Page 39 of Prize for the Alien Grumpus

"Reduce your medicine prices to their original cost. Never raise them again." I lean close, letting him see my true form. "Or I'll be back."

"Yes! Yes, I promise! First thing tomorrow!"

A sharp, acrid smell hits my nostrils. I glance down at the spreading dark patch on his sheets.

"Pathetic. Even my pet goldfish was better house-trained."

I leave him trembling in his soiled bed. Some humans have no dignity.

The walk home through fresh snow clears my head. Teaching Tom a lesson felt good. Like old times.

A faint sound catches my ear. Not mechanical. Not human. Something small, desperate.

My nose twitches. There - under the porch steps. A tiny heartbeat, growing weaker by the second.

I crouch down, peering into the darkness. Two golden eyes reflect back at me.

"Come here, little one."

A pathetic mewl answers. The kitten shrinks further back, but I catch its scent now. Fear. Cold. Hunger.

My claws scrape against wood as I reach in. The kitten hisses - more of a squeak really.

"Brave little warrior, aren't you?"

Gentle now. I scoop up the trembling ball of fur. So small it fits in my palm. Black and white patches, matted with ice.

The kitten tries to bite me. Its teeth can't penetrate my hide.

Inside, I cradle it close to my chest. My fur will warm it faster than any blanket.

Tiny footsteps patter down the stairs. Sam appears in her unicorn pajamas, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"What's that noise?"

The kitten answers with another plaintive mew.

Mel follows close behind, wielding a baseball bat. She lowers it when she sees me.

"I heard crying outside," I lie smoothly. "Found this one freezing under the porch."

The kitten peers out from my fur. Sam's face lights up.

"A kitty! Can we keep him, Mom? Please?"

Mel opens her mouth to refuse, but the kitten chooses that moment to sneeze. Even I have to admit it's adorable.

"Please?" Sam clasps her hands together. "I'll take care of him, I promise!"

I crouch down to Sam's eye level, careful not to loom over her. The kitten squirms in my palm.

"Taking care of another life is a huge responsibility. Are you ready for that?"

"Yes! I'll feed him and play with him and love him forever!"

"That includes cleaning his litter box."

"I don't care. I'll do anything." Sam bounces on her toes, eyes locked on the tiny creature.

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