When the meat was finished, Vhai stood.

“There are too many people here, I’ll get trampled.” Vhai said, starting to walk away.

Mirk barked. “Wait for me!” He yelled, catching up to her. Vhai and Mirk turned and went into an alley, and sat down.

“Hey, if you aren’t a stray, what are you doing on the streets?” Vhai asked Mirk.

Mirk looked away. “Well, it’s a silly story.” Mirk said, as he watched the people on the sidewalk.

“I’m sure it’s not that silly. So why are you out here?” Vhai said, with a slight hiss.

Mirk whined, and then sighed. “It’ll make me sound crazy, but okay.” He said.

“Well, I was in my house when I suddenly had this strange feeling, like something was about to attack. I went outside and this scent…it was horrible. I saw a shadow slink across my yard, and I went to the side of my house to see it, and it slashed at me, so I ran away.” Mirk said, remembering the slashes on his nose. He put his paw up, and then put it down again. There was blood on his paw. Still bleeding? He thought to himself.

Vhai’s eyes had widened. “I know what you mean.” She said, looking away.

Mirk was suddenly confused. “You do?” He asked, looking at her. Vhai’s head turned, her bright green eyes looking into his brown eyes.

“Yes.” Vhai said. She sighed, and her mouth opened. “I was in an alley when the scent came. It smelled evil…it really did. I hissed, and jumped away, and the scent grew stronger. I jumped onto a fence, and then a shadow appeared, and it came near me. I ran away as fast as I could.” She said. She seemed ashamed.

“I wonder what it was…” Mirk said, as the moment that the shadow slashed at him flashed in his head.

“I wonder too.” Vhai replied. “Maybe it’s some sort of dark force. Wait…we already know that. But why is it here? What does it want?” Vhai continued.

Mirk looked at Vhai. “Yeah…what DOES it want?” Vhai and Mirk sat pondering for a few minutes.

“You have any ideas?” Vhai asked.

“Nope, I don’t.” Mirk replied, shaking his head.

Vhai lifted her head, eyes widening. She sniffed the air.

“Do you smell that?” Vhai asked, looking over at Mirk. Mirk stood, putting his head in the air.

“Yes, yes I do. It’s back, isn’t it?” Mirk replied.

Vhai sniffed again. “It seems to be far away. Maybe we can catch it.” Vhai said. Mirk nodded, and they ran out of the alley, following their noses.