"She took it." "It won't make things any better." "She's an adult. She can protect me." "They aren't the solution." "What is then?" "You won't like it." "I don't like being scared all the time." "You won't like being dead, either." "I don't want to be dead." "Then listen to me." I wasn’t ready for this. “Can you do it?” Please, just wake up. “Whisker.” Maybe I really am dead. “Answer me.” “I-” A dog barking. “I can do it.” Scratching at the door. I felt her hand brush against my chin before a clipped scream. The air shifted, her scent lingering after she was snatched away. Then came the biting. “Okay, thanks.”