Running Fears (acceptance)

[jaksen]

Through the thick forests around the villiage heavy pawsteps could be heard. The constant sound of panting echoed through the trees. The underbrush was beginning to have a small trace of crimson on its tender leaves. The cracking of small twigs and sticks also echoed. A small white dog could be seen galloping almost in a single direction. His body movement showed that he had been traveling for quite some while.

Matt panted as he trotted across the outskirts of the small villiage. His paw pads were cracked and were starting to bleed. His expression was of exhaustion and of fear. He constantly kept looking over his shoulder as he trotted. A few days earlier he was at an all out run for his life. He had not stopped since that time. His bones ached and his lungs burned something fierce. His eyes were teary with pain.

He looked forward and saw the small houses of a villiage. ' i hope i can find some saftey there' Matt tried to quicken his pace as he rushed to the near village. Hot tears streamed down the pure white cheeks with freckles of black of the mutt. He was slightly limping as he attempted to run the rest of the way there. His fur was a magnificant white with speckles of black and a few patches of dark grey. But there were also some stained spots of crimson. They were not of his own and not of prey he had cought. They were of his lover and friend.

A few days earlier Matt and his lover were being playful in a small meadow a few day's treads a way. The sun was unusally warm upon their faces and each was filled with glee and happiness. Matt for one was the happiest, he had finally found somone to love him for who he was. Matt was hesitant to love this other at first due to his past experiences, but this other seemed different somehow. He tought Matt how to love for the first time in his life. Matt felt like he foud his soul mate. The day was warm and the water was crisp. They both almost acted as if they were puppies again. The day grew on and the dusk had started to settle its orange hue upon the blue sky. Matt and his lover layed comfortably together when another much larger wolf came to them and demanded something of Matt's lover. The two wolves soon began brawling and blood along with fur when flying everywhere. Matt was in shock as he watched his lover fight to keep him safe. The last words he heard him say were: " RUN MATT, RUNN" as the voice faded and before he even knew he was running from the horrible murder scene the other wolf was hot on Matt's trail. This is what had caused him to run non stop for the past few days. The treat of being ripped apart like his once soul mate had been.

Matt entered the village and tried to weave in and out of the bipeds that lived there but was to exhausted to manuver his way around all of them. He knocked his shoulder into some and completly knocked over some themselves. Soon he found himself being chased by the bipeds, to him this was worse than the previous wolf. He was exhausted and the bipeds had weapons he knew that could kill. He used the last of his energy to jump into an abanoned and tipped over dumpster bin. The smell of rotting meat and food didnt bother him. He found the deepest and darkest corner there and collapsted. His breathing harsh and quick. His body was trembling from over use. At this time many things were running through his mind, but the one that stuck out the most, or that he was wishing to come true was:

' i wish i was dead right now, oh god please just let me die'

OOC: (( sorry about the title ^^;; please forgive me))

[Echo]

Are you seeking acceptance ? If so please put acceptance in the title of your thread and Welsey or I will get to this as soon as possible thank you.

[Wesley]

Wesley was browsing around the village for folks who might need assistance as was his typical routine. Today the air was crisp and fresh with a feeling of fall in the air despite the fact that it was spring. He supposed that the two seasons had some commonalities, but the feeling that life was growing everywhere rather than fading away was impossible for him not to grasp not being able to see, it was still plainly evident.

Pushing his snout into the pungent air, Wes inhaled deeply a fresh breath of air which was a trademark in Hallow. Despite the village atmosphere, it still smelled of fresh mountain air so utterly crisp. Granted, there was also a strong smell of human, refuse, and meat but those weren't necessarily bad and Wesley couldn't blame the humans for not always being tidy.

Silly humans. Wesley thought appreciatively as he ambled down the cobblestone walk with ears attentive to any disturbance. DISTURBANCE! Wes felt a sudden surge of footfalls in his general direction with a clamoring of angry human voices and what sounded like the clattering of rag-tag weapons. "Oh dear." he whined, ears peeling back on his head as he stood slightly stunned. He had never felt a human stampede before and was relatively alarmed.

Not knowing what else to do, Wesley turned tail to keep ahead of the rampaging humans as they blustered down the main street of Hallow. What could have them all flustered? This was not part of the daily routine at all! All of a sudden, it all stopped. With a few murmurs of the crowd, the humans dispersed like nothing had happened. Was it something in the air?

Wesley stood for a moment to collect himself. He hadn't felt so surprised in who-knows-how long. Breathing deeply again to regain his calm he discovered a doggish scent among the human was. Were they the cause of all the trouble amongst the peevish people? Following the odor with his keen nose, Wesley found himself by another one of the common alley dustbins. Why always dumpsters? The humans really like these things and so do the canines. He thought, shaking his head.

Stretching up, he put his head over the corner of the dustbin and 'peered' within aware of a presence within. "Hello?" He asked, wondering if the canine had been harmed or anything he should be concerned about. Then again, he was also just curious. Who could blame him?

[jaksen]

Matt's ears perked slightly as he could hear the paws of another canine on the dumpster. He cowered some for fear it might have been the large wolf from a few days earlier. He layed himself flat upon the garbage in hope that his scent would be masked by the rotting odor. Warm tears still flowed down his cheeks as he held his breath. As soon as the other spoke, he lifted his head and looked at the other with a confused look. 'Why would this guy want to help me?, after all that i did?' His thoughts were somewhat scattered in his mind as he was scared and confused. That being one of the only ones that he was able to register in his mind.

"...Yeah...im...im okay"

He studdred as he tried to get to his feet again, the garbage and his weakness were both working against him, he made it halfway up before he collapsed upon the rotting items again with a long sigh. He looked back at the other with a sorrowfull look.

"may i ask who you are?, im Matt...some worthless scoundrel"

His voice was soft but depressed. His breathing was that of someone who just ran 15 miles non-stop. He layed his head down on a can that was in there and huffed slightly to the scent of a rotting Banana that had been imported a while back. His ears and all other body parts layed in the dumpster limp, and lifeless.

[Wesley]

Wesley wasn't confused when Matt sank deeper into the filth to try and mask himself as it was not a silent procedure. He remained attentive into the darkness with large flopping ears perked for movement and motion and what the poor brute had to say. Apparently, he was tuckered out and a mess.

With a pitying sigh, Wesley mounted the top of the dumpster, maintaining balance on the lip so as not to tumble in with the other. He preferred to be up and above the mess rather than swimming in it because Wes was well acquainted with being stuck after dumpster diving.

The air smelled saltier than it should making Wesley aware that the other was crying. His eras flicked pack apologetically, but he reconsidered as the other was hiding in darkness. He wouldn't have known if he did not rely so heavily on senses other than sight. He did not want to make Matt more uncomfortable than necessary right now. After all, the dog was lying in a cesspit of rotting and refuse. He couldn't be more down.

"I am Wesley." He answered calmly, still standing on the top of the dumpster. He couldn't help but feel that this chap was in a sorry condition to announce himself with such a miserable title. Obviously, the chap had a story to tell, but Wesley wasn't inclined to pry. Still, there were some questions that needed answering. "Are you hurt?" Was the first one the came to mind. Wes was reluctant to hop in and discover for himself and waited for Matt to provide a damage report. The explanations would come later. First one must attend to the physical and then the mind could heal, too.

[jaksen]

Matt whimpered lightly as he could hear and see Wesley jumping atop the lip of the dumpster. He was unsure if this other canine was going to hurt him or not, and in the state that Matt was currently in, it would be like shooting fish in a bucket. He was out of breath, bleeding, and tired as heck. He couldnt help but to cry, he tried to stop it but it just wouldnt work. His fur was matted and dirty from his travels, he smelt of a forest, rain, mud, and now to add to it, trash.

As the other spoke in kind words his whimpering halted and his eyes looked up at the more earthly toned canine. His paw pads hurt really bad and a jolt of pain shot up through his foreleg as he moved to get to a sitting possition. He quickly laid back down squinting in pain and bringing his paw to his muzzle and licking at the open wounds, now somewhat filled with filth. The taste of all the combined rotting foods and other materials that could be found in a dumpster made him gag in distaste, but it made his pain somewhat go away.

With a weary voice that was soft and almost childlike he responded, "I...I..I'm Matt." he was able to studder out through his pain and confusion of the place. He continued to try to sit up, peering over the side of the dumpster with his ears layed back and only his eyes and the tip of his nose showing to the rest of the village. "I'm not hurt to badly, just really tired." He continued to look around before standing all the way on all fours and looking up at Wesley. "thanks for being concerned, i have a question." He was unable to finish the sentence due to a caughing fit that abruptly started. This was due to the lack of liquid for the lining of his throat and running through rain and cold without stopping to warm up. He quickly fell back to the rubbage down below and tried to be quiet about his hard caughing, he covered his muzzle with his bloody paws, staining his once white fur a deep crimson color, along with the colors of the trash he stepped on.

[Wesley]

Wesley managed to sit himself down on the top of the trash bin while still looking in. Of anything he resembled, against the bright sky he was like a slightly less frightening gargoyle selected to protect, not a church, but a dumpster. Who knew that garbage was worth protecting?

Focusing his attention on the weak soul within, Wesley was confused. He introduced himself twice and hadn't managed to really explain if he was hurt. It was becoming more evident that this poor bloke was in sorry condition despite attempts to alleviate Wesley's concerns. Perhaps it would be necessary to work on his head along with his ailing limbs to get the fellow out of here -- not out of Hallow but out of the trash. After all, filth could not be good for any external wound and what a great welcome it would be to have swollen paws or other limbs from poorly healing sores or whatever it was that was hurting him.

"You seem a little worse than you think, Matt." Wes stated, rising back up and leaning precariously into the actual dumpster. He really wanted to help Matt but didn't know if he could get the dog out even if he climbed in. Was there a side latch or something on the bin as to lead Matt out? There must be something. "Hold your question a moment and breathe." He said concerned to hear the other one cough so fiercely while smelling an increase in the blood amongst the garbage.

Hopping from the lip, Wesley quickly scraped his fore paws along one, two and then three sides of the dumpster for any side door. Lucky number three was the winner. Knocking the bolt up with his nose, he eased the loose bar to the side and a small dog-door swung open. Garbage flopped at Wesley's paws which smelled, somehow, more repulsing out of the trash bin. Wesley could nearly discern what the smells of these things were.

"Come out here." Wes said, wanting Matt out of there before answering any questions. he could obtain help or anything else more easily and Matt shouldn't bother asking silly questions when he couldn't even managed to stand for very long. Even so, Wesley bobbed his head hoping that it would lure the canine out. "You may ask your question now."

[jaksen]

With the hatch door open and the feel of the garbage flowing out from under him, Matt crawled; almost scrambled to where Wes told him to be. His legs were worn out and trembling out from under him even as he crawled. Each step stung worse than the other. He cautiously peered around and the sense of fear that came from him grew more. He was cirtainly afraid of something outside of the dumpster.

His ears layed flat against his neck and his tail was held firmly between his legs as he crawled to Wes's paws and rested his chin upon Wesley's left paw. Matt was shaking terribly and almost as afraid as a small pup new to a large thunderstorm. His tears had dried but the emotion was still hanging around him. His fur was cold to the touch, as was his flesh. He was most likely suffering from hypothermia and many other things among that.

His breathing was heavy and somewhat abstructed. As Matt talked or even exhaled, he laped up small amounts of blood that came from his throat and somewhere in his lungs probably. He knew he wasnt in the best of condition and he knew that Wes was trying his hardes to help him. He was just unsure of how this other canine would handle such a brute as the Wolf that was chasing after him. That brought back the question he wanted to see if Wesley knew the answer to, considering that Wes was most likely more familiar with this village and near by lands than he himself was.

" Can you tell if there's anything like....a wolf or anything chasing after me? ANything that looks dangerous enough to kill me?" His voice was soft and timid, as well as increadibly scared and full of fear. He almost seemed to huddle under Wes as he spoke. He usually did not act in such a way, but due to the circumstances that he was put under, his persona completly changed to a fear struck small puppy almost.

[Wesley]

Wesley continued to stand tall and patient while Matt eased himself from the dumpster. He tried not to wrinkle his nose or express any signs of disgust as the slimy, rotting materials slopped onto the ground and only became a more pungent aroma the longer they stewed outside the trash dumpster. However, despite his olfactory senses being particularly acute, Wesley had little time to focus on smell. His sense of touch was being, suddenly, over stimulated.

He shivered with surprise as something slightly filthy rested itself against his paw. Wes almost pulled away from the frigid, feeling, thing before realizing it wasn't actually cold but hot! Matt had a fever and was shivering and tremendously ill. Why would a dog make himself so utterly miserable? Wesley felt a sting of panic in the back of his mind, but knew he must remain calm for the other's sake. Despite the waves of heat emanating from the weak form, he sensed fear just as powerfully.

Wesley might have asked what Matt was afraid of, but his next question answered that for him. Feeling instinctively protective over another who was frightened, Wes curled his tail around his haunches and slid down to the earth careful not to disturb where Matt's head rested before resting his own head atop his.

"No, there are no wolves in the village. If the humans see one, they are as inclined to chase it as they chased you today, but they would have fiercer weaponry when dealing with something perceived as an actual threat." He answered soothingly, his vocals above Matt's head and vibrating down the already shuddering figure. He needed shelter, but where was the nearest place?

Wes lifted his head and listened for any signs of the little fox-mix who scampered around so frequently or his mate, Echo. Unfortunately neither was near; he would have to deal with the situation on his own. He didn't begrudge the duty, but was uncertain how helpful he could be.

"Can you move?" He asked, nudging Matt slightly with the tip of his snout near the shoulder trying to urge the poor mutt to rise. Even if it took a long time, Matt needed to get away from the waste he was covered in, have some food and water, be washed, and rest. This alley was not the sort of place one should be to recuperate. "You must move from this place, but I will get help if you cannot move any farther. Though I know not how you came here, it's evident you've had a long journey." Wesley said, smiling encouragingly down at the frightened pup-like dog.

Had the situation been different, Wes might have asked Matt if he wanted to be a part of the Hallow pack, but that seemed inappropriate. He would ask when the dog was recovered enough to continue on or linger a while and truly have a feel for the village. He was safe here, though; that Wesley knew.

[jaksen]

Matt looked up at the other with tear filled eyes as he tried to figure out if he actually could stand and possibly move. His muscles ached and stung with pain; but he knew what Wes was getting at and he knew that if he wanted more saftey, he would have to travel a tad furhter along with this other male. With that he nodded slightly as he took a big gulp of air and winced some.

His shoulders and hindquarters shivered and shook as his muscles were forced to stretch and contort again.They felt like they were on the verge of tearing and somehow he wished he was torn apart more than being forced to stand it hurt that much to him. His somewhat small frame quaked at the feet of Wes as he looked up at him shyly and awaited the motion for the two of them to find somewhere else, less bacteria infested than the dumpster where he was previously found.

"I can move...but i dont think too far.." He took another deep breath and attempted to hold himself sturdy. Questions started running through his head as he started to gather his thoughts and senses and started to observe Wes. He noted that his gaze was somewhat off and that he could be possibly partially blind if not blind all the way. The way he held himself he figured he was alpha here. He knew he had heard Wes say that before. but with the condition that Matt was in; he was beginning to be a bit delirious. He also began to wonder why someone like Wes would want to help a mutt like Matt.

He looked around the small ally way and actually took in what the small village looked like, the smells; besides the dump. Although he was fading in and out of conciousness and his senses did the same, he could smell an air of comfort around Wes. This made Matt smile somewhat and want to simply fall asleep at Wes's feet. For some reason Wes was now more comforting to him than ever. But he knew that he had to get somewhere safe, so he wouldnt hurt himself if he were to pass out; wich was an impending feeling on him.

((sorry its so short ^^)

[Wesley]

Wesley appreciated Matt's attempts to rise to his feet. Although Matt's struggle was against his muscles, the strain creaked loud enough for Wesley's sensitive ears to hear the projected ache of the poor mutt's body. This dog was in dreadful shape, though Wesley admired his fervor to try and stand as requested and more.

Acknowledging that he could go a ways but not far, Wes paused for a moment thoughtfully as he projected the well-known map of the village inside his head. Where to go? They were in an alley on the southern side of the village's main street and could go out into the forest and prairie region just outside of town, but Wes doubted that Matt would want to go there. He could still sense fear and paranoia from whatever wolf the mix had been asking about, and Wes wouldn't want to strain him further. Where else could they head?

Many of the townspeople were only moderately accommodating and wouldn't be inclined to permit two filthy dogs into their households for any extended period of time so they weren't an option, and most of the other canines were off doing their own business and did not have a particular hovel Wes and Matt could scramble into for a while. Well, there's always my den. Wes thought although it would be a tad more of a trek. That was it; Wes needed to find himself a cart.

"Lie down and wait here. I'll be back in a moment and I'll get you to safety. My own resting place is up a knoll just outside the village. It's secluded and a safe place for you to recover. Don't worry, Echo won't mind." He said, mind set on where to fin an available cart. Wes didn't like leaving Matt alone, but the villagers wouldn't bother him nor should any strays. Hopefully the poor dog could hold out for a little longer. "I'll be back in a moment."

With that, Wes was off towards the only reliable source he could think of. A family had a new human pup and would not be as inclined to work as usual. They shouldn't miss their little cart for very long since most of the hoeing in the fields had been done and there was little else the farming family could do for now. With the cart, Matt should be alright. He'll have water and food soon and then perhaps, he can stay and heal as part of the village. Wes thought positively. One could only hope.

[jaksen]

With that Matt collapsed onto the pavement and some scattered pieces of trash. He let out a small breath of pained air as he hit the hard stone. He felt the cold stone against his hot skin and began to shiver again. It was increadibly cold to him and made him want to curl into a small ball, he tried. The pain of wrapping himself like that was too excruciating for him and he resolved to just laying on his side. His panting began to slow down as he watched the other dart off. His eyes were heavy and he could barely hold his head up. Tears rolled down his cheeks again as he thought that he would be better off dead than wasting the time of such a kind canine as Wes.

He closed his eyes for what seemed only a second but he soon drifted off into a deep sleep. While doing this his immediate pain subsided into a simple numbing pain. His breathing became quite shallow and only took a few breaths every minute or so. He felt like his body was numb and the only thing he could feel was his ears, and the noises that the town itself made. He felt like this might be his time to go. But it was not that painful for him and he thought that it might be a good way to go.

[Wesley]

Wesley found the household Echo had shared with him only days ago and discovered the small vegetable cart where it always was besides the front door. The poor slabs of wood slapped together with such care were barren save a few empty potato sacks and a seemingly misplaced shawl. However, Wes did not acknowledge the load of the cart, but quickly slipped into the harness which always dangled from the front like a small ghost pony was standing in wait to be nickered into motion.

Sliding his lithe frame through the straps, Wes couldn't manage to buckle himself in thoroughly because of his eagerness to return to Matt. The poor chap was in terrible shape and all Wes could recall was the soft flopping of the weakened figure onto the hard, stone ground as he marched off in search of help. Wesley would help the dog and he would help him now.

At a quick clip, Wesley was padding down the street as fast as one could manage with a loose cart held to one's frame while, not to mention, being blind. Of the two obstacles, the cart was the greater hindrance, but Wesley didn't care. As he brushed past commoner after commoner, he could scarcely imagine what a scene he was causing for the calm and quaint village he lived in. Hopefully, the inhabitants would forgive his brashness this once.

The wheels creaking unforgivably, Wes hopped from the halter and further into the alley where he knew the cart couldn't manage. On fleet feet, he was nudging the sad, shivering lump Matt had slouched into in Wesley's absence. Was he too late?

"Mathew, Mathew!" Wesley urged, realizing the situation was more dire than, perhaps, he had known. "All you have to do is climb into the cart and I can take you where it's warm and safe and...clean for ham's sake."

Wesley stood above Matt like a mother horse urging her foal to rise on scrawny and uncommitted limbs. He wouldn't let Mathew stay down, but he was not in any shape to lift another grown dog onto a cart. However, Wes might try dragging the beast if it was completely necessary. "Just to your paws and a few paces. You'll be fine." Wes whispered in desperation to encourage the mutt. Again, all he could think was he wished Echo was here.

[jaksen]

Matt's eyes flickered open as the sound of Wes's voice brought him back to conciousness. He was too weak to even move his ears to hear exactly what the other was telling him. He couldnt keep his eyes open for too long before they started to roll back into the back of his head and he would drift in and out of conciousness.

With a lot of wincing and huffing Matt looked to where Wes had dropped the cart off and lept to him from there. From the ground looking up it seemed too far away for him to even think of making it. Tears streamed down his face again as he whimpered and spoke in whispers."its too far, i cant make it" He was holding back crying all out because he didnt want to seem like a total weakling to this alpha. He still had some dignity left, not much but some. He shut his eyes tightly and bared his teeth in pain as his stomach churned and writhed with discomfort.

The few words that stuck in his mind that Wes spoke were "just to your paws with that and a random hope of making it Matt struggled to his paws, falling several times but grunting and growling to get to his feet. His body was loosing energy fast and some parts were beginning to collapse. He had a hard time keeping his hind legs up for they kept shaking out of control and causing him to fall and start all over again.

[Wesley]

Wesley's ears flicked to and fro as he observed the painful attempts for Matt to rise. He could sense little determination as Matt wobbled to his paws every time, but he was trying anyway for whatever reason Wes couldn't decipher. He appreciated the poor dogs attempt after he had been through so much. Wesley did not know what it was, but for someone to try so ardently when weak and disheveled, Matt was a strong one and Wes admired him for that. Would I bother to stand up?

While waiting for Matt to gain his proper footing, Wesley tapped the side of his face with the earrings attached on one side with impatience. It was rather pathetic of him to be impatient when Matt was doing the best he could, but Wes felt a certain level of urgency to put Matt on the cart and get a move on. If the dog was already having this much trouble, could he get off the cart later?

"C'mon chap, you can do it." Wes said, drawing closer and fussing around Matt in a curious attempt to encouragement. At this point, Wes almost wanted to slide under Matt and just carry him to the cart, but he realized any dignified dog wouldn't want to do that. "You wouldn't want me to just carry you to the cart now would you?" He said, half joking and half offering. Even if Matt declined, at the rate he was losing focus, it wouldn't be long before Wes had much of a choice.

The hound brushed up beside Matt like a moving furry wall to support the mutt. Maybe if he had something to lean against he could manage. "The distance isn't so far as you think. Even a few tiny pawsteps and you'll be there." He urged softly. "Jus' a few steps."