Chapter 8 – The Livestream
Haven Paws announced a Sunday livestream.
The rescue needed thirty thousand euros.
According to the post, several emergency cases had arrived in the same week.
The biggest story was a young shepherd mix called Argo.
Elisa said he had been found in terrible condition.
His photograph spread quickly.
He lay on his side beneath a blanket.
His coat was dirty.
One leg was wrapped.
His eyes looked exhausted.
The caption said:
HE HAS ALMOST GIVEN UP.
Anna recognised the room immediately.
It was the rescue’s isolation room.
She messaged Marco.
How long has Argo been there?
Ten minutes passed.
Then:
Three days.
Anna stared.
The post said he had arrived that morning.
She typed:
Vet?
Marco replied:
Already went yesterday.
Anna’s fingers stopped.
Then why are they saying he just arrived?
No answer.
Sunday evening, more than four thousand people joined the livestream.
Elisa sat on the floor beside Argo.
Her voice shook.
“We don’t know if he’s going to make it.”
Comments moved rapidly.
DONATED €20.
Please save him.
Sending €50.
Don’t give up, baby.
Anna watched from home.
Then Elisa said:
“We have not even been able to get full diagnostics yet because the costs are overwhelming.”
Anna sat forward.
That was false.
She knew it was false.
Marco knew it was false.
The clinic knew it was false.
Then something happened behind Elisa.
A young volunteer walked through the doorway carrying a plastic folder.
Elisa turned sharply.
“Not now.”
The volunteer froze.
The microphone caught her reply.
“But these are Argo’s discharge papers.”
Elisa’s expression changed.
Only for a second.
The comments slowed.
Then accelerated.
Discharge papers??
I thought he hadn’t seen a vet?
What did she say?
Elisa smiled immediately.
“She means intake papers.”
The volunteer looked confused.
“No, from yesterday—”
Elisa stood up.
The camera shook.
“Can somebody take her outside?”
The livestream ended.
