"Damn, look at the time!" I said as I checked my watch while I walked down the sidewalk to the male dorms. The party was still in full swing even though it was well after 12, but I couldn’t fault them though, Central Washington University had won the state soccer championship and were going to nationals for the first time in 4 years. I shook my head at that, doing my best not to stumble as the world swung just a tiny bit. Jesse was gonna kill me for leaving without him, but at that moment I couldn’t care less.

As the dorm building came into view I heard a bush or something rustling behind me, but I ignored it. ‘Probably the wind’ I thought as I kept my slow pace, doing my best not to keel over,

“Ugh I drank way too much,” I groaned, feeling a headache coming on, “Last time I’m letting them talk me into beer pong-wah!” I shouted, as I fell forward, barely throwing my hands infront of me in time to protect my face from the cold concrete. I turned to see what I’d tripped over as I slowly pulled myself to my feet, “Stupid rock!”

Continuing my walk, I whistled a song I’d heard at the party ‘Tongue Tied’, but then I heard growling, and with wide eyes I slowly turned around and was treated with the sight of the biggest dog I had ever seen, it had to be at least chest height with gleaming yellow eyes and fur so dark, it blended seamlessly with the shadows. It tilted its head to the side and examined me, still growling, I tried backing away slowly, whispering all the stupid things I’d heard on tv and praying they’d work.

“Easy doggy, just stay right there, you don’t wanna eat me, I’m skinny, no meat, just lots of bones…” I trailed off slightly and had to suppress the urge to smack myself in the face, “oh yeah…dogs like bones…but you wouldn’t like me, I taste really, really bad.”

My words didn’t seem to be helping and I was just making myself look like an idiot, so I decided to run, the dorm was less than 20 feet away, hopefully I could reach it before the dog finished deciding whether it wanted to attack me or not. I turned and started sprinting to the dorm, stumbling slightly and cursing the alcohol in my system.

“I’m never drinking again!” I swore to myself as I stumbled for the fifth time. Unfortunately for me, it seemed the dog had made its choice, I could hear the heavy footfalls behind me, the scratch of its claws on the sidewalk. I was so close to the dorm, fifteen feet, ten feet. I silently prayed it wouldn’t reach me before I reached my destination and hoped God listened to selective believers.

Then suddenly I couldn’t hear the dog anymore, confused, I turned to look at it only for my eyes to widen in fear, it had leaped at me and I knew then that I couldn’t move away in time. The force of its jump, combined with its weight took us to the ground, it was so heavy.

The way I fell protected my neck but that didn’t stop the dog from biting into my shoulder as its claws raked across my back. And I couldn’t help it, I screamed, the pain was just too much, I couldn’t think, I couldn’t move, it hurt so much, I didn’t wanna die…I…I passed out.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I opened my eyes, not realising when I had closed them and looked at my dad. He looked stricken, his grip on my hand almost painful, as if he was reassuring himself that I was really there, really alive, I understood perfectly.

He caught a hold of himself and let go of my hand, “The police will be here tomorrow to question you about what happened, are you up for it?”

I nodded at that and smiled weakly, “I’ll manage, I don’t want someone else getting attacked by that thing,” he gave me a proud smile and a slightly awkward side hug.

“I’m glad you’re alright son,” leaning into the hug slightly I nodded again, and he pulled back.

“I know dad, when do you have to go into work?”

He looked at his watch and snorted, “An hour ago, but the nurse said you were waking up gradually, so I decided to stay so I could be here when you finally woke up.”

I smiled gratefully, “I really appreciate it dad, but you should go now or Jennifer will nag your ear off.”

He laughed, “I suppose you’re right,” as he headed to the chair, picking up his jacket before and throwing it casually over his shoulder while saying, “Jesse is supposed to stop by later today and I’ll come visit you again when I get off work…oh and your phone is on the table there, so you don’t get too bored.”

I shook my head at him, “You don’t have to dad it’s fine, I’ll probably be sleeping for most of the day anyway.”

Snorting again he turned and headed for the door, “I wish I could do that,” he said and then stopped and stared at me for several seconds. “I love you son,” he said softly and then left, not waiting to hear me mumble, “Love you too dad.”

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I don’t know when I’d fallen asleep, but I was woken up by the sound of someone moving around the room, and when I opened my eyes I was greeted by the sight of the nurse from earlier. She was replacing the bag on the IV drip so she hadn’t noticed me just yet and that gave me the time to observe her. She was short, 5’4” to 5’7” probably, her hair was brunette and was pulled into a high bun but her back was turned to me, so I couldn’t see her face.

She then turned to do something else, and upon realising I was awake, flashed me a bright smile, “Oh hello Mr. Andrews,” she greeted me cheerily, “did you have a good rest?” I nodded shifted to a more comfortable position, wincing slightly as I moved my shoulder,

“Yes I did, thank you for asking.” Looking at her face I noticed how pretty she was, with eyes that were a light shade of brown, almond maybe, a small nose and full pink lips, she was pleasing to look at. According to her name tag, her name was Sarah Williams.

Sarah smiled again and nodded before picking up a silver tray with some stuff in it. “Well I’m finished with my rounds here so I will be leaving now, remember to drink lots of water and to press that button,” she said as she pointed at a small remote beside my bed, “if you need assistance. Do you need anything before I leave?”

I smiled at her, “Yes actually, do you happen to have any books I can read?”

She looked at me curiously and raised a hand to her lips in what I assumed was a thinking pose as she said, “I’m not sure, I’ll see what I can find, any preferences?”

“No, not really, anything you can bring me would be appreciated, I just want something to kill time.”

She grinned at me and I couldn’t help but smile back.

“I know exactly what you mean, I’ll bring them to you as soon as I’m done with my rounds okay?”

“Okay” I replied as she nodded and turned to leave, “Thanks a lot…Sarah.” She gave me a saucy wink over her shoulder with an enthusiastic call of ‘Any time!’ as she walked through the door.