And What I Found There - Book Two

12. You Took Me By Surprise

Something wet bumps my hand. "Huh?" I blink my heavy eyes open. Whoa! What the hell happened?! The sun hasn't risen yet but the sky is a dusty slate color with predawn light and I hear birds singing already. I'm laying here against a short flight of stairs that lead up to some shop. Where am I...?

I glance down as something bumps my hand again.

It's a fluffy puppy.

Aww! Instantly my dread is replaced with delight. I smile brightly and quickly pick it up, he grumbles with an adorable whine.

"Hiya, sweetie!" The burly sable and black puppy is the size of a bear cub! He's probably a Leonberger doggo. I rub his velvet ears and laugh at the goofy smile on the puppy's face. To my surprise though, the pup jumps off of my lap and takes off. 

Huh, I've never had a puppy run away from me before.

I frown but now look around, at least a serial killer or another sicko didn't cart me away while I was passed out. What happened to me last night? How did I get out of my hotel room?

I honestly can't remember.

I slowly stand but take only a step forward when the little Leonberg puppy races back around the corner and yips at me. I smile a bit but turn away as I try to recall the night before. I came down this way, right? I turn to look down the other way. Or that way. One of those two.

To my surprise the little puppy grabs onto my skirt and tugs, its hindquarters wiggle as it tries to drag me along.

"No, no," I scold gently and brush his jaws off before I start walking. I'll find my way back sooner or later; I wonder if anyone knows I'm missing yet and if they're looking for me right -

"Good gods, lady, you're bloody killing me!" I hear a little kid's British voice behind me and I quickly spin around but I don't see anyone.

"Hello?" I call but now I decide that I must have heard a kid passing by.

"Down here, lady!" The child says again.

I drop my gaze to the ground at my feet and here sits the puppy. "Huh?"

"It's me!" The little dog lips move as the puppy speaks.

I yelp and jump away from the talking dog. I know I shouldn't really be acting so surprised, after all I am currently traveling with the Knave of Hearts, and yet I can't help but wonder if I'll ever get used to talking animals. "Jeez!" I stare at the Leonberger puppy. "I keep forgetting you guys can talk here!"

He rolls his golden-brown eyes. "Get over it. Look, I'm tryin' to do you a favor, a bloke that calls himself Quill promised me a hambone if I found his missin' friend, you fit that description."

The White Knights are looking for me! I feel so relieved. "Who are you?" I ask as I follow the little dog.

"Name's Bishop."

"Bishop? That's cute! Um," I blush as he shoots me a look. "So...how do you know Quill?"

He snorts which is darling. "I don't know anybody. But his Talent is control of us animals, so I came when him called and took his order to find you very seriously. As soon as I deliver, I'll get my hambone and be free to wonder the streets like I was doin' before you became my top priority."

"You don't have a home? What about a family?" I feel my heartstrings being tugged.

"Naw 'n naw. Better off on my own, no one stops this hound."

"Aren't you lonely?"

"I was, but then I grew up, now enough with the personal questions, eh?"

I blink in surprise, bitter little guy. "Hey, how much farther?"