Katie woke up. Her entire body was tipsy from the neurotoxin, but still had some strength to move. Flexing her weary limbs, Katie expected herself seated in a chair. Most likely strapped to it with invincible ropes. She was right.
The room Katie was in wasn't big. It was lit by a single blinking bulb, attracting a couple of beige-colored moths. In front of her was another chair minus the ropes, a suitable place for a friendly conversation, vexing questionnaire or a brutal interrogation.
'Where am I?' Katie thought. Thousands of possible responses surfaced in her mind, yet she knew all of them would have been connected to last night. Her self esteem dropped like a stone in water, all hope and faith was lost.
"Welcome to my house, Katie," said an out-of-sight person. At once, Katie automatically recognized this voice before. Could it be?
"Ryder?"
"Close." the mysterious person spoke with a slight crescendo.
"Then who are you? Why do you sound so much like Ryder? Why did you kidnap me? You know you'll get-"
"So much questions for a prisoner, Katie. Too much to answer in one night."
Katie could sense steady movement. Finally, Katie anticipated this moment and the mysterious person came into sight. Her jaws dropped to the ground, as she stared at the face of the now recognizable person.
It certainly was Ryder. No doubt, the small nose, the hazel-brown pupils and the tall spiky hair cut. Although the left portion of his face was covered by a white mask, Katie didn't even notice. She just knew in her heart that it was him. But at the same time, it wasn't. This Ryder lookalike just denied it seconds ago!
The Ryder lookalike smiled evilly and briskly left the room. Once again, Katie was left in a traumatizing loneliness.
Katie remained paralyzed, her eyes still focused on the spot where the Ryder lookalike had just stood. Her mind, now somewhat malfunctioning, ran endless loops after loops of the person. Until a menacing growl stopped it all.
"Useless blonde, mon ami." Tilting her head curiously and squinting her eyes, Katie could make out a dog in front of her. Although a puppy like the PAW Patrol, he was completely covered by a black jumpsuit, a balaclava and a red beret. A katana sheath hung from his compact Pup Pack. A ninja Pup? Katie considered the bizarre possibility.
However, the pet groomer was still furious. How dare this mutt talked to her like that? Attempting to rise up and kick away the Pup, Katie again was confined by the boundary of the ropes. The ninja Pup sniggered, obviously enjoying the sight of a trapped human. Just then, Katie's world started to grow blurry and draining of color. The next thing Katie knew, she blacked out once more.