My aged hands gripped the wheel as I sped down the dust covered roads of Arizona. Heat waves rolled along side my red truck as the air conditioning struggled against its power, "Shit! Hotter than Satan's ass crack in here!" I move to turn the air conditioner dial up but only to sigh as it's already at its highest setting. I squint my eyes to peer past the sunlight to the road as I speed up, "Fuck it. I'm almost home." The road was dry and long to the point where it felt as if I was in an endless loop. I roll down my window and continue to cruise down the empty black road.

To say my home was in the middle of nowhere is an understatement. The nearest town is thirty minutes away and I couldn't have asked for better. It was safe from stupid tourists and nosy neighbors who cared about green lawns more than their own health as they struggled in the heat to water thier grass.

The grey stones were sweltering under the sun as my truck came to a stop in the driveway. Soft music played from inside the house as the smell of dinner wafted into my nose and left my mouth drooling for more, "Who's in there cookin?" I yell as I make my way to the door, only to be greeted by a hairy little monster and her big brown eyes. I scoop her up and smile at her fit of giggles, "Oh my! Little Olivia is cookin' me dinner?!" I gasp in surprise as she blushes and nods her head, "Yes, Pop-Pop!" I place her over my shoulder as I walk in the door, closing it behind me.

The scent grew stronger as I made my way to the kitchen. My daughter sang softly as she mixed a pot over the stove, "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone.." "Ain't warm when she's away." I sing softly and Olivia peeks over my shoulder to her mother who's turn to smile at me, "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone.." I open my arms for my beautiful daughter, a smile bright as the sun on her face as she gladly took it, hugging me tight, "Hey, Papa.. How was work?" I pull away and shrug, "It was work for sure!" I grab the giggling girl over my shoulder and place her down on the floor, much to her disappointment as she made grabby hands to be picked up again, "Why don't you go get me a water bottle out the fridge, young legs." I pay her head and watch her more than happily zoom off. I chuckle and turn back to my daughter, "My back hurt from the mines.. But bills gotta be paid." I shrug as she frowns, "I'll call your boss and tell him to work you less! You've done worked your butt off for fifteen years and they st-" "Janelle." I give her a knowing look and chuckle as she frowns, fussing under her breath as she turned back to the stove, "Well we are here for another week and still haven't done much with you, Pa." I scratch at my beard, "Ain't much to do but leave the state.. Why don't we have a good old movie night in the back?" She shrugs, "Ain't nothing wrong with that.. Got princess movies?" I look over to the little girl playing with an ant on the floor, "How about.. a horror?" I smile as she looks up at me with wide eyes, "Horror?" She repeats and sits up, the ant taking its chance to escape.

I wave a hand, "I dunno.. only big girls can watch horror movies.." She gasps and gets up, her feet padding softly up to me, "I'm a big girl! I am!" Her eyes lock onto mine with determination as she made a little fist. I hum softly, pretending to consider, "I don't know.. A princess movie does sound good too.." Her face contorts with curiosity and excitement but still hesitation as she fought over which movie to watch, "What princess?" I lean back in my chair, "Any princess you want." Her eyes light up as she nods her head quickly, "Snow white! N-No Aurora! N-No-" She thinks hard as I chuckle, "We can decide after dinner.. Go get the forks and spoons, little one." She nods her head quickly and runs to the drawer, more than happily grab  in go the silverware.

"She's a smart one!" I look to Janelle who balanced plates in her hands, "Like someone I know." She looks to me with a pointed look. I grab my plate and help her set down the others, "Yeah her Mother and Grandmother. Sure as hell ain't get common sense from me." I laugh as she joins in, shaking her head, "Your something different, alright." I shrug, "Sure am. Now let's grub."
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The stars replaced the sweltering sun as time passed quickly in each others presence. I groan as I stand up straight, my back aching from setting up the old screen and projector, "Alright, Little one. Get the movie." I look down at the little girl who held the flashlight for me, her big eyes watching everything I did, "I already got it." She holds up 'Sleeping Beauty' with a smile and I chuckle as I put it into the old vcr, "She's a good one.. Real smart." I smile as Olivia nods, "Yeah and this one sings a lot!" She points the candlestick with a smile, "He's really funny!" I chuckle and take the tape out it's case, "Funnier than me?" She shakes her head no quickly, her girls going wild. I grab her head and hold it still, "Keep goin and your brain'll fly out your lil ears." She bursts into a fit of giggles, "Yes, sir." I turn her towards the lawn chairs, "Now go sit down while I get this thing started." With a skip, hop, spin, and flop, she's happily in her chair, her feet swinging excitedly. I laugh and put the vhs tape inside.

I look back to see my little princess bundled in a million blankets with her mom, her brown eyes shining excitedly through the heaps of cloth. I laugh, "You look real cozy." She nods her head excitedly before focusing her eyes back on the movie.

Soft howls call in the distance making me look behind us, "Damn Coyotes.." I grumble and lean back in my chair, keeping close to the precious girl beside me. Not a few minutes later, the howls sounded louder, "Gettin' close now.. might have to take it inside.." Janelle looks at me, "They not gettin my baby.. Kill'em before they even sniff her." I chuckle and nod my head, "Make me get my shotgun." We both laugh as the little girl watches the movie, her eyes sparkling as the princess danced through the village.

The howls became louder, making Olivia jump and look behind us into the dark, "They're here.." I frown deeply at the girl, "How you know?" I look behind us and see only darkness. She taps her ears, "Listen.. Real close.." she whispers softly before grabbing the remote and giving it to me. I pause the movie and listen closely.

Faint panting and paws against the ground make my chest tighten as I look at the little girl, "Janelle.. Take her inside and pass me my damn gun.." We all rush toward the house, "It's in my bedroom.. hidden in the big chest in the closet." She nods quickly before taking Olivia upstairs and disappearing.

I sigh softly and look towards the black field. I grab the flashlight in my pocket, "Ain't nothin but the devil.." I growl and flick it on. Sharp white teeth glow as the beast snarled, it's eyes reflecting green as it stalked closer, "What the hell?!" It's body was twice the size of a coyote and it's muscles stronger. It panted wildly as it eyed me down, pacing side to side, "Fucking wolf?.. Cougar dog?!" I jump as the door opens behind me, Janelle with the gun in her hands, "I'll get it- What the hell?!" She grips my shirt to pull me back, "That's a damn.. wolf!" I nod my head, "Ain't nothing but it! I'll get it!" I grab the gun and aim it at the beast. It pauses before getting low, growling deeply.

I aim the gun, "Go to He-" "Wait!" A little voice screams behind me, making me look down at Little Olivia, her eyes full of fear as she stared up at me, "It's a dog!" She points the the best who's stopped it growling, its eyes peering at her. I frown, "Ain't no dog! It's a wolf!" I get ready to aim my gun but her little fist hit my legs, "Don't you kill it! It's scared! Look!" My eyes widen at the little girl, never once has she ever hit me or made a fist.

I look over to the beast. It's fur was matted and thick but hung loosely on its frame. It's eyes tired and red as it crouched down low, it's legs slightly wobbling. I sigh and look down at the little girl, her eyes bright red from tears, "Damnit.. Fine." I sigh as she squeals, "C'mon bo-" I hide her behind me, "He needs to be trained.. he's wild." I eye the canine and frown at its eyes, "Go get me a bowl of water and some of left overs from the fridge.." I turn to Janelle and she nods hesitantly, "C''mon now.. time for bed." Olivia takes her hand but not before turning to the beast, "G'night, Squish." The wolf seems to peer back, it's eyes on her, black and emotionless. I step between them and frown as it growls deeply at me, "Damn dog.. Look at cha.. rabied up."