Chapter 7

Shadow:

I slowly wake up and stretch. I'm still curled up with my glove in the basket with Alley. Alley's glove is off to one side. I guess she's not as interested in her glove as I am with mine. My tummy suddenly growls. I didn't eat before going to sleep. I was to tired when we got back to the room. I look around and notice Hellboy doesn't seem to be here. In fact, I seem to be the only one awake. I carefully get up so as not to disturb Alley and go to the food bowls. As I finish eating, the big door opens and Hellboy comes in. He looks very tired. He comes up to the bed and falls down onto it face first. The bed shakes from the force of his weight, and for a second I think it's going to collapse on me. But it holds and I can hear Hellboy repositioning himself on the bed. I crawl out from under the bed, and look up at him. He's rolled over onto his back now, and he's staring at the ceiling with his bright yellow eyes. I jump up onto the bed. I go over to him and start rubbing my head on his left hand. He jumps, and then notices it's only me. He starts scratching my ears.

"I've fought demons of every size, shape and color," he says quietly. "I've taken on zombies, vampires, ghosts and even gods and won. Yet, I can't find one stupid rat."

He lets his hand drop. After a few moments, I realize he's not going to scratch my ears any more. He's staring at the ceiling again. I climb up onto him and sit in the middle of his chest. I look at him. He looks at me. I realize that I'm still tired, my belly is full and he's really warm. I curl up into a ball right where I am and start purring myself to sleep. I feel him stroke my fur a few times. He starts to relax underneath me. And just as I'm drifting off to sleep, I hear him murmur, "And Manning wonders why I like you guys."

---

Next thing I know, I'm being launched through the air as Hellboy suddenly sits up, yelling. Someone catches me in mid-air. I recognize the blue arm attached to the hand holding me, and I quickly pull my claws back in. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I'm not sure how long I've slept, but most everyone is awake now, including Alley. She's still in our basket staring at us.

"Geez, Abe," growls Hellboy, "you trying to get clocked?"

"I tried calling your name, but you didn't respond." Abe explains, "So I had to shake you awake."

"Any luck finding that rat?" asks Hellboy.

"I'm afraid not," says Abe. "It's your turn to try and find it. I'm going back to my tank and getting some rest."

"How long was I asleep?"

"Four hours."

"Man, that's not long enough. I need my beauty sleep," grumbles Hellboy as he yawns and stretches.

Abe chuckles as he hands me back. He then turns and leaves without another word.

Hellboy puts me back in my basket and then heads for the side door. I see a light go on under the door, and then I hear water running.

"What was that all about?" asks Alley. "And why were you up there?"

"I think they're trying to find that demon rat we saw yesterday," I explain. "It sounds like they haven't had any luck."

Myers walks in at that moment pushing a cart full of food, looking very tired. He puts several platters of food on the table. Then he puts several bowls of kibble on the floor, taking away the empty bowls. All the cats head for the bowls at once. Alley and I try to get in there, but there are just too many cats and not enough bowls.

"Hey, make room for the kittens," we hear Misty growl as she bops a brown tabby on the head. "Come on you two, I can't hold them off forever."

We quickly head for the bowl that Misty has cleared for us.

"Thanks," we both say as we start eating.

"You're welcome," she purrs as she sits and watches', making sure no one bothers us.

After a few minutes, we're full. So we go back to our basket and start giving ourselves baths. Alley's having a hard time with those bandages on her. Her tongue keeps getting stuck in the material.

Alley finally gives up trying to wash herself and says, "You know, since they can't seem to find that rat, maybe we should help."

I stop mid-lick and stare at her. I put my tongue back in my mouth, narrow my eyes and say, "What exactly did you have in mind?"

"We'll go out and help them look for the rat," says Alley excitedly.

"How do you suggest we get out?" I ask her sarcastically. "Hellboy's coat isn't here to crawl into this time."

Just then, Hellboy comes out the side door looking a little bit more awake. He sees the food on the table and says, "Mmm, pamcakes." He grabs a large hand full and starts eating.

"Come on," says Alley jumping out of the basket. "I have an idea."

I follow her with a sinking feeling in my stomach. She runs and hides behind a piece of furniture close to the door. I come up next to her and hiss in her ear, "Ok, now what?"

"We wait until he goes out and then we follow," she hisses back.

"Did that rat hit you on the head yesterday?"

Hellboy finishes his breakfast, and heads for the door. Alley tenses up. Just as Hellboy starts closing the door, that's when Alley makes her break for it, with me on her tail. We quickly hide behind one of the glass cases as Hellboy heads down a different hallway, and around the corner.

"Ok, Alley," I say. "Now what?"