The corridor of the emergency room began to buzz, but immediately died down. Nurse Anna dropped a glass of coffee without even noticing the hot liquid pour into her robe. Something turned upside down inside.

Not fear, not horror, but material instinct. She stepped forward carefully, her palms raised, her voice soft. «Calm down, boy, I’ll help».

The shepherd grown low, but it was not a challenge, rather dispatch. Her whole body was shaking. Anna sat down and added in a whisper.

«You brough her here, didn’t you?» The dog met her gaze. There was something human, tired trust in those dark eyes. He staggered, and Anna rused forward sharply.