I walked around, not caring really that for the first time I ditched school. I'd heard so many people talking about it like it was so much fun, but here I was, alone and bored. I sighed, I guess I could be happy about the fact that I wasn't being shoved into lockers, or doors. But, now that I was actually thinking, I wondered what my father would do since I missed school. I'm sure the school was going to call him, I just wish they wouldn't.

Looking down at my watch, I nearly cried when I seen that it was after four. School was out already, and it was going to take me a bit to walk home. I knew that by the time I got home it would be dark and that meant I would be in even more trouble that I already knew I'd be in for ditching school. I'd just enjoy the walk while I could.

Once I finally reached the house, I felt my heart beat faster. I didn't want to go inside, but I had no choice. Every day it was the same. I was afraid to go into my own house. The place that was supposed to be like a safe haven, instead it was my nightmare. Deciding to get the inevitable over with I opened the front door, closed it softly behind me. "Hello?" I called out when my father didn't immediately start cussing at me for being gone so late. I looked around and noticed everything was still the same, no beer bottles, no trash laying across the floor and tables. It was still clean.

I dropped my bag to the floor, and took cautious steps forward. "Dad?" I called again, then yelped in surprise when a glass suddenly shattered. I knew from the sound and direction that it was in the kitchen. I started forward, then froze when I seen the largest dog I'd ever seen walk around the corner. A scream lodged itself in my throat as I stared at the nasty yellow canines he flashed at me. "N-nice d-doggy..." I stuttered, and tears fell when the dog suddenly growled, and snapped it's sharp teeth at me. My body finally kicking into gear, I turned and booked it out of the house, not worrying about the possibility of my father being hurt inside. I knew that there was a house straight on the other sides of the wood's I just had to make it there. Running as quick as my legs would allow me, I screamed. I screamed loud and long, hoping that anyone, anyone at all would hear me and help. I ignored the sting of small branches cutting into my hands and face as I ran.

I could hear the dog's growls and pants of breath as it ran after me and I knew that I wasn't going to make it to the house, I looked around frantically and seen the low branch of a tree ahead of me. I jumped when I was close enough and pulled myself over, screaming when the dog jumped up and his teeth grabbed onto my shoe. I nearly fell from the weight of the dog, but held on for dear life and shook my leg around. "LET GO!" I yelled, and kicked the dog with my other foot.

The dog yelped, and let go giving me the chance to pull myself up and climb higher. I held onto the tree tightly, sobbing as I listened to the dog bark, and growl while scratching at the tree. I was not stuck in a tree who knows where with a huge dog trying to eat me! I imagined my death several times over the last two years, but starving to death or being mauled by a dog wasn't one of them. I looked around, and yelled. "Help!!! Can anyone hear me?!!!" But, all I got was silence. The only sounds that surrounded me were those of the woods and the dogs angry huffs.