Run, Barry, Run!

Self-preservation it seemed was a powerful motivator, that paired with a weirdly high intellect for a dog. It took no time at all for it to begin hunting and bringing me food. I named it Barry.

I still hadn’t yet established a baseline for Barry compared to other animals just the same as it was unknown as to how I compared with other humans and Demi-humans, etc.

It would also be a good idea to figure out if our ability to communicate was because I was a Demi-human or because he was just really smart, or both.

It also might be unfair to call the beast I’d captured a “dog” since it was about five times bigger than what someone might consider a dog, but I was just calling it like I saw it. He acted like a dog and resembled one aside from his size. He could have been a monster or just a standard animal around these parts.

The first prey he dragged back for me was a whole deer which flopped around in his mouth as he slid down into the crater. At first glance it seemed like a normal deer for the most part. The only thing different was a purple nose and purple spots and the fact that it was white. The closer I looked at the thing that my dog had plopped down at my feet the more I began to doubt. It also had four eyes and it’s teeth looked silver plated. This might actually be toxic.

I glared up at Barry who immediately turned away.

“Is this safe? This won’t kill me, right?” I questioned the dog. The dog in question continued averting his gaze.

He was trying to kill me.

“Go find me something edible!” I executed a flying kick that sent him flying out of the crater. I’d gathered that he was pretty durable my now, still I may have added it more force than intended.

“Are you okay?” I called. The dog whimpered in response.

“Cool.” I saw it limp back into the woods. He’ll walk it off, I’m sure. This was not animal abuse, it wasn’t even an animal so why should I feel guilty, plus he all but admitted to attempted poisoning. I did feel a little bad though.

I studied the mutant deer my incompetent pet had brought for me. There were so many unknowns. If his things teeth were actually real pure silver it would have to be valuable and if this monster was actually rare or hard to kill then that value would be driven up further. If silver was as common as rocks here then they would be worthless but it was better to have them than not.

I cautiously removed it’s teeth. In the process I discovered it had a forked tongue which looked freaky. I’d never seen one in real life.

Just as the sun was setting on my second full day in another world, my untrustworthy pet came bounding down the hill. This time it had something a bit smaller in it’s jaws.

“Took you long enough.” I said impatiently.

Barry sighed and dropped the animal at my feet. I took a look. This time it had brought me a giant winged squirrel (?). This squirrel (?) was about the size of a normal dog, other than it’s size it appeared to be a regular squirrel with wings.

Barry swatted at the corpse as if to say, “I did it, boss!” He looked mighty proud too.

“Yep. I guess that’ll have to do.” This was not the praise Barry had been looking for. He lowered his head and slinked off to dejectedly sit beside the fire I’d lit.

There were several things I knew I had to do in order to prepare wild game. First skin it, then remove all it’s bowels and intestines and everything, then rinse and cook thoroughly. The first step posed the greatest challenge. This body hadn’t come with a knife. I was sure my teeth were stronger than those in my past life but using them would defeat the purpose of prepping the thing and that’s if they could cut through it’s hide.

“Hey, Barry. Do you thing I could borrow your claws or teeth?” I asked him innocently.

Death once again stared Barry in the face but this time he did not flinch, instead he ran full speed the opposite direction.

“Guess that is a no.”

I turned my attention back to the squirrel. It might be possible to tear the hide off. My grip strength was most likely off the charts. I quickly dismissed the idea, it was too risky, I might end up tearing the entire thing in half if I wasn’t careful.

I looked around, there was plenty of wood but even sharpened it most likely wouldn’t hold up and might lead to additional bacteria getting into the meat.

There weren’t many good options. The moon was now fully in view, it cast it’s light over the crater, illuminating the Poison Deer carcass.

I struck my fist on my palm like a gavel. The teeth. I could heat up it’s teeth and try molding them into a makeshift knife. This seemed like the best plan I could come up with at the moment so I got to work.