The intense scene with Dog and the bat had left Alex reeling, his mind racing with questions and theories. As he stood there, hands still stinging from the torn wire of the crushed cage, he couldn't help but replay the events in his mind.
"That was...something else, wasn't it?" Alex said, breaking the silence. He turned to James, searching the boy's face for any hint of an explanation. "I've never seen anything like that before. The way Dog just...destroyed that cage, it was almost animalistic."
James looked up at Alex, his expression a mix of concern and pride. "Dog was just protecting me, like he always does. He's my best friend - we look out for each other."
Alex nodded slowly, considering James' words. "I see. So this isn't the first time he's...acted that way?"
"No, it's not," James replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Dog would do anything to keep me safe. He's like a big, fierce guard dog, but he's also the most loyal and loving friend I could ask for."
Listening to James speak about Dog with such fondness, Alex couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. He'd never had that kind of unwavering bond with anyone, let alone a friend who would go to such lengths to protect him.
"And what about that nail of his?" Alex asked, deep in thought. "When the nails cut the wires on the cage in my hands, I felt like something inside me was activated. I was on the verge of some kind of... revelation. What was that? What was that feeling that I needed to break through something?"
James contemplated the question for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. "I'm not sure, but maybe it has something to do with Dog. There's always been something special about him, something I can't quite explain. I only know he cuts or trims his nails to look more normal."
Alex considered this, his gaze drifting back to where Dog stood, his imposing figure a stark contrast to James' smaller frame. "Special, huh? I guess that's one way to put it." He paused, then added, "Do you think there's more to him than sharp nails?"
James nodded emphatically. "Oh, definitely. Dog is...well, he's not like other people. There's a depth to him that I don't think even he fully understands. But I know he's here to protect me, no matter what."
The boys fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts as they tried to make sense of the extraordinary events that had just unfolded. One thing was certain - their lives had just taken an unexpected turn, and the path ahead was shrouded in mystery.
Alex's mind raced with a growing sense of urgency. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was a pivotal moment, a window of opportunity that he couldn't afford to miss. The intensity of the earlier events had left him unsettled, his senses heightened as if he was on the precipice of some profound revelation.
"Alex, are you okay?" James asked, his voice laced with concern as he noticed the beads of sweat on Alex's brow. "You're bleeding!"
Alex glanced down at his hands, wincing as he saw the crimson droplets falling to the ground. The pain from the wire cuts barely registered, his focus entirely consumed by the nagging feeling that he was on the verge of a breakthrough.
"I'm...I'm fine," Alex stammered, his eyes darting around as if searching for something, anything, that could help him seize this elusive opportunity. "James, I need you to tell me everything you know about Dog. Every detail, no matter how small or insignificant it might seem."
James was taken aback by the sudden intensity in Alex's voice, his eyes widening with a mixture of confusion and worry. "I-I don't understand. What's going on? Are you sure you're alright?"
Alex placed his hands on James's shoulders, his grip firm yet trembling. "Please, James. This is important. I have this feeling that if I don't figure this out now, I may never get another chance. Just tell me everything you know about Dog - his behavior, his abilities, anything that might help me understand what's happening here."
Sensing the urgency in his friend's plea, James took a deep breath and began to recount everything he knew about the enigmatic figure who had so fiercely protected him. As the words spilled forth, Alex listened intently, his mind racing to connect the dots, to find the missing piece that would unlock the secrets he was so desperate to uncover.
The air was thick with tension, the silence broken only by the sound of Alex's ragged breathing and the occasional drip of blood from his wounded hands. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as he grappled with the overwhelming sense of importance that had seized him, a feeling that the fate of something far greater than himself hung in the balance.
As Alex's bleeding hands caught Dog's attention, the imposing figure quickly stepped forward and covered the wounds with his large, calloused hands. Although Dog's primary concern was for James, the eldest son of Walter, he couldn't ignore the sight of Alex's blood dripping to the ground.
The moment Dog's hand made contact with Alex's skin, something shifted. A subtle "click" resonated in Alex's mind, as if a hidden mechanism had been activated. The overwhelming sense of anxiety and urgency that had gripped him moments earlier suddenly dissipated, replaced by a sense of clarity and focus.
"Dog, we need to sterilize and bandage these wounds," James said, his voice laced with concern. "Can you please get the first aid kit from my room? I'll help Alex cover his wound while you're getting the medical supplies."
Dog nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze briefly meeting Alex's before he turned and swiftly made his way towards James' room. There was a purpose in his movements, a resolute determination that spoke volumes about his devotion to James' well-being.
As Dog disappeared, James turned to Alex, his brow furrowed with worry. "Are you alright? That looked like a nasty cut. Let's get you cleaned up, okay?"
Alex blinked, his mind still processing the strange sensation that had just washed over him. "Y-yeah, I'm fine," he stammered, his voice steadier than it had been just moments ago. "Let's get this taken care of."
James nodded, quickly retrieving a clean cloth and covering Alex's wounds. As he gently tended to Alex's injuries, they heard Dog's heavy footsteps approaching, the first aid kit clutched firmly in his grasp.
Dog wasted no time, rushing forward with the first aid kit in hand to tend to Alex's wounds. His movements were precise and efficient, as he quickly cleaned the cuts and wrapped them in clean bandages. James watched on, his brow furrowed with concern.
The trio worked in relative silence, the tension from earlier giving way to a sense of purpose and focus. Whatever had transpired, it was clear that the events of this day had left an indelible mark on all of them, setting the stage for a journey that would test the limits of their understanding and the very nature of their reality.
"Hey, Alex, I didn't expect you to have a birthmark like that," James said, gesturing to Alex's hands. "It looks almost like an emblem, with that eye-like design. I've never seen anything like it before."
Alex's expression shifted as he examined his hands, his eyes widening with realization. "Both hands?" he asked, his voice tinged with a newfound urgency.
"Yes, on both of them," James confirmed, nodding.
Suddenly, Alex's demeanor changed, his focus sharpening as he remembered the strange markings on his arms. "Excuse me, I need to go first. There's something I have to do," he said, his words laced with a sense of purpose.
"Oh, sure, no problem," James replied, a hint of confusion in his voice. "You can come back and play with me anytime."
As Alex turned to leave, Dog's gruff voice rang out, "Goodbye."
The change in Dog's demeanor was palpable, his tone almost... different. Alex couldn't help but feel that something had shifted, that the encounter had left an indelible mark on all of them.
With a renewed sense of determination, Alex set off, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the significance of the markings on his hands and the strange reaction they had elicited. Whatever lay ahead, he knew that he was on the cusp of unlocking a profound truth, one that could alter the course of his life forever.