Maggie: For the Love of a Rover

Watching every step of the Deputy’s slow and deliberate approach, Maggie remained firmly entrenched, moving naught until a sudden chill of fright broke her free and sent her dashing up the stairs of the back stoop and into the cabin. Like a cat in pursuit of its prey, she cautiously approached a front window and peered out, only to step back in fright as she saw that the Deputy was almost to her door. Her dreaded expectation that he would knock harshly and loudly call out her name had so captured her thoughts that when she heard only a soft knock, she raised her head in disbelief, and stared at the door in wonder. Maggie heard footsteps in the hallway and ran to the bars of her cell to see who was coming. It ain’t time for dinner, she thinks. Maybe it’s Mr. Felton. He ain’t been by here for three days now. Peering through the bars, her head twitches anxiously in surprise when suddenly she sees the Sheriff and his Deputy, Clarence, rounding the corner, side by side, unannounced and coming towards her cell. Her high pitched wail echoes throughout as she lets go the bars and slides helplessly to the floor. Is this the way it’s done? The Sheriff comes to your cell without warning and drags you out to be hanged! This ain’t fair. I ain’t talked to Necy yet!.