SPASE

PROLOGUE

Just when he thinks all hope is lost, he hears the sound of footsteps up the driveway.

They came back.

The door creaks open to show a tall, slender woman dressed all in black. The light is dim. Reynolds notices the woman has a shiny name badge on her chest, reading ERICA MATTHIS. There's an embroidered crest, labeled DUBUQUE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL. The pitter-patter of his overgrown nails alerts her to his presence. Reynolds hunkers down in the back corner of the room. She is sure not to spot him there. Hesitant, Erica enters the house, carefully observing the room with her large, metal flashlight. Stiff, she's the lighthouse that shines her light onto uncharted territory.

The glow of Reynolds' eyes meets Erica's light. "So you're the one that we've been getting calls about," she says as she steps toward him.

He lets out a deep growl in warning.

Fish. Reynolds' worries are suddenly overthrown with the scent of tuna. Memories rush Reynolds' mind like a tidal wave as the smell enters his nostrils. He surrenders his thoughts over to it and creeps across the floor to find its origin. His eyes don't leave Erica as he sees her place the can opener into the pocket of her pants. Slowly, she crouches down on her knees and extends her left hand that is grasping the can of tuna.

This scent puts Reyn on high alert, making his mouth salivate and his pupils dilate. His tail starts to thump against the hardwood floor. He can't contain himself anymore! He immediately rushes and tackles Erica, kissing her frantically. She offers the tuna to give her face a break.

Reynolds devours the can of tuna in seconds. He wants more.

All the depression and sadness that consumes Reynolds every day disappears at this moment. This woman's face; her smile and her eyes, make it all slip away.

As Reynolds continues to eat the second can of food, Erica quickly slips a rope around his neck. She strokes his long velvet ears as he finishes, using a gentle touch that he hasn't experienced. She removes the second can from Reynolds' reach just as he finishes. Then, she leads him outside.

"Car ride," she whispers.

Reynolds' ear perks up. He freezes. She opens the side door of a large van, unlike one he has ever seen. Erica grabs Reynolds by the waist and gently places him inside. There's a cool breeze running inside the vehicle, passing the scent of flowers in the air. He nuzzles into a warm blanket inside the van. The water dish in the crate captures his attention and he begins to drink.

Erica climbs into the driver's seat and starts the vehicle. The vibration under Reynolds' body soothes him. Slowly, the vehicle pulls away from the house that became his prison. A place he used to call home. All of the memories pass as Erica turns the corner onto the main road. Beethoven's 9th symphony plays through the speakers. Through the violin hums and drumrolls, he hears her voice.

"You're safe. I've got you."

***

Startled, Reynolds jerks awake. He feels electricity ringing throughout his veins and tingling radiates in his paws. Reynolds peers to the purplish-blue sky, as stars begin to poke through colored clouds painted as bright as cotton candy.

He feels it. They've made it to Spase; the Guide that will save them all.