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It was a cute dog, only lacking a proper bath. But Evan could barely live off of what little he could make from exorcisms after deducting his sister’s tuition and his loan installments. Taking in a dog without being certain that he could raise it was not an option.

That being said, hecouldtry to foster it for a while. Aaron always complained that dogs ran away from him after witnessing his giant stature. Maybe he could adopt it.

Quite a few minutes later, Evan casually glanced back. A tiny sting of disappointment fluttered in his chest when he found the road behind him empty. If the dog had followed him, he would’ve at least made an excuse to himself and taken it in. But maybe it was just being friendly to a stranger and actually had a home to return to.

When Evan made it into his house, he shut the door and put away the book and bag of breakfast. “I’m home!”

In response, instead of Misty’smeow, a scratch at the door he’d just shut greeted him.

Evan stilled.

For a heartbeat, the house seemed to still with him.

An image flashed across his mind. A spirit that was missing its head and bottom half, clawing at his door, desperate to find its missing body parts.

A sick combination of dread and excitement coiled through him as he spun around. But just as he grabbed the doorknob, a familiar sound stirred from the other side of the door.

A whine.

An impatientwoof.

Evan’s shoulders dropped.

He let out a sigh and opened the door. Standing at the threshold were a pair of big black eyes, muddy fur, and a smiling face.

Crouching, Evan narrowed his eyes at the dog. “So you did follow me, hm?”

It responded, bobbing its nose with Evan’s, tail wagging aggressively. Giving in, Evan reached out and scratched its scruff, chuckling when it started scooting closer. Just then, a realization dawned on him, and Evan’s smile dropped. Oh, how could he have forgotten?

“Sorry, buddy, I can’t take you in, after all,” he whispered, conscious of his surroundings. “I’m afraid my girl Misty doesn’t like uninvited guests. Especially if they’re furry. We wouldn’t want her scratching your pretty eyes out, right?”

As if understanding his words, the dog whined and rubbed its head pleadingly against his knee.

Evan’s chest ached as he stroked its muddy fur, agonizing over the fact that he couldn’t just take it in and figure out the rest later.

It was a he, and he was so small and soft. A combination that could defrost Evan’s cold heart into a puddle.

But what if Misty ran away because Evan brought home a dog? What if she harmed him? Eventually, Evan would have to send one of them away, and that would kill him.

His eyebrows furrowed as he petted the dog.

“Meow.”

Evan and the dog froze.

Uh oh.

Misty rounded a stone-still Evan, rubbing against his thighs before spotting the guest sitting at their threshold. Her purring engine abruptly halted.

Evan’s fingers twitched against the dog’s scruff, ready to snatch him up the second Misty tried to pounce on him.

Misty prowled around the dog, circling, sniffing the dirty furball, slit pupils dilating as she eyed him with keen interest. She seemed to be studying it.

Then, slowly, she lowered her head and rubbed against the dog’s coat, purring loudly.

The dog and Evan heaved a sigh of relief.

Misty had welcomed the new pet, so the major problem was resolved. Now, Evan just had to work harder to feed another pet. He’d been used to starving anyway, so it wouldn’t be a big deal.