loud and desperate whimpering rang in his ears. devrim turned his head to find the source of the noise, eyes catching a glimpse of movement— a creature, its black coat almost camouflage against the charred debris of an abandoned house. its foot had been wedged between fragments of stone and rubble.
he edged toward it, footsteps light and slow as not to scare it away. but the thing — a puppy? — growled as he got closer. devrim bent down in an attempt to look less threatening. “hey,” he said, voice soft and low. “don’t be scared. i’m not gonna hurt you.” seating himself on the concrete, devrim pulled the rubble away lightly as not to do any more damage to the dog’s leg. once it was free, the dog — a girl, he realized — limped toward him, large eyes staring back, almost appreciative, almost… smiling. he smiled back. gentle hands picked her up and let her sit on his lap. the dog propped herself up, standing on her hind legs and, while resting its good paw on his chest, licked him on the cheek. in an instant, devrim came to a firm conclusion: he would sooner DIE than let anyone hurt this dog.
petting the top of her head, he said, “i can fix you. or at least, i know people who can.” ashley and rain wouldn’t mind, would they? it was just a broken leg. both of them dealt with much worse on a daily basis. “you’re safe with me.” but the dog J E R K E D her head to the side, growling low behind bared teeth. devrim turned his head as she barked louder, his eyes catching sight of a fellow survivor’s silhouette.
SHE WONDERS WHAT HAPPENED ---- raiders, survivors, maybe even those assholes walking around like DEMENTORS on halloween causing destruction & disruption amongst the street, either way, the place briar stumbled across was now a whole lotta’ rubble & NOTHINGNESS. if you wanted briar to be honest ( which, either if you did or didn't, she would be despite your preferences. you’re welcome ! ) the place wasn’t much to brag about, but what was a HUNTER’S job if not to scout every square inch of the city three times over ? debris cracks under her footing as she finds the exit ( an uneventful hunt. not that she’s complaining, she hadn’t had much faith in the place to begin with. ) & that’s when she freezes ---- at the sight of a figure, at the sight of a dog, at the sound of a canine growl. ❝ geez, ever heard of a MUZZLE? ❞ not an animal person? sound about right, or atleast, you’re talking to someone who had never owned any animal in her entire life, let alone a dog ; but then -- her main focus before all this was getting her medical degree.
but she’s not completely HEARTLESS, she can see the sentiment someone may have for such an animal --- hell, she’s looked at robocop ( the canine companion from the v.a med center. ) with a pinch of. . softer emotion a few times. wary, guarded, calculating ; she’s waiting for a move -- an attack, when the thought comes to mind. words she remembers being uttered before she spotted the two. ❝ you said you’d FIX HER ---- what’s wrong with her? ❞
