My shift continues for four more hours before I can finally return home. It’s pitch-black outside, the darkness of the night having swallowed every light. There aren’t even stars in the sky. It’s warm as usual in early summer. Overall, it’s a very cozy town, nothing out of the ordinary, but it also means that jobs are rare, which is why I ended up working in that club.
Just a temporary solution until Amelia finds a place for us.
I walk back to my place, enjoying the warm summer night. Despite having no idea what I am going to do and how I am going to solve all our issues, despite the anxiety of not knowing where this path will lead me, I also feel free.
Free from the awful place that shunned me and dragged me down. Free from Brandon and his friends. Free from my sad memories.
A squeaking sound startles me.
By the goddess, what’s going on now?
Another squeak and something that sounds like a whistle. Who or what is that?
I am so enthralled by the noise that I almost miss it. Right in front of my entrance door, there is an animal the size of a medium-sized dog. “What…” I stare at it when it gets up, looks at me, and squeaks again. “Are you a capybara?”
Another squeak.
Capybaras are certainly not domesticated animals here! Where did it come from? Getting down on my knees, I try to have a good look at it. The capybara doesn’t respect my distance, though, and waddles forward to bump against my knee.
“First Tiger, now you?! What am I going to do now?”
Still deep in thought, I open my front door, just to be pushed aside slightly by the capybara as it happily enters my place.
It’s one thing to keep a bird, but I can’t adopt a capybara!
Well, I can’t send it away either now. It’s in the middle of the night, and I can’t call the vet. I need to keep it until tomorrow.
As I am about to close the door, I hear a new sound, some rustling coming from the garden of the house next to me. Another animal? I keep staring in that direction, but nothing happens, aside from a shiver going down my spine.
I am getting paranoid.
I decide not to linger at my door, closing it firmly and locking it. Fortunately, Faye will stay overnight at Donna’s place, so I don’t need to worry about her. I often wonder if I am doing her good. Sure, Faye is a sweet kid and just overall thankful for everything, but I am not sure if I am doing right by her, or if I remotely fulfill her needs, and sometimes I wonder how much longer I can actually do this. There are times I just feel exhausted, at other times I realize that my nerves are so thin I am scared of snapping or bursting into tears.
If only Marina would wake from her dissociative state.
If only Amelia would find a pack for Marina and Faye, then I could maybe leave and-
A wave of guilt hits me. I shouldn’t think like that.
Quickly glancing into the living room, I notice that Marina has gone to bed. The capybara, meanwhile, has lain down on the carpet with Tiger fluttering closer to inspect it.
“Don’t get too attached,” I mutter. “We won’t be able to keep it.
thirteen
Here to Stay
*GWENDOLYN*
“Idon’t know what else to tell you, Elsa,” the vet says, getting up again.
“But, Doc,” I mutter. “Aren’t they supposed to be wild animals?”
“Yes, but this here was domesticated, clearly. It has no fleas, no illnesses, no ticks. I don’t know if it’s been vaccinated, but I did just to be sure.” He strokes his chin. “It’s definitely not from a zoo either.”
“Can they be held as pets?” I ask.
“In some states, it’s allowed.”
