Part 1The Predator

It was Puppy Adoption Day at the shelter, so I posted on my socials:

“Puppy near the university campus needs a home.”

A DM came in almost instantly.

“Is the puppy obedient?”

“Very.”

“Does the puppy take discipline?”

“It’ll take whatever you give it.”

“But you can’t hurt the puppy.”

“Then can I be the puppy’s master?”

“Wire me a hundred to show you’re serious.”

The next second, a wire transfer for $100,000 hit my account.

* * *

I ran to the shelter manager, bursting with excitement.

“Sarah, I found an adopter for Buddy! He’s rich, and he seems so kind.”

Buddy was a sweet local mutt we’d rescued from a packed kill shelter truck. He’d thrown himself in front of his siblings to protect them, and the ordeal had left him with serious injuries. His tail was half gone, but worse, he was deeply mistrustful of people.

I’d always hoped this brave little guy would find the perfect home.

Sarah frowned. “Willow, you need to talk to this person again. Go over all the adoption details and explain Buddy’s situation clearly. The fact that he agreed so quickly… it feels strange.”

“Oh.” A prickle of guilt went through me. “I, uh, didn’t tell him the specifics about Buddy. I didn’t even send a photo.”

Before Sarah could get angry, I held up my hands in surrender. “I know, I know, my mistake. I’ll fix it right now!”

I grabbed my phone.

Me: You there?

He replied instantly. Him: I’m here.

Me: Are you absolutely sure you want to be the puppy’s master?

Him: Yes.

Him: Is there a problem?

Him: Not enough money?

The next second, another wire transfer. $10,000.

Seeing all that money, I was genuinely embarrassed. I couldn’t lie to an adopter this generous.

I declined the transfer.

Me: It’s not about the money.

Him: Then it’s a problem of not enough money.

Another transfer notification popped up. $100,000.

I counted the zeros. One, two, three, four, five. A hundred thousand dollars.

The sheer amount left me feeling both ashamed and terrified.

Me: Actually… there’s something wrong with the puppy.