I opened the front door to find my mother standing there with her arms open.

“Aden.” Her face scrunched up, and she dropped her arms to her sides. “Good heavens. You smell terrible.”

“Thanks mom.” I shuffled past her to the stairs. “Dad made sure to remind me all the way home.”

“Quint?” She looked to my father. “Are you sure this is healthy? I don’t want him getting sick.”

“We’re building character, Karen.” He wrapped his arm around his wife.

She sighed. “Aden, hurry upstairs and take a shower. Dinner's almost ready.”

“On my way.” I trudged up the stairs to the bathroom and stripped off my clothes. After tossing them in the hamper, I stepped into the tub. I turned the water on as hot as I could stand and just stood there. Today had taken it out of me.

“Aden.” My mother knocked on the door. “Hurry up, sweetheart. Dinner’s ready.”

“I’ll be there in a minute.” I grabbed some shampoo and quickly washed my hair. Examining my skin, I found little red bites everywhere. The mosquitoes had eaten me alive. I was going to be itching all night.

I finished washing up and turned off the water. Grabbing a towel, I wrapped it around my waist and hurried to my room to throw on some clothes. I was still wrestling my shirt over my head as I walked down the stairs. My parents were talking in the kitchen, and I clearly heard my name. My mother gave me a concerned look when I took my seat by the wall.

“Your father told me.” She patted my arm. “You need to be more careful. Some of those dogs may bite.”

“I will.”

I dished out some noodles while my mom started to tell us about her book club. I guess they were reading some romance novel from the early 1900’s. Chris and Katy hooking up behind my back had left me feeling rather bitter toward that topic of romance, so I wasn’t listening too closely.

“Aden?”

“Hmm…”

My mother glanced down at my plate. “You need to eat something.”

“‘kay.” I had just been stirring things around my plate for the last couple of minutes.

She kept eyeing me until I took a couple of bites, before she went back to explaining the complex love triangle to my dad.

“Aden, are you finished?”

I nodded. “Yep.”

“Do you mind taking Demon on a walk for me?”

“Mom,” I whined. “It’s your dog.”

“Please Aden.” She piled up the dishes. “It would really help me out.”

I scowled at the animal in the corner with its face buried in a bowl. “Fine.” I stood and marched out of the kitchen to the entryway. After shoving my feet into my shoes, I turned to see my mom holding Demon.

“Here he is.” She clipped on his leash. “Make sure you don’t bring him back too soon, or he’ll leave me a little surprise to clean up in the morning.”

“Got it.” I put on my jacket and zipped it up.

She held him out to me.

“He has legs.”

She placed him on the ground and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, Aden. I really appreciate it.”

I let out a sigh. “It’s fine.” I took the leash from her and opened the door.

Demon bolted and nearly ripped it from my hand.

“Stupid mutt.” I stepped outside and slammed the door. He dragged me down the road by our neighbor’s cow pasture and started sniffing. At least there wouldn’t be landmines all over the lawn. I grew sick of his constant tugging and unclipped him. He raced around my legs for a moment, before running off to smell a bush.

“Hurry up.” I shoved my hands in my pockets to keep them warm. “It doesn’t take this long to piss.” I jumped up and down to keep the blood pumping.

Demon circled the area, making sure to smell every rock and blade of grass. If he didn’t hurry it up, I was going to tie him to a tree and come back in twenty minutes.

Two bright lights came toward us. I closed my eyes as the car zipped past.

“Come on, Demon. You’ve had long enough.” I looked down and saw nothing. “Demon? Oh no, Demon!” I had lost my mother’s dog. “Demon, come here boy.” I searched along the fence. “Demon, where are you?”

A soft bark sounded from up ahead. I jogged over and still couldn’t see him anywhere. “Demon!”

He barked again. Dropping to my knees, I pushed back the grass to reveal a small hole in the fence and just on the other side sat two beady little eyes.

“Demon, come here.” I reached through and tried to grab him.

He nipped at my fingers and stayed just out of reach.

“Demon, now.” I slammed my fist on the ground.

The stupid little dog turned tail and trotted off into the field.

“Get back here!” I sat back my heels. “Just great.” I rubbed my forehead, trying to think how I was suppose to tell my mother I lost her dog.

I looked around for a way over. Demon had to choose the one field that had fences to keep the deer out. A large rock sat a few yards from me. I hurried over and started to awkwardly climb over. I flipped to the other side and fell to the ground, landing straight on my back. Groaning, I rolled to my stomach and rose to my hands and knees. I was going to kill that dog.

“Demon, where are you?” I coughed, rubbing my shoulder.

His collar jingled as he walked toward the middle of the field. “Stupid mutt. You can forget me ever taking you on a walk again.” Slowly standing, I jogged after him. “Demon, come here now.”

The little dog stopped and looked around.

“Now you listen,” I sighed, kneeling down to grab him.

He darted away from me. I dove for him, but Demon escaped and ran off toward the fence.

“Demon!” I screamed.

That was it. He was on his own. I personally hoped a cow stepped on him.

The ground started to rumble. I looked over to see the herd running for the farmer’s barn.

“Great.” I stood and dusted myself off. “Now the Andersons are going to yell at me for scary their cows. Demon-” I turned around and froze.

A giant animal stood there with its teeth bared. His red fur stood on end as it let out a low growl.

“Oh my god.” I backed up.