My New Pet

Chapter 12: Hope and Dreams🧁

TW: This chapter contains mentions of abuse and other uncomfortable things.
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Late July 2020; Spokane, Washington

"I honestly thought today was going to be just another joke but you've proved me wrong. I guess not all men are the way I think they are." Irene laughed a little, walking under the umbrella with the man who had asked for her time earlier. The rain was still coming down but not as hard as it had that morning. They arrived at her apartment building, going inside and into the elevator. Irene lived on the third floor where there was at least a small view of the town. No one was roaming the halls this time of the night, already in bed for work or university for the early morning. Once the elevator bell rang, the two got off and made their way down the hall until reaching the apartment labeled 36 on the front door.

"Well this is where I leave. Thank you again for tonight. I really needed it." She smiled up at the man, who took her hand in his and kissed the top of it gently.

"No problem, little lady. Maybe we will meet again soon when you come back from your trip." His thumb rubbed the top of her hand softly and Irene couldn't help but giggle to herself, face flushed red from his charismatic attitude. "When you come back we can get to know each other more."

"Maybe we will.~ Who knows...fate has a funny way of expressing itself. Might be sooner than you think."  Irene waved to him and she turned to go back into her apartment, evidently realizing one peculiar thing. "Oh! Hey, what's your..."

When she turned around to get the man's name he had already left the floor. He was gone faster than she could even ask who he was.

"...name." She finished and moved to go back into her apartment again, closing the door and latching the lock tight behind. It was late and Irene had a plane to catch in the morning to Romania.

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Present Day

Irene woke in the morning in a different place than she fell asleep last night. Her eyes adjusted to the dim light of the workshop, stretching slowly before curling back up against something—or rather someone—warm. She felt someone's hand gently stroke her face, then down to her lips which had Irene turn on her back to look up.

"Awake finally. I was wondering if you had died in your sleep or not." Karl teased and Irene sat up suddenly, red faced not to mention embarrassed to see him handling her the way he had. "It wouldn't be good if you were dead but we don't have to worry about that."

"What were you going to do if I didn't wake up...?" She asked and rubbed her eyes, letting them fully adjust as she sat against the wall.

"I would have had to do CPR, which means kissing you.~"

"Gods no thanks. I'm fine. I just had the weirdest dream...I don't even know if it was real..." Her voice sounded hoarse from not speaking so much since last night, face turning even more red at Karl's comment. Irene's eyes were half lidded from being sleepy, giving a small yawn and leaning on his arm.

"Dream? You looked like you were crying in your sleep when I came in here.I didn't want to make you move so I slept upright." He pulled Irene into his lap and let her rest on him, petting her red hair gently with one hand while the other stopped at her waist. She laid there trying to process everything that happened and began crying again, sobs felt by Karl as Irene started up. "Now there's no reason to cry, Pomeranian. Miranda was inevitably going to hurt you at some point. She does that to everyone who crosses her path the wrong way. Don't take it personal."

"It's not that...it's all the shit she's put me through and still claims to love me. I don't even know what love is anymore..."

"Fuck her then. Don't let that woman take away your humanity, Irene. It's the best thing about you." He took a drag off the cigar he just started and put it down, making Irene sit up all the way. Karl's gloved hand wiped away the tears again and made Irene look him in the eye. "Now I do think that we should find a way to get you out of here. Out of this village altogether. I don't want you to stay stuck here. I know you didn't mean to stumble upon Miranda when you came here but she's had plans involving you for a while. Now you have a choice to stay or leave. And I hope it's the latter, little lady."