It was two months into their search, and there was no sign. Ellie wouldn't give up, though. She and Bella searched high and low, calling her name, hoping she would return soon.

"Okay," sighed Bella one day. "It's obvious that no one has seen Phoenix, Ellie!"

"We can't give up, Bella!" Ellie told her friend. "This is my guide dog we are talking about!"

"True," said Bella. "Hey, Coco, girl!"

Coco whimpered as she licked Ellie's hand for reassurement.

"Bless her," said Ellie, petting the Chocolate lab. "You miss Phoenix too!"

Coco wagged her tail.

"Bless her," giggled Bella.

"Let's go home," sighed Ellie. "Mother will be worried about me!"

They walked off to Ellie's house.

***

When they got back, Ellie's Mother hugged them both.

"Guessing no sign," she guessed, reading the looks on the girls's faces.

They both shook their heads.

"Come to think of it," said Ellie's Mother. "I miss my dogs Jinx and Delilah. They both made me feel safe. Both would protect me and Ellie!"

Ellie stared at her. "The XL Bully and German Sheperd? Aww! I miss them! I felt safe with those dogs round!"

"Did he take them, too?" Bella guessed.

Ellie and her mother nodded. Bella frowned.

"Are you okay, Bella?" Ellie's Mother asked. "You look deep in thought, my dear!"

Bella didn't answer. She was going through stuff in her mind.

***

Phoenix shivered in her cage. The yard where it stood was starting to be covered by white slushy snow. Some of it was yellow where Jinx or Killer had marked. Phoenix wanted Freedom from the cage! Her neck hurt from the chain and she felt colder each day that passed.

***

It was a particular day when Phoenix woke up. The air smelt of blood. Not Killer again! She growled internally.

"Morning, Golden Princess!" Came Killer's bark. "How can I be at service?"

"Ha ha," Phoenix barked sarcastically. "What do you really want, Killer? You do know I can't get out of here! You are lucky!"

She snapped her jaws to prove a point. Killer backed up a bit, but continued to gloat.

"Doesn't mean I can't treat you like a lady of leisure," she grinned, showing her stained teeth.

Phoenix growled. She didn't like the XL Bully. She was a horrible dog!

"A penny for your thoughts, golden!" Killer barked.

"What I think, is none of your business, Killer!" Phoenix glared at her.

"Easy, easy,!" Killer backed even more. "Just trying to talk, girl to girl!"

She winked, her eye looking directly at Phoenix. It was only then that Phoenix noticed that Killer had a few scars, too!

"Okay, then!" She managed to face the bigger dog. "What happened to your face? Did someone attack you? Is that why you hate other dogs?"

"Wow," Killer sounded surprised. "So many questions!"

"Just answer them, Killer!" Phoenix begged. "Then we can get to the bottom of why you hate Jinx! He's not done anything to you! All he's done is live here!"

Killer came closer and sat near the cage.

"My Master used to live where you lived," she said, whimpering a bit. "The little girl, Ellie? She was nice, so was her mother! You are lucky to have them, Little one!"

"Was your name always Killer?" Phoenix asked, slightly feeling bad for the XL Bully. "Or was it something else?"

Killer looked frightened as she lay down to look at Phoenix.

"My old name was Delilah," she admitted. "I don't like my new name! But that's what Master calls me. As for Jinx, we used to be friends. Used to be together all the time. Play in the park, those things!"

Phoenix nodded, feeling slightly bad for Killer!
"What went wrong?" She asked, hooked on the story.

"There was another dog here," sighed Killer, her tail going down. "He tried to hurt me and Jinx! One day, it went very wrong."

Her head drooped.

"I got in a fight," she sighed, her eye moving like she was scared. "It was close to both of us dying."

"Oh, Delilah," Phoenix gasped. "Is that the reason that your Master renamed you? I'm sorry!"

She felt it.

"I don't really want to hurt Jinx," admitted Killer. "But since that day, I don't trust dogs! Master brought you here for some unknown reason."

"I want out of here," Phoenix admitted. "I guess you do, too! Right?"

Killer nodded. "Very much! I want to reunite with Ellie and her mother, so much. When we aren't fighting, I and Jinx have the same idea! We would run away. Saving you, too!"

At that point, Jinx came padding up. He felt nervous.

"Hey, Bro!" Killer turned to face the German shepherd. "Just been telling little one the truth!"

"I know you don't mean to hurt me," Jinx sat beside Killer, nuzzling her slightly.

"Too close," Killer gently nudged him.

"Oh, sorry!" Jinx moved a little.

"What was that dog's Name, Delilah?" Phoenix asked. "And what breed? He looks like he did a number to both of you!"

"Jackson!" Growled Jinx. "I'm glad Delilah did kill him. He hurt us both. If he was alive, still, you would be a gonna, Nixie!"

"Is that your name, Little one?" Killer asked in surprise. "You didn't say!"

Phoenix nodded, her ears flapping.

"As for breed," continued Killer. "Jackson was an Irish wolfhound. He always thought he was king of dogs!"

"Oh, right," said Phoenix, founding herself getting more interested. "Bet your master let it happen."

The two dogs nodded. Phoenix frowned.

"Why did your Master take all of us away from Ellie and her mother? I'm sure you both played a valid part for them!"

Killer stared at her paws.

"Your guess is as good as mine, Nixie!" She sighed, turning to Jinx. "Go and get little one some left overs, Bro!" She added. "Then watch out for anything else."

"Okay, sis!" Jinx got to his paws. He winked at the girls then trotted away. Killer turned to Phoenix.

"I'm sorry, Nixie!" She whimpered. "I mean it!"

Phoenix smiled a gentle smile at her.

"Once we get out of here," she said. "We will make sure you and Jinx get treatment for your wounds and make you happy, again! That's a promise!"

Killer smiled.

"Don't worry," she growled, turning to the house. "We will get you free! That's our promise to you!"

Then she trotted away. Phoenix watched her go, feeling alone, again!

——————

A/N:

Here is Chapter 6 after two weeks!

Really sorry for the delay. Life happened.

Q&A:

1: What do you think of Killer/Delilah now you found out her story?

2: Do you think all three dogs will escape?

3: What did you think of the chapter as a whole?

Sorry Ellie's part of the chapter was short, but I wanted to focus on Phoneix and the other dogs. Chapter 7 and 8 will be the same when they get written.

I hope I won't leave it as long next time.

Wolfie out!

Word count not including the othor's note and this: 1071.