The call came at four in the morning.
"Shannon, somebody broke into the shelter." After a 45 minute drive to work, Shannon met Bill at the front door. There was a police cruiser sitting outside the entrance with it's lights on
When the officer turned away to write his report, Shannon caught Bill's attention."What happened?" He shook his head. "I told you, somebody broke int the clinic this morning. The cameras didn't catch them and the only notable damage is to the locks." She hesitated, "Anyone missing?"
Bill looked at the ground and didn't answer. Shannon pushed past him, nearly running down the hallway to the dog wing. The door was already open.
Sprinting down the aisle, she didn't bother looking at the dogs that barked as she passed. It didn't matter, she knew who was gone. Out of breath, she slowed when she came to the very last kennel. Sunshine's kennel. Sunshine's empty kennel.
The padlock was broken but the door was shut. Taped to the metal was a note on a lined, yellow piece of office paper. Shannon ripped it off and began to read.
Dear Shannon, or whoever might be reading this note,
I'm not sorry. Not in the slightest bit. I know you might come after me to try and get Sunshine back. Don't bother. You won't find us. You won't find her. And even if you do find us, I'll never give her up. Not for anything in the world. Don't worry about it though, I'm gonna work with her. She's not dangerous, and I'm gonna prove it. She deserves a second chance. It'll be worth it, I promise. Well, goodbye I guess. -A
Shannon crumpled the note in her hand and took several deep breaths. After letting out a shuddering laugh, she sank to the floor, not knowing if she should be relieved that Sunshine was safe, or scared out of her mind that that crazy idiot was going to get himself killed.
Bill slipped into the dog wing and approached her slowly, gently he placed a hand on her shoulder. "The police officer wants to know if they need to do a search for this guy and put out a warrant for his arrest..." Shannon thought about it for a moment.
She rose steadily and started off down the hall. Bill jogged after her, still waiting for an answer. Shannon ushered him out into the lobby and turned to glance down the aisle way. She took a deep breath. "No. nothing important is missing. Let's let it drop." She flicked the light off and the sound of the heavy metal door echoed through the room as it was closed once again.
-The story as it rests-
Shannon had watched the news religiously for the first few months after Sunshine was gone, fully expecting some kind of 'man mauled to death by dog' story to appear on one of the many news channels. It never came.
Last month, on a day where Shannon was not even supposed to be at work, a six year old Boarder Collie/Labrador mix had been dropped off at the shelter by an elderly couple who no longer wanted her. Shannon adopted her almost immediately. The dog's charisma and happiness were contagious and a bond had been formed instantaneously. Her name was Lucy.
On one particular sunny day, long after the life changing encounter with the dog named Sunshine, Shannon found herself lacing up her hiking boots and pulling Lucy's exercise leash from the coat rack. All the while, Lucy ran ecstatic circles around her. That leash meant one thing. They were headed to the park.
There was a large recreational area, just outside of town, where many people walked and enjoyed picnics. It was an open, airy field with scattered trees and a creek running across it. The perfect place for dog lovers to go and spend time with their best friends.
That day was spent as many of their days were. Jogging together, Shannon sitting on the bench while she threw sticks and a squeaky pink ball that Lucy brought with her every time. Enjoying the company of other people and dogs around them and the company of each other.
Shannon rose from the bench, sighing, and picked up the ball Lucy had abandoned by her feet after she decided the stream was a great place to explore and cool off. "Lucy! Let's go!" The dog's head whipped around and she came to a sliding halt at her owner's feet in a matter of seconds. Shannon laughed and fastened the leash to Lucy's collar once again. Lucy's tail beat softly against the ground as Shannon stroked her head. "Good girl Luce. Good girl..." Together, they walked back towards the front entrance of the park.
Just as they had stepped through the gateway, something caught the corner of Shannon's eye. A brilliant flash of gold and black. Impossible.
Running across the field, side by side with a Siberian Husky, was Sunshine. Tattered ears flopping in the wind, tail held slightly off to the side, muscles flexing and arching as she raced full speed... right into the arms of a young man with dark hair, red eyes, ripped jeans, and black sunglasses. Never had she seen two beings look happier than those two. Not before, and certainly not since.
A blonde man stepped up beside Allen and firmly scratched the husky's head as Al cradled a wiggling Sunshine in his arms. They exchanged a few words, laughing as they did, before they started to head off deeper into the park. As Allen stood, he and Shannon locked eyes and the World seemed to stop. They both froze.
Suddenly, his face morphed into a grin and he patted Sunshine affectionately. He winked. And then he was off, jogging towards the trails after his blonde friend with his loyal dog at his heels. Shannon remained standing in place for another long moment after they had all disappeared into the woods.
She felt Lucy headbutt her leg and heard her whine sharply, eager to regain her attention. Shannon looked down at her dog as tears slowly fell from the corners of her eyes and streaked across her cheeks. A genuine smile returned to her face for what seemed like the first time in forever.
"C'mon Lucy, let's go home."