CHAPTER 63

--Alyssa--

"Let's go," I said to Loveth, feeling a mix of anticipation and urgency.

"Are we not going to get Ollie?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern as we stepped out of the house. Mr. Patterson was already seated in the car, his expression one of calm patience.

"You go and sit in the car. I will go fetch him in the garden," I instructed Loveth, motioning toward the vehicle. She nodded, and I turned to head towards the back garden where Ollie often spent his time. The path to the garden was familiar, lined with blooming flowers and neatly trimmed hedges. As I walked, I could hear the distant hum of Mr. Patterson’s car engine, a reminder of the tight schedule we needed to keep.

Reaching the garden, I spotted Ollie immediately. He was a fluffy bundle of energy, darting around and sniffing at the various plants. "There you are," I called out to him with a smile. Ollie bounded over to me, his excitement palpable. I bent down to secure his collar, which had slipped slightly off hi