Pulling Through

DESOLATION

Ally got out of work and rushed to her car. She hurried to drive to the bar and sighed in relief as she sat on her usual spot while Jack placed the beer and the liquor in front of her.

A minute later, her phone vibrated on the counter and she unlocked it tiredly.

-I´m stuck at work princess- she read- I´ll be late for dinner

Ally let out a heavy sigh, taking another sip from her beer and resting her head on her hand. Gus had been working late for the past few days and she couldn´t help but wonder if he was avoiding her or just giving her some space.

She hadn´t been able to bring herself to f**k him yet and as time passed, she felt guiltier every day. Now, he just tiptoed around her as she sank further in her misery.

-Hit me again- she muttered, nodding at Jack as she signaled for her empty bottle and glasses.

-You´ve had enough Ally, it´s only Tuesday- he replied furrowing his eyebrows and pouring her some water- Here, have this and sober up.

Ally groaned and reached for the glass he gave her and resignedly drank from it, her eyes looking around the almost deserted dark place.

-What is it with you anyway?- Jack asked flexing his muscled arms over his chest-You´ve been here almost everyday for weeks, don´t you think you´re over drinking a bit now, girl?

-Mind your business Jack- Ally said glaring at him-Besides, what do you care? I´m a paying client either way.

-I worry about you- he answered with a shy smile-I´ve known you for years and right now you have that same look you had years ago and I don´t like it one bit. I hadn´t seen it in a while and I´m afraid you´ll start getting shitfaced like you used to back then. I´m not fond of the idea of getting your ass thrown out again when you lose your mind drinking at your usual pace.

-Whatever- Ally replied rolling her eyes at him-Don´t worry dad, I´m going home now.

She drove slowly and when she parked at their apartment entrance, Gus´s truck was still nowhere in sight. The darkness surrounded her as she climbed the stairs up and got to the door, when she opened it she frowned at the fact that Ziggy wasn’t there to greet her with her usual endless happy tail wagging and a series of licks.

So, she turned the lights on and her eyes scanned the place, looking for her. A moment later, she found her laying at her blanket, her eyes widened in distress, struggling to breathe.

-What is it girl-Ally cried as she hurried herself to reach the spot where she laid.

-Oh my god! Oh my god!- she screamed as she picked her up and ran back down the stairs, shoving her into her car and worrying to death at the sound of Ziggy´s labored breath.

She peeled off of her parking spot, speeding in hysterics as her trembling finger traveled to the calling button on her dashboard, the line ringing on her speakers as she mumbled a plea.

-Please pick up, please pick up- she whispered repeatedly.

When she finally heard Gus´s voice on the other side her words tripped all over his greeting as she yelled into the air.

-It´s Ziggy Gus! I´m taking her to the vet! She can´t breathe! Oh my god! She´s dying! Gus, she´s dying!

She was openly sobbing when she finally parked outside the vet´s emergency room after the most maddening drive she´d ever had to make.

Ally rushed to the entrance holding Ziggy´s weakened frame into her arms and passed her to the vet´s assistant when she spotted him waiting for her at the door.

-Please! Please save her!- Ally shrieked as he took Ziggy away from her.

She tumbled down a chair as the staff took her to the back of the place. Crying her soul out. Her heart wrenching with sorrow as she waited helplessly for someone to tell her any news.

Gus walked through the door a few minutes later and he rapidly went to sit beside her, hugging her sideways

-What did they say, Love?- Gus asked worriedly, kissing her forehead.

-Nothing yet- Ally whimpered burying her head into his chest- but she looked awful Gus! I fear it was too late. I could have gotten home a lot earlier but I just had to go for a f*****g drink- she lamented herself bitterly- I just had to screw this too just like everything else!

-Don´t blame yourself princess- he replied running his finger down her cheek, rubbing a tear away- she´s an old dog and you couldn´t have known baby.

They sat silently waiting for another twenty minutes before the vet finally walked out to the waiting room with a sad look on his face. He approached the place where they sat and slowly shook his head as Ally and Gus stood up and reached him.

-I´m sorry- he started- it seems Ziggy´s heart is giving up, right now it is struggling just to pump enough blood to her system and she´s suffering. I would recommend you considered putting her down, it is the most humane thing to do at this point. I´ll give you some time to discuss it and I´ll be back in a moment.

He walked back inside and Ally threw herself into Gus´s arms sobbing loudly and wetting his chest with her tears.

-Oh no! No baby please! I don´t want her to die!

-She´s had a good life love, it´s time- he muttered as he ran his fingers down her back.

Ally didn´t reply and continued bawling her eyes out, holding tightly to him -Why! Why is this f*****g happening!

-Come here- Gus sighed after a moment, nodding briefly at the vet who was now standing by the door- let’s say goodbye, princess. She deserves that.

They walked to where they kept Ziggy and stood beside her, Ally hugging her, crying inconsolably like a banshee as she ran her hands through her soft fur one last time.

-Thank you girl- Gus smiled sadly as he petted her softly- Thanks for bringing so much joy into our lives, now go get yourself some rest baby.

They watched as the vet injected the solution into her back a moment later and held to her the whole time as her eyes closed to never open again.

Ally dragged her feet as they entered to the apartment, silence greeting them and driving her crazy with desolation. And in that very moment she felt the despair she´d been hoarding finally spill all over her soul.

She let out a loud aching scream as she threw her hands over her head in agony, feeling the last straw of sanity leave her mind and she just gave up on everything. Drifting away.

Gus pulled her close to him trying to calm her down in vain.

-Why is every joy we had leaving our lives Gus?- she hopelessly cried- I just can´t take it anymore. I want to call it quits!