Chapter 124: Duet's Last Act

Dog stands waiting. He knows what to expect. The puppies whine behind him, but a simple touch from his mind quiets them. They feel it, as he feels it in every cell of his body when beloved Trio and her evil sister die. The portal closes, the damaged one doing her duty. Dog watches with impassive eyes as Solo's head falls to the floor and rolls free, bouncing toward him. He bends, sensitive nose touching it as he sniffs.

Waits.

The building begins to shake, vibrating in coordination with the shifting of time. Dog reaches for Duet, finds her weeping and hysterical even as the Crawlers around him run for their lives. He ignores them. They are of no use or consequence. Duet is all that matters now.

She must open the portal for him. He has somewhere to be.

Duet quiets as he waits, sends love to him, and to the puppies. Not much remains of her, but enough is left she knows him, knows them. And is aware what she's about to do will mean her end.