Chapter Seven

Lyla's Point Of View

I smiled proudly as I watched them all play around with each other. They all had their toys with them or next to them at all times.

I feel accomplished.

I was running through requirements for pets when something flashed in my head.

"Bathroom!" I yelped, looking at the two dogs.

Jameson jumped in surprise when I raised my voice. I picked Jameson up in my arms and stood up, looking for the bag.

Finally, I found it and grabbed the two leashes. I whistled a short little tune, Nick and Ben stood by my side.

After I set Jameson down on the ground, I put their leashes on and then on my wrist.

I grabbed a bag and stuffed a few other dog toys I bought, shoving my phone in my back pocket.

I sat Jameson down on the sofa.

He squeaked and hopped after me, hesitating slightly before he jumped down from the couch.

"Stay here Jameson. I'll be back in a little bit. Bye!" I whistled in same tune as before and the dogs followed me out the door.

The last thing I saw was Jameson trying to hop out the door, with his little carrot in his mouth.

Nick's Point Of View

"I wonder where we are going." I told Ben as we walked next to Lyla.

"Who knows. Let's just keep following her." Ben shrugged it off, an upbeat tone in his voice.

Please be somewhere safe. Please don't sell us or something. I don't want to be hurt again. I don't want to leave you.

—-

"The park!" Ben yelled, excitement consuming his exclamation.

I barked with pure joy.

Then I stopped.

"Ben, what's a park?" I questioned, a soft frown on my face.

Ben's face fell with sadness.

I've never been to a park before. But Ben has. He was adopted a lot. Everyone always wanted the energetic puppy. No one wanted the one with a limp.

Ben put on a smile. "A park is a big, green, open area for people, even dogs, to play around. It's super fun. You'll really like it, I promise." Ben explained softly, a hint of sadness in his tone.

My tail started wagging.

"You guys don't wander too far off, okay?" Lyla told us as she kneeled down next to us and took off our leashes.

Then she reached into her bag and pulled out something.

"Ball!" I barked and jumped in the air.

Lyla waved it in front of us.

"You want it? Go fetch!" She threw it towards a big open area.

And I ran. Ben and I ran.

I laughed.

"This is amazing!" I told Ben while we sprinted, watching the ball bounce on the grass.

"I know!" Ben laughed, running right beside me. I picked up the ball with my mouth and ran back to Lyla.

"Good boy." Lyla praised me, taking the ball from my mouth.

I wagged my tail.

"Again!" She laughed as she threw it once more.

I let Ben get it this time, but I still ran after it.

We did the same thing over and over and over.

But the bad thing was, each time, my leg started hurting more and more.

Screw that. I'm not letting my leg ruin the best day of my life. It'll be fine.

Right?

Lyla's Point Of View

I bounced the ball on the ground, expecting it to come back up.

But it bounced against my foot and started to roll away, very fast.

I groaned and glanced back at the two dogs. They were chasing each other, waiting patiently.

"I'll be right back." I whispered.

I jogged in the direction of where the ball went.

I saw a man in his late 30s probably, pick up the ball.

He looks homeless, and quite creepy.

"Hello." I greeted nervously. "I believe you found my ball."

He grinned and said nothing as he handed me the ball. I held it tightly.

"Thank you." I breathed and quickly turned on my heel to get back to the guys.

Long, thin fingers curled around my wrist, yanking me backwards.

I bumped into the man, off balanced.

Regaining my balance, I backed away from him. But he still held my wrist.

He let out a small laugh.

I started to panic and looked around nervously,looking for anyone that could help me. But there was no one. It was growing dark as well.

"Sir, please, please let go." My voice shook with every word.

"Come on. We could have a nice time together you know." The man gave me a sly, toothless grin.

My eyes widened as I came to realize what he was saying.

I shook my head, my mouth open slightly.

Then I heard the most reassuring thing ever.

Two, low growls erupted through the scary silence the man and I were sharing.

I turned around and saw my saviors.

Ben and Nick were crouched down low, slowly approaching us, their teeth bare and hatred in their eyes. They were staring the man down. I released my breath that I didn't realize I was holding.

The man released my wrist and started backing away, his eyes swarming with fear.

Nick and Ben continued to walk forward, until both were at my side. Ben on my right and Nick on my left.

The dogs and the man stared at one another.

Then Nick released a loud, powerful bark. The man fell backwards, scared out of his wits. He scrambled to his feet and bolted in the opposite direction.

Once he was gone I heard some whines from the ground.

I looked down and immediately went to my knees.

"Oh my gosh I was so scared." I hugged the two, closing my eyes as the two licked my face reassuringly.

"Thank you guys so much." I whispered and stood up again.

Nick- Like I promised, I'll keep you safe.

Ben- I'll never let anything happen to you. I already let that happen once with Nick. Not again.

We returned to our previous area. I noticed the boys wouldn't mess around anymore. Instead, they watched me until I threw the ball again.

Ten minutes past when the scariest thing happened.

I heard Nick yelp out in pain. My head snapped towards the noise and I saw Nick fall to the ground.

Ben sprinted over to him, whining slightly.

My mouth dropped, my eyes widening.

I started to run towards Nick. With each step, I grew more and more panicked.

Nick tried to stand, but fell down. I noticed that his front right leg kept giving out from underneath him.

That's the leg with the limp.

"Nick, stop." I kneeled down next to him, stroking his head.

Nick stared up at me with pain in his eyes.

"Ok, ok." I repeated to myself. "You're gonna be okay Nick." I reassured him.

I scanned Nick's body. He wasn't bleeding or anything. He probably just strained his leg too much. Which means he needs to stay off his leg for a while. And we need to get back to the apartment.

"Just stay calm Nick." I told him.

I took a deep breath. Then I hefted Nick into my arms and stood up.

I carried him like a baby, except he isn't a baby.

He was a grown dog that was quite heavy. I mean that was a good thing, that means he was well fed back at the pet store.

Bad for me. I'm not very strong.

But I can do this. I have to do this.

I can do this.

Nalla's Point Of View

"Jameson, what is wrong?" I asked the sobbing kid for the hundredth time.

Ever since Lyla left with Nick and Ben, Jameson hasn't stopped crying.

"It's all my fault. It's all my fault." He would cry out.

Sammi groaned as she buried her head underneath a pillow. "Shut up Kid."

Elisa scooted Jameson's carrot closer to the crying bunny. "Look Jungkook. It's your carrot. It's okay." Elisa tried to clam him down.

But Jameson showed no sign of improvement.

"He keeps calling out for Lyla." Peter acknowledge, looking up from his toy.

"Does he think that she left maybe?" Elisa asks from the couch, laying upside down.

I frowned and turned back to Jameson. "Jameson, Lyla didn't leave you know? She's coming back." I reassured the younger one.

Jameson shook his head several times. "Never never." He whispered through hiccups.

I looked up and the others and I made eye contact. I for one, am very worried. I've never seen Jameson so unstable before.

Keys jungled from outside the door, everyone's head snapping towards it.

Then the door opened.

"Holy shit." Sammi gasped, getting up from the bed.

Elisa jumped down next to me, her mouth open in shock.

"What the hell happened?" Peter whispered, standing beside Elisa.

"Don't panic." Nick advised from Lyla's arms. "I just can't walk."

Elisa screamed.