We were poor wretches. A mass of desperation in a ruined world.

The dying world around us seemed to close in on everyone as we fled to the evacuation train. It would lead us to a safe haven, far away from the pollution and despair of choking refuse. Wrinkled trash, polluted rain water, and black mud kissed our curling tails and the heels of our feet with each step. Concrete monuments to hubris cracked and threatened to melt like magma from the sweltering heat. The very acidic rain itself felt like it was on the verge of boiling into steam before it even touched the ground. And everyone was for themselves.

Most of us lumber and climbed over or around sludge-filled potholes. We crawled over concrete barriers as if they were the steps of stairs for mighty fallen giants. We pushed forward. We ignored anguished cries from those who fell to the ground or were too weak to continue towards the train. Beside me in the crowd, trying g to reach the departing train were a couple such pitiful creatures: a duo of young dog pups clamoring with all their strength, shoving their way to salvation. I ignored them at first.

The number of evacuees dwindled until it seemed like the nearest car of the train itself was about to burst. I was about to join the metallic carriage that would carry me away to sanctuary in its belly. I almost stepped inside, instead shouting towards the conductor to wait for a moment as I turned around. I sprinted for the pups.

I could see the destruction sprawled out behind them. Powerful explosions and disintegrating structures that blocked out the sun. At least, until they started to fall and other orange fireballs would begin to take their place. Even so I sprinted with all my life. I scooped up the pups in my arms and held them to my chest. Their cries of fear and simultaneous joy or drowned out by Lovecraftian roars. More concrete and brutalist behemoths threatened to crush us as I dodged and climbed and crawled with renewed purpose. I would have felt content dying in that moment rather than spending the rest of eternity with the eyes of the pups haunting me. I felt content, knowing my death would not be spent alone.

The train itself threatened to lurch forward. I slammed my entire body through a gap between shoulders and felt my tail almost bitten off by the slamming door. The sudden motion nearly pulled me to the floor. I let my backside take the brunt of impact rather than use the pups as a cushion. They're happy whimpers and nuzzling to my chin made the pain worth it.

A few passengers helped me to my feet. I growled at those who scowled. I shifted gingerly until I found an available seat and sat down. Finally, I allowed myself the chance to relax. So did the pups in my arms. We were dry. We were warm. We were safe, at last. The monsters and ruined world were far away now.

CHAPTER 2 - Untitled Chapter