“Zoe, can I speak to you quickly first?”

  “Oh, sure.” She looked at Jin and Fatima. “Give us a sec.”

  They went outside and sat in the empty waiting room. Ever could feel Carol’s eyes on them, but ignored her.

  “You can understand animals too.”

  “What?” Zoe frowned.

  “Yesterday at the bar, Nika said that you were lucky to be able to see him, then you called him a furry turd.”

  “Really?” She giggled. “It sounds like something I would say, but I don’t remember.”

  “Anyway, see if you can understand what Kitty says.”

  “Ever,” she shook her head. “I’ve been with animals all day. I hear animal sounds, not words. Please.” She grabbed his hands. “Can you help me with this?”

  She had a point. Surely she would have come to him if she could suddenly start to understand what animals were saying.

  “Sure, sorry.” He stood up. “Let’s do this.”

  —--

  Ever, Fatima, Jin and Zoe all had their hands on Kitty, stroking her head, paws, lower back and upper back respectively.

  “You’re right,” Fatima said, “she likes it. She hasn’t purred this loudly in years.”

  ^It’s not your fault. I don’t blame you,^ the old cat said.

  Ever's patting stopped as he interpreted the cat’s meows for her human. Fatima sobbed once, leaning in and kissing each of her cat’s paws. Ever’s gaze flicked up to Zoe. Expression grave, she held a syringe up, squeezing the pump slightly. Liquid death slicked down the needle. If she did understand what Kitty had said, she was doing a very good job at hiding it.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Are we all ready?” The vet said.

  “No wait,” Fatima said. “I…”

  The other three pulled their hands away as she buried her face into Kitty’s side, weeping anew.

  ^You’re making my fur all dirty…^

  “She’s saying that you’re making her fur all–”

  “I’m not ready to live without you, Kitty!” Fatima wailed. “Why can’t we have more time together?”

  Zoe took a shuddering breath, exhaling it shakily while Jin bowed her head, tears soaking into her disposable mask.

  Kitty focused her amber eyes on Ever. ^Do you know where I’m going?^ A tired meow.

  He half crouched, bringing himself face to face with the feline. “You don’t have to go anywhere if you don’t want to,” he said. “You can still be here. She won’t see you, but you’ll be able to see her.”

  Fatima pulled back, wiping her tear-streaked face with the back of her arm.

  ^Will I still hurt as much as now?^

  Ever glanced at the upright syringe in Zoe’s hand, thumb on the pump. “You won’t hurt as much as now.”

  ^Well what are you waiting for?^

  Ever straightened up. “She doesn’t want to be in pain anymore. She’s ready.”

  Fatima nodded. She gently grasped Kitty’s paws again. Zoe came around, getting into position, as did Jin. The vet pinched the scruff of Kitty’s neck, pushing the syringe in and pushing the pump all the way through in one movement.

  As silent sobs wracked Fatima’s body, one grey, feline form rose from the other. The soul of Kitty stretched luxuriously, ghost claws extending out of her ghost paws.

  ^I feel much better!^ Kitty’s meow echoed brightly.

  “Kitty says that she feels much better now, Fatima.”

  “What?” Fatima stared at Ever. “She’s… she’s still here?”

  Ever watched as the ghost cat did her best to rub herself against Fatima's face.

  “Yes. I don’t think she’s going anywhere anytime soon.”