Lost and Found, A story of family.

Chapter 4: Where am I?

Suddenly, a storm struck. Large dark clouds hung over the park. It was like the weather knew about what happened. Rain started falling down heavily and low rumbles of thunder sounded louder than normal.

Bella helped Ellie to her feet.

"Hey," she said as the thunder rumbled above. "Let's get you home. You don't have a coat."

Ellie could only nod. She was shaking so badly. Both about the storm and loosing her dog.

"Come on, Coco!" Bella said, clipping the leash back on her dog. "Let's help Ellie home."

Coco understood the assignment and trotted to the shaking girl's side. Ellie let Bella help her home. All she could think was Where is Phoenix? She felt her legs wobbling under her as they walked. Coco made sure she didn't fall over.

"Here we are," said Bella as they walked up the gravel driveway after ten minutes. "Safe at home. Do you want me and Coco to stay?"

Ellie nodded. That was what she needed. She didn't want to be alone.

"Okay," said Bella. "Looks like your mother is home!"

Ellie managed to open the door, stumbling over the freshhold. Bella helped her into the house, supporting her as they did so.

"Thank you, Bella!" Said Ellie's Mother coming out of the kitchen. "I was so worried. Oh, Ellie!"

She put her arms round her trembling daughter.

"Phoenix's gone, Mama!" Ellie choked out.

"Did anyone see him, Bella?" Asked Ellie's mother. "Maybe he wasn't as hidden as he thought."

"I watched as he drove off with her," Bella sighed. "His car might have been hidden, but the road goes round the park."

"That awful man," sighed Ellie's mother. "He wanted revenge on me throwing him out. And this is how he does it?"

Bella nodded. Ellie however, looked at her feet. Coco nuzzled her hand.

"Here," said her mother. "Let me take the harness and you both go up with Coco."

Ellie let her take the harness. Then Bella led her up the stairs, Coco trotting after them.

***

Once in Ellie's safe room, Bella led Ellie to her bed. Then sat down beside her.

"Don't worry," she said. "We will get Nixie back!"

"I hope so," sniffled Ellie. "I can't believe it happened. Why did he want my dog? He could have took me instead!"

"Good thing he didn't steal you," said Bella patting her gently oon the shoulder. "Poor Phoenix."

Ellie nodded. She wondered if her beloved guide dog was okay or not!

"You look tired," said Bella. "Is it to do what happened in the park?"

Ellie nodded.

"Go for a nap," suggested Bella. "I can stay here. Mother isn't expecting me home yet. I told her what happened."

"Okay," mumbled Ellie.

She lay down on her bed. Bella watched her as she closed her eyes and drifted into an uneasy sleep.

***

Phoenix woke up. At first she thought she was still in the park. There was a lot of trees surround her. But unlike the park, it was darker. All the trees looked like they were dead. It smelt of fires. Where am I? She thought to herself.

She stretched her left front paw out and felt a weird door. It was metal crosses that made rectangular holes. She tried to get up and found she couldn't move far.

"I wouldn't try getting free, if I were you, young pup!" Came a deep bark.

Phoenix jumped slightly at the gentle but deep bark as a brown and white dog came into her sight. He looked bigger than she was, with scars to his muzzle and front legs. One of his ears slightly drooped as the other stood to attention. He sat down near the door and smiled down.

"Oh, sorry!" He barked. "Didn't mean to scare you!"

Phoenix caught the bigger dog's sent. He smelt friendly.

"Oh, it's okay!" She whimpered. "What am I doing in this metal thing?"

"My master brought you here," the bigger dog woofed.

He  lay down so Phoenix could see him better.

"I don't like him," he added, a slight growl coming out. "He treats me like I'm a bad dog."

"Sorry to hear that," Phoenix whimpered. "Why are you still here?"

"I have no choice, young one!" The German shepherd replied. "I'm the guard dog."

Phoenix felt bad for the bigger dog's. She wanted to break free and help him out of this place.

"Does he always smoke?" She asked him.

"Yes," sighed the German shepherd. "It isn't nice. When we were with his Exe, he hurt them."

Phoenix stared at him.

"You know Ellie?" She asked.

"Yes," said the German shepherd. "I hated how my Master treated them. And now he's taken Ellie's eyes?"

"Yeah," Phoenix agreed. "She needs me."

The dogs stared at one another for a moment. They both had a deep understanding of each other's situation.

"Where are you, stupid dog!" Came the angry man's voice. "Jinx?"

"I better go," groaned the German Sheperd. "But don't worry. I will come back!"

Phoenix nodded her head. She felt a bit better, making a friend. The sheperd dog trotted off, tail down. Phoenix felt bad for the bigger dog. He was being abused.

***

Later, Phoenix woke up again. She saw a very limited amount of dog biscuits in a tiny bowl in front of her. The biscuits looked stale.

"I wouldn't eat those," came the bigger dog's voice again.

"Oh ... um .... Okay?" Phoenix looked up. "How on earth are you bringing that to me?"

In the bigger dog's mouth dangled a half chicken. He trotted up and managed to push it through a gap at the bottom of the cage.

"Skill," he admitted.

"It's amazing," Phoenix's tail wagged slightly.

She started eating some of the chicken. She looked through the bars to the other dog.

"Introductions are needed," she barked after swallowing her chicken. "I'm Phoenix, or Nixie!"

"Jinx," said the German sheperd. "How nice to meet my favourite person's service dog."

"Likewise!" Phoenix agreed. "Would you want to come back to our house? If I ever get free from this place, of course!"

Jinx smiled, it was only then Phoenix saw that some of his teeth was missing. Maybe the horrid man knocked them out. She thought as Jinx nodded.

"That would be nice!" He said. "They fed me more than he does!"

Phoenix's heart sank. She hoped they both would break free from this place.
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A/N:

Here is chapter 4! I'm so sorry for the delay of the book. But now I am back.

Q&A: What do you think of Jinx's character now? Do you feel bad for him?

See you for chapter 5. Wolfie out!

Wordcount excluding this and the author's note: 1068 words.