FOURTY: A boy named Jason

She heard one of the dogs whine as it moved its rump back and forth along the floor while it looked at Mike.

“Seems you have a friend here, Mike?”

“You know these four are my pet project,” Mike said, a little confused. “That girl has certainly got you distracted. Maybe I’ll let you talk to her and you’ll owe me one.”

“Yeah,” Arous-as-Jason agreed. “I’ll handle the girls, Mike, you stick to the dogs.”

Arous-as-Jason walked back down the corridor to the hall of cats. It looked much longer and colder than before.

She hadn’t locked those cages.  Mike would be okay.  They liked Mike, right?  The worst that could happen? He’d get bitten or there would be one less Chihuahua. She had to create a diversion or she’d never be able to rescue Octavius.  It would be just like the ducklings in the Jardin de Fleur.

Despite the empty feeling in the pit of her stomach, she sang.  As the dogs bolted from their cages she turned and ran.

She ran past someone in the hall leading Octavius by a leash.

“What’s going on?”

“The dog’s got out,” Arous-as-Jason said.  “I’ll take care this guy.  You go help Mike.  You know I don’t like dogs.”

The man gave Arous-as-Jason a funny look but Mike’s screams for help interrupted whatever he was about to say.  He dropped the leash and ran for the dog ward.

She stepped in front of Octavius. He was no longer shivering. She picked him up and he latched onto her neck.  Her pace quickened as she neared the end of the hall. She was fully in the image of herself again.

Octavius hugged her neck, his arms wrapped around her and his cheek pressed hard against her neck.  His long torso allowed his feet to rest on her hips. As Arous walked the last four blocks home,   Octavius purred the whole way. 

When she got home, Tennant 12 was waiting for her.

“You have a message from Siobhan.”  He pointed to the flashing red dot inside panel on the wall.