Buck

[Syrup]

The first time I met Buck he was leashed to a burnt out cabin, his antlers all twisted up in a fallen hydro line.  One swift chop with the hatchet was enough to free him and after a moment or two of cursing and flailing he shook himself loose of what he must have assumed was a long, tough snake.  He looked back for a moment, grunted through his wet nostrils and leapt off into the sunrise.

Another night next to radios that never sing, next to phones that never ring.  The wall of gauges and dials were asleep.  I had as much a chance to wake it as I did the sticks and stones that litter the icy drifts. 

The mine yields nothing useful.  It's been swallowed up by lore.  A poison spewing dragon that trembles evermore.

"This river cuts through the mountains like ancient blades of old!"  I yelled while standing on the log.  I listened for the echo.  It was nice to hear another voice..  I had lunch at the foot of the cliff.  The expiration date on the can of beans had worn off.  I washed it down with Go Drink.  Notes of maple mixed with grape aspirin.  Not a pairing I've ever had.  Not a pairing I ever wish to have again.  I grabbed the rope and began my ascent but half way up I felt my stomach turn inside out.  Beads of sweat rolled off my face.  I wrapped the rope around my ankle and pulled out my emergency stim.

Is it a dream?  I wonder...the lights dancing in the sky.  Hopping stew and growling coats.  Is this my hut?

Is this my house?

I woke up face down in a frozen pool of drool and vomit, roused by a gentle prodding.  Buck's coffee coloured fur glistened in the golden rays.  "Hey, bud." I chuckled.  He took a step backwards and tapped his hoof on the asphalt.  I mustered the strength to crawl towards him.  He led me through the wastes and the ruins to the lighthouse...

...and everyday since we've sat together on the pier watching the sun rise over The Riken.

Edited April 12, 2022 by Syrup

[piddy3825]

Hey @Syrup

It's too bad you didn't submit this for the fan fiction story contest.  
This is good stuff and I gotta say this coulda been a contender for the win.  
Simple yet poetically elegant.  
One enthusiastic up vote from me!

[Syrup]

Thanks @piddy3825!

That was the intention but the registration process took me over the deadline.  No worries though.  Glad to be here now.

[piddy3825]

You should check out the little story I just recently posted in the Fan Fiction section, its called the Dark Side of Mountain Town.
I think you'd get a kick outta it!