Nick Cotton is noticable in his absence on the warm moon-lit nights that the other children sneak out on. Rosie makes excuses, but there are those who wonder. And later, when the leaves have fallen and the snow covers the ground, tracks are found in the mornings.
Heavy prints, like a heavy animal, and there is talk of black creatures snapping at people in the darkness. The Cotton's yard is always shovelled out early, swept flat in the night. It's only by accident that Sam sees the heavy prints near Nick's window, and the frozen red of blood beneath the sill. Coarse dark hair, and Sam knows, suddenly, what has happened to his friend.
Rose comes around the corner, gasping when Sam looks up with horror-stricken eyes. "Did he... the Sackville-Baggins?"
Anger in her face, she hefts the broom and menaces with him. "Don't you even think such things, Samwise Gamgee! Nick wouldn't harm a soul, not even one so nasty as theirs." But there's blood on the snow, on the outer wall, and Sam scoops it up.
"What of this, then? Blood got to come from somewhere."
Rose colors and turns away. "Rabbit stew today, Sam. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
~