Page 27 of Baby Duke

The click of a closing door has me jumping back to my feet, holding my shirt against my chest as I search the deserted hallway.

Someone had witnessed the Dukes and I just now.

Well, fuck.

"Ughhh!!!" I groan up at the sky as dark storm clouds obliterate the sunny day we had just had. I am about two streets off from Katies, but I don't think the rain is going to hold out. Great, just what I needed!

I am pissed that I used up all my energy during sports. The altercation with the Dukes didn't help whatsoever. My muscles were jelly, and my soul felt drained.

I am mentally preparing myself for a jog when I look back down from the sky and lay my eyes upon a freaking monster.

I freeze.

It's a bear. I swear to fuck, it is a goddamn bear. In the middle of a fucking rich person's city. Did one of them own a pet bear, and it got loose? Australia doesn't evenhavebears, for fuck's sake.

Oh, God. Is it a drop bear? It's a fucking drop bear. Are they real? I thought drop bears were a fantasy we told to play tricks on tourists.

The bear shakes its giant body, its chocolate brown fur waving with the force. And then it runs at me. Giant pawswith giant claws eat up the space between us until it's suddenly right before me, his open maw inches from my chest.

I close my eyes as the beast opens its mouth, surely ready to shred me to pieces. A scream builds in my throat when I feel its hot breath against my cheek, and then… my scream comes out as a disgusted squeal as a giant, wet, and stinky tongue licks the entire length of my face.

I open my eyes and scrub at my face as the bear drops back to four paws before it sits at my feet with its great, long tongue lolling from its puffing mouth.

I blink stupidly. "You're a… dog?"

As if in answer, he lets out a booming bark before rolling onto his back, legs splayed and confirming that, yes, indeed, he is a male.

Squatting down beside him I study him a moment before reaching out a tentative hand and scratching his belly. He lets out a sigh and wags his ginormous tail.

I can't help the laugh that bursts from my chest. "You may look like a big scary bear, but you're just a giant teddy, aren't you, boy?" And then, because who can resist baby-talking to a dog, "Who's-a-fluffy-mcshnuffle-butt? Who's-a-big-baby-puppy-dog?" I croon, now down on both knees, elbows deep in his monstrous coat of fur.

The dog soaks up the attention, tail flailing like a windmill in a cyclone.

A crack of thunder breaks through the air, and the dog is on his feet in an instant, knocking me over in his haste. I attempt to rise, but the giant goofball practically lies on top of me.

"Not a fan of thunder?" I ask, giving him a comforting pet as I get back to my knees. "No wonder you are out here all on your own. The storm scared you, didn't it, boy? Where is your home?"

I look around, but there is no telling which house he belongs to. There is no dog house nor 'beware of dog' sign anywhere.

I glance at the sky and then back down at the dog. He looks up at me with the saddest puppy dog eyes I have ever seen.

"Alright, alright! You better come home with me then," I say. Seemingly understanding my every word, he bounces to his feet and does a few happy jumps around me. "We better run if we're to beat the storm, though."

I break into a jog, not entirely sure if the dog will follow, but I don't even have a second for doubt before he's loping at my side, his mound of fur moving like it's an entirelydifferent sentient just attached to the skin and bones beneath.

A smile splits my face in two. "How about a race?"

The sky breaks open as we sprint up the final few lengths of the driveway. We skid to a stop underneath the veranda, both of us puffing with exertion. The dog's fur is slightly flattened under the weight of the water, which he quickly fixes with an impressive shake of his entire body, leaving his fur standing on end.

"Ah!" I squeal, shielding my face from the onslaught of smelly, second-hand rainwater. "I smell like wet drop bear!"

The giant brute tips his head to the side before jumping onto his hind legs and giving my face another gigantic lick.

"Ugh!"

He wags his mighty tail looking proud of himself.

"We ought to give you a name, hey boy?" I suggest, scrutinizing him. "Bear. No, too common. Ruffles. Hmmm… Shaggy, Muffin, Wookie. Ted. Oh, I know! Captain Floof!" He lets out a happy whine, enthusiastically wagging his tail as I get to the last name.

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