Chapter Four

Lyla's Point Of View

"Do you guys want to see your toys?" I tried to sound eager.

Nick, Ben, Elisa, and even Jameson perked up.

I decided to get Jameson's toys out first. I mean, the kid is already in my lap.

I pulled a bag over to myself.

"Look Jamie." I cooed and felt around the bag to grab his toy.

I smiled at Jameson as he excitedly sat up in my lap, resting his tiny little paws on my thigh.

"Ta-da!" I pulled out his toy from the bag and held it out in front of him.

I had bought him this little carrot because it reminded me of his collar. Oh yeah, the collars. I'll give them to them later.

The carrot was just tiny enough that it could easily fit in my palm and I could curl my fingers around it fully.

Jameson began running around in tiny circles in my lap.

I giggled as I saw how excited he is. He really is adorable.

"Here you go Jamie." I held it out for him.

Jameson used his teeth to grab it from me and then held it closely to himself. It was like he is hugging the plushie.

How did I end up with such a cute bunny?

Elisa's Point Of View

I…...

I have

I have an owner

She…..

She is amazing.

She is everything I ever wanted.

The others and I have waited for so long for the perfect owner

We had to scare off so many of them.

They either weren't the right person.

Or they didn't want all of us.

It was usually the latter.

People don't usually adopt seven pets at the same time.

But Lyla did.

And she is the right person.

But now we have to find a way and a good time to reveal our true selves to her.

"Aww. Looks like Jameson is in love with his new toy." Nick said, smiling at our youngest friend.

"I can't wait to see my toy." I twirled in a circle as I imagined what it could be.

A mouse?

A feather?

I smiled evilly at Nalla.

"Don't look at me like that, Cat." Nalla backed up slightly, eyeing me.

I only chuckled.

I wish Lyla could understand us.

I could cheer her up

We could cheer her up.

That jerk Dylan just left our owner when she clearly wanted him to stay.

I looked up at Lyla.

She definitely has lots of secrets. And she's lonely.

I can just tell.

But she won't be anymore. We're here now.

"Elisa?" Lyla asked as she waved her hand in front of my face.

"Wow. What a Dummy." Ben snickered with the others.

I glared at them and then looked back at Lyla.

"Do you want your toy?" She asked with a smile.

Oh, such a sweet smile. I'm going to try my best to keep that smile on her face.

I bounced up and down and then jumped on top of Jameson.

"Elisa." Jameson protested, trying to push me off him.

"Move Bunny Boy. It's my turn." I smiled at Lyla innocently.

"I'm not leaving Lyla's side, ever." Jameson replied stubbornly, snuggling close to our owner.

"Suck up." I teased, licking his face.

"Alien." Jungkook replied, kicking me lightly.

"Rude." I chuckled and watched Lyla pull something out.

"Ta Da!" Lyla shook the toy slightly.

"Oh my gosh!" I exclaimed, my jaw dropping.

"That thing is freakin terrifying." Peter mumbled, small mumbles of agreement following.

I turned towards him and glared. "No it's not. It's the most adorablest thing ever." I argued and faced Lyla again.

"Here you go Elisa." Lyla smiled and handed it over.

Guys, it's a fish.

A flippin fish.

I love fish.

She handed it over to me. I held on to it as tight as I could to show her that I like it. I really do.

"Mine's better than yours Jungkook." I teased him, us both clinging to our toys.

"Nope. Mine will always be the best. Because I am the best." Jameson said proudly, knawing on his carrot toy lightly.

I rolled my eyes.

"Step aside kids. It's the older boy's turn." Ben walked up to Lyla and wagged his tail with his tongue hanging out.

"Aw. Do you want your toy next Ben?" Lyla smiled, rubbing his ears, love swarming her eyes.

"Fine." I grumbled with a smile and walked away with my toy.

Ben's Point Of View

I have an owner now!

Oh my goodness this is the best moment of my life!

I'm with all the boys now too!

Last time, the owner only wanted Nick and I. Then he tried to get us to jump through fire. If we didn't listen, he hit us with a whip.

Nick and I knew we had to get out of there. One, we didn't like it there. Two, we couldn't be separated from the others.

So we turned into humans and scared the jerk away.

Once he was gone, we returned as dogs to the pet store.

That was a scary month.

Nick still has a limp from it.

...

I will never forgive that bastard.

"Oh boy oh boy oh boy." I wagged my tail as fast as I could.

I really want to see what she got me!

Oh yeah! My owner is a girl now!

She is so much nicer then the guy Nick and I were stuck with.

Her name is Lyla and she is a precious little gem.

I love her so much.

But she is so sad.

That's okay though!

The others and I are here now. We will help her, just like how she helped us.

I just hope nothing bad will happen.

"Will you calm down Dog?" Sammi groaned and stretched on the floor.

"Never, Cat." I smiled and watched Lyla pull out something from a bag.

"Look what I have Ben! Do you like it?" She asked me eagerly, her energy matching mine as she held out my toy.

I barked and spun in a circle.

I love it!

Man, I really want to turn into my human form and give her a hug,

"Thank you!" I yelled, jumping up in the air.

She handed me the moose stuffed animal. I gladly accepted it in my mouth.

"You're so loud." Peter grumbled as he scratched at his ears.

"You're so tiny." I mimicked his voice.

Peter stuck out his tongue.

"Stop, both of you." Nalla intervened, walking forward, her small feet carrying her slowly.

"Fine." I laughed and shook my head back and forth, testing my new toy.

My previous owner never gave us toys. He gave us old dog food.

But this is Lyla. She wouldn't do that. Would she?

Nick's Point Of View

I didn't know if I wanted to be adopted by Lyla at first.

I just wanted to be away from people.

Jim, Ben and I's previous owner made our life hell. Fire, metal whips, expired food. We barely survived.

Jim gave me a terrible limp. He made me look weak. He restrained me, permanently.

But I didn't get it for not doing as he said.

No, I did everything he asked of me. I barely ate anything, to slim down. I burned my fur as I did tricks with fire. I stayed quiet and obedient.

But then he brought Ben into the picture.

Ben was too scared of the fire. He refused to do the tricks he asked us to do.

And so Jim brought out that string of metal. That whip.

I was in another room at the time, trying to sneak some real food.

Then I heard Ben's yelp.

Not of being scared.

But of being hurt.

I ran into the room they were in.

I saw Jim with his whip.

And I saw Ben trying to get up off the floor, a slash across his back.

Immediately, I jumped in front of Ben, shielding him from that asshole.

Then I was the one who got hit.

He hit me once, and realized his mistake.

I was the good one. He didn't want to hit the good one.

But when he told me to move, I didn't. No matter how tired I was, or how much pain I was in, I didn't move.

Jim got the point that he wasn't allowed to hit Ben, so he hit me for every mistake that Ben made.

Ben cried.

He cried for me.

Because I never did.

What Ben didn't know is that he gave me strength.

I went through the pain for him.

He kept me going.

I don't regret stepping in front of Ben that dreadful day. I don't blame Ben for all my scars and my limp.

But I do hold him responsible for keeping me alive.

He made me want to live.

Even in the worst situations, he can still make someone smile. Feel some kind of happiness.

Before Jim, the guys and I would joke around and call Ben, Hope.

Well, it was a true nickname.

He was my hope in hell.

When we first met Lyla, I made Ben keep his distance.

I let the other dogs have her.

But Ben couldn't restrain himself.

He wanted to meet her.

As always, he believed.

He believed that Lyla is good.

I smiled as I watched Ben jump at Lyla. I watched her laugh.

Ben told me to come over to them.

I didn't want to, but Ben said he trusts her.

So I walked over.

I'm not going to lie, I was excited. Maybe Ben was right. Maybe she is the one.

The minute she touched me, I knew Ben was right.

She was so gentle. So delicate. So compassionate.

I remember when she hugged me that day.

It was the best hug I ever had. She was so welcoming.

So I agreed to go with her.

And so far, I've loved every minute of it.

"Nick Honey, it's your turn."

Lyla's calm voice broke me from my thoughts.

I turned towards her and my tail started wagging by itself

I always get so happy whenever she talks to me. When she gives me affection.

I walked over to her and sat down obediently, waiting for her to tell me to do something. She scrunched her nose as she smile and leaned forward, scratching me behind my ear.

Oh my God. That feels amazing.

My right leg started scratching against my torso. I closed my eyes.

That feels so relaxing.

Lyla stopped and giggled, kissing my nose. "You're so cute."

"Guys. We are never leaving." I told them, licking her face.

"Agreed." Everyone responded simultaneously.

My heart beat fast.

Is this what it feels like to be loved?

If it is, I love it.

"I hope you like it." Lyla held the toy out in front of me.

"Fvck." My voice cracked.

It's the most adorable thing ever, a little hedgehog plushie.

No one has ever given me something so special before.

Before I knew it, I was crying.

"Jimin, are you crying?" Lyla asked, stuttering slightly.

"No way." Sammi breathed, sitting up.

I hung my head and let the tears fall. Only two. I only allowed two

"Oh Baby." Lyla sighed. I saw Jameson beside her on the floor. She pulled me onto her lap, even though I'm too big to fit in her lap. "You're supposed to be happy. This isn't a sad present."

I rested my paws on her shoulders and buried my head in her shoulder.

"It's alright Sweetie. I guess you're a sensitive one, aren't you?"

Huh, maybe I am.

"Stop laughing." Peter scolded Elisa. "He's been through more than you can imagine."

Elisa stopped.

We never told the youngest two, Elisa and Jameson, the true story.

They only know that I ended up with a limp, and that it was terrible. That's all they know. And I plan on keeping it that way. I suffered so no one else would have to.

I leaned back and licked Lyla's face.

She shrieked. "Ah! No kisses no kisses!" She laughed, trying to dodge me.

I barked happily at her reaction.

Then she started kissing me on my nose and forehead.

"Ha ha! The tables have turned!" She announced in triumph, still in the kissing fight.

"How adorable." Nalla sighed happily.

I nuzzled her with my head.

I love Lyla so much.

I'll make sure she stays safe.

Sammi's Point Of View

I smiled lightly as I watched Lyla and Nick hug.

Finally, Nick looked happy. He found an owner who is nice to him.

She's decent. I mean, a dork, but she's nice.

Once Nick and Lyla were done, I heard Lyla call my name.

"Sammi." She smiled at me.

I sighed and walked over to her.

Hmph.

A present?

I've never had one of those.

I've always been the scary one at the pet store. No one wanted me. Well, it was because I didn't want them. I would scare them away. But Lyla was, different

She didn't judge me. She treated me like I was equal.

And the funny thing is, she is treating us like humans right now. She's talking to us, giving introductions. We already all know each other. Have known each other for the past five years. But hey, the thought counts.

"Sammi, at least look a little excited." Elisa encouraged with a chuckle, scratching at her fish lightly.

Well, what she doesn't know, is that I actually am excited.

I just don't like showing emotions that much. Makes me look weak.

I have to watch out for everyone. I can't let something like what happened to Nick and Ben, happen again. Nick took the beating. The sweet, innocent Nick, lost a piece of himself the day Ben and him were adopted.

But with all honesty, I think Lyla can give him that piece back. I can already see Nick starting to relax. He's always been so tense after they came back. Constantly on alert.

But if Nick can change, maybe I can too.

I felt a smile grow on my face and I meowed excitedly.

"Hey Sweetie." Lyla stroked my head once I was in front of her.

I love it when she strokes my head. It's so calming.

"That's better." Elisa nodded in satisfaction.

"I got you something special Sammi." Lyla smiled lightly.

Special? For me?

Lyla glanced inside the bag and a smile grew on her face. She looked back at me, and I stared back with wide eyes.

"Here you go Sammi." Lyla held out her hand.