Juniper was curled in the same corner, his chain thick and cruel around his neck. Gabby’s eyes welled up, but she forced herself to stay focused. She knelt, slipped on the gloves, and slid the metal cutters from her pocket. The clink of metal meeting metal felt deafening.
She squeezed. Again. Again. Every snap made her flinch, half-expecting Josh to appear or a dog to lunge. But nothing stirred. Just soft breathing and drugged dreams. At last, the chain gave way with a sharp click. Gabby scooped Juniper into her arms. He barely stirred—his breathing deep, peaceful.