Dust entered the second floor just as a dark shadow slammed into the door to Maria’s room. He immediately recognized the devil dogs from the town where he had met Sammy and Todd. Blood coated the floor. Another of the devil dogs was ripping at Stella’s still form. A discarded shotgun lay on the ground next to her.
The sound of another scream and shattering wood pulled him back to Maria and the three children pinned in the bedroom. The devil dog was ripping at the door with its claws. Small holes appeared in the door as Maria fired through it again and again. Several struck the devil dog, but that didn’t stop its determination to get inside the room. Reforming, Dust lifted his hands and focused.
“Hey!” he yelled, waiting.
Both beasts paused and raised their head to stare at him. Blood dr
