Misadventures of a Very Bad Pet

Chapter 3

I caught a better look at it when new guy turned around to talk to Red before they parted ways. His tail end was thick and jagged, and I realized that the tail tip must have been cut off. It was held out stiffly behind him, and barely moved to help with his movements. Some kind of nerve damage, I assume. Despite that, he seemed rather chipper and moved around just fine.

"Look what the cat dragged in," I couldn't help but say under my breath, staring at this poor bloke in respect before he gone out of sight. Dude must've been to hell and back. That didn't stop my brain from guiltily dubbing him as 'Stumpy' though. 

My attention turned back to Red as he retrieved the cart in front of my cage. He seemed to do a double take at my empty food bowl, and I had to suppress a grin at his seemingly befuddled expression. He ignored me afterwards though, and moved on to feeding Not Dog, who was all too happy to be getting a second meal so soon. 

Still no water. Man, this guy is a new breed of malicious pettiness. Who in the world would confiscate water? This was made worse by the fact that he sees me as an animal. You gotta be one hell of a person to take away water as a punishment for any animal. I would've thought he was just evil if not for his interactions with Orange. Red seemed to care about him a lot at least.

I sat there glumly, feeling even more thirsty now that water's been denied to me. Not Dog did not help. It had finished its food and all three heads were loudly lapping up the water, sending a considerable amount to go splashing over the rim.

"Yeah, thanks for rubbing it in," I said to it rather sourly, even though I knew it wasn't its fault in any way. One of the heads glanced at me when I spoke, and Not Dog wagged its tail.

Guess now I can just sit back, relax, and see see if I die of dehydration or starvation first. I thought longingly of my apartment. I had no idea how long I had passed out for before waking up here, but I'd like to think it's morning back home as well. Right around now I would've been stuffing my face with a nice hearty breakfast. 

I snorted at the fantasy. Who was I kidding? I probably would've just had coffee and toast again for the nth time that month. Real healthy, I know.

Speaking of which, I wondered if anyone back home had noticed I'm missing by now. Considering my lifestyle, the answer's most definitely not, but hey, let me imagine. 

But realistically, I doubt anyone would've noticed my absence for at least a year or so. No work, no friends (only acquaintances who wouldn't have realized I've gone missing), and my neighbors change every month or so. I do have a few close friends, but I had told them I'd be going on a social hiatus for inspiration on a new story I was working on. They wouldn't be expecting me to show up anytime soon either. 

Family's not quite on the list either. I haven't heard from my family in months when we've gone no contact after a heated fight that started with a misplaced snide comment and ended with a couple of broken noses and bloody fists. I doubt they'll reach out to me anytime soon, and I was too proud and butthurt to ever call them back and apologize. 

Welp. I looked around my cage. Even if I wanted to, I doubt I'd be apologizing to anyone any time soon. Except maybe to Not Dog, for thinking it was scary when we first met. From what I can tell now, it was actually pretty chill. 

I flinched when Stumpy's face suddenly popped up in front of my cage. He tilted his head as if to see me better, and his frills fluttered. He said something in that hissing alien tongue. He sounded pretty upbeat.  

He finished what he was saying, and gave me what seemed like an expectant look. 

"You do know I have no idea what you're saying, right?" I told him, knowing fully well he probably has no idea what I'm saying either. "But sure, do carry on."