Within half an hour, Hanna and Lexi close in on the house, and watch as two adult lynxes hastily enter.

"This is the house those thieves hit," Hanna informs Lexi.

Lexi is about to reply, but stops short at the sound of the female lynx's shriek.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Lexi breathes.

"Lead on Captain Cliché," Hanna replies deadpan.

Lexi leads Hanna round the back of the house. Silently, they scale the wall trellis and slide along to the nearest window. As they're about to peek inside, they hear the bedroom door open. Ducking into cover, they remain hidden while the female lynx they saw before berates the other occupant of the room.

"If that's what parents are like, I'm glad I don't have any," Hanna whispers.

"Believe me, this is far from normal," Lexi whispers back.

Soon, they hear the door slam shut. Cautiously, Lexi and Hanna peek into the room, where they see the shaking naked lynx kitten curled into the fœtal position.

"We have to save her," Hanna whispers, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Lexi turns to her friend. "Are you‑?"

"Tell no‑one," Hanna hisses. "I have a rep to maintain."

"One day your obsession over how others think of you will be your downfall," Lexi warns.

But Hanna's not listening: she's too busy lock‑picking the window. Ten seconds is all it takes. She opens the window slowly, then sneaks into the room, Lexi right behind. Hanna heads to the door, placing her ear flat against it to listen in case the lynx's parents return upstairs.

"Don't be frightened child, we're here to help you," Lexi whispers soothingly as she slowly climbs onto the bed beside the lynx. Her heart skips a beat when she sees the duct tape on the lynx's wrists and ankles. "I'm going to cut the tape, OK?" she continues, unsheathing her tanto. With two quick movements, the lynx's arms and legs are free. "This next bit's gonna hurt: try not to scream."

"Bogeys approaching," Hanna whispers urgently.

Lexi curses under her breath, and abandons removing the tape gag. "Sorry kid, but we gotta go. Hanna, a hand please."

Hanna swiftly joins Lexi, and together they carry the lynx to the window. Hanna climbs out first, but as Lexi passes the lynx to her, the bedroom door opens.

"What on‑" the mother begins to shriek, stopping short when the tip of Lexi's katana appears an inch from her face.

"Your daughter was raped, and you blame her?" Lexi growls menacingly, backing the mother out of the room. "You do not deserve to be a mother: you're nothing but a monster!" Lexi slams the door shut.

By the time the mother re‑enters the room, it's empty.


Back in the alleyway, Hanna and Lexi regroup. The lynx, gag now removed, is wrapped in Hanna's cloak.

"How's she doing?" Lexi asks.

"Not been able to get a word out of her," Hanna sighs. "It's like she's shut the world out."

"Given what's happened to her, I can't blame her," Lexi replies.

"We just need to‑" Hanna begins, stopping when she hears sirens. "Get the heck outta here!" she finishes, leaping on her bike, seating the lynx in front of her. Lexi fetches some straps from her bike's saddlebag, and uses them to strap the lynx to Hanna so she doesn't fall off as they flee. Once secure, Hanna sets off at top speed, Lexi following on her own bike.