They followed her through a narrow corridor that smelled of disinfectant and damp fur. The overhead lights hummed faintly, a clean contrast to the world they’d just come from. Mallory motioned to a metal table. “Set it here.” Owen laid the towel down. The creature inside shifted weakly as the vet peeled back the corners.
Mud cracked and flaked away, leaving streaks of pale fur underneath. Its breathing was shallow but steady, barely there, but enough to matter. Mallory worked silently at first. She pulled on gloves, reached for gauze, and began clearing away the thicker clumps of dirt. Every movement was deliberate, careful. “You said it was under a slide?” she asked without looking up.