Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Ashton's P.O.V
I cry out as a booted foot collides with my stomach, but he doesn’t stop his torture after he gets in a few blows.
“ No one will ever be able to love a useless piece of garbage like you,” he spat.
The tears brimming in my eyes finally spill over. I fought for the longest time. After years of mental, verbal, and physical abuse, I started to believe the words he spat at me day after day.
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I was brought out of the darkness by something warm and wet on my face. I hesitate to open my eyes. The early morning light illuminates the filthy ally I took refuge in for the night. The panting I hear from my left startles me. I slowly turn to find a huge, black pit bull, with the bluest eyes I have ever seen, staring back at me. If my eyes got any wider they might pop out of my head.
My breath hitched, WHAT THE FRICK?! He… wait is it a he? I tilt my head to check. YEP! Definitely a male. He licks my face again, leaving a trail of slobber.
Gross. God that was a lot of slobber. I tense as he nuzzles his nose in my neck. I’m so confused. This giant is being so gentle with me. I’m assuming he is a stray, he doesn’t have a collar.
He doesn’t seem like a threat to me, so I relax a little. I’m still fully aware I’m in a filthy ally, in a rough part of town.
Upon further inspection he has scars everywhere. I wonder what happened? He was probably bred to fight considering his size and muscle. He has a scar on his face that goes from the bottom of his ear to the tip of his nose. Scars litter his silky black fur.
I slowly raise my hand, as to not startle him, and gently pet his head. I try scratching behind his ears. Dogs like that right? His whole butt is wagging because he doesn’t have a tail, there is a nub where it uses to be. He really seems to like being scratched behind his ears.
I should get moving. I use the wall behind me for support; I wince at the movement of my battered body. Once I’m at my full height, which isn’t tall in the least, 5’ 5”, I realize just how big he is. I should name him.
“Well you’re a pretty big pup, what should I name you?Goliath?” He looks at me like I have gone insane. “OK, I guess not. How about Tank?”
He wags his butt in approval, as I scratch behind his ear. I laugh as he sticks his tongue out,“Tank it is then.”
When I go to take a step my knee buckles. I steady myself using Tanks back, since his back reaches just below my hip. I should look for something to eat. With the help of Tank we are out of the ally and onto the street.
We got further to the edge of the city as the hours went by. I can’t even imagine what a random passerby is seeing as we walk - well limp - past. A huge black pit bull trotting down the sidewalk supporting a short limping boy with disheveled clothes and short, messy, blond hair, that can barely be tied back. I’m a mess, as to be expected from someone in my situation.
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Stars dust the clear night sky. My thoughts are interrupted by a deep threatening growl from Tank. I look up from the sidewalk to see six men, their sights set on me.
A shiver of fear runs through me. I know full well what they could and want to do to me. I know I can’t fight them; there is no getting away.
I spin on my heels and bolt to the other side of the filthy city street. Tank by my side and ignoring the pain, I run. I look behind me, they are running towards us closing the distance easily.
Suddenly big hands grip my shoulders in a bruising hold. He roughly shoved me to the ground, Tank is quick to lunge at the man that is assaulting me.
Tank has two of the men on the ground bleeding profusely and writhing in pain. Two of the other men pin me to the hard concrete.
Before I know whats happening, one of the man’s hands slid under my hoodie and into the waistband of my tattered pants. I let out a shrill scream.
The second man put his dirty hand over my mouth to shut me up. I open my mouth and bite down on his hand so forcefully it draws blood.
The man let out a disgruntled yelp. He pulled his fist back and punched me so forcefully I think he broke my nose. The third man came over and landed a sharp kick to my ribs.
I hear Tanks loud growling before I hear the sound of teeth ripping into flesh. The hand that was previously invading my pants is gone, THANK GOD!
I heard one of the men above me say, “ Lets go boys, it’s not worth any of us bleeding out. It’s also not worth this much effort.” The men left, but not before another kick was delivered to my ribs.
I could feel Tank lay his head on my stomach and whimper, as my consciousness ebbs away.
