***
Erica moved at almost a jog now, having to fight harder against the wind that blew back at her, angry at her for getting in its way. As she approached her building, a small gray dog of ambiguous breeding came bounding towards her, barking over the howling wind. He stopped at her feet and growled, took off in the direction of her building, and returned to where she walked, barking again.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have any food for you," she said, despite the fact that she smelled like her night’s work. She felt bad for the scrawny little thing, he looked like he could use a few meals.
Erica walked past the alley that ran between the long-closed grocery store and her building. Before she could reach the steps, the dog snagged the tail of her coat in its sharp little teeth and pulled her back, almost dragging her towards the mouth of the alley. Wow. She hadn't thought the little mutt had that much strength in its body. What had gotten into this dog anyhow? She turned and followed him into the alley. Maybe if she saw what he wanted her to see, he’d leave her in peace.