Running On Empty

APOCALYPSE MEOW (Write to Rank 2023 Round 8)

Author's Note: This is a Dresden Files fanfic, with apologies to author Jim Butcher. There aren't any major spoilers, but it takes place after "Blood Rites." The other character, Dana Halliday, is from my own work.

I approached the half-lit storefront, leaning on my wizard's staff as I pressed the button marked "After Hours." I supposed veterinary clinics that did business outside of usual hours had to take extra security precautions. Here, in this nearly-deserted strip mall in one of the sketchier areas of Chicago, there could certainly be bad guys seeking drugs.

Or cats seeking food. A full dozen furry little felines scattered into the shadows at the sound of the buzzer. Strange. Most cats run at the mere suggestion that you're going to take them to the vet.

A woman in gray scrubs and a black fleece jacket approached the door, smiling as she unlocked it. "Come on in. You must be...Harry Dresden?"

"At your service, um...Doctor Halliday." I adjusted my long leather duster coat, which was imbued with protective enchantments.

Her smile widened; she glanced downward as if remembering the name embroidered on her black fleece. The veterinarian was a bit over average height for a woman, about a foot shorter than I am, and probably about my age. Her hair was bright red and only partially subdued in a ponytail, her skin smooth and fair with a scattering of girlish freckles.

"Call me Dana." She turned and gestured for me to come in, then led the way behind the reception desk and toward the back of the clinic. "You didn't bring your dog."

"No, I—what?" I had been distracted for a moment, by her long legs that even the baggy scrubs couldn't hide. "How did you know I have a dog?"

"Um...Sometimes I cover shifts for the vet hospital where you used to take your dog. They still talk about how he trashed the place that one time."

"Oh. Well, he's a pansy at the vet. Hates needles."

"Uh-huh. Anyway, you're the only pet owner I've ever known to list 'wizard' as their occupation. And then I found your Yellow Pages ad. Like, an actual ad printed on paper."

Dana's smile hadn't dimmed one watt since she'd opened the door. She had a pretty enough smile, unadorned by lipstick. That smile was elevated by her eyes, which were a shade of hazel that was more green than brown, and glittering with alert intelligence.

I had to smile back. "Yes, well, it's hard for me to use computers."

"Because of the magic?" she asked gravely, though her eyes still sparkled.

"Yes, as a matter of fact. Magic doesn't play well with modern technology. How did you know that?"

"I read a lot. Research, I mean."

"Of course." It was probably second nature for a vet. "And have you shut all of your electronic gizmos down as I requested?"

"Yes sir." She made a little salute. "Including the x-ray machine and the ultrasound."

"Good. I'll try not to fry anything. Now, tell me more about why you called me. You mentioned some strange occurrences at night?"

At that moment, a bag of saline flew across the treatment room, the IV line attached to it whipping about gleefully and spraying fluid everywhere. I ducked, but didn't avoid a splash of salty water on my face.

Dana didn't even blink. She waved her hand. "Exhibit A."

"Ah. What else?"

A mug, white with "Vet Med: Because Humans Are Gross" printed on it, plunged from the countertop. It exploded into ceramic shrapnel and congealed coffee remnants.