Nightmare

Lost.  I was in the wrong part of town and I knew it.  Turning the corner into the alley, I saw the two of them. Oh, oh.  Big trouble.

The bigger, sinister one, the darker of the pair, looked back over his shoulder and grumbled something to the other one.  The other glared balefully at me. At first, the big guy didn’t even acknowledge I was there, as he tore at the parcel. They were both big, ugly, mean inner city toughs, hardened by life on the street.  They were tearing open their newfound cache and they were not about to share it with me, their little brown brother.  Their unintelligible, low-pitched mutterings and rumblings sounded ominous. 

They turned, glowering and scowling.  I knew I was in trouble; an attack was coming and soon.  Stiff legged; they slowly advanced from each side cutting off any avenue of escape.  I began a slow and deliberate retreat.  My Mexican heritage prevented me from understanding their every word but their looks and body language were unmistakable.  I was going to get hurt; and soon; and badly.  I was in serious trouble, with no way out.  As I backed away, looking desperately for an escape route, their menacing, ominous rumblings grew even louder and more threatening.  I began to whimper.  I couldn’t help it.  Somebody please, help.  There was no one.  Not only were they not going to share the treasure, they were going to hurt me.  The classic fight or flight confrontation was about to occur and there was little doubt that they were going to fight.  I just wished I could carry out the other half of the aphorism; flight.  But I was cornered.  I’d backed into the alley, closed at the other end, a cul-de-sac.  I was trapped.  They crouched, preparing to attack.  Terrified, cornered and about to be assaulted by the two toughs, I whimpered and lost control.  A flood of warm urine splashed on the pavement as my legs buckled and I assumed a fetal curl.  I closed my eyes and prayed.

Twitching, I awoke with a start, my heart racing.  I was panting.

A Chihuahua is no match for a pair of Rottweillers.

Hey, dogs dream too.

 

This entry was posted on Friday, August 22nd, 2008 at 5:47 pm and is filed under Short Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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3 Responses to “Nightmare”


palagi November 18th, 2008 at 9:20 am

Good story. I’m a dog lover and have seen this sort of bullying by dogs. I liked the story.

Don Vargo November 24th, 2008 at 10:53 pm

An amusing surprise ending. I especially liked the allusion to the Mexican heritage.

Guy Marsh November 28th, 2008 at 2:45 am

Cute story. You got me with the surprise ending. But how did the Chihuahua back into the cuc de sac without backing into the other dogs? Minor criticism. You have a gift.



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