"Goodnight, Emily!"

   "'Night!" I called waving with my free hand at Ayden. In my other hand I held the handlebars of my neon purple bike, completely with white and purple tassels. Ayden got them it for me got our first Christmas together.

   I clipped the small buckle on my helmet and swing my leg over the seat. I popped in an AirPod and turned on my Spotify playlist as I rode down the street.

   My house was only a few blocks away. There was this big forest area behind Ayden's house, and my house was directly on the other side. I followed the same dusty trail that I always did into the trees. Ayden and a few of his friends had helped me clear it out so that I would have an easy escape route back to my house before my roommate got home.

   I was about halfway through the forest when I heard a sound. It was an barking, howling sound, and it was coming from nearby. My heart started to race and I skidded on the brakes. Wolves? Coyotes? Foxes? Anything could be out there, and I was all alone.

   "Wh-who's there?" I asked, cursing the tremble in my voice. It's probably nothing. You're fine. "Come out! I'm not afraid of you!"

   The noise stopped. I heard a rustling in the bushes to my left. I gulped, bracing myself for a pair of beady eyes to glare at me from the shadows.

   But instead, a small, furry white head popped out of the bushes. A dog? I rushed over to it. It was! It was a young Yorkshire terrier mix with fluffy white fur. It's tongue lolled out as it panted happily. It have a little yip! as I scooped it up into my arms.

   Hmm. No tag, I looked it up and down. It's breath was rancid, carrying the distinctive scent of dead things. I fought the urge to gag as I looked into the dog's eyes. They look hopeful, almost pleading. It clearly was desperate. It knew it couldn't survive out here much longer.

   I smiled at the little puppy. "There there, darling. Mommy's here," I patted its head and placed it in her basket of my bike, but it climbed into my lap. "I can't carry you! I have to pedal!" As if it understood me, the puppy climbed over my shoulder. It snuggled into the hood of my hoodie, sighing happily. Poor thing.

   I was home ten minutes later. I settled the little dog, who'd I'd determined as a she under all her matter fur, under my covers after giving her some food, water, and a nice warm bath.

   "There you go, sweetheart," I cooed, stroking her soft ears as she snored softly. "I need to give you a name..." I trailed off, gazing out the window for a few moments. Then I smiled, gazing back down at my new roommate. "How about Destiny?" The little puppy perked up, turning with a wide, goofy grin to face me. I scratched her head heartily. "Aww, you like that don't you? Sweet girl."

   I crawled under my comforter, and Destiny followed right after me. She curled up on my pillow, and I placed an arm over her and sighed.

   "Sweet dreams, Destiny."