Mangy Mutt <OPEN>

^Ashby Oxwell^

There was a quick screeching noise that came from the steel knife as Ashby struck at it with the rock. It was quartzite, a very common stone that she found at the bottom of a stream last year. Of course she kept the rock, it was her only way to make a fire. She never did have enough time to grab a flint and steel before she left, let alone know where to find one in the house. She sighed as she gave one last scratch with the rock. It made an odd noise, but then a spark suddenly jumped from the tip of the knife. Ashby smiled triumphantly as she watched the spark build up, starting to catch fire to the wood. It was always such a hassle to do this every time she wanted to eat or dry her clothes. But fire was obviously a necessity. She blew on the sparks, hoping to spread it. But suddenly Anubis decided to jump onto the fire, barking and stomping it out. The timber was kicked away, diminishing the flames with it. He looked up to the girl after the deed was done, seemingly wishing for praise for saving her from the evil flames. Instead, she growled back at him. Anubis just couldn't seem to get over his fear of fire. One of these days he was going to freeze. But Ashby immediately felt sorry for snapping at him. Anubis was her only companion. If she ever lost him, she might go insane.

"I'm sorry Nooby, I didn't mean that." Anubis just panted and stared. "Oh don't look at me like that. You know better than to put the fires out. I know you're OK with eating raw food, but I'm not. I'm a human, I can't eat raw-" Just then Ashby realized what she was doing. She sighed and rubbed her temples. I am talking to a dog. That's not even slightly normal. She opened her eyes to see Anubis still staring at her. Clueless. But she couldn't help but laugh. "Come on you mangy mutt," she laughed. Ashby stood back up to retrieve the wood to make a new fire, until something strange happened. Anubis began to snarl and bark at some of the bushes. He never did that. He was always a quiet dog, only barking when other people were around.

Oh crap.

Ashby quickly readied her switchblade while she grabbed the leather mask lying at her feet. She threw it on, strapping the back as fast as she could. She looked to where Anubis was staring. Then she heard it. Crunch, crunch... She clenched her teeth and called out "Who are you?"

Whoever it was was sure to be surprised to see a wild dog and a psychopath in a wolf mask.