Slobber and a strange, soft, crushing weight pressed Kas into her bed and soaked her face. A loud groan that seemed to shift into a growl the longer it lasted. She sat up, pushing her dog to the side. He flopped back onto her lap and panted for a moment. Smoke seemed to bellow out of his mouth and nose. Kas shook her head and rubbed her eyes, managing to retrieve partial vision.
“What the in the hell am I going ta do with ya.” Kas said as she sighed, wiping her face off with her blanket. She smiled at the dog and playfully pushed the side of his face. “Alright. Let’s go, Blaze.” She flipped her covers off her and Blaze jumped off the bed and sprinted around, sliding to a stop next to the door. Kas snickered at him and stood up from the bed.
Her black and white flannel pajama bottoms hung loosely on her. The waist line was even crooked on her hips. She stepped into a pair of slippers that looked like furry monsters eating her feet. As she stepped closer to the door, Blaze stood up and began to bounce on his two front paws.
She raised her eyebrow at him and he locked eyes with her. “Okay, okay. Let’s potty, ya little shit.” She teased. Her pace quickened and she opened her door. Blaze waited patiently. His bouncing completely stopped. Kas faced him and leaned forward. “Shake,” she ordered. Blaze instantly lifted his right paw and extended toward her. She examined his posture and form but did grab his paw. He moved his paw up and down, Kas returned the gesture. She stood back up straight and smiled at him. “Good boy. Go ahead. Close the door on the way out.” She said firmly. In that moment, Blaze calmly stepped out the door and trotted down the hall, turning left at the end.
She reached her arms into the air and yawned. As per her morning ritual, Kas stepped in front of the mirror over her dresser and prepared for the day. She reached for her brush as she pulled the loose scrunch bun out of the back of her head. The click of the front door echoed up the hall. Good mutt. She thought. The knots slowly began to work out and she brushed her warm auburn hair. Her crimson eyes reflected gold as she stared at herself in the mirror. The world around her melted as if time stopped. She felt a strange presence around her. An aura of safety. The familiarity of it reminded her of Jackson but she couldn't pick up his scent. The aura radiated around her and slowly grew more intense as she heard the front door slam closed with the wind outside. Her heart began to beat faster as she heard slowly footsteps approach from the hallway. She turned around and found Blaze standing in the doorway. His head cocked to the side with his tongue out and let out a happy whimper.
Kas gasped as she saw him and smiled. “Oh, it's only you, boy. did ya take care of your business?” she asked him and without delay, Blaze dropped his head down once before lifting it to stare at her again.
She nodded in approval. “Now, ya next assignment. Go wake up ole Iz, alright. Report back when ya mission is accomplished.” She ordered and spun back around, continuing to brush her hair once again.
Blaze’s claws clinked against the hardwood flooring as he left the room and planned to ambush Izzy. Only a few minutes later Kas heard a door down the hall open and a hard thud.
“Fuck sake, Kas! Get the mangy fuckin’ beast off me!” Izzy shrieked and Kas chuckled whistling loudly. A very happy and self-approved dog pranced back into the room and Kas had only just finished brushing her hair out. A horrible howl ripped through the air as Izzy raged in her room. Her door slammed shut and hard thuds bounced around the room from the door. Izzy pulled herself into the doorway, hair wild and smeared make-up on her face. Not to mention she was buck-ass naked.
“If that fucking mutt does that one more time…” Izzy warned as she trailed off.
“What, mate?” Kas replied as she pulled hair back into a proper ponytail. She spun around to face her friend and cringed. “Ya look like a fuckin’ hot mess. What the hell happened?”
Izzy growled and stepped into the room. “Don’t you change the fucking subject. I'm going to put a silver bullet in the fuckin’ mutt next time he comes in my room, EVER. Wakin’ me up agian, I’ll unload a clip in ta his face.” She warned as she shot a nasty death-beam glare at Blaze. He cocked his head to the side and appeared to smile at her. Izzy seemed to snap and she rolled her eyes into the back of her head as she spun around. She reached into the drawer of Kas’ bedside table, pulling out a pistol, cocking it into the air as she turned back around. Kas pushed Izzy back and held her to the ground. She bounced Izzy’s wrist and forced her to drop the gun.
“Just calm down, Mate. Why don't ya go make a cup of coffee and get ta wakin’ up.” Kas suggested, picking up the pistol as she stood up from Izzy.
Izzy quickly stood up and sigh deeply. “I wasn't really gonna shoot him ya know…” She said as she quickly turned around and walked out the doorway.
“I know, Iz.” Kas whispered to herself.
Kas knelt down to Blaze and patted him on the head. “Ya did good, doggo.” You ready for breakfast?” She asked him as he stood straight up. He barked in reply as he repeated his previous two-paw bounce. “Alright let’s get some grub, mutt.” Kas said as she turned around and finally left her room. Blaze followed behind her obediently as he kept up with her quick pace.
Her day lulled forward and Kas managed to get to her third period Mythology Class. Irish London was teaching today and she had on her typical square, wire-rimmed glasses. Her short blonde hair always perfectly groomed, feathered to perfection. Kas sat at her desk listening to her and wrote notes down every time she heard something interesting or hadn't heard before. Blaze sat still as a shadow as he stared forward directly next to Kas’ chair. He may have been young but he was smarter than any dog Kas had ever heard of. She kept her eyes on Irish as she reached down without looking and stroked Blaze’s bloody crimson fur. He kept his head forward but eased slightly as she touched him but quickly snapped back. She pat him on the head and smiled.
Kas coughed lightly and lowered her voice. “Good boy,” she whispered before returning her hand to the notebook in front of her. The bell was about to ring but Kas perked up, knowing tomorrow's lesson would be posted on the whiteboard a moment after the class leaves. Blaze shuffled him feel in anticipation.
“Not yet, doggo!” She whispered harshly. He settled and she pat him once more.
“Alright everyone. Test this Friday, be ready.” Irish announced as she stepped back around her desk at the front of the classroom.
“But today is Thursday.” A light male voice called out from across the room.
“Then I sincerely hope you studied for it, dear. That or do the last minute thing, see how far that gets you.” Irish replied in a voice so stern, yet somehow tender. Kas cocked her head to the side as she said it. Blaze did so by coincidence of his own accord but quickly wagged his tail when he looked up and saw Kas just as confused. The boy Irish spoke to, ducked down as his face grew red.
The bell rang and the entire class stood up, leaving the room. Kas sat back as usual and waited for the class to leave. She saw Irish digging through her light brown shoulder bag. She pulled out a dry erase marker and began to write on the board. Kas stared intently as each letter formed in the corner of the large white surface. She was always impressed by how tall Irish actually was. She stood just a scosche over the six foot tall white board. “Norse Mythology Lessons - Starting Monday” was scribbled onto it and Kas got a wide grin.
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“Fuck yeah, Mate!” She cheer quietly to herself as she pulled back and fist pumped. Luckily the class was still leaving, so nobody heard her. She could never be mistaken for a nerd, right?
After jotting down the note for the new lesson plan, she stood up and clicked her teeth. Blaze stood up and stepped aside for her. Kas left her desk and clicked her teeth again. Blaze followed in tow. She found her way down the hall and into the lunchroom. She found her favorite burger vending machine and paid for her lunch. As it popped out of the bottom, she snagged it and looked over to Blaze, smirking at him.
“What do you want, doggo? Anything you want.” She asked him and he seemed to smile at her as he bounced around. He quickly flip directions and ran quick but nimble through the hunters as he found what he really wanted. Kas chased after him with a wide smile. She chuckled at the irony when she found him in front of the hotdog vending machine.
With help from Kas, Blaze picked out his favorite lunch and she carried their food out into the large simulated outdoor space. As she seated herself onto a bench, Blaze hopped up next to her. He placed both of his front paws onto the light brown wood of the picnic table.
Kas snapped her head at him growled. “Ah!” she shouted and Blaze’s energetic personality calmed under a mask of obedience. His tail wagged, rapidly sweeping the ground underneath. Kas placed the hot dog, bun and all, in front of him. He fought his desires to attack his food. The ruffle of the paper bag caught his attention as Kas pulled her food out. She nodded once and turned back to her own food as Blaze devoured his food in two quick chomps. Kas snickered as she bit into her burger. Before even fully swallowing her bite, she shoved a few fries into her mouth. The added salty crunch sent her taste buds into overdrive. So, she quickly pushed several more between her lips. The pop of a can ripped through the air as she chugged down one of her favorites; a V energy drink. After her last gulp, she crushed the can in her hands, tossing it into her food bag.
A few french fries land in front of Blaze and he scarfed them down almost instantly but Kas’ phone chimed in notification. A message from Jackson alerted across her screen.
[From Jacko - Hey Kassie. I was wondering if you have any plans for tonight?]
[To Jacko - Not much, Mate. Just gonna be relax’ after classes today.]
[From Jacko - Would you want to hang out tonight? Maybe watch the new episode of Supernatural?]
[To Jacko - You still watch it?! I thought you hated the boys.]
[From Jacko - Not exactly, but we haven't had a chance to just hang out yet, and I thought it would be fun for old times sake. So, are ya in?]
[To Jacko - My place or yours?]
[From Jacko - Does 7 sound alright, Kassie? I’ll cook dinner before it starts.]
[To Jacko - Jacko… Is this a date Wink [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/wink.png]]
[From Jacko - See ya at 7 Kassie.]
Kas tingled with excitement and Blaze jumped from his seat on the bench, pacing back and forth behind her. She scarfed down her burger in a few more large bites and downed most of the fries too, emptying the remains into her bag. The second can of V remained unopened as she stood up and snatched it and the bag of trash. She looked at it and then turned around to see Blaze pacing.
“You gotta use the little doggo’s room, dontcha?” she asked before checking the time on her phone. “We got time, let's hit it before the next class.” Blaze stopped his pacing and wagged his tail in response as he followed her back into the halls.
Kas’ mind was in a fog the rest of the day. Nothing cleared her head until she arrived at home. Rosy came to stop inside the pristinely clean garage and Blaze waited patiently outside on the gravel. When Kas turned around, he didn't seem to be panting at all, which surprised her.
She cocked her head to the side and Blaze mimicked her. “You ran all that way with me and still haven't even broke a sweat, eh doggo?” His tail began to wag as he let out excited whimpers. “Alright, let’s go, boy.” She lifted the helmet strapped to the back of her bike. As she flipped it over, a smile curled onto her lips. She stared down at a shrunken head resting in Izzy’s helmet. Even inside a plastic bag, Izzy was gonna flip out. Kas let out a snicker and Blaze yipped along with her.
Izzy was inside sprawled out on the couch as Kas stepped inside. A smile curled to Kas’s lips as she saw her.
Izzy sat up on the couch and perked her head at the helmet in Kas’ hands. “W’at in the ‘ell are ya doin with me helmet, Kas?” Izzy barked.
Kas replied by tossing it to her. “I found something in it, thought I should show ya,” she said as she stopped next to the couch. Izzy shrieked and tossed it aside. The shrunken head rolled out, inside the bag and stopped near by the helmet.
“What in the fuck is that, Mate?!” She shouted as she stood up to her feet quickly.
Kas chuckled at her. “It’s a shrunken head. My homework for the weekend. They got me studyin’ Hoodoo in the magic class,” she explained. “Oh wait… I think it has a message for ya.”
The head on the ground wiggled a bit and a raspy voice came out muffled from the bag. “Izzy, will you go out with me?”
“Ahhhh!” Izzy screamed as she stumbled backward back into the couch. “How the actual fuck is it talking?!” Kas burst out into laughter and fell backward to the ground holding her stomach.
“Okay, okay. You can stop now Pixiedust. We got her good, Mate.” Kas said as he laughter slowly subsided.
Izzy’s face grew bright red in both angry and embarrassment. “Fuck you both!” She shouted, stomping out of the room and down the hall. The slam of her door echoed back as she sulked in her room.
Blaze whimpered and Kas looked down at him. He nudged her pocket, pushing Kas’ phone into her hip. She immediately knew what he wanted and she pulled out her phone, checking the time. It read 6:42 pm.
“Ah shit! I need to get cleaned up. Jacko is gonna be here soon, Doggo. Thanks for the reminder.” She replied as she patted him on the head and dashed to her own room.
It wasn't long before a knock echoed down the hall and Blaze bolted out of Kas’ room. She heard his claws click on the hardwood as she finished preparing herself. Newly brushed hair and a washed face are all she needed… other than mentally preparing for the moment at hand. She followed the path of Blaze, finding him whimpering and bouncing near the front door. She took a deep breath but another hard knock echoed around her.
“Ya gonna answer that or what!?” Izzy shouted as she cracked up her door and slammed it shut again.
“Calm down ya, Fuckwit!” Kas shouted back. She opened the front door and Jackson’s scruffy face greeted her with that sweet smile she adored. “Hey, Jacko.”
“Hey Kassie. I hope you are ready. I got something killer planned for tonight.” He replied, stepping inside with an ice chest and a back of groceries.
Kas stepped aside, allowing him entry but scooped the back from the top of the cooler. “Uh, Jacko… what is all this?” She asked as she peered into the back and found mostly potatoes and corn on the cob.
“I figured since we are in my home state of Louisiana and it's our first chance to really hang out, I’d treat ya to a crawfish dinner.” He explained as he walked toward the kitchen. “Where’s Izzy? I thought she would want in on this.”
Kas chuckled at his question. “Yea, Iz might join us but right now she is hold up in her room.”
“Ah well, she will smell it soon enough then.” He said, placing the ice chest on the countertop. Kas placed the bag next to it stepped out of the way as Jackson searched the kitchen for the biggest pot they had.
As Jackson prepared the food in the kitchen, Kas went into the living room, and picked up the mess. Mainly the helmet and the shrunken head on the floor. After stowing it in her room, she swept and vacuumed. She plopped onto the couch and Blaze jumped next to her and rested his head in her lap. Jackson banged dishes around but somehow managed to keep things quieter than Kas expected but soon enough he came out. She looked at the time; 7:54 pm.
“It’s almost ready, Kassie. Go ahead and switch to the channel. I’ll only been a few more minutes.” He replied as he went back into the kitchen once again. She knew he was right by the aroma wafting through the house. Kas tapped the remote and changed it to The CW. A few minutes later, Jackson stepped back into the living room carrying two plates, a large bowl, and a roll of paper towels. He placed them all down on the coffee table. The plates had mostly potatoes and corn on it, with a few random assorted veggies but the bowel was filled with the crimson of freshly cooked crawfish. She smiled at him as he sat next to her. A moment later Supernatural started and the soft rock rift of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s - Born on the Bayou played. It opened into a small town diner in Louisiana.
“Fuckin’ right, Mate! I love Benny!” Kas cheered as she watched the old vampire buddy of Dean Winchester came onto the screen. Kas felt her happy place surge through her once again for the first time since Jackson had her reassigned to him.