Judgment Day- D.M

New Member of the House Prt I

*The Las Vegas sun hung high in the sky, casting golden rays across the backyard of the two-story home you and Dominik had together. The desert air was warm, but a soft breeze offered just enough relief to make the afternoon comfortable. You sipped from your glass of lemonade on the lounge chair, your pushed up into your tousled dark hair as you watched Kona and Skylar splash around in the pool. Skylar was darting around the shallow end in her little doggy floaty, barking excitedly at every splash Kona made. Kona, being a natural swimmer, gliding back and forth like it was her own private oasis. Dominik stepped out onto the patio with his left arm in his black sling strapped across his chest, holding a bowl of chopped fruit in his good hand*

Dominik: Okay, babe, you're not allowed to laugh at how long it took me to cut this one-handed

*You turned your head with a smile, watching your boyfriend carefully make his way over. He set down the bowl of chopped fruit beside you with exaggerated caution*

Dominik: I swear, babe, this better earn me points

*You plucked a piece of watermelon and popped it into your mouth*

You: It does. But just so you know, it took everything in me not to record that and post it

*Dominik chuckled, carefully lowering himself into the lounge chair next to you*

Dominik: You are evil

You: I prefer resourceful

*Dominik glanced over at Skylar and Kona, his gaze softening*

Dominik: They look like they're on vacation

You: Yeah, well, I figured they deserved a pool day as much as we do

*Just then, Kona barked. A sharp, alert sound, nothing like her usual playful yaps. You and Dominik immediately sat up. Skylar had stopped swimming, paddling to the edge and climbing out to stand beside her sister. Both dogs were staring toward the back gate...which was wide open*

You: Did we forget to latch it after coming back from that walk?

*Before Dominik could answer, a low, hesitant whine came from the sidewalk on the other side of the fence. Your eyes locked onto the movement just beyond the gate as a small figure stepped cautiously into your yard. It was a dog. A stray Border Collie x Australian Shepherd by the looks of her. She was thin, with patchy black and white fur, her ribs slightly visible beneath the dirt and matted coat. She had a loose rope tied around her neck like a makeshift collar, trailing behind her as she stepped onto the stone path. Your heart clenched*

You: Dom...She's just a baby...

Dominik: She looks scared. And hungry

*The stray girl froze when she spotted you, trembling slightly, her wide eyes darting from you to the dogs and back again*

You: Kona. Skylar..Stay

*To your relief, the girls didn't bark again nor did they move. Kona tilted her head, curious but calm. Skylar's tail gave a soft wag*

Dominik: Ima go grab some turkey

*You nodded as Dominik headed inside to the kitchen. You crouched slowly, holding out your hand*

You: Hey, sweetheart...

*The dog inched forward, paws delicate on the stone. You could see it in her eyes. She wanted to trust you, but life hadn't given her many reasons to. Dominik came back out, carefully tossing you a slice of turkey. You tore a piece and placed it on the ground in front of you. She hesitated...then took one more step. Then another. She gobbled the turkey like she hadn't eaten in days*