Whoa! The house was way bigger than I had imagined! It is like a maze! I raced through each room, mentally mapping every hallway, every couch, and every creaky floorboard.
“Ace!” my owner called from the front door, her voice echoing faintly through the house.
I dashed back to her, and she greeted me with a warm smile, wrapping me in a gentle hug and pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. Then, cradling me in her arms, she carried me toward the backyard, a place I discovered that was like a tiny forest, but without any of the lurking dangers of the outside world.
As the excitement of exploring the house began to wear off, I settled onto my dog bed, watching the vibrant orange sunset melt slowly into a deepening blue. My owner was in the yard, quietly clipping away at backyard stems, the snips of her shears creating a calm rhythm.
A breeze drifted into the house, carrying an overwhelming swirl of scents—savory beef stew, sweaty humans with salty popcorn, and the sharp, artificial perfumes of adults trying to smell like flowers or forests. A noisy gathering must be happening nearby.
At first, the sound of chattering humans buzzed faintly in the distance. But soon, it faded into the rustling of trees… then silence. I perked my ears, confused.
And then—chanting.
Far away at first, but rising together in eerie unison and strength. A strange crescendo.
CRACK!
A deafening sound tore through the sky. I leapt to my feet, heart pounding. My fur bristled. What was that?!
CRACK! SIZZLE!
A red, glowing monster streaked across the sky, lighting up the sky as if it were on fire. I froze, ears ringing and my heart caught in my throat.
BOOM!
The ground seemed to tremble beneath me. Panic surged in my chest. I didn’t understand what was happening, but I knew one thing for certain:
I had to do something.
_________
What will you choose to do?