Run to you

Warming up

Arriving at the veterinary clinic, Fine noticed the other animals in for treatment while Gale headed to meet the doctor. She found the dogs very cute and cuddly but she hated the cats. One of the assistants saw her and approached her. "They're up for adoption. Waiting to be euthanized at the animal shelter due to problems that can still be fixed, and here they are, rescued and waiting for a forever home." The man who seemed to also be in his twenties said. Fine nodded her head then looked at the dogs. "These dogs? They're all rescued?" She asked. "Well, not all. Some have their owners and were just confined here for treatment but these dogs and these cats here are. Would you like to hold this cat? She's pretty sweet." He said, opening the cage. Fine stepped back, "Oh no. I don't really like cats. I mean, they do what they want. You just can't control them." She said then the man laughed and opened the cage then he picked the black cat and let Fine carry it. Fine first held it away from her body then the giggling assistant gently pushed the sweet cat onto her chest. "So people like you do really exist." The man said. Fine was uneasy at first until the cat purred and leaned its head on her chest. "Oh he likes you." The man said. She patted its head and brushed her fingers under its chin then the black cat looked at her and further buried its body on the woman. "T-This is strange. I did not expect this. How do I explain it? It's like- It feels calming." She said then she smiled at the man. "See? I told you. He's also rescued. His eyes were severely injured and infected when he got here. They were treated but unfortunately, one of his eyes didn't make it. It has to be removed." He said and only then she noticed the other eye which is closed and depressed. "Oh, I see. Poor boy then, but it's alright. Sometimes you had to give up something in order to live right? What's his name?" She said which made the man smile. "We call him Knight here. By the way, I'm Harvey. I'm a veterinary assistant at the moment. I'm a veterinary student." He said.

"My name's Serafina." She said then the guy smiled. "Do you like him already?" He asked, pertaining to Knight the cat. Fine looked at the cat and cuddled it. "I-I guess the cat's not as bad as I thought." She said. "I hope you wouldn't adopt him." The guy uttered which made Fine lower her eyebrows, confused. "We could adopt him if you want. My dog's friendly with other animals, even to cats." Gale said. The assistant was surprised as he did not notice his presence. "Oh no, that's- I can't. I have no place for him." Fine said. "He's welcome at my home." He said which made Fine uncomfortable. She gently shoved the black cat on the assistant's arms and walked ahead to view the other animals at the clinic. A short while, the doctor brought out a grey pitbull with a missing front leg. The pitbull ran energetically towards Gale. Fine was frightened at first. She did not expect the dog from the pictures to be actually huge. Gale noticed Fine taking a step back. He slowly led the dog towards Fine to show her how gentle his dog is. "Don't be scared. He's kind and gentle, not like what the general sees of pitbulls." Gale said but Fine is really frightened and nervous. She thought she loved dogs but now that she is facing a huge dog with a generalized bad reputation, she realized she could only handle small dogs. "Please Gale, don't." She said, her chest constricting in nervousness that the dog might plunge on her. "Don't worry. He's not like what you think he is." He kept on leading the dog towards her until her knees gave up. He hurried next to her and cupped her face with his warm hands. "Are you alright? I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry Fine." He said. "I-I told you to stop." Fine said as her tears fell down. Gale embraced her and patted her back. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." As he tries to calm her, his dog went over and licked Fine's fingers then he sat next to them. Fine began to calm down and stared at the dog who is behaving well. Gale patted his dog's head. "Go on, you can pat him." He said then Fine slowly approached the dog's head while Gale holds her other hand. She patted the gentle dog then she began to smile. "I'm envious! We should have shot a film here." The doctor said who also happened to be Gale's friend. Gale only laughed at him and nodded his head then Fine stood up, embarrassed of what happened. "I'm so sorry, I made a scene. I-I was just really scared and that was really childish of me." She said then the doctor nodded. "Don't worry I understand. Most children also cry when a dog that huge and intimidating approaches them. I also didn't like pitbulls before but blue changed my mind. Still, not all pitbulls are like him, the same as not all gentle breeds are gentle." The doctor said. "Children, right." Gale said then he chuckled. "Anyway, thank you for treating blue, yet again. We'll be back for the next shot. See you." He said then they walked towards the car, still their hands clasped together.

Fine was still cautious of blue who is at the back seat as they drive home. "What happened to his front leg?" Fine asked. "Had to be amputated. I got him four years ago. Doctor Matt, and Will, that guy at the restaurant are my friends since childhood. Will and I happened to drop by at his place four years ago then he mentioned this poor dog they just rescued at the animal shelter. He said he his chance of survival is very low. I told him I wanted to see the dog so he brought us to his clinic. There was blue, at the corner of the cage, crouched down, very scared and staring at us with his sad eyes. He was badly wounded. He was already dragging his front leg which was horribly torn. His skin also has serious tears and teeth marks. The animal shelter got him at an underground dog fight but they can't cure him anymore so they put him in line for euthanasia. Luckily, Doctor Matt's group rescued him. I paid for his bills. It was also still crucial after the surgery but he made it and since then, he's been with me." He narrated. Fine looked at the dog and patted him on his head. "I'm proud of you strong one. You're a survivor." She told the dog. "If only all pain could be healed by surgery." She uttered which did not go unheard by Gale. "T-That-" "You know, I ran away from home. My mother who I looked up to since I was a child, who I trusted and respected and loved the most is having an affair. My dad left home and is filing for divorce. I have an older sister but I can't be a burden to her. She's already starting her own family. I felt betrayed. How great the trust and love I have for my mother turned into hatred." She said while staring out the window. She told him without her scheme on her mind. The words just came out of her mouth which caught her by surprise. "T-That- I'm so sorry about that." Gale said as he took a glance on her. She stared at him. "Why are you apologizing? It's not like you're involved in it right?" She said. She observed the man whose heart froze. She knew she triggered something inside of him. She did enough for the day.