The charm she'd earned praying for his life.
"Where is it? Where the hell did it go?"
I knelt on the floor.
Searched the gaps in the furniture.
Checked the trash can.
Until a soft laugh sounded behind me.
I turned.
The little teddy in William's arms had a blue bow tied on its head.
The charm's cord had been shortened around its neck.
Sitting right there against its throat.
"Mr. Delgado, it happens to be Stuart Harrington's birthday.
"He wears so much designer stuff every day, he's gotten bored of it all.
"This charm your mother earned suits him better. Stuart really likes it."
My eyes went red in an instant.
On that charm.
At some point new stitching had been added.
【Stuart】
"Give it back!"
I strode forward.
William stepped back. "Mr. Delgado! You don't want it? That's fine, I'll take it off right now!"
And he actually went to undo the strap around the dog's neck.
But a clasp that should have come loose easily.
In his hands, it simply wouldn't open.
Back and forth.
The charm gave a ripping sound.
The stuffing inside spilled out.
"William!"
I reached out to grab it.
But a sharp pain tore through my wrist.
"Woof! Woof woof woof!"
Stuart planted itself in front of its master.
I stepped back.
It lunged at me.
Sank its teeth into my ankle.
"Stuart, no! Let go!"
William covered his mouth.
I dropped hard to the floor.
Fangs into flesh.
Splitting me apart.
"Stuart! Stuart, be good!!"
William kept coaxing.
But his hands never touched the dog.
Not until my Achilles tendon tore and blood ran across the floor.
Only then did the corner of his mouth curl.
He scooped Stuart up.
"Woof woof woof!"
In his arms, Stuart still snarled at me without stopping.
I gasped, ragged and undone.
My calf trembled faintly.
William looked down at me, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Sorry, Mr. Delgado. Stuart's shy around strangers. Anyone who doesn't smell like they belong in this house, he reacts to."
He rolled the charm between his fingers, playing with it. "This one, Stuart really likes it.
"Since it won't come off, Mr. Delgado, don't be so petty about it."
He turned away.
Stroked Stuart's head. "Good baby~"
I said nothing.
Reached out.
Found the fruit knife on the table.
"William."
He turned back.
The next second.
Blood burst from Stuart's neck.
Droplets of it spattered across William's face.
"Aroo... whimper!"
Stuart gave a shrill cry.
Bared its teeth to bite me again.
I pinned its head with one hand.
A wet sound.
The knife pulled free.
Stuart struggled a few times.
Then went completely still.
"Stuart!!"
William shrieked, his legs buckling as he dropped to his knees. "Stuart? Stuart, what's wrong! Open your eyes, don't scare me! Stuart!"
He lifted his head, eyes red. "You killed Stuart! You lunatic!"
I bent down, took off the charm, and looked down at him. "A dog that bites people was never worth keeping."
"Vincent Delgado! You murderer! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!"
William threw himself at me like a madman.
I stepped aside.
He crashed to the floor.
His knees bruising on impact.
He knelt there.
Breathing unsteadily.
"Will?"
Prudence's voice came from the doorway.
William's head snapped up.
His eyes filled with tears at once:
