Chapter 32: Chapter 32: A Strange Human is Spying on You
Old Hag Crawfordâs family of three were tormented by the rats and birds until they barely looked human.
Having enjoyed the show, Rhea Dempsey hummed a little tune on her way home.
Downstairs, Dalton Jenson was shooting the breeze with the neighbors.
Renee Jennings took Michelle Fuller to buy food for the little mouse and the little bird, thanking them for their performance that evening.
"I wasnât sure what you guys like to eat, so I bought a little bit of everything."
Jack the Mouse had a high EQ. "Renee, weâll love anything you buy!"
Renee Jennings chuckled. "Jack, I bet a lot of female mice like you, donât they?"
Jack the Mouse immediately grew shy. "How did you know, Renee? Iâm the most popular mouse around."
Renee Jennings raised an eyebrow. "I see."
Mary the Sparrow circled above their heads. "Renee, this sparrow has spotted a strange human."
"A strange human?" Renee Jennings held out her hand, and Mary the Sparrow landed in her palm.
"Yes, that human seems to be spying on you."
"Spying on me?"
"He was spying on you just now when you went to buy things."
Renee Jennings frowned, recalling the figure she had seen from behind when she went to buy sunflower seeds just now.
"What does he look like?"
reewebnovel.com
Mary the Sparrow replied, "I couldnât tell. He was wearing a hat, and his face was covered."
Renee Jennings said, "I understand."
"Renee, want to get some barbecue?" Michelle Fullerâs mouth was watering after seeing a post about barbecue on her social media feed.
Renee Jennings nodded. "Sure."
The two of them found a nearby barbecue stand.
Getting barbecue was Michelle Fullerâs idea, and she was the one who ordered, but when it was time to eat, she was full after just a few bites.
Renee Jennings said, "You eat less than Mary."
Michelle Fuller replied, "No way! Youâre exaggerating."
Speak of the devil, just as they mentioned Mary, Mary the Sparrow appeared.
She flapped her wings and landed on the table. "Renee, that strange human is spying on you again."
Renee Jennings furrowed her long, slender brows. "Where is he?"
Mary the Sparrow said, "At the grilled oyster stand."
Renee Jennings pretended to glance nonchalantly toward the grilled oyster stand.
Besides the owner, there was only one person sitting in front of the stand. He was wearing a black jacket, a black baseball cap, and a face mask.
It was the same person she had seen when she bought the sunflower seeds.
Renee Jennings felt he looked a little familiar, but she couldnât quite place him at the moment.
She thought for a moment, then said to Mary the Sparrow, "Help me keep an eye on him."
"This sparrow will!" Mary the Sparrow said earnestly. "Even if Renee hadnât asked, this sparrow would still help! Because Renee is this sparrowâs friend!"
Renee Jenningsâs lips curved into a smile. "Youâre the best, my friend."
âI never would have dreamed of this. To think that one day Iâd be friends with so many animals.â
**
ăThe next afternoon.ă
Renee Jennings went to the pet hospital to see Bella. The vet tech said she was recovering well and could be discharged to go home.
The little Samoyed stared at her expectantly through the bars of her cage, her big, dark eyes wide.
"Renee, Bella is all healthy now!"
Renee Jennings pursed her lips, hesitating.
âWe already have two cats at home. If I add a dog to the mix, will Ms. Dempsey be okay with it?â
âBut if I donât take Bella home, where else can I take her?â
Renee Jennings stroked her chin with her slender fingers, and after a moment of thought, a glimmer appeared in her eyes.
She took out her phone, dialed Diana Jenningsâs number, and called out sweetly, "Sis~"
Diana Jennings chuckled. "Whatâs up, Renee?"
"Sis, can you do me a favor?"
"What kind of favor?"
ăAn hour later.ă
Renee Jennings arrived at Prosperity Gardens with Bella.
Before she could go upstairs, she was stopped by some nearby stray dogs.
"Renee, that human you mentioned last time has been coming here every day!"
"Did he come today?" Renee Jennings asked with a frown.
Knowing that Bella was coming, Zane and Jasmine were extremely excited, staring eagerly at the front door.
"Mommy, why isnât Auntie here yet?" Zane asked, knitting his little eyebrows.
Jasmine added worriedly, "Itâs been many, many minutes. Do you think Auntie got lost? Should we go out and get her?"
Diana Jennings was preparing dessert. Hearing her children, she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Werenât you two scared before when you heard your aunt was coming?"
The brother and sister exchanged a look and pressed their pink little lips together, saying nothing.
Diana Jennings looked at her two children and said softly, "Itâs your auntâs first time being an aunt, too. She didnât know how to get along with you before, so she might not have done a very good job."
"Just like itâs my first time being a mommy, and a lot of the time, I donât take good care of you either."
"Youâve given Mommy lots of chances, so you should give your aunt a chance, too, right?"
After hearing this, Zane and Jasmine lowered their little heads and thought about it seriously.
âThey used to be afraid of their aunt because she was mean and always bullied them.â
âNow that their aunt wasnât bullying them, they werenât as scared.â
âAnd since their aunt was bringing Bella over today, they were even less afraid.â
âThey just didnât know if, one day, she might suddenly turn back into the mean aunt from before.â
Zane and Jasmine had actually discussed this secretly.
âIt was like their aunt was a completely different person.â
Before the two little ones could say anything, the doorbell suddenly rang.
They snapped their heads up, their small, innocent faces filled with surprise and anticipation.
âAuntie and Bella are here!â
Zane ran ahead, struggling to stand on his tiptoes to open the door.
But unexpectedly, it wasnât their aunt and Bella standing outside the door, but a strange man with a large mole on his nose.
"Itâs not Auntie!" Jasmineâs little face fell, her disappointment obvious.
Seeing the visitor, Diana Jenningsâs expression suddenly darkened. "What are you doing here again?" she demanded angrily.
The man with the fleshy mole pushed his way in and shut the door. He sneered, "Diana Jennings, whatâs the big idea? You havenât shown up for work in days."
"Open the door! Get out!" Diana Jennings shielded her two children behind her, her voice furious. "Iâve already quit!"
Zane knitted his little eyebrows and glanced back at his motherâs angry face. âMom must really hate this weird man,â he thought.
He pressed his lips together, his voice soft but full of conviction. "Mister, youâre not welcome in our home. Please get out!"
"Shut your mouth, you little brat!" the man with the fleshy mole yelled. "Stay out of grown-up business!"
His voice was so loud it scared Jasmine into tears.
"SOB... Mommy, that man is so scary..."
Zane was frightened too, the rims of his eyes turning red.
Diana Jennings pulled her two children close and soothed them softly, "Donât be afraid. Mommy will protect you."
"Ooh, la la," the man with the fleshy mole said with a wicked grin. "Such a sweet little voice. Why donât you call me âbig brotherâ and let me hear it?"
"Get the hell out of here!" Diana Jennings warned in a low voice. "If you donât leave right now, believe me, Iâll call the police!"
"Go on, try it," the man with the fleshy mole said with a dismissive shrug.
Diana Jennings picked up her phone from the coffee table to make the call.
Seeing this, the man with the fleshy moleâs expression changed. He lunged forward to snatch the phone. "You actually dare!"
"Give me back my phone!" Diana Jennings wasnât strong enough and couldnât wrestle it away from him.
The man with the fleshy mole said smugly, "First, you can play with your big brother for a while."
Diana Jenningsâs face was grim. She tried to make a break for the door with her two children, but the man with the fleshy mole blocked their path with his bulky body.
Her heart pounded with fear and rage. "Get out of my way!"
"Whatâs the rush? Your big brother will leave once heâs had his fun." The man with the fleshy mole rubbed his hands together and reached for the womanâs slender waist.