The Last World by CP Bialois Read Free Book Online Page B

from such a peaceful place. The mental agony, similar to what people feel when someone dies, burned behind his eyes. The rhythmic beeping of the monitor brought the harshness of the world back to him. Sobbing, he turned onto his side and hugged his pillow tight.
    The morning sun broke through the curtains into the white and cream colored walls of the hospital room. In many ways, the combination of coloring and light gave the room a depressing aura. If the patient in room 136 cared about such things any more , there would be cause to worry. By the time the sun broke the horizon, Franklin had other things to be depressed about. In the course of a few hours his life and the world around him had changed. He wondered if it was for the better.
     
    *****
     
    The same sun filled Janice’s bedroom with a soft glow that warmed and welcomed her to a new day. She extended her arms over her head and stretched, letting out a groan of pleasure.
    “Do you mind? Some of us are trying to sleep.” Horace’s muffled voice found its way through the thick down pillow. He was beside her with his face buried as deep into his pillow as possible.
    She couldn’t help but smile at the side of Horace’s head. She had the feeling he was somehow watching her. “Don’t be so lazy. Maybe you shouldn’t have been up so late.”
    He lifted his head from his temporary hiding place and glanced at her. “I didn’t hear you complaining.”
    She leaned over and kissed him. “That’s because I was already half asleep.”
    “Oh! You…” He tried to hit her with his pillow but she rolled out of bed too fast.
    In a matter of seconds, she was across the room, standing by the bathroom. She stopped by the door long enough to stick out her tongue. “Would you mind feeding Buster?” Laughing, she closed the door before the pillow struck it.
    Defeated, Horace slid out of bed and started getting dressed. Buster heard them and started barking for his food and attention. At least the day was starting better than the previous one. It only took him a couple of minutes to finish putting on his day-old clothing and make his way down the narrow hall. He paused at the first door to his left, which led to the apartment’s second bedroom, where Buster was locked in at night.
    Horace paused , listening to the sounds of her dog sniffing and whining. Buster knew they were awake and he wanted to come out and join them. Picturing the lab waiting impatiently with his ears raised and tongue hanging out caused him to smile. He resigned himself to the fate of being licked and begged for attention until Janice came out of the bathroom.
    As soon as the door opened , Buster did what Horace expected. Even being so small, Buster was able to push him back half a step when he propped his front paws on him and started licking Horace’s hands. Horace rubbed Buster’s ears, but the puppy wanted his mistress. Smiling and shaking his head, Horace went into the room and picked up the half empty water bowl. He thought it strange to leave Buster’s water bowl in the room with him at night. If he made a mess it’d stain the carpet and Janice would have to pay to have it cleaned. In answer, she put papers down for him to use. Buster was her dog, so he just shook his head and let the matter drop.
    By the time he finished rinsing out the bowl and refilled it, Janice entered the living room/kitchen in jeans and a loose-fitting sweater while drying her hair. Buster playfully chased at her heels, sometimes crossing in front of her. Had he been a cat, Horace was sure he would’ve tripped her.
    “You didn’t feed him yet?” She stood with her head down as she continued with her hair.
    Horace stared at her. “It’s not my fault he chose you over food.”
    “Oh really?” Finished, she lifted her head, tossing her hair back. “So you wouldn’t make the same choice?”
    He recognized her coy expression for what it was. “Not if we’re talking about a steak.” She punched him in the