Let me know what you guys think, I just wrote this because i had the time, I hope it is well received and enjoyed by all, feedback is most welcome, im not entering officially, but I just wanted to anyway.
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Akita
“Grrr”, Silver growled at my father, he was in one of his drunken rages again. “I can’t believe that b***h left you and that mutt with me!” He manages to stagger around, grog in one hand, a whole lot of trouble in the other.
Since my mother left me in the care of this poor excuse for a guardian, my bestial friend Silver has protected me from certain bruising. Silver is a one year old Akita Inu, and my best friend in this desolate, soul sapping place I call home.
“This has gone on for long enough!” I protested in fear of an altercation. I ran up to the second level of the shithole apartment the government had granted us. I packed all the clothes I could care to remember and started for the door. Silver tailed along behind me, vigilant of the slob that wallowed in his own filth, telling me to never think about coming back. My patience reached its end, I exited into the warm night, into an unfamiliar sense that I was truly alone, save for the company I valued most.
I sobbed along the footpath, felling sorry, not for my current status, sorry that I didn’t do it sooner. I felt lower than I had ever managed to let myself feel, school holidays were upon me, but I really didn’t have any friends, any contacts I could find lodgings with, so I did what most people in my position did, found I nice spot in the park and slept soundly for the first time in eighteen months. Silver licked my tears away, he cared so much for me, I could see the rising sun and the thought of a new day scared me, but at the same time comforted me.
I couldn’t go to the police, I couldn’t risk being chauffeured by the men in blue back to the squaller I escaped from, Father wouldn’t miss me, I was sure. I started for the beach, it was a couple of hundred metres away, the smell of salt, and of early morning bbq’s was enough to lure me to the crashing waves. I failed to heed the pet policy on this particular beach, and was ousted with Silver, they threatened to ring the counsil and animal control, I retreated faster than I have an adjective to describe.
I knew I was an outcast of society, but I didn’t want to think about it, nor let it get to me. I hated self pity, I hated attention leeching. I just wanted to exist.
On a whim and a prayer I found my self staring at the community hall “god squad” breakfast, Silver licking his chops, he deserved so much better than what I could provide. I snuck out some bacon and a side of sausages and a pamphlet on some of the youth shelters that were ebbed into my community.
A small block of units was to become my haunt for the next few weeks, I had to plead and plead with the providers to let Silver stay, I was eventually told he could stay as long as I could pay for his upkeep, when I realised I had no cash, nor any funds the epiphany came to find employment.
“coming sir!” was my most repeated line thereafter being accepted as a waitress at a local café, my boss was a kind old soul, he really cared for me, he let me take some of the tip jar if I worked my a** off. He was firm, but very fair. School was starting again soon, the thought of the social workers and teachers alike asking where the scar on my arm came from was enough to put me off wanting to go back. Mila, the Italian backpacker in the room across the hall from me convinced me it was the best thing to do. I didn’t like the idea of leaving Silver behind, but I really had no choice.
The first week flew like a motion blur of words and conversations, my mind never really occupied more than the thoughts that floated back to Silver.
The school had helped me out with the way of fees, my job held up some weight, but barely enough for food and extra’s, and seeing I was too stubborn to seek government help, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
A cool autumn night proved exceedingly delightful to sleep under, before I was raised by a harsh yelling and battering of my door, Silver was alert, ready for action. In burst father, drunk, hideous with a foul mood to boot, apparently he had seen me at the Café and asked old Bill where he could pay me a visit. He lurched forward, Silver barked and I shrieked “ I found you, you little b***h” he slurred. My reactions were shaky, shock was taking over.
He revealed a knife from his back pocket, he seemed murderous in intention. Silver suspected the same thing, lunged at him and mauled a large area of his left arm.
All I heard was a thud, my best friend lay motionless, glazed eyes and a stony resolve, I felt the tears well up in my eyes, this was the first time I ever felt pain that I couldn’t bare to whiteness nor feel.
My reaction next was hasty and not thought out. I grabbed a knife and gutted that beast I called a relative before he could fully reel from Silver’s gallant effort. I watched the life drain out of my fathers eyes, and I enjoyed it, some sick twisted persona was actually enjoying the demise of this beast.
The next few hours were fraught with hospitals and police stations, within a month I was charged with manslaughter. I charged my father with the death penalty, I wore the sentence with pride.
Within a year of good behaviour I was out, I miss silver everyday. I dedicate this to him, and to anyone who has lost a friend like him.
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