Black Tears.2

Pathetic. That was the only way Wally could describe the way he looked, his soft skin was stained by dark tears and his eyes were red and dry. His thoughts were tangled in knots, he couldn't make sense of anything if he did he might cry again. " Barnaby… " Wally sniffled, at his summoning Barnaby trotted into the bathroom, nudging Wally's leg with his head. " Comfort me, Barnaby… " Wally sat down and Barnaby lay licking the tears from Wally's face. "You're a good dog Barnaby…maybe that's why they decided to keep you…" He hugged Banaby curling up into a ball. "I wish they didn't keep you, they took you from me when I needed you the most…" Barnaby whimpered resting a paw on Wally's leg. "I've been so lonely Barnaby…you're a good being you're not like me. People love you but no one loves me…" Wally sniffled, feeling tears in his eyes again, " Everything's going so wrong. " Barnaby licked Wally's face trying to reassure him that everything would be alright. "Tell me that story [...] was reading Barnaby, the one about the brave hound." Barnaby sat up, pawing at his old eyes, " Wallace… " He rasped, it had been years since Barnaby was able to speak but if the old dog had to comfort his friend by reading to him then he'd force the words out to make sure it happened. Barnaby rummaged through his fading memory trying to remember the very start of the book, he'd been around for a long time and had heard many books but after 70 years of living and learning the words had all jumbled together and books had become words floating around in his mind. If there was one thing Barnaby could remember clearly it was when he first met Wally and the first time he had read to any other being but himself.

It was an icy winter afternoon and young Barnaby had been sulking along the streets looking for a place to keep warm and something to eat. He was quite lonely but no one seemed to notice they simply went about their day ignoring the shivering hound, however, there was one person who took notice of him. A fine young man dressed in a blue trench coat, he'd seen the dog wandering around whimpering at passersby for help and felt a ping of sorrow in his heart and so the young man came to his rescue. The man took Barnaby in, feeding him, bathing him, and making a place in his bed for Barnaby to sleep. He had even given him a collar with his name engraved into a shiny piece of metal, Barnaby B. Beagle, that's where he had gotten his name. "Are you all better now Barnaby?" The young man asked, caressing Barnaby's head. Barnaby grinned at the man, he was happy that he was off the streets and in a loving home. "I suppose you should know my name, I'm Wallace Darling but my friends call me Wally." Wally, Barnaby liked Wally, he was different from everyone else. He had a very charming personality and was kind even to those who weren't as kind to him, he saw everyone as equal and wanted to make everyone happy even if it was at his expense. Barnaby admired Wally for all that he did, on a walk he'd seen a girl crying because she had dropped her ice cream and Wally bought her a new one, a new neighbour had been struggling to move some of their boxes because they were too heavy so Wally helped them move in, and when he had found at that Julie, the woman next door was depressed and lonely after her husband had died in an accident he called her every day to check in on her and tell her jokes to make her happy. Everyone knew of Wally's acts of kindness and that made him somewhat famous with the nickname Wonderful Wally. His popularity had even earned him an offer of being the main actor in a children's puppet show. Wally agreed only if he was allowed to bring Barnaby with him, the producers were more than happy to have Wally bring Barnaby with him even offering a role as the loveable companion of the host. Wally and Barnaby enjoyed their time together on the show until the day of the meet and greet. Barnaby had been happily waiting for dinner when Wally came back with a frown on his face, this was different for Wally he was always smiling no matter what. He knelt down and gave Barnaby a quick ruffle on his head, "I'll have to leave you, Barns." He said gloomily. Barnaby didn't understand, why now? Why would his best friend be leaving him alone after being together for so long? Wally looked down pulling on his hair feeling tears in his eyes, "Something happened today that shouldn't have happened, they want to keep you. I'm sorry you're not coming home with me today Barnaby…" His voice trembled, he didn't want to leave Barnaby behind but he had no choice. Barnaby licked his face and whimpered. Wally began to cry pulling hard on his hair, Barnaby gently bit Wally's wrists to tell him to stop pulling on his hair, he hated seeing his best friend like this. Wally was a good man but it seemed that no one could see that anymore. It broke Barnaby's heart to see him so hurt but there wasn't anything he could do about it. All he could do was watch Wally shuffle around the room sniffling and gathering the items that belonged to him, before he left he put food and water in Barnaby's bowls then said a final goodbye to his canine friend and was gone. Barnaby didn't sleep or eat for weeks, he missed eating with Wally, he missed getting to go home with him and see Julie, and he missed everything they did together. It wasn't the same without Wally.

Julie called Wally a few days after she learned he had been let go, "Hello?" Wally didn't sound the same anymore, he sounded tired and worn out, not the usually cheery tone Julie had been used to. "Wallace it's me, Julie. I heard you were fired…" She was worried about him, she never heard him singing along to his favourite song anymore, he never left to walk Barnaby nor did he come out to help anyone like he used to. "Yes…" He sighed, "I guess every star has its end…" Julie could hear how sad he was, this must be really hard on him. "What about Barnaby? I haven't seen you walk him in a while…"

Wally chuckled but it quickly turned to a soft sniffle. "They took Barnaby from me…poor dog…living with such an awful person I bet he's happy now…" Julie was surprised to hear how Wally talked about himself now, she knew that she couldn't just leave the person she cared most for in such a terrible state. "Wallace I'm coming over." She stated. "Julie, dear, you don't have to. You don't need to, why would you want to be around me?" Julie huffed, he always was stubborn even when upset. "I'm coming over and that is final." She hung up to grab her coat, she was going to make Wally feel better. When she got to Wally's home it had this dark aura to it, she was hesitant to knock on the door. "Wallace?" Julie called out knocking on the door. He opened it enough to see her, "Julie I told you, you wouldn't want to be around someone like me." His voice was low and shaken, he was crying. "Wallace this isn't a debate! You helped me when I was sad so I'm going to help you." She pushed the door open and then she saw it. His house was dark and completely empty except for a TV, a chair, and a table with his telephone, there was incoherent writing and scratches all over the walls and floors, and Wally himself was a wreck. His eyes were red, his hair dishevelled, and in the same outfit she had seen him come home in the day he was let go. "Wallace…" Julie looked at him with concerned and sad eyes, "What…what happened to you?" He couldn't look at her all he could do was look at his shoes. Julie looked around trying to read what he had written, most of it was about a saviour or some kind of god. "Julie…" Wally closed the door finally bringing himself to look into her eyes. " Come here, Julie. " Something in his eyes made her feel calmer, she was soon in his arms staring into his eyes. "Oh, my love it's confusing, isn't it? It was for me, soon you'll learn. We can be broken together, my love. Broken under our new lord, Home. " Julie didn't understand, new lord, Home? What did all of this mean? Wally's arm slithered around her waist and he cupped her cheek, "Wouldn't it be wonderful? You and I together?" He'd gone mad, Wally was a madman and wanted Julie to join him. "You're insane Wallace." She tried to pull away from him but he tightened his grip. "You don't understand my love! I'm not insane! Home tell her!" He was acting manic now, letting Julie go and shouting to whoever Home was. Suddenly a door in the dark hall slammed shut repeatedly and Wally laughed dryly, "I know I know, she's just confused! I swear I can fix her!" A long creak made Wally snap his head towards Julie, she was trying to open the door but no matter how hard she tried it wouldn't budge. She quickly looked at Wally with a face of fear. "Are you…trying to leave me? Don't you love me, dear? DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT ME, JULIE? " He gripped her arm, " Home and I will fix you then you'll see how wonderful we feel. "