Isaac walked up the street in a sleepy daze, their hand wrapped loosely around Tiny’s leash. The sun wasn’t even out yet and Isaac just wanted to be back in the warmth of their bed. “Come on, Tiny, Tiny, Tiny. Do your business,” Isaac begged in an annoying singsong.
They should still be in bed. They and Tiny were out for their morning walk a full hour earlier than usual. Their father had been in a particularly foul mood this morning, stomping around, slamming doors and drawers, yelling at someone on his cell, making it impossible to keep sleeping. While Isaac would’ve been fine hiding out in their bedroom until he left for work, poor Tiny had been frightened. If they hadn’t left, their father would’ve soon started complaining about that “worthless dog’s whining.” So the second there had been a clear shot to the door, they had darted out before their father could say a word to them, ushering Tiny along. With any luck, he’d have left for work by the time Isaac returned.
Thinking about it now, Isaac pulled their phone out to text Camilla about staying the night at her place. Who knew if their father would still be in the same mood tonight but Isaac would rather not find out. Tucking their phone back into their pants, Isaac looked up, finding someone up ahead of them on the sidewalk. Blinking in surprise, they called out,
“What are you doing out here this early?”
