I sit down heavily as I look around and make a list of everything that needs to be done, or worked on. I call an HVAC technician, because that is kind of important. Making sure that I have both, a plumber and HVAC tech coming out. I sit down and make a list of what to go and get at Costco, making sure that I get everything that I will need. I quickly realize that the wolf is one of the few animals that are left. It's really sad, there used to be so many animals, now there are only four a wolf, two horses and a goat.
The longer I am here the more I feel weighed down. Everything has changed - not for the better either. The sanctuary that my family and Maria had helped build years earlier, all being neglected for who knows how long. It's so sad, seeing how this once beautiful place is now more like a prison for animals. I have the veterinary practice to run, and now this? That's too much - although, maybe I can use the lack of animals to my advantage?
While I have a partner in my practice, I specialize in large and exotic animals. Maybe I can make the sanctuary and my practice into one. But I'll have a lot of hoops to jump through; I guess it's a plus that my partner wants the building we are currently in. Placing my sunglasses on as I walk outside and make my way to my jeep. Hopping in I start it up, only to pause. Both the plumber and HVAC tech have arrived. I direct the to the areas and chat for a few minutes, before leaving in my jeep.
As I drive away I continue to think about everything. The possibilities of what is bound to come. It is going to be a lot of hard work; it'll take me hours to just get the top layers of dirt off. Not to mention all of the remodeling - updating the place. I can use this journey to improve myself, hopefully. I shake my head at the thoughts that continue to bounce off of the walls of my mind.
After stopping at a tractor supply I grab everything I need for both the horses and goat; I also grab a very large dog bed. I then head to Costco; grabbing a cart I walk in after showing my card. I go directly to the red meat, like some steak. Grabbing different foods that I'm sure the handsome wolf would love to eat, I'm sure it will be an upgrade from dog chow. I then head over and grab some air fresheners, cleaning supplies and tools and some snacks for myself. I also grab a thing of bottled water. Heading to the front I pay, and leave, after packing my jeep to the limit.
Heading inside - carrying the cleaning stuff I drop them on the front desk. Heading back outside I grab the waters, food, and snacks and bring them into the break room. I have to drop off the bags of grain inside of the feed shed. I sigh and look down at the time; deciding to stay the night. I call my parents and let them know everything that's going on. Having asked my mom to pack an overnight bag for me; I head on over.
Pulling into the drive, I can't help but laugh at my mother, as she has my largest duffel bag, and an air mattress. "Momma I'm not gonna move in there!" She laughs and rolls her eyes at me.
"Baby girl, I know you too well. We probably won't see you for a few days. And when you get that family cabin that's on the property ready to live in. I'm sure you will be moving in." I can't help but blush a bright red, and release a nervous giggle. I mean, she is right. I smile and kiss both of my parents on their cheeks before rushing back to the Sanctuary. To be honest I am almost ashamed at how transparent I am - especially with them. Although they are my parents so I can't be too shocked.
Getting back inside the sanctuary, I try and figure out where I want to sleep for the night. I decided that I should sleep in the same area as the wolf, I am so drawn to him - I don't understand. Grabbing my things, I walk in through the door, and notice him sitting up staring at the door. Ignoring the open window. "Hey Handsome! I hope your not too mad at me, I didn't want you to hurt as I cleaned your wounds." I laugh at him as he starts yipping at me, and stands up on the bars.
I walk forward and reach through the bars, scratching at his ears, earning a deep groan of pleasure. I sit down on the small ledge and continue to pet the large wolf. I can't help but smile as he leans against the bars with his eyes closed. Sighing I remove my hand, hearing a huff of annoyance. "I gotta go feed handsome, I'm sure that you are hungry, and would rather eat real food. I'm not sure what was going through her mind when she was giving you dog chow." I huff, still confused as to why Maria was acting this way.
I can't even fathom why everything is like this - how it got so bad. It's not like she couldn't reach out to me or someone else for help. The more I think about it, the more it makes me confused. I sigh heavily as I think for a moment longer - an unsure whine reaches my ears causing me to smile as he stares at me, I shake my head. I can tell exactly when my words register with him. I chuckle softly at that fact.
Standing up I watch as his eyes light up and I can hear a growl erupt from his belly making me laugh as his eyes dance with the thought of real food. I smile at the thought as I walk through the door, down the hall. Making my way outdoors, calling the two horses and the goat, I get their grain and feed them, handing each a small treat as I pet their noses. As I stand in the breakroom, I cut up some steak in large chunks, I only add a bit of vitamins. Tomorrow I can get him some bones with meat on them, I'm sure I can stop at a butcher and grab a leg of sorts while I'm there.
I walk out and grab the large dog bed, I was able to find and start walking towards his door. Pausing briefly I look over my shoulder, listening. I thought I heard something, I know that I locked the doors. And checked everything to make sure everything was secure. Shaking my head, I must be going crazy. Getting back to the wolf; I should really think of a name for him. I push the door open ready to walk in, only hearing the noise again
Either I am hearing someone walking around in my head or someone is here. I froze, looking over my shoulder, and back down the hallway. Biting my lip, I look back at the wolf, shocked seeing that he too is staring down the long hallway, his hackles raised. Quickly stepping inside, maybe I'm not too crazy.
Thinking quickly I shut the door, and rush to the cage door, grabbing my things as I walk by them. Opening the cage door, I push everything inside, before shutting the lights off. Looking back at the door, as I move into the cage, locking myself in. I never shut the lights off in the hallway. That could be a problem - a big problem.
Oh no, I push everything into a darkened landscape area, I can't really call it that. Since it's fake shrubbery; I gently set my things down. Laying the bed in the corner, I move back over to the wolf, handing him his meal. Maybe I should just lock the door to the room. That would make more sense then locking myself into a cage with a wild animal. Moving towards the door, I almost laugh at how worked up I'm getting. I freeze as I hear footsteps, heavy footsteps echoing down the long hall. Looking at the door, I back away from the front of the cage, freezing as I see shadows standing in front of the door.
My eyes water as I cover my mouth, looking down, I whimper as I feel the wolf grab at my dress skirt. Seemingly trying to pull me back into the fake shrubbery. Hearing the door handle shift and shake as if it had been grabbed, I move back allowing the wolf to guide me. My hands shake as I hear the door slowly creep open, gripping at the wolfs fur I bury my face into his neck, trying to hide my ragged breathing. Tears finally falling from my eyes, I notice as the wolf uses his body to shield mine.
The lights flicker on, causing me to whimper into the wolfs neck, as I tighten my hold around his neck, I notice as he lays down, forcing me under his chest. I can feel my salty tears wet his coat, I hear the cage rattle. My breath catching as I hear cursing from a man. "Where the fuck is the girl. She said that she would be here? Have you found anything?" I hear another voice call out but I can't make out what was said. I try and block out their voices - wishing they would go away.
I swallow hard as something shatters against the cage rattling it, I feel myself shake as glass breaks across the floor; spreading everywhere I assume. The door slams shut causing me to jump. A cold wet nose nuzzled my forehead; releasing a gasping sob. I have officially decided on calling him handsome, because he is a handsome wolf. I feel Handsome slip out of my arms, causing me to worry as to what he is doing. The silent atmosphere is disrupted by a soft noise, almost like something is being dragged. Looking up, I see him dragging the large dog bed.
Closing my eyes, I start trying to take deep breaths. I can feel shock setting in, what if he comes back? What if he brings his friend? I'm not strong enough to defend myself, I don't even have anything to protect myself with! Well I have my knife, but that won't do me much good if they have guns. Handsome begins pushing on my back forcing me to move, as I roll over I end up laying on the large bed. Sitting up, I try to stand, only to have his snout force my back down, I hear a shaky giggle fall from my lips.
"Handsome, this is your bed." I whisper softly, every time I try to get up he releases a frustrated growl. I roll my eyes at him, smiling at how much of a gentleman he is trying to be. I push myself over to the edge, allowing him some room to lay down. He lays down, and somehow I managed to lay down right next to him. Almost under him. Over what feels like hours, I hear stomping steps up and down the hall; sometimes things would break. Every time something would break, I'd jump. The temp dropped considerably, my eyes falling close, trying to block the noise and cold. At some point I fall asleep.