glitched | ✔️

t w e n t y f i v e

Amara POV

Today was the day.
I was finally going to LB HQ.

I had the directions to the rendezvous in my phone and, unable to wait another moment, I ran downstairs and grabbed an apple before sprinting out to my car and jumping in.

But wait...
where was Destiny?
Oh no... the car was starting on its own! I was careening towards the busy road at breakneck speed.
I screamed in sheer terror.
These were my last moments.
And I never even got to see Chelsie again.

Time seemed to slow as the car drew nearer and nearer to the road, the cars behind me whooshing by.

"Amara! Amara!" A sharp voice broke through my screams, pulling me back to reality.
I was still parked.
"Sh!t." I muttered.

Larissa was giving me a weird look.
"You forgot your bags. And your dog."

"Wait- I'm moving out today?"

She nodded.
Of course I was.
They wanted to be rid of me quickly as possible.
Be rid of the problematic, possibly cracked girl.

Fine.

I shoved the couple boxes and suitcase into the back seat, and grabbed Destiny's leash, helping her into the passenger seat.

"Goodbye, and safe travels, Vickie." Larissa said with a little wave.

I scowled. "It's Amara." And with that I started the car, with only one destination in mind, one goal.
To get to my best friend.
She needed me.
I felt it.

As I drove, a storm of anger, I suddenly spotted something on the side of the road.

It was a box, with a plaid blanket and something moving around inside of it.

What the heck?

I pulled over, tentatively making my way to the box and peeking inside.
A wolf?!

The creature was small and silver with amber eyes staring at me in fear.

It was just a baby.
Alone, abandoned.
"Who did this?" I whispered softly, gently reaching out to the creature.

It sniffed my fingers, before nuzzling them with a gentleness I hadn't expected.
"Oh, baby..." I whispered, picking up the box by the edges.
I wouldn't let this thing die.
It needed me.

I opened back seat of the car, placing the box inside.
Destiny's nose began to twitch with suspicion.
"It's okay, girl." I murmured to her as I reached into the box and lifted the young pup out, cradling it to my chest and setting it on my lap.

Destiny didn't look too happy at its presence, or should I say his presence, but once I started driving she calmed.
The pup, on the other hand, did not.
It began whimpering loudly, tiny mouth opening slightly as it let out a low-sounding howl.
My God... what if this actually was a wolf?

I pulled up in front of the vet's office, instructing Destiny to wait in the car as I carried the puppy inside the building.
It burrowed deeper into my arms and I could feel it's heart pounding.
"Shhh..."

The lady at the front desk looked up when I came in.
"I'm sorry miss but we're full—"
I cut her off.
"You're not now."

"Excuse me?"
"Find a way to make room for this puppy or I will do it myself."
"Who do you think-"
One glare and she silenced.
"I'll see what I can do, miss...?"
"Vickie." I said through clenched teeth.

I sat in one of the chairs, cradling the puppy to my chest.
Soon a lady in a white coat came out.
"What's the problem?"

"I found this pup on the side of the road, though I'm not entirely sure it's a dog. But it needs medical attention."

The lady took the little puppy from my lap and gave me a nod.
"Thank you for bringing him in. I will see what I can do and try to identify the breed as best I can."
"Call me when I can pick him up." I suddenly said, firmly.

"What?"
"I rescued him, I'm raising him. Call me when I can come pick him up. I'll sign any papers you want- but this little survivor is coming home with me."

Because I knew what it was like.
What it was like to be alone.
And to fight to survive.

•••

Chelsie POV

I lay, snuggled under my covers, not having the strength to get out of bed.

Yulia had brought me chicken broth and water but I was too exhausted.
I wanted to see Amara terribly, and knew she would be waiting for me, but I was just so sleepy....

Theo had already left for collage, leaving without so much of a goodbye.
I had faked heartbreak, pretending that we had broken up, when in reality he had already broken me so much that I'm not sure there was much of my heart left that was still in once piece.

Pathetic, I know.

It had taken me sixteen years to realize that life wasn't all sunshine, cupcakes, and rainbows.
But I feared I had made a mistake I could never go back from.
I could have called the cops.
Called Yulia.

But I had been afraid to fight back.

•••

Amara POV

I looked around my new living quarters.
Underground living quarters.

LB HQ was actually underground, and it was far more intricate than I had expected... and not to mention this apartment.
It was nice.

It had a large bedroom with a kitchenette and even a small living room with a tv.

I wasn't complaining.

I had just dragged the last box into the room as my phone vibrated.
It was an unknown number.
I picked up and a nasally voice filtered through.

"Is this Vickie? The dog is ready."

"Oh! I'll be there shortly."

Destiny was glaring at me.
I scooped her up, kissing her nose.
"This is something I have to do, Destiny. This little puppy needs me."
I needed to be needed.

•••

No the puppy isn't a wolf, it's a Shiloh Shepard.
For reference they look like this as puppies:

And this as adults:

That's all I have for now, hope you liked the chapter! Sorry if it was kind of slow.