This sudden euphoria led Rory to do all kinds of things she’d never even thought she was capable of. She and Peter vacationed. Beaches, mountains, forests. All places Rory once feared traveling to.
When she and Peter returned from their trip to a ski resort in Colorado, their fifth vacation of the month, Rory crashed upon entering her apartment. Peter was terrified and began barking loudly to gain Ellen’s attention.
A few seconds later, Baker Shefield from apartment 204 was standing next to Rory’s still body. He had heard Peter barking. Peter remembered Baker’s scent from the socks he dropped on the sidewalk.
Baker pulled his cell phone out to call an ambulance.
Rory opened her eyes and was confused to find Baker standing over her.
“What happened?” she asked.
“I’m not so sure,” Baker responded. “An ambulance is on its way. We’ll get you to the hospital and have everything checked out.”
By this time everyone in the Victorian was awake and in the lobby trying to figure out why sirens were growing closer to the building. Some tenants had never seen Rory before and were disappointed to find that she had been the cause of the commotion. Others whispered about the few times they’d noticed her.
When the EMTs arrived Baker and Rory approached them.
“The last thing I remember is reaching to unlock my apartment door,” Rory said. “I feel fine now. I don’t even recall falling.”
“I could’ve sworn you weren’t breathing. I rushed down here when I heard Peter,” Baker said.
After a routine physical in the back of the ambulance, Rory was cleared to continue on as usual. The lobby was still crowded by those carrying on conversations, not ready to return to their apartments.
Rory hadn’t walked Peter that night, so she decided to do so then. Baker offered to walk with them, worried that Rory may faint again.
“No, thanks,” Rory said. “I feel great, and it’ll be a short walk.”
Baker was still worried, so he followed a behind Rory and Peter at a safe distance. About five minutes into the walk, he realized Rory seemed to be having trouble balancing and would stumble every few steps. Rory also began crossing the street randomly.
Rory and Peter turned around to head toward the Victorian after making it to Rainbow River. When Baker looked up, a car was approaching and Rory, who stood in the middle of the street, had released Peter’s leash. As the driver turned the corner, Rory was hit and fell into Rainbow River. Not a scream escaped her mouth.
Baker recognized the driver.
“It’s the animal hospital employee,” he thought.
He knew the investigation of this accident would tear the Victorian apart.
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