Chapter 2: The Shadow in the Hallway
The baby looked up.
Straight at the dog.
No tears. No panic.
Instead, the baby reached out a tiny, chubby hand.
Fingers gently grabbed the golden retriever's wet nose.
A soft, innocent giggle escaped the baby's lips.
But the dog did not wag his tail.
He did not lick the baby’s hand.
His body went completely rigid.
The hair on his back stood up.
A low, almost silent rumble started deep in his chest.
His eyes darted away from the baby.
Looking past the edge of the bed.
Past the sleeping mother.
Staring directly at the bedroom door.
It was open just a crack.
The baby giggled again, louder this time.
Immediately, the dog moved.
He didn't bark. He knew better.
He gently nudged the baby with his snout.
Pushing.
Rolling the baby backward.
Under the heavy drape of the bedskirt.
Into the dark, hidden space beneath the mattress.
The baby, thinking it was a game, stayed quiet.
The dog stepped in front of the bedskirt.
Blocking the view.
He planted his paws.
His ears pinned flat against his head.
He stopped breathing heavily.
Listening.
The house was supposed to be empty.
The father was at work.
The mother was completely knocked out, exhausted from three sleepless nights.
But the dog heard it.
Downstairs.
A floorboard creaked.
Heavy. Deliberate.
Not the wind. Not the house settling.
Footsteps.
Someone was inside.
The footsteps moved past the kitchen.
They were slow. Sneaking.
Heading toward the stairs.
The dog’s eyes locked onto the narrow slit of the open door.
The afternoon light in the hallway suddenly shifted.
A shadow fell across the carpet.
Tall. Broad.
The intruder stopped right outside the bedroom.
The mother took a deep breath in her sleep.
Oblivious.
The doorknob slowly, silently began to turn.
The dog lowered his head, baring his teeth in the dim light.
He was a family pet. A gentle giant.
But right now, the golden fur belonged to a wolf.
The door pushed open.
A man stepped into the room.
He wore dark clothes. A mask pulled over his face.
And in his right hand, something metallic caught the pale light.
He looked at the sleeping woman.
Then, he took a step toward the bed.
He didn't see the baby.
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And he didn't see the dog.
Until it was too late.
