Chapter 18

“She dashed out from the shadows on my first night here and never left. It’s…,” Makai started, swallowed hard, and added, “it’s less lonely with her here. I like the company.”

He looked at the cat and felt Emil’s gaze on himself like a hesitant touch. When he turned to Emil, he quickly looked away again. Skittish. Makai had seen a lot of that in the newcomers in prison. Even in the mirror.

“She’s a good cat. You don’t have to call her Mouse, though.” Emil’s tone tried for levity, Makai thought, and almost hit it too.

He laughed a little. “I think it’s as good a name as any other. I hadn’t named her anyway.” Then he chuckled. “I can’t wait to hear Doc Donovan’s thoughts of the name, though.”

Emil snorted, and Joy giggled a bit.

“Do you fish?” Joy asked, peering at Makai.

“No, never have had the chance. Why?”

“Cats like fish. Maybe we could come with a fishing rod, like those ones with the bobber, and try to fish for her?” She looked at Emil now, and he smiled at her.