Bad Land Read Online Free Page B

back the fear and instead squatted down and stroked George’s soft fur. “Hey, buddy, it’s okay. There’s nothing out there. It’s just you and me.”
    Marshall took a deep breath and switched on the patio light. The bulb sliced through the darkness, revealing an empty backyard. George stopped barking and Marshall unlocked the sliding door and both of them stepped into the cool night.
    George had stopped making noise, but ran around the patio like an animal possessed, nose pointed to the ground. Animal instinct had taken over and years of genetic perfection were put to good use as the beagle searched for a scent. He made sniffling sounds Marshall would have thought funny had the circumstances been different.
    Marshall released a deep breath he didn’t know he was holding as he turned. Nothing seemed out of place. There were no signs of disturbance and the feeling he had that someone was watching him was gone.
    You’re freaking yourself out. There was never anything here. George probably saw a mouse or maybe a possum.
    As he was about to go inside, Marshall stopped and looked closer at the corner of the patio where he thought he had seen the shadow. The ground in the corner had once been grass, but after multiple run ins with George, it had been dug and churned into soft, dark brown dirt. In the dirt was a shoe print that didn’t belong to Marshall.
    It was probably some kid that threw his ball over the fence. Even if it was a burglar, he wouldn’t get past George. He knows better now. 
    Marshall walked over to the slider and the small built in doggy door he had put in for George. There were no signs of break-in and the doggy door was built for a beagle’s small body. There was no chance anyone could have gotten through. The idea of a killer midget entering through the small opening crossed Marshall’s mind for a split second before he dismissed the thought and looked over to make sure George was okay.
    Sure enough, the beagle was fine. He still patrolled the patio, wet nose to the ground. Marshall closed the sliding glass door, leaving the doggy door open for George. It was getting late and he wanted to make an early appearance at the Hermes tomorrow. He worked better in the morning and he didn’t mind getting there early to keep his mind clear of distractions.
    Marshall thought about calling the police, but besides a footprint and a shadow, he didn’t really have a lot to go on. Deciding against the idea, he opened his refrigerator. He knew he needed something to eat, even though he didn’t actually feel hungry. The inside of his refrigerator was almost completely bare. There was half a box of pizza from a few nights ago, random condiments like jelly, mustard, and hot sauce, and some milk that was quickly approaching its expiration date.
    Marshall grabbed a few slices of cold pizza and the hot sauce as panting and padding paws reached his ears. George was apparently over his excitement and was now sitting staring at Marshall and his pizza.
    Marshall glanced outside to make sure George still had food in his bowl. Sure enough, his black and red bowl with the words “Kujo” was still half full. “You’re not really hungry, are you? You just want my pizza.”
    George panted and his head moved like he was nodding in agreement. Marshall quickly polished off the two pieces but saved the crust for George. George grabbed the two pieces like they were gold and immediately took them over to his blanket in the family room, settled down, and began devouring his treats.
    Marshall walked past his roommate to his room. He undressed and jumped in the shower, thinking about what he now knew.
    There was no reason to doubt Joseph, and if he accepted what his friend had said as fact, it was clear someone was trying to cover up the real reason for the young girl’s death. Joseph had said she had been drained of her blood from slits across her wrists and ankles.
    It was like she had been bled dry, but why? Who would want to do