"What in blue blazes?!", shouts a startled mare.
Scuff awakens to find that the train is now stopped and the box car now opened. Two ponies in western attire are staring down at him awkwardly, as he silently sits in terror.
"Where did you come from, little fella?", asks a curious stallion.
Too scared to think of anything to say, Scuff buries his short muzzle into his paws. He knew for certain that he would be sent back to the his homeland to be punished. After all he had been through to escape, he had failed. Now he would have to face the wrath of the Big Dogs for leaving the Fatherland.
"What should we do, Braeburn?", asks the mare.
The stallion raises an eyebrow to the stowaway. "Well, we can't just leave him on the train. Poor thing looks starved half to death."
This behavior seems bizarre to the little pup. Never did he expect such hospitality to come to him after being caught. Maybe this really was the land of opportunity his Papa was always talking about. He swiftly grabs his belongings and slowly makes his way to the door of the car. His legs feel weak from severe dehydration. He regretted not bringing more to drink when he hopped the train the night before.
"Shoot, just look at him! Critter's skinny as a rail.", Braeburn exclaims. "Let's get him to the tavern."
Awestruck, Scuff finds himself being led away from the train. He looks at the sign hanging to his left.
Welcome to Appleoosa!
He can hardly believe it. He had actually escaped the Empire's unforgiving clutches. Despite all of the horrors which had fallen upon him during the past few days, he had finally made it to safety. He only wished that his sisters had come with him.
"Try and keep up, little fella.", chuckles the chipper stallion. "We got food and drink for ya just down the street here."
Scuff beams a joyous grin. It was the first time he had smiled in weeks. Although his parents were certainly gone forever, he no longer had to be alone. He felt a warmth that had evaded him for so long. Things finally seemed to be looking up for the lonely traveler. Now a free dog, Scuff feels a strength that he had never felt before. Without his parents or the government to stop him, he could go anywhere or do anything. Never before did he imagine that such power could be attained by one dog alone.
"Here we are.", chimes Braeburn. "Now let's get that belly of yours topped off."
There was something about this stallion that reminded Scuff of his Uncle Diesel. His mind is engulfed with memories of the visits him and his family would make in Woofsk. He wondered if his uncle knew about what had happened to him and his sisters. Perhaps he would end up coming for them all. What would he think when he found out that his only nephew had disappeared in the night. These thoughts left a strong feeling of guilt in the pup's heart. At least he would have a nice, warm meal to drown out the pain with.
"Here y'are, little fella.", Braeburn says, as he slides a warm bowl of carrot stew in front of the starving mutt.
On any normal occasion, the idea of eating something like this would have nearly choked him. Today, however, he would make an exception. Without delay, Scuff tilts the wooden bowl up to his jowls and drags every last chunk of the soup down his throat. The immediate sensation of relief was so powerful, he nearly keeled over in pleasure.
"Golly! You sure were hungry.", shouts the stallion. "How about I grab you another round of that stuff?"
As Braeburn trots over to the counter to order more stew, Scuff turns to catch some icy glances being aimed at him. He is confused by the seemingly malicious staring. He hadn't done anything wrong in this new land. The gazes brought uncomfortable feelings to the puppy's broken heart. Just before the friendly stallion returns with the bowls of soup, Scuff takes a quick swig of his Papa's private reserve. Without exposing it to anyone, he swiftly shoves the flask back into the pocket of his raggedy vest.
"Here ya go, partner.", Braeburn utters.
Before you can say 'bad dog', the pup snatches the bowl up into his paws and drains it into his mouth. Again, Scuff finds himself overwhelmed by the ecstasy of the food. After finishing, he promptly wipes his mouth with the handkerchief in his top pocket.
"Thank you.", Scuff mutters. "Thank you so much."
Braeburn smiles. "Think nothin' of it, partner."
The two newly-united companions exit the bar, leaving the customers inside to gossip freely about the immigrant dog they had just witnessed.
Chapter 2: Teeth Underneath
The faint cry of a distant rooster scratches upon the glass of the small farmhouse. It is time for working ponies to get up and start their day.
"C'mon partner! Don't wanna be late!", shouts the golden-coated stallion.
"Please give moment to myself.", mumbles Scuff. "I come down shortly."
It had been a restless night for poor Scuff. Although it seemed as if things were better than they had ever been before, the pup could feel a gaping hole in his heart. Trying his best to ignore it, he found himself tempted more and more to drink from his father's metal flask. Even though it tasted terrible, it brought memories of warm, summer fishing trips to the little dog's mind. These melancholy echoes of a time long past seemed to linger in the strong smell of the malt liquid.
Scuff hops down onto the cold, wooden floor. His paws are jolted with an icy sensation. He takes his precious, checkered quilt and stores it away safely inside the chest resting at the foot of his bed. Stroking it one last time before leaving, he turns to proceed down the hallway. "Be safe, Mama. I be back soon."
The weather today has taken a turn for the worst. In the distance, he can see the orchard dancing under the dark, menacing sky. Although there is no rain, the threat of a storm feels imminent to the young pup. It made him very uneasy.
"Looks like we might end up goin' home early today.", Braeburn mutters as he gazes into the twisting clouds.
Scuff nods in agreement, not entirely sure what had just been told to him.
After a brisk walk through the sleepy town, the two arrive at the apple orchard. The trees are raving wildly in the breeze, as apples prematurely plunge to the rich, grassy earth. Scuff knew that today wasn't going to be easy. On top of the loose branches hurtling towards the ground to look out for, he had been encountering trouble from some of the other apple buckers ever since his first day. As much as he wanted to talk to Braeburn about it, he knew it was impossible. Even if he could tell him, he feared that it would only result in him being hurt more.
SMACK! "Hey Spot, fetch!"
Scuff winces as a bright, red apple plows straight into his wet nose. Once the sharp pain subsides, he turns to find a posse of three snickering ponies looking at him. They are the same ones who had been troubling him since his first day. It looks like today is going to be no different than those that had come before it.
"Hey, you gonna bring it back or what?", spouts one of the vicious colts.
"Don't make us get the newspaper!", jokes one of the others.
Unable to formulate any coordinated comebacks, Scuff simply lowers his head and walks away. Before he can make it five steps, however, he is struck in the back of the head with another crimson fruit. This one was noticeably heavier than the previous had been, as the beaten dog rubs the back of his skull. Holding back his fury, he continues to walk further from the three ponies. If he could not talk them down, he would surely show them his apathy. As fate would have it, however, they would not get the message. Without any warning, a cold, sticky splash pelts the back of the dog's neck. Reaching back to retrieve the projectile, Scuff comes to find a flat, rotten apple dripping from his paw. Having lost his last fragment of self-control, Scuff throws the fruit to the ground. Breathing heavily, he turns to glare at his bullies. The beast within had been unchained.
"You gonna cry, doggy?", taunts the eldest colt. "Maybe you should go back to where you came from."
Eyes glowing red with hatred, Scuff finds himself growling uncontrollably. "Leave. Alone. Me.", he grunts lividly.
The three ponies begin to laugh at the enraged dog, antagonizing him further. His last attempt to stop them had failed.
"No wonder your ma and pa abandoned you.", the youngest colt jeered.
A bone-chilling flame engulfs the dog's insides. All thoughts of reason and mercy had evaded the hound's furry exterior. All that remained was the animal within. Before anyone can shout or run, the dog's strong jaws latch onto the small pony's front leg. It had been many weeks since the dog had last tasted blood. Its salty essence fills Scuff's chomping jowls. Several seconds go by, as the canine's jaws continue to grasp onto the screaming colt.
"Let him go, you stupid animal!", the oldest of the three yells as he kicks the dog several times in the side.
As the adrenaline begins to disappear, Scuff's clarity starts to return.
"Scuff! What in the hay are you doing!?", shouts a familiar voice.
Scuff's ears twitch, as he loosens his vice from the crying pony's blood-covered hoof. Suddenly realizing what he had done, the dog feels as if a hole had burned through his stomach. There was no getting out of this one.
"I... They...", Scuff stumbles.
The dog finds himself pushed to the ground, as Braeburn darts to examine the victim's punctured leg. Scuff was so disappointed in himself. His parents would be so ashamed of him right now. He could think of nothing else but the temporary escape that rested in his bottom pocket.
"Can you walk, partner?", Braeburn asks the injured colt.
The foal sniffles. "I... I think so."
The yellow stallion glaces to the two other ponies. "Did ya'll see what happened?", he asks.
"N-no... He... He just attacked us.", lies the oldest colt.
Filled once more with rage at this fabrication, the dog struggles to hold in his emotions. Not only did they push him past his limits, but then they lied about it. Never before had Scuff encountered such heartless malice.
"Ya'll take him to Doctor Fuji's right away. He needs to have that leg looked at.", commands Braeburn.
"Yes sir.", shouts the oldest pony, as they help their wounded friend into town.
Unbridled terror now fills the dog's heart, as his only friend glares straight into his soul. He had let his anger ruin everything for him. Making no attempt to explain himself, Scuff simply lowers his head in shame.
"I don't know what happened here, but I'm very disappointed in ya.", mutters Braeburn.
"I... I so sorry.", whispers the mutt.
Saying nothing, Braeburn simply turns and walks away.
A small drop of water hits Scuff's snout. "I sorry, Mama...", he chokes under his breath, as the rain lets his sorrow fall unnoticed.
