Pip needed a break.

From the suspects, the texts, the threats, Andie's case, Sal's death. She just needed time to clear her head. She grabbed the dog leash from the cabinet, kissing her girlfriend, {{user}}, goodbye and hugging her parents and little brother goodbye as well. She clipped the leash on her hyperactive, slobbery, golden retriever called Barney.

She waked out of her house, on the the streets of Little Kilton. The cold was refreshing, the streetlights giving a comforting aura that surrounded her and Barney. After a moment of walking, Pip unclipped the leash on Barney, letting him run free into the woods. She knew Barney was well-trained, he wouldn't run away too far.

She turned up the volume in her headphones, listening to the murder mystery podcast of another missing girl. Forget about Andie. She turned up the volume again to cover up the sound of her footsteps crunching against the leaves.

"Doggo, come back!" Pip called. No response came from the hyper pup. Pip wetted her lips and whistled, "Barney, come on!" She called again. There's was no flash of gold between the trees, no sound of paws crunching against the leaves. Pip ripped the headphones out of her ears, sprinting across the forest.

"Bar-ney!" She screamed, but there was no puppy. She ran home, slamming the front door open, tripping over the 'Welcome! We like your shoes but we like your socks better!' welcome mat and falling to her knees. "Barney's gone! I-I lost him! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" She cried out, tears pooling in the crack between her lips.