Sixty Five.

Rex

I hurry across the grounds. Elsa runs quietly behind me.

“Did he say what’s wrong?” She asks.

We slow to a walk as we approach their house

“No, but it didn’t sound good.”

Rosa comes out of the house first. She shakes her head a little, signalling that the twin in question didn’t make it.

Oliver appears with the dead pup in his arms. There was so much pain etched in his eyes as he looked straight ahead.

“He didn’t survive.” Oliver whispers

“I thought everything was good?” I look at Rosa as Oliver answers

“He stopped breathing. There was nothing that we or Rosa could do. He wasn’t strong enough. His lungs and heart were too weak.”

His words were coming out in a singular tone. Repeating the words he had been told.

“I’m sorry,” Elsa whispers from behind me.

Oliver locks on to Elsa. “You’re sorry? If it weren’t for you. He would be thriving.”

I place myself between them, blocking his view of her. “It’s not Elsa’s fault.”

“No, she’s right. It’s yours.” He shakes his head at me. “Zara w