Chapter 8

It'd only been two weeks since she started the job, but Anna still hadn't figured out what to do on her days off. Technically, she'd had many of those when she was unemployed, but now that she was working, the days where she wasn't working felt different for some reason.

Maybe it was that "new job" honeymoon period, which made her feel like she should be working even on her days off. Having a new structure to her days knocked her for a loop. Sure there were the obvious things on her to-do list (doing laundry, vacuuming the dog hair off her floor, buying groceries, etc.), but nothing for her.

Nothing recreational.

Spending time with Elsa was a given, of course, and she'd take advantage of that time as much possible.

Elsa, meanwhile, loved the freedom of being out of her kennel most of the day when Anna was home, taking this time to get familiar with her new surroundings. The way this puppy could entertain herself for hours just running and slinking around the tables was fascinating.

Anna had tried to do that once, and it ended with her getting a cut on her knee and a bruise on her forehead when she bumped it on the coffee table. Guess it only works if you're like two feet tall.

The idea of taking up a hobby popped in her head, something besides noodling around on her guitar. She was good with her hands (kind of) and going hours without speaking. Maybe she could take up painting, or writing, or maybe get a console or a better computer to do some live streaming.

She sucked at video games, but that doesn't matter as much when you're a female streamer.

Or she could do something with Elsa. In her research, and her conversations with Dr. Maren, the little husky couldn't go out on walks or interact with other dogs until she got all her shots, but that shouldn't deter them from having some fun.

And this little girl was full of fun. And so was Anna...she thought of herself as a fun person. Even if no one would ever describe her as "fun". Her ex-girlfriend sure didn't…

Which is how she found herself throwing a ball up and down her hallway, watching as Elsa tripped over herself trying to grab it. And then not make the effort to bring it back to Anna.

"Well, you know half the concept of 'fetch', at least," Anna said. "Guess it's kinda hard to bring it back when the ball's as big as your head."

Elsa attacked the fuzzy tennis ball with her tiny biters, not understanding the laws of physics as it rolled forward and sent her tumbling on the floor time and time again.

Anna walked over to Elsa, picking the ball up and tossing it underhand towards the kitchen. Once again, Elsa ran for it and slid to a halt, almost hitting her head on a chair leg. And once again, she attacked the ball without any plans of bringing it back.

It'd be pretty cool if she could teach Elsa those insane tricks like walking on her front paws, or looping around her legs, or doing her taxes. But right now this was enough.

Elsa momentarily disappeared from her view while chasing the ball into the kitchen. Knowing that that's where all the food was, Anna hurried over to meet her.

"Oh no you don't," Anna said. "I just fed you an hour ago."

Speaking of which, she should probably go out and get her more food soon. Her stomach was bigger than her head, not literally because that would cause some serious intestinal damage. Anna found her by the sink, pawing at the tennis ball.

"There are you, girlie. Come on, gimme the ball back." Anna bent down to grab the ball.

And that's when Elsa bit her.

Not one of her playful ones either, this one hurt. On instinct, Anna yelped and did something she immediately regretted: she hit Elsa right on the top of her head. She was trying to go for her nose, which still would have been bad, but overshot it.

Elsa let out a yelp of her own, and then scurried away to the other side of the kitchen, whimpering and looking away at the owner that had betrayed her trust.

This was, without a doubt, the most horrible thing that Anna had ever done to anyone she'd care about. Right above that time she put salt in her dad's coffee instead of sugar. She gasped and clutched the bitten hand to her chest, "Oh no! Elsa, I'm so sorry!"

Elsa, oblivious to her apologies, continued to whimper in the corner. Guilt racked Anna's entire body, she thought she was the worst owner in the world. Right above the one who abandoned this husky in the first place.

She checked her hand, seeing two prickly white indents where teeth used to be. The bite didn't even break the skin.

Anna walked over cautiously, hoping that she could even get close to the puppy. The whimpers died down, the cowering didn't. Elsa's tail was tucked between her legs, and she had the saddest look on her tiny face.

"I'm so sorry, girl," Anna repeated, kneeling down in front of her. "I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm sure you didn't mean to hurt me too."

She stuck her hand out, slowly this time and with her palm up. Elsa eyed the hand, sniffed her fingers, while her owner waited with bated breath.

"It's okay," Anna said softly, "I'm not gonna hurt you. I won't hurt you ever again."

And even though Elsa wasn't human (and would probably never be human, unless there was magic involved), it almost felt like she understood her this time. She took a step forward, sniffed Anna's palm, and began to lick her hand.

Anna let out a sigh of relief, and pet the precious puppy with her free hand. "Good girl," she cooed. "The best girl."

In no time at all, they were back to playing one-sided fetch.

A/N: If y'all can stay safe, then I'll keep posting chapters. We'll get through this together. Just not, you know, together. I've got commitment issues.