La Cazadora: The Beginning

Vanessa walks out of the office and to her car. She grabs her bag and water bottle, then orders Beast to come. She walks over to the side of the building where Dave is waiting in a neatly kept golf cart.

Dave: Don't you want to bring your car with you? Your friend's grave is on the other side of the cemetery. It’s gonna be a long walk.

Vanessa: I've been driving for close to thirteen hours, I need to walk a little. Besides, Beast needs to stretch his legs.

Dave: Well, hop on, and you can walk back.

Vanessa: Fair enough. Beast, ‘up!’ 

(taps the back seat and Beast leaps onto the back of the cart)

Dave: Wow, you trained him very well. I guess he really is a service dog.

Vanessa: He’s more than just a service dog, he’s my best friend. He had my back since he was a pup starting in the Middle East, all the way to Southeast Asia, and back to the U.S.

Dave: Oh! So he’s not a service dog!

Vanessa: What do you mean?

Dave: He sounds more like a working dog than a service dog.

Vanessa: How did you know that?

Dave makes a little detour, driving over to a bronze and marble statue of a dog, and stops. The statue plaque reads:

   Trust in my friend, for I am your comrade,

I will protect you with my last breath.

When all others have left you and the

the loneliness of the night closes in,

I will be at your side.

Dave: He's not the first working dog to visit this cemetery.

Vanessa: Beast saved my life in Afghanistan, both him and Rodriguez.

Dave: Is Beast Petty Officer Rodriguez's dog?

Vanessa: No, Beast is my dog. We were out on sweeps when the Taliban ambushed us. It was terrible. Rodriguez, Beast, and I were all shot, except Rodriguez didn't make it.

Dave: Things happen for a reason. Just know that even in death, as in life,  Petty Officer Rodriguez has a working dog watching over him.

Vanessa: But he died protecting me! (begins to cry)

Dave: As would you and Beast.

Vanessa: What?

Dave: You said you and Beast were sweeping for roadside bombs. At any time, any of those bombs you and your dog found could have gone off, potentially killing you and Beast. You two put your life on the line to protect many, just like your friend did to protect you.

Vanessa: I know, but it wasn't right.

Dave: There are many things in life that aren’t right dear, but we still have to live. I’ve seen many funerals for service dogs in the fifty years that I’ve worked here. Hell, I’ve seen the toughest of the tough break down and cry when they laid their working dogs to rest. I’ve also seen working dogs lay next to their handler's graves.

Vanessa quietly wipes the tears away from her eyes as Dave starts to drive toward Rodriguez's grave. After a few minutes, they arrive at a big oak tree with a beautiful view of the city.

Dave: Well, we're here. His grave is right down that row, about fifteen graves from this oak tree. Would you like me to wait?

Vanessa: Thank you. It’s alright, Dave.

Dave: Take care, Vanessa, and take care of that beautiful dog. God bless you, and I'll say a prayer for you two tonight. Goodbye. 

(Vanessa and Beast leap off, and Dave drives off in the golf cart)

Vanessa: Goodbye. (Vanessa looks down at Beast as she slings her pack onto her shoulder) 

Okay, buddy, let's do this. 

Vanessa starts to walk towards Rodriguez's grave, counting the headstones as she gets closer and closer to fifteen. Finally, she catches the visual of the white marble headstone bearing Frank R. Rodriguez’s name. Vanessa freezes. It's the only one out of the gray and bronzed-style headstones surrounding it. Vanessa starts walking towards Rodriguez's grave, her feet dragging on like lead weights. Vanessa’s heart begins to race; she starts to feel cold beads of sweat down her face. Almost immediately she feels a sudden push against her leg. It’s Beast. She powers forward until she reaches the final resting place of her dear friend. The headstone reads “Frank R. Rodriguez, Petty Officer, 3rd Class U.S. Navy Killed in the Line of Duty. Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Friend.” Vanessa falls to her knees, crying uncontrollably. Beast pushes himself up against her. She hugs him, burying her face in his fur.

Vanessa: I'm so sorry, please forgive me. (Vanessa begins to cry)

I'm so sorry Rodriguez. It should’ve been me.

Vanessa continues to cry uncontrollably.

Vanessa: I'm sorry.

Beast: (starts to growl)

Little Girl: You don't need to be sorry. He is at peace.

Beast: (growls louder)

Vanessa: What?! (startled)

Vanessa turns around to see the little girl. A woman and a young boy walk up beside her. Beast appears on edge, growling louder and louder.

Vanessa: Beast, down!

Lady: Vanessa?

Vanessa: Do I know you?

Lady: No, we’ve never met, but I'm guessing you are Vanessa. I believe you were with my husband when he was killed. Petty Officer, Torres?

Vanessa: Yes, that’s me.

Lady: I'm Mary Rodriguez. This is Anna and Frank Jr.

Vanessa: I'm Vanessa Torres. And this is Beast.

Mary: It’s nice to finally meet you.

Vanessa: (Vanessa looks to the ground) I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't be here.

Mary: No, please stay. Have dinner with us. We come out here every Friday and have a picnic with Frank Sr. to tell him about our week. Would you join us and visit?

Vanessa: I don't know.

Mary: I heard that you saved many lives that day. You, Frank, and Beast. Please, would you sit and join us?

Vanessa awkwardly sits down next to Beast and Rodriguez’s grave. She reaches into her bag pulls out a small bowl and fills it with water for Beast. Beast wastes no time drinking it.

Mary: Would you like some tortilla soup, Vanessa? It was Frank’s favorite.

Vanessa: I'm not hungry, thank you.

Mary: Please eat. There’s plenty for everyone.

Anna: I want some, Mommy!

Mary: Here you go, baby. (Mary pours a bowl of soup for Anna) 

Frankie, here's your bowl, and a bowl for you, Vanessa.

Vanessa: Thank you, Mrs. Rodriguez.

Mary: Listen, Vanessa, I'm glad we finally got the chance to meet. I asked some of Frank's friends how to get in contact with you, but nobody knew where you went after you came back.

Vanessa: I’ve just been in a very dark place after being discharged from the Navy. I haven't had much contact with anyone since then.

Mary: You shouldn't cut yourself off from people who love and care for you. I didn't know what to do after losing Frank. Thank God for his friends and family!

Vanessa: Rodriguez saved my life. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Mary: Vanessa, stop. From what I heard, you saved many people's lives that day. You and your dog found three bombs that could have killed everyone.

Vanessa: I was just doing my job.

Mary: And so was my husband. He saw you go down and did what he had to do to help a fallen soldier. Whatever happened after that, you had no control over it.

Vanessa: My life changed that day.

Mary: Yeah, so did ours. Everyone from your squad said that there was no way to prevent that ambush. When you and Beast detected the roadside bombs, the enemy had no choice but to attack. Frank died fighting for his country. Please don’t take that from him.

Vanessa reaches into her pack and pulls out a little silver box. As she opens it, a small batch of gold coins with blue and yellow coloring becomes visible. One of the coins has a K-9 and U.S. Navy logo engraved on each side.

Vanessa: Anna, here you go, sweetheart. Frankie, here's one for you too! (Vanessa gives one coin to each child) 

These are Navy K-9 challenge coins. When I became a K-9 handler, I earned my first challenge coin. Beast and I acquired the rest of these coins over the time we spent in the Navy. 

(Vanessa searches and pulls out one particular coin from the box) 

Mary, this particular challenge coin was in my pocket the day Rodriguez died. I came here to put it on Rodriguez's grave, but I think this should go to you instead. (Vanessa hands over the coin to Mary)

Anna: Mommy, look, there's a doggy on the coin!

Mary: Yes, baby, mine has one too!

Frank Jr.: (looking at his own coin) My dog looks like Beast!

Vanessa smiles with tears rolling down her face. She spends the next hour laughing, crying and spending time with Rodriguez's family while Beast lay beside her, vigilantly waiting for any food that might spill on the grass. It began to get dark. Rodriguez's family packed up their picnic and headed for the car.

Mary: Vanessa, I hope to see you again.

Vanessa: I would like that.

Mary: Great, we consider you family. Please don't be a stranger. Both you and Beast, do you need a ride to your car?

Vanessa: Thank you, but I'm going to run Beast to the car. We had a long drive, so he needs a little exercise.

Mary: Okay, be careful and drive safely. You have my contact, so please keep in touch.

Vanessa: I will. (Vanessa gives Mary and her children a hug)

Mary: Bye Vanessa, bye Beast!

Anna & Frank Jr.: Bye Vanessa, bye Beast!

Vanessa: Bye!

Vanessa watches as Rodriguez's family drives off. She walks back over to Rodriguez's grave, saying goodbye, and lays a Navy K-9 challenge coin on his headstone. She begins to walk to the car with Beast at her side. As Vanessa walks, she realizes the car is much further than she thought and is losing daylight fast.

Vanessa: Beast! Double time go!

Vanessa and Beast take off in a full sprint across the cemetery towards the car. They reach the car just as the final gold and violet colors in the sky start to fade into black.

Vanessa: We made it, Beast! We won't end up as a zombie dinner! (Vanessa chuckles, Beast barks)

Vanessa opens the driver's door, and Beast excitingly jumps in. Vanessa enters the car right behind him, locking the door. She starts the coupe and drives off, heading for the front gate. As she leaves the cemetery, her phone rings. Vanessa looks down at her phone screen. It’s her grandmother. She pulls over just outside of the cemetery on the side of the street and turns off the car engine.

Vanessa: (answering her phone) Hi Toci! How are you?

Toci: Mija! Where are you? Are you still coming?

Vanessa: Yes, Toci, I am in San Diego. I'll be there later tonight, or early morning.

Toci: No, Mija. It's too dangerous to drive here at night. Please stay in San Diego. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon, okay?

Vanessa: Don't worry, Toci. I have Beast, and I'm an excellent night driver. I'll be fine. I'll see you soon, okay?

Toci: No, Mija! Es peligroso! Vanessa, promise me you'll stay there in San Diego and come in the morning. Promise me Mija, please?

Vanessa: Okay, Toci. I promise.

Toci: I mean it, Mija!

Vanessa: OKAY grandma, I promise I'll get a hotel and stay here.

Beast starts to bark and growl as the warm night air suddenly turns into a cold, windy breeze felt through the small opening of the passenger side window.

Vanessa: Beast, stop it. Down!

Beast: (starts to whine)

Toci: Mija, get to the hotel and stay there ‘til morning!

Vanessa: Okay, okay Toci, I will, right now. Bye! 

(Vanessa ends the call with Toci)

Vanessa starts the car, turns on her headlights, and starts to drive off. Suddenly, Beast growls, snaps, and bites at something through the crack in the window. Looking over to Beast, Vanessa floors the accelerator pedal and speeds away from the cemetery towards the freeway. Her heart is racing, and she begins to sense a fear starting to take over.

Vanessa: Damn it, Beast! Behave, buddy. You just scared the shit out of me. What the hell is the matter with you? Please don't do this. I just can’t. (Vanessa starts crying)

Driving along the freeway, Vanessa heads towards the U.S. / Mexico border. After approximately forty-five minutes of driving, Vanessa spots a Holiday Inn along the highway, a few miles close to the border. She decides to keep going, instead, opting to cross into Mexico. As she approaches the last exit before arriving at the border, Vanessa gets off the California highway to fill the Mustang with gas. While waiting for the gasoline pump to finish, Vanessa attempts to purchase snacks and a few energy drinks. Thinking in the past, Vanessa recalls the last time she was in El Sahuaro. She was visiting Toci, who had lived there at the time, and was soon about to leave for boot camp. Snapping back into the present, Vanessa realizes the convenience store does not have her favorite snacks or drinks. Vanessa checks her watch. It’s five past 8 p.m., and she has been en route since 4 a.m., but she is determined to make it to Toci's house by morning. Something has been bothering her since getting off the phone with Toci. 

Vanessa: (thinking) Why was Toci so insistent that I stop driving tonight and go to a hotel? Maybe it’s just Toci being overprotective. She is a mother, you know? You know how moms can worry! She'll be so happy to see me that she won't care that I didn't wait for morning to come.

Vanessa and Beast return to the freeway and head for the U.S. / Mexico border. Twenty minutes pass and Vanessa finally reaches the border crossing. The entrance into Mexico is backed up for about three miles.

Vanessa: (thinking) It's Friday night, and people are crossing over to party the night away. Everything is cheaper in Tijuana, they say. 

It was thirty-two minutes past 9 p.m. when Vanessa and Beast finally reached the border checkpoint. Vanessa pulls up to the border agent at the booth.

Border Agent: Good evening Ma'am. Passport and registration, please.

Vanessa: Here's my passport, car registration, and insurance.

Border Agent: (looks at Vanessa’s paperwork) Ms. Torres, do you have registered papers for your dog?

Vanessa: Yes, Officer. Here are his papers and shot records.

Border Agent: One moment.

Vanessa sits back in the driver’s seat of her car staring at another female border agent as she walks her security K-9 around Vanessa’s car. The agent is conducting a vehicle check. Vanessa has a flashback memory of herself and Beast conducting security checks in the Navy. Simultaneously, Beast and the female security K-9 make eye contact. Beast begins barking and growling at the security K-9 on a leash held by the female border agent. Noticing Beast, the female border agent begins to narrow in her search on certain parts on Vanessa's car. The agent then proceeds to walk over to the border agent booth, next to the car.

Vanessa: Beast, Stop!

Border Agent: Ma'am, do you have anything to declare?

Vanessa: Nothing but clothes, my dog, and my car.

Border Agent: Any prescription drugs or weapons?

Vanessa: No, just my dog’s heartworm medication.

Border Agent: Ma’am, here are your passport and papers back. You're free to go. Enjoy your time in Mexico, and have a safe night.

Vanessa: Thank you.

Vanessa starts up the car, starts to drive off, and passes the female border agent with her security K-9. Both the security K-9 and Beast exchange growls and barks directed at each other.

Vanessa: Yay, Beast! We finally made it to Mexico.

Beast: BARK!

Vanessa continues driving toward the little town of El Sahuaro, Sonora, Mexico, unaware of what is waiting for her beside her sick grandmother.