Unhappy to Help (Open)

The door to an apartment block tore open. An effigy of exasperation stalked through, features alive with pent-up hostility. His clothes were all hand-outs and had seen some misuse, given their ragged condition. A tear across the shoulder had almost utterly disconnected the left sleeve and both shoes were split at the toe. Fairing better were a pair of sweatpants hanging loosely about his waist. Infrequent hand-washing had failed to remove the scent of blood upon these fabrics; his own, or rather, his brother's. The Kishi did not treasure his meagre possessions.

Given his lot in life, it was understandable that this once-proud demon would tend towards displeasure. However, today his ire stemmed from a more immediate tribulation. That is, the Doberman that was currently attempting to sink its teeth into his forearm. Onyekachi had the beast cradled under one arm, but it was corkscrewing futilely within his grip, and generally making a nuisance of itself. Several times he had pulled its tail to get it to obey, and each occasion had caused the mutt to become more and more uncooperative. The Kishi levelled sunken eyes at its struggling charge and for the millionth time quelled the urge to snap its neck.

"Some help, you a'wordwipes?" Onyekachi murmured out loud.

A voice in his head drummed up the response, Love to. But it looks like you got it covered, brother. Snickering followed.

They had found the dog wandering around outdoors without an owner. It's ID tag had an address etched into it and the demon had foolishly thought this would be an easy errand. Now Onyekachi was on his way to the listed apartment where he would reunite owner with pet. If only the mongrel would stop squirming! If Karma Kharmeleon wanted him to learn the sanctity of life, then his Lordly plan was backfiring. Atrociously. Onyekachi stepped into the sole apartment elevator and pressed the button for his floor, trying to ignore the fangs at his flesh by counting to ten.

A stranger called out for him to hold the lift.

F'word that! Let 'em catch the next one!

It's someone in need. We have to react.

Argh! Guess you're right...

Hurry up then!

At the last moment Onyekachi made up his mind, and threw his free hand into the narrow gap between elevator and door. He pushed back hard. Too hard. Misjudging his strength, the Kishi broke the elevator door. At once an alert tone rang out overhead. A message on the electronic screen read 'OUT OF ORDER'. Cringing at his carelessness, Onyekachi suddenly came down with the familiar pang of a headache. "No, no, no! It was an accident! F'word sake!" He raised his free hand and allowed his head to rest into it.