Her throat constricted. The situation suddenly seemed larger than she could handle. This wasn’t just about helping. This could be a scene the police needed to investigate. One wrong move and she might destroy the only clues to how this happened.
The dog whined again, pawing faintly at the blanket as if begging her to act. His body shook with the effort of holding still. Tina felt tears sting her eyes. She couldn’t do this alone. She wasn’t trained for this.
Her trembling hands dug through her purse for her phone. Twice, she dropped it, nerves making her clumsy. Her heart battered against her ribs, ears filled with the frantic beat. Every second she hesitated could mean another lost heartbeat under that cloth.
She dialed with shaking fingers, the glow of the screen blinding against the encroaching dark. She didn’t even breathe as the line clicked. The dog’s eyes locked on her, wide and raw, as if sensing salvation was finally near.
“911, what’s your emergency?” The dispatcher’s calm voice broke through the static. Tina swallowed hard, her voice splintering. “I think—there’s a baby. In a blanket. On the side of the road. And a dog… he won’t let anyone near it. Please—send someone fast.”
The dispatcher’s tone was steady, practiced. “Ma’am, stay calm. Do not approach again. Officers and animal control are on their way.” Tina clutched the phone so tightly her knuckles blanched. Her knees quivered, but she nodded as though the unseen voice could steady her.
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