“Rusty, you okay boy?” Derrick asked softly, kneeling for a moment to rub the dog’s ears. Rusty offered a weak wag, his eyes half-lidded. Derrick sighed, remembering how unstoppable Rusty once seemed. This sudden fragility cut deep, reminding Derrick of how precarious his own situation was as well.
Biting his lip, Derrick urged Rusty to keep moving. The house they rented wasn’t far, but it felt like miles. Each step became more laborious for Rusty, and each minute, Derrick’s anxiety grew. When Rusty finally slumped down with a whimper, Derrick’s heart hammered like a frantic drum.