m

jured and I knew I had to do something. My backpack was

won't be coming in today. I've

k, Emma. One day you'll write the big headlines but

ll drop by tomorrow with the articles, by

from the window. She hadn't said much after I arri

ngers absentmindedly playing with the onyx ring he always wor

lec didn't talk much about him, bu

ng an eyebrow as I trie

ding as if I could

You're a little late.

I'll head back," I replied casually, opening the door t

n the bag. "What's

stuff," I shrugged, hoping

remained cautious. "Alright. Just be

he clinic before I get to th

riveway, my heart doing a little dance. Of course I wasn

I needed to

al room, her face lighting up in that familiar, cheerful wa

r bruises and bandages still made

ern with a laugh, "It's just a few scra

betraying the calm front I was trying to keep.

was dark, but it looked like a dog. A really big dog. I was lucky I managed to get to the

the edge of he

A crazy mountain dog, a rottweiler. I

onight," I said, my voice

Are you out of your min

as to figure out what's going on. I

you can

. "I've got an officer who's co

ane. What if something happens to you? Who's going to tell you

to lighten the mood. "You'll

, but I could tell she kne

e her a hug. "I'll

to my car, my phone

ng a sense of relief wash over me.

eceiver. "I've been pulled onto a missing perso

disappointed. "Bu

atch up with you as soon as I can.

ithout sayi

!" I b

Just me, alone. But I was

ge of the forest leading up

nd a pocket knife, I followed the trail into the woo

out, my voice echoing th

embled in my hand as I spun around, t

med into me from behind, knocking the li

lf. A huge

, scooting back, scra

wolf howled, its fangs glistening in the moonlight.

Benny. M

ly to pull out my pocket knif

es and bracing for the p

rown off me with incredible force.

moved faster than anything I'd ever seen. In

s and snarls then the creature fled

baritone commande

vision darkened and my legs gave away just