#demodog

Chapter 6 : Ziggy

The next morning, Will woke up late. He had been stirred from his sleep by the slamming of the front door. Henry had just left...

He got out of bed and headed toward the cardboard box. He didn't want to be alone with this thing, but he had no choice... He lifted the blanket to discover... It had grown again? Now, the slug looked nothing like... a slug. No, it looked more like a small puppy.

The dog woke up when the light hit the flower on its head, then it struggled to climb out of the box. Will was surprised by this change. It could move on its own now? That made things easier...

Will carried the dog to the kitchen anyway; he didn't want the animal to tire itself out unnecessarily. When he reached the room, he found a plate of cold omelet and a knife left on the counter, but above all, he saw a bowl with the bottom already filled with blood.

Will thought it would be enough for the dog, but the animal didn't make a single move toward the liquid. Will knew what he had to do. He took the knife and cut his arm to let his blood flow into the bowl. The creature began to drink as soon as Will's blood mixed with Henry's. This dog was fed... for now...

The child ate his omelet, then moved to look for clothes in the children's bedrooms. The dog continued to follow him like a duckling. Will didn't mind; he was focused on the idea of changing. He couldn't stay in these filthy clothes any longer... He had to take a shower, now.

Will gathered the clean laundry in his arms, then walked through the manor to the bathroom. He decided to leave the door ajar since he was alone in the building. The boy with the bowl cut turned on the faucets to bring some warmth into the room. He undressed, then stepped into the bathtub. Droplets of water scattered over his body as Will rubbed soap onto his chest.

Everything was fine; the temperature was good, the soap didn't sting. Will felt safe. Everything was fine, until he looked at his own body. Until he caught sight of the vine marks on his hips... Until he began to hallucinate vines around his neck.

His breath hitched, becoming jagged as his pulse raced faster and faster. He gripped the wall, feeling like he might fall at any moment. Will began to cry violently. The shower water poured over him, but he felt nothing anymore, except for a growing panic.

He was having a panic attack... He tried desperately to calm down, but it was impossible for the poor child. He seemed to be losing his footing, sinking into an infinite anguish, when... the dog came and pressed itself against him.

A slight whimper to show its worry, a nudge of its head against his leg... It wasn't much, but it brought Will back to reality. Will lowered himself to pet the animal.

« Good dog... » he whispered, without knowing why.

The dog barked softly to show its contentment. Will took the opportunity to wash the dog with the showerhead. He finally felt a bond with it... No, with Ziggy.

« Gentle Ziggy. »

They stepped out of the shower. Will dried himself off, then used another towel to soak up the water from the animal's body. Once they were dry, Will dressed and went back to the kitchen. He had to reward his companion. He had to give it a treat. So, Will made a second cut and offered his blood to Ziggy.