When he has just stepped out of the gate, the pup has already vanished and is no longer in his sight.
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“Dammit, it has just been a few seconds since I’ve come out. How come I have already lost track of its whereabouts? How would I be able to find him in such a densely-populated city like this?” Isaac cries in disbelief, biting hard on his pale lips.
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Sweats are trickling down Isaac’s forehead even though the midday sun has already retreated to the horizon. But what will be the next step that this 10-year-old kid takes? Returning back to his hell-like family which will probably haunt him for a lifetime? Or will he go to a sleepover at one of his playmates’ homes? Oh wait, does he even have one?
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The kid is still scampering on the streets, fearing that he would have to spend his first night outside the home for the first time alone. He is still sprinting down the street despite having a pair of sore legs. His eyes scan through every alley he encounters. Nothing. Still nothing. Not even a glimpse of golden fur could be caught by him. Screeching in despair, he crouches his head. Once in a lifetime, he is so vulnerable and miserable.
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Just about when he is pondering where he will be staying tonight, a high-pitched yapping is delivered into his ears. All of sudden, immense energy is once injected into his soul.
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“Hang on there, I’m comin’ for ya,” Isaac murmurs.
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He weaves his way through the crowd, bounds over every obstacle that comes his way, then stops by a narrow, gloomy alley. What’s in front of his eyes now is totally mind-boggling.
A man covered in tattoos, who is believed to be at least 6’5 inches tall is trying to get hold of the shuddering creature with just two of his fingers.
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“Leave…it..a..alone..now,” Isaac utters as he slowly picks up a wooden stick from the refuse left on one side of the alley, intending to pose a threat to the muscular guy.
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“Pardon? Get out of my way before you get beaten up like this beast,” the guy warms up his wrists as he spits out the words.
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“But it’s not a beast, it’s my friend, indeed, my best buddy that I have ever encountered in my tedious life.”
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“Hahahaha…that’s the most hilarious thing I’ve ever heard since I have become a trafficker of exotic brutus. Do you know how much I’m gonna get if I bring it to my boss? Boy oh boy, why are you still wasting your precious talent here? You should head for the US Comedy TV show to make the best use of your inborn flair,” he giggles.
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Despite the sheer difference in their physique, Isaac displays no sense of trepidation when it comes to confronting this depraved man. Counting down to one from three, he darts for the man. Just when the man is about to take the mickey out of Isaac again, Isaac sinks his teeth into the man’s forearm as if he is from some kind of savage troops that feast upon human flesh. Then the inner river of the man rushes out.
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“Get the hell off my arm now, you little jerk!” The man shrieks.
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But Isaac has no intentions of letting go of this criminal who has slaughtered countless innocent, pitiful animals. The man slaps Isaac’s face and he tastes blood. The man digs his fingers into Isaac’s scalp and the dog eventually is released from his grasp. The boy swings his legs and aims for the center of the man’s visage. As luck would have it, he doesn’t miss. Streams of blood are now running across his nostrils.
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“Hurry, let’s go before he catches us again,” Isaac pants, pointing to a ‘ shelter ’ formed by the collapsed bricks varying in different shapes and sizes.
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Together, they manage to squeeze themselves into the ‘ shelter ‘that only slender beings could fit in. The man is ransacking in aggression. They try to hold their breath, hoping that the man wouldn’t spot them. Perhaps it’s the boy’s benignity that brings both of them a fortune, there is a sudden crumbling of bricks right in front of them, halting the man to come any steps closer. They even hear an alluring conversation between the man and his chief.
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“Sorry sir, it is my heartfelt apology that I couldn’t take it back with me to our base. I’m afraid that the mission this time has failed,” the man talks to the phone in a low, sincere voice.
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“Don’t you ever get ashamed of yourself? You are just a blockhead who is always so full of yourself for your appearance. According to the records made by my assistant, Christopher, it isn’t the first time that you have failed your mission, right? Alright then, you are officially fired,” the phone echoes, followed by a sharp ‘ beep ‘ sound.
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“Boss, hello there. Boss? Damn!” The man whangs his phone to the ground. The screen of it then shatters into thousands and thousands of pieces. Stomping his feet, he leaves the place.
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“It looks like it’s only two of us here now, finally, we are in unity again,” Isaac says as he cuddles his buddy.
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Stars are twinkling and dazzling up in the sky. The crickets are harmonizing with one another to construct a soothing melody. Mighty owls are camouflaging themselves with the late night, dashing across the fields to prey on mice. And there sat a boy with his furry pal, stargazing, and reveling in the magnificence of nature. Just when Isaac is about to close his eyes, he feels a tender tickling on his legs, it is the dog that is healing his bruises and cuts.
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“You know what, being with you reminds me of my beloved brother, Tommy Thomson. If I am told to name a guy who I respect the most, it will undoubtedly be him. The way he cherishes me… is just…you know…venerable. But Tommy isn’t with us anymore, and he’s never coming back. The last thing he did before death hunted him was to protect me from being beaten by my mother. Till now I’m still pondering, will he be able to live for at least a little longer if I had never been born…I miss him every time when the whole world is asleep and quiet.” Isaac then begins to sob, and his tears penetrate his shirt.
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The dog has also started whimpering and whining, as if they are connected.
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“It’s alright, you need not be crying like me. After all, it is my very own hurdles that I have to overcome. I can’t just drag anyone else into this vibe with me,” he mumbles while whipping off the raindrops falling from his eyes with the back of his hand.
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“Oh hey, by the way, calling you doggy would be too odd for a friend. Lemme propose some names for you, bark when you like the name. Cooper? Bailey? Frankie? Bear?”
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But the dog seems to be bewildered and tilts its head.
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“Well, perhaps you don’t even understand what I am talking about. No offense, but after all, you are just a cute little pup that I met near the sea today. It’s quite a normal thing that you don’t understand human languages.” Isaac giggles as he pats its head.
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“What about the name ‘Tommy’ ?” The dog proposes to him.
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“Oh I must be dreaming, or otherwise, having a hallucination,” Isaac gasps in incertitude.
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“No, you’re not. Look at me, Isaac. It is your buddy who is talking to you now,” it stretches its paws to Isaac, trying to console him.
“But don’t you mind having the name of my perished brother? It’s okay for me but I don’t know your opinion on it,” he questions it with doubt.
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“Nah, not at all, and from now on, I swear with my life that I will protect you at all costs, just like your brother did.”
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“Tommy, thanks for helping me all the way long,” Isaac whimpers while his tears are streaming down his face.
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“No sweat, bro. And by the way, I’m back. A missing piece of your family is finally found.”
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“Well, I guess you are right. I have found you, oh wait, you have found me indeed. Now it’s rest, shall we? The brand new journey awaits!” he exclaims in inexplicable joy.
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“Good night, Isaac.”
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“Sweet dreams, Tommy”
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Together they snuggle and cuddle each other, falling soundly asleep under the dim moonlight.
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