As I slowed to a trot, I took a deep breath and sat down, my heart thudding. I still felt woozy, and immediately thought of my sister who I hadn't seen for quite a while.
I stood and started walking down the familiar hallway, relishing the small freedom. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Maybe I could even escape. Maybe Shadow would ignore me now. Maybe I should stop thinking about maybes because they never really worked out.
I stopped outside of Lily and May's room, hearing silence inside. Where they doing an experiment? I stepped inside, seeing May's green fur pressed against the cage. Lily wasn't in her cage. "May, I'm here." I forced myself to cheerfully say, as her eyes were sad and filled with sadness.
"Is something wrong?" I stammered, wondering if I had done something. But May turned to look at another crate, this one empty. "Gone," May whispered, her eyes wide with sadness. "Sold."
And it was only then I realized that Lily wasn't coming back.I staggered, the room spinning as I just stared at Lily's cage. Gone just like that? I wanted to start wailing, pictures of Lily flashing through my mind. When we were pups, daring each other who could run the farthest, getting captured, huddling together as we realized we had changed. Her asking for a bedtime story, calling my name here...
"Not Lily." I said, starting to back away. "Not her." And I spun, racing for the only doorway I knew of that led to a very different place.
I reached the door panting, my eyes wide with fear. My feet had drummed in rhythm with the one phrase circling in my head. Not Lily, please not Lily.
A human up ahead, dressed in wealthy clothes. Lily by his side, tied to a leash. Her eyes were wide with fear, and I charged towards them. "Lily, Lily!" I shouted. Her eyes lit up, and she tried to free herself. I bounded closer, determined to set her free. And then Dr. Steelia was there, standing my way as I skidded to a halt.
"No, Mist, She has to go now, okay? Say bye-bye," Dr. Steelia said in a baby voice, eyes cold and cruel. I scrambled past, reaching Lily's side. She was panicking, her voice coming in short gasps. "Lexi, what is happening?" She cried, as I nuzzled her. I hesitated. "I will bite off this collar," I told her quickly. "Be prepared to run."
"Run where?" A voice purred, and Shadow slunk up. He eyed Lily. "She is not any good. Maybe a messenger pigeon or something, but otherwise there is no reason for her not to be 'tested' for a long while as a standard pet." Shadow paused, eyes glowing in amusement. "I feel sorry for you. Knowing she will be literally two blocks away...and yet I doubt you will see her again."
"And am I any good?" I stalled. I tried to slip around his defensive position in front of Lily, but he stopped me. "Oh, yes, excellent for war." He said flatly. "After all, what makes you stronger than fighting after a broken heart?"
All of a sudden Lily cried out, and I whirled around to see her vanish behind the closing door. Lily was gone and I had no idea where.