Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2016 23:59:04 GMT -5
A book I'm writing for my two dogs, Atlas and Socrates (Socky), who both died in a real life fire. November 22nd 2016 at around 4 in the morning, I woke up to smoke choking me. I knew something was wrong instantly from my pained throat, and I jumped out of my bed to tell my parents. When I stepped into the hall I could hear my elderly cat, Diablo (who wouldn't have been able to get out in the first place) meowing, and I saw him coming down the hall towards me. I picked him up knowing we had to get out. I opened my parents bedroom door and said "Guys there is something seriously wrong, I think there's a fire". At first they shrugged off, since I have been known to sleep talk and walk. But once I said 'fire' they jumped out of bed. We could see the wall of the living room outside our window in flames, and the dogs ran out the door of the bedroom. We tried getting to the front door but the fire was spreading really fast, and the heat was burning our faces a little when we went back to the hall. I ran back to my room though wanting to find my other cat Chatter. But by that time I couldn't breath whatsoever, I was literally suffocating so I dropped to the ground, Diablo still in my arms (surprisingly not struggling. Usually he does, so I think he trusted me to get him out of this) and crawled back to my parents room. My dad dove out the window, and I threw Diablo out next before starting out. At that point I was starting to pass out from the smoke, so my dad pulled me out. He had to fully drag my mom out, and we ran to the front door to call for the dogs. But they never came.
The morning of the fire, after it was put out, we found Atlas's body where the bed was. We know he was seeking comfort in his last moments, under the bed was to crowded. Socky was found in the hall between the bedrooms. He had most of his fur, so something must have fallen on him before he got to the room. Hat hurts the most, is knowing they were coming to where they last saw us after realizing they couldn't get out the door. My mom had Atlas by the collar too, but he slipped out.
But maybe, if one had to die, it's best they both died together. They were best friends, litter mates, brothers. If one died while the other lived, the other would've been sure to die of heart break.
Rest in Peace, Atlas and Socrates <3 I'll miss you both very much.
And now, the story...
Prologue
Stars glittered in the night sky, shining down on a grassy field. A young border collie saunters through the long grass, appraoching a much bigger dog. When the two dogs came nose to nose, the two bumped heads.
"Greetings, old friend." Rumbled the much older, and seemingly wiser dog. He had patchy fur, and walked with a limp. It was obvious he was old, and most likely wouldn't last through the winter.
"Hello, Blu." The younger dog wagged his tail, having not seen his old friend in a long time. "What did you want to speak with me about? Have you decided to take me up on my offer, and join the pack? We don't mind caring for you until you join the Great Star Dogs in the sky."
The huge brown husky mix growled. "I don't need to be cared for. Packs just aren't my thing. And I'm happy to join the Star Dogs. But discussing the afterlife is not why I'm here. I have recieved a message, Caesar."
The young dog, Caesar, tilted his head curiously. Then he had a grim look on his face. "From who?"
Blu gave Caesar a solemn look. "The Star Dogs. Yes, I have already gone to join them. But that's the least of our concerns. I have recieved a message." He gazed into the distance at the moon, which was soon going to be replaced by sunshine. "A chosen one will come. Born with the heart of a wolf, he will emerge from the ashes like a phoenix, and end the terror of the pack."
Caesar frowned and whined. "What's that mean? The pack has no enemies. We're surrounded by forest and rivers, there's nothing to harm us!"
Blu narrowed his eyes. "It won't remain that way long. Keep an eye out for the Chosen One... You'll know..." At that, he faded away. Caesar was concerned, but knew worrying wouldn't help. Shaking away the uncertainty, he knew he had to lead his pack through whatever danger was coming. He turned and jogged back to his home.
Chapter 1
Where's my bowl? Where's Socky? Where's Mom and Dad and Sister? These thoughts ran through the head of a young dog, not much older than two years, named Atlas. The buzzing of the fire alarm disoriented him, and he blinked his eyes, trying to get the smoke out of them, but more keeps getting in as he ran deeper into the house.
The only thing he remembered from the night before was going to bed with Mom, as usual. Dad was still out, keeping an eye on the fireplace to make sure it burns out. An hour later, he too came to bed. He drifted off to sleep at their feet, like he always did. The next thing he knew, Sister had come into the room. Though he barely knew any human words, he heard the urgency in hr voice, and heard the words "Smoke" and "Get out". Mom had grabbed his collar, but his brother Socky had run out of the room already. Wanting to get his brother to stay with the family, he ran out into the hall, ripping free of Mom's grip. He tried finding his brother in the smoke, but his eyes were stinging, so he screwed them shut. The heat was intense, the fire was spreading quickly through the house. He tried scenting Socky, but he gagged on the smoke. He was starting to get dizzy, and thought he would pass out, but he knew he had to find his brother, so he kept his eyes open.
As he went through the house, he saw the black cat, Chatter, run into the room where the family was. Atlas had seen the gray cat, Diablo, in Sister's arms, so he knew he was safe. He heard whining, and looked under the table in the room where the family ate. The dining room... He thought. He nudged Socky with his nose. "Come on!" He growled, coughing. "We have to go to Mom, Dad, and Sister." Socky was shaking, but knew his brother was right. Atlas helped guide him through the house. The fire had spread from the Living Room to the Kitchen in that time, so the two ran back to Mom and Dad's bedroom, only to find the family already gone.
"Socky!"
"Atlas!"
"Babies!"
Mom, Dad, Sister!
He heard the family's voices and knew they were calling for them. They headed towards the front door, only to find flames already in the hallway.
"What so we do?" Socky whined, coughing and gagging.
Atlas whined as well. He didn't have any clue what to do. He dropped his head and tail, jogging back to Mom and Dad's room, and jumped on the bed and laid down. He was giving up, and almost passed out from smoke inhalation when he felt a cool breeze. He glanced up and saw the window was open.
That's how they got out!
The need to survive came back, and he pushed his brother, who was also giving up, towards the window. Using all his strength, Socky jumped out the window. Atlas was about to as well, but he remembered something. My bowl! He turned, grabbed his green bowl, and followed Socky out the window, just in time for the room to get engulfed in flame.
As they gasped for clean air, the brothers looked at each other. "Did the others get out?" Socky looked anxious, eyes full of fear. Atlas nodded.
"Yes, Sister had Diablo, and we heard their voices outside. Chatter ran towards Mom and Dad's room. She must have sensed the clean air and got out.
Socky looked relieved. As soon as he did though, his hackles went up, as did Atlas'. They heard loud whining. Peaking around the corner, they saw big, scary and red cars and humans dressed in weird suits. Growling, the brothers took off running. Atlas never dropped his bowl.
Chapter 2
Gotta get away! Atlas thought frantically. The heat from the fire had left burns and soot on him, without even touching the fire. The heat was so intense, he felt some of his fur was missing and his skin felt raw. He glanced at his brother, and noticed his white patches weren't noticeable thanks to the soot. But the brothers were alive, and they were certain their family was too. They would have to go back, but right now, their only thought was getting as far from the house and fire as possible. Suddenly Socky dropped to the ground, panting and gagging. Atlas stopped and went to his brother's side. He put his bowl down and nuzzled his brother's cheek.
"Socky, we need to get away! Please, now's not the time to rest!" Atlas barked urgently.
Socky whined and howled. "I c-can't, it's t-to hot! Hot hot hot!"
Atlas whined miserably. The heat of the fire was long gone, so he figured his brother was having a flashback, only he thought he was dying. Yes, the burns hurt, but surely his brother wasn't so bad he would die here...?
"What's going on here?" Asked a deep, commanding voice.
Atlas yelped and whipped around to see a large black and white dog, a husky mix, it seemed. And the husky had three other huge dogs with him, a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler. He trembled in fear, and gulped, only to wince at the soreness in his throat. "M-My brother and I... our house burned! W-We ran, b-but now he's down and I don't-" The husky cut him off.
"Get the ill boy, Rocky." The Husky murmured. Rocky, the German Shepherd, approached the two younger dogs. He started to put Socky on hsi back, but protective brother mode Atlas snarled.
"Hey! What are you doing to him!?"
Rocky gave Atlas a glare. "Do you want help or not? It's clear, he's going to die without help."
Atlas' eyes widen in shock. These strangers were helping? The Husky spoke again.
"Duke, guide the other. He might keel over himself if he keeps stressing."
The Rottweiler, who looked to be his age, just bigger, approached Atlas. "Hi. I'm Duke." He introduced.
Atlas trembled. "I-I'm Atlas... My brother is Socky... Thanks for helping."
The Husky started leading the way, turning around and heading deeper into the woods. Atlas never let his eyes leave his brother. Duke kept glancing at Atlas, and Atlas eventually noticed. "Is something wrong?"
Duke shrugged. "You just look completely black, is all. But I can tell you're black and white, like our leader. What exactly happened?"
Atlas opened his mouth to speak, but instead a hacking fit erupted. Once he finished coughing, Atlas started. "A fire. My home burned, I was sleeping with Mom and Dad, and suddenly Sister opened the door to our room, and smoke filled the air." Atals shuddered, remembering the heat and smoke. "We almost died. We were able to get out a window though."
Duke's eyes widen, shocked to hear what Atlas has been through. "Oh... that explains the soot and burn marks.."
Atlas nodded grimly. Suddenly, he remembered something. "My bowl!"
Duke gave him a weird look. "Your what?"
Atlas growled. "My bowl, I left it behind!" Suddenly, as he turned to go back, he got dizzy and passed out.
The morning of the fire, after it was put out, we found Atlas's body where the bed was. We know he was seeking comfort in his last moments, under the bed was to crowded. Socky was found in the hall between the bedrooms. He had most of his fur, so something must have fallen on him before he got to the room. Hat hurts the most, is knowing they were coming to where they last saw us after realizing they couldn't get out the door. My mom had Atlas by the collar too, but he slipped out.
But maybe, if one had to die, it's best they both died together. They were best friends, litter mates, brothers. If one died while the other lived, the other would've been sure to die of heart break.
Rest in Peace, Atlas and Socrates <3 I'll miss you both very much.
And now, the story...
Prologue
Stars glittered in the night sky, shining down on a grassy field. A young border collie saunters through the long grass, appraoching a much bigger dog. When the two dogs came nose to nose, the two bumped heads.
"Greetings, old friend." Rumbled the much older, and seemingly wiser dog. He had patchy fur, and walked with a limp. It was obvious he was old, and most likely wouldn't last through the winter.
"Hello, Blu." The younger dog wagged his tail, having not seen his old friend in a long time. "What did you want to speak with me about? Have you decided to take me up on my offer, and join the pack? We don't mind caring for you until you join the Great Star Dogs in the sky."
The huge brown husky mix growled. "I don't need to be cared for. Packs just aren't my thing. And I'm happy to join the Star Dogs. But discussing the afterlife is not why I'm here. I have recieved a message, Caesar."
The young dog, Caesar, tilted his head curiously. Then he had a grim look on his face. "From who?"
Blu gave Caesar a solemn look. "The Star Dogs. Yes, I have already gone to join them. But that's the least of our concerns. I have recieved a message." He gazed into the distance at the moon, which was soon going to be replaced by sunshine. "A chosen one will come. Born with the heart of a wolf, he will emerge from the ashes like a phoenix, and end the terror of the pack."
Caesar frowned and whined. "What's that mean? The pack has no enemies. We're surrounded by forest and rivers, there's nothing to harm us!"
Blu narrowed his eyes. "It won't remain that way long. Keep an eye out for the Chosen One... You'll know..." At that, he faded away. Caesar was concerned, but knew worrying wouldn't help. Shaking away the uncertainty, he knew he had to lead his pack through whatever danger was coming. He turned and jogged back to his home.
Chapter 1
Where's my bowl? Where's Socky? Where's Mom and Dad and Sister? These thoughts ran through the head of a young dog, not much older than two years, named Atlas. The buzzing of the fire alarm disoriented him, and he blinked his eyes, trying to get the smoke out of them, but more keeps getting in as he ran deeper into the house.
The only thing he remembered from the night before was going to bed with Mom, as usual. Dad was still out, keeping an eye on the fireplace to make sure it burns out. An hour later, he too came to bed. He drifted off to sleep at their feet, like he always did. The next thing he knew, Sister had come into the room. Though he barely knew any human words, he heard the urgency in hr voice, and heard the words "Smoke" and "Get out". Mom had grabbed his collar, but his brother Socky had run out of the room already. Wanting to get his brother to stay with the family, he ran out into the hall, ripping free of Mom's grip. He tried finding his brother in the smoke, but his eyes were stinging, so he screwed them shut. The heat was intense, the fire was spreading quickly through the house. He tried scenting Socky, but he gagged on the smoke. He was starting to get dizzy, and thought he would pass out, but he knew he had to find his brother, so he kept his eyes open.
As he went through the house, he saw the black cat, Chatter, run into the room where the family was. Atlas had seen the gray cat, Diablo, in Sister's arms, so he knew he was safe. He heard whining, and looked under the table in the room where the family ate. The dining room... He thought. He nudged Socky with his nose. "Come on!" He growled, coughing. "We have to go to Mom, Dad, and Sister." Socky was shaking, but knew his brother was right. Atlas helped guide him through the house. The fire had spread from the Living Room to the Kitchen in that time, so the two ran back to Mom and Dad's bedroom, only to find the family already gone.
"Socky!"
"Atlas!"
"Babies!"
Mom, Dad, Sister!
He heard the family's voices and knew they were calling for them. They headed towards the front door, only to find flames already in the hallway.
"What so we do?" Socky whined, coughing and gagging.
Atlas whined as well. He didn't have any clue what to do. He dropped his head and tail, jogging back to Mom and Dad's room, and jumped on the bed and laid down. He was giving up, and almost passed out from smoke inhalation when he felt a cool breeze. He glanced up and saw the window was open.
That's how they got out!
The need to survive came back, and he pushed his brother, who was also giving up, towards the window. Using all his strength, Socky jumped out the window. Atlas was about to as well, but he remembered something. My bowl! He turned, grabbed his green bowl, and followed Socky out the window, just in time for the room to get engulfed in flame.
As they gasped for clean air, the brothers looked at each other. "Did the others get out?" Socky looked anxious, eyes full of fear. Atlas nodded.
"Yes, Sister had Diablo, and we heard their voices outside. Chatter ran towards Mom and Dad's room. She must have sensed the clean air and got out.
Socky looked relieved. As soon as he did though, his hackles went up, as did Atlas'. They heard loud whining. Peaking around the corner, they saw big, scary and red cars and humans dressed in weird suits. Growling, the brothers took off running. Atlas never dropped his bowl.
Chapter 2
Gotta get away! Atlas thought frantically. The heat from the fire had left burns and soot on him, without even touching the fire. The heat was so intense, he felt some of his fur was missing and his skin felt raw. He glanced at his brother, and noticed his white patches weren't noticeable thanks to the soot. But the brothers were alive, and they were certain their family was too. They would have to go back, but right now, their only thought was getting as far from the house and fire as possible. Suddenly Socky dropped to the ground, panting and gagging. Atlas stopped and went to his brother's side. He put his bowl down and nuzzled his brother's cheek.
"Socky, we need to get away! Please, now's not the time to rest!" Atlas barked urgently.
Socky whined and howled. "I c-can't, it's t-to hot! Hot hot hot!"
Atlas whined miserably. The heat of the fire was long gone, so he figured his brother was having a flashback, only he thought he was dying. Yes, the burns hurt, but surely his brother wasn't so bad he would die here...?
"What's going on here?" Asked a deep, commanding voice.
Atlas yelped and whipped around to see a large black and white dog, a husky mix, it seemed. And the husky had three other huge dogs with him, a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler. He trembled in fear, and gulped, only to wince at the soreness in his throat. "M-My brother and I... our house burned! W-We ran, b-but now he's down and I don't-" The husky cut him off.
"Get the ill boy, Rocky." The Husky murmured. Rocky, the German Shepherd, approached the two younger dogs. He started to put Socky on hsi back, but protective brother mode Atlas snarled.
"Hey! What are you doing to him!?"
Rocky gave Atlas a glare. "Do you want help or not? It's clear, he's going to die without help."
Atlas' eyes widen in shock. These strangers were helping? The Husky spoke again.
"Duke, guide the other. He might keel over himself if he keeps stressing."
The Rottweiler, who looked to be his age, just bigger, approached Atlas. "Hi. I'm Duke." He introduced.
Atlas trembled. "I-I'm Atlas... My brother is Socky... Thanks for helping."
The Husky started leading the way, turning around and heading deeper into the woods. Atlas never let his eyes leave his brother. Duke kept glancing at Atlas, and Atlas eventually noticed. "Is something wrong?"
Duke shrugged. "You just look completely black, is all. But I can tell you're black and white, like our leader. What exactly happened?"
Atlas opened his mouth to speak, but instead a hacking fit erupted. Once he finished coughing, Atlas started. "A fire. My home burned, I was sleeping with Mom and Dad, and suddenly Sister opened the door to our room, and smoke filled the air." Atals shuddered, remembering the heat and smoke. "We almost died. We were able to get out a window though."
Duke's eyes widen, shocked to hear what Atlas has been through. "Oh... that explains the soot and burn marks.."
Atlas nodded grimly. Suddenly, he remembered something. "My bowl!"
Duke gave him a weird look. "Your what?"
Atlas growled. "My bowl, I left it behind!" Suddenly, as he turned to go back, he got dizzy and passed out.