'

I heard him pause in the snow for a moment, but continued to walk to me. He sat beside me but I didn't look up at him.

"May I ask why your over here, crying by yourself?" Rex asked trying to sound friendly.

I took in a deep breath and let it out. I was quiet for a longtime but he waited or me to reply. I didn't know what to say to be honest. How do you tell someone that your going crazy? I looked up at him, his golden eyes stared at me intently, like they were searching for something. He drew a shivery breath and I laughed a bit.

"Why don't we go inside, I'll try to explain things a little better there." I said, not wanting him to stay in the freezing temperatures. He nodded and followed me as we made our way back to the house. We went to his room and I shook off the snowflakes that had built up on my fur. Rex sat down and continued to wait for me to reply, as he watched me carefully. I walked up to the window where our pack was still playing cheerfully outside.

"Not too long ago, I got captured by the enemy pack. You know, the Dagsworths. What I'm about to tell you... Don't ever tell another soul, okay Rex? It could jeopardize the current peace between the two packs." I asked carefully looking into his eyes. "But I have to tell someone before I go completely insane."

"I promise." He replied, his golden eyes seemed to gleam.

"When I was held captive, they starved me and tortured me daily. Their leader Faas... He would maul me to get information, I was terrified every night that he might come in and tear me apart. He is the one who gave me this scar through my eye. I was lucky he didn't take my life." I said shakily, looking to the ground.

Rex snarled, the anger very apparent in his eyes. "How could that monster do such a thing?! If I was there-"

"See? You got angry and you barely know me! I had to lie to my pack... I told them that the Dagsworth were civil to me while I was held captive. I had to, or the two packs would have torn each others throats out all because of me." I said as a tear dripped down the side of my face. I closed my eyes tight, my heart felt pained remembering everything I went through. "But no one knows what I went through. And now, everywhere I look, I see images of Faas. I can't escape him." I sniffed and looked up to see Rex staring at me gently. He started looking worried.

I blinked and straitened myself. "But I'm okay now, I have my pack again. It's all over, what's left is just in my head." I said faking a smile.

"You don't seem okay." Rex replied bluntly.  

My smile faded and I sighed. "Thank you for listening to me. Your the first dog I've ever told. I actually do feel a lot better now that I told someone." I said smiling genuinely this time. "I will be okay, it just might take some time." I said staring back out the window.

"How can you be sure, what if you never get over what happened to you?" Rex asked slowly.

I closed my eyes and laughed a little. "Because I'm never alone anymore. We're in a pack that might be a little rough around the edges at times, but we are a family non the less. Hearts heal with time and compassion."

Rex stared at me looking slight astonished by my words. It almost seemed as if he wanted to say something as well but we heard screaming coming from the upper floor. It was Lisha, and she was yelling for help. Rex and I quickly made our way upstairs to find that Sailuk was laying lifelessly on the cold wooden floor in his room. I ran to Lisha's side.

"What do we need to do?" I asked quickly.

"Hold Sailuk's head up for a moment" Lisha replied as she went to get some supplies. I slipped my muzzle under Sailuk's chin and propped his head up. Lisha came back looking around for something until her eyes came upon Rex.

"Hey, Rex! Can you lift Sailuk on that platform in the other room? I need to get him elevated so I can inspect him better. Rex nodded and quickly got Sailuk onto his back and carried him to to other room. I peaked around the corner and came in as soon as Sailuk was settled on a table. Lisha held her ear to his chest for a moment. I held my breath, I was scared that something was very wrong with him.

She sighed with relief. "He's breathing and everything sounds normal. I think he might just be exhausted is all." Lisha replied sounding more relaxed.

I sighed with relief as well, I never wanted to witness any of my comrades dying before my eyes. I shook my head trying to focus again, everything was surreal. I stared at Sailuk's face wondering what happened to him as Lisha covered him with a blanket.

"He should be fine, Maddie. Why don't we give him some space and I'm sure he will come to in a little while." Lisha said after a minute. I nodded my head.

"You should stay here with him Lisha... Just in case he needs you again. let us know if you need anything" I said seriously. She nodded her head and made her way back to Sailuks side.

I looked back at Rex, he seemed to be unfazed by the whole situation.

"Come on Rex, everything should be fine. Let's leave." I replied looking up to him. He agreed and we made our way out of the room. We would probably have to go explain to the rest of the pack what all the commotion was about. They were already all gathering in the main room.