Epilogue
Mr. Hoodie Man, whom my father is embarrassingly obsessed with, has forgotten to sneak me my evening celery.
I even gave him a reminder. A very loud reminder. Instead, he’s smiling at the glowing box in his hand.
Sniff. Love-sick idiot.
I peek around the hallway wall. It’s quite in the way; I can’t see their feet from here, which means I can’t approximate exactly when the food will hit my plate.
Don’t they know I’m starving? It takes a lot of energy to defend this castle, and although I do it with honor, my belly is starting to take a hit.
It’s not as big as it could be, and all because these idiots refuse to allow me to dine as I require.
There’s a whine at the back door, and I flick my tail. Minky is an idiot. I adopted him because, well, they caught me in a weak moment, and now I can’t get rid of him.
I huff out a breath, then stalk into the living room, and I’m met with the most horrifying sight.
Intruders. My father’s lover is being eaten by intruders. Two ugly mounds that I can smell from here, eating his legs and resting on my ground. Onion cheese lukewarm lumps messing up my floor while they consume his legs.
He doesn’t even notice. They call them socks, but they’re parasites, consuming too slowly for the host to realize until it’s too late.
My heart races. My father’s lover and my floor are at risk.
Not on my watch.
My tail goes up in warning. I’m an honorable fighter. I’ll give my enemy a chance at a fair fight.
My enemy ignores me.
I tried enough. I charge forward, eyes locked on the reeking intruders. I hope I don’t hurl when I get a mouthful of them, but I will take whatever hit I must.
There’s a screech, then one of the intruders disappears. I aim for the other one.
My father’s lover is up, running from me. I can’t be sure, but I think the parasites have access to the host’s brain, making them defend the parasite as if it were their own.
I chase after him. I’ll save him, even if he doesn’t want to be saved. That’s not him thinking; he’s not in his right mind.
The front door opens, and my father is there. My father’s lover runs up to him, jumping into his arms, raising the parasites off the floor.
I skid to a stop. Blast.
“Princess Cupcake Sprinkles!” My father uses my full name. He’s wearing the shells that suffocate the parasites. I don’t understand why he only wears them when he goes outside, though; they need suffocation for longer.
I eye them. If Father lowers just a bit, I might be able to reach the parasites. I reach up, and my father laughs. Laughs.
This is life or death, and he’s laughing.
Then he’s carrying his lover up the stairs.
Those freaking stairs. I jump up them, my heart racing. Why do they have to be so big? But I’ll do anything for justice.
Father is faster, then they disappear into the room with the slam of the door. I make it to the top of the stairs, wheezing. They got away.
No matter, I’ll wait for them.
I amble to the door and settle in.
I’ll save them one day, whether they like it or not.
The End.