Lost

By Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris

Lost
By Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris

I knew she was lost for all eternity, the moon and the planets had come into alignment, just as that old detective had warned me would happen.

I had not believed him, he was known to embellish his findings and foretelling’s with relish. The trail had gone cold, even before I had finished checking every street in four counties searching for her.

My beloved pet was gone, I’d never be able to make it without her. She was my companion, my helper, my assistance, my friend.

I sat on the old couch where she slept, completely devastated. That’s when the doorbell rang once, twice, three times before I could manage to get myself up and walk to the front door.

The detective stood on the other side of the heavy door, holding a box in one hand and his old police issue flashlight in the other. My heart sank, starring down at that loathsome box. Something white barely stuck out of the tipped up end he was holding.

“Open it,” he said quietly.

My hands shook, my imagination running wild with horrific images of my girl, somehow stuffed inside. I knew it was impossible, she was much too large; but the fear was stark and real.

We ended up sitting down together on my sweet pet’s couch, the box now resting on my lap. Slowly, I lifted the lid to find a tuft of her white fur taped crudely onto a piece of paper with little bits of cut out letters glued haphazardly together.

It was a ransom note!