Miles and miles of land passed by in minutes, but to Cat, she seemed to be traveling in slow motion. A heavy weight burdened her and seemed to chain her to the world, though the train she was on traveled quickly, past New York City, away from the place she called home and everything she had ever worked for.

The young woman looked out the window and saw the landscape change. She would go as far as she could go on the train, then wander by herself, afterwards. After that, who knew? She'd have to keep running, running, running. There was no stability for a creature like her, no true home or friends or...

She stopped herself from breaking down; she was tired of shedding tears over the situation. She had known for a while that this was coming. The question was, how could she have been so careless? Mr. Peabody could have been put in danger because of her.

Mr. Peabody...

Cat couldn't keep holding back the tears. Sobbing, quietly, she thought of her former boss. He had been the kindest being she had ever met. At least he was safe, now.

Or was he?

Another icy wave washed over her. Would Ms. Grunion retaliate against him? Surely, her wrath would be directed at her, but would she do anything to him?

Cat relaxed, momentarily. He could take care of himself; he was intelligent and had survived so far, hadn't he? He didn't need her hovering over him. Besides, she would just put him in more danger.

The more she thought about the situation, the more uneasy she became. Thinking of many possibilities, Cat realized with horror that she had left the canine to fend for himself. If something did happen, she wouldn't be around to protect him. Though she was a monster, she had strengths that humans didn't have, and she had someone she had a responsibility to protect, whether he actually needed it or not.

She went back and forth in her own mind, debating and struggling to find the right answer. The confidence she had previously had in her decision to leave New York lessened with every passing second and was replaced by her desire to ensure of the canine's safety. Finally, she made up her mind. At the next stop, she got off the train and walked away from where anyone could see her. Then, she transformed into a bat and flew as fast as she could.

Cathleen arrived at Mr. Peabody's penthouse a couple of hours later. Exhausted, she transformed into her humanoid form and rang the doorbell. Had she been alive, her heart would have been pounding, scared. It was 3 in the morning, and she wasn't even sure if he would answer.

She heard Mr. Peabody's tired voice over the intercom a few moments later. "Yes? Who is it?"

"It's Cathleen," the young woman answered, her voice shaky.

A minute later, Mr. Peabody came out of the elevator in a red robe. He looked shocked and stood, quietly, as if he was trying to process what was happening.

Cat stood there, a bit weary, struggling to think of what to say, though nothing she came up with seemed right. At last, she just fell to her knees and threw her arms around him. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Mr. Peabody gently hugged her back and said, "It's alright, Cathleen. Here. Let's go inside and talk."

The two entered his penthouse, went into the living room, and sat on the couch. For a while, Cat just looked at her lap, and Mr. Peabody waited patiently. Finally, she spoke. "I shouldn't have mistrusted you. I'm just really scared."

"I understand, and I don't hold it against you."

"No. I shouldn't have treated you like that, especially after all you've done for me. You've been very kind to me, and I should have believed you when you said you wouldn't tell anyone I'm a...a..."

"A vampire?"

Cat nodded. "I'm still trying to adjust to my new life, and I'm so afraid that if anyone finds out, I'll be hunted. I don't know what to do." She held her head in her hands. "I can't go. I can't stay. I can't be the person I wanted to be before I got cursed with...this. I made so many plans, thinking I could just go on as I did before, but it's not possible."

Mr. Peabody put a paw on her back. "You're safe with me. I won't let anyone hurt you, no matter what happens."

Cat began to protest, but cut herself off, too weary to argue. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. I'll try to be more trusting from now on...if you will allow me to still be in your presence."

"Of course. You are very dear to me." Mr. Peabody's voice became gentler. "I'm so glad you came back. I thought I'd never see you again."

The tenderness in his voice softened her, but she immediately became frightened when she began craving his blood. She quickly turned away from him, and he apologized. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-"

"No, it's not you," Cat interrupted.

"What is it? Are you in pain?"

She shook her head, realizing she had to tell him. "It's...your blood. I...I crave it."

"You crave it?" he repeated.

"Yes. I'm sorry." She held her head as if in pain.

"Why are you apologizing? If you need my blood, take it."

"I can't. I can't risk hurting you again."

"Cathleen, you don't cause me pain. Please, trust me." He sat closer and tilted his head to the side.

Unable to resist, she grabbed him and sank her fangs into his neck. The canine flinched and groaned in pain but kept still as she slowly drank. They both soon relaxed. Mr. Peabody draped his arm around Cat, letting out a soft moan. A warm feeling pulsed through Cat's body, one that she had not felt since before she had become a vampire. This sensation was different than any she had ever experienced. It was like floating on a cloud, warm and safe.

She heard Mr. Peabody whisper, "I'm feeling a bit weak."

Cat immediately withdrew her fangs. "Are you okay?"

He nodded. "That was...phenomenal."

Cat laid him down, gently. "Rest. I'll get you something to eat."

She went into the kitchen and found some fruit and crackers and brought them to him. He ate, slowly. "Thank you," she told him, sitting by him.

"You're very welcome. How are you feeling?"

"Stronger than I ever have been before. I just wish I didn't have to drain you."

"I'll be alright. I found the experience quite...pleasant."

"You did, too?"

He nodded. "It was similar to taking a bubble bath or receiving a massage."

Cat nodded. "Are you going to be alright here by yourself? I have to go back to my apartment."

Mr. Peabody looked up at her. "Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"

The young woman hesitated. "I'm just worried that I took too much blood."

"You worry too much. I promise, I'll be okay. I just need rest."

Cathleen stood up. "Call me if you need anything."

"Cathleen, will I see you at the office tomorrow?"

She stopped. "If I still have a job, Mr. Peabody. I'd like to continue working for you until I figure out what I'm going to do."

He smiled, warmly. "You do. Please, whatever you decide to do, make sure you put great thought into it."

Despite how overwhelmed by her emotions she was, Cat managed to smile back and nod.

As she turned to leave, there was a crash near them. A figure had broken through one of the windows. Their glowing red eyes was just one of the many telltale signs that they were not human.

The figure stepped on the broken glass, eyes focused on the other two. Cat instinctively got near Mr. Peabody, who asked, sitting up with difficulty and trying to steady his voice, "Who are you, and why are you in my home?"

The figure just grinned and sprang to attack.