I turn my head forward as soon as my eyes fall on the long, sharp teeth. I swallow hard, feeling a lump in my throat, but no matter how many times I've prayed to the gods to wake me from this nightmare, each time I turn back, the animal is still there, and I could swear it's getting closer.
"Easy, puppy," I whisper, trying not to startle it as I slowly back away. "That's it, easy."
The beast, a creature of monstrous size and muscle, follows my movements slowly, still growling. Large amounts of saliva drip through the gaps in its teeth, wetting the ground.
"B-back, puppy," I stammer, terrified.
"That's not a puppy."
I lift my face almost at the same time the voice rings out, discovering that the large dog is not alone. It's accompanied by a slender, small girl dressed entirely in what seems to be rather dirty leather.
"I can see that," I say, still fearful, as the girl remains calm but the dog continues to growl.
