Spike's POV

I sat on the porch waiting patiently for my owner, Christine, to arrive. She seemed to be happier with this ritual. After a minute of waiting I saw her emerge from around the usual corner.

The first thing that I noticed was that her hair was different. No longer did her hair cascade down her back. It was now shoulder length.

I tilted my head to the side, confused by the sudden change. I watched as her eyes fell on me and she smiled.

"You don't recognize me do you, boy?" she cooed.

I barked once and walked up to her. She crouched down and stuck her hand out. I gave her hand a quick lick and she smiled and scratched the back of my ear.

She then stood and beckoned for me to follow her. She stepped on the porch then stoped before turning to the right.

"Aren't the Northern Lights pretty?" she said pointing to the dancing, bright lights.

They were beautiful but unexplainable to me. It was sometimes frustrating looking at them which is why I usually don't waste time gazing upon them.

I walked in front of her and scratched on the door impatiently. She snapped out of her trance and wordlessly opened the door.

I was about to to step inside when I saw something out the corner of my eye.

It was a slender female dog. I watched as she silently walked into an alley. The wrong alley.

A few trouble makers recently took control of that alley. You either wanted a challenge, wanted an injury, or an early grave to be so bold as to step foot into that territory.

I silently debated with myself on what to do then in a split decision I bolted of the porch.

"Spike, come back here!" Christine cried. I ignored her for the time being.

I turned sharply into the alley.

"Hey kid!" I shouted at her.

She didn't turn around but picked up speed. Great, a chase is just what I need.

I easily caught up to her and steped in her way. She backed up a few steps startled. Something like recognition registered on her face. I immediately recognized her then.

Those brown eyes and naive expression. I remember her clearly as one of the witnesses to my confrontation with that insufferable newcomer. I shook away the thoughts for now so I could deal with the matter at hand.

"It's best that you leave this alley." I stated calmly. I walked around her heading for the exit.

"What?" she asked not moving.

Her voice was pleasant but I had no time to dwell on it now.

"Obviously you haven't heard of the recent hostile takeover of this alley. The dogs here could tear you limb from limb so consider what I'm doing a favor." I replied.

"Oh...thank you." she said softly.

She followed wordlessly from then on. She was probably afraid of what would come out of my mouth next.Within a few seconds we were back on the streets of Nome. Unfortunately the wrath of Christine was inevitable. I heard her angry footsteps become louder and louder before they ceased.

"Don't ever do that again!." she chastised.

My mind floated back to the  female who was still sitting a few feet away. Her attention was turned on Christine. My eyes flickered to Christine's face which seemed curious about the female next to me.

Christine kneeled down smiling at her. "So that's what this was all about." she assumed.

I wondered if she had some double meaning behind that statement. Either way I barked annoyed.

Christine reached out her hand slowly. I cautiously looked back at the female. Her face had a strange mixture of curiosity and suspision. She took a hesitant step forward. Christine still watched, coaxing her softly.The dog kept taking baby steps until she reached Christine.

At that moment somehing clicked in my head. I knew without a doubt that I was getting a new roommate. Wonderful, just wonderful.

I watched as their little owner/pet relationship took bloom. Minutes later Christine stood and smiled down at the timid female.

"Well, looks like you're one of the family now." Christine proclaimed.

Part of the family? We were never a family to begin with. Just a woman and her dog.

The saying "three's a crowd" finally made sense. At the moment I was suffocating. 

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What word could I use to describe the situation? Rediculous? Annoying? Unnecesary? I say all of the above.

I paced back and forth in front of the blazing fireplace. I needed to calm myself as much as I could. To think the cause of all this distress is a female. A naive, timid, painfully shy female.

I became vaguely aware that my name was being called. Christine's presence became known when she placed a food bowl in front of me. I ignored the food and stubbornly sat down in the furthest corner of the room.

Christine followed then cupped my face in the delicate hands. Her eyes squinted as she assesed my condition. She soon sighed not finding anything clearly wrong with me. She left the room leaving me with my thoughts.

I was then aware of another body in the room. Her eyes were calm as she stared at me. I tried my best to ignore her.

"Um...your name is Spike, right?" she asked softly.

I raised an eyebrow at her inquery. "Last time I checked it was." I replied harshly.

She cringed at my tone. Good.

"I didn't mean to upset anything here." she mumbled.

She was good at making someone feel guilty, I'll give her that. I suppose she was being ginuine. I rolled my eyes at my assesment of her redeming qualities.

"I know you didn't." I replied in a softer tone.

She nodded quickly and gave a quick smile. "I'm Pridi by the way." she said softly.

I nodded and laid my head down signaling that the conversation was over. I heard her body move then I was met with silence. Whether she had left or had fallen asleep, I didn't know nor did I care.

Yes, I was in a bit of an undesireable predicament but I would try to endure. For my sake and hers.

***************************************************

I awoke to an irritating scratching at the front door. It continued without stopping for a solid minute. I grudgenly walked over to the doggy door and stepped out in to the frigid Alaskan morning air.

I was met with a pair of angry, violet colored eyes. She stared at me with unspoken hostility. She finally opened her mouth to speak.

"Where is Pridi?" she snaped.

I raised an eyebrow at her behavior. She was obviously not the one to be played around with. That wasn't going to stop me though.

I tilted my head and smiled. "Why should I tell you?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Because if you don't I will personally make sure you never walk again." she growled.

I smirked at her attempt to scare me. "I would love to see you try." I challenged.

She let out a frustrated growl then got into a fighting stance. I stayed in my relaxed position amused by her spunk. I wouldn't fight her but I wouldn't let her hurt me either.

She got ready to pounce but was interupted by a small voice. Lucky.

Pridi was staring at the female with a look of confusion. "Samantha?" she whispered.

Samantha looked at Pridi with a stare that could only be described as outraged. She stormed over to Pridi, forgetting about our confrontation. I was close enough that I could hear their conversation.

"What are you doing here?" Samantha hissed.

"I don't know." Pridi replied.

"What do you mean you don't know? Jillian and I have been looking everywhere for you!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry."

Samantha sighed then looked back at me. She glared before turning back to Pridi. "What are you doing with him?" she snapped.

Pridi bit her lip and stared at the ground.

"Pridi,"she began,"he's dangerous." she whispered.

I scoffed at her assumption. She glared over her shoulder. "Have you ever heard of privacy?" she snapped.

I rolled my eyes before stalking off. I muttered "Dumb broad." under my breath as a walked past her. She mumbled something uninteligeable then turned back to Pridi.

I heard Pridi's soft voice as she tried to talk quietly. "I trust him."

That, I was not expecting. She barely knew me yet she trusted me. I didn't deserve her trust not yet anyway.

I stoped listening to their conversation. I didn't care if she left or not but I somehow couldn't bring myself to believe that.

 

  

 

 

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