I shake my head. Fear and bile in my throat. Knuckles jumps from the bed and starts running in circles, barking. The glowing creature stares at me, their paw pressing harder on the glass. “I have something I need to tell you.” Their voice is less of a purr now and more of a growl; their swirling black eyes, like the Milky Way, glint with the possibility of danger.
I grab the knife from the table by my bed and unsheathe it, holding it close to my body. I’m not much of a fighter, but I’d be damned if, after escaping police, military, and fascists, I’m going to let a glowing light take me out.
“Please.” Their voice softens. “I would rather not hurt you.”
I kick myself for not keeping a gun. My comrades had suggested it, a couple had insisted on it, but I had refused. I didn’t want a gun in my house. I figured if the state agents came for me, I would at least stab a few before getting taken in, but I can’t see myself shooting them. Could I shoot this creature? What would even happen if I did? Perhaps it would be an explosion of starlight everywhere.
As I debate my options, I hear a low hum; the hum deepens right before the glass of my window shatters. I curse softly. Glass is difficult to find, not easily replaceable now.
The glowing panther hops inside, graceful and feline. I back away. Knuckles flattens her ears and growls, but I shake my head at her, and she scampers under the bed.
The panther sweeps their paw across the shattered glass, and the pieces float up, rearranging themselves together and forming back into my window. My jaw slackens, and the hand holding the knife gets more sweaty, beginning to shake.
“I know I may frighten you,” the panther says, jumping on top of my bed and sitting. “But I have a proposition for you. Something you and your comrades might want to hear.”
My hand tightens around the knife.
Choice 2: Do I sit and listen to the panther creature, or do I stab them?
Leave a comment with your choice and I’ll continue the story!
