When I woke to my husband mumbling in his sleep, I thought it was just another strange dream. But his words, “She’s in my garage right now. You can go down and find her there,” sent a chill through me, leading to a discovery that changed everything.
It started with a whisper. I was half-asleep when I heard murmured words tumbling from Robert’s lips.
A sleepless woman in her bed | Source: Midjourney
“Yes, officer,” he said, his voice barely above a mumble. “It’s completely my fault. She’s in my garage right now. You can go down and find her there.”
My eyes shot open.
At first, I thought I’d misheard him. But then, he rolled over, still muttering something unintelligible. My heart began to race. Who was in the garage? What was he talking about?
A serious sleepless woman in her bedroom | Source: Midjourney
Robert wasn’t the type to keep secrets. He was kind, dependable, and, well, predictable. We’d been married five years.
He used to work as a veterinarian, but last year, he opened a 24-hour café in the next town. It had been his dream, though it kept him out late most nights.
A man working in his cafe | Source: Pexels
Earlier that evening, he texted me to say he’d be home late and told me to go to bed without him. That was odd. He rarely worked past midnight. But I didn’t think much of it at the time. Now, as I lay in the dark, his words hung in the air.
I sat up in bed and glanced at him. He looked peaceful, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Maybe I should just wake him and ask what he meant. But the way his words sounded so serious, almost guilty, stopped me.
A man sleeping | Source: Pexels
I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him, and tiptoed toward the door.
The hallway was quiet. Shadows stretched across the floor, and the only sound was the faint hum of the refrigerator downstairs. My mind raced with possibilities. Could someone really be in the garage?
A woman walking in her hallway | Source: Midjourney
I reached the top of the stairs and paused. My hand rested on the railing, and for a moment, I considered going back to bed. Maybe it was just a dream. But what if it wasn’t?
As I descended the stairs, the cold air from the garage seeped under the door, making me shiver. The closer I got, the more I felt a tightness in my chest.
A door in the hallway | Source: Midjourney
The door to the garage creaked as I opened it.
Inside, it was darker than I expected. The single bulb above the workbench barely lit the room, casting long shadows over the concrete floor.
Robert’s car sat in the middle of the space, its hood dented. My breath caught.
A dented car | Source: Midjourney
That wasn’t there yesterday.
The air smelled faintly of oil and something musky and wild.
Then I heard it.
A low, rasping sound, like heavy breathing, coming from the far corner of the garage. My body froze, and for a moment, I couldn’t move. The sound was rhythmic, almost like an animal panting.
A nervous woman in a garage | Source: Midjourney
“Hello?” I whispered, my voice trembling.
No response.
I forced myself to take a step forward. Then another. My feet felt like lead as I moved closer to the corner.
A nervous woman | Source: Midjourney
As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I saw a small, shadowy figure curled up on a pile of blankets. It didn’t move at first, but as I got closer, I could make out its shape.
It was a fox.
Its reddish fur was matted, and its body seemed frail. It lifted its head slightly, its dark eyes meeting mine. The shallow and labored breathing I’d heard was coming from the fox.
A fox sleeping in a garage | Source: Midjourney
Relief washed over me. It wasn’t a person. But then, a new wave of worry set in. Why was there an injured fox in my garage?
I crouched down, careful not to get too close. The fox’s ears twitched, and it let out a soft whimper.
“You poor thing,” I murmured.
A fox looking up | Source: Midjourney
It looked so weak and could barely hold itself up.
I stood and backed away slowly, my mind spinning with questions. That’s when I decided to head to the kitchen. Maybe some water would help. Maybe…
I turned toward the door, leaving the fox in the corner, and quietly made my way back inside the house.
A woman in a garage | Source: Midjourney
I poured water into a shallow bowl and headed back toward the garage, my mind still reeling. As I rounded the corner into the kitchen, I nearly dropped the bowl.
Robert stood there, rubbing his eyes, his hair sticking up in every direction. “What are you doing up?” he asked, his voice groggy.
I froze for a second, unsure how to start. “Uh… there’s a fox. In the garage.”
A sleepy man in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney
His eyes widened, and for a moment, he looked like a kid caught sneaking cookies. “You saw her?”
“Her?” I raised an eyebrow. “Robert, what is going on?”
He sighed and leaned against the counter, running a hand through his hair. “Okay, okay. Don’t freak out. I was driving home, and this fox darted out onto the road. I didn’t see her in time. I hit her.”
A sad man in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney
“You hit her?” My voice rose. “With the car?”
“Yes,” he said quickly, holding up his hands. “It wasn’t too bad — just a bump. She was still alive, so I took her to the clinic where I used to work. They checked her out and said she’d be fine, but she needed to be watched for a few days.”
A man holding a fox | Source: Midjourney
“Robert…” I started, but he cut me off.
“I know, I know. You hate the idea of animals in the house. But she wouldn’t stop crying when I tried to leave her there. I couldn’t just leave her. You know how much I love animals.”
I softened a little at his tone. He sounded so earnest, so guilty.
A smiling woman talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, setting the bowl of water on the counter.
“I didn’t want to wake you. And then I figured it might be better to, uh, explain later.”
I crossed my arms. “So you brought her home and decided to stash her in the garage?”
He grinned sheepishly. “I panicked.”
A man with a small smile talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney
Despite myself, I laughed. “You panicked?”
“Yeah. And I guess that explains the weird dream about the cop,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “I must’ve been stressed about the car damage. In my dream, they were accusing me of hitting a person!”
The police questioning a man | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t help but laugh again, shaking my head. “You’re impossible, Robert.”
He stepped closer, his expression softening. “I’m sorry. Really. I just couldn’t leave her. I thought I’d take care of her for a few days and then release her. If you want, I can take her somewhere else tomorrow.”
A happy couple talking | Source: Midjourney
I looked at him, at the way his shoulders sagged under the weight of his guilt. “Let’s just make sure she’s okay for now. But you owe me big time.”
His face lit up. “Deal.”
A smiling man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney
The next few days were a whirlwind of learning how to care for a wild animal. We took turns feeding the fox small amounts of food and making sure she had plenty of water. Robert even dug out an old space heater to keep the garage warm for her.
At first, I kept my distance, letting Robert handle most of the care. But one evening, as I was checking on her, the fox lifted her head and let out a soft, almost thankful sound. It melted something in me.
A woman sitting next to a fox | Source: Midjourney
“She likes you,” Robert said, leaning in the doorway.
“Maybe,” I said, smiling.
By the end of the week, the fox was stronger. She could stand and even walk a few steps. Robert and I would sit in the garage, watching as she cautiously explored her little corner.
A fox walking | Source: Midjourney
“You’re really good with her,” I told him one night.
He shrugged. “It’s nothing. I just… I’ve always felt a connection to animals, you know? They don’t expect much — just kindness.”
I nodded, realizing for the first time how much his love for animals said about his character.
A woman talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney
Two weeks later, it was time to let her go.
We drove to a nearby forest where Robert had hit her, the fox nestled in a crate in the backseat. She seemed calm. It was as if she knew what was happening.
When we opened the crate, she hesitated for a moment before stepping out. She sniffed the air, then turned to look at us.
A fox coming out of the crate | Source: Midjourney
“Go on,” Robert said softly.
The fox took a few steps, then stopped. She turned back and, to my surprise, nuzzled her head against Robert’s leg before darting into the trees.
I blinked back tears. “She’s going to be okay, isn’t she?”
Robert nodded. “Yeah. She’ll be okay.”
A happy couple in the woods | Source: Midjourney
From that day on, we made it a habit to visit the forest. Each time, the fox would appear, bounding through the underbrush to greet us. She’d rub against our legs, her way of saying thank you.
Looking back, I never would’ve imagined that a sleepless night and a strange mumbling dream would lead to a bond with a wild fox and a deeper connection to the man I married.
A fox nuzzling against a man’s feet | Source: Midjourney
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
The Volume Buttons On Your Iphone Has Many Hidden Functions
Any device’s full potential may often be unlocked by having a keen eye for the hidden gems beneath the surface; the iPhone’s hidden functions are no different.
Your iPhone has many hidden treasures that are just waiting to be discovered, from iMessage features to brighten every conversation to generation-specific features that maximize the technology in any particular iPhone.
A set of volume buttons is a characteristic that is common to all iPhone models. Unlike many Android phones, which only have one volume button, the iPhone has featured two different volume buttons since its original release.
The two buttons on the left side of the iPhone are used for functions other than volume control.
Like so many other locations, the phone’s buttons can be utilized for non-volume operations in addition to a few useful chores that can be accessed with their assistance.
Whether you’re a photography enthusiast seeking tactile finesse, a safety-conscious person needing quick access to emergency services, or someone who longs to have a physical snooze button again, the iPhone’s volume buttons offer a range of interactions that go far beyond their seemingly straightforward purpose.
When seconds count, the SOS feature on the iPhone helps users to rapidly summon help in an emergency.
By just holding down the side button and either volume button, the device can check the owner of the phone’s Medical ID or start an SOS emergency call.
Help is always available with this modest but impactful gesture, especially in difficult situations.
The SOS feature can also be triggered by quickly pressing the side button five times in a succession, however this needs the feature to be enabled in the settings.
The iPhone 14 Pro line enhances the iPhone’s powerful SOS features with satellite capabilities for scenarios when cellular connection is spotty.
When you make an SOS call, your phone notifies your approved emergency contacts of your location and the circumstances using the information you provide in the Medical ID section of the Health app.
With regard to Medical ID, users can store their emergency contacts, allergies, critical medical information, and other details in this function.
In an emergency, anyone can access this information. Even if your phone is locked, the Medical ID is still accessible for first responders’ use.
Switching off the power and more
Beyond emergency services, another important feature of the iPhone could be accessed by briefly depressing the side and volume down keys.
The menu that offers access to Medical ID and the emergency call slider is where you’ll find the power-off slider. Turning off the iPhone is done by using the designated slider.
Users may also use this screen to disable the Find My function on their phone when it is in sleep mode. Just below the power-off slider, there’s a popup to turn off Find My.
Find My Device will no longer work if the device’s setting is disabled through the power off menu; you will need to restart it and enter the passcode again to locate it.
This control layer significantly improves device security by granting users control over their location data even when their phone is off.
However, this feature is more intricate than it seems. Using the volume buttons to access the power-off menu has a security risk. The power off slider displays, briefly deactivating the Face ID and Touch ID functions.
This ensures the gadget can’t be turned off and prevents someone else from being able to forcibly access it when locked.
controls for the camera
Contemporary smartphones are renowned for their capacity to swiftly and effortlessly capture moments, with the iPhone outperforming rival flagship devices in terms of camera capability.
One of the more widely known features of smartphone camera apps is the ability to use volume controls.
While some Android devices allow users to zoom in, the primary purpose of the volume keys on the iPhone is to capture images.
Instead of fumbling with the on-screen shutter button, users may snap instant images by simply pushing the volume up or down button.
This small function mimics the feel of a traditional camera, offering a cozy, tactile experience that some users might find more acceptable.
Moreover, this feature is not limited to shooting photos. To start recording a video, you can also utilize the camera app’s volume buttons.
Because it provides users with control and stability during the process, allowing them to grasp onto the device steadily and capture dynamic footage, this function is very handy for recording video material.
A video recorder’s volume buttons are helpful for purposes other than merely starting a recording. If the iPhone’s camera app is still set up to capture images, you can use either volume button to begin a quick shot movie.
Users merely need to release the button to stop recording. You may also press and hold the volume up button to switch it to “Photo Burst” in the Settings app.
The Notes app’s document scanning feature and the Camera app both utilize the volume buttons for taking photos.
When scanning a document into the iPhone, users do not have to wait for the device to properly frame the document. As an alternative, you can snap a picture of anything that’s visible in the scanner’s viewfinder by pressing either volume button.
With enough time and work, such scans can be edited to appear as precise as what the iPhone can accomplish automatically.
Alarm mechanisms
It can be a surprising habit to turn off the alarm in the morning. Apple has given its users the chance to go back in time to a simpler time when they are trying to snooze their alarm in the morning.
You can immediately stop the alarm when it goes off by using the volume up or down button. This will spare you the trouble of looking for the on-screen button and give you some alone time while you get ready for the day. This method of using the volume controls also applies to vibrating, quiet alarms.
Using the volume buttons to snooze occasionally proves to be more convenient than reaching for the snooze or smaller dismiss button first thing in the morning.
Similar to the snooze button, the volume buttons are likewise simpler to reach in the early morning mist.
Slapping the enormous snooze button on an equally gigantic alarm clock radio combo doesn’t exactly feel the same.
Remember that you must first ensure that snoozing is enabled before using the volume buttons to snooze an alarm.
If the snooze setting is not enabled for an alarm, the volume buttons will simply refuse it. The alarm is programmed to sound again at the next specified time.
Turning off phone calls and locating my
Picture this: a quiet moment or a crucial meeting cut short by a ringing phone. It doesn’t happen very infrequently. It’s simple to periodically forget to switch off your phone or even to switch it back on by accident.
The volume buttons on your iPhone soon create a barrier between you and anyone close and the ringtone you’ve selected when you receive one of these unpleasant robocalls. In far harsher situations, you can use the power button to reject or end a call.
The ringing phone can be muffled with a single press of either volume button. Using the volume button to end an unwanted call makes sense.
Controlling Find My notifications on the iPhone also heavily relies on the volume buttons.
The iPhone uses new buttons to secure your relationships and belongings in a world where those things are vital.
The position of your second Apple device can be found by pressing either volume button quickly to quickly muffle the otherwise loud warning when something close sends out a Find My notification.
As a result, receiving notifications is more manageable.
App features
Despite Apple’s best efforts to stop it, iPhone volume buttons can be utilized as tools for other app interactions.
the inventive usage of volume buttons in non-Apple apps—a feature that is usually free from Apple’s stringent constraints despite its usability.
By using this repurposing, a number of software developers have provided users with instantaneous shortcuts or actions, providing a haptic and seamless alternative to traditional on-screen taps.
One particularly straightforward approach is to utilize a counter app that allows users to tick up or down dependent on whether they use the volume up or down button.
However, employing volume buttons in non-Apple apps is a technique that should be utilized cautiously due to Apple’s app development constraints.
Maintaining a consistent user interface and preventing hardware control abuse—which can possibly mislead users or obstruct normal interactions—are given top attention in these standards.
Apple usually forbids developers from altering the functionality of hardware buttons in their apps as a result.
While some programs are able to effectively integrate volume button functionality while adhering to Apple’s standards, these instances are still quite uncommon due to the challenges these constraints pose.
Not only can developers not modify the behavior of the volume buttons, but users are also not allowed to use the volume buttons to run commands that were developed within the Shortcuts app.
But not everyone has been deterred by that. The volume buttons on your phone can theoretically be used to create shortcuts, but doing so involves using a complicated workaround function that connects an action to the volume.
Restart with force
At some time, everyone has either attempted or heard the sage advise to simply turn their device on and off again. Using the volume buttons to force an iPhone reset is a quick and simple solution in many cases.
When the device becomes unresponsive, sluggish, or has software problems, this can function as a reset to help restore it to a better state.
Users can force a restart by simultaneously pushing and holding the side button, the volume up and down buttons, and the volume down button.
The volume buttons here can be used to reach the shut-down menu, but the iPhone can also be turned off without the need for a slider by holding down the side button.
After turning off their phone, users still need to push and hold the side button down until they see the Apple logo on the screen.
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