Sixteen

"I'M SORRY FOR THE LATE notice, Vix, but Dr. Small needs you to come in with Salt and Light today."

Vixen gnawed on her lip. The clinic was only fifteen minutes away, but...

What do you want me to do, God?

"Vix? Did you hear me?"

"I...yes, I'm sorry." Her grip tightened around her phone.

"Dr. Small needs to fly to Australia tomorrow for an emergency procedure. But he knows you'll be in trouble with Animal Department if you miss even a single appointment for the two. Do you think you can be here in an hour?"

Her gaze swung to her lovebirds, and her heart squeezed when she saw them staring at her. It was as if they already knew what was at stake.

"I'll be there."

And so, of course, she said yes, since no other answer was acceptable.

"Are you sure about this?" Juno asked worriedly when Vixen informed her about her plans. "I don't think it's safe—-"

"It's just a routine checkup. We should be back soon."

"What about Rule? Can't you call and have him drive you?"

She had done that, but her calls had gone answered. She knew he had asked her to call him - and the police - if something was amiss, but...

It's going to be okay, she told herself.

It was just a short drive.

So it should be fine.

Won't it?

Vixen waited for His voice as she started preparing Salt and Light for the journey ahead, but even when she was already behind the wheel, she couldn't hear a single word.

It should be alright, though.

It's just fifteen minutes.

Right?

Vixen breathed a sigh of relief when she and the birds got to the clinic safe and unscathed.

So far, so good.

But as soon as she stepped out of her car and reached for the travel crate in the back—-

Something doesn't feel right.

Vixen couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched, but she told herself she was only imagining things.

Sienna welcomed Vixen with a smile of relief. "Oh, thank goodness. You made it."

"It's exactly what you said," Vixen said ruefully. "I can't afford to miss this appointment, and I really appreciate Dr. Small making time for us."

"Who do you want us to start with?" Sienna asked.

"Um, Salt, I guess?"

"Then let's get his weight checked at the lab. Do you want to leave Light out on one of the perches?"

"Um..." Unease stirred anew inside of her, but since this was something they did all the time, Vixen told herself this was simply Rule's paranoia getting to her. "Yes, sure."

Salt hopped onto Sienna's hand while Vixen got Light to step down on one of the steel perches. "Be good, Light."

The way he immediately chirped back made her smile, but her heart remained uneasy, and Vixen couldn't help but glance over her shoulder one last time.

Light was staring at her, and this time, fear made it all the way to the pit of her stomach.

Something wasn't right.

She followed Sienna inside the lab. Salt was already on the measuring scale, and Sienna cheerfully reported to her a healthy increase in his weight.

The adjoining door between the lab and consultation room opened, and Dr. Small soon strode in.

"Good afternoon," the older man greeted her in his usual booming tone.

"Thanks for making time for us," Vixen said gratefully.

"Rescues will always be our top priority."

Vixen noticed Dr. Small looking around his lab. "Is anything wrong?"

"Did I miss something? Shouldn't Light be here as well?"

"We left him on one of the perches," Sienna relayed.

Dr. Small frowned. "I was just out a minute ago..."

Vixen didn't wait to hear the rest of his words.

Oh God, please, no.

But it was just as she feared.

Light was gone.

No, no, no.

Panic threatened to consume her from within, and Vixen quickly squeezed her eyes shut.

I trust You, God.

No matter what.

I trust You.

Vixen opened her eyes, and it was like seeing the clinic with a fresh pair of eyes. The first thing that caught her attention was the clinic's front door, which she was absolutely sure had been closed earlier.

She dashed out of the clinic while hurriedly pulling up YouTube on her phone. She had an entire playlist downloaded in advance for emergencies like this, and as soon as lovebirds started chirping from her phone, Vixen began calling out to Light.

I trust You, God, I trust You, no matter what.

She surveyed her surroundings. Light would likely fly straight to... there.

The woods at the east side of the clinic would be a familiar sight to Light, and her heart started thudding as she broke into a run.

Help me, Father. Help me. Help me.

Despair tried to grab hold of her heart like a soul-sucking monster, but she refused to let go of hope and truth. She would keep looking for Light, no matter what. She would—-

Something suddenly flew down right in front of her.

The loud bird calls from her phone had done its job.

Oh God, oh God, oh God.

Light was now perched on her hand, and she quickly pinned his feet down to keep him from flying off. Light squawked in protest, but she didn't care.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Vixen fell to her knees as she broke down in tears.