Innocent Crime
The calm wind hit his bristly dog fur that covered his body. A hoarse sound reached his ears, startling him before he realised he had stepped on wet concrete. This was his fourth time this month. The city was getting refurbished. He slid away quickly before they came after him.
He envied the pets on leashes—tails wagging, coats groomed, collars sparkling. Their joy punched his empty stomach, growling as his unkempt fur itched.
He followed a scent, hunger twisting his stomach, to a bakery where trial breads were neatly laid out. Snatching a small loaf with his jaws, he fled. His racing heart paired fear with a fleeting sense of triumph.
He explored the roads like a nomad, carrying himself with caution near the honking cars. Smiles and pats of people on his head lifted his mood, having a satisfied stomach.
His ears perked up at the sound of boots on gravel. A man in a uniform, armed with a looped pole, cast a looming shadow. Sensing danger, the dog bolted, adrenaline surging as he weaved through startled witnesses.
Panting, he slipped into an alley—only to face a dead end. The man smirked, blocking every escape. The dog, trembling, braced himself, when a sudden movement caught his eye: a cat leapt from a stack of boxes, landing on the man’s face with claws outstretched.
Seizing the moment, the dog darted between the man’s legs, vanishing into the distance.
The man groaned, clutching his face after the cat escaped, too.
He spotted a crying child surrounded by bullies in the park. With a sharp bark, he charged at them, scattering the kids. The crying child smiled through tears, patting the dog gratefully.
But before he could react, a metalling loop was fastened around his neck. His neck was hurting and now his small paws were, too. He was dragged into the van, caged.
Everything went dark. He heard the engine’s hum and muffled voices, surrounded by silent, scared animals. When the engine stopped, the door opened to unfamiliar sights.
The scent at their destination was familiar, like the vet’s clinic when he was a pup, an injured one. Fear consumed him as the men lined up the cages. He shrank into a corner, tears pooling.
The dog closed his eyes, shivering, and his ears drooped with fear, hoping the same cat would save him again.
His turn came. The men reached for his trembling body as tears welled up. Squeezing his eyes shut, he braced himself, feeling a sharp sting on his back.
The scary people who caught him started to vanish. He was relieved to not see their faces. Then he felt something inside him. His heart was too slow to keep up. He dropped down on the metallic table, hurting his chin before closing his eyes for a nap.
Little did that innocent soul know… he was put to sleep forever.
His crime? Wanting freedom and kindness like the pets he envied.
Humans are evil.
By: Aaryan Solanki
Write and Win: Participate in Creative writing Contest & International Essay Contest and win fabulous prizes.
