Farmer Jerichson had spent countless days yearning for the embrace of death, his life overshadowed by relentless arthritis. Despite his suffering, he adamantly rejected any form of pain relief. However, on the night he met his end, he fought with an unexpected vigor to cling to life.

The Brightside Farmer's Market offered more than just baskets and honey sticks. Among its wares, Mirage Capsules were up for sale, dispensed by a grizzled cop who had recently liberated them from the evidence room. Although the prescription drug was addictive, its lack of euphoria meant it wasn't classified as a narcotic in the cop's eyes. He saw this as an opportunity to earn a little extra for the upcoming holidays.

The invisible dog materialized to claim the Mirage Capsules, its ethereal presence synchronized with its physical form. The creature's senses recognized the scent of the drug, its longing growing stronger. While inhabiting the dog's consciousness, the man's mind had pushed the limits of the canine's cognition. The drug had heightened the dog's mental capacity, even as the dog itself. Though the man's memories of his time as the dog remained hazy, the dog recalled the man's thoughts.

The dog felt compelled to help him, yet it also desired to assert dominance and regain control over its own body. A back-and-forth struggle ensued, each entity adapting and resisting the other's influence. The dog would seize control, then relinquish it to the man, and so it continued. However, in moments of hunger, the dog's instinct would triumph. The body's needs couldn't be overridden by either mind. Only the man recognized the distinction, even though the dog was far from housebroken.

As the invisible dog circled the farm, feral coy-dogs lunged at it, sparking a fierce brawl. Despite being bitten multiple times, the invisible dog emerged victorious, gravely injuring and eventually killing all of the assailants.

Farmer Jerichson initiated the next confrontation, arming himself with rock salt. With daylight fading, the encroaching darkness cast an ominous backdrop to their clash. He fired repeatedly before switching to buckshot. Ultimately, the invisible dog closed in, moving with determination and targeting his throat. Jerichson braced for impact, witnessing the creature's form materializing as its blood became visible, mingling with the blood from the feral coy-dogs. Crimson liquid dripped from its muzzle and stained its eyes like a macabre mask.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

In the moonlight, the creature's gleaming fangs bore down upon him.

In a matter of moments, it was over. The dog moved with a lethal grace, its fangs rending Jerichson's body into pieces, leaving behind a gruesome scene resembling a torn straw scarecrow. Hay erupted in six-foot-high arcs, and stuffing was strewn across the surroundings.

Amid the carnage, the invisible dog unleashed a triumphant howl, resonating with sinister fervor. It ventured into the farmhouse, its paws heavy with blood and a trail of massive bloody prints left in its wake. There, it discovered the pocket containing Mirage Capsules and promptly consumed the entire stock.

Inside the farmhouse, the farmer's wife emitted a wet, muted moan, her gaze fixed on the monstrous dog. Tears streamed down her face, blurring the blood and dust that coated the creature's body. The creature, partially visible due to the translucent patches, presented a surreal and horrifying image.

Her sleeping infant lay nearby on the living room couch, undisturbed by the distant shotgun blasts that had resonated outside. The child slumbered serenely, blissfully unaware that her father had met his demise at the jaws of a dog.

Now, the murderous canine was within the confines of their home. Fixated on the Mirage Capsules, it remained oblivious to their presence. The creature harbored an aversion to noise, and the woman's every breath seemed to test its patience. Even the slightest sound might trigger its merciless assault, tearing her throat apart without a hint of mercy.

Fearing for her life, she remained silent, her gaze shifting away from the invisible dog. Her attention was divided, focusing on something beyond the monstrosity before her.

In the living room, the infant slumbered peacefully. In the kitchen, the woman knelt before the grotesque creature, its dripping blood forming a sinister tableau on the floor. Its fangs glistened, its visage a horrifying mosaic of varied shades of blood and gore. The eyes, instruments of death, held an unrelenting gaze.

Abruptly, the creature's head turned, following her gaze. It discerned the source of her distraction – her sleeping baby on the living room couch. Growling menacingly, its fangs gleamed, saliva mixed with blood drooling from its mouth. The sound of its growls made its cheeks twitch, its eyes flickering like flames from the abyss.

The child's mother remained silent, aware that the slightest sound could invite the dog's wrath. Tears of dread and despair fell from her chin, pooling below.

Then, as if by some intervention, the man imprisoned within the dog's consciousness seized control. Mirage Capsules had acted swiftly and potently, temporarily restoring his dominance over the beast.

With no further violence, the creature faded into obscurity once more, vanishing into the night.

Thus, an angel slept through a night of infernal chaos.