The Devil Next Door

Chapter 1: Midnight

"Didn't you give her the antibiotic this morning, Imogen?"

The dark haired young woman nods and answers, "I did, sir, but I don't think the injections are helping."

Imogen and her parents study the horse's festering wound closely. A week has gone by since Midnight injured herself busting down the fence. A terrible thunderstorm had come through and spooked her, and if the Tarrants could not help her clear the infection, she would die.

"Please, if I may, Athair, we need to call a vet," Imogen insists.

"Iníon, you know why we can't do that," her father replies, "but you're right. We have to do something."

Her mother laughs.

"And who's going to take her to a vet? You have to get to work, and I can't drive that far. You know the baby could come at any moment."

She pats her swollen belly for emphasis.

"I can take her," Imogen offers hesitantly. "Albertville is less than an hour away, and I can handle the little trailer."

Her mother is clearly not pleased, but her father considers it.

"There should be a clinic on Highway 41 that will see big animals. Take her there, my iníon. Cara, go get her some money. I have to get going," he says.

He does not wait for a reply before mounting his golden gelding and riding off toward the jail. Her mother waddles off to the house while Imogen gets the trailer hooked up to the old family truck. She double checks that the safety chains are secure and coaxes Midnight into the trailer. She has to bribe her with several handfuls of treats before the mare limps all the way into the small trailer. By then Imogen's mother has waddled over with a wad of cash.

"Come straight home when you're done," she says as she passes the money to her daughter.

Imogen jumps into the truck and promises, "I will, Máthair!"

She slowly pulls out onto the dirt road and turns the wheels toward Albertville. It is a beautiful October morning, so she rolls down all of the windows. She drives slow to not put anymore stress on Midnight, but she still makes it to the vet in less than an hour. The parking lot is nearly deserted, and the small building looks like it merely serves as an office space. She parks the truck right outside the front door.

"Don't worry, girl. You'll be feeling better in no time," she coos to Midnight before heading inside.

The doorbell spooks the petite receptionist.

She laughs and says, "Sorry about that. Most people call, so we don't get a lot of customers coming through the front door. How can we help you?"

Imogen explains the situation, and after she finishes the receptionist asks her to fill out a few forms while she speaks to the veterinarian. A few minutes later a man just a few years older than Imogen walks into the room. He is tall with brown curly hair and has on a plain t-shirt, jeans, and boots. He smiles warmly and extends his hand for her to shake. She notices that his hands are rough with callouses.

"You must be Imogen," he says.

"Guilty, and you must be..."

His hand flies to the collar of his shirt.

"I'm sorry. I forgot my badge. I'm Dr. John Lambert, but everyone just calls me John. If you'll back your trailer over to that side of the building, I'll take a look at your mare," he says gesturing toward the wall to her right.

Imogen follows his instructions, and Dr. John is waiting for her by the gate of a covered pen. They have to bribe Midnight with more treats to get her out of the trailer and into the pen. She is nervous at first, but Dr. John easily calms her down with a few soothing words and gentle pats to her side. He quietly talks to her as he examines her feet and teeth. When he finally takes a look at her wound, she is not nervous at all.