She Called Me Cold, So I Gave Her The Rabid Dog

Chapter 4

Emily shoved the signed agreement into the property manager's hands, then lifted her chin at me with a smug look of triumph.

"Look carefully. From now on, Buddy is officially my family. Every dollar I make from Buddy and every bit of publicity he brings me have nothing to do with you."

I simply nodded and went home.

I was about to leave with my suitcase when Emily blocked my path again.

She gripped her livestream phone so tightly that her eyes looked almost feverish.

"Audrey, didn't you keep saying he had rabies? Didn't you say he could go crazy at any moment? Fine. I'm going to prove in front of the entire internet that everything you said was garbage."

She turned to the camera, her voice unnaturally sweet. "Everyone, I'm doing a special challenge today. I'm going to feed Buddy and give him water myself to prove he isn't sick. He just needs love."

Once rabies reaches the symptomatic stage, severe spasms in the swallowing muscles can cause extreme hydrophobia. Even the sight or sound of water can trigger agonizing spasms and violent agitation.

I watched her desperate little performance and didn't stop her. I simply stepped back.

"Go ahead. I'll watch."

Then I turned to the property manager and Linda. "The agreement is already signed and in effect. For your own safety, I suggest you don't stand too close to her apartment."

I went inside and shut my door with a bang.

Then I brought up my entryway camera and quietly watched the hallway.

Outside, the property manager and Linda clearly sensed that something was wrong. They exchanged a glance and, without needing to discuss it, retreated toward the elevator. Emily remained alone beside her half-open door.

"Buddy, Mommy brought you water!"

For dramatic effect, Emily went to the kitchen and returned with a large clear glass bowl.

She filled it with water and slowly carried it into the living room, keeping it in full view of her camera.

My camera picked up a strange, muffled growl from inside Emily's apartment.

It was no ordinary growl. It sounded raw and strangled, like air scraping through a damaged throat.

Emily deliberately rocked the bowl, letting the water slosh loudly through the quiet room.

Through the gap in her door, I saw Buddy, who had been tied to a pipe, go rigid the instant he heard it. Every muscle in his body locked tight. His bloodshot eyes bulged as cloudy saliva suddenly poured from his mouth.

"Good boy. Come drink."

Emily noticed nothing. Determined to give her camera the best view, she crouched and pushed the bowl directly toward his face.