You obey your mother and run. She fights Reggie, snarling and biting.

you are safe in the shelter. You wait for your mother to return. But she never does. Curious, you peek out and look for her, all you see is Reggie walking along, looking like he had just finished important business. He growls, and you see familiar-colored fur around his mouth. It is mother's.

You wait... And wait.... For your mother to return. She doesn't. Night falls, and still your mother has not returned. But she'll come back... She always does.... Right...? You fall asleep waiting for her.

you wake up the next morning and expect to see your mother smiling at you, like always. But she isn't there. Still? How long can she be gone for? You lay down and wait. You don't see her.

Then you realize that your mother is never coming back.

Later, in winter, you are freezing. You wish your mother was still alive, well and there to nuzzle you. You walk past a junkyard. A big dog named Buster comes by. "Hey, hon! You look cold. Are you cold?"

"Yes," you whine. "And my mother is dead."

"I am sorry. Well, why don't you join my junkyard?"

You smile.