Username: rainbowspongefactory
Name: Lacuna
Gender: Female
Name Meaning: A blank space or missing part
Prompt: Art and writing by me!
Word count: 500
Other collies mentioned:
Keeper
No matter how far she walked, how lost she got, or how dense the trees were, Lacuna couldn't get herself to feel anything but emptiness. It felt like there was a black hole within her stomach that only grew with every step she took, maybe by the time she finds her way out of this forest all she'll be is a vessel. Her mind wandered back, reminiscing about a doting mother, four energetic pups, and a warm fire. The humans were so kind at first, feeding them well and keeping them warm. But eventually they must have gotten bored. Maybe she had done something wrong, perhaps she barked too loud, or her puppies were too rowdy. She found herself and her pups left on the side of the road with no home. She tried her best to keep up good spirits, find food for them, but one by one her puppies went. Of course she blamed herself, she should have looked harder for food, found better shelter to keep them all warm, and most of all she should have been a better dog.
The mist was slowly rising up Lacuna’s body, wrapping around her as if it were trying to engulf her into the nothingness she felt. All she saw were hints of the towering shadows from the trees. But then something different, something that wasn’t there before. A glowing yellow light was emerging between the trees in the distance. She halted, tail tucked as she watched the light grow and a figure formed behind it. She wasn’t prepared to meet anything on her journey. As it got closer, Lacuna could discern more features. It was a dog, a big one with a long tail and strange markings carrying a lantern. The dog stopped and placed the lantern on the ground, lighting up their surroundings in a beautiful glow that reminded Lacuna of her old fireplace.
“Hello,” The dog gently started. “My name is Keeper, may I ask who you are?”
“Lacuna,” she whispered, her voice was broken, when did she last speak?
“You look hungry, I can get you out of this forest, somewhere safe and warm. Would you like that?” Lacuna nodded. “Follow me.”
They walked in silence through the forest, Keeper leading with the lantern in his mouth. Lacuna was glad he had to carry it, it meant she didn’t have to talk. Eventually, the trees started to disperse until they came across a large building.
“These humans took me in when I was lost and hungry. I’m sure they will do the same for you if you let them.” Keeper said as he scratched at the door lightly and they waited.
Months later, Lacuna realised nothing was her fault, she was just too trusting to the wrong humans. Where she was now helped her realise and come to terms with what happened and maybe in the future, she’d have some more pups that she could cherish for the rest of her life. She found her home.