His fingers clawed through snow and slush. The cold bit into him, numbing flesh and stealing strength. He reached the car door and slapped at the handle with frozen hands. The door creaked open. With one final pull fueled by desperation, he dragged himself across the threshold. Inside, at last.
Alan collapsed across the seats, panting, moaning as pain flared again. His vision blurred. The cat’s breath was weaker now, a tiny puff against the blanket. He fumbled for the phone, hands shaking uncontrollably. He hit the emergency number. “Route 6… down… hurt… cat…” His voice was barely a whisper.