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“Well, hello.” His overfriendly voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me. The way he leers makes my skin crawl, and I’m already searching for an escape plan.

“Hi,” I reply, forcing out a smile, and trying to stay cool despite my bristling instincts.

“Nice dog,” he sneers, eyeing Winston before his gaze slides back to me. “I’ve got to drop off some tools at Piers’ place. You want a ride back? The walk looks long.”

Winston lets out a low growl, eyes narrowed, and I feel the tension prickling through the air. “No, thanks,” I say, my voice steady but edged with alarm. “We’re going to walk a little longer.”

“C’mon, it’s not a big deal. You don’t want to walk all that way alone.”

There’s something in the way he opens the door and sets one foot on the pavement. Something predatory in his behavior raises all the red flags in my head. “I’m fine, really, but thank you.”

I can’t ignore the warning signs flashing in my mind or the unease churning in my stomach like a bad burrito. Winston’s growl deepens slightly as he stands between us, baring his teeth at the man.

“Why don’t you just get in? I could give you a lift. It’ll be fast,” he insists, ignoring Winston and closing the distance.

I tighten my grip on Winston’s leash, stepping back instinctively. “I said no,” I enunciate, trying to keep my tone polite but firm.

The guy’s smile falters just a fraction, but I can see the annoyance creeping into his posture. “What’s the rush? Are you scared or something?”

“No, I just don’t want to chat with you,” I reply, my confidence rising even as my instincts scream to get away. I turn to walk, ready to leave this encounter behind.

But he doesn’t move, blocking my path, that smile morphing into something threatening. “Hey, don’t walk away from me. I’m just trying to talk to you.”

Winston growls louder, and my heart races. “Please leave me alone.”

For a moment, everything freezes, but then the world turns to black.