Chapter 1

Pawsitive Vibes was humming, a happy chaos of barks and wagging tails.

My Golden Retriever, Max, was usually right there, greeting every dog and owner.

But today, Mark, my boyfriend, took him for his morning walk.

He came back alone.

The leash dangled empty from his hand.

"Sarah, I... Max ran off," Mark said, his voice flat.

"He nipped me. Just a little, but he was aggressive."

My heart stopped. Max? Aggressive?

Max, who licked away tears when I rescued him.

Max, who was gentle with the smallest puppy at the daycare.

"Nipped you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"Where? Let me see."

Mark pulled his hand away.

"It's nothing. But Sarah, maybe he's not happy here anymore. Maybe he needs a different home."

A cold dread spread through me.

He didn't sound worried about Max. He sounded...relieved.

Before I could speak, my phone screen lit up.

Not a text. Not a call.

Just white words on a black background, stark and urgent.

"The Feed."

"Max didn't run."

The words flashed.

"He's with her. Elm Street & 7th. Red light. Big rig. NOW."

My breath hitched. "Her?" Who was "her"?

Elm Street and 7th. That was near the new community for the visually impaired.

A big rig. A red light. Now.

The implication slammed into me.

"What are you talking about?" Mark asked, his eyes narrowed.

"What's on your phone?"

I ignored him.

My keys were already in my hand.

"I have to go," I said, my voice tight.

The image of Max, lost and scared, near a busy intersection, filled my mind.

"Sarah, don't be ridiculous," Mark started, reaching for my arm.

"He's gone. We can look later, put up posters."

His calmness was a slap in the face.

My Max was in danger, and he was talking about posters.

I pulled my arm away.

"Get out of my way, Mark."

As I ran to my car, "The Feed" flashed again in my vision, overlaid on the windshield.

"He's scared. She's pulling him into traffic."

Panic clawed at my throat.

I slammed the car into drive and sped out of the Pawsitive Vibes parking lot, tires squealing.

Mark just stood there, watching me go.

His face wasn't concerned. It was annoyed.

That look told me everything I needed to know about his supposed love for Max, and for me.

The trust I had in him shattered like glass.

My only thought was Max. I had to get to Max.