The Trying Road to Happiness

Surprise

When I woke up the next morning, I took a shower and did my morning routine. Unlike everywhere else I don't have to hide at the animal shelter, So today I put my long black hair in a high ponytail, I put on a pair of Levi bootcut jeans, a pair of muddy combat boots and a t-shirt. At the animal shelter I don't have to hide my tattoos, or act like a different person. The shelter is run by what people would call hillbillies, but if you get to know them, you would probably like them. Most people don’t volunteer there because they don’t like those types of people, but I on the other hand appreciate them. They were the only people I was able to open up to in my life. They are the only people who don’t judge me for who I am, and they actually feel like a family for me. When walking up to the shelter there is a small trailer-like building that has a gravel parking lot, that is where we usually eat lunch and take breaks, usually to gossip. Then when you walk out the back door there is a huge barn, with a few small buildings around it, and then all around that is a big fence. This place is out in the middle in the woods and it is kind of hard to find. I only found it because when I was wandering around not knowing where I was they found me and helped me. They let me work and when I got my job at a hot topic I promised them that I would come see them at least once a week. When I walk I place my food in the fridge and walk out to the back. “Hey, Danni!” I heard Brian the owner yell at me. “Hey what’s up!” I yelled walking over. “ Hey, I need to show you around a new volunteer.” He said looking at me like I was gonna say no. “Ok Brian do you also want me to do my other chores.” He said yes and said that the new volunteer would help me. He told me where to go and I went on my way. I do a lot on the one day that I'm here, but I like it. It gives me the workout I need and it’s fun hanging out with the people. When I get to the trailer I grab the clipboard and walk in without looking up. “Hey im Danni, i'm gonna be showing you around and show you what to do.” I said. When I looked up I saw a shocked Blake. “ Woah Danni i didn’t know you knew this place,” He said with a look of surprise. “ Ya, well we all have surprises, What are you doing here?” I asked, looking at him skeptically. “Oh, Brian is my uncle's best friend and he said that he could use the help, so here I am.” He said with his trademark smile on his face. I rolled my eyes and muttered following me. “ Ok, this is the barn we keep deer, horses, cows, goats, and we have a couple of donkeys.” He nodded. “ In this building he has chickens, geese, ducks, and rabbits.” he nodded and followed me over to the next building. “ This is where we keep the animals considered as rodents. In here we have mice, rats, groundhogs, moles, hamsters, and ferrets.” We walked over to the last building and I turned to him. “ This is where we keep the more dangerous” animals. Here we have foxes, wolves, and bears. The only thing you have to do is make sure to have someone who is qualified to handle them to go in there.” He nodded with a nervous look in his eye. “ So who do i go in there with?” He asked when I turned to walk away. “ Brian,” I paused for dramatic effect, “ Or me,” With that I walked back to the trailer to get his gear. “ So how did you get into this line of work?” He asked. “ Brian is kind of like family for me.” I said smiling at the memories that I've had with brian. “ I was here when all the animals in that house came. They react best with people they know.” I said handing him a few things. “ They see me as one of them, but whatever you do, don't be stupid and mess around. They are wild animals who will attack if provoked.” I said, turning around smirking. “ today you will be helping me, and we’ll be here for a while. First we are gonna clean the horse stalls.” We went over to building A and went into Eli’s stall. “ Hey Eli,” I said petting his head. Eli is an American paint horse. Me and Blake started on the stall, usually it takes about 45 minutes to clean out the stall but with help we got it done in 20 minutes. All together we did 5 horse stalls, 3 deer stalls, 8 cow stalls, and the donkey cages. He did the goat pens by himself while I cleaned the bird house and the rabbit cages. All together we got everything done with a few brakes in between. Usually I get about half of it done, after I was done with what I had to go, I had to feed my babies. Brownie is a 358 lb brown bear who is a year old. We found him in the woods abandoned, ever since then he has seen me as a person he trusts. I also have to feed Scar and Flash our wolves who were abandoned by their pack because they were runts. I love them, they put on a rough exterior but when they know it’s me they tackle me and they listen to me. Lastly I have to feed Peanut, Cricket, and Berry. They are our very playful and very loud foxes. They aren’t dangerous but since they are still wild we have to put them in their own place. These animals are considered dangerous because even though they are working with me and Brian they could still hurt someone. I love these animals with all my heart and they are the only thing I trust besides Brian. When I walk in the brownie habitat he is in his little cave that we made. “ Here Brownie Brownie,  I got you food.” I soon as I said that he came out and tackled me to the ground. Since they don’t see me much they always love it when I come. He licked me before snatching the very large very heavy piece of meat out of my arms. I hung out with him for a little bit and went on to do the rest, they did the same thing, I gave them their food and went on my way home. I hoped in my car, but before I could pull out there was a tap on my window. When I rolled it down, Blake appeared, “ Thank you for today,” He said resting his hands on the roof of my car. “ Why are you thanking me, I didn't do anything,” I said in a monotone. “ Ya, you did, you just don’t know it,” He said, pushing off my car to go to his. Before he hopped in he saw you at school over his shoulder before he sped away. I rolled my window up without knowing it. I had a smile on my face when I looked in the mirror. It slowly faded and the only thing that I could think was, what he was doing to me. The next day I was sore, not too bad but I still hurt. I did my morning routine and wore black ripped jeans, a long sleeve black vans shirt, with a pair of old schools. I straightened my hair and through my beanie on. I headed out the door to go to the hell we call schools. (And if you're wondering why i'm not driving, 1, i like to walk and 2, i live alone and cover all expensive and gas is expensive.) I go get my coffee, thankfully not running into Blake. When i get to school i see my friend by my locker talking. “ Hey whats up guys?” I asked. Trixy told me about a party she went to. And Anabell said that she spent the weekend at home reading. She is kind of a bookworm but we all get along because we relate to eating others. We all have been through things that we don't want to talk about. I am not as close with them as I am Brian but they are pretty chill. I got to my first period not wanting to see Blake, but I had no choice, he sat down with a groan. “Sore?” I asked. “Yep.” He said popping the p. “You’ll get used to it.” I said, nudging his arm. I don’t want to get close to him, but i also don’t want to be rude to him.