Can't save everyone
Canine's claws tapped against the cypress desk his equipment was on.
“-etting an umbrella would be recommended, but y'all ain't made out of suga’ so,” Canine let out a grunt, uncommitted to whatever he was saying.
Before he could start his next sentence a loud, rhythmic beeping stopped him. His eyes immediately turned to the small red light above a switch.
His paw reached out towards the dial, turning the music down completely before flicking the switch upward.
“Canine here, how ca-”
“It's outside.”
The caller interrupted him. Their voice shaky and breath uneven, fast, shallow.
Canine fell silent, his ears jerked up, turning to the speaker.
Scratching, frantic and desperate. Calling out through the closed door, sounding almost human. So eerily similar to Canine's.
He allowed himself only a moment to understand the situation, cold shivers went through his body, making his fur puff up like a cat.
“If it's outside, then you're fine. You still have time. Jus-”
“It's calling my name.” the caller stated, their voice edging on amusement and want.
“Don't listen! Whatever it's saying, whoever you think it is, it’s not true.” Canine all but begged. “Please, just go to your bathroom and-”
Silence.
“Caller, are you with me? Caller? Hello? Amy? Amy, are you there? Amy! Please, answer!”
His voice rose with each word, the urgency making him forget himself, trying to get the girl to listen to him, to ignore the calling of the creature outside.
“Amy! Focus on me! Amy!” He shouted into the microphone, claws dragging at his desk leaving deep scratches.
When the only answer he got were doors opening and terrified yelp he lowered his head.
“IT'S NOT MY BROTHER! IT'S NOT HIM!” Amy cried out, fumbling with the door, trying to slam it close with all her might, pushing her weight against it.
“I won't be able to make it in time,” Canine quietly admitted, unsure whenever it was a confession to himself, the caller or listeners.
He heard the wet crunching followed by a soft thud on the other end of the phone. He winced and gritted his teeth, eyes closing tight enough to invisibility crease.
A heavy sigh escaped his infected lungs, he almost could feel the maggots wiggling in them, as he leaned back in his chair.
The deity waited for a beat. Then another.
Only silence followed, occasionally interrupted by sounds that didn't quite matter anymore.
“I'm ending the call.”
The firm statement was all too loud in the quiet booth. One claw flicking the switch down.
“Well… I think I'm going to end the broadcast for now. I have something to take care of,” a soft exhale interrupted before Canine continued, “take care of yourselves, stay safe, and please, listen.”
With a push of a button Canine watched the bright sign “ON AIR” dim until the glow disappeared completely.
His eyes drifted to his axe.
Time to clean up, he supposed.