Unconditional

Part 6 - Lost

I quickly grabbed Bridgette and brought her downstairs. Both her and me really needed this walk. To think and to calm ourselves. It's such a chaotic day for. I am hurt, confused, and angry. My emotions are playing with me right now.

We headed outside and into the forest. We did not wander that far into the woods because I'm scared that we might get lost. Bridgette and I played catch for quite a while. For the last time, I threw her tiny ball into the nearby tree and told her to get it. But for some reason, Bridgette did not grabbed the ball. She changed her position into her alert mode. She seems like listening to something. I can her ears twitching. She seems really trying to hear the sound she's hearing. I myself on the other hand could not hear anything.

Unexpectedly, Bridgette got scared from what she heard and ran off deep into the forest. I followed her but she was running so fast that I couldn't catch up. I was already running out of breath. I tried running to her direction hoping I could stop her if I call her name.

"Bridgette! Come here baby! Please!" I pleaded in between my breaths. My eyes started to water already.

I tried calling her for an hour already but still no sign of her. I cried hopelessly and still hoping that I could find her.

Just when I'm about to leave, I heard the thunder growling angrily from the sky signaling that it's about to rain.

"Please no! Please! Don't rain for now!" I begged to the sky. "I need to find Bridgette!" I cried her name again.

After about ten minutes, it started to rain heavily! I have no choice but to go back to our house and wait miraculously for Bridgette to be home. I can't help but think that she might be really scared and cold right now. I blamed myself for this. If only I did not take her to the forest! With one last glance into the direction that Bridgette went in to, I turned my heel and jogged my way to our house.

"My my dear! What happened to you? Why are you soaking wet?" She said while examining me.

"Auntie.. I lost her... Bridgette.. we were just playing and she must've heard something that scared her and she ran off." I cried. I can't stop crying. She's the only memory I had of my parents.

"I'm so sorry, Tori!" She hugged me. "Let's get you warm first before you get sick from being cold. In that way, we can figure out on what to do. I'll try to report it so we can have some people look for her." My aunt comforted me. "Please take a shower first and I'm going to make a few phone calls." She added.

I sighed. I headed to my room and I took a shower and changed quickly. I burried myself to my pillows and cried my heart out. The pain that I'm feeling now is unbearable. I lost my dog. I lost my parents gift for me. I can't forgive myself if something bad will happen to Bridgette. Bridgette is more than just a pet for me. She's my best friend, my happiness, and she's a memory of my loving parents. Thinking about her makes my heart shatter in pieces. My baby girl!

"Tori... I made a call to the animal rescue shelter near this town, they said they will coordinate with their team to send out to the woods and find Bridgette. For now.. all we can do is wait. They assured me that they will update us as soon as they can." She said.

"This is all my fault. If only I did not take her to the forest! None of this would have ever happened!" I said bitterly.

"Stop blaming yourself dear! All you want is to play with her." She said trying to comfort me. She walked close to me and tried to comfort me by rubbing my back and stroking my hair.

I pulled myself up and I hugged my Auntie and cried again and again. My cried turned into silent hiccups.

"Take a rest, Tori. You need it. You still have school tomorrow. I know that this is really hard for you but please be strong! Bridgette will find it's way back to you." Aunt said worriedly. She knows how much my dog means to me.

I did not bother to answer her. Instead, I went directly to my room locked myself in and burried my self to my pillows again.

A lot has happened today. My feelings are piling up. It's making me vulnerable. I can't even think straight. I am hoping that I will hear some good news from the animal rescue shelter by tomorrow. I pray that they would find her. My heart shatters as the thought of me sleeping comfortably in my bed while Bridgette is out there somewhere in the woods. She's probably soaking wet since it rained so hard earlier. She's probably scared, hungry, and helpless. The guilt I am feeling is eating me alive. I could've been more careful of her! I could've just played with her here inside our house! I have the right to blame myself for what happened to her. I am her pawrent, and it is my responsibility to keep her safe. Which I failed to do bigtime.

"Please be alive, Bridgette. I will find you baby! I promise you that." I whispered to myself before falling asleep.