It was around eight o'clock and I was sitting on my front porch talking with Devin. The hot and humid evening had brought us both out of our stifling homes. Maybe it was because of the heat, but it seemed darker than usual. The gray clouds that moved in across the stars gave the night a creepy, eerie feeling.

"There's not much that scares me," Devin said.

"What does?" I asked, tilting my head to the left.

"Don't laugh, Patricia?"

"I won't," I said, hoping that I wouldn't betray myself if it was funny.

"The only things that scare me..." he whispered, leaning in closer to me, "...are werewolves."

I wanted to laugh. I didn't, but I really longed to set it free.

"I'm serious." His didn't blink or twitch, I believed he was serious.

"You do know that werewolves aren't real?" I tried to keep from smiling: it was hard not to.

"I know they're not real. My imagination tends to run away form me and I( end up scaring myself."

Out of nowhere a woman walked up to us. She was being followed by a large white shorthaired dog.

"Excuse me," she said.

"Yes?" Devin asked.

"Do you have a bowl of water? I found this dog and he seems to be really thirsty." She smiled at us. At least her lips did; her eyes were devoid of any expression.

"I'll get some water for him." I stood up not wanting to be left alone with her.

"Are you sure? I can get it," Devin offered as I walked into the house.

"I'm sure. I'll be right back." I filled an old bowl with tap water.

Carrying the bowl of water, I stepped off the porch and placed the water bowl in front of the white dog. Raising his hind legs, the dog lowered his head to take a drink, the he stopped. Looking at me, he took a step in my direction. He didn't scare me, but I was curious what his attentions were. He surprised me by rubbing his head against my leg. Smiling, I knelt down beside him.

"Drink boy!" He stared at me. Laughing, I scratched behind his ears.

"He seems to have take a liking to you," the woman said smiling, with her blank stare. Up close, the homeless woman did not smell fresh and her clothes, tattered and worn.

"He sure has," Devin added as he rested his hand on my shoulder.

"Drink boy, drink!" I said. Lowering his head in obedience, he drank a little water.

"I found him wandering around. He's been in my neighborhood for week now. I can't keep him or I'd give him a home," the woman said while looking at me.

"Where do you live?" Devin asked. I sad down beside him on the porch steps.

"Just up the road," she answered, pointing down the street.

Devin and I looked up the street. We turned around and the woman was gone. The white dog sat at my feet.

"Where did she go?"

"I don't know," Devin replied.

The dog walked up the steps and sat behind me. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. I turned around to look at him and our eyes connected. I found myself looking deep into his eyes, searching for any clues as to how he was feeling about being abandoned by the strange woman. He wasn't panting or wagging his tail, he just stared at me. My skin started to crawl. I could feel his warmth t the water bowl; now I felt a chill radiating off of him.

"He's smitten with you," Devin petted the dog on his head. The dog's tail started wagging again.

"I wonder who hw belongs to," I said more to myself than to Devin.

"Someone's been taking care of him. His stomach looks full." Devin was right it did look full.

"He feels clean, and he's nice and soft. I could use him as a pillow," Devin laughed.

"He must belong to someone. I'm going to walk him back up the street. Maybe, he knows his way home." Standing, he whistled for the dog to follow him as he started walking. "Come on boy, come on!" The dog moved closer to my leg in defiance.

"Maybe if I go with you, he'll follow us." I stood, glanced at the dog, and then walked over to stand by Devin. Sure, enough, the dog followed behind me.

"He's coming! Now, I know he's in love with you," Devin teased.

"Someone has to love me," I said, rubbing behind the dog's ears.

"You're loved, Patricia," Devin said as he held my hand.

We walked around the neighborhood several times. It was hot and getting late. Overheating, I wanted to return home and quench my growing thirst. Hardly anyone was on the streets, everyone was inside where the air was cool and refreshing. I was disappointed no one was outside who recognized my new little friend. I was hoping he might lead us to his home, but he showed no interest in returning to his original owner.

We decided to go home, with the dog still following us. We all sat on the porch steps to rest.

"Such a beautiful dog," I said, petting him on his head.

"Yes, he is," Devin agreed.

"I'd love to keep him. I think I'll call him... Wolfie." The dog licked me on my cheek.

Devin sat next to me. Wolfie looked him over before laying down beside me on my other side. Devin and I cuddled together. Wolfie snuggled closer to my leg.

"I think Wolfie is jealous," Devin said, sitting closer to me. Wolfie watched Devin as he rubbed his hand up and down my arm.

"He's watching you," I whispered to him. Wolfie lay still, his locked on Devin. If his chest didn't move, letting me know he was breathing, I would have thought he was dead. It was eerie watching him watch Devin. It made the hairs on he back of my neck stand up. Devin didn't seem to notice as he leaned over to kiss me. Wolfie stiffened, a low growl escaped from his stomach. He raised his upper lip showing his teeth.

"Whoa!" Devin said, backing away from me. Once there was a foot between us, Wolfie laid back down beside me.

"Careful, Devin. He hasn't taken to you." He stared at the Wolfie. I didn't blame him; Wolfie's reaction to him placed a knot in the pit of my stomach.

"I should lock him in my backyard until we find his owners," Devin said, looking cautiously.

"Okay. I guess."

Devin leaned in front of me to reach for the dog. It was almost as if Wolfie understood his actions, not wanting to be imprisoned, he jumped up and ran down the street.

"We have to get him, Denin. We can't leave him on the streets. It's too hot." Devin, already on his feet, took off after Wolfie. He chased him down the street calling for him to stay.

"Wolfie!" I called chasing after them in hot pursuit.

Wolfie ran into St. Mary's church parking lot. The unlit parking lot was empty of cars and any signs of life. I caught up to Devin at the entrance of the fenced in church.

"I lost him," Devin said, taking deep breaths.

"Maybe, we should separate to look for him," I suggested. I don't know why I said that; I don't like empty churches at night. The statutes terrify me. I've seen too many of them come to life in horror movies.

"We can separate, Patricia. I'll go this way." Devin walked off whistling for Wolfie. I watched him turn the corner of the building. the hairs on my neck began to rise again. I felt like I was being watched.

"Wolfie?" I called. Already, I wished that we had stayed together. IN a horror show, I would be attacked now by a monster.

I could hear Devin on the othr side of the church whistling. A soft rain started to faDevin stopped whistling. It was quiet as a church mouse hunting for food, even with the rain falling. Wondering why Devin stopped whistling, I ran into the fence around the church parking lot connected to the side of the church building.

"Great," I said out loud. I would have to walk back the way I had come. It was dark and I still felt like I was being watched. Gathering all the strength I could, I retraced my steps back to where I began.

"Wolfie! Here boy!" Off to the side, I heard a twig snap. My heartrate increased, sweat beaded on my forehead, and every part of me screamed 'flee'. Just like the not so bright women in the horror flicks, I turned around looking for Wolfie.

"Wolfie?" He didn't come to me. I admit it, I was scared and unsure of what to do. So, I continued walking, faster than I was originally.

"Where's Devin?" I thought.

I turned the corner that I watched Devin walk around earlier. A figure dressed in white came rushing towards me. It howled as if in pain. I screamed. I wasn't clear on what was transpiring, but I knew his howl. It only howling and running frightened me. It made sense for me to yell too.

I was too scared to run, I froze. His red glowing eyes fixed on me as the creature bared its sharp teeth before lunging for me.

A twig snapped behind me. Praying it was Wolfie coming to my aid, I turned me head in the sound's direction. It wasn't Wolfie, it was Devin. He pushed me out of the way. I landed on my back, just as the creature dove pass me. It landed on Devin, wrapping its teeth around his head.

"No!" I yelled, turning away from the gruesome sight. The sound of bones crunching filled the air.

Climbing to my hands and knees, I tried to crawl away without the creature noticing. I had just reached the gate exit when I heard a bark from behind.

"Wolfie?" I glanced around the parking lot for him. I found him. He sat beside Devin's motionless body. The creature had fled during my escape. I never heard him leave, yet he was gone.

"Come here boy! Come on!" I called to the white dog. I wanted him close for protection. Wolfie pranced over to me, wagging his tail. Happy to have him by my side, I quickly knelt beside him.

"Good boy! Good boy!" I said, rubbing behind his ears. I hadn't seen the creature leave so I did another search of the area. I didn't see him anywhere.

Wolfie barked.

"What is it boy?" I asked, hugging him close.

Wolfie barked again.

"What is it boy?" I looked at him. His eyes glowed red, just as red as the blood on the fur around his mouth.