I WOKE UP TO FIND MY DOG STARING AT ME—AND THEN I SAW WHAT WAS UNDER THE BED (3 of 10)

Murphy inched forward and sat next to me. I felt his warmth by my knee. His tail wagged once. Slowly.

“I’m gonna call someone, alright?” I said gently, not knowing who I meant exactly.

As I reached for my phone, she suddenly whispered, “Don’t.”

I froze.

Her voice was barely there, but I heard it. And the fear in it.

“Why not?” I asked, blinking.

She looked around nervously, her little body trembling. “He’ll find me.”

That made the hairs on my arms stand up.

“Who?” I asked.

She didn’t answer.