Chapter 2 - Alone

I used to be a mess without his guidance.

I used to talk to him every day.

I would cry, whine, complain... even beg for his attention.

And he was always there.

My place to lean on.

My place to hide.

But now—

I’m a puppy.

What is chatting?

What is complaining?

I can’t even speak.

A weak sound escaped my throat, and it only made my chest tighten.

Why is life so cruel to me?

My body trembled, the cold biting deeper into my fur.

Life...

The thought suddenly stopped me.

If I was brought here, into this body, into this place,

Does that mean...

He’s here too?

My heart started beating faster.

Master...

But then another thought hit me just as quickly.

What if he’s not?

What am I supposed to do then?

Fly?

Take a plane?

I don’t even know where I am.

What country is this?

My thoughts kept spinning, one after another, until my head felt heavy.

Then,

Voices.

Close.

Real.

I lifted my head weakly, my ears twitching.

A car had stopped nearby.

Inside, a woman and a child were talking.

The child suddenly pointed at me, eyes wide.

“Mom, look! A puppy! I want it!”

My body stiffened.

Panic and relief came at the same time.

Panic... what if I get taken in?

What if I’m trapped inside a house, warm and safe, but unable to leave?

What if I can’t find him anymore?

...

Relief... because I was found.

maybe I would be taken in.

A warm place.

Food.

Safety.

My body trembled harder as the cold crept in.

Stay.

Take it.

You need it.

But,

Is that why I’m here?

For warmth?

For food?

No.

My chest tightened.

I shook my head weakly.

No.

I came here for him.

I can’t give up... not just because I’m hungry... not just because I’m cold.

I slowly lifted my head and looked at the woman.

She was holding her phone, recording me.

Her daughter was crying beside her, tugging at her sleeve.

“Mom, please... please, I want the puppy!”

My heart wavered.

Just for a second.

Warmth.

Safety.

A place to stay.

…

Run.

The word echoed in my mind.

Run.

Or I will never find him.

My legs trembled as I forced myself to stand.

Run.

Before I get too weak.

Before I change my mind.

Before I choose comfort over him.

—

I turned,

And ran.

It felt more like dragging my body across the snow.

Each step was heavy. Slow. Painful.

My paws sank into the cold ground as my breathing grew uneven.

Why... why did I say that?

A weak, broken thought slipped through my mind.

Why did I say I wanted to be a puppy?

Why not a bird?

Or something strong like a dragon?

…

But I knew why.

Because a puppy stays.

Because a puppy is loyal.

Because a puppy never leaves its master.

“I really am stupid”

A faint sound came out, barely even a whine.

Behind me, I heard the woman’s voice.

“Don’t run, sweetie!”

The child’s crying grew louder.

But I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t.

I need to save myself.

I will choose my owner.

Not fate.

Not anyone else.

Him.

Only him.

The more I ran, the weaker I became.

My legs shook.

My vision blurred.

Hunger twisted painfully in my stomach.

Cold crept deeper into my bones.

Then,

A turn.

At the corner of the street.

I forced my body toward it and slipped behind the block, hiding from view.

My legs finally gave out.

I collapsed into the snow, my body trembling uncontrollably.

“Master...”

My voice didn’t come out.

Only a weak, broken sound.

Tears blurred my vision.

Please...

Please help me...

I need you...

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