The Human Pet: A Sci-Fi Romance

Part 20

Tarak

I burst into the vet's office with my pet's limp body in my arms. "Someone, help me with my pet!"

Chaos. Veterinarians shouting and gathering around us. One of them takes her from me and lays her on a gurney, rolling her away. Another scourge grips my elbow and guides me through different doors.

It's only when I am in the lobby, separated from my pet, that I realize I've been tricked.

"My pet!"

"Your pet needs medical treatment," says the scourge blocking the route back to my pet. "Sit down and wait."

"She needs me. What if she gets scared?" I ask, flexing my fingers. Dried flecks of her blood are on the back of my hands. More like I need her; to know she lives.

The scourge points at a vacant chair. "Do you want to help your pet? Then stay calm and wait."

Stay calm? I want to smash this scourge for such a ridiculous recommendation. If I can't see that she is well, or pet her, or scent her, then... How am I supposed to calm myself?

"Stay," says the uncompassionate scourge, leaving me in the lobby.

I huff in disdain, thrashing my tail. Fine, I'll wait, glaring at the other scourges waiting in the lobby. If anything happens to her, someone will pay.

***

Forever. That's how long these incompetents have me wait in the emergency veterinary room lobby.

A scourge bursts into the lobby, his gown covered in blood. "Commander, Tarak, come with me."

I follow down a corridor and into a room where my pet lays on a hospital bed. "We had to give her stitches," he says, as he begins to explain further details about her treatment.

My attention shifts away from the vet to my pet who looks small and pale in the hospital bed, gazing at me with her bright green eyes. I go to her, pressing my palm against her forehead. Her forehead creases and she grasps my palm and something inside me blooms. I am so honored. Even in her currently confused state, she seeks comfort from me.

"Pain medication will need to be administered to her twice a day, and her bandages will need to be periodically changed," says the veterinarian.

Bandages? I pull back the sheet covering my pet. A long pink bandage covers my pet's arm.

I need to bring my pet home. "Send a copy of those instructions to my wall unit," I say, dismissing the vet.

I reach to pick her up, but the vet's hand grips my elbow.

"I'm sorry Commander Tarak, she can't leave yet."

I clench my fists. "But I need to..."

"All pets who receive suspicious injuries must first see a behaviorist with their owner to receive clearance," says the vet.

The vet might medically treat pets, but that does not mean he understands what it is like to see one's pet hurt. He cannot stop me! I scoop her into my arms, and I growl. "Out of my way. I need to..." I rub my chin against her soft hair. I need to go home so that I can hold her, feel her soft skin against mine, run my fingers through her hair, smell her, lick her, and–

"Our treatment of pets is guided by laws. Failure to comply will mean your pet will be seized the moment you leave. Is that what you want?"

"I... I just want to hold her."

"I've already called the behaviorist. Provided you are given clearance, you will be able to go home, so wait."

The vet must have some trust that I will wait because he leaves me and my pet alone in the room.