63 Perils of Miscommunication 5 (2/2)
Kyro nodded, then said, ”Yes, but it was frightened and didn't listen to me just now.”
”Noticed, and don't lose hope. We'll find it.”
The words were encouraging, but they didn't last for long. Three hours later, Ted had to return to his family, and they had found not trace of the fox. Kyro resorted to asking every passer-by about seeing a big-eared sandy fox, but no one could tell him anything. It was as if the little thing had disappeared from the face of the earth.
A couple times he had left the park and looked through the streets, but he couldn't find anything, and he put his hopes into the fox being too frightened to leave. Outside was full of noise from the thousands of passing cars and people, while the inside was calmer and should have less oppressing smells.
But where was it then? Another hour passed, but there was still no sign of it. He increased his search range again and again, all to no avail. No one had even glimpsed the fox since that group at the sign.
He called out for the fox, ignoring the laughter of a group of teenagers sitting around a table nearby. He'd passed by here an hour or so ago, and now they were having fun at his expense. It was somehow humorous to them that he was searching so desperately for a pet.
After another half an hour, he came across a young girl who ran over to him with a sad expression. ”I tried to look for it as well,” she told him seriously, ”but I couldn't find it anywhere. I want to look more, but mom says we need to leave.”
Kyro smiled and crouched down to the girl's level. ”Thank you,” he said with genuine feeling. It was a lovely surprise to him that a number of people actually volunteered to help, this girl being one of them. ”You've been a great help.”
”Mom, can we stay? I want to see the little fox!” the girl begged her mother, but the middle-aged woman just smiled and shook her head. ”We need to go, dear.” She looked over with a question at Kyro, and he just shook his head.
”I'm gonna keep looking. It's my fault it got scared and ran away, so I can't just leave it here alone.”
”Good luck.”
”Thanks.”
The two left, and he returned to his wanderings around the park. Every time he turned a corner, he hoped to see a little sandy-haired head popping up, looking up at him with those large shining eyes, but every time he got disappointed. No matter where he went, there were just people and their happy pets or nothing at all.
And it was going to get dark in time. It was past late afternoon so sun was still high up, but it wouldn't stay up there forever. If he didn't find the fox, it would have to stay here the night, alone and in the dark. Hungry.
His heart clenched, and he quickened his pace. He couldn't let this happen; he had to find it before nightfall.