“Get off!” Casey snapped and shoved the dog off me. He helped me to my feet and gave me a concerned look. “Are you okay? Did he bite you?” I shook my head slowly and glanced at the dog. It was panting and eyeing me curiously.

                “Skeet Skeet!” a guy’s voice called. Casey and I spun to face him. He was tall with black and faded pink hair. His skin was sickly looking and his eyes were an incredible combination of blue and green with brown and gold flecks.

                He caught up next to the dog and pat his head affectionately. He glanced at me and smirked. “My bad,” he said with a shrug, stroking the dog’s fur. The dog licked his nose and barked. Casey glared at him.

                “Honestly Fuller, can’t you just put a leash on him? Especially with all the animal killings. Oscar just got killed last night. Charlie’s going to be crushed. The last thing he needs is for Skeet Skeet to get killed too.”

                The guy shrugged. “Too bad for Charlie. It was just a cat. And I don’t need a leash. Skeet Skeet usually listens to me. Besides, it’s daylight. No one’s going to murder my dog in daylight.”

                Casey gave him a disgusted look. “Just a cat? Oscar was all Ms. Ingles had.” The guy rolled his eyes. “Whatever Casey.” He glanced at me again and the smirk slid back on his face.

                “I’ve never seen you before.” “I’m Shay,” I said. “Fuller. Fuller Polivka,” he said, holding out his hand. I shook it and he grinned. “And this is Skeet Skeet. He apparently likes you.” I looked at the dog. It barked again and his tail began to wag happily.

                Casey sighed and shook his head. “Just be careful with him Fuller. Skeet Skeet doesn’t need to get killed just because you refuse to put him on a leash.”

                Fuller rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers. Skeet Skeet jumped to his feet and immediately came to stand next to Fuller. Fuller smirked and began to pet him dog again. “He’s loyal.”

                Fuller sighed. “Gotta get him home though. Nice to meet you Shay,” he said with a wink before walking off. Skeet Skeet obediently followed him down the street.

                Casey rolled his eyes and we continued to walk. He showed me a few places around town and we talked a lot before he walked me back home. “Bye Shay. It was so nice spending time with you,” he said with a smile. “I’ll call you tomorrow and we can hang out, if you want?” I smiled. “I would love that Casey!” I waved before going inside. He and I had already exchanged numbers.

                “Shay!  A woman your father has worked with on business trips and who is now in his office here needed a babysitter. Dad signed you up. I’ll drive you over there now,” mom said with a smile.

                I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I didn’t mind babysitting, but it was only my second day here! I wanted to relax a little before I set off on a babysitting job.

                I got in the car with mom and told her about the places Casey had showed me as she drove me to a nice looking house. She walked with me to the front door and we rang the doorbell.

                A pretty woman answered and smiled at me. “Hello! You must be Shay! And you must be Mrs. Conover! It’s so nice to meet you both.” She shook our hands and led me inside as mom waved and left for the car.

                “Now, my son is 7 years old. His name is Charles. He’s a pretty good boy and he’s already bathed and eaten dinner. He can stay up tonight, but please no later than 10 p.m. Emergency numbers and mine and my husband’s cell numbers are on the fridge in the kitchen if you need us. We’ll be home by 11. If you get hungry feel free to eat anything. Charles is allowed to have a snack, but not after 9,” the lady said before smiling.

                “Okay,” I said, nodding and trying to remember everything she had said. She and her husband left the house and I heard someone coming down the stairs.

                The most adorable little boy I had ever freaking seen came out and gave me a friendly smile. He was short with curly, light brown hair and light skin. His eyes were a brilliant blue-green and he wore a gray and blue T-shirt with a pair of dark blue jeans.

                “Hi! Are you my babysitter?” he asked curiously. I smiled at him and nodded. “Yep! I’m Shay. I take it you’re Charles?” He nodded and smiled back. “Yea, but you can call me Charlie.”

                I began to wonder if he was the one Ms. Ingles and Casey had been talking about. I sure hoped not. I didn’t want this kid to be sad. He was so adorable!

                Charlie led me into the living room and we turned on the TV. He handed me a Wii controller and we began to play the Wii sports games. Charlie wasn’t half bad.

                I heard a dog barking and turned to face Skeet Skeet. He came over to me, sniffed me, barked, and licked my hand. Charlie giggled and ran his hand through Skeet Skeet’s fur.

                “Is this your dog?” I asked Charlie, deciding to pretend I had never seen Skeet Skeet before. Charlie shook his head and kissed Skeet Skeet’s head.

                “This is my big brother’s dog. My big brother really loves him. His name is Skeet Skeet! He loves my brother a lot. Watch this!” He pulled his hands away from Skeet Skeet. “Skeet, where’s Fuller?” he asked.

                Skeet Skeet raced to the front door and began to scratch at it. He whined and laid down in front of it, basically sticking his nose under the door and whining more.

                “He’ll sit there until Fuller gets home,” Charlie said, smiling at the dog lovingly. “Fuller’s your big brother?” I asked. Charlie nodded. “Yea! He’s really funny. He can be kinda mean though.”

                I couldn’t see it. I didn’t see any resemblance between this adorable child and the smirking boy I had met earlier today. Charlie had a certain innocence about him that Fuller obviously lacked.

                I looked around the living room and noticed the pictures hanging on the wall of Charlie and Fuller. Charlie noticed me looking and went over to a picture. “This is Fuller!” he said, pointing at the familiar looking boy.

                “Well, you know what I think of that?” I asked. Charlie looked at me curiously. “What?” he asked. I smirked and tackled him to the ground playfully and began to tickle him. He shrieked happily. “I think you need to be tickled!”

                A noise made me stop tickling Charlie though. We glanced at each other and then back towards the front door as there was a another noise. Skeet Skeet whimpered and fear struck through me.

                Someone was trying to break into the house.