The Creatures that History Forgot

by Ashley Douglass

that I could. I shall not fail until hope betrays me, until my body ceases to function.

  The Formation of a Warrior

  I sat up as my feet slid across the sleet of cardboard I was sleeping on. I looked up to the sky that seemed to form a dark barrier beyond the peaks of the buildings around me. It was in the middle of the night, it was time to move. I left the cover of the dumpster then walked farther down the alley to a lone cylinder of rubbish with its lid cast upon the ground. I walked over to the lid for rainwater had collected within it. It seemed the rain had its benefits I thought attempting to shake the dampness from my fur.

  I scooped up the water with my hands then raised it to my parched lips. The water rushed down my throat that seemed to have already forgotten the bounty of yesterday’s storm. Water leaked from my hands as I watched it fall back into the puddle that formed within the lid. All dignity lost and regality dismissed I greedily lapped up the water. I raised my head with my thirst quenched as water rolled down my chin.

  I was ready to continue my search for the kids knowing that they had access to the information that I need and that I was clever enough to form a plan to retrieve the cure. It was only a matter of time before all is well. I just need to press on and keep my hope live.

  I paused at the mouth of the alley then looked down the street at the puddles of light that collected under the lit poles and the stream of light that rushed in the street. Darkness occupied all the area the light could not repel. I must stick to the shadows, passing through the light only where I must. I dashed down the street as my feet nimbly carrying me forward. My large ears were pricked as they collected sounds and deep vibrations. My long tail was raised allowing me to change direction suddenly as I veered around the streams of light that stained the sidewalk. My reflective eyes glowed in the darkness taking in the world in full detail.

  I knew I must be heading in the right direction because after running in circles for days I realized that the orb of morning light follows a pattern. It rises on one side of the street and sets in the other. I have only watched it follow this rout a few times while I have been on this street but I doubt it’s going to change anytime soon. It was my only sense of direction in this world, my only lead for I knew the kids’ live somewhere close to where the great orb falls relative to this huge city. They are on the side that is closest to the site where the orb rests for the night. I just need to get close then my nose will guide me the rest of the way there.

  I followed the rout of the restless shadows that shied away from the streams of light that gathered on the sidewalk and flowed along the street. I was stealthy and cunning like a rat that skillfully evades detection. The moon pursued me as I dashed within the patches of darkness, racing the nearing dawn.

  Eventually my feet began to tire as my breath left me in shallow gasps. The deep shadows began to fade as the sky grow lighter. My eyes leap about as the streetlights finally died away. I pressed myself against a building, feeling exposed in the dim glow as a golden band of light appeared on the horizon.

  I hid in an alley to rest for that day as the sun began to rise from the earth, knowing it is better to travel at night because the humans seemed practical blind outside of the light’s reach. It also seemed practical to rest in the day when I was incapable of traveling.

  I watched the great light fall onto the streets when my stomach growled. I needed to find food but where should I look, I thought when a fat pigeon landed a few yards away from me, on the brightly lit streets. I crouched watching it hungrily but I dare not chase it down the street when the day’s light grows stronger. I need to lure it toward me but how I thought when I turned toward the dumpster that smelled of rancid food and filth. Maybe the answer laid inside there.

  I leap onto the rim of the trash heap then clawed through a bag of thin plastic to reveal a random assortment of items ranging from mysterious contraptions to moldy food. I wrinkled my nose as I picked up a rounded slice of bread speckled with odd white seeds. I ripped it into small pieces then cast them at the mouth of the alley.

  A few of the pigeons nibbled on the bread when I pounced from the dumpster. The birds scatted waddling away on their plump pink legs as I swiftly grabbed one that raised its wings in an effort to escape but my fingers were soon constricting around its chest. In one simple movement I snapped its neck. The bird went limp as I licked my lips.

  I began plucking the bird’s feathers but soon I became frustrated when I saw a pile of rusty poles leaning against the dumpster. I picked up one with a jagged end then stabbed a fold of the birds flesh until its skin ripped. I easily pulled the skin away from the body. The skin fitted like tight clothing, which I tore away before I pulled out the entrails. Lastly I cut off its head with the sharp end of the rod then I lifted the body pleased with myself for I never skinned and gutted my own food before.

  My long fangs tore into the meat that was laced with strings of fat. Hidden bones crunched between my molars as I spit the pieces out. Blood leaked onto my fingers staining my nails a deep red. I licked around its small vertebra wishing for more when I heard something behind me.

  I turned to see a monstrously large dog with a square head and powerful jaws. It stood just taller than me on all fours and its body was swollen with toned muscle. Its black fur invited the shadows to wash over him. He was a horrifying beast but I dare not leave this alley in broad daylight. I need to hold my ground I thought picking up the rusty pole I discarded then raised it to the dog’s broad chest, knowing that it was hard enough to break bone yet light enough for me to wield with relative ease.

  The dog growled then crept forward when I slammed my metal staff into its head. The beast staggered shaking it head, flinging gobs of saliva from its fleshy mouth before lunging at me, enraged. Its powerful jaws snapped shut as great jagged molars interlocked, ensnaring the unlucky air as I stepped to the side smartly hitting one of the dog’s front legs with the rod. There was the sound of bone giving way as the dog yelped, pulling its leg close to its massive body as if to protect it from farther harm.

  The dog growled angrily then began to circle me but I quickly jabbed it in the abdomen. The dog whimpered as blood rushed from the wound staining the surrounding fur. A growl hissed through my teeth as I raise my tail high over my shoulders when the dog finally backed away whining. I lowered the rusty pole for victory was mine.

  I allowed the metal pole to clatter onto the ground as I ate whatever remained of my kill before I searched for a place to sleep for the day but my eyes drifted back to the blood tipped pole that I used to chase off that dog. That dog was vicious and I would not have been able to defeat him a few weeks ago. It seems that I am no longer the same naïve pup I once was. Somewhere during this trek a warrior was formed. A warrior born from need and shaped by danger I fearlessly march forth into the unknown challenging anything that dares stand in my way. Now I know I am Sanoka’s daughter, now I know a warrior’s blood rushes through my veins and passes through my heart. Now I know within me resides the mentality of a warrior that is needed to lead my people. Now I know I shall not fail.

  Daily Tragedies

  I ran down the pothole ridden street trying to escape the great light that bloomed behind me, spreading across the land. A pair of human footwear hung quaintly from a high wire as I tried to make use of the diminishing shadows. The great moving metal machines stood silently watching over the vacant street as I followed the scent that I knew would lead me to them, to my friends. I may not know much about humanity in general but I know that I can trust them, that they would do all that they can to help me.

  I breathed the air deeply allowing it to circulate through my open mouth as the scent filled my nose and danced faintly across my tongue. It was stronger than ever. I was nearly there and I will not stop until I am in the safety of the corn patch.

  I rounded a corner but slowed when I saw a dark patch of tall plants just beyond a shaky fence of twisted metal. I sped up then grasped the fence with eager hands then climbed to the top where
I leap into the thick bed of corn. My forepaws landed into the softened dirt as my body fell through the mesh of leaves. I laid my head on my paws as I yawned widely pleased that I made it before the light awaken the humans and forced me to wait impatiently in the shadows.

  The great forest of corn swayed as the breeze pass through their tall stalks tugging gently at their leaves. I exhaled as the loose dirt formed a hazy cloud that rose into the air. Small particles drifted about in the streams of light as the great orb shifted closer to the top of the sky.

  I leaped onto my feet when I heard a door being thrust open, hitting the side of the house. I crept forward then peered through the corn to see an old woman emerge from the house with a watering can. A young boy around ten years old followed her out then sat on the porch with his head glumly lowered as he watched the ants skitter about at his feet. The old woman who he called Granny stooped down by the red flowers that reminded me of wild brushstrokes of vivid color. She sprinkled water on them then placed the watering can beside it.

  “Those truly are my favorite.” she said then turned back toward the house. Terry looked up as she neared with great dewy drops of moisture clinging to his