Jeremy moved slowly around his bedroom, fluffing his pillows and savoring the rare luxury of getting into bed early in the evening. With a snowstorm fast approaching, the old man was content to hunker down and sleep through it all, safe and warm.
Just as he was about to settle into his freshly made bed, the doorbell rang, startling him. “Who could it be at this hour?” he grumbled, shuffling downstairs. Opening the door, he found his young neighbor, her face pale and anxious.
“Mr. Rogers, there’s a dog in your backyard. It must be freezing,” the sweet girl said, her voice tinged with urgency. Jeremy thanked her and went to check on the dog. But as he drew closer, his steps faltered and his face went pale; there was something chilling hidden underneath the dog’s belly.