By nightfall, as the worst ideas began to cloud my mind, the doorbell rang. I went to open it, heart pounding, hoping someone had found him.
But no. In front of my door was a cardboard box, without a note, without any indication of who left it. I took it in my arms and took it inside. Something in my gut warned me it wasn't a good idea, that I shouldn't open it… but I did anyway.
When I lifted the lid, a heart-wrenching scream escaped my throat.
There lay Tommy. His small body was motionless, his eyes closed, his fur disheveled and cold. Lifeless.
I fell to my knees, clutching the box as I sobbed, as the pain tore at my soul. I felt the whole world collapsing around me. It was too much. Too cruel.
At that moment, I knew I couldn't stay there. That if I stayed, I would be the one endin
