Neighbors

Anna sighed and absently stroked a small black dog as she watched the new family unpack boxes from a moving van. She moved away from the window. It was too depressing. The last family had only been gone for a couple months. The housing market was too hot, the place had sold almost immediately after the cleanup crew had finished. 

“Let’s go introduce ourselves, Sammy.” The dog wagged his tail and danced around as Anna put his harness on and clipped his leash to the little brass ring. His tags jingled merrily as they walked down the stairs. 

 The husband had just walked inside, dragging a dresser and the wife was struggling with pulling a twin sized mattress from the truck when Anna approached. “Hey, neighbor,” she called out, “need a hand?”

The woman poked her head out of the truck. “Hey!” Anna pointed to her second floor apartment across the street. “I live over there and saw you unpacking. Thought I’d offer to help.” The woman looked at her and up at her apartment. “Um, sure?” she said uncertainly. Anna grabbed an end of the mattress and they carried it up a few stairs to the foyer of the brownstone. “This is a great place.” Anna said. “I've lived in the neighborhood for years, everyone is super nice. My name’s Anna by the way.”

“I’m Christy. Nice to meet you.” she said. “This is fine right here.” she said, indicating the large, marble floored entryway. “My husband can get it upstairs later.”

“Oh, hi there!” Anna saw a small dark haired little girl on the landing. Anna waved with one hand and tucked her other behind the mattress. Christy automatically turned to look at the child and Anna quickly slit a small opening in the fabric with the razor hidden in her hand and stuffed a small fabric bag into the opening as she casually leaned against the wall.

Sammy whined and wiggled when he saw the little girl. “Can she pet Sammy?” Anna asked. “Oh, no, I didn’t see him.” Christy seemed upset. “Nicole has allergies, we can’t have pets.” 

“No, worries, we’ll be on our way then.” said Anna who was already halfway out the door. “See you around!” 

“Thanks for the help!” Christy called behind her.

Anna was back in her apartment. She brushed Sammy and heated a frozen dinner in the microwave. She kept walking past her window and looking across the street. The new family hadn't had a chance to put up any window coverings and Anna could see into their downstairs kitchen and living room, and the little girl’s upstairs playroom and what she assumed was an office.

Anna ate her dinner in her bedroom and watched a little tv to keep her mind occupied. Sammy watched her eat and whimpered. “I’ll feed you in a bit.” Anna assured the dog and rubbed his soft ears. After a while, Anna turned out her bedroom light so she could see the new neighbors better and settled down to wait. 

Around midnight, the last of the lights turned out across the street and Anna rose. She hated this part, but it had to be done. The hex bag she had placed in the child’s bedding would give her access to the home. It was a dark night with just a sliver of moon and the street was empty. Silently she approached the brownstone, Sammy padding next to her. The front stoop was dark, and she placed her hand on the doorknob. It clicked open softly and Anna smiled faintly. Next to her Sammy grew larger. 

The dog kept growing until his back was level with Anna’s chest. His head and shoulders got shaggier and his back curved so severely that sharp points of his spine were clearly visible through his inky black fur. His floppy ears straightened and stood up and his muzzle elongated. Sammy entered the foyer and growled softly. He drew his lips back in a snarl, exposing razor sharp fangs. 

Sammy was her best friend, he had been with Anna her whole life, and Sammy needed to eat. Anna had lied to Christy earlier. She had moved to this neighborhood only eight months ago. Sammy’s appetite kept them on the move. Just a couple of months ago, they had been in this very house, just like now, because of Sammy. After tonight, Anna and Sammy would go home, pack a few things, and hit the road. 

Anna patted the Hellhound and sat down on the bottom step. She never watched. Sammy crept up the stairs to the bedrooms. It was fast and quiet, usually. Anna waited. Floorboards creaked, a door squeaked open, and then she heard a thump and a yelp of pain. She jumped to her feet. That yelp sounded like Sammy.

Her heart pounding, Anna started up the stairs after her pet. She was shaking. “Sammy?,” she whispered. There was no answer. She reached the hallway of the second floor. It was completely dark. She shuffled forward, trailing her fingers on the wall until she felt a doorway. She tried the knob and it opened easily.  

  The carpet squished wetly as she stepped into the room. Anna wanted to run, but she couldn't leave Sammy. He had been her protector, her friend. She wouldn't abandon him. Anna tapped her phone screen to get a bit of light. In the glow she saw the little girl, throat covered in blood hunched over a rug. The girl looked up. Her eyes were enormous and black. She opened her mouth impossibly wide and rows of sharp teeth glistened. She hissed at Anna. 

Anna backed away, stumbling into the dresser, toys crashed to the floor. A light came on in the hallway, Christy appeared behind Anna. When the lights came on, Anna realized what she was looking at. Sammy lay on the floor, throat ripped out. The child was over him tearing strips of flesh from his body. Blood covered her mouth and ran down her neck, covering her pink nightgown in gore. Anna screamed. 

Christy looked past Anna at the massacre. “What a mess. I told you she couldn't be around pets!” Anna turned. Christy’s eyes had gotten bigger, her mouth stretched wide open and rows of sharp teeth appeared. Christy waved her hand and downstairs the front door slammed shut.