**Diary Entry 12th October**
My dog was staring at something beneath the bed, and I froze when I realised what had caught his attention.
Lately, Ive spent too many nights studying, leaving me utterly exhausted. Sometimes, I collapse onto the bed without even changing, asleep in seconds. Poor old Max, my golden retriever, hasnt been getting nearly enough attention from me.
Yesterday, I was especially worn out and decided to nap for a few hours. I woke with a jolt at the sound of Maxs bark. A shiver ran down my spineit was so loud, right in front of me.
At first, I thought he just needed to go outside, so I reached for his lead. But he didnt budge. He lay flat on the floor, eyes locked on something under the bed, unblinking, as if transfixed by something unseen.
Maybe one of his toys had rolled beneath the bed, I thought, and he couldnt reach it. I crouched down to help him.
Then, when I peered under the bed, my breath caught. I couldnt believe what I was seeing.
I crept closer and took a proper look.
Something small darted beneath the shadows.
A tiny creature trembled therewide-eyed, terrified.
It was a squirrel, no bigger than my hand, utterly petrified.
Perhaps it had scurried inside to hide, only to find itself trapped when Max noticed. It looked exhausted, its little paws shaking with fear.
I spoke softly, careful not to startle it further, racking my brain for what to do.
No idea how it had got into the house, but the whole scene felt surreal.
After a tense moment, the squirrel suddenly bolteda frantic dashstraight for the open window.
I sighed, slightly embarrassed by the whole ordeal, but I couldnt help smiling. That squirrel had found its way out, after all.
*Sometimes, the things that scare us most are just lost creatures looking for an escape.*
