“Dale you fucking asshole! Her dog bit your son to death and you still defend her? Are you even human?” My eyes welled up as I uttered the final words.
But Dale didn't seem to believe it at all. His chest was rising and falling and his eyes stared at me with disappointment.
“I thought you were just mad because Rex bit Liam. I didn't think you were so vile that you would slander someone like that. So this is your true nature?” He paused for a moment.
“Torturing dogs, cursing your child to die and abusing people like they’re some rats, that's your true nature? Let's get a divorce.”
Before I could open my mouth to give an explanation from my side, Eileen seized the opportunity to grab a brick and hit it on my head.
The intense pain lodged in my head was palpable. I could feel warm fluid flowing slowly down my forehead into my mouth. I swallowed inadvertently and it tasted fishy.
Dale looked so terrified but he froze in place. There was no one in sight was offering any help. Eileen lifted her hand again and I closed my eyes.
“Stop!”
The baritone voice of a man sounded from afar. The anticipated pain didn't come. Then I heard the sound of something heavy falling with a loud thud and it rolled. It wasn't Dale's voice. I strained to look towards where the sound came from and saw a person in a police uniform approaching.
Eileen stood up hurriedly and pointed at me. “Officer, this woman has committed violence against animals. She tortured my boy to death. If you need more, he can be my witness,” she said, then glanced towards Dale.
Dale fell silent as his eyes swirled with the police officer's. He quickly averted his gaze, looking nervous. “Good evening, Officer Fields,” Dale greeted after clearing his throat.
That was right. This man and I share the same last name. The officer in front of us was Ryan Fields, my brother, Dale's brother-in-law.
Dale pointed towards the stiffened dog in the corner, explaining frantically, “You know how much I love this dog. I raised him like my own child. Today, Harper tortured him to death. She deceived me to take him back from my ex-girlfriend's house. Isn't that crazy? Look, Ryan–”
Without warning, Ryan punched him hard in the face. He staggered back, clutching his nose. He appeared deeply shocked by both the punch and my brother's anger.