Disclaimer: Bolt is the property of Walt Disney Studios.
Bolt was shocked into incredulity by the scene before him. "Mittens!" he cried out in terror. "What are you doing?"
The doleful-looking black cat took a determined step forward. "It's no use," she said miserably. "This is the only way out...the only way to stop the pain."
"What pain?" said Bolt, his legs petrified. "What do you mean?"
Her eyelids drooped. "Ever since Penny adopted us I've been hiding it...hiding it from you, from her, from that dimwitted hamster. What I feel, and what I am, can't live together anymore. They both have to die."
"Please, Mittens," said the dog, his ears flapping as he shook his head. "Let's just talk about this."
"Talking won't help," said the cat as she lowered her head. "Talking won't un-spay me. Talking won't make me a dog."
"Is that what you want?" Bolt asked her.
"No, it's not," said Mittens, her voice filled with despair. "What I want is you, Bolt. I love you. I always have."
Her words struck the German shepherd's face with more power than a gust of wind while sticking his head out of a car window at 70 mph.
"Y-you?" he stammered helplessly. "Love me? That's…that's impossible."
"Yes, it is impossible," wailed Mittens. "Tell me all the reasons why it's impossible, Bolt."
"Hmm," mused the pooch. "For starters, you're a cat and I'm a dog, and society doesn't exactly smile on the notion of a feline-canine romantic relationship. Then there are the obvious physical differences, such as, I'm about five times bigger than you are, plus the fact that I'm neutered, which tends to put the kibosh on being attracted to females of any species…"
"You said it better than I ever could," said Mittens quietly. "Now, if you'll excuse me…"
"No!" cried Bolt, watching impotently as his friend and fellow pet dropped her mouth into the fateful bowl. "Don't do it! You'll die!"
He launched himself forward with his hind legs, but too late…Mittens had already taken a bite of the substance. She swallowed hastily and leaned back onto her haunches. "Goodbye, Bolt," she said simply, flashing a look of resignation at the horrified dog.
"No…oh, God, no," was all Bolt could mutter. "Mittens…I…I love you, too."
They returned each other's stares for several long, awkward seconds. Mittens glanced down, bemused, at her own furry body.
"Damn," she said. "How long does it take to kick in? I thought dog food was instantly lethal to cats."
THE END