Page 44 of Ferocity

She might have never found out the truth of how Maisie pulled off her stunt with Kobo and Jäger, but in the grand scheme of things, it didn't matter. Scarlett got her life back. Sure, it was a bit banged up and had a few nicks missing from it, but it was hers and she was proud of herself.

An hour later, they pulled up to the sanctuary and stopped. Cars were filling the parking lot and there were lines already snaking toward the portable turnstiles. A giant banner hung from the facade showing their newest member, Daye, a two-year-old Ocelot. Dave continued down the employee road and entered through a side gate. Inside the facility, the level of excitement pushed away Scarlett's nerves. She'd never seen the sanctuary this busy before. It was a little overwhelming, to say the least.

They got out and she took a minute to steady herself. “Wow.”

“Wow is right,” Dave said coming up next to her.

“Did you see all the people,” Samantha said. “They’re all here to see Daye.”

Yes, yes, they were. “Why don’t you go get ready and meet us by the entrance when it’s time.”

Samantha nodded. “I have all of my lines memorized.” She pulled out a small stack of cards. “But, just in case, I brought these with me.” She giggled as she skipped off to where they kept the employee vests.

Today, was the first day a Leon would be giving a tour of the facility since Scarlett’s accident. She thought it only appropriate, her niece got the honors. Scarlett started for the individual enclosures and stepped inside. A few days after Maisie was arrested, Kenny convinced her it was time to start talking through all of her pain and guilt.

Again, in typical Kenny fashion, he'd been right. Since she started seeing her therapist, the anxious knots and feeling as though she couldn't breathe when she stepped inside the pens had disappeared. Sure, it didn't happen overnight, but gradually, she could resume being able to sit and feed her felines. The first time she ate with Shiva, she cried. The big 'ol lioness put her head on Scarlett's lap and she swore the animal felt the same as Scarlett did.

"Well, it's almost showtime. Are you ready?" Timothy came up beside her as they headed for the entrance to the park.

“As I’ll ever be,” she said. “And it’s all because of all of you.”

Dave took her hand, stopping her midstride. “No, Scarlett, that’s where you’re wrong. All of this,” he motioned to the sanctuary, “is because you never gave up. It’s because you love all of these felines as much as you love us. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can for myself. I am so fucking proud of you and I know if your parents were here, they would be too.”

She blinked back the tears burning the corners of her eyes and grinned. “I love you guys so much. Thank you for believing me.”

“I’m ready!” Samantha came running toward them. “I’m so excited! I just can’t hide it.”

Scarlett laughed. “Then let’s go knock them dead.”

The walked to the front gates ofHearts and Pawsand Dave flicked on Samantha’s mic. The girl stepped forward and waved to the crowd. “Good morning everybody, we’re so glad you could join us.”

Had Scarlett been told three years ago, this would be her life now, she would have laughed. No way in the world she deserved any of this. Yet, here she stood with her family and now with her big cats, ready to take on the world.

The crowd laughed and applauded Samantha and Scarlett grinned. “Yes. Today’s going to be a great day.”

THE END

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