Jasper wakes up in a cold sweat. His body trembles under the moonlight cascading in through the blinds, bare chest exposed to the cool night air as it travels through the smallest crack. He attempts to slow his pounding heart by taking deep breaths. It isn't until the drowsiness dies down for him to realize what caused the sudden burst of adrenaline.

Loud, echoing barks emanate from the first floor. They pause a few times only when whines follow.

He sighs.

It can't be too long past midnight, maybe one at the latest but Jasper's blurred eyes can only make out the blip of a message from his phone. It's probably his foster mom letting him know she's working a late shift again.

In the months he's been here, their interactions have consisted of small talk with all the talk coming from her part and even then, it wasn't much. He understands her need to work. She'd been bed ridden a bit from a troublesome pregnancy only to lose the baby near the finish line. It's a distraction from the pain for her, and that's why he keeps the house clean and doesn't put up a fight like many other relationships with other temporary homes he'd been in.

The teen makes his way out of bed in only a pair of shorts and the sweatshirt he wore the night before, making sure to grab Kona's leash before sluggishly walking down the steps.

She's at the back door, not the front like usual, pacing.

His eyebrows furrow. He'd taken her outside before bed only hours ago and she'd gone to the bathroom.

Kona whips back, glances at Jasper, and points forward again.

Alright. Alright. You're so impatient.

The minute the handle turns, the minute the door reaches a sliver, she's pushing her body against it, forcing him to take a step back. Not once does Kona pause to smell the grass. Her nose immediately shoots to the sky, sniffing.

What has gotten into this dog?

She turns back towards her house, towards Jasper, whining louder than the wind beginning to pick up around them.

He brings himself to the edge of the balcony.

She barks over and over again at him. First he thinks she might want to play so he takes a few steps forward off of the steps.

Kona thrusts herself in the direction of their neighbors home.

Jasper's eyes squint against the wind, putting one hand up to block some dried leaves flying forcefully through the air. Everything appeared ordinary at first. The flowers blowing around, the soft flowing greenery light illuminating Willa's garden. He squints harder.

It wasn't the movement of the plants or the shadows from her fountain dancing around that caught either of their attention, or rather his, but the opened back door did as well as the swinging gate.

She always locks it, always...

The dog stops about a yard away from the home, sniffing again.

She turns toward the forest.

Jasper tries to get a word out, to call her name in hopes the stubborn animal will actually listen. He takes another step towards her only to be trailing behind in a chase as she darts off into the foliage.

🥀

I really hope this chapter doesn't sound rushed. I just wanted to get something out with the escalation in everything.

That's all I wanted to say.

Don't forget to

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And I will see all you lovelies in the next one 💕