Beneath the Roses (Scary Short Stories)

Beneath the Roses

Cooper's wet nose pressed against the back of my arm, startling me awake. I groaned and rolled over to face my chocolate lab and his warm tongue slathered over my cheek. I groaned again, half laughing and pushed him away.

Holden grumbled and sat up. "What time is it?" He rubbed his eyes, his elbows up as he started to stretch.

I sat up and kissed my husband on the cheek before pushing the sheets off. "Time for you to start the coffee."

Coop moved aside as I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and pee.

"Thanks for barking all night again Coop," I heard Holden playfully scold our dog. He came to the door of the bathroom with his plaid pajama pants hanging off his hips. "Think the camera got anything?"

I'd forgotten all about the camera Holden set up in the backyard. I'd grown so used to the ritualistic barking every three a.m.. It was nearly white noise at this point. There was never anything outside when we pulled back the curtains. We'd even opened the door so Cooper could investigate if it meant he'd stop growling and going crazy, but he froze in the doorway, glaring out into the fenced in backyard, teeth bared.

Toothbrush hanging out of my mouth, I widened my eyes and looked at him. "Oh my gosh, I forgot," I laughed. "It's probably a damn raccoon."

I spit and rinsed out my mouth. "Then you'll see. Nothing to worry about." I wiped my mouth on the towel hanging next to the door, then pat his chest with my palm before standing on my toes to kiss him.

"Well, I'm going to look. You coming?" He turned and headed out of the bedroom, yawning as he looked back to see if I was following.

"Coffee first. I'll make it this time. Meet you in there," I waved him toward the study down the hall as I headed down the stairs to the kitchen.

Cooper followed at my feet, bounding down each step. I opened the back door and let him run out to do his morning business as I started the coffee.

As the coffee began to brew, I set out two mugs and glanced over the contents in the fridge to figure out breakfast. Deciding on eggs and bacon, I pulled them out and set them aside as I prepared my coffee the way I liked it.

I heard Holden shuffling around upstairs. His footfalls were heavier than usual and I could tell he was upset.

He ran from the study into our bedroom and I heard him shout out the window to Cooper who was still outside. Taking my mug with me, I glanced out the window above the kitchen sink. I nearly dropped the mug as I saw Cooper digging away at the brand new rose bushes Holden had surprised me with for my birthday a month ago.

Abandoning my coffee on the counter, I ran out the back door, yelling at Cooper.

"Stop, Coop! Bad dog!" I grasped at his collar to tug him back. His paws were coated in dirt, as was his snout. "Oh Cooper. Why??"

Coop struggled against me, escaping my hold, jumping back into the dirt, pawing away at the roots of the bushes.

"Get him away, Carrie, now!" Holden shouted from the bedroom window.

I glanced up at him. His eyes were wild but before I could say anything, he took off. I snapped my fingers, doing my best to get Coop's attention.

"Come on boy, let's go eat. Come on," I started to walk away, slapping my thigh, urging him to follow. I was growing frustrated. "Dammit, come on, Coop! You're ruining the roses!"

Holden came storming outside and took a firm hold of Cooper's collar, yanking him back. "Bad dog!"

"Holden, be gentle!" I pushed his hand away from Cooper and knelt next to the dog, brushing the dirt away from his mouth the best I could. A few thorns had torn at his nose and I could see blood.