Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Vixen couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched, but she told herself she was only imagining things.
Sienna welcomed Vixen with a smile of relief. "Oh, thank goodness. You made it."
"It's exactly what you said," Vixen said ruefully. "I can't afford to miss this appointment, and I really appreciate Dr. Small making time for us."
"Who do you want us to start with?" Sienna asked.
"Um, Salt, I guess?"
"Then let's get his weight checked at the lab. Do you want to leave Light out on one of the perches?"
"Um..." Unease stirred anew inside of her, but since this was something they did all the time, Vixen told herself this was simply Rule's paranoia getting to her. "Yes, sure."
Salt hopped onto Sienna's hand while Vixen got Light to step down on one of the steel perches. "Be good, Light."
The way he immediately chirped back made her smile, but her heart remained uneasy, and Vixen couldn't help but glance over her shoulder one last time.
Light was staring at her, and this time, fear made it all the way to the pit of her stomach.
Something wasn't right.
She followed Sienna inside the lab. Salt was already on the measuring scale, and Sienna cheerfully reported to her a healthy increase in his weight.
The adjoining door between the lab and consultation room opened, and Dr. Small soon strode in.
"Good afternoon," the older man greeted her in his usual booming tone.
"Thanks for making time for us," Vixen said gratefully.
"Rescues will always be our top priority."
Vixen noticed Dr. Small looking around his lab. "Is anything wrong?"
"Did I miss something? Shouldn't Light be here as well?"
"We left him on one of the perches," Sienna relayed.
Dr. Small frowned. "I was just out a minute ago..."
Vixen didn't wait to hear the rest of his words.
Oh God, please, no.
But it was just as she feared.
Light was gone.
No, no, no.
Panic threatened to consume her from within, and Vixen quickly squeezed her eyes shut.
I trust You, God.
No matter what.
I trust You.
Vixen opened her eyes, and it was like seeing the clinic with a fresh pair of eyes. The first thing that caught her attention was the clinic's front door, which she was absolutely sure had been closed earlier.
She dashed out of the clinic while hurriedly pulling up YouTube on her phone. She had an entire playlist downloaded in advance for emergencies like this, and as soon as lovebirds started chirping from her phone, Vixen began calling out to Light.
I trust You, God, I trust You, no matter what.
She surveyed her surroundings. Light would likely fly straight to...there.
The woods at the east side of the clinic would be a familiar sight to Light, and her heart started thudding as she broke into a run.
Help me, Father. Help me. Help me.
Despair tried to grab hold of her heart like a soul-sucking monster, but she refused to let go of hope and truth. She would keep looking for Light, no matter what. She would—-
Something suddenly flew down right in front of her.
The loud bird calls from her phone had done its job.
Oh God, oh God, oh God.
Light was now perched on her hand, and she quickly pinned his feet down to keep him from flying off. Light squawked in protest, but she didn't care.
Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
Vixen fell to her knees as she broke down in tears.
Seventeen
RULE BARELY MANAGED to keep himself from overspeeding as he drove straight to the hospital. Seeing all the missed calls from Vixen had been bad enough, but it was when he received Detective Sterne's call that self-loathing filled his heart.
He should've been there for her, but he hadn't been.
He had failed her instead, and that was why...
Please, please, please just let no harm come to her, God.
If he were to lose her over this, he would accept it.
As long as she was safe.
It's all I ask, God.
It's all that matters.
And the only thing I have the right to pray for.
Vixen was inside what looked like a consultation room when Rule finally made it to the clinic, and he braced himself for whatever accusation she would hurl his way.
But the moment she saw him—-
Ah.
Vixen flew straight into his arms, and Rule could only close his eyes as he held her shaking body tightly against his.
I never asked you to be perfect, child.
And you need to remember that you are no longer alone.
She has Me. You have Me. There is no longer a reason for you to be afraid.
Vixen was crying in his arms, and his own eyes had also started to sting.
I'm sorry, Father. I trust You. Thank You for keeping her safe.
DETECTIVE STERNE ASKED to speak to them afterward, and Rule was surprised to find out that Vixen had insisted on waiting for him before talking to the detective.
"I need you to hear this, too."
It hurt to hear the tremor in Vixen's voice, but what pained him even more was how she was looking at him.