Little Alex stood in the doorway, whining.
— Mom, I want to go outside and play.
— Sweetie, it’s cold and windy out there. Look how the trees outside are bending to the ground. On a day like this, even a good owner wouldn’t let their dog out. And besides, I’m working right now, I can’t go with you, — his mother said.
— I’m grown up now, I can go by myself. You know I’ll only stay in the yard. I promise I won’t step a foot outside it, — Alex pleaded.
— Alright, — his mother relented. — But please, don’t forget to wear your scarf. You don’t want to get sick with tonsillitis like last year, do you?
— I’ve already got it on, I’m off! — the boy waved his hand.
The elevator was out of service, so Alex had to run down the stairs from the 11th floor. The howling wind echoed through the stairwell. The boy dashed to the neighboring building to visit his childhood friend, Andrew. But no one was home. Alex remembered that Andrew and his parents were planning to visit relatives over the weekend. His other friend, Max, was sick with the flu, and Liam was staying at his grandmother’s.
Alex felt a wave of sadness; all his friends had scattered. He wandered aimlessly around the yard alone. He stopped by the playground, swung on the swings for a bit, but soon got cold and slowly trudged back home.
A car slowly pulled into the yard, and a tall man stepped out, tossing a bag into the dumpster. Alex didn’t pay much attention and was about to walk past when a faint squeak came from the trash. At first, he thought he’d imagined it, but the sound grew louder. Curious, the boy approached the dumpster, lifted the lid, and saw something moving in one of the bags. Without hesitation, he reached in and pulled out the “living” bag.
Inside was a tiny, freezing puppy, whimpering softly. It seemed someone’s dog had given birth, and the owners had chosen this cruel way to get rid of the pup.
Alex unzipped his jacket and tucked the puppy inside. He hurried home, fully aware that his mother wouldn’t approve of a dog in the apartment, but he couldn’t leave the poor thing.
His mother was talking on the phone in the kitchen. Alex slipped quietly into his room, placed an old sweater behind the couch, and hid the puppy there. The little dog settled in, looking up at its rescuer with pitiful eyes.
— Little guy, just don’t make a sound, or Mom will kick you out. I’ll bring you some food soon, — Alex whispered to the puppy.
— Alex, you’re back from your walk already? Why so soon? — his mother’s surprised voice called from the kitchen.
— Yeah, all the guys are gone. It’s boring to walk alone, and it’s cold.
As soon as his mother went to the bathroom, Alex sneaked into the kitchen, poured a glass of milk, grabbed a meat patty from the pan, and tiptoed back to his room.
Suddenly, the bathroom door opened, and his mother stepped out with a towel wrapped around her head.
— Well, now, — she frowned. — Where are you off to with all that?
Startled, Alex spilled some milk on the floor.
— I just got hungry. Thought I’d watch a cartoon and have a snack, — he stammered, his voice trembling.
— Don’t lie to me. Let’s go to your room. I can tell something’s up.
Alex followed his mother obediently. The sweater lay on the floor, but the puppy was nowhere to be seen. Then a squeak came from near the radiator, where the trembling pup sat next to a shiny puddle.
The woman sighed. Her son had a kind heart; he could never walk past an abandoned kitten or puppy. He always brought strays home, and together they’d put up flyers to find them good homes.
— Oh, Alex, another animal? — His mother silently shifted her gaze from the frightened puppy to her son.
— Mom, it’s so cold outside. I saw a man get out of a car and throw the puppy in a plastic bag into the dumpster. Can you imagine what would’ve happened if I hadn’t taken him? I promise I’ll take care of him and walk him. Please, let him stay until summer, — Alex begged tearfully, setting the milk and plate on the table as he prepared to grab a rag.
— Well, what can we do? We can’t just throw the poor thing out, — his mother sighed, waving her hand as she went to wash the dishes.
— Thank you, I love you, Mom! — Alex shouted joyfully, running to get the rag.
And so began the friendship between Alex and Rusty. The dog quickly recognized Alex as his master, greeting him joyfully after school. Hearing familiar footsteps on the stairs, Rusty would whimper and leap at the door.
Alex would toss his backpack aside and shower his pet with affection. The little dog would yip, jump, and try to lick Alex’s nose.
Time flew by.
Alex finished school and started college. Rusty grew from a clumsy puppy into a large dog with wise eyes and chocolate-brown fur.
Now Alex came home late, but Rusty patiently waited for his master. He’d lie in the hallway, listening for sounds. Mary, Alex’s mother, would offer to take Rusty for a walk, picking up the leash, but the dog would stay put. He only walked with Alex.
Sadly, time takes its toll. Alex got a job while still studying, and Rusty grew old. The dog began suffering from insomnia, pacing the room at night, his claws clicking on the floor.
March arrived. Thin streams trickled along the asphalt, birds sang, and the scent of spring stirred forgotten feelings, even in old Rusty.
Alex was coming home happy. The taste of a kiss lingered on his lips. He had walked his classmate, Emma, home, and they had lingered outside her house, embracing and exchanging kisses. Emma was Alex’s first love. They planned to finish college, get married, and never part. Alex had taken a part-time job to save money, as the young couple wanted to live together, independent of their parents.
One evening, Alex was returning home in high spirits. Emma had introduced him to her parents, and he had finally asked for her hand. Eager to share the good news with his mother, he decided to take a shortcut through a dark alley.
Meanwhile, three drunk guys emerged from around a corner, arguing loudly. Alex glanced at them warily. The group passed by, and he sighed with relief, continuing on his way. Suddenly, a dull blow struck his back. His vision blurred, and he fell face-first onto the dirty asphalt. Pain surged through his back with every second. Coming to, he tried to get up and saw one of the guys’ drunken sneers as he landed a hard kick to Alex’s stomach, followed by a blow to the head. Alex blacked out from the pain.
Back home, Rusty, who had been dozing peacefully while waiting for his master, suddenly leapt up and barked loudly. He lunged at the door handle. Mary was startled; the old dog had never acted like this before.
— What’s wrong, old boy? Want to go out? — she asked gently.
Rusty kept whimpering, licking her hands. Mary, now older, sat on a stool and slowly put on her boots. Rusty grew anxious, circling her as if urging her to hurry. His entire demeanor screamed that something was wrong.
— Hold on, for heaven’s sake, I’m struggling with these boots. The zipper’s stuck, — she said sternly.
Before Mary could fully unlock the door, Rusty bolted outside. She heard his barking in the yard. The dog stood, ears perked, listening to the street. Suddenly, he sensed something, darted forward, and ran.
The three thugs were beating Alex. The asphalt was soaked with his blood. He lay curled up, shielding his face and stomach with his hands. He was too weak to stand and fight back.
Rusty charged forward, launching himself at one of the attackers. He sank his teeth into the guy’s arm. The thug screamed in pain, trying to pull away, but Rusty held on, his fangs digging deeper. The man howled, begging for help.
The other two stopped pummeling Alex and turned to help their friend.
Rusty released the bloodied arm and turned, ready to fight. He was prepared to give his life for his master. His tense body radiated fury as he bared his fangs and growled menacingly.
— No, Rusty, no, come to me, — Alex rasped with his last strength. He tried to stand but couldn’t even move his arm. The attackers had beaten him severely.
One of the thugs slowly pulled a knife from his pocket. Rusty locked eyes with him, sensing danger. With a growl, he lunged at the man with the knife. It happened in an instant. Rusty whimpered and collapsed on the asphalt beside his master. Blood poured from his side. The dog twitched and whined in pain. With his last strength, he crawled to Alex and licked his hand.
— What have you done, you monsters! Damn you! — Alex cried out in despair.
Gathering his strength, he stood, found his blood-soaked backpack in the dirt, and realized his phone screen was shattered and useless. On autopilot, he dialed for a taxi, wrapped Rusty in his bloodied jacket, and waited for the car.
The attackers fled as soon as the knife pierced Rusty’s body. Whatever they wanted remained a mystery; they hadn’t touched the wallet in his backpack.
The taxi finally arrived. Alex opened the back door, wincing in pain as he climbed in with Rusty and said, — Please, hurry, to the vet clinic on Main Street.
— Look, kid, I’m sorry, but no way. You’ll get blood all over the seats. Who’s gonna clean that up? — The elderly driver was about to drive off.
— I don’t care about the money, I’ll pay whatever it takes. Please, help us! — Alex shouted.
— Alright, but be careful. — The driver handed Alex a rag and asked him to spread it on the seat to avoid a mess.
Within 20 minutes, Alex was at the vet clinic. The air was thick with the smell of medicine, animal fur, and antiseptic. Shaking, Alex crossed his fingers and prayed his childhood friend would survive.
Finally, voices came from the operating room. A tired veterinarian emerged, slowly removed his mask, and wiped his sweaty brow.
— So, doctor, please tell me it’s okay, — Alex jumped up from the bench, but a sharp pain in his back forced him back down.
— I’m sorry, but you need to see a doctor yourself. As for the dog… I did everything I could. He lost too much blood and might have survived, but his age… his heart couldn’t handle the strain. Would you like to see him one last time? We can cremate him today if you want.
Alex covered his face with his hands.
— Don’t be too hard on yourself, kid. Your dog gave his life for you. He’s a hero. So, what about cremation?
— I’ll come back for him tomorrow, okay? I can’t look at him now. Thank you for everything, — Alex said quietly.
— Sure, come back tomorrow, — the vet said, watching the limping boy with sympathy.
Alex didn’t remember how he got home. His pale mother met him, asking questions, but he only waved his hand and said, — Later, Mom, I need to sleep.
Mary understood something had happened to Rusty. She silently went to the kitchen, poured some calming drops into a glass for her son. He drank it and fell asleep instantly.
Morning came.
Alex woke up and immediately remembered Rusty was gone. He wanted to cry but held it together. He went to the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face, and started getting ready. It was time to go to the vet clinic.
There, he took one last look at his friend. The vet had carefully wrapped Rusty’s body in a special bag. Alex called a taxi.
The young driver eyed the battered boy suspiciously as he emerged from the clinic with a shovel and a large bag. Alex explained everything and asked to be driven to the forest. They carefully placed Rusty’s body and the shovel in the trunk and drove off slowly.
Alex headed deep into the woods. Digging the ground was painful; every movement sent sharp pain through his back and battered body. Finally, the grave was ready. Alex gently lifted Rusty’s wrapped body from the bag. Before burying his friend, he sat on a log, memories flooding back: saving the puppy from the dumpster, Rusty greeting him after school, wagging his tail joyfully. Tears filled his eyes, and a lump rose in his throat. So many good memories were tied to his loyal dog, who had sacrificed his life.
Who knows what might have happened that cursed evening if Rusty hadn’t come to his rescue? The drunken thugs might have beaten Alex to death.
They say dogs don’t die; their souls go to the rainbow. Alex sighed and looked at the sky, where Rusty’s soul now rested. He placed the wrapped body in the grave.
— Goodbye, my friend. Thank you for saving me. I hope one day we’ll meet again, — Alex said softly.
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