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Post by sarhea on Dec 8, 2006 23:39:58 GMT -5
The sounds of humans voices mixed with the many footsteps that echoed through the hull of the old wooden ship. Loose articles rolled across the floor as the ship pitched to and fro, its wood planked hull creaking and groaning with each movement of the sea. The air was heavy with tobacco smoke, so much so it could almost rob the breath from anyone who tried to breath. Down in the dark cargo hold, firmly tied to the bulkhead above, a dog laid trying to sleep.
But she could not sleep, nor had she slept the entire journey. Shila felt sick, physically and mentally sick. She missed her master terribly and still did not understand why she had been taken from him, why she had been beaten when she tried to protect him from the men who were kicking and punching him, why she had been drug away by a strange man who didn't seem to care one bit about her or who she was.
She'd been on this boat now for more than a week as it hopped from port to port. Once she'd tried to escape, and what a mistake that was. She had been caught, beaten, and tied down in the dark cargo hold. She was hungry, and filthy, two things that she'd never experienced in her short life.
Shila tried to push any thoughts from her mind and find sleep, but the boat pitched hard to port, sending items of cargo tumbling across the hold. She narrowly jumped out of the way of a large wooden box that broke loose from it's binding and smashed into the pile of ropes that she had been sleeping on. There was sudden activity on the decks above, as the men yelled back and forth. Shila felt a sudden jolt and then the sounds of wood on wood....they had docked!
Shila tried to not get excited-she'd been left in the hold now for the past 3 dockings, but now she heard footsteps coming down and the angry voice of the man who'd taken her away. The door of the cargo hold flew open and the dirty, bearded man with a pipe waddled in. He grabbed up sacks of his belongings and reached for the rope which held her captive. He gave it a strong jerk-Shila yelped in surprise.
"shut up, dog. I'd be leavn' ya down here if the Captain didn't want you off here for the night. You'd better not pull no escapin' or else" he grumbled and yanked her up the stairs.
Outside, it was early evening. The air was cold and crisp and the gulls squawked nosily overhead. People scurried about their duties as passengers and their cargo made their way to the ship's side to disembark. Shila's tail, once held proudly curled over her back, now hung between her legs as she was jerked around and dragged behind the man. At the ramp, all hell broke loose. The man was attempting to drag her down the narrow ramp when the people in front of him dropped their belongings. He was in a hurry and didn't slow down, thus tripping and falling off the ramp and into the icy waters below.
Shila yelped in surprise and pain as the rope around her neck tightened and began to pull her in with the man. She braced herself, planting her feet on whatever she could, but still the man's weight was too much. She almost went into the water also when he lost his grip on the rope.
Seizing the opportunity, Shila tumbled backward down the remaining few feet of the ramp and onto the docks. She quickly jumped to her feet and ran as fast as she could in the opposite direction. She had to get away. The man would be angry and would come after her. She needed a place to hide, and a good one....she could not stand to be beaten again....
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Post by rallie on Dec 9, 2006 14:48:35 GMT -5
Rallie had done good today. Well, good for her, atleast. The street dog ran fast through the streets, the stolen chicken held firmly in her jaws. Howling inwardly, she beamed with pride. it wasn't too often that she got a chicken this big, and from Billy Joe's Chicken and Meat shop, to add a bonus! He had the best chicken in town. Rallie had already gotten away with the deed, having ran far away from the shop. Coming to a stop, Rallie put the meat down on the ground. Giving herself a good shake, Rallie smiled.
A small two-leg walked up to her, smiling. He was young, she could see, for he wasn't even as tall as she was. He gigled and ran his hand down her back, petting Rallie. This brought a smile to Rallie's face, and she lit up. Delivering a lick to the small one's face, Rallie grinned. But she had to go. So she picked up the chicken and padded away, runing her tail along the child's chin, then picking up pace. Many scents crossed her nose, but one in particular made her stop. Smelled like...a port she had been to once. It was on the other side of the sea, though. Hm..then a dog caught her eye. She was running fast..running..away, maybe? Perking up an ear, Rallie called to the dog, dropping the chicken after stopping.
Hey, you! Yeah, you running! Come here!"
The call wasn't filled with anger of any emotion such as that. It was filled with concern. She would help this dog, if she needed it. A perfect place to hide, Rallie's old shack, if they needed to get away from anybody.
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Post by sarhea on Dec 9, 2006 17:54:50 GMT -5
Shila was running down the side of the street as fast as her feet could carry her. She was terrified and had no idea where she was going. It was a fairly active evening, people and their carts and dogs of all sorts meandered the streets, which made Shila's getaway all the more difficult. Dodging all this activity while dragging a good length of rope was no easy task for her at the moment. Her mind screamed-searching for any clear thought, but there was none to be found.
Shila saw the gray and tan female ahead, but her mind was not paying attention.
Hey, you! Yeah, you running! Come here!"
The sound took her completely off guard. Shila's mind was jerked out of its blind stupor and her frightened gaze fell on the dog that had called to her. She tried to stop and change course, and in doing so, the trailing length of rope found itself entwined around her legs. She tripped, her bulky frame sliding a short ways before coming to rest next to a stack of crates and barrels.
Her mind was reeling....what had just happened....someone called her. Shila looked up to see the concerned dog not far from her, a large chicken at her feet.
She was about to respond, when an angry yell echoed out across the docks...the angry, wet man was coming. Shila struggled to get back to her feet, but the rope was tangled around her hind legs and had somehow gotten wedged between the crates and barrels. She shot a terrified glance back at the dog who'd called her.
"Help! Please, please hurry! He will beat me good if he catches me! I must get away! I must hide!" she said between terrified, panting breaths.
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Post by rallie on Dec 10, 2006 2:50:39 GMT -5
Rallie knew the dog needed help. Rallie looked around and saw no one else to help the dog, so she took off. She ran straight towards the other canine, her speed as fast as a speeding bullet...or, atleast, so to speak. She would survey the scene with her eyes, trying to figure out a way to get the rope out. Oh, to hell with it! She just bit the rope in half, letting Shila go free.
Rallie looked towards the old man, and growled. She took of and jumped infront of the grimy looking man, growling viciously. Every human knew about Rallie in Rakine Port. Perhaps this male knew as well? If not, today, she'd teach him. Her fur bristled and she barked at him continuosly, snapping a bit as well, trying to make him turn back. She had to help Shilah. Rallie herself had once been captured by those stinking boat humans. She knew what it felt like to be held captive. Jumping forwards once, but landing right infront of the human, she'd bark loudly and snap her teeth together loudly. Surely he'd leave now? Or would she have to fight him?
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Post by sarhea on Dec 10, 2006 10:54:07 GMT -5
Dirty, Wet Old Man
The old man saw his quarry tangled in her binding at the end of the docks, struggling to get free. This one had been particularly challenging, and she was really trying what little bit of patients he had left. If she wasn't worth so much and the money he made from her sale in a few days would hold him through the winter and most the spring....
He'd warned her not to escape, now she'd get a good lashing and he'd have to find a crate to put her in until they arrived at their destination further down the coast, a few more ports away. He fumed as he saw a larger dog come into view and bite the rope in half with one snap...damn...things always had to get difficult, and now they were getting interesting....that dog was running his way, snarling and bristling at him....stupid mutt....stray most like it...these ports were plagued with them and he'd delt with worse...right now, he was tired, cold, and wet, and extremely angry and his next paycheck was about to get away...he was ready to take on anything.
"bring it on, mutt. Lets see what you've got, " he muttered angrily and took a defensive stance.
Shila
Shila watched as the gray and tan female quickly made her way to her side, evaluating the ropes. Before shila could say anything, the female, with one quick snap of her jaw, parted the rope, freeing her. Shila jumped to her feet, and before she could thank the female, she watched in horror as the female dashed off toward her cruel captor.
Shila stood there petrified. She just wanted to run away, hide, but now this crazy dog who'd been so kind as to get her free was taking herself into harm's way. Another dog had tried to help her at the last port she had tried to escape at, and ended up with damaged ribs from the man's swift, powerful kick. She did not know his (the other dog's) status-she just remembered seeing him fly through the air after the kick and struggling to get up. She didn't want another to be injured because of her...
"Stop! Don't go near him! He's crazy and is not afraid of you! I've seen him hurt dogs for fun! Please! Just run away!" shila barked fearfully after the one who'd set her free.
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Post by rallie on Dec 12, 2006 17:16:24 GMT -5
Rallie growled at the old man. Obviously, her reputation hadn't reached the far coasts. Snapping her teeth at him, she barked furiously and lunged at him. Hoping to knock him down, Rallie thought on what could happen. IF she knocked him down, she'd try to bite his face, neck, hands, anything her mighty jaws could close upon. If she didn't knock him down, which was more than possible, she'd go into the defensive state, and try to hold the old man off until the other dog got away.
Rallie was a good fighter, but apparently she'd never fought a sea-going human before. Sure, shope holders and merchants, maybe, but never a seaman. They were tough, most of them, and the lacked the ability to care. Mercy wasn't naturally something that the sea man ever held. So, Rallie waited, hoping her weight would be enough to bring the old man down.
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Post by sarhea on Dec 12, 2006 18:41:45 GMT -5
The old man eyed the gray and tan mutt that barked and snapped so furiously at him. "all bark but how much bite cha got," he grumbled. At that moment, he saw the dog lunge out at him. His eyes narrowed in hatred, and he rotated his posture around, placing his left foot in front, leaning his weight forward. He wouldn't be able to deliver a good kick to the beast, as his trousers were saturated wet and clung to him. He turned his left shoulder into the oncoming attack. She hit him hard in the side, but he stood firm ready for whatever she brought with the attack. He'd been through seas you could never imagine, it'd take more than a mangy port mongrel to bring him to the ground...
Shila watched in horror as the dog lunged at the man, and the stance he took. She was torn on whether to just run away at this perfect chance to to hide, or to come to the aid of the dog that was risking her life to help her. Shila stood paralyzed in her conflict as the attack scene enfolded before her....
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Post by rallie on Dec 14, 2006 19:27:27 GMT -5
Rallie growled and would aim to bite into the man's shoulder. But then, she had a better idea. Why risk her life now? The dog that the old man had been chasing seemed fast. Almost as fast a Rallie. Rallie, a speed demon, was known as a runner. She had to be quick, what with having to steal her meals and all. Growling, she pushed off of the man and landed facing him, but she turned and ran towards the other canine she had freed from the rope.
She skidded to a halt infront of the she-dog, and, panting said,
" C'mon! I know a place to hide!"
Without waiting for an answer, Rallie took off towards her shack, hoping the dog would follow.
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Post by sarhea on Dec 15, 2006 23:09:01 GMT -5
Shila watched as the dog attacked the man, attempting to knock him down, and when she didn't succeed, she worried about what would soon follow. A huge sigh of relief escaped her when she saw the dog stop her attack. She turned and ran directly at Shila. Shila came to her senses, and was worried that the dog would run right into her, but she skidded to a stop just a few feet from her...
" C'mon! I know a place to hide!"
Shila's expression brightened, as the dog turned and continued her speedy flight from the area without even waiting for a response. Running, that is what shila wanted to do-run away from this place. Speed was never her problem-knowing where to run to was....and now she finally had someone to follow who seemed to know their way around and wasn't only concerned with trying to attack her captor. Shila spun on her feet, turning to follow the gray and tan female-boy she was fast, faster than she, but Shila was able to see her well enough to follow her every move. Only once did Shila look back to see if her captor was following. He didn't get too far before tripping over his own feet, his wet, freezing clothing making his every move awkward and clumsy.
Shila turned her focus back to the task at hand-keeping up with the female who knew where to hide. As her weary limbs carried her through the streets of the busy port, her mind screamed with relief-FREEDOM!!! Finally! She had no idea where she was, how she would live beyond this, but she was free, and hopefully had a new friend to show her what this new place was all about.
She looked forward to reaching their destination, so she could thank the one who'd rescued her.
[sorry for the crap post....and late response....]
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Post by rallie on Dec 16, 2006 0:31:20 GMT -5
Rallie knew the lay of the land well. Rakine Port! What a place! So beautiful was it that it caught rallie into staying there. She had never been one to stay at any place for long, but Rakine had..a hold over her. Turning her head back to the dog, she sighed with relief as she sw the dog was keeping up. She grinned and kept running, her paws hitting the ground with great force. this was what propelled her and made her go so fast when she ran - her paws. They were large, and covered the ground, gripping it and pulling Rallie forward with great intensity.
Rallie then saw their destination. Ah, the good 'ol home. Rallie's Shack. Awesome place, it was. Rallie skidded to halt up by the hole in the door, and squeezed through the small opening. She stared around at the oh so familiar surroundings. A small break in a high window let the water from rain drip into a small, yet cleam flowerpot, making a sort of water dish for her. A bunch of old human clothes and a large blanket made a nice bed, and in one corner lay Rallie's earlier catch, a small rabbit. The shack was rather large, and it was all Rallie's. waiting to see the dog come in, rallie sat down, and awaited the arival of her maybe new found friend.
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Post by sarhea on Dec 17, 2006 11:12:38 GMT -5
The evening sun was dipping below the western horizon, casing many shadows for her to disappear into-though it was hard for her red coloring. It felt wonderful to be running, though her limbs screamed in agony, but she pushed herself to keep going, to get away. She had not seen the old man behind her now for a few minutes, nor could she no longer hear his angry yells. This dog who was leading her to a hiding place was extremely fast, and it was all she could do to keep up. Being tied in the cargo hold of that ship was the worst thing that could have happened to her, a champion sled dog, who was used to running many miles a day for exercise. She was out of shape, and that hurt her pride...
She saw the gray and tan female stop at the entrance of an old shack, and then watched her squeeze through a small hole in the door. Uh oh, would she fit, Shila thought? As she ran closer, she huffed in relief that the opening was bigger than it seemed. She squatted and started crawling through. Midway through, her hind leg began to cramp terribly, causing her to tense up and hold back a yelp-and tensing up didn't help her get through the opening, her thick pelt snagging the splintered wood. Shila had to get in, had to hide, thus she gritted her teeth and forced herself through, sending red fluff everywhere. She could not hold it in and a small stifled yelp escaped her maw. Once inside, she backed away from the opening, only briefly peering out to see if she could see her captor coming....there was nothing but the growing darkness of nightfall.
Shila's labored breathing from the run kept her voice muted. She turned and looked around the large dwelling. It appeared to be abandoned by humans, but their mark was everywhere. The kind creature who'd rescued her was sitting not far from the entrance. Shila struggled to regain her composure....
"Thank...you. Thank....you so....much," she said between panting breaths. "I could not...have lasted much longer....trapped in that ship with....that hateful human, be beaten any more...." she closed her eyes, concentrating on controlling her breathing. When she finally was satisfied, she opened her eyes again. Turning to face the female, she spoke, with much more confidence and composure "My name is Shila, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for freeing me and bringing me to the safety of your home,"
There, that was a much better display of gratitude, she thought.
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Post by rallie on Dec 17, 2006 19:27:30 GMT -5
Rallie had been sitting in the shack for a few seconds when the other dog came through the opening. Well, after she ripped some of her fur out on the opening. Rallie could see that the dog was in pain. She needed help. Rallie was kind enough to allow her into her home. Maybe even give her something to eat. She had left the chicken she stole back at the port. Darn. That would've made a good meal. Turning to the dog, she was about to say something when the other dog started talking.
So, her name was Shila, eh? Cool. Rallie wagged her tail a bit, happy that she helped someone. Then, she remembered.
" Do you...want some water? Or something to eat?"
Rallie had a water pale, which was a flower pot, but a water pale all the same. Her food storage was in a corner at the back of the shack. Rallie stood, and waited for Shilah's answer.
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Post by sarhea on Dec 19, 2006 21:25:21 GMT -5
Shila paused at the offer of food and water, and suddenly realized how hungry she was. Her stomach growled angrily and her mouth began to water as she suddenly caught the smell of meat in the air.
"You have food? I wouldn't want to take much, but yes, I haven't realized until now how hungry and thirsty I am. I didnt get much food and water on that ship, not like that human even cared, she mumbled, wincing in rememberance of the beatings she'd received.
She would be very greatful and readily take the offer...
[sorry for the short crap post-i have driven 650 miles today and my brain is tired...]
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Post by rallie on Dec 20, 2006 14:55:55 GMT -5
(( 650 miles!? Where on earth did you go?!))
Rallie nodded, and padded over to the stock pile of meat. It was a meager pile, but better than most town dogs would fair in the winter months like this. A rabbit, three voles and a squirel. She picked up the rabbit and carried it over to Shila, dropping it at her feet.
" There is a water bucket over there." She said, pointing with her tail to the flower pot.
(( sorry, so short, gotta go.)
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Post by sarhea on Dec 20, 2006 22:10:59 GMT -5
[lol-i drove from houston tx to jackson, Tennesee yesterday, today from there to cleveland ohio 660 miles....i'll post more friday-we will finally get to our vacation destination with free internet instead of this cellphone internet....]
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