Chapter Text
Summer, November 2035
Brisbane CBD, Queensland
South Bank Police Station
Tear gas makes for a pretty lousy breakfast. Mackenzie found that out the hard way.
With a weak groan, the border collie leaned his scruffy head back into his chair, staring down his reflection in the one-way mirror.
His lip was bleeding, staining his white fur with a crimson creek running off his chin. His eyes were bloodshot, watery and swollen beyond belief. But the worst thing about all this was his burning lungs. Every time he tried to close his mouth, whatever acid was still left in his airways made sure he kept his wheezing breath open.
And as always, his signature long wavy tuft of fur swept down from his head.
But dear God, he looked like hell.
Yet he gave a snarky smirk at the mirror, no doubt at the blue collars enjoying the show behind. Mackenzie wondered if those pricks enjoyed abusing their power, not letting him protest in peace.
Without hesitation, he flashed a middle-finger at the mirror, relishing the satisfaction as he did.
Though the second he was done, he squinted his eyes shut, crashing back into the chair with a shamed grimace. The reality was starting to hit him. “Fuck…”
Alone with nothing but the murmuring drone of the vents above him, he spun his head around the whitewashed detention room before throwing his gaze towards the sterile white lightbulb. He wondered what his parents would say, adding even more disappointment that plagued their relationship.
Especially his Dad…
So when he gave it some thought;
“Shit…”
None of it was any good.
“I’m such a dumbass.” He muttered before gagging at the sanitised stench of tear gas clinging to his fur.
The handle on the door began wriggling. Unfazed, Mackenzie leaned back on his chair, forcing his puffy frog eyes to look nonchalant as an officer walked in.
With an aged sigh, the rugged German shepherd took off his police cap and sat himself down opposite Mackenzie. Wedged in his armpit was a clipboard. Mackenzie could just make out his photo alongside what he had no doubt was a criminal file.
A fresh wave of butterflies sprouted in his stomach. Yet the border collie folded his arms with an aura of defiance in his hive-ridden eyes. As if fighting for what you believe in is a crime.
The officer tossed down the clipboard right in front of Mackenzie. Arms still crossed, he moved his glare down to the list of offences:
. Unlawful protest
. Unlawful gathering
. Disturbing the peace
. Destruction of property
As he skipped over the farce of these accusations, his stern face began to falter the farther down the list he went. The last one, however, made his blood curdle and stomach sink:
. Assaulting an officer
. Attempted murder
**
Mackenzie’s mind instantly conjured the fresh memories of the protest in his mind.
The raucous roars of angered youth, flares burning as bright as their angst amidst a sea of banners and signs flooding the campus ground. Signs that read: ‘Let us Study!’, ‘It’s not FAIR!’ And ‘SCUM! Keep Commonwealth Supported Places!’
He remembered the rage permeating the air, how thick and intoxicating it was. Infecting everyone. Everyone he shared his plight with using the disease to spur each other on against the line of faceless riot shields. Screaming and shouting fed their insatiable frenzy.
But that wasn’t what sent him over the edge.
The second he imagined himself sitting in a lecture hall, studying the awe inducing complexities of the universe, filling himself to the brim with knowledge; he knew he imagined the future he was robbed.
That’s when he lost it.
Before he realised, he was charging at Riot control. He ripped off helmets, bashed into shields, tossed back flash bangs and kicked away tear gas.
He even remembered beating in a cop’s face with unquenchable fury. He remembered how his fists shook with anxious mania, his erratic breathing. He couldn’t feel his paws as he ignored the silent pleading paws begging him to stop.
Mackenzie didn’t remember stopping though. He remembered a gas canister hitting his lip and soon everything became a misty cloud of sizzling acid.
Then he ended up here.
**
“Ain’t pretty for a first time, is it?”
Mackenzie blinked, tossed back to the real world as if a vacuum had sucked away his mind projections.
Staring into the officer, he let his words seep into him, letting his remorse show behind his swollen face.
With a pitiful smack of his lips, the officer twisted the clipboard back to him, taking up file. “Says here on record that you graduated school with a 99.5 ATAR score last year.” He chuckled in disbelief. “It’s impressive.”
A moment between the two passes. Mackenzie doesn’t know what to make of it, but the officer just observes him. Studying him.
All Mackenzie can do is just glare at the offences and see nothing but a lifetime in prison. His mind tortured him with his Mum and Dad left to suffer life without him.
Yet the border collie couldn’t muster any way to defend himself. How could he?
The officer cleared his throat and wiped his mouth. “Makes sense as to why you’re here. If I were you, I’d be protesting too. It’s not fair what this country is doing to kids like you.” The officers initial sympathy turns into a disappointed scowl though, chucking the clipboard on the table. “But there’s a fine line between fighting for what you believe in and reckless stupidity. Something I assumed a 99.5 student could fuckin’ distinguish. You’ve no idea how lucky you are that officer isn’t pressing that last charge.”
Mackenzie’s bravado vanishes entirely, finally unfolding his arms and letting them sink to his side.
But the officer bites his tongue behind his lips in frustration. “If it were up to me, I’d lock you up and shove the key up your arse. But I guess it really is your lucky day. Lord knows how you can be bailed, but here we are.”
Mackenzie’s brow shot up in utter confusion. “What?”
A bail means money. Money that neither his Mum or Dad has enough to spare. Not if they want to go bankrupt.
The officer scooped up the file and stood up. “Your Dad’s taking you home.”
Mackenzie’s eyes grew wide in fear behind his puffy skin, gulping his throat. “My- My Dad?”
As if right on cue, an older border collie sporting a few more grey fur in the temples, powered into the room. Every bit of his body was tight and tense. Most of all, veins were sticking out his neck as he bore his deadly gaze onto his only son.
Mackenzie’s face flushed a shade of red that blended in with his bloodied lip. His stressed paws latched onto the table, seeking any kind of comfort. But he had nowhere to hide from his father’s irate eyes.
Another vat of acid spilled from his aching stomach, on the verge of vomiting.
“I want to have a word with my son.” Noah Border-Collie kept his haggard eyes glued on Mackenzie’s beaten face ever since he walked in; didn’t even bother to look at the cop. The officer gave an understanding nod and promptly left, clicking the door shut.
The whir of that goddamn vent was unbearably loud now.
Noah took his seat.
Mackenzie wriggled in his, darting his unsure eyes all across the barren table as his heart raced like a jackhammer out of control.
“Do you know how much you’ve cost your Mother and I?”
“…” Mackenzie swallows air as his bottom lip starts to quiver. Soon, he could taste his own blood.
“Do you?” He repeated.
Mackenzie snapped his head up, forcing himself to lock eyes. He knows he has to answer! But despite that, his mouth stutters for a response. “I- Um… I don’t know.” The only truthful answer he had.
His father sneers, rolling his eyes. “Twenty-thousand dollars.”
The younger collie lets his eyes pivot away from his father as soon as he hears the number. The guilt ravages his brain, contorting it in wretched pain. Completely collapsing underneath his father’s frustration, Mackenzie realised his mouth hanging open, embarrassing him further.
Even though his lungs continued to incinerate themselves with lingering tear gas, he’d rather let his eyes water and suffer than open his mouth.
“Twenty-thousand out of, not just mine or your pocket, but your mother’s too. Two months worth of her share of the mortgage and groceries because you had to go and decide to just … fuck everything!”
Mackenzie could only bow his head down, his eyes hot with tear gas or actual tears. He didn’t know anymore.
“And you can’t even say ‘sorry’ for it.” Noah’s voice edged on pure spite.
Mackenzie let go of the table and took a deep breath in. But when he tried to speak, only a meek squeak of air escaped. The vent’s whir carried the silence away, ready for round two as Mackenzie lifted his head. “I’m sorry, Dad. I- I just- I didn’t mean for this. For Mum to…”
Noah can only sigh, more disappointed that it took a ‘reminder’ just to apologise.
“Come next summer, when we can’t afford your tuition, ask yourself why that is.”
“…” Mackenzie definitely didn’t need a reminder to the answer.
“I told you to stay focussed on the now, help out with the family. What have I told you time and time again?”
“…”
Mackenzie’s lack of words was starting to irk his father now as he intensified his glare. “Mackenzie. What is the most important thing, right now?”
“Our family.” He answered instantaneously, with zero hesitation this time. The first sliver of conviction in his voice; he believes it entirely.
“That’s right. A man must do anything and everything to provide for those he loves. Never, ever, forget that.” The sharpness in Noah’s voice was lethal.
Mackenzie’s body started to shiver. “I won’t, Dad.”
“Whatever you want; this protesting and university business. You have to let it go. If not for me, or even yourself, then for your Mother.” His father crashed his head into his paw, shaking it from side to side. “Your poor mother. I ought to kill you for what you’ve done to her tonight.”
Mackenzie musters enough strength to look his father in the eye. It’s a look of remorse that resonates in his soul for his Mum. Only now does a grasp how much all of this must’ve hurt her.
The border collie sniffles his nose before wiping it, “I’m sorry…”
“What’s done is done.” Backing up from the table, Noah stands up and beckons his son to follow, “Get up. We’re leaving.”
Before they leave, Noah sharply turn to his son one more time, “Next week, you find a job, you start earning again and you forget about Uni. Got it?”
Mackenzie nodded, letting his wavy tuft from his forehead veil his teary eye. He held his grimy and bruised paws together. Paws that were meant to be holding textbooks or writings scientific papers.
But alas, they were left battered, defeated and holding onto a blue headband.
With another exasperated sign, Noah left the detention cell, Mackenzie following a few paces behind.
***
1 Year Later
St Lucia Lakes, Brisbane, Queensland
Lakeside Cafe
“Goddamnit.”
Mackenzie was one mistake away from ending up a dead dog walking again. Just his luck.
He held his breath, trembling his paw in front of the register’s screen taking another century to load the customer’s order. His worried grey eyes glanced at the screen again, giving him a chance to double check. He really didn’t want to overcharge.
But every customer he talked to was another order he could screw up and if he screwed up, he’d get fired. If he gets fired before summer, he won’t get enough paycheques; especially without his two jobs. Without enough pay?
…
A shiver ran down the border collie’s back, snapping his timid eyes back to the customer. He didn’t even realise she was a blue heeler.
Like Bluey.
…
He blinked his frail ashen eyes, yanking himself to reality, “One iced mocha and an almond croissant. Um, twenty dollars.” Mackenzie repeated as the screen settled, trying hard to open his tight throat. God forbid he undercharges again.
“Hmph, prices went up again?”
The border collie checked the screen. It should be the right price. “Mhm.”
Watching the customer scoff and fumble around her jacket, Mackenzie nibbled on his bottom lip.
Hm, funny. Her shade of blue isn’t as bright as Bluey. Not as pretty either…
Giving an awkward tug on his worn out apron covering his scruffy half-black-and-white fur, his darker wavy tuft fell just above his forehead.
He fiddled with a blue headband curled around his wrist before taking in a shaky breath.
Gah, it was just the same robotic spiel! Why’d he have to be so awkward about it? It was just two items, plus, she didn’t even look like Bluey. He didn’t understand why his chest was so goddamn tight.
Mackenzie tapped the top of the card reader, just wanting to get it over with. But as always, the customer hovered her phone over it with torturous slowness until,
Doot!
The printer buzzed, spawning a fresh docket.
“Thaaanks.” She drawled, half rolling her eyes, as if facing him was too much energy expenditure or something.
Typical. Of course she was insincere. Just another ‘rich girl’ passing through. She’s probably doing a degree she doesn’t like. Everyone here seems to have way too much money to spend, even on degrees and futures. It made him sick that people could be so careless with what they’re given.
So, whenever Mackenzie thinks about what he's been given: The many ‘life changing experiences’ University has to offer him, wearing an apron covered in chocolate syrup and serving ‘iced mochas’ (to students and staff) was obviously one of them.
(Although it did beat tear gas)
The customer coughed, “I said ‘thank you’,” before rolling her eyes again.
Mackenzie couldn't help but raise a stricken brow. She actually said ‘Thaaaanks’ like an utter twat, but he thought best not to get ‘specific’.
“Yup.” He muttered, dropping his shy eyes to the counter masking the utter contempt deep down inside him.
Yet as she veered out the line, her gaze lingered back towards the shepherd dog. Intrigued, her scanning eyes beamed onto the shepherd dog, eyeing his face from top to bottom. Her brow raised in sultry surprise, provocative and taunting.
The border collie folded in on himself. Did- Did she have something in her eyes or… What the hell is she doing?
A single chuckling puff and a vixenish smile escaped her before exiting the queue.
The border collie averted his gaze. His face flushed a rosey pink, being assaulted with uncomfortable shivers scuttling up his spine. He tugged his loose-fitted apron off his neck again, caressing the blue band on his wrist.
With a different heeler on his mind, he let out his tight breath. At least there were no more customers waiting, thank God. Just gotta make the drinks now. With a few shuffling steps, past the stained rubber mats and jugs of milk, he was at his refuge: The coffee machine. The handler of said machine was, for a lack of a better word, a bit … bothersome.
Jakey, a shorter pitbull fresh out of secondary, scoffed. “What are you doing? You know she was into you, right?” He nudged Mackenzie’s shoulder with a strange kinda grin and unbridled younger-sibling energy.
“Another double shot for iced, please.” Mackenzie slapped down the latest in the horde of dockets, trying to stay on top of things.
“God, you’re no fun. You shoulda asked for her number. I woulda.”
Mackenzie rubbed the headband again, nodding. What he would give to be Jakey so his only worry in life would be girls. “Yeah. Sounds good. I’ll definitely keep that in mind for next time. Shots, please.” Sarcasm dripped from his mouth, though he'd be lying if he wouldn't remember that for next time.
Jakey’s eyes fell down to the border collie's wrist, “What’s with the band? I’ve never seen you tie up your hair. It’s always down—”
“—Shots.” Mackenzie sneered.
The pitbull held up his paws. "Okay, mate. Okay."
Shrugging his shoulders, Jakey soon had three coffee cups on their dockets. Their pleasant earthy aroma helped perfume the cafe. It wasn’t much, but Mackenzie inhaled the fresh floral scent of the espresso anyways. A tiny smirk almost appeared. Almost.
But he refused it.
He was here to work. First time on the machine without his boss’ supervision and he wasn’t planning on letting anyone down (Even that girl). Scanning one of the nearest dockets to him, Mackenzie blew out his nerves, grabbing a large jug before pouring some milk in.
It was just another day, after all. It was busy for a Friday, sure, but he didn’t want to get worked up over it. He really couldn’t afford to. Only one more shift, it’d be the weekend and this place would be closed. Then it’d be off to the library to earn some more goddamn hours.
Even though that job was just stacking books, helping students, managing the other staff, he really wished he could have one weekend to himself.
Just one.
For now though, he raised the jug into the steam wand, letting his mind go blank and let the hissing steam rip.
It made it easier to pretend the jugs, weighing scales and portafilters were some kind of elaborate chemistry lab and he was in a practical class. But reality loves to bite.
Outside, the warm morning sun continued climbing into the sapphire sky, casting a shrill glow over the Lakeside Cafe. Clanking his portafilters and hissing steam, Mackenzie’s dry eyes fell upon the open balcony housing the whole cafe. An entire terrace of simple metal tables and chairs, crowds of dogs milling around or clinking teaspoons on mugs. The chatters and murmurs coming from every taken seat were raucous.
Almost every table was full. Definitely a busy day (Yay).
Far out past the jacarandas, a fountain gushed in the lake, marking the end of campus. The surrounding architecture was the usual modern university style. Quirky, random and jagged shapes poking out of buildings. Every campus he’d researched online had one like it.
On the other side of the terrace though, across the road into campus, was a dusty sandstone building. The border collie’s longing eyes stared out, still clanking the jug against the marble countertop.
The actual Physics Building of the University of Queensland and he was here, trapped inside this forsaken cafe where all that confined him was a goddamn road of asphalt and a lake. Life was nothing but cruel.
Two gap years spent wondering, wondering what on earth he wanted to do with his life. Hah, and the answer was so simple. Not that it mattered. Still would’ve ended up at Lakeside if he had figured it out earlier.
With everything that’s happened. His family. The mortgage. His arrest… He had no choice but to suck it up.
What else could he do?
But still, he couldn't pry his awestruck gaze off the building. Who knows what kinda mind-bending stuff they get to learn in there everyday? He could probably only get a mere fraction of what they learn from his textbooks at home.
Sporadically shifting his gaze about the floor, he kept on checking if his boss was looking, tightening his nervy grip on his milk jug in the steamer every time he did.
Yet again, he stared at students pooled by the Physics Building.
Just watching them made Mackenzie shudder to imagine how they could afford tuition.
Students trickled up stairs and into the building, clutching their bags and textbooks. Shrinking away like dust specks, they vanished into the grand double doors. Hmph, like a stairway to heaven.
Amidst the crowd, he spotted that blue heeler inhaling her iced mocha before climbing up into that sandstone sanctuary. He could only stare and sigh.
Living an absolute dream of his, those lucky bastards. Whilst he’s stuck here, with Jakey as his only solace.
The monochromatic dog’s eyes drooped, drained of life. He’d drop everything and anything to attend just one lecture. Even abandon this precious coffee machine sheltering him from the walk-in customers.
Mackenzie started nibbling his lip again, tutting them in resignation.
He needed to stay realistic though; he wished he could just switch his brain off for one second and stop being such a hopeful idiot.
Didn’t help him at the protest, it won’t help now.
He needed this job. His parents needed this job. There was no way his family would survive without it.
But he watched more and more students pour inside. Every single one of them buzzed around each other, excitement ridden across their miniature faces. Within the milk jug’s silver reflection, his face was aloof and cold.
Still, his eyes lingered on the students.
They get to change our understanding of the world whilst he could only watch them every morning. And give them their coffees.
He blinked his sorry ashen eyes. It was a heaven he’ll never reach.
Aiming his mesmerised stare back to the Physics Building, he narrowed on everyone following an older dog in a red tie. A German shepherd maybe? (That definitely gave him a shiver) Definitely the academic type, with that Einstein-esque moustache on his muzzle.
He raised an eyebrow, wondering what the fuss was about? The border collie couldn’t help but feel a strange familiarity to him too.
Mackenzie’s demure brows lifted in intrigue, not realising his steamed milk becoming stale and stiff in its jug. Nor the coffee mugs lost their fresh misty vapours.
Instead, he turned to a basket of University promotional pamphlets by the register:
‘MIT alma mater, Doctor Schäfer, on Australia’s Energy Driven Austerity Crisis. The Power of the Sun: TALK TODAY!’
He looked at the dog in the red tie, comparing him to the picture on the cover. He read the pamphlet and the title below. Mackenzie’s eyes widened in disbelief, leaving the milk behind with an awestruck smile, gravitating towards the basket. His noir tail began swishing from side to side, scoffing in pure shock.
His paw began reaching for the pamphlet.
Nuclear fusion? The Doctor Schäfer? From MIT? Here?? About the growing feasibility of nuclear fusion under the current economic landscape??? Holy Shit!
His awestruck gasp got trapped in his chest.
“No way…”
“MACKENZIE!” His boss’s voice snapped him towards reality.
“Gah!” He jumped back, knocking over three mugs of coffee all over the floor. The thunderous shattering of ceramic pieces rattled the whole terrace. Mackenzie grimaced in bashful horror.
“What, are you daydreaming?!” His boss called from beyond the counter with a questioning paw.
Darting his panicked gaze around the cafe, everyone’s eyes were plastered on him. Mouths shut and eyes glued to him, the silence was now deafening. His soul left his body, “Shit! Fuck. Um- Er- Fuck, I’m sorry, Sir. I-”
Holding his paws up, his pleading face cowered at the sight of his boss heaving right up to him. His coworkers, all stunned, stared at either him or his boss. Even some customers stopped their meals to continue witnessing the commotion.
Mackenzie heart thumped harder. His wobbling knees went weak. His body felt cold. His lungs hyperventilated. Eyes widened in terror. The border collie’s mind flooded with gut wrenching thoughts.
What was he gonna say? Was this his last mistake? What’s he gonna do? What could he do? Where on earth would he find another job?? This was it! He’s getting fired! Shit! What- What would his parents say? Would they be—?
His boss crashed his enraged paws on the marble counter as Mackenzie backed up against the wall, “Get off the machine.” Venom dripped from his voice.
Mackenzie’s lips started to tremble, “I’m sorry Sir, I didn't- I didn’t mean to. It won’t- Oh shit, er... It won’t happen again, Sir. I swear—”
“—Off. Now.”
His only uncovered eye glimmered at his glaring boss. Still biting his lip, the black and white dog reluctantly nodded his head, “Okay…” It was barely a whisper.
Retreating away from the counter, it wasn’t even a second before he bumped right into Jake, knocking more coffee over their aprons, “Ah! Seriously, Mackenzie?”
“Shit.” The border collie instantly raised his disgraced frown towards his boss once more, hoping he didn’t see. Oh but he saw. 100%, he saw. The border collie was forced to bear his boss’s chucking fits of dumbfounded laughter.
He was definitely getting fired now…
Instead, his boss facepalmed, “Fuck me. Y’know what? Just take ten off and come back when you’re ready to earn your fuckin’ wage.”
An audible gulp escaped the shepherd dog, nodding silently before squeezing past behind Jake. Bending his head down, he hoped his relieved glare was kept hidden.
“You’re a great worker, Mackenzie, but never ask to be on the machine until you’re ready. Got it?”
Finally escaping the counter, the border collie’s throat cramped up more before he could face him.
“Got it?”
He nodded his stiff neck, gulping his neck as he tried to unearth his voice.
"Good. Now fuck off."
But Mackenzie's shivering mouth cracked open, "W-Wait!"
His boss glared back, glowering at the shepherd dog's desperate tone before raising an eyebrow.
"At- At least- At least let me earn my break, please. I- um, I can- I can refill the chocolate for Jakey! Please? Please, Sir, let me do something useful. I can't- I can't just go on break without earning it. Please."
His boss raised an eyebrow. Mackenzie's heart thumped in his sizzling stomach. He then rolled his eyes, tossing the chocolate bottle Mackenzie's way. The black and white dog scrambled to catch it in his chest.
He gave a humble, and thankful, bob of his head, though his words still failed him.
Sighing in frustration, his boss finally left him alone.
Using his wavy tuft to hide his whole pathetic face, Mackenzie forced himself to stare at the floor. The silence as Jakey continued to work amongst the customer’s chatter was deafening.
Yet quivering on the spot, he stole a quick glance beyond the terrace and onto the stairs leading up to the Physics building.
The dog with the red tie was gone.
He blinked once, accepting that was probably the closest he’ll ever get to an academic that great.
Not that it mattered anyway. If he can barely do a job as simple as taking orders to keep his family afloat, what makes him think he’d ever be enough to talk to the professors here, let alone study physics?
And for what? What could he possibly gain from his stupid daydreams? It wasn’t going to help his parents’ mortgage. But this job will.
His idiotic ass had to keep it.
He gulped his throat. Tightening his trembling grip on the chocolate bottle, he twisted on his heels before veering towards the kitchen. He needed to focus on what really mattered.
Making it between tables, he scampered past a few dogs in his way, hoping to God they weren’t staring at him. He wasn’t brave enough to check anyways.
Mackenzie’s stomping feet were heavy with annoyance, bashing the kitchen door in with a sneering grunt. He muttered under his own breath, “You idiot. Stay focused. Just stay focussed. It isn’t that hard.”
Entering the culinary world of whitewashed walls, yells and bells, pots and pans, he scurried past the row of hooks holding everyone’s belongings. Bodies kept weaving in and out within the kitchen. Making it past the counter of steaming dishes, he turned sideways to the walk-in fridge.
“No more fuck-ups, alright? Don’t be an idiot.”
He tried to ignore how maniacal he must look, talking to himself. He was probably on the verge of it.
Shoulder barging the rigid door, unforgiving scolds kept on lashing out. Mackenzie could only imagine if that was the last straw. If he missed one mortgage payment, then where would his family be? Evicted. On the streets. That’s where.
Absolute idiot.
Mackenzie took a deep breath as he gripped onto his aching chest. Something he’d really rather not think about anymore.
Shutting the door behind him, the whirring fans blasted jets of freezing air into the border collie’s back, drowning out the frantic kitchen noise. His arms tensed as the wrath of the Himalayas pierced his icy skin. Although the single dim lightbulb flickered above, he could even see vapour mist shooting out his mouth and nose.
Starting to shiver, he thrashed his frustrated paws about the shelves of cartons, Tupperware and plastic jars. He did not want to stay here any longer than he had to. The monochromatic dog heaved the empty bottle onto the shelf, freeing his paw, “Urrgh. Where the hell is it?”
Casting squeeze bottles aside with his enraged paws, he managed to spot the chocolate refill through brute force. But it was too late. His jittering paw toppled his bottle over, allowing a tiny brown stream to spill onto the floor from the nozzle.
“Urrgh!” Another venting grunt burst out, tugging on his ear before snapping the bottle upright. Blood boiling with impatience, he unscrewed the whole refill. There. Now it’ll be much faster. Still cursing himself under his breath, thrashing his entire body about, his foot caught onto the same pool of viscous syrup.
His foot slipped, “Woah!!!”
Sliding around on his one foot like a crazed ice skater, his knee buckled. His paws latched onto the shelf to no avail. His body crashed and tumbled with a heavy thump on the cold floor. Knocking into metal shelves, the refill toppled over. Chocolate vomit spewed all over Mackenzie, coating his head down to knees. It squelched within his fur.
Eggs and vegetables too.
The entire fridge reeked of the pungent odour, infused with chocolate. What a wonderful smell it was.
“Ow… Goddamnit”
With his limbs contorted, pain throbbed through his arse to his back. The refill bottle eventually rolled off, landing with a slap on his stomach.
“Urgh… Fuck my life.”
As his soft, defeated, breaths trickled into misty clouds, the door burst open with the vacuum seal sucking open, “Mackenzie! Where the fuck is the choc-”
Mackenzie remained on the freezing floor, paralysed. His meek voice called out, choking back his embarrassment, almost begging, “Can I, um, still go on break? Please, Sir?”
The border collie couldn’t see past the murky brown in his eyes, but Mackenzie was sure his boss was facepalming, “Fuck me, mate.”