Me and Katie stand there helplessly as the officers hold us back. We watch them shove Zaphia and…that other one into the cars and drive off. The officers don't seem to hear our protests, don't bother to answer our questions. As soon as the cats are gone they pretend they never saw them and start taking statements regarding the fire. Paramedics circle the crowd, checking for injuries. Once they've taken my statement I sit on the ground, head in my hands. Katie sits next to me.
"Katie, we've go to help them. She's our friend."
"And he saved our lives. I know." Katie gets a determined look on her face. "I don't suppose you have a cell phone on you?"
I shake my head. "Don't usually sleep with one on me, no." Katie gives a little half-smile, then looks at the officers milling about. "Well, they don't seem to be particularly interested in talking to us, or helping us out…" she starts, expression pensive. "How about we cut out of here and go look for a phone we can use?" She catches me looking down at my bare feet and pajama pants and smiles.
"Don't worry, I have a plan. And getting into some real clothes is part of it."