Dog Gone (8)
Dog Gone (8) By Roofles
"The fuck." The words only escaped me as my foot hit the bottom of the steps. Blue led us deeper within. His navigational skills were rather astute. How many times had he gone through these halls?
Looking around the place we found ourselves in I would swear we stepped into hell. Those words were the only real way to describe what was in front of me with elegance and poise. "The fuck?" I repeated looking at the two behind me. They seemed to be the most fitting words in the english dictionary for what this all was.
It was literally a lab. A place of science. Like my old chemistry class back in college. Except this class was only about the dissecting part of science. Several lab tables still had...left overs of the specimen on it. Jar's with various organs, fingers and eyes floated in strange greenish liquid. Several large clear tubes jutted up from the ground like pillars. Suspended in more of this clear, algae colored liquid was bodies. One after another in different tubing. Most were twisted version of the three next to him. Mutated and warped mosntrosities. Distorted with undisportional arms and legs. Some didn't have either. Two arms on the same side; a stump of a leg. It only got worst as the row went on. A timeline of one failure after another. And the more he saw the horror of it all sank in.
I looked away trying to hold back whatever was left in my stomach. The smell alone was overpowering and I wanted to hurl. A mix of bleach, chemicals and decaying flesh. I probably would have it weren't for the fact only a half hour ago I had done so already. My gut was telling me to turn back to just head back up and out of this place but I forced myself to open my eyes and look in front of me. I had too.
"Well, let's start looking." Blue said marching forward. His face was impossible to read. As if he had just shut his emotions off, disconnected himself from reality. It was smart. I wish I could be that callus. Hard as stone; as cold as ice. Empty about what was before me.
But as I looked around the room my heart would skip a beat whenever I saw a patch of brown fur. A clump of black. And my eyes were dart over to it. Looking for any signs that it wasn't him. I'm not sure if I was more afraid that I didn't see him. Or the thought that I would.
Rows of desk went down the corridor. Each desk seemed to have its own table to work on, computer and a specific tube for it. Each were covered in various papers and work. It really looked like whoever was working here had just dropped whatever it was they were doing and left. A few chairs had been knocked over and some beakers were shattered on the floor. As if something had scared them off.
I picked up a small gray recorder and pressed the button. "February Ninth," several months ago. "Analyze: Specimen 206 showed severe signs of cell deterioration over the course work. It started slow but has accelerated in the past few days. His stomach lining has eroded and bile was leaking into his body. The last of the third Generation died eighteen twenty two. I have come to the conclusion that this series was a failure. Course of Action: Harvest the remaining genetic material and put it into the vat. Siphon the corrupted tissue and further anaylze for future generations. Expirement: Terminated."
The plastic box hit the metal table with a soft thump. Its dull sound seemed to be far louder than it actually was. As if I had taken a jackhammer and slammed it into the table. But it was just a simple recorder. A simple toy really that was the only mark that this man had once been something more than this...
My eyes were shut but the image burned in my mind. Carved onto my brain like a chisel would into stone and for a few seconds I thought I was going to lose it. I couldn't disconnect my self, I couldn't deny what was in front of me. The pile of mass floating in the vat before me. What happened to it. And for a few more seconds I didn't think I would've come back.
The next thing I remember is my face against something broad and furry. It stunk and smelled horrible. And even so I pressed my face against. I kept my eyes shut. My mouth close. "It's not him." I head Mister speak. It was as dry and empty as the dalmation looked. And even so feeling that rumble from his chest and the voice above me gave me relief.
"I'm fine." I pushed away after the turmoil inside calmed down, my eyes downcast. "It's nothing, let's just keep looking."
"Yeah, yeah we get it." Maximus spoke up and I felt his paw slap my shoulder. It hurt. But the pain was just some kind of further relief. "Your a tough guy. Bad ass. I don't see any rotties around here. I told you I was the only one." He confirmed by picking up a bleach white skull looking into its eyes. Staring intently into those empty sockets before setting it down. "Golden retriever." I doubt that it was but he seemed rather certain and I wasn't about to argue.
I nodded placing a hand on the paw. He moved it away and was already halfway across the room when I looked over. I couldn't help but wonder if I had insulted him somehow. Or if he just hated me. Looking around again, I really couldn't blaim him. I'd hate humans too after this.
Pickle jars with fingers and toes and puppy dog tails. It was as if someone was trying to make little boys but they forgot the all spice. And I could only assume the red stains on the tables, counters, walls and floor weren't from a ketchup bottle that had spilled over. "What does it take, exactly, to...make one of you guys." Words were failing me and I wanted to be as delicate with the situation as possible. But that wasn't about to happen anytime soon.
"Havn't a clue." The german shephard piped up. His tail wagged and his ears were up. I think he was focusing a little too intently on me and was the only one out of us that didn't really seem to be effected about the scene around us.
"You'd have to ask the big man." Blue pulled a rag off one of the tables and took a few steps back. "Urgh," he dropped it as if it had turned into a snake scowling at the cloth before kicking it aside.
"And who exactly is the big man?" I asked but I think I already had a good guess.
"He's a doctor." Maximus cut in with a low growl. It continued to rumble in his chest like an engine as he went on. "A real prick. Drugs and needles. That's all I remember of him...four eyed...flesh bag." He turned away with a snarl slamming a fist into the table. Leaning against it it was clear how angry the very thought of this man made him. His fur was raised up on his shoulder and down his back. His tail didn't move and the side of his muzzle I could see was lifted, shaking as drool dripped down his chin.
I could see the other two dogs had similar reactions. Blue's claws even scraped against the table he was holding on. His nails peeling the top layer off. His other paw clenched so tightly blood trickled down his fingers from his palm.
"Poked. Prodded and dug into like some kind of-of...I don't even know what!" Maximus shouted swiping the top of the table with an arm sending beakers, a microscope and several other things as well as a laptop onto the floor. The computer bounced a few times shutting and landing flat. "I could taste the stuff they put in our food. But it was either starve to death or eat it. I watched as several of the others just wasted away. Not touching the food or water. Just sitting there in the corner doing nothing. Given up on life." The rottweiler shook his head and stared off thinking of another time.
I didn't have anything to say. Anything I could say. I just picked up the computer and set it back on the table taking a seat on one of the lab stools. The machine hummed to life ran through it, an he went on. "We ran the same drills every morning after breakfast. It was served to us on the same tray as the day before, in the same cell. After that they'd pit us against each other. The strongest got to eat lunch...it was the best meal of the day." His voice trailed off.
The rottweiler had taken a seat across from me looking down at the floor. The main walk way was the only thing that seemed to be clean after all. Like the other two he had the same muddy jeans that I wore. Most likely from another pair of guards. Otherwise they were bare foot and shirtless. Two rifles and I could see two pistols on the rotties hips. I would've assumed he would use one of the big guns to be honest.
"More drills more tapes more of the same old bullshit as all the other days."
"Tapes?" The screen came to life and with it a blank black screen. For a second I thought it was broken but it was peeping softly and a small green dot was flashing.
"Video tapes they'd play on the big screen. Documentaries on the old wars."
"I thought they were educational videos on how to adjust and assimilate into society. How to use a spoon and...stuff." I kept typing in different number sequences that I had used for my computer. Letters and numbers. Nothing. Even hitting the side of it didn't work, I was beginning to run out of options.
"That was sixth generation. Fifth was all about the soldier thing." Blue clued me in sifting through a few folders in a cabinet. I'm not sure why they had paper ones until he flipped one over and showed me a picture of himself, apparently his file. "I'm sixth gen."
"So...the Gens are like?" I rested my hand on the laptop turning around to face him. This was like a very messed up science class.
"Trail and error."
"Lovely." The laptop beeped. The screen displayed a finger print. My finger print. The touchpad was a little warm and I was pretty sure it was my finger print on the screen before me. "You wouldn't happen to have a spare fingerprint would you?" I asked pointing at the screen. I caught a glimpse of what was on the far side of the room and quickly looked back the dog. Focusing intently on his face, the world blurring around him.
"Shouldn't be too hard in this mess." Maximus got up kicking the stool aside as he went. Stubbing his toe didn't seem to help. Grumbling he began looking around the room before digging through a scrap pile and coming back with what I really hope was a halloween prop. "This'd do?"
"Only one way to find out." I pressed the thumb against the touchpad. A soft green light slowly went over it then across. "Nope. Try another." He tossed it over his shoulder and a few seconds later fetched another.
"Will this do?" He asked offered a dog tag. At first I was going to decline but the grooves on it made me think otherwise. An inprint was on the back of the slightly blood stained metal. So I pressed it against the touch pad hoping for the best.
The computer churned and booted up as if it weren't even on before. The blank screen becoming white nearly blinding me. Numbers rolled across it racking up and filling the page. I scrolled around reading the names off aloud. Until I saw mine. Doubling clicking the page changed and I saw a picutre of myself. And my full bio. Where I went to school, where I was born. Date of birth, ssn, driver lisence. Everything. And at the very bottom a subtext that read with a series of numbers and a name. Brutus.
"I haven't a clue what I'm looking at here." I turned to the other three for help. And they just shrugged, giving me nothing. "Well this was a waste of time." I shut the computer sliding it across the table until it fell off. "Now what?"
"We keep looking." Maximus said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "We can go check out the holding cells where they keep the left overs."
"I don't like what your implying. But if nothing else we might find some more of you guys." And more than anything else I wanted to be out of this room. Hoping beyond everything else that we wouldn't have to come back through it.
The doors slid shut behind us. A nightmare best forgotten. "So...Brutus is your dog?" The german shephard finally spoke again. I almsot forgot he was there. If he wasn't a towering lug of peer dog meat I might've. He had been unnatural quiet in the last room and had spent the whole time looking at me. And as unnerving as that was it was better than him just shutting off like the other two had.
"Yup. Rottie just like Maxi here." The rottweiler glared at me but didn't say a word. "Stumbled onto work one day and he kind of took a liking to me. Followed me home. And well...I kept him." I laughed, shrugging and trying to be as casual as I could be.
"So..." The german shephard said tapping his chin and pondering the it over. I could hear the rusty gears in his head turning. "If say, for instance. I followed you home. What would happen then?"
"I'm not sure. You'd have to ask Brutus about it." I rolled my eyes already regretting bringing it up.
"Does it include room and board?" Maximus teased looking over his shoulder. It looked more like a scowl on his face than anything else.
"Three meals a day?" Blue jumped in wagging his tail. Glad to pick on the different guy I guess.
"Oh yes. Three meals a day. Coffee too. Toiletries as well. Only problem is I don't think the bed is big enough for you guys and Brutus." I joked again. I always tried to keep things casual, nonchalant
The german shephard stopped and blinked seveal times. I looked over my shoulder at him calling him along. Mentally kicking myself afterwards as if he was my dog or something.
"Does he sleep in your bed with you then?" He inquired and a warm flush was begining to take my face. His eyes were fixated on me. Like one of those creepy paintings. No matter where I moved they followed me.
"Well...yeah. He's my buddy. Not like I asked him too. He just. Does." I ended flatly. I never thought about it. And now I was. Great.
What was to think about? A dog crawling into its owner bed was a normal thing. Or at least it always had been throughout my years. A night didn't go by that Brutus, old Brutus, slept with me. If he didn't that was he was always outside my door waiting for my return. Sure Brutus, new Brutus, was far more...human than my other dog. And was far more friendly and...stuff. It just didn't occur to me. I didn't invite him in but I didn't deny him either. It was his choice and always had been. It was just that simple...right?
"Do I get a doggy bowl? With my name on it?" Maximus had gone on. His grin only widened as I addressed him. Long yellow stained fangs glistened in the dim light of the hallway.
"I'll have to first give you a flew dip though." I waved my hand in front of my nose bristling his fur. He turned around barking loudly and jabbing a finger at him.
"I do not stink."
"I never said you did." I moved passed him not stopping stride. It only seemed to further agitate him.
He was about to go on but Blue cut him off. "It's just ahead." And there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
It was almost blinding and took me a few seconds before I could see. I heard the heavy footsteps behind me even before my brain registered what was before me. I hit the wall hard, cursing as I barely kept my footing. Looking at the german shephard. About to say something. Yell at him and tell him off for man handling me. But a shot rang out. A short series of burst fire. And death's bell toll.
Blood dripped from his chest. And he slumped to the side. I cursed again quickly grabbing his arm and pulling him over to the side. I heard someone talking from around the corner but I couldn't make out the words as I brought the large dog over to the wall. It provided little cover but was just enough that there wasn't a clear shot at us. Maximus retaliated as I tended to his wounds.
Three holes were hidden underneath his fur. "Shit, shit, shit." I cursed taking off the jacket I had and pressed it against his belly. He coughed and a felt a heavy paw rub the top of my head. Telling me that it'd be ok. "Shit." I cursed again feeling the warm ooze on my fingers. It was thick. And clung to my fingers. Even touching it I felt dirty. Sick. And I didn't think my hands would ever be clean again.
"It's just a bug bite, heh" he coughed. He scratched my head fondly closing his eyes and letting out a raspy breath.
I pulled him back against me as he rocked to the side. He rested his head back breathing heavily holding his chest. "Apply pressure. Keep it firmly pressed." I thought over everything I knew or had learned about this but nothing was coming to mind. Just that we needed to get him to a hospital. And that wasn't about to happen any time soon.
I looked to Maximus, pleading for some kind of help but he was busy loading another clip. Another short series of shots fire and I felt them ricochet around us. Metal bouncing off metal, whizzing past our heads. My heart hammered in my chest as the paw on my head slackened a bit. I took it with both hands giving it a strong squeeze. "Where the hell is Blue?" I asked out loud looking around. Did they get him too?
My throat tightened as he spoke and my attention was pulled back to the task at hand. It came out as a gurgle at first followed by a series of coughs. "I'm glad I met you." He looked at me and a smile crossed his face. "I was bred to be the way that I am. To feel the way I do. To love humans so. I can't help it. And I'm so glad...I was able to meet...someone like you. Even though I have no control over these feelings. I'm so glad. I was able to have them for someone as good as you." His voice was soft. A whisper that escaped his throat as he let out another raspy breath. "Heh, it's getting kind of...cold."
"Don't talk like that. Your not going anywhere. Your just acting like a big baby," I laughed but I could feel the tears running down my face. "Nothing but a flesh wound. You'll be fine, bud. You'll be perfectly fine." And the lie made me gag.
"I never had a name. I was just a series of numbers," he coughed and I closed my eyes holding his paw closer. I felt his fingers touch my chest, slowly gripping it weakly. "Just a series of empty. Bland. Numbers. Even my own reflection was bland. Empty. Nothing. I didn't have meaning. Until I met you." His grinned widened and I could see him looking off in the distance between the pools of tears filling my eyes. "I wanted nothing more...than to be...a good...dog..."
"What are you talking about? You are a good dog. And you always will be because your not dieing here." My words cracked as I spoke. And I could hear the familiar sound of a tail thumping against the floor. "There should be medical supplies behind us. I'll run back and grab some." I heard the sound of more gunfire, felt a bullet wiz past my head.
I let his paw slide from my fingers, letting him lean back against the wall as I scrambled to my feet nearly tripping as I shut my eyes, tears still running down my face. I felt his paw slip from my side and drop down to the ground. "I'll be back," I said turning around to look at him.
His other arm was loosely holding the jacket to his chest with his head back, still breathing heavily. And as I turned to run down I tried to push the look in his eyes out of my mind. That cloudy look of death...and as I ran I didn't hear my footsteps. Didn't hear the gunfire. The only thing I heard around me was the sound of his tail thumping against the floor. Over and over again...until it and everything else fell dead silent...