Chapter 1

Mark sped down the road, one hand on the wheel and the other resting on the windowsill.

A toothpick hung from his mouth, swinging from left to right without rhythm.

Taylor knew this was his way of blowing off steam without talking, so she let him be and stared out at the trees.

She also didn’t like how he often had to pick her up so late at night, but she couldn’t help it. A pregnant dog had needed her, and she couldn’t delay the delivery.

Smiling, she recalled the little puppies the dog had birthed. The guilt she felt toward Mark seemed to melt away.

Spitting out the toothpick, Mark finally spoke. “What are you smiling about?”

Realizing she was smiling, Taylor turned to him with a straight face. “I’m sorry, it’s just…”

“It’s just what, Taylor?” he cut in. “Don’t you know what work hours mean?”

“You get me so worried, I have to come get you from work myself!” Mark raised his voice, his eyes darting between the road and Taylor’s worried face.

“All for the sake of those animals!” he added, knowing full well Taylor hated it when he spoke of them with such contempt.

“What happens when we have kids?! I’m not sure I can marry someone as irresponsible as you!” He fell silent, instantly regretting his words.

Hearing this, Taylor’s brows knitted together. “Irresponsible?!” she repeated.

“How is saving lives irresponsible?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Lives?! You… you just—” He slammed harder on the gas, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the steering wheel.

Feeling the car speed up, Taylor clutched her seat. “You’re going to get us killed, Mark!”

He turned to her sharply. “At least then—”

“Watch out!” Taylor screamed, and Mark slammed on the brakes.

With a screech, the car skidded to a stop but not before hitting something.

“What was that?!” Mark leaned over the wheel, trying to see what they’d struck.

Taylor quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door.

“Where are you going?” he asked, alarmed that she’d dare step out.

“You hit an animal!” she called back, hurrying to the front of the car.

“An animal? Do you know what—” His eyes widened as sweat beaded on his forehead. “Get in, Taylor!” he shouted, unsure what to do.

Spotting its tail and hairy back, Taylor rushed back to the car.

“What is it?” Mark asked, ready to drive off.

“It’s a dog!” she said, grabbing her kit from the back seat.

“So?!” Mark threw up his hands, exasperated.

“I’m going to save it!” she declared, glaring at him before walking toward the front of the car.

Before she could reach it, the dog bolted into the woods. With her kit in hand, she chased after it.

“Taylor!” Mark yelled, unbuckling his seatbelt.

She stopped at the edge of the road, peering into the woods.

“Taylor, come back!” he shouted, still too scared to get out.

“Taylor!” he called again.

“What?!” she snapped back, tears brimming in her eyes.

“No animal can survive that impact, it's eventually going to die! Are you happy? You just killed a dog!” she shouted at him.

Stunned, Mark stared at her, wondering how he’d ever been drawn to her because of her love for animals. Had he known she was this obsessed, he never would have let things get this far.

She took some pills from her kit and walked gently into the bushes.

“Tay!” Mark called, his voice cracking with confusion. Part of him was furious, but another part worried about her.

She stopped, placed the pills on the ground, and made strange clicking sounds with her mouth.

After a few seconds, she turned to head back to the car. Just then, something caught her skirt.

Startled, she looked back and saw a branch snagged in the fabric. As she tried to free it, the skirt tore slightly, revealing part of her thigh.

Seeing this, Mark smacked his forehead in frustration, unsure what to say.

With a sigh, Taylor marched back to the car.

Mark kept staring at her, struggling to find the right words.

“Drive!” she ordered, not meeting his gaze.

After a sigh, he pressed the gas pedal, and they continued down the road.

As the car disappeared into the distance, a figure stepped out of the bushes, holding a red scrap of cloth in one hand and some pills in the other.