short story: “canine eyes”

I am all-powerful. All humans do my bidding. For I am Frenchie, Queen and Dictator of the Humans. 

I lay proudly upon my pillowy perch, seated upon the highest point of the couch cushion. All that exists, belongs to I. I enjoy the quiet and the solitude… Before the door slams open and the peace is broken. A flock of pre-teen girls swarm into the room. Ah, the youngest human must have invited her underlings over once again. I can tell that they’re her underlings because of how they do everything she asks of them without question (excluding the occasional defiant whine). I hear the older humans refer to her as “Ava,” a weird and unusual name. I cannot understand why the humans decide to call each other such names. Where can you go wrong with simple yet exquisite names like “Spot” and “Pie?” 

Upon the sight of me, the girls swarm around me. “Aw, he’s so cute~!” The multiple, high-pitched and squeaky voices annoy me tremendously. I roll my tiny, black, beady eyes. What an idiotic mistake. I am female, not a he. And I am most definitely, not cute. 

I growl at them, ordering them to leave me alone. At first, they’re hesitant to leave beautiful me alone, but after a few snaps of my jaw, they leave. Leaving me be to my preferred solitude. 

Several hours later, the older female human arrives home. She seems to know of my plots to murder her and her family, and she quite enjoys taunting me with delicious food from the human realm. Upon seeing me, she breaks out into a smile. She must’ve finally bowed down to my control. Either that, or she had a good day. She skipped her way into the food room, and I hear her open the cold box. I hear the crinkle of plastic, and my ears perk up at the sound. Could it be…? Cheese…? 

“Frenchie~! Would you like some… Cheeeeeeeeeese~?” 

Foolish, pathetic human. I don’t need nor want your praise! … But yes, I would like some cheese. 

I hop off my pillowy perch and stretch, before heading into the kitchen. The tall, lanky human awes and giggles before me, taking out a slice of that golden, heavenly delicacy: cheese. I growl at them, ordering them to place it down before me. But they simply giggle and fawn over me, before finally placing the delectable square on the floor. 

As I gobble down my meal, the pathetic human attempts to pet my perfect, curly, black fur. But I growl and snap viciously at their outstretched fingertips. “Begone!” I growl, ordering them to leave me be. Instead of cowering in fear like the little ones do, she giggles once more. “Aw, you’re such a grumpy butt~!” She utters cheerfully, before heading off to do something. Likely my bidding. 

A couple of hours later, the oldest male human arrives, opening the door and calling for his children. I bark at him, he’s the most annoying of them all. Once he lays his eyes upon me, he laughs and starts to imitate me! The nerve! In retaliation, I growl and bark at him more. But it doesn’t seem to faze him, as he continues to laugh and mimic me. This insufferable human! 

Later on, the eldest female human arrives home. I have a soft spot for this human. She is the sweetest of them all, and the most beautiful. I love her to death. She is my favorite slave. Upon entering the lazy room, she completely ignores her children and heads straight towards me, fawning over me with a passion as I wag my tail in approval. Yes, yes, I will spare this human, while I kill the rest! 

Ah, the life of a canine is a wondrous thing… Too bad the humans don’t seem to realize our power over them. 

short story: “questioning reality”

Vanessa walked alongside her cousin, Sherry. Bright lights sparkling from signs. Tall buildings of glass and metal towering around them. On their daily walk around the city, Vanessa stopped to peer into a window of glass, gazing at little monkeys staring back at her. Vanessa blinked, as one jumped up and down, pointing excitedly at her while tugging on the arms of another monkey. “Vanessa. Hurry up.” Vanessa looked up at her cousin, taking one last glance at the glass, before skipping off to catch up. 

“What do you think is for dinner today?” Vanessa asked, latching her hand onto Sherry’s, swinging her arm back and forth. Sherry glanced down at little Vanessa, with her light skin sparkling in the glittering lights and her long black tresses swaying around her face, before looking back up. 

“The usual. Like usual.” Sherry stated monotonously, eyes blank and dead of emotion. 

“Awww…” Vanessa moaned. “I don’t want the usual…” 

“Vanessa…” Sherry sighed. “They only ever have the usual.” 

“But-” 

“No buts, Vanessa. You know the rules.” 

Vanessa scrunched up her nose in distaste and annoyance, but nevertheless, gave up on the topic. Sherry sighed, knowing that eventually, Vanessa would be back with a new argument.

Just as they were approaching the dinner place, Sherry stopped, all of sudden. Grabbing Vanessa’s hand and dragging her over to a darkened nook between two buildings. “Sherryyyy!” Vanessa whined, pulling on her hand, looking hungrily over at the dinner place. 

“Hush now.” Upon hearing the serious tone in Sherry’s voice, Vanessa quietened. Looking around, Sherry bent down on her knees, coming down to her younger cousin’s height. “Vanessa. I want you to know something. Something important.” 

Vanessa tilted her head, a questioning twinkle in her eyes. Sherry placed her hands on both of Vanessa’s shoulders, pulling her closer. 

“Vanessa, I want you to look around. What do you see?” 

The little girl was confused, but looked around. “Ummm… I see our city… Our home.” 

Upon hearing this answer, Sherry’s gaze hardened. “No. No, that isn’t what you seeing. Vanessa, truly look.” Vanessa was even more confused at this. 

Sherry rolled her eyes and gently grasped Vanessa’s face. “Look up. Look around. Look… For the little glass windows.” 

Vanessa looked around. And for the first time, she saw

Little glass windows. Here and there and everywhere. And through those windows, were monkeys. Pointing and looking and gazing and watching. And then Vanessa looked up. Above them, were tons of them, staring down at them from the sunny-blue platform. 

That’s when Vanessa, looking into Sherry’s eyes, finally realized what reality was. 

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