Something inside Cat immediately changed, like a switch was flipped. The figure before her was a threat, and she had to protect Mr. Peabody from them. Only one thing was on her mind: destruction.

Cat got closer to the figure, hoping to keep their attention on her and not the canine. "It's rude to crash through someone's window without knocking, first."

The figure laughed, revealing razor-sharp, pointy teeth. "I don't care." They stepped closer to Cat and examined her, carefully. "This'll be easy. You're just a fledgling." The figure pounced on Cat, knocking her back. She hit the wall.

Cat didn't have time to focus on the pain that rushed through her head. She heard Mr. Peabody yell, weakly, but before she could respond, the figure grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up. "You're not much fun to play with, little weakling," the figure hissed. "A vampire is useless without strength."

Cat frowned, trying to think of what to do. As long as the figure stayed away from Mr. Peabody, she didn't care what was done to her. However, she knew she wouldn't last long like this, even though she had just drank blood and thus had more strength than usual. "I haven't met any other vampires."

"That's not true. You were turned, like us all. You're just a pathetic excuse for one." The figure then whispered in her ear. "Once I get through with you, I'll make your pet into a small snack." They chuckled.

Cathleen's eyes glowed red. In a rage, she punched her attacker in the stomach. The figure would have gone through the wall, had it not been for the fact that the two were now outside on top of the building.

The figure fell off, surprised at the sudden change in scenery. They quickly became aware of what was happening and levitated back to Cat. They grabbed her and forcefully bit into her neck, deeply.

Cat screamed in pain. She wanted to focus on that, but she still had to protect herself and keep the attacker away from Mr. Peabody. Thinking quickly, Cat did the only thing she could think of to do.

The figure jerked. Through her tears, she saw their expression turn from confident to blank. Painfully, Cat managed to say, "You will never hurt him."

Cat withdrew her arm, which she had shoved through the figure's chest and heart. The figure fell, and their body slowly turned to ash. The night wind gently swept the ashes away.

Cat fell, bleeding. She needed to get back inside but didn't know how she had gotten up there in the first place. Laboriously, she climbed down and through the broken window, back into the penthouse.

Mr. Peabody was in there and ran to her, terrified. "Cathleen! Are you alright? Here, let's get you to the hospital!"

Cat shook her head. "N-no. I won't be able to explain what happened. Besides, it's just a scratch."

"Come into the bathroom, then, and let me mend your wounds."

The canine helped her to the bathroom, where he cleaned her neck and put medicine on it. He wrapped a bandage around it. "Do you know who that was?" he asked, concerned.

"No. I just know they were a vampire." Cat sighed. "I should have asked why they did this."

"You most likely wouldn't have gotten an answer. Hold still."

"Thank you for doing this. I'm so sorry," Cat said, remorsefully.

"For what? It wasn't your fault."

"They must have known I was a vampire and wanted to attack me. I...I am a danger to you. I guess I'm like a magnet that attracts danger. That's one of the reasons I left. I keep putting you in harm's way."

"Cathleen..."

"Think about it. First, the trial, now this. I have a feeling that it's just going to keep getting worse. I should have stayed away." Tears rolled down her cheeks. She was in too much pain to cry. "I can't risk you getting hurt."

"Cathleen, you're not a danger to me. In fact, I feel safer with you around."

"How is that even possible?" she asked in disbelief.

"You just saved my life from that vampire, and you defended me from that man who kicked me. Your presence in my life isn't a hazard; it's a comfort." He finished bandaging her neck. "I don't know why that vampire was here, but there may be more in the future. Don't you think it would be better if we faced them together?"

Cat hesitated, touching the bandage. "You'd be putting yourself in harm's way, and for what?"

"For a friend."

Cat was quiet. She stood up and walked out of the bathroom, and Mr. Peabody followed her. "Cathleen, I'm not helpless. I can hold my own, though I prefer not to engage in violence."

She turned around and looked him in the eyes. "I'm not worth it."

"I think you are."

Mr. Peabody looked back at her, holding his own gaze, steadfastly. Cat had a feeling that no matter what she said to him, he would not back down or let her walk away. Her voice hitched. "You might get killed. There's others out there."

"I know the risks, and I'm willing to take them."

Cat broke their eye contact and sat on the couch. "I'll clean up the glass. Please, just let me rest a minute."

"I'll clean it up. I feel much better, now. I'll get the window repaired in the morning."

"What will you tell them?"

"Just a moment." He left the room and came back with a broom and dustpan and began sweeping up the broken glass. "I'll tell them I was moving a piece of furniture, and it fell backwards and broke the window."

Cat nodded. "I suppose that would be plausible. I have to think of something to explain this injury. You know how people are; they'll ask questions."

"You could say you scraped it against something."

"Or I slipped and fell on something sharp."

They looked at each other, wearily. Mr. Peabody yawned. "We'll both figure something out. In the meantime, can you do one favor for me, if you're up to it?"

"Yes."

"Could you help me put a tarp up over this window? I've cleared away the glass."

"Yeah," Cat replied, getting up.

As Mr. Peabody and Cat covered the broken window, the canine offered, "You can sleep here tonight. I'm sure you're exhausted, and it would be difficult to get a cab at this time in the morning."

"Not really, but thank you. I'll manage."

Mr. Peabody looked over at her, frowning. "I would feel a lot better if you stayed, unless it makes you feel uncomfortable. After what's happened, I don't know if either of us should be alone."

Cat glanced at him in turn. "Are you hiring me as your bodyguard?" A slight smile crept across her lips.

He paused. "I don't really need one. It's just, I-"

"I'm just teasing," Cat interrupted. "I know what you mean. By the way, do you mind if I wash my clothes and take a shower? I must look horrible."

"I don't mind at all. Do whatever you need to. I'm afraid I don't have anything that would fit you."

"I'll just wrap myself in a towel."

They finished hanging the tarp up. "I'll wash your clothes for you," Mr. Peabody stated.

"Thank you. I don't think the blood will come out. I'll cut the sleeves off the shirt and throw them both away when I get the chance."

Mr. Peabody washed Cat's clothes while she took a shower. When she left the bathroom, she saw her clothes were near the door, folded, clean, and dry. The bloodstains were nonexistent. She got dressed and looked for Mr. Peabody, but he was nowhere to be see. She figured that he had gone to bed.

Cat saw that the couch had pillows and blankets on it, and she laid down, exhausted. She didn't even have time to think about the events that happened that night because she almost immediately fell into a deep slumber.