Chapter Eight

"So you're saying that Anna found this dog at our backyard, and no one seems to know where it comes from?"

"Could be the Thompsons." Edward reasoned.

"If that couple had a dog, it wouldn't last a month." Beatrice put in.

"So basically, it could be their dog, but a runaway?" Nelly threw at no one.

"I don't think so, trained dogs aren't usually fond of barging into people's houses." Alex pointed out.

"A spy?"

"Can you hear yourself?" Edward spoke. "You watch to many movies, not good for your health."

She rolled her eyes.

"Whatever." Nelly frowned.

Alex yawned.

"Well, we worked our arses off today, and it's already six. I don't know about you guys, but I deserve an early bedtime."

"I think we all do."

"Wait, what about the dog?" Nelly asked.

They all turned to where it sat with Anna, both playing cheerfully.

Alex hesitated, taking a stray dog in didn't seem like the wisest of decisions. But at the same time, he couldn't ignore the fact that it was a suitable companion for their five year old girl. He knew deep down that she was bored to the bone most of the time, he could swear he had never seen her this happy since they arrived. Plus the dog looked...harmless?

"I guess we're adding dog menu to the shopping list." He shrugged.

"You're sure about that?" Beatrice asked, a trace of worry detectable in her voice.

"Yeah. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

After a light dinner, they all retired into the bedrooms. Edward and Nelly slept in the first; the room closest to the front door, the dog was allowed to stay with Anna in the room adjacent to it, while the couple slept in the master's room which was farther from the rest.

"Help us!"

"Make it stop!"

"Save me!"

"Make him go away!"

"Someone, anyone!"

Nelly was disturbed. For the umpteenth time, she turned on the bed. She tried covering her ears with her pillow, but the turbulent noises could still be heard. They grew more distinctive with each passing minute, till she could clarify them. They were voices - human voices, and they were all screaming at a deafening pitch, as if in pain and fright.