This from the petâs POV!
TWs: zombie apocalypse, post apocalyptic world, wru mentions, pet whump, dehumanisation
Pet remembered what it was like before he was a pet. It had been hard, and it had been difficult and he remembered being scared. The outbreak had caused his world to tilt on an axis but even before the outbreak, he had never been the best at surviving. He had lived with their Mother for longer than his peers, he had struggled to find work, he had struggled to make friends.
Pet had lived longer than most his more accomplished peers after the outbreak, back when he was still called Lucas. Back when he was still a person. He wasnât sure how he had managed it but looking back on the hazy memories, it was because someone had always taken pity on him. Lucas hadnât been strong or smart, he had just looked sad and pathetic.
Thatâs what made him a good pet now.
Pet had joined the settlement in hopes of gaining protection from the walkers wandering outside. It was nice to be in a group at first, they had fed him and they had told him not to worry about contributing like the others who had joined at the same time as him. Soon, he was being offered extras from others small plates and eventually he was kneeling at peopleâs sides, and then just his mistresses. It had happened so incrementally he hadnât even noticed it had started.
Winter was swiftly approaching and his Mistress had him bundled up in the extra scraps of fabric the settlement had. The settlement treated their pets very well, besides for the occasional punishments. Unlike when he was travelling Lucasâ tummy was never empty and he never had to be scared and his calloused hands were allowed to soften as others worked for him. The residents he recognised enjoyed petting his head when he walked past and they cooed and pinched his cheek whenever he gave them puppy dog eyes.
It was easy to see who was new to the settlement as their eyes lingered on Pet and the others with surprise and nostalgia and often commented to his Mistress, or anotherâs Master, that they were shocked their settlement still kept pets. Sometimes he could see eyes linger at his wrists searching for a barcode that wasnât there and Pet always ducked his head in embarrassment at the way he had learnt late what he was always meant to be. Only pets made before the outbreak, trained by the WRU Lucas only very distantly remembered reading pamphlets about, had those identifying tattoos.
This winter they didnât have very many new newcomers. Mistress had spoken with her friend while petting Petâs head about how she suspected it was due to the number of survivors decreasing every year- especially ones with no group already to huddle in for safety. Pet was lucky he didnât have to have those conversations, it was hard to keep up with and he wasnât sure what the world beyond the settlementâs big walls were like now and no-one expect the pet too.
Pet hadnât meant to stare but when the largest of the newcomers turned their head to stare right at the inquisitive pet he felt ashamed for having been so obvious. He hoped his Mistress hadnât noticed his misstep and he hoped the stranger was kind. He couldnât read the strangerâs dark eyes and could only see his own reflection in their pupil instead of the soul beyond them like his Mistress could.
Unexpectedly the stranger tossed him a piece of bread off their plate and Pet gasped at the unexpected, kind gesture. Pet was usually fed later in the evening by his Mistress and so gratefully ate what he was given. He flinched as he heard his Mistressâ chuckle over top of him and looked down as she spoke to the stranger on petâs behalf.
âItâs good to see you settling in already, Wren. Isnât my pet such a dear?â His Mistressâ words were quickly followed by affectionate strokes to his head which Pet leaned into and he let the world around him wash away again.