It was perched up on top of the tall brick wall surrounding the garden and she was able, at last, to get a good look at it. The animal was only somewhat cat-like, long and sinuous and with a particularly arched back, a long, tatty tail, and a roman nose. The creature was filthy, thin, and rather ugly with matted black hair, its paws caked with blood and dirt. Their eyes met. It turned to run.

ballpoint.