Ranger’s breathing was getting worse — fast, uneven, bubbling at the edges. His leg was swelling so quickly it hardly looked like a leg anymore. Emily’s stomach dropped. “Oh God… Ranger…” she whispered, voice cracking.
Lily whimpered from the grass, frightened but conscious, reaching for her mother with shaking hands. Emily scooped her up and held her tight, kissing the top of her head as relief and panic tangled in her chest.