"Just me," I said, hoping that our mishap from yesterday hadn't broken all the trust we built.
He blinked slowly, let out a sigh, and stayed nestled in the crate.
"You're a good boy, a very good boy.You stay right there, nice and easy."I inched closer, holding my breath for the last bit.I just needed to reach in and drop the gate and he would be stuck in the crate.
I could do it quickly and let it slam shut but the thud might scare him so doing it without any harsh sudden sounds was probably better.And if it didn't work, then I was no further away from accomplishing my goal.
Obie watched me as I reached in and flipped the latch for the gate up.The metal grate came down and I caught it before it fell down.He let out a rumble that could've been a growl but was much softer.
My hands were shaking but I brought the gate down and clicked it into place, locking Obie into the transport crate.
Success!
I pumped my fist for a quiet celebration.Now I just needed to find some manpower to move him and we were golden.
"You're so clever, Obie.Here, have a treat."I grabbed my packet of pepperoni and fed him some slices so he would hopefully come to think of the transport crate as a safe space.
Now I just needed to find people to help me, people who weren't cranky and tired.I grabbed my phone so I could fire off a message to Felicity, just in case she hadn't started her daily duties yet and left the bay so I could use my walkie-talkie without scaring Obie.
"This is Charlotte, I'm in Quarantine and need one or two people to come help me move a hellhound.It should only take twenty minutes.Maybe half an hour.Over."
Jacob's tired voice came through the speaker."Didn't you move the hellhound yesterday?"
So much for my boss not finding out.
"No, we didn't manage to get Obie in the crate," I said in my walkie-talkie.I wiped my forehead, bracing myself for his reaction.I'd been up all night worrying about it and now I was about to find out.
It was quiet for a little bit before Jacob responded."I can be there in five minutes.Do you think we can do it with just the two of us?"
I glanced into Obie's bay, trying to estimate how much he weighed.It couldn't be a huge amount so I didn't see why the two of us wouldn't be able to lift the crate out to the trolley.
"Yes, the two of us will be alright.Thank you," I said in the walkie-talkie, my worries not eased just yet.Maybe he didn't want to critique my decisions over the general channel and was going to make them in person.Or worse, keep them for my next performance review.
While I waited for Jacob to arrive, I wheeled the cart from the storage facility in the hallway, and checked up on Obie.He was pretending to be asleep and curled up very tightly.
"You look nice and snuggly.You like the transport crate after all?"
He let out a sigh that almost sounded content.Maybe he was going to be okay after all.
