The Visitor

There was only one rule: don't open the door. Not for any reason, not even when mama was home. It wasn't safe out there, not any more. Especially not at night. Not that Josie had ever wanted to; everything she liked was in here: Champ, her books, teddy, and mama... well, not mama. Not right now.

The door handle twitched, then rattled and Champ growled, the thick brown fur on his neck rising. In the dark, in silence, she blinked owlishly and then jumped when someone (something?) knocked.

Don't open the door, that was mama's one rule... Josie sucked her bottom lip, brows furrowing. Mama didn't say she couldn't talk, though. She patted Champs head,

"Hello?" Josie clenched her fists,,

"Open the door!" It was a man, he sounded scared too.

"Mama says I can't open the door."

"You have to, please-"

"Mama says I can't-"

"Listen!" The door banged against its hinges, making Josie jump. Champ barked, circling around her,

"You're mean," Josie said, voice trembling, "I don't want to talk to you anymore."

"No, wait, please... listen, I'm sorry," he spoke slowly and the letter box rattled as he opened it to peer through. "Please listen to me. What's your name?"

Josie frowned and touched Champs side as he stopped beside her, his tail twitching against her leg,

"Josie, this is Champ."

"Josie, my name is Brian. Is your mother in?"

"...yes." She said,

"Are you sure?" Brian asked, "please be honest with me, Josie. It's very important."

"No," she said, "she went to check the traps."

"Ok, I need you to open the door and step outside, please," he whispered. Champ growled softly.

"Why?"

"Because I saw someone moving around upstairs."

Josie was frozen in place, even as Champ barked and lunged into the hallway behind her.