Phantom’s Kiss

Bridget pulls out of the underground parking lot into traffic. Barely three minutes into the drive, Mortimer lets out a wail and rattles the carrier against the dashboard.

“I thought you said the darkness soothes him,” says Bridget.

“It usually does,” says Robin. “I don’t know why he’s doing this.”

Mortimer growls and hisses. Bridget glances at him. A loud thunk, and the car lurches.

Bridget’s eyes snap back to the road. “What did I hit?” Her stomach drops. She hopes it wasn’t a person.

“You didn’t hit anything. Something hit you.” Moric points to the sky ahead. “And here comes another one.”

A ball of light hurls itself at the car. Bridget swerves into the opposite lane. Horns honk and tires squeal. The light hits the asphalt where the car had been moments before, leaving a scorch mark.

Moric throws open his door. “Out of the car.”

Bridget and Robin leap out, abandoning the car in the middle of the street. Angry people yell until they see what they’re running from and follow.

Robin struggles with the carrier as its occupant leaps against the door. Moric glances over. The zip tie vanishes, and the door opens. Mortimer leaps first to the ground, then up into Robin’s arms. She drops the carrier.

Moric leads them deep into an alley. “Give me the exact location of the safe house.”

A ball of light appears at the end of the alley. Bridget looks around at the wall behind them. No way out.

Mortimer’s eyes glow red. He leaps out of Robin’s arms onto the ground.

“Now,” says Moric.

Bridget fumbles with her phone.

The light homes in and flies towards them.

Mortimer leaps towards it, all four paws in the air, claws extended.

“No!” Robin lurches towards him. Moric grabs her. Cat and light collide in a blast of energy that sears Bridget’s eyes. She closes them and turns away.