Zoey had had enough. Feeling drained, she pushed herself up and trudged to the bathroom for a shower.

Stripping down, she caught sight of the bruises that peppered her skin, souvenirs from kicks and blows, even her lips weren't

spared.

The woman in the mirror looked gaunt, and her eyes were unnaturally large against her thin face.

After her shower, she returned to find Fitch still hanging around. She didn't quite get his deal, and she didn't press him to leave.

She made herself a steaming bowl! of oatmeal, and it was only then that she felt a flicker of strength return to her body.

While she was at the sink washing dishes, the doorbell rang.

Peering through the video intercom, she saw it was the building manager.

"Zoey," the manager called out from outside.

She hurried to open the door and was met with the sight of the manager holding a small dog.

"Zoey, we found this little guy wandering around the complex. Last tsomeone tossed him into the pond to drown, but

thankfully, a passerby rescued him. We've asked around, and nobody knows whose it is. Someone mentioned it might be yours.

The dog's been at the office, but it's too noisy. Is it yours?"

Zoey stood frozen, as if struck by lightning. After a long moment, she finally took the trembling, grey pup into her arms.

Ozzy whimpered softly.

quivered, and she was at a loss

there and blurted out, "Fitch, look at Ozzy,

downcast,

last tWendy had carelessly tossed Ozzy downstairs, she had flung him into the pond without a second

him dirty. Zoey didn't know he had been

by the window, with a cigarette between his fingers. When Zoey had called out to him, his eyes

hadn't seen

heart was stirred by that glimmer in her eyes; it was like something

stub, and

caught up in the moment, immersed in the memory when she

was back, she'd momentarily forgotten all her recent

kind of person - a little bit of sweetness could heal

tail furiously. He had

his bark sounded tender

the food in his bowl,

flicked away the

to get up, she was suddenly pushed down

felt pain; Fitch's hand traveled from her back to the nape of her neck, pressing her

pillows. It was a one-sided

bed creaked loudly for a

his forehead was resting against her back, and

wash lingered in the

away, casually grabbing a blanket to cover

nothing, clinging to the

adjustment of his pants, he

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255