Angels Redemption

Chapter twenty nine: Puppy

(Rafael's pov)
11 months. That's how long I've gone without seeing Iris. Well if you don't count the time I saw her when the world was ending, then it'll be 11 months. But anyway that's not the point. The point is that I haven't seen her in forever and I don't know if I can wait another 9 years and a month. This distance is killing me!!

After I told Rain that I'd have to send her home, and she freaked out and started calling Iris names and shit, I went to my room and sat on my bed. I pick up my useless cell phone and look at the last text Iris and I had.

Iris: Hey baby!
Me: Hey beautiful! How was you day?
Iris: Boring because you weren't there ❤️
Me: Awe.. You're so sweet. I love you Iris.
Iris: I love you too Raf. Always. Can I ask you something?
Me: yeah sure baby what?

She never answered me. That was when she ran off to go help Rain the second time. She ended up being put in her coma and I never bothered at ask what she wanted to ask me. I really wish I had. I want to know now. Grumbling to myself for being so stupid I place my phone down on my bed and just stare  at the ceiling. Why does it feel like nothing ever changes? Why do I feel like the world is against my happiness?? I shiver, as the sudden realization dawns on me. All the obstacles I've been given aren't to slow me down, they're to make me stronger. Sitting up I look at my phone, at the picture I have of Iris as my lock screen and I mumble out a promise I know I can keep.

"I'm coming for you Iris, if it's the last thing I do."

(Iris pov)                                                                                                                                                  
Ok, today is officially my first day of summer. No school, no exams, just pure blissful happiness. Then why do I feel so crappy? Why do I feel like something's missing? Because something or make that someone is missing!! My mind screams at itself. Ugh... Now I'm going crazy. I'm having internal conversations with myself. Shaking my head to clear the buzzing sensation, I get up and go get ready for my run. After throwing everything on, earbuds, iPod, and sneakers, I head outside and decide to try something new. I head right instead of left. And make my way up towards the park. Once there I plop down on a bench and decide to take a five minute break.

Looking around at the scenery is beautiful. There's a lovely pond that glitters in the sun, a large playstucure for the kids, and there's even a soccer field and basketball nets. The grass is dark green and soft. It feels peaceful here, like home. Smiling to myself I'm about to get up when I hear a small whining from somewhere close by. Looking up, expecting to see someone's dog asking for attention, I'm shocked when I see nothing. It's just the birds and a few people here. Then I hear it again. A small plea for help somewhere. A whining that sounds like the animal has been hurt.

Deciding to go look for the source, I head in the direction of the whine. As I get closer I pause listening intently for the sound. At first I hear nothing and I think I'm losing it, but then there! I heard it. A small whimpering sound just a few feet ahead of me. My heart gallops in my chest and I make a move towards the bush that is the hiding spot for the animal. Each step I take my heart moves farther and farther up my throat. "Here, little guy. Come on out. I won't hurt you." I say in the most loving voice I can muster. I hear a grunt then a small whine and the bushes move. I freeze. Oh god what if it's a rabid squirrel or something? What am I getting myself into? My head spins with questions and I'm just about to step forward when a shadow of a creature steps out of the bush.

"Awe.." I can't help but say. It's a puppy. A small adorable puppy. His eyes are caramel brown, and his fur is a smokey grey with spots of dark brown and black. His ears are kind of floppy, and his tail is long and full.  "You're so cute! Who could abandon a cutie pie like you?" I coo the the puppy. He steps forward shyly his head down in a submissive position. "Come here little one" I say. He wags is tail and jumps into my arms. I land with a oomf as he tackles me to my knees. Laughing as the puppy licks my face, I look for a collar or some sort of ID. He does have a collar. But all that's on it is his name.

Zeke

"Zeke..." I try it out. It's perfect. "You're a long ways from home aren't you?" I ask. Zeke just whines and bobs his head. Picking up Zeke, I decide to head to the closest vets, seeing maybe they could find his owners. As I enter through the doors the receptionist ask "hello darling. How may I help you?" I smile and say "I found this puppy out in the park. He was whining and he was stuck in a bush. All he has is his name on his collar. I was wondering if maybe you could see who he belongs to?" The woman smiles and gives puppy eyes to Zeke. Zeke lets out a cheery bark and wags his tail. The woman laughs  "ok let me just check right here and I'll see what I can do"

Nodding I head over to a chair and sit down. I stroke his velvet fur and murmur "I hope we find your home. You're such a little thing. Maybe 10 months." Zeke sniffs my pockets and whines when he realizes I don't have any treats. I just pet him, letting him get comfy. "Miss?" The receptionist calls to me after ten minutes. I get up and rush to her. "Yes what did you find?" The woman frowns, "it seems this pup was left to fend for himself. The owner who had him went to the park with Zeke and his siblings and mom. When he went to leave, he left Zeke behind purposely. He was the runt of his litter he didn't want him. I'm sorry" my heart breaks. His owner left him behind. I squeeze Zeke tightly to my chest. "Oh you poor baby" I murmur. Zeke looks at me with his doleful eyes and I fall for this pup right here.

"What type is he?" I ask the woman says "Australian sheperd." I nod and say "can I keep him?" She looks at me and then at her computer. "Well he never said he wanted him back, so... I guess. But you'll need to fill out some paper work and-" she gets cut off when another woman-the manager I think- comes out and says "what's going on here?" The receptionist explains everything, even the part where I want to keep this puppy. The other woman frowns at me sadly and says "I'm sorry but you can not keep that puppy. We need to do medical shots on him to make sure he's up to date, then we have to do a bunch of other things. And then we have to put him up for adoption. You can't keep him. Someone else may want him or may come looking for him again. I'm sorry"

My heart breaks. You can't keep him her words strike a nerve. Like the hell I can't. I want to snap at her and scream that he's mine, but that would be childish. Sighing I put Zeke in her hands and he begins to whine. "I'm sorry buddy." I say as tears flow down my cheeks. "She'll take care of you. You'll go to a good home. And you'll have someone. At least you'll be happy" I mumble. The receptionist frowns at this and looks at the manager "are you sure she can't keep him? Look he's all but upset to be away from her!" She shouts. The manager glares at us then leaves. My heart rips into two million pieces.

Turning I go to leave when the receptionist says "hey! Wait! Give me your number!" I frown "why?" "So that way I can call you if anything changes and you can come pick him up" I nod reluctantly. After giving her my home number I leave the vets empty handed. I can hear Zeke howling from here and I feel my heart respond with its own sad tune. I'm sorry! The manager had said. I shake my head in anger you're not sorry. You just want to make money. And now you took my puppy away. Looking back at the vets I growl "I'll come back for you Zeke. I promsie."