bright

merlin?

my mind raced with uncomfortable thoughts. i shivered. i didn't feel salsa's pelt beside me anymore. only air. i was frozen, planted here. at this point tears were burning my face. my fur bristled with sadness and my anxiety flooded into my blood. my blood was cold. i stood there in shock and depression, until salsa barked, "skidder!" i faced him and tried to blink the tears out of my eyes. my body was trembling. salsa looked concerned. i shut my eyes and blindly walked over to merlin's body, opening them and licking his ears. "merlin." i breathed. "i-i" i swallowed down a sad growl. "i-i just can't stop crying right now." i said. i finally suppressed a sigh and began to feel my heart beat faster than it ever did.   "merlin, thank you for everything you did for me, everything. you were the light in my life and walking down the hall to our sleeping room was honestly so, so, great even though it was such a small thing. all the laughs we had, and the goodnight licks we shared, i won't forget them. goodbye, merlin. you're in a better place." i finished with a smile and tried to act happy. salsa padded up behind me and nuzzled my scruff. "merlin was a good dog." he said. i nodded, scanning merlin's white coat. scars were stitched into his coat and a huge blister poured down his tail. i lowered my head with respect. respect for merlin, respect for the spirits, respect for everyone. 

a huge dog stormed into the sleeping room. i raised my head up to see them. it was lily, the great dane. "skidder." she said softly, walking over to me quietly. i sniffed her and slid back. "you okay?" she asked in her soothing, calm voice. i didn't want to tell her about merlin and that he died. she might think im still childish. i faked a cough and looked up into her worried eyes. "just sick." i rasped. she blinked at me and licked my nose. "your poor, poor puppy." she whined. "i will get you some water, stay here." 

i rolled over onto my side, quietly waiting for lily to walk in. was she actually getting me water? i sighed and fell down on my stomach again. and just as i had made that move, lily walked in with a dish of water grasped in her jaws. she approached me and sat it down in front of me. "drink." she ordered soothingly. i nodded and started to lap up the water. i swallowed it as quickly as i could and curled back up. "are you hungry?" she asked. i didn't look up at her. "no ma'am."