Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. The sound of rain boots on the cold, wet ground. My ear presses against the rough, muddy gravel. A single small tear slides off my cold face. Then another. The sky above me turns black. I try to shield my head. I know the second round is coming. I want to get up, but I can’t. Again, the rain pours and the thunder breaks through the silence. A light flashes through the dark sky. My heart pounds in my chest, yearning for someone to find me. I put my ear to the ground again. The sound of footsteps is dying, going the wrong way. My limp body slowly loses feeling. At least I feel no more pain. I fight the urge to close my eyes, but they shut against my will.

Suddenly, I hear them again. The sound of footsteps growing louder. With what little feeling I have left, I feel my body lifted off the ground.

“Let’s hurry and get him to the vet.”