Ostensibly

"Stanley Johnson, a 31 year old serial murderer has escaped from the mental asylum at Castle Hill. It is speculated that he escaped from custody yesterday at 11:30 with outside help. He is very dangerous and is not to be approached. Police are currently on the search for the man, as well as the evidence leading to his escape. It is recommended that you secure all doors and windows to your residence."

The news broadcasted quietly as Clara walked with her parents to the door.

"Bye honey, we'll be back at 10:00, the ceremony shouldn't last too long. Just remember to get in bed by 8:30."

She opened the heavy wooden door and stepped outside. Although it was only 7pm, the cloak of the night already draped itself over the sky. A handful of stars blinked at the world lazily.

"See you tomorrow, mum."

Clara hugged her mother and father, and watched as their car pulled out of the driveway. Chloe licked her hand, and Clara ruffled the top of her head and tickled behind her ears. She was a Miniature Schnauzer, with a blend of rich black and pale white fur as soft as velvet. Clara could remember vividly the day her aunt gave the dog to her. It was her 8th birthday, and Chloe was the highpoint of the day. Ever since that day two years ago, Chloe had been her constant companion. Clara walked back inside, and to the TV. The news continued to broadcast about the escaped criminal with an "unsound mind".

Clara turned off the television, uninterested, and went to get started on her immense amount of homework.

She couldn't concentrate, as Chloe kept on running around her legs playfully. She can't help but play with her. She was an extremely intelligent dog, and sometimes it almost seem like she could understand Clara when she spoke. Getting ready for sleep, Clara set her alarm for school tomorrow, and tucked herself in. Her dog lay by her bed faithfully in her usual spot on the navy blue dog bed. Clara reached down to pet her, and she licked her hand. Clara closed the light.

The clock flashed 2:43.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Clara opened her eyes, and saw nothing but darkness. She wondered what the drip was, and settled for a leaky tap, too scared to get up and check. Clara reached her hand down again, to the dog bed, and reached to pet Chloe. Chloe licked her again, and her body seemed to fill with her warmth. Clara smiled and floated back to sleep.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Clara opened her eyes. The pale sunlight of the dawn had filtered through the blinds and filled the room. Chloe was no longer here. That worried her. The dripping had also stopped. That worried her as well, for some reason she could not fathom. Clara stumbled into the bathroom, and saw the macabre sight that awaited her. A bloodbath. Chloe's lifeless form hang from a rope tied to the bar in the shower. A puddle of blood pooled on the ground below. She faintly remembered the dripping sounds. A faint coppery scent hung in the humid air. But it was when Clara looked to the mirror, that she saw the dripping sanguine words written there.

HUMANS LICK TOO

(Based on an urban legend)