Inhale: Book One (bxb) ✔️

8. Nova

Everest Pierce

Outer Banks, North Carolina
November 5th evening & November 7th

"Everest!"

I dropped the fork from my hand and dashed toward Landon's panicked voice. West was on my heels. My heart beat erratically in my chest. And it wasn't until I saw what Landon's shouting was about that I found myself able to breathe. Well, as much as I could for seeing Landon trying to get the dog in front of him to come near him.

"Landon." I put my hand over my heart, taking an additional breath. "What's going on?"

Landon turned to me with tears in his eyes. Ah, my empathetic boy. "He's hurt, Ev. He doesn't have a collar. He's also a little too skinny. Someone hurt him. We have to do something."

West approached Landon with caution toward the dog. "We passed an emergency vet on the way to the store. We could call and see if they can come out here. We'd have to get him up to the room first."

Landon studied the animal, sniffling as he finally had success in petting him. "He seems friendly. We could try and carry him. His paw is injured, though. He won't make it up the steps on his own."

West and I exchanged a look that held the same message. It was up to us, and so we approached the dog with outstretched hands so he could catch our scent. He sniffed us with a wagging tail and concluded we weren't threats.

I carefully wrapped my arms around him, and he whined for a moment before accepting I was trying to get him to safety. At least, that was what I told myself. Landon was already on the phone with the emergency vet, telling them what happened.

Once we got him upstairs, I lay him on the couch. He didn't move but looked at all of us with curiosity. He was definitely the runt of a litter of mixed breeds. Appeared to be a husky mixed with maybe Shepard. I wasn't one hundred percent sure, though.

Landon hung up the phone and tossed it carefully on the side table. "She will be here in twenty minutes."

Lennox nodded as he sat in front of the couch, petting her head. "Who hurt you, Little One?" He seemed to enjoy Lennox's love, and my heart twisted. Landon was already attached based on the way he stared at the dog. "We're going to take care of you."

And also based on the way Lennox was looking at the dog, he felt attached already, too. Which only broke my heart more. We were on an organized trip. We couldn't keep him even if we wanted.

Still, I moved closer to Landon as he crouched next to Lennox. He wrapped an arm around my leg to keep his balance as he stroked the dog's head. Landon whispered sweet promises to him, saying no one was going to hurt him anymore. And I'd be lying if that didn't hit a sore string in my heart.

I shouldn't relate to an abused dog, yet, I somehow did. Whatever mistreatment he was put through reminded me of the family I once had. The family who didn't love me but used me as a toy. Kept me locked away from all forms of communication. Made me afraid of the dark.

As if Landon knew I was falling into the darker parts of my mind, his arm tightened around my leg. When I looked at him, his eyes were on me. His sad, defeated eyes. How much more did he have to endure before it was enough? This sweet boy, who cried for hurt animals. Who felt guilty for things he couldn't control. Who loved so unconditionally, he made me have hope for the human race. Who was so unapologetically himself.

How much more did he have to deal with?

I offered him a smile, and he tried to return it to the best of his ability, but it missed the mark. He couldn't be happy if this poor animal was beaten and neglected.