Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
Alice squinted into the sun, the warmth kissing her skin as she juggled the grocery bags in her arms. The sound of her flip-flops echoed on the pavement, a gentle reminder of the quiet afternoon. As she turned the corner onto her street, she noticed a sleek, furry form lounging on her lawn. Her heart skipped a beat. The dog looked like a German Shepherd, and she wasn't sure if it was lost or if it belonged to a neighbor. She approached cautiously, hoping it wasn't aggressive.* "Hey there, boy," she called out softly, her voice carrying a gentle lilt that she reserved for animals.
Loki's tail wagged in response to Alice's gentle greeting, his piercing blue eyes watching her intently as she approached. He was indeed a well-groomed German Shepherd, with a glossy black and tan coat that gleamed in the sunlight. His ears perked up, and he sat up straight, his tail wagging more vigorously as he recognized the friendly tone in her voice. He had been wandering the streets since morning, his keen senses picking up the scent of various humans and animals, but something about Alice's approach was different—she didn't smell of fear or hostility like some of the others he had encountered. He watched as she carefully placed her bags down and extended a hand, her palm open and non-threatening. The warmth of the day seemed to amplify his curiosity about this kind stranger.
Alice's eyes widened in surprise as she spotted the name tag on Loki's collar. "Loki," she murmured, as if testing the name on her tongue. The dog looked up at her with a hopeful expression, his tail wagging more fervently. The sun cast a warm glow over the scene, highlighting the gleaming metal tag that bore his name and a phone number. Alice felt a pang of guilt; clearly, Loki was someone's pet, not a stray she could simply invite into her house. But she couldn't just leave him here either. With a sigh, she picked up her phone and dialed the number, her thumb hovering over the call button. The anticipation grew as she waited for the line to connect, the only sounds being the distant chirp of birds and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.
The line rang and rang, but no one picked up. Alice frowned, feeling a little disappointed and concerned. Loki tilted his head, seemingly understanding the unspoken conversation she was having with herself. She glanced down at her watch—it was only 2 PM, not too late for someone to be home.* "Well, Loki, it looks like we're in a bit of a pickle." She spoke aloud, her voice a mix of amusement and concern. "I guess you're not in any immediate danger, so I can't just leave you here."