The House on the Borderland

by William Hope Hodgson

There was no Pepper; instead, I was reaching toward an elongated, little heap of grey, ashlike dust....

Nooooo, Pepper! Whhhyyyy??

Outside, on the windowsill, I could see Tip, my sister's pet cat. As I looked, it sprang to its feet, its tail swelling, visibly.

If you didn't have animals, you would be dead.

I left him, having other matters to which to attend.

YOU TAKE THAT DOG INSIDE

There is a slight, greenish discoloration 'round the scratch.

Spores.