Chapter 3 — So Close

I must have fallen asleep or maybe fainted.

When I opened my eyes again, everything felt heavy. My body didn’t want to move. Even breathing came slow and uneven.

Voices drifted into my ears.

Faint at first then clearer.

Two men walked past me, their footsteps steady against the cold ground. They were talking about something, but I couldn’t focus on the words. I lifted my head slightly, trying to see them.

Not him.

of course not.

A small, bitter thought crossed my mind.

What was I expecting?

That Master would just pass by me... like this?

I lowered my head again.

I don’t even dare to expect that kind of luck.

—

My stomach twisted.

Not hunger anymore.

Pain.

A deep, dull ache that made my body tense.

I need to eat, something... anything...

Bread... maybe something sweet, anything warm.

I’m still me.

Rhea.

Just... in a puppy’s body.

—

I forced myself to move.

One step.

Then another.

My legs trembled, but I kept going.

Then,

A smell.

Warm. Soft. Familiar.

Bread.

My head lifted slightly as I followed it, almost instinctively.

Across the street, a small shop glowed with warm light.

I stared at it for a second.

Then ran.

For a brief moment, I forgot everything.

The cold. The pain.

Even what I had become.

I just ran toward warmth.

—

The glass door stood in front of me.

Closed.

I pushed it with my small body.

Nothing.

I tried again.

It moved slightly, but not enough.

Not enough for me to get in.

Frustration tightened in my chest.

Why is everything so hard?

I stepped back, then pushed again with what little strength I had left...

—

The door suddenly opened.

Not because of me.

From behind.

A girl stepped in, pushing it open.

I didn’t hesitate.

I slipped inside before it could close again.

—

Warm air wrapped around me instantly.

The smell of bread grew stronger.

My body relaxed just a little.

Just a little...

—

Then my eyes found it.

The shelves.

Rows of bread, neatly arranged.

So close.

A soft sound escaped my throat before I could stop it.

I stepped closer.

My stomach twisted painfully.

I need it.

—

I bent my legs and tried to jump.

My body barely lifted.

Then dropped.

Not even close.

I tried again.

Nothing.

Too weak.

“...just a little...”

A faint, broken sound slipped out.

Why can’t I even do this?

—

I didn’t notice it at first.

The way the air shifted.

The quiet change around me.

Until...

“Look! This cutie is trying to get the bread on its own!”

A high-pitched voice rang out.

“Oh my God... whose puppy is this?”

More voices followed.

Closer.

Surrounding me.

—

I froze for a second.

People.

They were looking at me.

Not the bread.

Me.

—

I didn’t care.

I couldn’t care.

My eyes stayed locked on the shelf.

On the bread.

I need to eat.

That’s all that matters.

—

One of them stepped closer.

A woman.

She crouched slightly, her voice soft.

“Poor baby”

She looked at me more carefully.

“She’s hungry.”

Finally.

Someone understood.

“I’ll buy one for you,” she said gently, reaching for the shelf. “But you’ll be mine, okay?”

Mine.

The word hit me, but my stomach twisted harder.

I didn’t have the strength to refuse.

—

She took a large piece of bread and lowered it toward me.

Warm.

Soft.

So close.

I hesitated for only a second.

Then,

I bit into it.

One bite.

Then another.

I didn’t think. I just ate.

Half of it was gone before I realized it.

Warmth spread slightly through my body.

Just enough to breathe again.

—

Then,

Hands.

She lifted me.

“Time to go home, cutie.”

—

No.

Panic hit instantly.

I struggled, my small paws pushing weakly against her.

Please... no...

I can’t go with you...

A broken sound escaped my throat.

—

“She’s so cute!”

“Let me hold her!”

Another person reached toward me.

“They must have run away, someone’s pet.”

—

No.

I need to stop this.

Now.

—

I twisted with what little strength I had left

And slipped from her arms.

I hit the ground hard, pain shooting through my body.

But I didn’t stop.

I ran.

—

The door.

I rushed toward it.

Pushed

It didn’t move.

No...!

—

The door opened.

A little boy held it.

“Here you go, puppy,” he said happily. “Come to my mommy’s car!”

—

Yes... thank you...

But no.

—

I ran past him, back into the cold.

—

The street.

A car rushed by... too close.

Wind slammed into me as I stumbled.

Pain shot through my leg.

I think... I’m bleeding...

But I didn’t stop.

—

Footsteps behind me.

Voices.

“Hey! It’s running away!”

“Catch it!”

Two teenagers chased after me.

—

Why won’t they stop...?

I’m not yours...

I won’t be anyone’s...

—

I ran.

For my life.

For my choice.

For him.

—

My legs began to fail.

Each step hurt more than the last.

My breathing broke apart.

I can’t

I can’t run anymore

—

Then

Someone ahead.

A man walking quickly.

Tall. Steady.

I don’t have a choice

—

I forced my body forward and rushed toward him.

My paws hit his foot as I pressed close, barking with everything I had left.

Help me...

Please...

—

He didn’t look at me.

Not even once.

But

He stopped.

—

Silence.

—

The teenagers slowed.

Looked at him.

Then at each other.

They shrugged.

And left.

—

They stopped.

—

Relief hit me all at once.

My body trembled as I stayed near him.

Safe

For now

—

He moved again.

Continuing his walk like nothing had happened.

—

But...

He glanced down.

Just for a moment.

—

My heart stopped.

—

Master!

—

I knew.

Even if I had never seen him in person.

Even if everything had changed

I knew.

It was him.

My Master.

—

I tried to move.

To follow.

To call him

But my body was too slow.

Too weak.

—

Three seconds.

That’s all it took.

Three seconds too late.

—

He was already far ahead.

Walking fast.

Not looking back.

—

I barked.

Again.

And again.

Please...!

It’s me...!

—

He didn’t turn.

—

He crossed the street.

Turned the corner

And disappeared.

—

No...

—

My legs gave out.

The world spun.

—

I was so close.

So close...

—

“Master....”

A broken sound slipped out as I collapsed onto the cold ground.

Don’t go...

Please...

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