EMMA
"Fuck!" I heard someone exclaim loudly.
Behind me, in the suddenly quiet hall, murmurs of protest rose as someone pushed their way through the crowd toward me.
But I paid them no attention. My focus was on the little pup.
He was crying silently now, his chest hitching with soft sobs as he gazed up at me with light blue eyes. His clothes were two sizes too big and worn out from too many washings, and I guessed he was probably at the party to beg for scraps with his parents.
"Are you okay?" I asked softly, cradling him against my chest.
His tiny lips trembled, and tears slid down his cheeks, making my heart ache to see him so frightened. I carefully looked him over, searching for cuts or bruises, and to my relief, I found none.
"You'll be fine," I assured him, rocking him gently in my arms. "Don't cry, okay? You're safe now."
