THREE: Chow

It's been about six months walking the trails. Sora-san's came from a tough life growing up with Stan. Stan did everything he could to raise her properly. He falsified her birth certificate, stolen milk from the farmers in the market, and taught her how to read and write and do basic math. Sora had to make sure no one knew of these offenses. Stealing from the farmers and homeschooling were punishable by death. She's not really my second cousin. Stan's my first cousin, which technically makes Sora my second cousin. But because we're not blood related then that means she isn't.

My head ached.

“Something wrong Little Sky?” I looked up at Sora, realizing the smallest features of her face. The way her soft lips pulled back in a concern expression, the way her eyes darkened for a moment. My face grew pinker.

“No, just a headache.” I said trudging on, whistling for Chow to keep up.

Chow had been falling behind, and she was getting thinner; a very bad sign. I stopped and picked her up, putting her around my shoulders. I realized how small I was compared to Sora when doing this. She was about Five foot seven, and I was only five foot one. I watched Sora stare up at the night sky. A sad look crossed her face for a fleeting moment. Chow whined softly. I kept walking, despite her protests. I didn't want to leave her.

“Hang in there Chow...” I said softly.

“Sky, you'll have to leave her.” Sora said quietly. I looked behind us and saw the trail had disappeared where we walked.

“No...I'm not leaving Chow!” I knew Chow had reached the end of her short life. Dogs weren't living as long as they use to. Chow whined pleadingly. I fell to my knees, Chow sliding off my shoulders. I buried my face in her fur, sobbing quietly. I felt a small draft beneath my feet. I looked down and saw a crack in the path.

“Sky, run!” Sora screamed, pulling me up.

I looked back at Chow. She just sat there.

“C'mon Chow!” I begged. “C'mere girl!” She wouldn't budged.

She pawed off her green collar and picked it up between her teeth. She circled around before flinging it to me. I watched the ice break off...

And Chow's furry body fall with one last howl.

“CHOW!!!” I screamed devastated. My only companion had left me. “Chow...”