Page 6 of Born Savage

With one more dare in my repertoire of taking significant risks, I curled my fingers around the light source, easing my hand into the opening. Every action methodical, I turned my hand over and allowed the bright neon stream to shimmer within the darkened space with light.

Staring back at me were eyes so bright, so full of terror that I could feel the rush of anxiety and could smell her fear. Immediately, she shifted, wrapping her arm around her companion and dragging the creature even closer while her small body shook violently.

The gorgeous ice blue eyes never left mine.

They were child’s eyes and that wasn’t the only surprise and complication of the day.

Her companion, a creature with a long fluffy tail and the most soulful expression I’d ever seen on a beast was a dog.

CHAPTER 2

Star

Giggles, sheer joy in running across a bright green path of earth.

The wind blowing.

Laughter behind me.

And I was tackled from behind, immediately falling to the ground. Something heavy and soft jumped on me.

A big furry and amazing puppy.

The memory faded as quickly as it had arrived, leaving me in the same moment of despondency as before.

For precious seconds the odd group of three stared at each other, momentary shock lasting far too long. While there were stories, fairytales about the existence of children and creatures once labeled man’s best friend, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen either.

Women were mostly barren, children from before the war now adults. And so many breeds of pets had turned violent.

It was a sign of hope considered significant, a sign so many prayed for on long, cold, and very fearful nights.

But to others both child and dog would be considered yet another trap by those embracing evil to lure those in the Resistance to our capture and ultimately our deaths. We were the people fighting tyranny, eager and willing to do what it took to restore true freedoms. At least that’s what everyone spoke of. I’d even heard there were Resistance leaders sequestered in a safe location, planning some coup against the king.

I would eagerly volunteer for the battle if allowed.

Blinking, my reaction was involuntary, reaching toward her just to ensure she was real and not a vision sent by the demons.

The girl reared back, her tiny gasp just loud enough and shuddering with such raw fear that the dog became protective, baring his teeth. I’d read about animals that didn’t carry poison in their sharp canines, beautiful little beings that offered comfort and love, but had never seen one up close. He was just a puppy, maybe a couple of months old, but big enough already to appear formidable. The only saving grace was that he hadn’t offered a bigger sound.

A different noise from behind captured my attention and I was once again pushed into the present. Additional risks needed to be taken. I could not and would not leave her here. Perhaps I was a fool, but I had a code of honor I would follow until the day the last breath was driven from me.

“You’re not safe here. Dwellers will soon be hunting.”

The blank look in her eyes was horrifying. Whoever had dumped her had undoubtedly expected she’d perish. Thoughts of disemboweling the wretched bastard flashed in my mind.

At least I knew she’d heard and possibly understood me, pulling back further into the shadows.

“Girl. Come with me. I cannot leave you here.”

She shook her head.

I glanced over my shoulder, fighting frustration. The girl had no idea who I was.

“Please,” I told her. “I need to get you to safety.” Her lips were parched, cracked, and bleeding and just watching the tip of her small tongue drag across her bottom lip was painful. The dog peered at me with more hope. I could almost feel the creature’s desperation. Both were far too skinny, ribs showing beneath the dog’s golden fur.

Damn it. This was the last thing I needed, but in order to take her with me, I’d need to earn her trust. I yanked out my container of clear, distilled water, a substance as precious if not more than ammunition.

“Here. For you.”