A Bloody Surprise | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: A Bloody Surprise | Previous Challenge Entry
By Milly Born
10/29/14
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Dark clouds hovered over the forest as he approached the secluded cottage. He parked his van behind the barn and checked the ground for tire tracks. Satisfied, he headed for the window at the back that she always left open to air the cottage.

As he slid into the kitchen, his conscience pricked him. He shrugged it off. She deserves it.

He opened his backpack containing the requisites for a special night. Caressing the razor-sharp blade of his knife, his lips curled in anticipation.

Having completed his preparations, he sat down. Ready. Waiting. Darkness crept through the windows and into his soul.

***

Melanie switched on the wipers of her Fiat. As rain pounded the car, she had to lean closer to the windshield to see the road.

After a busy Friday in the office, her head was throbbing. She longed for a soothing warm bath.

It would be a quiet weekend—the third in a row, since she had ended her relationship with Richard. His jealousy had devoured their love. But relaxing by the open fire—sheltered from storms and cloudbursts—was just what she needed.

Of course, she had her new companion, Jack. Her brother had insisted that she take this beautiful white shepherd, retired after eight years of faithful police service. She could see him in the rearview mirror, calmly sitting on the backseat, yet his ears pricked forward.

Melanie steered carefully through the puddles and parked right by her front door. The porch light’s not on. Better check the timer tomorrow.

Jack jumped out of the car, sniffed the ground, and ran off. “Jack! Come back!” She spurted through the pouring rain to the door and fumbled with her keys in the pitch dark. Finally, she stepped into the tiny hallway and reached for the light switch. Nothing. “Power outage,” she mumbled. “Must be the storm.”

The next moment, she heard breaking glass and a growling dog. "Jack? What's wrong?"

Her stomach tightened. Rummaging through her purse, she found her cell phone with the flashlight app. She flipped it open—dead battery. What now? The matchbox next to the burner.

Jack's snarls became louder. Then a bark, a moan, a blow, a whimper.

“Jack!” Melanie stumbled into the kitchen. She slipped and fell hard to the floor, gasping as a sharp pain shot through her hip.

Moaning, she pulled herself up, using the counter. Relief washed over her as she felt the matchbox. She trembled as she slid a match along the striker. Yes! Light.

Turning around to search for Jack, her eyes focused on her hand—it was tinged with blood. Shocked, she dropped both match and matchbox.

She fell to her knees and groped frantically for the box.

“Melanie.” A teasing, ghastly voice.

She froze. Her long, piercing scream filled the kitchen, prompting a deafening chorus of growls, wails, and angry shouts.

Suddenly, the lights went back on. She squinted at the man near the main switch. He clutched his arm, his face twisted with pain. Blood seeped through his sleeve.

“Richard!” Groaning, Melanie scrambled to her feet. “Wha—what are you doing here?”

“It’s…a surprise.” A weird light flickered in his eyes.

She looked at the bloody trail leading to the living.

“That stupid dog bit me. But I got him. And I’ll get you as well. You’re mine.” He took a step forward, narrowing his eyes, clenching his jaw, and lifted up his good arm.

A knife—God, help—

A blood stained Jack bounded from the living room and lunged at Richard. Cursing, Richard tried fruitlessly to shake off the furious dog.

Melanie limped to the front door. She heard a body slump to the ground. God, please protect Jack.

The Fiat sputtered to life. The door of the cottage flung open, and Richard dived for her car door—locked—then jumped in front of the car. In the headlights, she saw blood trickling down his face. She gritted her teeth and pressed on. Splashing through the mud, she steered the car to the main road. When she looked back, she saw Richard approaching fast, but a white flash overtook him.

"Jack!"

She opened the car door to let the dog in and slammed it shut just before Richard reached it.

Hitting the gas, tears stung her face. "Oh Jack. We'll get you to the vet." Melanie was sobbing now. “And then we'll call your former boss.”

The dog whined softly and pushed his nose against her arm.

Thank you, God.

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