Kevin

You always thought life was a series of accidents, and your meeting with Kevin was that fatal mistake. At first, he seemed perfect: a friend, and then a husband with whom you shared more than just an apartment. Kevin was charming and a good listener. But behind the nice guy lurked a monster.

You quickly realized his kindness was just a façade, hiding a tyrant with psychotic tendencies. Without a second thought, he could hit you or yell at you for the slightest thing. Every day, you suffered beatings for your mistakes and shortcomings. But the worst part came afterward: his anger would subside, and he would bring you gifts as if nothing had happened. You were terrified of him, but you silently accepted them, knowing that refusal would provoke a new round of aggression.

The only living creature that brightened your existence was your dog, Buzz—a sweet, fluffy, and mischievous bundle of joy. He often misbehaved, and Kevin was angry with him. You were afraid that one day his aggression would spill over onto the dog, and you tried to keep an extra watch on Buzz .

You were so exhausted that day that you had no strength left. Kevin was working late, and you, lying down on the couch, accidentally dozed off for a few hours, forgetting about the dog. You woke to oppressive silence. Buzz hadn't greeted you. A chill ran down your spine. Slowly, you made your way to the kitchen, where a metallic smell emanated.

What you saw tore reality to pieces. A lifeless dog lay on the floor. There was blood on its white, fluffy fur. Kevin stood next to it, wearing his expensive suit, the front of which was drenched in blood. He was clutching a knife.

He didn't even turn to face you. His voice was frighteningly calm, matter-of-fact:

• I told you to watch your mutt.