at first he isn’t worried; abu is a resourceful dog, resourceful enough to have lived this
long in the new, ending world, and it isn’t unusual for the terrier to go wandering if something’s caught the attention of his nose. so when abu begins to stray from his side, weaving in and out of the alleyways between the stout structures of the dilapidated strip mall, aladdin doesn’t think much of it. he’s too busy rummaging through the car that’s halted in the middle of the street for supplies to care much about what rotting food abu’s taken interest in.
but then the barking starts, loud and ringing, an absolute beacon for any shamblers that could be mulling about, and aladdin scrambles out of the car and turns on his heel, trying to locate the origin of the sound. if abu’s in trouble, he can hide; he’s a smart dog, this isn’t his first time having to bark because he’s gotten himself wiggled somewhere he can’t get out of or he’s spotted a stray cat or he’s warning aladdin himself about danger, so really—
he streaks down the street in the direction of the noise, hand falling to the knife strapped to his belt as he glances into the small alleyways; the barking gets louder, and as he sprints by he sees the flash of a figure with their arms outstretched in a gruesome parody of a hug. instantly hurdling to a halt, he changes course, forcing himself to slow down. the shambler hasn’t seen him yet, so if he creeps up he should be able to take it by surprise…
but the closer he gets,the more his heart pounds, because it’s looking less and less like the dead and more and more like a person. a shock of blonde hair, a smile; they’re disarming, but aladdin’s had his fair share of run ins with people who don’t care about anyone but themselves, who are more than willing to stab fellow humans in the back in order to take what they believe they need to survive.
come on, she had coaxed, arms outstretched to take abu from his own terrified grip. we’re so hungry, and they only live ten years, less, even, in this world…. we’re so hungry, please…
dry-mouthed, aladdin grits his teeth as adrenaline surges and his knees shake with it. but there’s no way in this new hell that she’s going to take his dog—-for whatever she wants.
❝ hey ! ❞ he snaps, hand clenching shaking clenching the hilt of his knife. ❝ that’s my
dog . ❞
she should expect HOSTILITY ; ‘ good people don’t exist ’ . he would know that by now , she should know that by now . but hope floats ! in a sinking world , compassion is buoyant , compassion keeps people alive . kindness imitates a life boat , gives those who are struggling something to hold onto . thus she offers a smile . but she forgets , that for some , kindness is a tsunami ; dangerous , more lethal than any weapon ---- a weapon ! a weapon so patiently waits in his ( shaky ) hands . she should expect this .
after everything she has been through , after everything the entire world has been through , she shouldn’t be afraid ... she isn’t afraid ! fate has spat tragedy after tragedy at her and what has she done ? she has SURVIVED . she has ENDURED . scars make home upon beaten flesh and she wears them like they’re trophies : ‘ look at what i have been through ! look at how i am still here ! ‘ she will not be defeated so easily .
suddenly the cogs in her head begin to turn : hope floats , right ? bright hues shift between stranger and dog : HIS dog . perhaps hope doesn’t just float . perhaps hope runs and barks ! he’s protecting his dog ! this spreads joy throughout her body : good people still exist . hands are raised --- a sign she means NO HARM . what harm could she do anyway ?
the real test comes when feet shuffle forward . a dangerous move on her part , but a hopeful one . maybe stranger could become a FRIEND , maybe they could help each other . thus arms remain raised , no attempt is made at reaching for her holster . instead , she attempts a conversation . ❝ HEY ------ ❞ except , she’s more afraid than she expected to be : voice is shaky and quiet . but she doesn’t stop .
❝ i’m BETH . your dog’s real cute ... what’s his name ? or her name ... ❞
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