Save Me
Her key turned in the lock, feeling foreign to its own use. Jack pushed the door open and was immediately greeted by what was left of the zoo : Elliot, taking the form of a small white terrier, looking much too thin for Jack's peace of mind; Fred, the talking ferret who, for once, seemed to have nothing to say; and Mongo, the typically obnoxious ottoman who now whimpered and cowered, quivering with nervous energy. Jack's heart was tried by this sight of love and loneliness, and she felt something within her shake from the energy it took to not break down. But the supports strengthened, and she remained standing.
"Hey guys," she said, her voice uncharacteristically soft. Her bag fell from her shoulder and she dropped to her knee. The creatures sidled forward. Fred lept to her shoulder, Elliot squirmed onto her lap, and Mongo nestled under her thigh. She embraced them, before gently removing them from her, standing again. There was a pause and the critters looked beyond her, waiting for the other human they had grown so fond of. Jack's blood ran cold but it seemed they understood what this meant. He wasn't coming in.
Jack closed the door and moved inside. Her companions followed her journey throughout the house - unpacking in her room, making herself some food, straightening up the other rooms, and locking the door to the now vacant second bedroom.
Jack would be needing a new roommate. Or she would have to move. But she could think of that later, she supposed.
She turned her stereo on, but as the cheesy 80s rock ballads began to play, her heart was again gripped by this spirit that seemed to have no intention of allowing her any peace or safety from the choices she had made. She turned off the machine, cutting the music off.
She needed to breathe. She needed to breathe.
Jack made her way outside, the animals following. She walked the grounds of her property, then went out to the sidewalk, making sure to latch the gate with the animals safely inside. She walked down the block, then turned, and walked all the way the other way. Her cheeks tinged pink; her eyes burned red; her heart choked with confusion.
What was she to do now?
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