*cover made by CelipsoWinter*  Love you dear! :)   Story after the cover :)

Amber Mikelson

I hate when parents give us ultimatum. They allowed me to keep Panther, if and only If I pay for his expenses. Now to save money for college I had to keep what the photography job gave so for the love of my pet I decided to find another job.

And sadly besides writing and photography I had no other talent. So it will be difficult to find a job. I did talk to the old man of library who was apparently called Gerard Brunt; for a job there but he said he didn't require any help.

I was kind of left stump after all the search for almost a week. But to keep me in okay mood my only job was going really fine. Everyone loved my work and almost every day there was a photograph clicked by me in the newspaper.

My city history project wasn't going too well, I had to submit the report by end of the month with appropriate photograph. They wanted to do a section on Westwend on some charity carnival that happened every year in this town. I had to make the report before that.

But my nightmares were getting worse and lack of sleep was making me edgy and kind of nauseous all day long. My eyes were swollen most of the time and headache was like breathing to me now, constant.

Panther was no trouble, it didn't bother my parents when I was at work and was a calm obedient dog when I was around. It looked like he just sat there licking his paw and observing people around him. Talking to him was best part of my day, it bought me a new sense of calm. Maybe because he was a silent listener and didn't judge me for everything.

But for some reason I didn't even discuss the nightmares and voices with him, maybe he was part of my insanity, after all he smelled like my panther.

Sometimes, I imagined it or maybe saw amber eyes replace those chocolate brown eyes but it was so rare that I know that it was not real.

Anyway I loved my pet.

"Now tell me Panther, I am good at nothing. What should I do to keep you?" I asked him and he raised his head like he understood me.

"Maybe I can be a baby sitter?" I asked brightening up at the idea.

Panther gave a bark that clearly said he was mocking me.

"Yeah, I can't handle kids. I am already tired of Candice."

"How about... a waitress?"

This time Panther ignored me and did the gazing silently thing.

"There is a diner in the market. I will be a waitress there." I finally decided.

***

Weekends were a busy day in market. There was lot of crowd and it made me realise town had lot of people. There were small shops set up just for the weekend. Usually on the weekends I use to just sleep and chill around the house wearing pajamas and lose t shirts.

But today I had a job to find. First place I visited was Mainle Diner, yeah Mainle!

Bad luck , they had no openings and I walked out a little disappointed. It was not as easy as I expected.

I had not many options left. Maybe God heard my prayers because my phone rang.

"Hey Anna." I answered.

"You want a extra job , right?" She said too loudly stating that she was in a crowded place.

"Yes, I do." I said my hopes getting high.

"Come to Liquid Heaven in two hours." She said and hung up.

Liquid Heaven was a small cafe built near the lavish area of town where the concert was held. I visited that place once with Anna to get some interview, she interviewed and I clicked pictures. That area had some brand showrooms, a big book store, a beautiful florist shop, fancy eating outlets , ice cream point and a big theatre.

Liquid Heaven Cafe had the best coffee I have ever tasted. But it was expensive and I was glad that what Anna took me there she paid for it.

Disappointed, yet still a bit hopeful as I made my way to Liquid Heaven.

I entered the medium sized cafe and allowed the strong smell of coffee to fill me. It was a beautiful, with a maroon and gold interior. The wall on my left was covered in picture collage, another wall was covered with maroon paint and golden intricate patterns.

The colour combination made the place warm. The ceiling was decorated with small lamps giving a light golden glow to whole place. It was filled with people being weekend and all. After scanning the place and crowd I noticed Anna's hand raised in wave.

Smiling I walked towards her and sat down on a big sized maroon plush sofa.

"I found you a job here." She stated it like a fact.

"What?" I asked because I thought I didn't hear it right.

"You will work here at Liquid Heaven." She laughed at my reaction of disbelief.

I was too happy to say anything.

"But I don't know how to make a professional level coffee." I said a little unsure now.

Anna laughed out loud earning weird looks from people at our sides.

"Professional level coffee? What the hell is that?" She laughed.

I rolled my eyes.

"You know what I mean."

"You will be trained honey! And they have machines for everything now. Come I'll introduce you." She said sipping her black coffee.

I got up feeling really excited and nervous.

"Hi , we meet again!" Maelcurus Mainle stood in front me .

"Hi, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I told him about you and he is the one that suggested this place." Anna explained.

I realised that I was lucky enough to work in this wonderful cafe because the owner helped. I should have been annoyed, because I didn't like being indebted to people but I was in need so I smiled at him gratefully.

Things we have to do for our pets.

"Why?" I asked really curious.

"Huh?"

"Why did you hire me?" I asked.

"I needed a beautiful barista to attract more customers." He said with a light shrug.

Anna looked amused while I had to blush, the cafe was more than crowded.

"Yeah, right!" I said letting it go.

Maybe asking further can be weird.

"I am nice guy Amber and I wanted to help the new girl in town. Is it weird to help a friend?" He said genuinely.

"Since when are we friends?" I teased him feeling good with his response.

A friend in need is friend indeed.

"Since I told you I am the rich brat and you found my resume attractive." He winked making me laugh even more.

"You start tomorrow, evening shift." He explained and I bobbed my head too happy.

I had another job, and a nice one at that.

"Thanks Marc." I called out.

"I might ask you to pay back the favour." He said with mischief in his eyes.

"What might that be?"

"Helping a friend." He said and with his dubious words left the cafe.

Anna and I celebrated my new job. And this time I paid for my caramel macchiato and her cappuccino. I was happy with that since my pay check at Liquid Heaven was pretty awesome.

I get to keep Panther now. So the first thing I did was buy a collar for him. It was black in colour and some subconscious side of me decided to get Panther written on it in  amber colour. And the first thing that flashed in my mind was Laserian's eyes.

I shut that thought away. Since I was so opposed to see him, I even stopped going to library early in the morning. I didn't want to take all his hatred just because he got his way with everyone else. I already had enough trouble in my life.

And there were those nightmares, I can't remember them but they hurt like hell I know because I always woke up with a tear streaked face.

After being all joyful about the good day I was on my way back home. I was crossing the forest which unfortunately was in between my home and the market. I always had the feeling like someone was watching whenever I crossed that place since that day of my jogging!

It was a good thing my office had other way and I don't have to cross this forest daily. I walked at a faster pace than normal.

Maybe it was the forest and green tress around, the air was colder here. I snaked my arms around me clutching myself tighter. I could literally feel the leaves crunch under my foot there was so much silence. I didn't realise it sooner but my meeting with Anna and Marc went longer than expected and it was a little bit past seven now, getting dark with each passing second.

My breathing was getting heavier and I had no idea why? I should be relaxed, it was not like someone will pounce on me or maybe someone will.

At one time I was damn sure someone was looking at me and I turned to look behind me. Obviously I was being paranoid, no one was there.

But my body came to a jerked stopped making me lose balance and land on my butt, sending a shock to my ankle causing me to wince; a grey wolf stood in front of me. I had seen that onyx eyes last time and my heart crawled to my throat.

It was real life wolf and trust me when I tell you it's not exotic or fun to meet one in real life when its death glaring at you and baring its teeth viciously.

My breathing almost stopped but my heart was hammering in my chest. I gulped terrified in fear. Wolf came closer and sniffed me, causing immediate goosebumps. I stayed statue still and just blinked. It circled me like a true predator and it looked like it was sizing me up.

Suddenly it came really closer and tried to touch my face, I backed away scared like hell! I wanted to yell but what if it made him even more violent. There was something trembling inside in my stomach.

As I moved away he jabbed his sharp teeth together, clear signal that he will chop me to pieces. There was no one to help me here and I had an idea I was going to die here. My teeth dug deep into my lips preventing me from crying out loud and I turned around closing my eyes  and stupidly wishing Panther should get his special collar.

Before the pain, came a loud heart shaking roar. My eyes snapped open and I turned as well as wolf did the same. If I was not mistaken or dreaming, I thought the wolf smirked. My eyes caught the glimpse of red eyes and this time I didn't shiver, I didn't tremble, I was not scared.

Hidden behind the shadows of trees and leaves was a black form with red eyes. Wolf backed off but not as if it was scared . It gave me a last look and walked away leisurely as if it was taunting the red eyed animal.

Red eyes are scary, I know but I got up with a jolt of energy running through me and I got up from ground as the wolf left. My legs were still shaking and my heart still painfully fast but I moved in the direction of those red eyes. I should have ran out of the forest but I ran towards another animal.

No, I was not insane, I recognised that black form, I recognised those red eyes belonged to my panther.

Late update! Yeah I am over worked :) I will update twice a week now, since I have two novels to work on...sorry for being a lazy bum.  I will try and update extra sometime , just because I love you guys!, lol :3  

Now for the update. TELL ME, how was it!? Intrigued? Excited? Okay?

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Check out the new cover...was the old one better or this one?

Dedicated to CelipsoWinter because she was wonderful enough to make the banner for me!