At the pet hospital, Snuggle lay weakly inside the sterilized room, letting out two faint meows. His tiny ears drooped low, and those wet, glassy eyes stared through the glass.
Serena's heart twisted with pain.
The vet came out after a quick check.
"Although he has been vaccinated, the kitten still picked up a few minor illnesses while he was out on the streets. We'll put him on an IV and some meds after. Just make sure not to feed him too many kinds of foods. His stomach is a bit sensitive."
The tight knot in Serena's chest finally loosened. This was her first time raising something so small and fragile.
When she got home earlier, she'd thought she'd have to play hide-and-seek with the mischievous kitten.
But the moment she stepped inside, she found Snuggle collapsed next to the feeder, eyes half-closed, barely breathing. Only the faint twitch of his whiskers gave away how much pain he was in.
She'd been scared out of her mind. She gently wrapped him in a towel and rushed out the door.
Only now did she finally exhale a long breath. She followed the vet closely, asking about everything she needed to take care of.
Hugh had come along too.
The vet felt like there was a blade pressing against his back.
Serena was a gorgeous young woman. But Hugh was behind her, following step for step in the cold glow of night. His presence was so terrifying that it almost felt like a ghost looming in the background.
Hugh didn't say a word. He just stared at the kitten once before fixing his gaze on her profile.
The vet explained everything he could, but sweat started to form down his spine under that stare. He eventually stopped and cleared his throat.
"I'll send over the care instructions. Miss, maybe you should check on the gentleman behind you? He looks very tense."
Serena turned around sharply.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Game Over No Second Chances