Page 5 of Shadows of You

Pulling off my glove, I retrieved my phone from my pocket and searched the number for Fish and Wildlife.

“Harrison County Fish and Wildlife, this is Andrea. How can I help you?”

“Hi. My name is Aspen Barlow. I live in Cedar Ridge on Huckleberry Lane. I’m following a deer with some wire wrapped around her pretty badly. Do you have anyone who might be able to help?”

“Ma’am, donotapproach the deer if it’s injured. They can react badly when cornered.”

“I’m not trying to corner her. I just want to help her,” I explained.

I’d fallen into rehabilitating animals over the last several years. It seemed like they found me more than I found them. It had started with Mabel. The farmhouse’s previous owner hadn’t only taken poor care of his property; he’d neglected his donkey, as well. He’d mentioned just putting her down when he moved out, and I’d hurried to say I would take her.

I hadn’t had the first clue how to care for a donkey, but the internet had taught me most of what I needed to know. It had taken time to earn Mabel’s trust. She was the one who’d taught me not to corner an animal who was scared or hurt. I had gotten a nasty gash courtesy of a kick from her when I got too close, too quickly.

The woman on the phone sighed. “My officers are only responding to emergencies right now due to the snow.”

Annoyance flickered through me. “This deer is suffering. That’s not an emergency?”

“The public isn’t at risk from an injured deer.”

Meaning she would’ve responded to a call about a black bear or a cougar.

“Ma’am. Please. She’s hurting.” My voice nearly broke as I spoke. I couldn’t leave the doe out here alone in the cold.

The woman sighed, muttering something under her breath. “I can try one person who might be out that way, but I can’t make any promises. Where are you?”

I rattled off my approximate address, and she hung up without another word.

My teeth began to chatter as the wind picked up again. It was the kind of cold that hurt your skin. I didn’t want to think about what the temperature might’ve dropped to.

The deer trembled, looking over her shoulder at me.

“It’s okay, girl. You’re not alone. I’m gonna get you fixed up in no time.”

She started walking again, limping on her bad leg.

“Just stay put. It’ll be easier on both of us.”

The doe didn’t listen.

“I get it. You’re determined. Been living like this a while?”

She kept right on walking.

I followed her, wondering if I could just grab the wire and free her. I worried the inside of my cheek as I studied the metal imprisoning her. I thought I might be able to get her out if I got my fingers under a specific corner.

I made a clucking sound with my tongue as the wind howled again. The deer halted, glancing skeptically at me.

“Here, girl. Want some apple?”

She sniffed the air and took a step closer.

“That’s it.”

Another step.

“This apple is super yummy.”

A little closer.

---