Dark clouds rolled across the sky, blotting out the stars. The threat of rain was heavy in the air. It was only a matter of time before the storm unleashed. Everyone, or at least almost everyone, had already taken shelter. Nobody wanted to be out on the streets of San Francisco at this ungodly hour.

That doesn't mean everyone was inside.

Her paws silent on the pavement, a young dog quietly walked along. Her warm brown eyes flicked back and forth, left and right. The fur on her hackles bristled with anxiety. She felt unsafe, she was scared. The basenji had nowhere to go, no place to call her own. What she had were the clothes on her back and enough money to get a plane ticket to New York. Trembling, she looked up. A few more blocks and she would be at the airport.

Lightning flashed.

Yelping, the basenji jumped. At the same, the streetlight near her shone bright before shattering. Shards of glass fell on the pavement. Shaking, the young dog pulled her hood over her head, covering her face. Avoiding the shards on the ground, she quickened her pace as she headed for the airport. As she walked past them, other streetlights flickered on and off. It was an eerie sight to see.

Dark, terrifying and mysterious.