She was already crying when she stepped off the porch, vision blurry from the tears that leaked unchecked from her eyes. The night air was cool, refreshing. It was the time of day that she'd always loved... but this time, she took no pleasure in any of it. Her heart broke into smaller pieces with every step.<br/><br/>Looking up to see where she was going, she saw a shape directly before her, and froze. She stared into the eyes of a giant wolf, standing across the yard, just visible in the security light over her porch... and felt ten years of suspicion snap into place in her mind. There had been so many hints. So many signs. His work kept him out at such random hours, yet she never felt as though he were telling her much about what he did. He always had animal hair on his clothes, but they didn't have a pet. He ate more than any man she'd ever met, yet he never gained weight. When they used to snuggle on the couch, he'd always felt so warm. She'd always fell asleep on him. Normal men weren't that warm.<br/><br/>It all made sense.<br/><br/>Somehow, she couldn't be afraid of this animal, despite the massive fangs, giant claws, and terrifying growl... because he looked at her through her husband's eyes. She dove to the ground at the exact same instant that the giant wolf pounced, somehow knowing he would not be after her.<br/><br/>After she hit the grass, she rolled, scrambling away from the pair. Her eyes were wide with shock and amazement as she watched the giant beast that<span style="font-style: italic">couldn't possibly</span>exist subdued her kidnapper. Wincing with pain, she finally settled back on the grass, panting and confused.<br/><br/>****<br/><br/>No one could ever prepare for that. One minute, he'd successfully completed his goal, and had the prize in hand. The next, he was being eaten by a giant animal that could only have come from either a story book, or the dinosaur days. Either way, this was not a contingent he had planned for.<br/><br/>He did what any sensible, cold-blooded criminal would do in a moment like that.<br/><br/>He screamed. And screamed. When his bones were crushed in the massive jaws, and the breath forced out of his lungs... he screamed again.<br/><br/>When he'd finished that, the lights went out, snuffed by the pain and fear. He went limp under the wolf, eyes rolling back in his head.