4.x (Interlude; Brutus) (tofix)

A whistle pierces the air, jolting Brutus awake. Two whistles – the signal for walkies, his favorite activity! Scrambling off the bed, he races with the other dogs, Judas and Angelica, towards their Master, eager to be the first to reach her. He’s the top dog, after all.

Master, though, is different today. She moves slower, making soft sounds of discomfort, and carries the scent of dried blood and stress. Despite her injuries, she still manages to give Brutus the deep, rough scratches he loves, sending him into a state of pure bliss.

“Angelica, Judas, stay,” Master says, her voice tinged with apology. Brutus doesn’t understand, but his tail stops wagging. Is he not going for walkies?

But then, she picks up the leash, and his tail resumes its frantic wagging. She asks if he’s ready for an errand, a word that always promises excitement. He eagerly steps forward, remembering to be a good boy and not pull on the leash. She gives treats to Judas and Angelica, but tells Brutus “later” for his treat, a word whose meaning eludes him, filling him with disappointment.

The scentless man, Master’s alpha, appears, questioning her decision to go out in her condition. Their conversation is laced with tension and unspoken emotions, revealing that Master had been hurt in a recent encounter. Brutus, sensing her anger, is ready to growl in support, but a gentle tug on the leash keeps him quiet.

Adventures Outside and a Lesson in Restraint

Finally, they’re out the door, and the world explodes with smells. Each scent tells a story – a female dog in heat, a hungry dog with a likely hungry owner, a human’s uninteresting pee. Master whistles, reminding Brutus to keep up.

“Brutus, sit, stay,” she commands. He obeys, earning a scratch. A small human approaches, poking and pulling at him. Brutus endures, looking to Master for guidance. The girl’s mother arrives, and Master’s anger flares. She tells the woman to “watch your fucking child,” using that special word that signifies her displeasure. Brutus understands this is his cue to growl, and the fear scent from the humans is satisfying.

Master issues a new command, “Brutus, guard,” and he positions himself between the child and her mother, growling. Then, “Brutus, mouth,” and he gently takes the child’s arm in his mouth, holding it firmly but without hurting her. Master explains to the terrified mother about Brutus’ past abuse and the potential danger the child had put herself in.

A Trip to a Place of Blood and Fear

Their walk takes them to a place reeking of blood, fear, rage, and animal waste. Master knocks, and a man smelling of blood answers. They talk, and Brutus waits patiently, distracted by the unsettling smells and sounds of distressed dogs inside.

The man examines Brutus, touching him in a way that’s different from Master’s scratches. They enter the noisy building, filled with excited, sweaty people. The man instructs Master to put Brutus in a fear-and-rage-scented kennel. He announces Brutus’ name and the word “kill,” a command Brutus knows all too well.

Unleashed Power and a Desperate Escape

The kennel opens, and Brutus finds himself facing a large, blood-soaked dog. Then, he feels it – Master making him stronger. It’s a good hurt, like a satisfying stretch, only it doesn’t stop. He grows larger and more powerful, bigger than Master, as big as a car.

Master whistles twice, the “come” signal, but there’s no path to her. She whistles again, and he bursts through the obstacles separating them. “Brutus, guard!” she shouts, and he blocks the door, flinging a person aside to clear the way.

“Brutus! Attack!” he obeys, using his size and strength to subdue the fleeing people. He’s careful not to shake or chew them, focusing on bites and body slams. It’s a long, tiring process, but eventually, everyone is still.

Aftermath and a Well-Deserved Treat

Master shouts “No more!”, another set of words that confuse Brutus, but he trusts her. She retrieves caged, angry dogs and secures them to the car, then disappears back inside for a long time.

Brutus finds her kneeling by cages of unmoving dogs. He lies down beside her, and she hugs him tightly. The sound of sirens approaches, and Master barks a warning. They get in the car and drive away. She gives him a treat and rolls down the window, letting him enjoy the wind in his fur. His tail wags, knowing he was a good boy.