I was walking home that Friday evening after my basketball practice, cherishing the quiet night. I’d always enjoyed silence. That night, though, it felt as if I was being watched. I’d hear the small shuffle of feet on concrete, and I’d whip around, but there was never anyone there. At about the hundredth time, I devised a plan. When I heard the noise again, I’d waited, acting as if it never happened. And suddenly, I whipped around, seeing a flash of gray as the figure darted into the alleyway. “I’ll get you this time!” I shouted, angered by the situation. I put on a burst of speed and veered into the alleyway. It was a dead end, surrounded by brick walls. And there was a small gray dog, whimpering. Even in the dim moonlight of the city, I could see he was limping, but there were no signs of scars or fur matted with blood. Probably had been abused. Poor thing. I took a step closer, and his quiet whining grew into yelps of pain. I quickly retraced my step, and tried again, this time murmuring reassuring nonsense in a slow voice, extending my hand for the dog to sniff. He tentatively reached out his muzzle, touching his wet nose to my hand. Taking deep, slow breaths, he finally took a step towards me, then another, and another, until he was right next to me, brushing up against my leg with his velvety soft pelt. I called my mom, and after a few tense rings, it went to voicemail. I groaned in frustration. My house was like half of a mile away, and the poor thing was limping. He must have seen I was upset, because he nuzzled closer to my leg. I let a small smile slip, and experimentally took a step out of the alley. The dog followed, limping. I took another, and another, and another, and he was beside me the whole time. I finally came to my house, and I quickened my pace slightly, till I was at the door. I took a deep breath, and opened it with a soft creak. Nobody was home, so I just shut the door and walked tiredly over to the couch. I collapsed onto the soft cushions, sighing in relief. The dog managed to leap up, settling contently on my chest. My rhythmic breathing soon lulled him into sleep, and I smiled at the sight. Soon, my droopy eyelids closed, and before long, I was asleep, with a dog on top of me, just like how it was always meant to be. _____________________________________________ Cover: Canva Writing: Me Happy Reading!
