𝐈𝖙 was about five o'clock at the Peterson's house when Penny showed up. She lived just around the corner, so it didn't take long. The Peterson's were one of the happier couples that lived on Maple drive; partly, she thought that because they had only been married for a year or two? For the most part she assumed it was also because she always saw them spending time together outside the house. In any case, they had wanted to get away for a bit and take a small vacation for the weekend. They called Penny a couple weeks in advance to have her watch the house while they were away. Her pay, One-Hundrend dollars a day to care for their terrier, Biscuit, while they went out.
Penny was the average High School Senior who had recently turned eighteen and took the offer for a quick weekend job. For a young lady her age, she felt responsible enough for the task! She did her homework, got good grades, however, she... like most teens... occasionally she had a few minor slip ups. When she arrived promptly on time before The Peterson's departure, Penny rang the doorbell and Timothy, Mr. Peterson answered.
"Hello Penny, Holly and I are glad that you were able to watch the dog and the house for us," he said with a smile, gesturing her to come inside as he made his way back out. Penny stepped inside dropping her bags she had packed with her clothes and toiletries inside onto the floor. Without hesitation, the little pet terrier came running from the living room couch to greet Penny; it's tail wagging about as it was excited to see her again! The girl reached down for the animal, petting it as it licked her fingers, it's wet saliva getting all over her hand. Mrs. Peterson had made her way down from the stairs with her purse in hand waving to Penny with a smile.
"He likes you! Just like I knew he would."
She chuckled before speaking again.
"Now Penny, remember to feed the dog around eight in the morning, twelve noon, and five in the afternoon. Tim and I stocked the fridge with some goodies and T.V. dinners. If you get hungry feel free to help yourself ", she said quickly, walking to the car, closing the door as her husband started the engine. Mrs. Peterson had gone over everything with the girl the night before and Penny knew very well all the rules of the house.
The women shouted from the car, the window rolled down as it drove away, "WE'LL SEE YOU IN TWO DAYS, YOU BE GOOD, BISCUIT!" Penny took the paws of the terrier and made it wave a gesturing goodbye to its owners as they drove off. Within a matter of seconds, the car had disappeared down the street and Penny with Biscuit in her arms went back inside.
Soon it was dark outside but very stuffy in the Peterson's house. Penny who had been sitting in the living room on the couch with the dog got up and walked to the window, opening it as to let in some fresh air. Feeling the nice cold breeze hit her face cheeks, she let out a sigh of relief. It was then her tummy growled and she went into the kitchen to get some food. The terrier that had been on the couch got up and followed her and as it had... it stepped on the remote to the television, changing the channel to the local news station.
"Breaking news at the top of the ten o'clock hour folks, there has been a jailbreak! Authorities describe is as: The Silent Psycho. Two years ago, he was convicted of killing three people, all reportedly females between the ages of twenty-two and twenty-five. He would play mental mind games with his victims before making his murder, only to disappear without a trace. Police in the suburban area are asking everyone in the community to please keep all their homes locked and secured during the night until he is found. If anyone see's anything suspicious they are to contact the local authorities and --."
The terrier came back into the living room, switching the channel again as it laid on the couch. Penny had finally finished cooking her T.V. dinner in the microwave and sat down in one of the reclining chairs, eating her food. An hour passed and the young girl whom had eaten all her food had dozed off with the television on. With a big yawn she sat up from the reclined chair, taking the remote from under the dog's paw turning the television off. From there she walked into the kitchen to dispose of the trash, grabbed her bags by the door, and shut off the lights as she headed up stairs for bed. The dog followed her upstairs into the guest bedroom where she was told to sleep. Feeling groggier by the minute she wasted no time into her pajamas and rolled into bed, the terrier laid next to her by her side.
Off and on during the night, Penny laid in bed half asleep due to feeling the dogs tongue licking her across the hand as it had always done to her, wanting attention and love like all pets do. Paying no mind to feeling the cold wetness on her fingers, she patted back and dozed back off into slumber. Soon, the sun would arise and she needed to get as much rest as she could before waking promptly at eight just as Mrs. Peterson had implied. When the morning did come, Penny sat up from the bed and looked around curiously. There was no sign of Biscuit. She resorted to calling the dogs name again.
"Biscuit! Biscuit! Where are you boy?" She walked around the upstairs of the house unable to find him. Thus, she traveled down stairs. He wasn't in the living room either. She searched the dining room and then the kitchen. Still, there was nothing. Not even a bark. The girl made her way into the downstairs bathroom and as she opened the door, Penny saw nothing but deep red liquid. It was all over the floors, walls, mirrors, even the ceiling. She let out a hurling scream, sliding open the shower curtains as it had revealed to her the pup. The terrier hung from the showers iron bar rail. The blood still dripping into the tub. Drip! Drip! Drip! Penny set her eyes to the wall behind the dead dog's bloody corpse. There was a message. It was written its in blood. 'People have furry heads and tongues too.'
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