Bit-ter Memories

Chapter 6

"I'm sorry Abigail. It's a mess in here." Abigail blinked at you slowly, taking in your bedraggled appearance. You looked as if you hadn't slept properly in days, posture slouched with your arms tucked into the side pockets of the hoodie you were wearing. Your usual apron was folded in half and tied around your waist, tucking under to help support your bulging front pocket. The front room of the shop was empty, littered with boxes and people milling about.

"Oh, it's no rush! Can I still...."

"Right! Yeah, let me see if I can find Rockafella for you." Abigail flushed, clearly embarrassed by her transparency. She had really been getting along great with the Mutt recently. It warmed your heart to see them together. Hopefully they managed to make it to adoption day. You turned around, sighing as you made your way around the BRPA investigators.

After Tyson had been arrested, the police had to question everyone about the incident.  Which unfortunately was quite the endeavor. They had to talk to every single bitty individually. It had been almost three days and they still weren't finished. There were people reviewing the massive amount of video evidence, (you didn't realize the building had security cameras) and people riffling through all of your shelves and rooms to check for any outstanding safety concerns. You had already been questioned more than you thought was fair about what happened, but you understand that they had to do it. Still, you were just too tired for all of this legal business right now.

It had been three days since you had been home. You were stuck at work, forced to sleep on the couch in the break room. It wasn't even the police or the BRPA, who would have preferred for you to stay home. Then why? Because Smokes had absolutely refused to release you long enough to even pee, much less go home and take a shower. Since you couldn't leave with him you were stuck here. The bitty was currently asleep in the giant pet pocket in front of your borrowed hoodie, curled up with the only other shirt you had on you. It was lucky you brought a spare. Needless to say, there were no therapy sessions for the time being.

He was rather oblivious to the noise around him as you slipped back into the living area. Looks like it was lunch time. You were greeted immediately by Caesar, who scurried up your leg and onto your shoulder as soon as you stopped. His tiny, rather sharp hand pat at your face aggressively.

"HUMAN! YOU ARE LATE! EVERYONE ELSE HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN THEIR LUNCH!"

"Sorry. I had to keep an eye on the people wrecking the front." Caesar huffed, the sound coming out in a heavy hiss.

"THE IMBECILES."

"All 'da idiots 're doin is both'rn mama." Chops yawned and poked his head up around your shoulder. He had taken advantage of your inability to leave to camp out in one of your various pockets. Currently he had taken control of your hood, snoozing freely for most of the day unless you seemed to need his input. You never did, but that hadn't stopped him.

"Anyway, have you seen Rockafella?" Caesar paused, eyelights shifting as if he were reading an invisible list. After a moment he jumped down, scurrying off into the crowd.

"That didn't answer my question at all." You sighed, turning your head at Chops' grunt of agreement. A quick overview of the room and you realized that none of the Mutts were here for lunch. It must be their turn to be interviewed. Still, they should have been let out to eat by now. You weren't about to let them detain the bitties again.

"Let's see if we can find where those officers are hiding now." You turned, making your way carefully out of the crowd of bitties that had gathered at your feet. You made it out into the hallway without incident, letting out a tired sigh.

"Alright, let's try the infirmary first." You turned to head back towards where you came, only to feel a sharp prick along your calf. You let out a yelp, twisting to see Caesar as he climbed up the back of your jeans.