Suddenly, a woman by the store entrance recognized Derrick, phone clutched in her hand, eyes bright with urgency. “Aren’t you that guy trying to save his dog?” she asked, breath hitching. Derrick stood frozen, recalling the mysterious notifications on his phone. Could they be tied to this?
She stepped closer, phone screen illuminating Rusty’s frail image, complete with IV lines and a heartbreaking plea for donations. “It’s gone viral,” she said breathlessly, scrolling through comments. “People everywhere are sending money.” Derrick’s eyes widened, panic and excitement colliding as he tried to process this astonishing news.