Chapter 439: Petunia

I couldn't breathe. Didn't move. My body locked up, mind stuttering to a halt as I watched my pug seize there in front of me, thrashing her fat little body before falling still. Dr. Aberstock on the other hand?

He was already moving before Petunia's fit ended. I watched as if from a great distance as he rushed to her side, crouching and examining her before spinning on me and snapping his fingers at me to get my attention.

"Fiona!" I'd never heard him raise his voice before. That jerked me loose from the shock of the moment and dragged me as though he'd lassoed me, knees wobbling, to land at his side. Petunia was panting, her whole body heaving again while Dr. Aberstock bent to sniff at something. While my eyes locked on what looked like the remains of a bowl of wet dog food on the side of the path.