The following is a short story I decided to draft out. Please, let me know what you guys think. Also... haven't come up with a title yet.


“Dammit, another one,” Max said, throwing his fist into the wall. He had been stood up before, but this time, he didn’t even get to meet them in person. All he knew, was every time he was stood up, it got worse and worse. First it was after a few dates, then shortly after the first… but now, they had just stopped showing up altogether.

“This sucks… I can’t believe I even thought this one would be different…” he said, slouching and dragging his feet on the ground. He felt something wet drip on the back of his head. Then again, and before he knew it, rain was pouring down on top of him. He didn’t care though, he was done. He shoved his hands in his hoodie pockets and began sluggishly making his way home.

He got three blocks down before he heard something. A… cry, or a wimper.

“What is that noise?” Max asked himself out loud. He looked around curiously, trying to find the source of the noise. He eventually managed to pinpoint it in a nearby alley. He slowly made his way in, ready to run in case something bad happens.

“Whatever it is, it’s coming from this box,” he whispered, cautiously reaching out to flip the overturned cardboard box over to show him the source of the sound. He was taken aback by the worst sight he had seen.

It was a puppy, but in worse shape than one could expect. One of its back legs was twisted horrifically, possibly broken in a few spots. It had a cut across one of its eyes, and it swelled it shut. His ribs were showing, meaning he probably hasn’t eaten in at least a week or two.

“W… what are… are you okay little guy?” Max reached out to try and comfort the poor pup, however this only made the scared puppy curl up and whine in fear. Max withdrew his hand and looked around, unsure of what to do. He eventually sighed and took a seat against the opposite wall of the dark and wet alley. He stared at the pup, trying to figure out what he should do.

“Hey, do you know where your parents are?” He eventually asked the pup. He then sighed and covered his face with his palm. “Why did I even ask that, I doubt you can even understand me…”

“I…I don’t know…”

Max took his hand away and looked around alarmed. No one was there that he could see. It was just him and the pup.

“D…did you just… speak?” Max stared at the pup, waiting for a reply. He was, instead, answered with the puppy looking at him from his lying position and tilting his head to the side.

“I must be losing it… For a second there I thought you spoke…” Max let out a nervous chuckle and rubbed the back of his head.

“I…please… don’t hurt me…”

Max saw it this time. The pup’s lips moved with the words. There was no doubt about it, this was the strangest day he has had. Before he could ask the pup anything else, it retreated back and curled up into a fetal position.

“Don’t worry little pup, I’m not going to hurt you, I just want to help,” Max said in a soothing voice. He slowly scooted over, trying not to frighten the no doubt scared and hurt baby pup in front of him.

“P…please…just don’t hurt me,” the pup wimpered out again, almost crying. Heck for all he knew, the puppy was crying.

“Shhh… don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you, I only want to help. You’re in pretty rough shape, why don’t I just t-“ Max was cut off by the pup.

“PLEASE, JUST GO AWAY, I…I don’t…” the pup curled up even tighter, almost like a little furry kick ball.

“No chance, I’m going to help you, you need it, and I’m not about to let you go on like this,” Max said, taking his hoodie off, and putting it around the pup. He yelped startled, and started thrashing around. It was pitiful, but he didn’t care, he just wanted to get away from what he thought was another attack.

Max backed off a sec and let the pup calm down. Once the thrashing subsided, he scooped up the pup, with his hoodie, and began carrying him off.

“W…where are you taking me?” the pup whimpered out, fear obvious in his tone. He looked up at the man carrying him.

“First, we’re getting you help, then I’m bringing you home. I don’t care what happened, you’re safe now.” Max looked straight ahead, determined to walk across town to the vet to treat this pup.

“I… I don’t… why would you…?” The pup tilted his head, trying to understand the motivations of the man carrying him. He was answered with Max looking down at him, and smiling warmly.

“Because believe it or not, I’ve suffered too, and I can’t bear to watch anything else suffer like I have…” Max began tearing up. The pup wimpered and resigned, resting his head against Max’s chest.

Max sighed and continued his walk. “Don’t worry, you’re safe now…”