Page 85 of Milk & Malice: Vadik

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Yet, I couldn't take my eyes off the doorway.

Had he left it open for me to walk in the garden?

Hesitantly, I pushed the blanket off my hooves and climbed off the bed. When I reached the doorway, I mooed.

Silence.

I listened harder.

Wheezing.

Stumpy.

“Moooo. Mooo. Moo. Moo,” I mooed until the sound of my voice faded away.

I edged closer to the door. My hooves were behind the wooden line between the two sections of the barn. I peered into the dimly lit room, swallowing when my eyes lingered on the dark shadows lurking in the corners.

Stumpy’s wheezing turned to gurgles.

Yeah, fuck that shit.

I stumbled back and used my hoof to close the door, sighing with relief when I heard the door click.

???

I sat on the edge of the bed, nervously waiting for Owner.

Did he have to leave?

He didn't feed or milk me.

Time seemed to pass more slowly. I’d paced myself out, second-guessing everything.

What if something happened to him?

I turned the television on, hoping the music would help.

It didn't.

Now I sat here fretting about a wide range of scenarios that all ended with my long, slow death.

My eyes never left the door.

Chapter 38

Vadik

It was cruel of me to stretch her torment out when I could end it. But I couldn’t change what I was. I shut the laptop and slipped the final component of her transformation into my pocket.

I took my time cooking our breakfast—syrniki for her as a treat. The soft pancakes, made with creamy farmer’s cheese, were best topped with sour cream and blueberry preserves.

My seven-month journey with my pet had its highs and lows, but the outcome would always have been the same. Lena saved herself some pain by surrendering early.

It was a pity. I’d made so many notes, tested so many methods that wouldn’t damage her.

Who knows—she might fail the test another time.

I picked up the plate, humming as I headed to the barn.

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