“Bailey’s Escape”
Kayla gasped for air, her lungs burning as if they were on fire. She knew if she stopped now, she may not see Bailey again. The little dog had leaped over the fence like a cannonball when the fireworks erupted in a brilliant display of noise and color, taking off down the street with the wild spirit of a runaway kite. He obviously did not care for the fireworks.
As she turned the corner onto Applegate Avenue, the night sky crackled with the remnants of the fireworks. Kayla listened intently, her heart pounding like a drum. Suddenly, she heard a sound—a few small, desperate yips cutting through the air like a distant siren. Kayla stood frozen, her breath hanging in the stillness, praying it was Bailey. Sure enough, the familiar sound led her to the Jackson’s open garage, where shadows danced around the dim light.
As she approached, Mrs. Jackson emerged from the shadows like a guardian angel, cradling Bailey close to her chest. The dog looked up with wide, owl-like eyes, a mix of relief and confusion on his little face.
“Thank you so much,” Kayla breathed, the weight of her worry melting away like ice under the sun. “I’ve been chasing him!”
“Well, I don’t blame him for running,” Mrs. Jackson replied with a kind smile, handing the dog back to Kayla. “Those loud booms and bright flashes have been getting on my nerves too.” Her voice was soothing, a cool breeze on a hot summer day.
Kayla cradled Bailey close to her heart, feeling his warm, furry body against her chest as she walked home. He wriggled slightly, but she held him tight to keep him from squirming away again. Once they were back inside the safety of their house, the familiar scent of home wrapping around them like a warm blanket, Kayla gently placed Bailey in his dog bed. He settled down with a soft, contented sigh, the chaos of the outside world fading as he drifted into a peaceful slumber.