The Carters | ✓

Chapter One - Red

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Sophie's POV

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"There you go, little guy," I murmur quietly, placing the last bowl of food in the crate of the last dog that is staying overnight. "Don't worry, your mama's gonna pick you up tomorrow," I smile down at the little German Shepard puppy that has come in to get neutered this afternoon, double checking that I have locked the crate before making my way out of the room.

We only have a few animals staying at the vet clinic overnight on a day to day basis. I think the most we've ever had while I've been working here is five. Sometimes we have none, but tonight there are two dogs and a cat. Percy, the German Shepard puppy was one of them. There was also Cookie, a little Pomeranian who had to stay overnight after having surgery on his left hind leg after getting it caught in a fence. And lastly was Nancy, the old Bengal cat who had to have a few teeth removed after they started to rot.

I'm the last one to clock off at the clinic tonight. Me and the other vets always take turns in doing the late shift after we close to make sure that all the animals staying overnight are looked after and settled.

It is now just past eleven and it is finally time to head home.

I say finally like I have something to look forward to, but really it'll just be another night eating leftover pizza while binge watching Suits with my English Cocker Spaniel puppy, Rufus.

I know. Super exciting.

I walk back out to the front of the clinic, going behind the counter to start collecting my things. I bend over, grabbing my purse and jacket before suddenly there is a loud thumping noise on the front door.

I jump at the sudden noise, accidentally knocking my head on the underside of the counter. Wincing, I stand up straight, rubbing the back of my head as I look outside to see what has made the noise.

What I see makes my eyes widen.

A guy who looks to be around my age is standing outside the locked doors of the vet. He is clearly tall and Asian features with black hair and olive-toned skin. He is clearly handsome, his toned arms showing as he is wearing a t-shirt.

But his looks aren't the main thing that catches my eye.

It's the fully-grown Golden Retriever that he is holding in his arms.

Upon closer inspection, I notice the pleading, worried look plastered on the man's face and how the dog doesn't seem to be moving all too much.

The dog must be hurt.

Despite the clinic having been closed for almost an hour now and the fact that I've clocked off for the night, I still hurry towards the front doors and unlock them, letting the poor guy and the dog inside.

"Thank you so much. I- I know you're already closed, but Red was just hit by a car. I was just putting the garbage out and I must've left the door open. He- he came running out after me and the car, it just-"

"It's alright, come with me, he'll be just fine," I quickly interrupt, already heading out the back towards the surgery room where everything I need is. We don't usually allow pet owners back here, but tonight I'll make an exception.

As soon as we get out the back, the guy lies his dog down on the table and I hear the small cry the dog gives out. The Golden Retriever lifts his head and looks like he is about to try and bite his front leg. He's in pain.

"I'm sorry, buddy," the man bends down so that his face is level with the dog's, "I know it hurts, I know."

I quickly get some pain relief ready, quickly filling up the needle. "Alright, big guy - did you say his name was Red?" I question the man and he gives a quick nod, "Okay, Red, I'm gonna give you something that'll make you feel a lot better. Here we go, this might sting a little... that's it, good, you didn't even flinch." I take out the needle after emptying its contents in the dog and I watch as it quickly takes action. Red stops panting as he had been doing when he arrived, his breathing evening out.