Dog was an abondoned little mutt that lived at the train station. No one knew how that came to be her home, but everyone knew that she never left. She spent her days outside of a little book shop, begging for attention and eating scaps. Most ignored her, some kicked her out of the way, but none showed her any compassion. That changed when Dog met the Girl in the Red Beret.

    It was about 7:30 on a gloomy, Autumn, Tuesday night when the two met. Dog heard the train coming long before it stopped and stood her cold, aching bones up. She walked slowly to the train and waited patiently. The doors open and passengers streamed off. Dog wagged her tail faintly at anyone who looked her way, but no one gave her a second glance. No one but the Girl, that is.

    She stepped off the train with a satchel at her side and a red beret on her head. Unlike the other commuters, she was smiling. She seemed to be a source of light and color in the dirty gray train station. She smiled broadly at Dog and was gone. Dog tried desperately to find her, but she had disappeared into the crowd. Disappointed, she headed back to the book shop.

    A shadow loomed over her and Dog looked up to see the Girl. She was holding a hot churro and a cup of coffee. Dog thumped her tail and licked her lips. The Girl laughed, tore off a piece, and tossed it to the mutt before entering the shop. Dog hopped up onto the window and watched as the girl browsed the shelves of old books. Whenever she glanced her way, Dog would smile and wag her tail.

    After an hour or so, the Girl left the store with a book tucked under her arm. Dog followed her until they reached the main road. The mutt sadly watched as the Girl disappeared into the fog. Instead of going back to her usual spot, Dog stayed at the edge of the road patiently waiting for the Girl to return.

    It was near two in the morning when dog heard someone coming. The uneven, hurried steps quickly brought the girl into view. Dog could tell she was crying but didn't know why. All she knew was that the girl was holding the red beret. Dog chased after her back to the station. She plopped down on a bench and sobbed. Dog jumped up onto the bench beside her and put her head on the Girl's knee. The two sat together until the next train rolled in.

    Dog followed the Girl onto the train, ignoring the strange looks she got from everyone. Dog curled up on the Girl's lap and watched the world speed past. The Girl held Dog tight and didn't let go until the train stopped at dawn. Still teary eyed, the Girl got off with the little mutt close behind her. She stopped Dog from following her out of the station. She smiled half heartedly and put the hat on Dog's head before waving goodbye. Dog watched her leave, sad that she had to go.

And that was it. That was the end. Dog never saw the girl again and never returned to her station. She never got on the train again. Instead, she sat daily, diligently searching for the Girl who was never to be found again.