Rattled by Christy Barritt

Author:Christy Barritt [Barritt, Christy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian, Mystery, Suspense
ISBN: 9781530848621
Google: G4q-DAEACAAJ
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2016-04-15T16:49:38.972700+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Reef and I headed to the office so I could work on getting caught up for a while. Usually, Saturdays were quiet days there, and I hoped today would be the same.

As soon as I walked in, I knew my hopes were dashed. I spotted three people gathered around a desk. An air of excitement surrounded them as they sifted through papers and shot off snippets of conversation. They’d brought their cats—we had an open-door policy for that. They all seemed content to spend the day here.

Chloe hurried toward me. “Did you see it?”

“See what?” I braced myself, feeling like I was missing something big.

“This!” She held up the newspaper. On the second page was an article about the euthanasia of Chalice, written on behalf of Animal Protective Services.

I swallowed hard and fought back irritation. Had I signed off on this? I couldn’t remember.

I quickly scanned it. It was pretty much a scathing editorial written to Animal Control about the fact they were considering euthanizing a nonaggressive animal who’d followed its instincts.

“I also started a campaign on social media for ‘Animal Lives Matter.’ It’s spreading like wildfire.” Chloe’s eyes were blazing with that very wildfire. She felt passionate about this.

The image of Tag’s lifeless body flashed through my mind.

It wasn’t Chalice’s fault.

I tried to tell myself that. And, at heart, I believed it. But did I think she should be sold to the next person who wanted a snake like that?

No. That snake didn’t belong in someone’s home. Most people weren’t experienced enough to know how to handle her.

On one hand, there was the importance of saving an animal’s life. That was vital. But, at times, we also had to think about public safety. I didn’t want to see animals or humans being mistreated.

“Well? What do you think?” Chloe waited for my response.

“It looks like you’ve made a splash.” I looked at the newspaper article again and hesitated. “Did I approve this?”

Chloe narrowed her eyes. “You signed off on it. Would you like to see your signature on the paperwork?”

I shook my head. “No, I believe you.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m just not sure this is the campaign we should try to make the biggest waves with, not when there are so many other worthy causes out there.”

Her bottom lip dropped open. “Every animal’s life matters. Don’t you agree? It doesn’t matter if they’re sweet and cuddly or slithery and slimy or tiny and considered a nuisance.”

“I don’t disagree.” Reef started to stir, and he wasn’t happy. A peculiar—yet familiar—smell filled the air. He’d soiled his diaper, I realized.

“Then why are you hesitant?”

I tried not to breathe through my nose and to keep my expression neutral. But certainly everyone else could smell the vile scent coming from us. “I think this issue is complex.”

She crossed her arms. “Well, what do you want me to do?”

I let out a sigh, realizing I was dealing with an earlier version of myself. I would have reacted this exact same way a few months ago. But I felt like I was undergoing some kind of mental crisis right now.

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