irony
i regret following you. with my ears perked, and tail wagging i followed you. it didn’t matter what you were chasing or what you were running from, i still followed you. without a glance back, you kept moving, kept going to the places i hated, dragging me with you into mortal hellscapes. through the underbrush that tore at my pelt and stung into my flesh, i followed you.
i kept my mouth shut until the pain became unbearable. i cried out. holding my paws to you, blood seeping from the thorns that had embedded deep into my pads.
you flicked your tail apprehensively, and promised me that you wouldn’t let this hurt me. that no matter how far we went, i wouldn’t gather anymore thorns in my step.
you didn’t even help me remove them.
and so much time has now passed. i still follow you through the thickets and brambles i swore would kill me. collecting thorns in my infected flesh, prying them out gruesomely with my teeth when you aren’t looking.
i watch your paws continue on rhythmically, not a falter or ache in your step. like wingbeats of a heaven-bound hawk, they remain steady until nightfall.
and i watched the moment the thorn sunk into your flesh.
when you turned to me, whining softly, holding your paw out. i had no answer but to laugh in your face.
you wail to the stars and beg for another maw to rid you of this pain.
though never i dare to bark at you.