Ray and the Dog

Following on from the writers workshop homework I wrote about in a previous blog, Moving On, I thought I’d share Ray and the Dog, with you. The only brief we were given was the opening sentence. I hope you enjoy it.

 Ray and the Dog

 Ray Goldman was at the top of the hill when the dog launched itself. A big, black, wolf-like animal attached to a chain, it came flying off a back porch towards him. He turned toward the snarling animal. It was huge. Ray froze, his brain seemingly unable to communicate with his limbs. Like some horrific nightmare the world around him moved in slow motion. Ray guessed that the dog was some five hundred yards away; he watched as its front paws hit the soft grass and propelled the muscular shoulders above them forward, leaving the paws tucked under its body for the rear legs to straddle effortlessly, providing yet more momentum towards him. The dog’s mouth was open, its tongue flapping out to one side. Ray could see the saliva drops spinning away from it, perfect little spheres carried backward beyond the dog, as though some unseen force was sucking them away.

Finally, Ray’s hands moved, but only to grab hold of the edges of the floral robe that covered his otherwise naked body. The silk was smooth to the touch, and it reminded him of the other predicament he faced. Keeping pace with the world around him, his legs slowly buckled, and he fell to his knees as he awaited the impact. His head bent forward, his eyes screwed shut, and his hands still clasping the robe to his chest, it looked as though he were praying. He was. His heart beat faster, and he gulped in air as the pounding of the paws drew closer. He could now hear the dogs throaty growl clearly. Screwing his eyes shut tighter still, Ray held his breath as he wondered if he would survive the attack and have to explain his attire, and indeed why he was in the field at the top of this hill. He sighed as he awaited his fate.

Nothing happened.

Slowly Ray opened one eye and squinted at the grass that was still wet with early morning dew. Raising his head he looked in front of him. No dog. All at once life returned to his previously paralysed limbs, and he jumped to his feet and looked around.

‘Where’s the dog? Please God let this be a dream.’

Ray realised that on top of everything else, he was now talking to himself.

A movement in the small copse behind him caught his eye. There was the dog, and there was a squirrel, which having reached the safety of the copse flew up a tree with quite amazing speed. The dog lunged at the trunk of the tree and began pawing it, barking up at the squirrel, now safe in the upper branches. The dog had no interest in Ray, no interest at all. Ray let out a loud, relieved laugh, and looked at his hands which were still shaking as the adrenalin slowed its race around Ray’s body. He might pull this off yet. Ray turned back toward his destination; he would make it in a few minutes if he got a move on.

 ‘Is that you Ray?’ asked the familiar voice of his neighbour. ‘Are you alright old chap? Quite nippy this morning isn’t it.’

Ray heard the amusement in his voice. Sighing, Ray looked down and adjusted the floral silk gown.

‘Just dandy thank you George,’ he croaked, avoiding eye contact, ‘can’t stop, must dash. I’ll catch you later.’

 *****

I’ve never got to the bottom of what Ray had been up to, or whether he ever provided George with an explanation. I may go back and work on that at some stage. Do you think I should?

 

 

Take care, have fun, I’ll be back soon.