Jeremy moved slowly around his bedroom, fluffing his pillows and savoring the rare luxury of an early night. A snowstorm was on its way, and the old man felt content hunkering down, warm and safe.
Just as he settled into his freshly made bed, the doorbell rang. Jeremy sighed, shuffling downstairs. When he opened the door, his young neighbor stood there, her face pale.
“Mr. Rogers, there’s a dog in your backyard,” she said anxiously. “It’s been out there all day. I’m worried it’ll freeze.” Jeremy thanked her and stepped outside to investigate. But as he approached the dog—a matted, shivering figure—his heart skipped a beat. There was something beneath its belly, and faint, eerie sounds drifted through the cold night air.
The sight rattled Jeremy, but he hesitated. The dog growled fiercely as he drew closer, its teeth bared. Not wanting to provoke it further, he retreated to the warmth of his house. Watching the snow fall heavier through his window, guilt gnawed at him. Whatever the dog was protecting, it wouldn’t survive the night in the worsening storm.