Skizz's Perspective-

I tried to run after the figure, but it ran faster.

Its hair was dimly lit with what looked to be fire.

What the-

I noticed a black smoke on a tree and turned to it.

Was that guy carrying a match?

I tried to remember the glimpse I caught of him, but I couldn't remember whether or not he was holding something.

I grumbled, frustrated, and jogged back to the firetruck.

-

"So who were you chasing?" Impulse asked me.

"I...don't know." I said simply.

Impulse raised an eyebrow and then shrugged.

He turned his eyes to the road and started to drive back to the station.

"Well if it makes you feel better, the other guys take their shift tomorrow." Impulse said and I nodded dismissively.

"If you want you can come over and visit." Impulse offered.

I chuckled lightly, "Thanks, but I'm good."

"You sure? You know me and Bdubs don't mind you coming over."

"Yeah...yeah I know."

"And you know Maxie always likes to hang out with you too. She's been preparing to beat you at Mario Kart." Impulse said and I laughed.

Maxie was Impulse and Bdubs' adopted daughter. She was very spontaneous and loved to do just about anything and everything. She was only six, so it explained her large amount of energy.

"I would love to play with her again, but I...Gryffindor has a vet appointment tomorrow and he's got uh- some...pain and has been limping a bit so I'm gonna stay home with him."

"Oh...okay. Well, I hope Gryffindor feels better."

"Yeah...me too." I said, looking out the window.

I felt a bit bad for lying to my friend like that, but it wasn't like he believed me anyway, I know he knows I was lying.

-

I sighed as I walked home to my apartment.

I could hear Gryffindor from inside my room and smiled weakly.

I unlocked the door and opened it to see my dog waiting patiently.

"Hi Gryff." I said quietly, shutting the door behind me and kneeling down, letting Gryffindor run over to me and lick my face.

I chuckled and gently pet him.

"How have you been?" I asked him.

"He's been good."

I look up and see Dallas leaning on the doorframe.

Dallas was a girl who lived across the hall. She was 19 and had helped babysit Gryffindor since she was 16. She was always willing to help her neighbors, even now, when she was busy thinking about starting college.

"Thanks again, Dallas." I said, getting up and walking over to my desk to grab out an envelope of money before handing it to Dalas.

"No problem. And you better have not overpaid me again." She said, starting to open the envelope.

I chuckled, "You deserve it, you've been helping look after Gryffindor for this long. And you know what he likes."

Gryffindor smiled and he wagged his tail as Dallas pat his head.

Dallas giggled, "Just doing what I can to help."

"And I appreciate that. Too bad I'm gonna have to find someone else to look after Gryffindor now once you're gone at college."

"I mean, I'm fine not going to college to stay here." Dallas said and I laughed.

"Yeah, you may be, but your parents sure wouldn't be. Education is important."

"Yeah, well I don't even know what I want to do with my life."

"I thought you said you wanted to pursue in acting!"

Dallas shrugged.

"I don't know, it's just a thought. Acting is hard. I might just become a doctor or something instead."

"Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out."

"Thanks." Dallas smiled.

I nodded and smiled back, and she then took out her phone and checked the time.

"I better get going."

Gryffindor whined and Dallas giggled, kneeling down.

"Aw, don't worry Gryff." She pet him and gently kissed his nose.

Gryffindor smiled and licked her cheek.

"Alright, bye." Dallas stood up and walked towards the door.

"Yep, bye." I waved goodbye and Dallas left.

I took a deep breath before sighing and walking over to the couch, grabbing the remote and turning the TV on.

I walked to my bedroom which was nearby and changed out of my work outfit.

When I went to grab myself a cup of tea, I saw Gryffindor curl up on the coach.

I smiled softly and gently pat his head.

I then heard the news and looked up, seeing that they were reporting the housefire.

The adults in that housefire didn't make it. Apparently, they died in the ambulance.

My mind jerked back to what I saw, that...thing, running in the woods.

I sighed and leaned my head back against the couch and thought.

I gently shut my eyes and tried to figure out what I saw.

But in the end, I fell asleep.