The Blue Carrier

Every Thursday Rufus climbs into the old blue pet carrier beside the coat rack and waits, though he no longer needs it. Lena has stopped expecting footsteps.

Life

Every Thursday morning, Rufus sat inside the old blue pet carrier as if he were waiting for a train.

The carrier stayed beside the coat rack in Lena’s small apartment. Its plastic door no longer closed properly, and one corner had been repaired with silver tape. A faded veterinary sticker clung to the side, the ink washed pale by time.

Rufus did not need the carrier anymore. His appointments had become less frequent, and when he did visit the clinic, Lena carried him in a newer one with soft sides and a clean fleece lining.

Still, every Thursday, he climbed into the old carrier.

He circled twice, folded his orange paws beneath his chest, and watched the front door.

Gravy, the elderly brown dog who shared the apartment with him, usually slept nearby. His cloudy eyes opened whenever footsteps passed in the hallway, but he rarely lifted his head. He had learned that most sounds did not belong to them.

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Quick answers about The Blue Carrier

What is The Blue Carrier about?

Every Thursday Rufus climbs into the old blue pet carrier beside the coat rack and waits, though he no longer needs it. Lena has stopped expecting footsteps.

Is The Blue Carrier free to read?

Yes. Every story on RapidTale is free to read in the browser, with no sign-up and nothing to install.

How long does it take to read?

This story runs 1 chapter — most readers finish in one sitting, and you can stop and return to any chapter using the contents list.

Who wrote it?

Nimra Khan — original fiction published on RapidTale.