Going Feral

My son’s horrified scream echoed from downstairs at eight o’clock at night.

Meanwhile, a message popped up in a group chat for the apartment building’s residents.

“Silas, does your son even have a heart? He won’t even play with my girl.”

I froze, recalling that the neighbor didn’t have a child.

The next second, the neighbor sent a video.

The footage showed a vicious Doberman lunging toward me to attack Ethan.

It was bad enough that the neighbor didn’t stop the attack, but he even stood there, applauding.

“Good girl. You’re amazing. You’ve got a big boy crying already.

As Ethan was tackled to the floor, I shook in rage.

Since the neighbor loved playing games, I’d show him a thing or two.

I raced to the kitchen and grabbed the knife before charging to the scene.

By the time I got downstairs, Ethan’s jacket had been torn to shreds.

Ethan looked at the Doberman in terror, his face pale.

“Dad! S-Save me!”

Ethan gasped for air, his tone full of fear.

Standing there, the neighbor, Andrew Livington, said in disdain, “You have a rude kid.

“My baby girl is just playing with you. Why are you screaming for help?”

Bella the Doberman got more hyped up. She put her paws on Ethan’s shoulders while drooling.

Armed with my kitchen knife, I lunged forward.

“Silas, have you lost it?

“Don’t hurt my baby girl!” Andrew cried in a fluster.

Not paying him any heed, I swung my knife at Bella.

The ambush drew a deep gash across Bella’s body.

She rolled to the side and whimpered in agony.

“You came, Dad!”

Ethan reached his hands out in tears.

“Don’t be scared, Ethan. It’s okay now.”

I pulled Ethan into my arms and whispered reassurance.

Ethan was born with a congenital heart condition, so the slightest emotional distress could be fatal.

Yet, there was an incident today.

I examined Ethan from head to toe.

Only when I was certain he hadn’t been hurt and was no longer in shock did I heave relief.

“Silas, how could you be so vile?

“I can’t believe you hurt my baby girl!”

Andrew shot me an accusatory look, his gaze burning with rage.

His loud voice attracted a crowd.

Andrew put on a sad look for the people. “Let’s hear from everyone. Was it wrong for my baby girl to play with his son?

“But the guy turned around and slashed my baby. Talk about cruel.”

The crowd looked at me in disapproval.

“For a guy to carry a kitchen knife around the neighborhood, I hope he doesn’t have anger issues or something.”

“If your kid is so fragile, don’t let him out of the house.”

“That Doberman is a rare pedigree. It must be worth more than a hundred thousand bucks.”

…

Everybody threw around their opinions.

Ethan trembled in fear.

My heart went out to him.

Fearing Ethan might go into shock from the emotional strain, I scooped him up and turned to leave at once.

However, Andrew stood in my way and said arrogantly, “You can’t leave. You need to pay up for injuring my baby girl.

“It’s going to cost you a million bucks for the vet bills and mental trauma.”

I furrowed my brows.

The onlookers gasped sharply.

Meanwhile, Andrew uttered without a care, “Bella was a gift from my wife.

“She flew across the world just to bring the breed back.”

Andrew gave Ethan, who was in my embrace, the side eye before remarking in contempt, “That little brat can’t even compare.”

Blood rushed to my head.

Ethan meant more to me than anything else in the world.

I would not stand by and let anyone insult him.

Setting Ethan down to the side, I grabbed Andrew by the collar and punched him in the jaw.

“How dare you hit me!” He shouted, his voice shrill.

I sneered and pointed the knife at him.

Horrified, Andrew staggered back.

“D-Don’t do anything s—” Andrew said with a shaky voice.

The crowd looked terrified.

Suddenly, Ethan took my hand. “Dad, Mom is back.”

I turned my head in the direction Ethan was pointing and saw the familiar silhouette.

Before the words even left my mouth, Andrew ran over with a hurt expression. “You’re finally back, babe!”