Post by zenniel on Nov 17, 2008 19:23:32 GMT -5
19 November, 2008
’I don’t want to go!’ Lauren thought as she pulled on a light jacket. Lori’s mind overpowered hers. ‘You will go today. It’s an excellent chance to walk Zorro.’ Lauren wanted to complain, to say that she walked Zorro two times a day anyway, but knew it was no use to contradict her sister.
“Come, Zorro.” She called tentatively. She could still feel her sister’s mind weighing hers down. She would follow Lori’s orders today; she didn’t want the mental pain.
The German Shepherd came to her master happily. She wagged her tail as Lauren slipped the collar on her, and her whole butt wagged when Lauren clicked on her leash. Zorro did not care if Lauren was tense, nervous. She did, however, care that she was going on a walk. Lauren stopped to get some plastic bags – never could be too sure – and met Lori by the door.
“Ready to go shopping?” Lori asked calmly, showing no trace of her mental influence. Lauren sighed. “I guess so. Zorro is ready.” But Lauren wasn’t. She didn’t want to go.
It took thirty minutes to get to the marketplace. Lori promptly went in a shoe store. Lauren waited outside: she didn’t like shoes. She could feel her sister’s mind wander off of hers and onto the topic of shoes. Lauren herself was wearing the same old sneakers she wore every day (except work, she liked to look good for work). Once, a long time ago, the shoes had been white. Now they were gray. Zorro dutifully sniffed the fire hydrant and marked it with her own scent. She’d done that to almost every fire hydrant on the way. Lauren briefly wondered how Zorro had so much pee.
Lori came out of the store with a bag in her hand. From this bag she took out a box. “I bought something for you!” Lori exclaimed. She seemed happy enough. Glumly, Lauren thought, ‘More like for you.’ She earned a brutal stare and an overpowering mental attack from her sister. Lauren tried not to cringe in public, and grasped a nearby sapling for support. “No.” Lori spat, “I bought these solely for you.”
The box was thrust at Lauren, who had only a second to catch it before it fell to the ground. For this, she unconsciously dropped Zorro’s leash. The dog was so well-behaved that she stayed by Lauren’s side, wagging her tail. Lauren paid no attention to the fallen leash, and instead looked at the box. Or, rather, inside the box. Inside the box, nestled in that shoe wrapping paper that they always used, was a nice new pair of white sneakers. So Lori could be nice sometimes!
“Thanks, sis!” Lauren said, and barely managed a grin. Her head hurt.
“Glad you like them. Now, do you want me to go in the next store alone, or are you coming?” Lori asked, glancing at the brightly lit Kohl’s sign.
“Eww, Kohl’s. I think I’ll wait out here with Zorro.” Lauren replied timidly, wrinkling her nose at the thought of trying on clothes. The only thing worse than trying on clothes was trying on clothes that she didn’t like.
“Suit yourself. But don’t be mad if I get you something you don’t like.” Lori said, and walked away, conscious of the glare her sister was giving her.
A little while after Lori left, a cat raced across Zorro’s path. Like all good dogs, Zorro sped off in a flurry of fur, barking up a storm. Lauren, like the forgetful person she was, had forgotten to pick up Zorro’s leash. Zorro crossed the street and raced into an alleyway. Lauren was left in the dust. “Zorro, wait! Stop!” Lauren called after the dog. An unfortunate—and late—lunge for the dog resulted in her dropping the shoes. She didn’t care, Zorro was in trouble! Lauren raced after the dog, and turned on her heat-seeking power to find her. She found Zorro, paws on a fence, barking up at the cat that sat on the top of the fence primly.
“Zorro, shut up and come.” Lauren commanded, and the dog gave up the chase and came. Lauren picked up Zorro’s leash, and sent a final glare at the brightly-lit cat. Then—“Oh, no!” Lauren cried, and raced back to the entrance of the alleyway. “Where are my shoes?” She looked to where she had dropped the shoes.
They were gone.