"You did what? What were you thinking?" A voice boomed over the phone that was placed to Luna's ear.
She was on the phone with her best friend, Tessa.
"Tess, I had to. You know what is at stake. It has been years. I am getting tired." Luna replied to her friend, her voice was solemn and low.
Hearing the sadness in her friend's voice, Tessa cleared her throat and her own voice grew softer and comforting.
"I know. But believe me when I say you will find her." Tessa told her, gently but confidently.
If it had been like two years ago, then those confident words of her friend would have comforted Luna and renewed her hope but not anymore. Not when it had felt like forever since she had been hopeful. Not when she was losing hope.
"When, Tess? When exactly will I find my mother who just disappeared into thin air?" Luna asked her friend, hoping she would get a definite answer but unfortunately Tessa couldn't give her the answer she needed.
"We will find her. It is not late yet." Tessa maintained firmly. It was still the same hopeful affirmation so Luna just shook her head.
"Tess, it's high time I start taking actions instead of just folding my arms and making affirmations." Luna maintained and heaved a heavy sigh.
"Even at that, you shouldn't have gone to such a man for help. You know his reputation." Tessa said to her like a reminder.
"Well, he is the only one who seems to be in the best position to help me. He has connections." Luna pointed out, sounding helpless.
"Connections? Illegal connections, you mean? Luna, rumor has it that he is a notorious kidnapper. And not only that, he is involved in everything bad you could think of. He even has connections with the mafias." Tessa informed her friend, her voice low as if someone could hear her and decide to come after her for speaking about the mafias.
"I don't want you to get hurt in the process of looking for your mother." She added, her voice barely a whisper.
"Rumors, Tess. Those are just baseless rumors. And even if he is all of that, I just need him to help me find my mother." Luna stated, stubbornly. Tessa heaved a deep sigh. And for a moment, there was silence from both ends.
"Have you had dinner yet?" Tessa inquired, finally breaking the silence. Luna didn't reply and that answered Tessa's question.
"I know you haven't eaten, you silly. And you didn't buy anything along from work, meanwhile, you know you have nothing to eat at home." Tessa analyzed, a hint of laughter in her voice. And she was correct. She knew everything about her friend so well.
"I hate to admit that you were right. By the way, I forgot to go grocery shopping. I was so busy at work, today." Luna replied, casually.
"And when is our great veterinarian ever not busy?" Tessa asked rhetorically with a scoff. Luna let out a chuckle. Her gloomy mood had suddenly being lifted at the mention of her job.
Her work was her pride. She found joy and peace in being around animals, especially hurt and weak ones who needed help and attention.
"I bet, you didn't forget to stroke and pat a cat or dog today before closing for the day. And you didn't forget to leave food for stray dogs and cats at the entrance of your office. Yet, you could forget to put food in your stomach." Tessa stated angrily but Luna understood that her friend was just looking out for her.
"Definitely. By the way, Tess, you need to see how beautiful the first dog I treated today, was. His fur was so soft and I felt like even my touch would hurt him." Luna stated, a small smile playing at her lips.
"Oh, wow. So now you have a new baby? When should I come for the naming ceremony?" Tessa asked her, teasingly.
"I really hope you won't get married to one of those babies one day." She added, also chuckling.
"God, Tess!" Luna laughed. She was still laughing over another funny thing that her friend was saying when her eyes caught two glowing red eyes in the dark.
Immediately, her laughter died down and she walked closer to the area to check out what it was. The curiosity in her overpowered the fear in her so she kept moving closer.
"Are you there?" Tessa asked from the other end, as she sensed Luna's silence.
"I will call you back, Tess. I need to check something out." Luna informed her friend.
"Wait, what is that? It is late at night so you have to be careful and...." Tessa was still talking when Luna ended the call abruptly because she had figured out what the thing with the glowing red eyes was.
It was a dog. A large dog, who was seemingly in pain.
"A dog with red eyes? That is a first." Luna mumbled under her breath as she neared the dog. Even the surprising discovery of the red eyes couldn't stop Luna from reaching out to the dog to offer comfort and help.
But as Luna reached out to touch the dog, he bared his teeth at her.
"Don't you dare touch me." A deep, masculine voice bellowed.
Luna heard that loud and clear. However, when she looked around and realized there was no man in sight other than the dog, she let out a chuckle.
"Great going, Luna. Now you can even hear things." Luna stated to herself and laughed again.
"No, a dog can't talk. It's just my befuddled mind. Maybe it's because I forgot to eat since morning. I am just hungry." She added, dismissively. Then she crouched over before the dog.
"Hey there, are you hurt anywhere? Can I take a look?" Luna asked the dog gently.
"Fine, I will allow you to take a look since you are very beautiful." Luna heard the masculine voice again and her heart sank.