Chapter 11: Dog

Poppy runs to me as I return, Dauphine at my side. She hugs me around the waist before smiling up at the seer.

"Thank you," she says.

Dauphine laughs in delight and bends, kissing Poppy's forehead. "Take care of Trio now, won't you?"

Poppy's head bobs. "I will. I promise."

I squeeze Dauphine's hand in farewell, my gaze falling on Beckett. He nods once before turning to leave. We are escorted to the exit in more silence. It's best, I think. I have so much to try to understand, I welcome the quiet.

I'm surprised to find Genki himself waiting for us at the door. He glares at me like I've done him personal damage before he turns on Beckett.

"Next time you come to trade," he snarls, "bring payment."

The heavy metal door slams behind us.

Beckett grins at me. "Friendly, right?" It's the first expression of happiness I've seen in him and I can't help but smile back.

"Very." Poppy giggles at my dry tone.

Beckett heads off into the night. "I hope you got what you came for."

I shrug. "More questions, honestly," I say, "but a new direction to search."

Poppy skips once and smiles.

I'm so drawn into my memories I almost stumble into Beckett's back before I realize he's stopped. He hisses softly at me in anger, Poppy pulling me down to hunker behind what remains of a car. I look around, confused and a little disoriented, hearing a soft growling now I'm paying attention, and the shuffling of feet.

I spot them a moment later, down a narrow alley, blocked at the end by debris and a fence. Four of the Brights, their exposed skin glowing softly as though they've ingested phosphorescence. Three boys and a girl. They have something pinned in a corner and are approaching slowly.

Poppy buries her face in my sleeve. Beckett is grim, leans in and whispers. "Cannibals."

Horror creeps over my skin, raising goose bumps. I'm on my feet, moving before either of them can stop me, heading for the Brights and their meal. I can't allow them to kill another kid.

I can't.

I realize my mistake only when I enter the alley and the Brights turn to look at me. Not a child at all, the bundle hunched in the corner, but a dog. His growling is deep, teeth bared, fur standing on end in his fear. He is dirty and thin, but he is a living being and I continue on despite the fact he is only a dog.

There is no only when it comes to life.

They turn on me, ignoring their original target. I put the cringing animal out of my mind and let the calm engulf me. Glowing faces, any exposed skin, gives off a sickly white light. They are fast, faster than I'm prepared for, but not fast enough. Time stretches outward again, my body answering my demands more rapidly than they can attack.

The fight is short and angry, the four of them silent when they pounce at once. Legs twist and crumble under the soles of my thrashing boots, noses and cheekbones give way to my fists. I come face to face with the girl, her lips snarling at me as though she were some animal like the dog they hunt. I grasp her shoulders in my hands and jerk her toward me, ramming her with my forehead so hard she crumples at my feet.

They run then, from me and my strength, leaving the girl behind. I step over her, adrenaline rushing through my veins, still deep in my calm, as I approach the dog. He lies there panting, eyes locked on me, but doesn't snarl or make an attempt to run when I crouch at his side.

He is a lovely golden shade under the dirt. My fingers slide through the fur on his shoulder. I feel him shudder, seem to tremble at my touch. His deep brown eyes lock on mine, staring into my heart, my soul. I see intelligence in him, is that possible? Far beyond anything I've experienced or would expect from a dog.

He's much larger than I first thought as he stands and shakes himself. I was sure he was thin, bony even. But he stands quite tall, wide in the shoulders, forehead broad, and while he's not fat, he certainly has some weight on him.

The golden lab remains, watching me. It isn't until I hear hesitant feet approach that he snarls and backs away. Not at me. He eases off, teeth bared, wiggling his way through a small hole in the fence, pausing, tail swinging once as he meets my eyes again before he runs into the darkness.

Hands grasp me, spin me around, drag me off. I'm forced to run while Beckett holds my jacket in his strong grip, stumbling after him. Poppy joins us the moment we exit the alley, sliding back into shadow, still running, though more quietly now.

When we finally stop for a moment, I'm breathing hard and my shoulder aches from Beckett's grip and the awkward angle in which I'd been forced to run. He spins on me, fury on his face while Poppy trembles against me.

"Are you out of your mind?" Fine drops of spit hit my cheeks, his face is so close. "That was the stupidest damned thing I've ever seen in my entire damned life!"

"They were going to kill him." Never mind I thought it was a child at first.

"For a damned dog." Beckett backs off, shaking his head, anger still hot. His eyes flash with it. "You could have been killed. And taken us with you."

"You weren't in danger." I know I'm right. Poppy makes a soft sound. She's hugging herself.

"That little scuffle could have brought more Brights." Beckett turns away from me. "You're crazy."

Maybe I am. Or maybe they are. Damaged by this life they live, this fight for constant survival, they have no pity, no sympathy, no empathy to spare.

Beckett turns away from me, grasping for Poppy. She dodges him.

"I thought she was wonderful," she says, "and brave." Tears run down her dirty cheeks. "You were, Trio."

Beckett reaches for her again, but Poppy eludes him, running off in the dark alone.

"Damn it, Poppy." He sighs deeply, body sagging forward and, for a moment, I understand the pressure he is under, the constant strain. When he meets my eyes, his anger is gone.

"Come on then," he says. "She's home by now."

***