{Warning; Animal abuse}
The sky was slothful, clouds like white smoke drifting in the morning light, to vanish when the sun arose. A cool wind, soft but moist like dew on the grass, slithered in the air, caressing the skin and sending shivers down the spine of a certain six year old boy. Nikki stood outside, basking in the morning air, his green pajamas not meant for the morning cold.
Behind Nikki was a one story apartment, made of red bricks with an English architectural style and design. Vivian lived on the first floor, the landlord lived at the bottom floor, a salty old man who had survived a lifetime with his dog. Vivian had gotten his number from Antonio and because she didn't have any dislike for it, or other options, she'd happily started living there. It had a lovely backyard garden which Vivian tended to with the old man's permission, in return he'd give her some produce on occasion. The front yard was bare with moist grass and some plots with scantily clad fresh flowers.
Nikki moved to the side of the building, heading to the backyard, a sharp knife in his left hand. His bare feet walked on dew covered grass, his face wearing an eager smile, unknown thoughts in his head.
"Nikki, where are you going?"
"Brother?" Nikki turned around to look at Nicholas, who stood in a baize pajama suit, his face sharper because he didn't have his glasses on.
"Where have you been going to for the last few days?" Nicholas eyed the sharp knife in his little brother's hand," And Vivian said none of us should play with knives."
"But I'm not playing. I need it to help my friend." Nikki said with a sad expression. He put his hands together, and looked down sadly.
"Friend? Whom?" Nicholas walked up to him, pulling his glasses from his pajama pocket and putting them on. He didn't like putting them on in the morning because of the humidity always fogging them up, but he'd risk it.
"I'll show you. Come on." Nikki took his brother's hand eagerly and instantly Nicholas pulled his hand back with a scowl. Nikki's smile faltered but he chuckled softly," Sorry."
"Just walk and I will follow you." Nicholas said and Nikki beamed, turning around he started to gently skip to the back of the yard and Nicholas followed him, walking steady steps, his face curious.
The backyard was large, with a lovely vegetable garden that held carrots, beans, garlic, a budding peach tree and a rose patch. Nikki turned to the far corner, to a small space hidden behind the beans, where he lifted up a covering of bean plant and revealed a a cardboard box.
"Nicholas come see. My friends are awake." Nikki waved him over, his eyes eager and excited. Nicholas exhaled as he walked over and checked the contents within the box.
"Puppies?"
Inside were three tiny little balls of white fluff, with beady baby eyes and soft little tails. They yeeped softly, trying to call out to a non existent mother who was no where in sight. Nikki stroked their heads, his hand gentle and soothing, making the puppies calmer and quiet.
"I found them after school near the construction yard." Nikki said softly as he lifted one puppy," They were all alone, with no mommy. So, I decided I'd take them home with me."
"Alright, but what is wrong with that one?" Nicholas accepted everything quickly, his brother's actions not surprising. Nikki had a fondness of wildlife and watching nature documentaries, so it was bound to happen he'd bring home strays. Also he'd always said he'd bring a stray home, and Nicholas knew Nikki to not lie when making such declarations.
"He's sick." Nikki said pitifully as he looked at an even more pitiful puppy with snot running down it's nose and wheezing heavily. " That's why I took this."
Nikki waved the knife with a small smile as he put the puppy down on the ground and...shoved the knife through the puppy's chest. Nicholas's eyes grew wide as his little brother shoved the knife through the puppy, impaling it to the ground and killing it instantly. The temperature seemed to grow colder as blood slipped out from the dead dog's mouth. It's little legs twitched and shook but eventually it stilled, death claiming the little baby dog.
"Brother?"
Nicholas turned to Nikki and saw his little brother with teary eyes and looking ready to cry. Nikki shivered , quivering as his heart grew wild with a turmoil of emotions.
"I...tried to...make it fast. I read...a book and....wahhh!" Nikki sobbed as he wiped tears from his eyes and looked at the dead puppy.
A thousand thoughts went through Nicholas's head, his eyes moved from the puppies in the box, to the dead puppy and his sniffling brother. Then slowly Nicholas opened his arms, looking resigned and stoic.
"Come on." Nicholas said and that was all Nikki needed to hear before he hugged his brother and cried, slowly calming his little heart.
Unbeknownst to Nikki, Nicholas was looking at the puppies in the box, his eyes cold and thoughtful. Inside the box, at the corner was a tiny dog collar. He knew Nikki had probably stolen the puppies. Whether it was from a construction sight or somewhere else, he didn't know and he didn't really care. If the owners could get robbed by a child, then they were pathetic owners.
"We could let Mr Smith take care of them. That way, he can give them all they need and you would not have to sneak out every morning." Nicholas suggested softly.
"Will he say yes?" Nikki asked and Nicholas gave a firm nod.
"Really? Thanks big brother." Nikki hugged him tightly as Nicholas looked at the rising sun, telling them to get ready for the day.
I have to kill his dog first before Mr Smith will consider more pets, Nicholas thought as he patted his brother's back. Although his brother's sharp and quick execution of the dog had surprised him, Nicholas didn't really care much for puppies or animals, except in a scientific sense, for the dog's death to be a big issue. His child like mind maybe couldn't fully understand death or maybe he just cared more about his brother than a mongrel's corpse. All he knew was that he did not like seeing his siblings sad like this.
Any of them.
"Let us go back inside. We will talk to Mr Smith after school next week." Nicholas said and Nikki looked confused.
"Why next week?" Nikki asked.
Because I have to find the best opportunity to kill Mr Smith dog and do it in way that won't get us in trouble, Nicholas thought but he just patted Nikki's head.
"Do not worry about it. Let us just go."
Nikki nodded his head, trusting Nicholas and after hiding the two leftover puppies, they went back inside.