Sinead’s Story: The Adventure Continues

Did I read a request for more stories on the blog? Well, in that case, you got it!

In the summer, OWL blog reader Sinead sent me the beginning of a new story she was working on. I published it in two parts. Now, she’s sent me more of the story for our reading pleasure! Without further adieu, here is part three of Sinead’s epic story “Rejected.”

(Haven’t read the first two parts yet? No worries! Click for parts one and two.)

Rejected (excerpt)

“Oh, where am I to go now!” I thought. I had absolutely no home.

“I need a place to live!” I thought. “Everyone needs a home! Oh, what to do! What to do!”

I went out to find a home. I didn’t find one for a long time. I seemed to only find bad places, one after another, again and again. But maybe I’m getting ahead of myself again. I’ll just go to the next “home,” and tell you what happened there.

I was walking for a day and a half, just eating and drinking enough to live. I was worn out by the time I got out of the neighbourhood, and still I walked. Once on the second day, just before I found a house, I saw a poster with a picture of a small dog on it, the same dog from the house I just left. I stared for a bit, looking at my old friend, the only other dog in that house. I wished I had taken some time to say goodbye to her, but it was too late now. I kept going.

I got a block and a half away before collapsing with exhaustion. I heard footsteps coming, not heavy footsteps, but still. Then I was lifted from the ground. I heard a weak and wavering voice say, “Well, who do we have here?” and I was carried away. I heard a door slam behind me, and I knew I was in a house.

“Oh no,” I thought. “Another one.”

I braced myself for the voices of the little humans asking things like “What’s that?” and “Awwwww, where did you find it?” But I heard nothing. I slowly lifted my head to look around. There was no one there.

I looked up at who was holding me. It was a human female, but not one I had seen before. She had very white fur, and her skin was folded and saggy. She wore black loops around her eyes.

“Well, how are you, little one?” asked the human. I looked at her, trying to decide if I should trust her or not. She seemed trustworthy, but in my experience, humans were not trustworthy, ever, no matter what. Even the kindest human would stab you in the back. I didn’t say anything.

“It looks like you had quite the trip, little one. Let’s get you something to eat.”

The human took me inside the food room, and set me on the table. At the old house I was kicked whenever I was found on the table. I jumped off it immediately.

“Oh, don’t worry, girl. I don’t mind if you’re on there.” I didn’t believe a word she said.

She took something out of the cold box and put it on a plate in the beep box. I never could figure out what that thing was for.

“Now little one, here’s some food,” she said when the beep box beeped. She put the plate on the floor and I saw what was on it. It had some meat on it. I nosed it around, but didn’t eat any.

“Oh, what’s wrong, little one? Don’t you want any? You must be starved!” she said, and I ate a tiny bit. “Now, now, little one, don’t be shy! Well, I suppose I should name you. I can’t just call you little one.”

“My name is Longear,” I said in a weak voice.

“Oh, is that so?” she said. I looked up at her hopefully. “Well, isn’t that wonderful.”

I was a bit confused. What was this human talking about?

“Now to name you,” she said, thinking.

“What are you talking about? I just told you my name!” I said just a bit louder.

The female laughed. “That’s a good idea! A wonderful name!” she exclaimed. I stared on, clueless.

“Well, then, your name is Jessica,” she said. I stared at her, shocked. “Hello there, Jessica. I’m Marry. Do you want some water?” I ran out of the room.

I hid under the couch for a while. I must have slept, because I woke up when I heard a loud ding.

“Hang on, I’m coming!” said the female. What did she say her name was? Marry. I heard the door open and close and there was a new voice, the voice of a large male.

“Hello mom. How was your day?”

“What?” I thought. “Mom’s here?”

I panicked and looked around for her. I ran out of from under the couch. Mom always looked under the couch first when she was looking for me. I ran right into the legs of the man who was standing in the doorway.

“What is this?” he said disgustedly.

“This is Jessica, I found her today outside the house,” Marry said, looking at me.

“Where’s Mom?” I said panicking.

“Isn’t she cute?” Marry said, looking at me lovingly.

“Where is she?” I shouted.

“Mom, are you sure you this is a safe thing?” the male said to Marry. I looked at her, shocked.

“You’re Mom?” I whispered.

“I mean, how do you know where it’s been?” he continued, but I wasn’t listening with both ears. I was sucked deep in my thoughts. How could this person be Mom? She was much nicer than Mom, and she certainly looked different then Mom… this male must be mistaken.

“Oh, don’t worry about her, Jake. She’s fine,” said Marry. The male came into the house, looking at me as if I would strike at any time.

“Well, don’t expect me to like her. As long as I live here, it lives outside.” I was all too used to it, and I headed towards the door.

“Now wait just a minute!” Marry said. She sounded so stern I was certain that she was talking to me. I turned around, and found that instead of me, she was talking to the man at the door.

“Jake, as long as I live this is my house! I can still tell you what to do as long as I live here! If you want a new set of rules, go live in your own house!”

“But mother,” the man whined, “I don’t HAVE my own house!”

“Then you can go get one, as soon as you get a job!” Marry shouted. “I always thought that when you grew older you would take care of yourself! You have proven me very wrong.”

“Mother, be reasonable! I have to take care of you…”

They argued like that for several minutes more. I sighed and walked off. I was used to being ignored, so it didn’t bother me much. I just wanted to know what would happen to me: would I be kicked out of the house? Or be able to stay? I went back under the couch and waited for my fate to be determined.

Wow! Will Longear stay with Marry? Will Marry’s son get his way? Will Longear even get to finish her meal? Lots of questions. And only Sinead has the answers! (By the way… thanks again, Sinead! You rock.)

Talk to you guys soon.

Craig, owlblog@owlkids.com