Page 6

“Ma’am, are you feeling cold or numb? If you are, please let me know, as those are symptoms of shock and will need to be addressed,” the paramedic, Eric, according to his nametag, says with clinical efficiency.

I shake my head before responding and hold out my arm. “No. No numbness,” at least not that the accident caused, “just a shiver.”

Eric nods, taking my arm in his hands to examine the wound, which is further than I got with the other paramedic.

What was his deal? It was just a cut. Surely a medic can handle a little blood?

“No need for stitches. I’m gonna clean it and bandage it,” he says, reaching for a medical bag I hadn’t noticed before. He takes his time, checking in with me on my pain level. As he finishes wrapping the cut, a tow truck backs up to my poor, dilapidated car.

I swallow down a lump of anxiety. Being trapped without a way to escape makes my pulse spike. No car. No mobility. No quick exit.

Eric must sense my panic. “Hey, it’s okay. It was an accident, and Earl won’t charge you for the tow if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Oh, I couldn’t—“ I begin, but he cuts me off.

“You look like you’re either coming or going. We’ve all been in that in-between, and here in Ravens Hollow, we believe in paying it forward. And I’m sure, if you insist, Earl would be happy to do a payment plan for you.” He finishes kindly.

I choke back tears. It’s been a long time since I experienced such kindness. I’m saved by a man that’s built like a tank. As he steps into the light, I note the light green shade of his skin. He has two small tusks jutting out from his mouth and a set of sharply pointed ears.

He must be part-orc based on size alone.

“Heard my name,” he rumbles as he stops beside Eric. “Hey, Eric, Ma’am,” he says with a wave. “No Count tonight?”

Eric turns to Earl, his face unsure. “He’s, uh, up at the rig. I was just telling Ms. Holland you’d be towing the car and would be happy to work out a payment plan with her, especially given she was likely dodging one of the new moon pups.”

Earl shakes his head. “I swear, these baby werewolves. What happened to making them go with a seasoned partner?”

“I think the pups outnumber them two to one.”

Earl turns his attention back to me. “Ms. Holland, I’m happy to tow you free of charge. You swerved to miss hitting one of the town residents, making this no fault of yours. The least I can do is tow you into town and get you a hotel.”

I bury my fingers in Buster's soft fur, grounding myself in something familiar and comforting. “I would really appreciate a ride into town. I’m actually leasing an apartment. I was planning to get to town and find somewhere to park until business hours.”

“Oh heavens, there’s no need for that,” Earl says merrily. “All of the businesses here are open twenty-four-seven so that our nocturnal citizens have the same access as our daytime friends. We’ll get you over to the apartments and get you all sorted.”

Buster twitches in my arms, drawing my attention to him. “My animals…” I begin, but Earl waves a hand.

“We can help with that,” the police officer from earlier pops up behind Earl, holding a very pissed-off Cleo. I stand up, shifting Buster to one side and hold out my other arm for my seething cat. The officer is more than happy to hand her over.

Another Officer appears holding Jesse, who is happily purring. Brat.

“Since your dog is currently chilling in the squad car, we can transport the dog and the cats, provided they have carriers.”

“I can hold this one,” the officer holding Jesse says, petting between his eyes.

The other officer rolls his eyes.

“I have kennels in the trunk.”

Earl claps his big hands together. “Alright guys, you get the kennels and load up the animals, and I’ll get the vehicle loaded. Miss Holland,” he says, directing his attention to me, “once we’re loaded, you and the other animals can ride over with me.”

I nod and reach down, carefully juggling my babies, to hit the trunk release. Everyone springs into action. In no time, Cleo, Jesse, and Buster are in their kennels while Minna remains in the police cruiser. I retrieve Toby from the backseat of my car, still safely ensconced in his travel terrarium, and climb into Earl's truck. A few short minutes later—minutes filled with some jaunty country tunes that Earl sings along to with his whole heart—we reach the apartment complex.

As promised, the building is not only open but staffed. I’m greeted by an older man with a kind smile. He quickly pulls up all my paperwork and gets me my keys. Earl and the officers were kind enough to wait and help me carry not only the animals into my new place but also empty t the trunk of my few suitcases.

Earl hands me a card. “We’ll get to work on this as soon as possible. You can call anytime or pop in for an update. Otherwise, as soon as we know the damage, I’ll give you a call.”

“Thank you so much,” I say, getting choked up all over again.