{C-5-A}

“Stop what you’re doing right now!” you yell as you jump out from under the table.

The pet shop owner is so surprised by you that he trips and falls. He sees Neko-chan and smiles. He points a finger at you and in a deep voice chants some strange, incomprehensible words.

A strange light seems to shine in your field of vision, momentarily blinding you, and you suddenly feel completely different. He has transformed you into a gerbil. Panic seizes you as you realize that Neko-chan is crouching and is about to pounce on you.

You try to speak but you just make squeaking noises, which only seems to excite Neko-chan’s predatory instincts even more. Neko-chan pounces, claws extended, and just before he gets you, the pet shop owner turns you human again. You bang your head on the table top above you. Neko-chan lands harmlessly in your arms, and you look up at the pet shop owner who looms menacingly over you.

“Let that be a lesson to you!” the pet shop owner says. “Never sneak into places where you’re not supposed to be.”

“Yes, sir, I’ve learned my lesson,” you say. “Now what?”

“Now, I suggest you leave, and never come back,” the pet shop owner says.

You go home feeling terribly embarrassed, and sad that you are not getting a pet. You are happy to live your life, especially whenever you remember how close you were to being Neko-chan food.

Destiny Discovered