SOMETHING ROAMS THE NIGHT...

THREE

"What?" my mouth dropped open. "You've seen..."

Ezra looked at me, and then his lips curled into a naughty grin. "Don't be silly, Hale. I was just joking."

"Jerk!" I punched him in the shoulder. For a seventeen-year-old, he was quite muscular.

"You love me," he teased, sticking out his tongue. Real mature.

"I hate you."

I could see my house not far away-probably a ten minute walk from where we were.

"You didn't have to walk me here," I said to Ezra. "I'll be fine."

"No, no. A gentleman's got to do what a gentleman's got to do. Come on, I'll walk you right to your doorstep."

I frowned when I heard the sound of a dog barking. It sounded rabid, as if something had disturbed it. Really disturbed it.

"Calm down, boy," the owner said to it as he came up from behind us. The German Shepherd locked its bloodshot eyes on Ezra, let out crazy loud barks.

And then it lunged, jaws aiming for Ezra's ankle. I closed a hand over my mouth, stifling a shout.

"Whoa, hey!" Ezra yelled, kicking his leg before any damage could be done. "Get your stinking dog away from me! What the hell!" he seemed flustered.

"I'm sorry," the owner said, tugging the leash as he began to walk away. The dog didn't stop growling and barking. "He acts really weird when it's almost dark," the man called, his back to us.

"Damn dog," Ezra huffed, then noticed I was staring at him. "Oh, I'm sorry. I just hate dogs."

"I can see that," I said.

"What the man said is true. Dogs can sense it too. That's how the stories become more believable."

"Ah," I didn't want to talk about it. I just wanted to get home fast. "Okay, Ezra. I've got to go. I'll see you at school?"

"Oh, uh...yeah. Sure," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "See you at school."

I smiled, waving him goodbye before heading towards my house.

I had no idea that was probably the last time I would ever see him again.