Doggy

Hewlett settled into the ragged armchair. The flickering log in the fireplace concealed more than it illuminated. The house creaked and groaned around him.

Something moved in the dark. Hewlett almost screamed. Shuffling feet and a low panting reassured him. She'd mentioned pets, right? A dog.

A wet tongue lapped at his hand. He scratched absently. Something was... not right. The shape of the head under his fingers was... wrong. He looked down.

Emaciated under lank, greasy hair, the naked man rolled watery eyes up at Hewlett. The man's lips shone wetly as his mouth widened in an idiot grin.