Was Mr. Carlton involved in something sinister? Some said he was a retired soldier with a dark past, haunted by memories of battles long forgotten. The most chilling story of all was the one that surfaced after a particularly harsh winter.
A neighbour, Mrs. Hughes, mentioned that she had seen Mr. Carlton’s dog, Brutus, wandering the streets on a snowy night. Brutus was an imposing creature, with a hulking frame and a wild, untamed look in his eyes. His fur, thick and dark, was matted from the cold, making him appear even more formidable.