"Alright, alright, Jupiter, enough," she giggled. Megumi drove back to the soup kitchen. She parked behind the building, then helped Jupiter out of her vehicle.
Jupiter trotted over to a rough patch of gravel a few feet away from the open back door. He flopped down, kicking up small amounts of rubble. 'Somewhere to rest finally,' Jupiter thought while closing his eyes.
Megumi walked into the prep area, only to receive a furious glare from Arron. "I hope you're happy." he mumbled.
"Very." She started moving around in the kitchen.
Jupiter fell asleep, dreaming. He vaguely recalled when he was small. A strong smell of plastic made him remember a black plastic bag. Jupiter suddenly felt the rough hands that tossed him into the bag. He let loose a soft whimper.
After that scene, he remembered hitting something hard and tumbling. Jupiter's feet twitched as he whined. He recalled a voice screaming and feet running toward him.
Boris freed Jupiter from the bag that day. Jupiter remembered the first time he faced the hairy old man who smelled like dirt, aged meat, and worn leather. Boris had lifted him up, pressing him against his forehead. "Hey, young fella, you are a big one, ain't ya?" Boris glanced at the night sky, holding the young pup away from his head. Boris's attention became fixated on the full moon, while he still held the pup. "I know, I'll call you Jupiter."
Boris pressed his forehead against Jupiter's furred one again. "You don't have to worry about anything anymore, my big one. I'll take care of ya."
That memory faded away, as more memories of Boris taking care of him popped up. Memories of playing with Mack, Bernie, and Megumi echoed and taunted him.
Megumi peeked out from the back door, checking on Jupiter.
Arron caught her looking. "What are you looking at?" he screeched. "Did you bring that mutt here? He is a danger!"
"Listen, Arron!"
"No, you listen! We have women, children, and men who count on us! How could you put them in danger?"
"Jupiter counts on us, also. He needs someone on his side. He is a good dog. He would never intentionally hurt anyone."
Arron started toward the phone located near the kitchen entrance, swinging wooden double doors behind him.
Megumi stood in his way, trying desperately to block his path.
"Move, Megumi, this has to be done." Arron gently pushed her aside, but glared intently at her.
Megumi continued to hinder him. She stood in front of him every few steps he took. Each time, Arron pushed her away. He finally stopped moving and heaved a long sigh. "Megumi! Stay out of my way!"
While he was stationary, Megumi began to plead, "Please do not do this, please." Tears spilled from her eyes. She had her hands pressed together. Megumi moved closer to Arron, her arms shaking as she walked.
Hearing Megumi's sounds of distress, Jupiter woke up. He stood up and slowly walked over, sticking his head into the kitchen. 'What now,' he thought.
Suddenly, Jupiter witnessed Arron pushing Megumi. Jupiter jumped into the kitchen, growling. 'No, you don't get to dothat.' Jupiter's thoughts ran wild, as he drove his feet apart, his hair standing on end.
Arron slowly turned around and reached for a knife that was sitting on a cutting board.
Jupiter jumped at him.
Arron's face went red as he trembled. He positioned the knife in front of himself. With a quick and decisive movement, he slashed out.
The knife hit Jupiter in his chest, causing blood to splatter onto the black and white kitchen tiles. Jupiter yelped, hitting the floor. He stood up growling as his mind began to question himself, 'It hurts. Can I take him?'
Arron retreated, readying to strike again.
Megumi jumped at Arron and grabbed his arm. "Run, Jupiter! Run, Jupiter," she shouted.
Arron knocked Megumi away, causing her to hit the floor with a loud thud. Her eyes watered as she glanced around.
Jupiter backed out of the kitchen. 'For now, I will do as shesays,' he thought and took off running.
Arron chased after Jupiter, still holding the knife. He slashed in front of himself, aiming for the dog.
Jupiter ran faster. Huffing, he turned his head to look behind him. 'Is he still there?' Jupiter asked himself.
Arron sliced at the space in front of him, just barely grazing the end of Jupiter's tail.
'That was a stupid question!" Jupiter sped up, putting distance between him and Arron.
Jupiter's mind could only wander so far before he realized he was lost in a network of alleyways.
Arron returned to his kitchen, proud of himself for fighting off the dangerous mutt.
Megumi stood up and slapped him. She covered her mouth, then spoke, "How could you!?" Megumi darted passed him to her car.
Arron held his cheek.
Jupiter ran among the alleyways, avoiding the crowded streets. He kept to the shadows, growling at every moving thing. 'It is not him, but it pays to be careful.' Jupiter sat down, staring in random directions. He tried to catch his breath, as he looked for anything familiar.
"Someone help me, please!" a woman screamed.
Jupiter perked his ears up, listening carefully to the sudden cries. He followed the desperate sounds, ending up in an alley filled with trash. He noticed shadows reflecting on a brick wall—shadows of a man hitting a woman. 'His actions are a no.' Jupiter internally snarled, spreading his legs apart.
"Shut up!" the man screamed, as he hit his target.
The woman, after receiving several blows, fell down, landing on a pile of trash bags.
The man suddenly reached down toward his victim. His hands gripped her shirt on each side, ripping it open.
She whimpered, sobbing, "No, please, no!" The woman glanced everywhere but at the man.
The man grinned, reaching for the button of her pants.
The woman placed her hands on his arms, trying to deter them.
Jupiter growled, lunging at the man!
The unknown man, hearing a sudden sound, pulled out a gun. He turned around only to see a colossal bleeding dog with fearsome jaws coming at him in mid-air. The man aimed his weapon at Jupiter, pulling the trigger.
The bullet hit Jupiter's thigh!
Jupiter fell to the ground, whimpering. Every part of him ached. Blood surged from both wounds.
The woman watched for a moment, dropping her jaw. "Someone help!" she screamed again, as she started scampering backward. Her back hit a multitude of trash bags.
It was to no avail, as the man aimed the gun at her.
Jupiter forced his aching, weary body up and lunged again at the man.
The criminal fired off a couple of more rounds, missing this time.
Jupiter opened his jaws and caught the man's arm. He bit down hard, tearing into flesh. Blood seeped down the man's arm, leaking into Jupiter's mouth.
The criminal gasped, screaming. His eyes were wide as he took the butt of his gun to Jupiter's head.
Jupiter flinched, as the gun made contact with his head. He still held on, growling as he continued his assault.
"Get off of me! Get off of me, you lousy mutt!" the criminal yelled, while continually trying to hit Jupiter with his other hand.
Jupiter finally released the man, who fell to the ground.
The criminal stood up and darted away, only to be met with police patrolling the streets.
Two officers had noticed the running man and his gun. They immediately jumped into action. "Drop your weapon!" the officers yelled, pointing their weapons at him.
The horrified, beaten woman rushed to Jupiter. She winced in pain as she reached out her shaking hands.
Jupiter whimpered as his vision began fading.
"Thank you, thank you." She gulped and then hugged Jupiter, petting him. "I can't thank you enough."
Tears slipped from Jupiter's eyes.
The woman, noticing Jupiter's plight, buried her head in his fur. She lifted her head as tears cascaded down her face. She screamed, "Someone help, help him, please!"
Jupiter closed his eyes, envisioning a grassy field with Boris standing there. "Here, boy. Here, Jupiter." Jupiter began hearing Boris's old rusty voice. "Come on, get up. it ain't your time."
Jupiter whined, opening his eyes. He tried to move.
The woman gasped, covering her mouth. She moved closer to Jupiter. "Stop, don't move!"
Jupiter tried dragging himself out of the alleyway using his front paws. 'She doesn't get it. Must go. He is calling me. I will make it there,' he thought before blacking out.
One of the officers quickly placed the criminal in cuffs. The other officer, hearing the racket the woman was making, went to help her.
She recounted her story of how the dog had saved her.
Days later, a welcoming scene unfolded.
"Once again this is Ericka Castaneda.
"A few days ago we learned the tragic story of a young husky named Jupiter, who not only saved his owner, but also a young woman, from an unfortunate fate. Today we are at St. Reeves Hospital, where Jupiter and his owner are being reunited."
Behind the news crew, Megumi walked with Jupiter, holding his leash, being careful not to rub his bandaged thigh, chest, or head on anything.
Boris was wheeled in a wheelchair from the hospital by one of the nurses.
Jupiter sniffed the air. Smelling his owner, he yanked and pulled forward. He let loose small whines, glancing over at Megumi.
Boris's face lit up. He excitedly bounced around. "Jupiter!" he yelled when he saw the husky.
Megumi let go of the leash, and Jupiter ran up to his old owner. When he reached Boris, he jumped onto the wheelchair with him.
Jupiter licked all over Boris's face.
Boris wept as he noticed the state of his dog. "Jupiter, what happened? You big stupid mutt!"
Megumi smiled and replied, "Our Jupiter is a hero, just like you."
Large tears gathered in his eyes. "So, you fought a war, did ya, boy?"
Jupiter barked, happily licking Boris's face some more.