I would like a case file on Anya, if it's not too much trouble!
It was raining and she was fine with that. Rain meant her sense of smell worked better, the moisture in the air lubricating scent receptors, making it easier to track people and things through the dismal weather. Aside from that, she just like the cool breeze and the sound of rain pitter-pattering on her umbrella.
Her dog was less than thrilled. His old bones disliked the change in weather. It made all his joints ache. She knew this and tried to make him stay home...but he was stubborn beast, much more stubborn than any other animal she owned, and refused to comply. She watched with a mothers worry as he trundled along beside her, paws dragging across the wet side walk.
Her thoughts drifted for a time. Words and thoughts passing through her, colliding and forming poems and articles...she stopped when the leash grew taught. She hadn’t noticed her companion had stopped. He stood a short distance behind her, staring into the dark alley.
Instinctively, her nostrils flared, trying to pick up the scent of whatever had drawn the canines attention. She could detect no hostile intent, no whiff of bloodied steel or expended gunpowder.
What she could smell was stale tobacco, old liquor, dried blood, and the stench of something unwashed.
Before she could recognize what she was doing she had stepped into the alley. By the time her mind had caught up with her feet she was standing in front of the scent.
Huddled by the dumpster, small and barely shaking, sat a child in clothing so big that it made her look frail...o perhaps she was. Certainly, she was malnourished.
Anya extended her arm, the rain pouring full force onto her head, as the umbrella sheltered the child instead. It took a full minute for them to look up, eyes dull and hopeless, face filthy with dirt.
When Anya exited the alley again her dog was closer to her side and her umbrella was once again above her head. In arms she held the gangly bundle, trying to ignore how light they were.
She would always have a soft spot for strays.