I can’t let this happen. I’ve got to do something, thought the dog, sweating profusely and running out of energy to keep up. Even if I do stop it, they’ll just do it again anyway. I have to make a statement as well, a big statement.
They got to the top of a small grassy crest and looked down to see the exhausted fox taking refuge in a bush, the brush poking out of one end and the whiffling snout from the other. He was defeated, helpless and panting furiously. Both hounds slowed down from their full speed run into a gentle jog. Behind them the hunter and his horse slowed to a canter as they knew the game was up. He puffed on his trumpet for all he was worth, trying to prove to the world that against all the odds, he could still get a hard on.
Ed immediately accelerated from his jog into a full pace advance towards the fox.
“That’s my boy, you are eager today,” exclaimed the man from the horse as the fox cowered trembling in the bush.
Just at the last minute and just a few feet from the bush he turned and faced the oncoming assailants, growling angrily. They mistook this for eagerness and a desire to finish the job as a team, not knowing that the hound had switched sides.
“We’re coming, we’re coming,” shouted the man as they both got closer. Ed got louder and louder, barking ferociously for all he was worth.
The second hound accelerated as he closed in and was about to run past Ed to devour the fox. Ed however had other ideas and leapt out with his growling salivating mouth opened to its widest. He grabbed the hound around the neck, pushing him over sideways, tearing through fur and skin deep into tissue. Blood spurted from the dog as it fought with panic to regain its balance and fight back.
“What the hell are you doing?” yelled the man as he saw the exhausted fox run from the bush safely into the distance.
Ed bit deeper, tearing into the violent animal knowing that this was one fox hound that would not be repeating his ugly deeds.
“That’s my best hound, you stupid mutt,” exclaimed the hunter as he reached for his shotgun from the neat holster attached to the red leather saddle. He undid the popper stud and started to withdraw the weapon just as Ed withdrew his teeth from the limp and now lifeless hound. The man jumped down from the horse and came towards Ed, lifting the shotgun in his direction and pulling off a round. Ed ducked down and ran around to his right through the small clumps of grass before he could re-aim the gun. Then Ed pounced across and was upon the hunter in a flash, leaping up and onto the forearm, forcing him to drop the shot gun on the ground. He tore into his arm right down through the flesh and could feel his teeth grinding on the bone.
This is what the fox would have felt whilst you watched, laughed and blew your fucking trumpet, mother fucker,” thought Ed, as he began to gouge a deep hole into the guy’s arm, causing a waterfall of blood to squirt out in every direction. Nervously, the man fumbled with a holster of his other hip trying to free his pistol whilst the teeth dug deeper into the bone. Soon there was a loud bang and Ed felt a massive thud throughout his whole head. He saw the end of the steaming pistol and realised he’d been shot at point blank range by the thuggish pig. Smoothly he fell back in slow motion downwards, thudding into the ground dramatically. It was as if when he landed he went right through it and into the soil, like a diver into water. He was transported through a myriad of rainbow colours shining at him from every side, spectrums of light, kaleidoscopes, mirrored halls and bands of multi coloured effects.
Slow down, stay aware, I need to get paused this time. Focus, think of pausing, slow your thoughts down, remain aware. Thought Ed.
He desperately tried to cling to some sort of strand of consciousness, anything. He knew if he blacked out, he would lessen his chances of getting paused and meeting the Viking. He had plans and was anxious to try and make them a reality.
“Stay awake, stay awake,” he gasped, as he could see the bright light ahead of him once more.
“I am Ed Trew, I am Ed Trew and I am staying conscious. I am slowing down, stopping. I am not going to the next transience. I am Ed Trew, Ed Treeew…”
Ed soon phased out of consciousness into the now familiar blank and empty darkness.
Chapter 11
The Koan Dome
A dream state began to take hold with a myriad of textured colours and a distant harmonic drone like a thousand people running moist fingers around different sized wine glasses. Ed started to come around, gradually becoming aware of a jabbing pain in his side. Barely conscious, he began to realise he was being prodded with some sort of stick. He noticed an extreme gushing wind noise, a deafening and continuous powerful flow causing a breeze to leak up his trouser legs and across his body. He felt another jab in his side and looked round to realise he was being poked with the butt end of some sort of rifle.