the cat said later that night as it paraded around on top of Clarissa’s head. She sat up with a start, causing the furry beast to hiss and retreat to the couch. She had fallen asleep at her desk yet again. And, by the feel of it, she probably had the imprint of her arm on her face. How lovely! Clarissa glanced outside. It was dark out. She yawned and stretched. That was when she saw a shadow go past the living room window. She gasped. “Did you see that?” she whispered to the cat. Was her mind playing tricks on her? The cat was apparently upset that it hadn’t been permitted to prance around atop Clarissa’s head. It stuck its nose in the air and ignored her. The stupid thing was completely useless as far as security went. It got freaked out by dust particles and imaginary predators, yet didn’t react at all when real live people were lurking around outside. Then again, maybe Clarissa had imagined the shadow. She was overtired and overworked. It wouldn’t be a stretch for her to see something that wasn’t actually there. That was what exhausted, stressed out brains did, wasn’t it?
