Page 18

EIGHTEEN

It was ungodly early when Felicity and I made our way into the sanctuary. The sun wasn't even up and most animals were still asleep, creating this lovely quiet atmosphere that didn't match the nervous energy sitting within me.

Especially when the Quarantine building came into view.

"I'm stressed," I admitted.

"About the Obie thing?" she guessed. "Why? You did the right thing."

"I still feel bad. I never should have let them poke him. I knew that was going to stress him out. I just didn't have the guts to tell them to stand down."

She touched my arm. "And next time, you will."

"Yeah, I won't let this happen again." I hesitated. "I just hope Jacob or Gwen won't be mad at me for delaying the move. The workmen rushed getting the habitat done so I feel bad that I'm taking my time."

"They won't be mad. Delays happen. It depends on the animal, right? And Obie wasn't ready."

I sighed. "Yeah, I know. I just feel bad. I let them poke Obie with sticks."

"Don't feel bad, it's not easy to advocate for your animals. Especially when you know that getting him moved out is good for him."

"I just wish I could tell him that." I said, horrified when I thought back to Obie's horrified little face.

We reached the veterinary clinic where Felicity grabbed my hands before I went in.

"You made a mistake. It's not the end of the world.

Obie will be just fine. Just go in a few times today, with your pepperoni, and build up to him going into the crate.

And then once you know you can do it, get a team together to move him. "

"But people want him out of Quarantine. He keeps setting off the fire alarms."

"And that's their problem. You should only concern yourself with Obie's care and comfort."

She was right and I knew she was right. I was just mad at myself for not stepping in sooner and putting my foot down. I could've avoided a lot of unnecessary stress for Obie.

But I wasn't going to make the same mistake. Even if I would have to put in more hours and work to get our hellhound accustomed to the travel crate, it was worth letting him go at his own pace.

"I think I'll just stop by multiple times today to try and lure him into the crate," I said.

She nodded. "Good idea. Don't pressure yourself by setting up a moving party. Just try and get him in the crate and when he does, just see who is free to help you move him."

"You're so wise."

"I know." She tossed an imaginary strand of hair over her shoulder. "Call me Queen Felicity The Wise."

I snorted. "And now you're a fool."

"You're the one in love with this fool."

A genuine laugh bubbled up from within me and

I went into reception to clock in, give Hatty a scratch while she was sleeping in her bed for once, and went through to Quarantine so I could say hello to Obie before the start of my rounds.

Since it was so early, Quarantine was quiet and I liked that much better than when the animals were shrieking and quacking or if it was full of people. This way, it felt like it was just me and the animals and nobody else in the world.

I got to Obie's bay and checked the window, shocked to see him curled up in the transport crate instead of his usual corner. Maybe the stress from yesterday had caused him to seek out something enclosed, like a den.

This was amazing.

I tiptoed in, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't mess this up again. This was my chance.

Obie opened his eyes when he heard me coming, two red glowing orbs in the darkness of his transport crate.

"Just me," I said, hoping that our mishap from yesterday hadn't broken all the trust we built.

He blinked slowly, let out a sigh, and stayed nestled in the crate.

"You're a good boy, a very good boy. You stay right there, nice and easy." I inched closer, holding my breath for the last bit. I just needed to reach in and drop the gate and he would be stuck in the crate.

I could do it quickly and let it slam shut but the thud might scare him so doing it without any harsh sudden sounds was probably better. And if it didn't work, then I was no further away from accomplishing my goal.

Obie watched me as I reached in and flipped the latch for the gate up. The metal grate came down and I caught it before it fell down. He let out a rumble that could've been a growl but was much softer.

My hands were shaking but I brought the gate down and clicked it into place, locking Obie into the transport crate.

Success!

I pumped my fist for a quiet celebration. Now I just needed to find some manpower to move him and we were golden.

"You're so clever, Obie. Here, have a treat." I grabbed my packet of pepperoni and fed him some slices so he would hopefully come to think of the transport crate as a safe space.

Now I just needed to find people to help me, people who weren't cranky and tired. I grabbed my phone so I could fire off a message to Felicity, just in case she hadn't started her daily duties yet and left the bay so I could use my walkie-talkie without scaring Obie.

"This is Charlotte, I'm in Quarantine and need one or two people to come help me move a hellhound. It should only take twenty minutes. Maybe half an hour. Over."

Jacob's tired voice came through the speaker. "Didn't you move the hellhound yesterday?"

So much for my boss not finding out.

"No, we didn't manage to get Obie in the crate," I said in my walkie-talkie. I wiped my forehead, bracing myself for his reaction. I'd been up all night worrying about it and now I was about to find out.

It was quiet for a little bit before Jacob responded. "I can be there in five minutes. Do you think we can do it with just the two of us?"

I glanced into Obie's bay, trying to estimate how much he weighed. It couldn't be a huge amount so I didn't see why the two of us wouldn't be able to lift the crate out to the trolley.

"Yes, the two of us will be alright. Thank you," I said in the walkie-talkie, my worries not eased just yet. Maybe he didn't want to critique my decisions over the general channel and was going to make them in person. Or worse, keep them for my next performance review.

While I waited for Jacob to arrive, I wheeled the cart from the storage facility in the hallway, and checked up on Obie. He was pretending to be asleep and curled up very tightly.

"You look nice and snuggly. You like the transport crate after all?"

He let out a sigh that almost sounded content. Maybe he was going to be okay after all.