Thirst for Life

[Kray]

Lexington staggered forward across the rocky ground. He could hear it, he could taste it, but it nearly killed him that he couldn't see it. After running for two days there was no other place for him to go. He had lost track of his pursuit a day ago. But there was no way that they could have made him go back there. The only way they would be able to take him back is if he had keeled over dead from exhaustion, and he did not plan on dying yet. After regaining his breath he forced himself to trot forwards despite the pain. There was a sharp tang of blood filled his nostrils. After running for so long his paws were left a bloody mess. His scar burned with a fiery pain; it had only been a month since his sight had been robbed.

His entire world had been reduced to a black slate. He took a step forward and felt water lap steadily over his paws. The shifting sand blurred what vision of the world he normally had. When something walked or moved across sand there were imperceptible vibrations. On solid ground it would be much easier for him to see. But for now his hearing served well enough. Lexington was surrounded by sand which led up to a rocky beach covered with old driftwood. The ocean lay sprawled before him with sea birds wheeling in the air. Now if only he could see it. Lexington let his tongue reach out and taste the tang of the salt air.

The tide was coming in, now it lapped around all four paws, and it slowly came up around his forelegs. Eventually he would have to move. But for the moment it brought him the peace that he had sought after for so long. His paws began to burn as the salt seeped into it. Despite the pain it would be cleansing and keep out the infection. Lexington felt the tide reach up to his chest and knew it was time to move. He turned and with a sightless glance towards the ocean and moved forward.

[Amon]

Goldstein sat on the out crop of rock, with his face to the wind he was enjoying the beautiful breeze that was rolling across the lands. His black face was content and handsome with a golden streak that traced across his face and down his body. The feeling of freedom is a good one. Being away from all those unsavory humans... No dog can ask for anything better. His yellow eyes stared at the gulls call and cry high above. They rode the wind to increasing heights. The hybrid rose to his feet and peered over the edge. It sure was a high cliff overlooking a far below sandy bottom. He looked from the waves, to the driftwood that littered the soft sands to... the bloody dog that was walking in the beach far below. Goldstein shook his head, surely that can't be right! There was a trail of bloody paw prints leading up to the figure that broke his heart to see. His ears went back as his deep golden eyes filled with sorrow for the poor animal. There was no trick to what he was seeing. There was indeed a dog in the waves, bleeding and suffering.

With a growling bark he sprinted off down the cliff. He descended lower and lower to the beaches, jumping over rocks and fallen rotting logs. Goldstein knew what it meant to suffer, being beaten since he was a small pup, the Akita mix vowed to never let another dog wander in lament. He knew the feeling and he never wanted to see feel what he knew. His left hind leg began to give out as his paws touched the sandy beach. He slowed his pace to a trot, "Hey!" he barked at the dog as he began to walk toward the ocean, wanting to get his attention.

[Kray]

Weight dripped from his fur as he limped tentatively from the water. The welcoming cool of the ocean left him with an elated feeling that made his heart feel lighter. Now he was ready to get something more out of his life than being strapped to a steel slab and tortured. He could never forgive the humans that robbed him of his sight. But he could not let go of the memories of the man that had raised him from a pup. That had been one of the few humans in this world that had done right by him...... And then he had been sold as the man's last resort to stay alive. But that was enough of that. He had to leave it behind, he was in the prime of his life, and he had others that cared about him. Of course, where they were he could only begin to guess. No matter what he would find Amarillo and the young terrier mix. His brother would no doubt fare well, he might even start a search for his mate, but the younger dog he was not so sure about.

His worries went from his past to his present as a bark rattled the implants in his ears. It was no trouble locating the dog that was making themselves so painfully obvious. Lexington picked up the direction that the wolf-dog was coming from in just seconds of the distant bark. Every muscle in his body tensed as turbulent emotions swelled up in his chest, feelings of anger and apprehension ebbed and flowed altogether. It took him a moment to eliminate who the bark might belong to, it had been his pursuers or even his brother. The bark had come from somone he had never met before. Lex's tail raised high like a banner fluttering in the wind. Whoever was coming would know that he was not some dog to be trifled with. There were the sounds of paw steps and an slight inconsistency in the stranger's gait that made Lex strain his ears forward. "Hey!"

Lexington felt his hackles rising in answer to the bark for attention. He put as much of a glare into his scarred face that he could manage. His missing right ear lifted up higher as the other as he gained ground of his own to meet the other dog in the middle. All in all he made a ragged looking site with blood pooling around all four paws and the scar wrinkled unnaturally across his muzzle and face. "What is it that you want?" None of his aggression in his body language was even hinted at in his voice. It was as if he was asking what the weather was like, his tone even and calm.

[Amon]

If he thought the dog from above looked bad before, it was a whole other dimension to witness it on the same level. Goldstein was rather confused at the dogs demeanor as he drew closer. There almost seemed to be something wound around his face. It was not until he was several paces from him that he saw that it was actually a grizzly scar that ran down the dog's solomn face. It was in an unusual shape, like a letter X that crossed both eyes.

The hybrid didn't mean to stare, but he couldn't help but to be entranced by something he had never seen before. "Geeze... What happened to you?..."

With sudden realization, he knew who had done such terrible atrocities to a dog. He said with a dry laugh,"Heh.. wait, don't tell me... Humans.." He spoke the last word with utter disdain. He watched his 'master' destroy his body and starve his noble father to death.

Goldstein extended his hind leg to pop his stiff knee and stretched his back to allow it to crack several times before settling down on his stomach. "Relax, friend, I mean you no harm. So you can put down that tail of yours." he said with humor.

"I don't mean to shove my nose where it doesn't belong but... Well, I may be half wolf, but sometimes you can't satiate a dog's curiosity." he smiled gingerly.

[Kray]

Lex could sense that the other dog was staring. He could also sense other things about the dog. Vibrations from the ground spoke of his considerable advantage in height and weight. "Geeze... what happened to you?..." Strangely enough the query didn't bother him at all. Certainly he had been unjustly confined and operated upon, but he felt no anger towards the other dog for asking. "Heh..wait, don't tell me... Humans." There was hatred and anger that dripped from that deep voice. "You could say that it was humans..... But more specifically it was A human. One that, if he ever faces me again, won't live for another eye blink." His lips peeled back at the very memory of that man.

He calmed down remembering that he was in the prescence of another. There wasn't any reason for him to be any more threatening than he had to be. "Relax, friend, I mean you no harm. So you can put down that tail of yours." It was confirmation enough by the sound of his voice that the other dog didn't plan on starting any sort of territorial spat. His hackles settled down almost instantly, in a way they had something of a shared past, but his tail did not waver. "Sorry, but you won't be calling me 'friend' just yet. And my tail has something of a mind of it's own." Some of his better nature was beginning to return and his tail even began to twitch.

"I don't mean to shove my nose where it doesn't belong but... Well, I may be half wolf, but sometimes you can't satiate a dog's curiosity." Lexington's head tipped quizzically to the side. "I don't believe I have ever met a half wolf before. And your right. You are awfully curious whether wolf or dog." He grinned back at the smile that had reached the others voice. "By chance is there anything interesting to hunt around here? I haven't had the taste of a fresh kill in years."

[Amon]

What a guy... Goldstein thought to himself after the dog spoke. I wonder why he wouldn't see all humans of being bad, unlike dogs, humans do not have very features to redeem themselves. Normally, the hybrid would want to argue such a fact with him, but found that today, he would keep his mouth shut about such a touchy subject as one's past. Besides, its seems like this guy had it worse than me.

The other dog, which seemed to be the same age as him, had a completely different outlook when it came to humans. His words about taking revenge stirred up memories, with his eyes on the other dog's snarling mouth he reminded himself of all the beatings he endured. The day he took his revenge, the hybrid tore the humans throat out and never looked back. Before he left, he made sure to give his father a proper burial. He would never forget the scrap of his claws against the dry dirt, or the feeling of his father's body in his teeth. The animal was reduced to a skinny bag full of bones. He was shocked at how light the former wolf was and easy it was to move. He could almost hear the sorrow filled call he would hear in the middle of the night from the backyard.

The possible Golden retriever seemed to relax from his words, but refused to lower his tail. Goldstein shrugged, "Suit yourself." He wasn't going to be held responsible for the other dog wasting his energy on nothing at all. The hybrid was simply curious and meant no harm.

There was a hint of saddness in his voice that most would overlook. "Its true... My mother was an Akita Inu and my father was a wolf from America." He loved seeing other dog's smile. And it was nice to see that the other dog still had some humor in him despite his appearance.

Goldstein cocked his head to one side, "Well, why didn't you say so sooner?" The black and white Akita shakily rose to his feet. His joints had stiffened up from laying for so long and from running such a distance. "Something interesting, you say? Well, we got a few choices then. Since we're on a beach, regular prey just won't cut it.... Buut, I know a spot that's perfect. Are you up for a bit of a climb?"

[Kray]

There was a length of time where the other dog didn't seem to be fully there. He tipped his head to the side to see if there was some sort of motion that was going on that he may have been missing. But there was only a silence that semed to grow between them before he seemed to come back from wherever he had been. Lex guessed that there was a story buried in the other dog's head that he was sifting through. Perhaps their chance meeting had awoken something raw that had only been lying dormant. "Suit yourself." Good, because that is simply the way that I am.

"It's true... My mother was an Akita Inu and my father was a wolf from America." So there really was something about Lexington's situation that had brought other emotions out in the wolf-dog. His head tipped sympathetically to the side. There was something about being blind that gave him a slight edge over others. When hearing and smell were left to work alone without sight they became even sharper than they normally were. What he had to go through to get to that point of course was not something he would wish on any dog. The nuances of sadness in the other dog's voice did not go unnoticed. It seemed to please the other male when Lexington could give a smile or grin in appreciation.

"Well, why didn't you say so sooner?" Body parts popped and crackled as the wolf-dog rose from his lying position. Certainly a dog around the same age as himself should not be so affected by a run and short duration on the ground. His brows furrowed with curiosity for a moment. "Something interestng, you say? Well we got a few choices then. Since we're on a beach, a regular prey just won't cut it. Buut, I know a spot that's perfect. Are you up for a bit of a climb?" Lexington's thoughts lingered only momentarily on his paws. He could dose them with more sea water later. A meal would more than likely save his life. If he didn't get moving soon then exhaustion would eventually set in, now it was either ride his adrenaline or keel over in the next five minutes. "I'm game." His tongue lolled in anticipation.

[Amon]

"Excellent, that is just what I want to hear!" He smiled and said, "The name's Goldstein, by the way." He didn't bother asking the other male his name, the gregarious hybrid would leave that up to him.

One after another, his four paws set out in a slow tempo for the other dog to follow. "So as I had said before, the perfect spot is this nearby cliff. Now there's nothing too special about the cliff itself, just a bit of grass and dark rocks, but on the other side there is a really steep slope that we can climb down. Naturally, the birds are going to attack us to try and defend their broods, but thats fine, we'll just have to snatch'em up before they can peck our eyes out...." Goldstein paused after he realized what he had just said. "Well.... my eyes at least...."

"And if birds aren't your fancy, then let me tell you about the most delicious part about our little excursion." Goldstein paused and licked the roof of his mouth. by this time he had reached the very foot of the cliff. The grassy land sloped rather gently upwards as some tall weeds bent to a small breeze. "The eggs that these sea birds lay are the best that have ever crossed this mouth..." he was salivating at the very thought of the tiny morsals. "And there's so many of those winged pests around this area that you don't even need to worry about eating too much...How's that sound to you?"

[Kray]

So his name is Goldstein is it. Now how would he like it if I called him Goldy? Lex almost sniggered aloud to himself at the thought of it. Goldstein started off at a slow pace that had Lexington following closely after. The plodding pace that was being set seemed to take forever but it gave him more time to take care of his bleeding paws.

He felt himself dropping slightly behind Goldstein and brought himself alongside Goldstein and inclined his head towards him. "You can call me Lex, or Lexington. Whatever floats your boat." There was a grin in his voice as he said this. Despite how much that he talked, it warmed him somewhere just to hear a freindly voice. For once to hear no anger and malice caused him to fully relax. Lex was getting the low down on a prey item he hadn't been able to wrap his teeth around in a very long time. There was no falter in his own gait when Goldstein paused midsentence. "Don't worry about it. It's something that I'm used to by now"

As they sauntered along Lexington felt the change from sand and then to rock. He heard Goldstein pause and then lick his chops. There was a reverberation of sound that came back to him with Goldstein's voice. It seemed that Goldstein had reached his hunting grounds and a meal couldn't be very far away. "That sounds so good I almost can't say how good it is." Lex paused, "And..... Overhunting shouldn't be too much of a problem. I don't plan on sticking around too long."

[Amon]

"Lex, eh?" Goldstein grinned, it almost felt like an accomplishment to hear the other dog tell him his name. "That's quite the name..." The hybrid thought it was a rather befitting title for the scarred dog. It seemed to be worthy for his steady personality.

When he had paused from the slip up in nearly insulting the blinded Lexington, he seemed to walk ahead, completely unfazed. Goldstein rather admired his ability to look the other way. Ah... There I go again...

It saddened Goldstein slightly to hear Lex say that he wasn't going to be along this beach for very long. His paced slowed a beat or two. It was rather obvious that the red golden retriever wasn't going to be here forever, and neither was he. Goldstein dismissed the thought of asking to follow Lexington. What am I- a pup? No, only an inexperienced dog that had just been weaned would as to follow another. His ears shifted back, Although it is true that I am as inexperienced as they come... its only been a few weeks since I left my place next to mankind.... And even then I would have starved to death if it weren't for this lovely banquet that the dog gods must have spared me...

His yellow eyes perceived the bloody paw prints that led up to Lexington. It was a gory trail after the dog's paces. Goldstein grimaced, he knew the feeling of bodily agony very well. He suffered through it most of his waking life. It must be tough, but Lex is a male. He'll grin and bear it like a dog should....

The were nearly at the edge of the cliff now, it was in sight. Only a few more minuets of walking would bring them to their destination now. The vast ocean stretched before them like an endless blue blanked. It turned white where a few waves crashed and above, the birds circled around the cliff and under the clouds.

Wanting to fill the empty air with conversation, Goldstein asked a simple question, "So, where are you going after all this?"

[Kray]

There was a hint of satisfaction in Goldstein's voice having gotten Lex's name out of him. If he could provide someone with a bit of enjoyment then he was quite happy oblige. It was nice to be around another dog that was able to enjoy the simple things. It was even more pleasant to be around a male that wasn't soley interested in taking territory. At one point in time all Lexington had ever been concerned about was being the top dog, having his own territory, and having control over others.

As they drew closer to the nests of the sea birds, Lexington began to grow slightly annoyed about the great racket that they made. They were still a ways out but his increased sensitivity to noise made him cringe slightly. The voice of a sea gull could be grating on the nerves, especially when you were trying to keep your senses about you. Fortunately the vibrations from the earth and the objects around him were enough for him to easily navigate. As he walked alongside Goldstein he felt each of his paw steps and thought reluctantly of what it would be like to once again walk along and not feel the steady tatoo of another set of paws nearby. It was a sobering thought and it was one that he did not relish in the slightest. So what am I going to do, eat and run? ........ There has to be something else.... I have to find Ril and that little pest. But must I do it alone? His ears pulled back at his silly thoughts. This was a stranger that he had only a half hour ago. Certainly he had his own life and worries to attend to. Rarely was there a dog that would drop everything and go cavorting about on a wild goose chase with someone they had only just met.

For once he did not have trouble blocking out the background noises so deeply did Lexington delve into his thoughts. "So, where are you going after all this?" Lexington took a moment to come out of his reverie and find an answer. He stopped mid stride and gave the query a good deal of thought before he answered. "To be honest with you....... I don't have any place to go. What I need to do is find my brother, and one other." He was hesitant to mention the third member of his old party. She was the most greatly altered of the three who had escaped the lab and by rights was the most likely to be ostracized.

[Amon]

Goldstein stopped in his tracks as Lex did. Not to continue unless he took another step. So, this dog isn't as lonely as I thought he was... Goldstein almost felt alittle useless trying to help him now that he heard Lex had a pack of his own. "Searching to find your old packmates?" Judging by his demeanor, Goldstein guessed that he was the alpha. Although, he wouldn't really know an alpha even if he saw one. The hybrid had never been in a stray pack bfore.

He was, however, very interested to hear about the mysterious hounds Lex mentioned. He wanted to badger with questions and learn more about what it was like being a stray. Yet, he had to be respectful towards this dog. He had just met him not even an hour ago, he already offended him once, Goldstein didn't want to do it again. To satisfy his racing mind, he limited himself to asking only one question. "So... what are they like? He spoke trying to sound as casual as possible despite his inward eagerness...


The duo had finally reached their destination. The cliff face was steep, yet there was a multidue of footholds and small, narrow steps that one can navigate without too much difficulty.

It was then that Goldstein wanted to kick himsefl for being so inconsiderate. How did I not forsee this? Lex is blind, and I was expecting him to walk out on a deadly cliff for some eggs? "You can relax here." he said as he stopped on a soft patch of grass. "Since you are the guest, I will be the one doing the hunting today."

[Kray]

There was a halting of paw steps as soon as Lex himself stopped. A wistful look covered his face for a moment that was fleeting but obvious. When one was confined to a small space for indeterminable amounts of time the only consolation were the ones closest to you. He had felt empathetic towards the young dog who had been terrified after her first surgery. Over many months she had been transformed into something else. "We were being chased........ And....... Then I was seperated from the others." Lex wondered if any elaboration on his story was neccessary. Does this guy suspect that there is anything out of the ordinary. Sure I told him humans did this to my face. But can he tell there is something else?
Lex wondered if his obscurity was only raising more questions. It had been years since he had opened up to anyone rather than a close nit inner circle. And this dog was certainly a mystery himself. A deepseated hatred for humans festered and it wouldn't be going away any time soon. To any normal dog Lex thought he must come off as obscure and suspicious. His chest tightened at the thought of ever having to go back to that lab. Thinking about it caused a bitter taste to enter his mouth and talking about it made him want to vomit. At the mention of his companions the tenseness in his muscles relaxed. "They are what held me together for two years. My brother is a smart sort. Maybe a bit too smart for his own good. And the other one..... The humans did things to her. Like me, but also, not like me." It was difficult trying to describe them to a stranger.

He had been distracted by his brief struggle with words and had not noticed that they stood at the very base of the cliff. The cries from the birds above him helped to create an image of what he would otherwise be unable to see. Sounds bounced every which way on the uneven rock. There were going to be plenty of places for him to place his feet. Fuzzy areas where the sound didn't return from indicated where the birds nests were. In some ways this was better than actually being able to see with ones own two eyes. But he still had difficulty accepting that he would never be able to see an escaping rabbit or even his brother's face ever again. "Actually there isn't anything to worry about. I can see well enough." As proof he lowered his head and started stalking slowly forward with confident steps up the rocky incline. With a look over his shoulder he asked, "You coming?"

[Amon]

Gazing over the edging of the cliff made his legs a little more than just wobbly. He gulped and hoped that today was not going to be his last. Goldstein listened carefully to the other dogs words. His deep voice conveyed such a deep emotion, it stirred his low heart. It was a very vauge description of his answer. Howver, the hybrid chalked it up to the whole tramautic-happenings-leads-to-memory-loss thing. And besides if he's not comfortable with going into the details of what happened, then I'm okay with that.

"They are what held me together for two years. My brother is a smart sort. Maybe a bit too smart for his own good. And the other one..... The humans did things to her. Like me, but also, not like me."

...So thats how he survived such a terrible ordeal. He found his support and love the the other dogs around him. I almost envy him, the only thing that has kept me going are my thoughts of hate and vengence. I guess I can learn alot from Lex. He thought with melancholy. He looked at the dreadful scar accross his face and then to the golden red color of his fur in the sunshine. In a way his rather 'big brother' persona really made an impression on the black and yellow hybrid.

Lex manuvered the cliff with ease, having such confidence that he turned to ask if Goldstein wanted to join. "Are you sure you're blind?"

[Kray]

An exhilirating thrill ran up his spine as the fluttering of wings and anxious crying of the birds rang loudly in his enhanced ears. The air stirred around his face as an angry parent dove for his face. He turned his head in the direction the bird retreated without flinching. There weren't eyes that could be scratched or pecked and Lex knew it. "I'm about as blind as you can get." He turned his head around to face Goldsteain, a gust of wind flipped his torn ear about playfully. "My ears have to be my eyes now." His tail swished low to the ground as he thought about the irony of what he had said said. Hearing had been his most valued skill and now it was the one he relied on to stay alive. The added advantage that vibrations could be faintly sensed through the ground made it just a little easier for him to form a picture.

Lexington stalked forward once more with the intent of a much needed meal that drove him rolling step after rolling step. He was only feet from a nest with a bird hissing protectively over her brood. There was no other movement other than her infuriated shifting from one webbed foot to another. So it was a nestful of eggs rather than some troublesome hatchings. Then the sounds of her shifting ceased and he guessed that he faintly heard her joints popping as she crouched low over the few eggs that were supposed to be her children. An elastic snap sounded and there was a flurry of wings. A quick side step saved his whole ear from being lodged in the throat of a furious mother gull. With a quick turn of his head and the snap of his teeth her wing was ruined beyond repair. "You said these eggs were supposed to be good right?" His words were muffled by his jaw full of wing and agonized squalling.