Katie felt very alone. After last week’s incident at the Mall, she avoided going out. She sat every night, gazing up at the stars, wishing for a friend.

Every morning she was greeted by meowing, or barking, or some other noises and was completely baffled as to how so many animals, especially cats, came to find her lonely apartment.

She shooed them away; it’s not like she could afford to feed them, and she walked out to get her paper.

Marc and Mandy had been an item since high school. Unlike other cheerleaders and quarterbacks what they had was real, true, and it had lasted long after graduation. But lately, Marc had become distant, he daydreamed, and had desired to see the ocean. Mandy felt their relationship was in danger.

The sky rumbled, clouds rolled, creating a menacing light show as they advanced on the beach. It matched Katie’s mood. She closed her eyes.

Marc suddenly got up from his desk, grabbed his coat, and told his secretary he was leaving. He had just ordered a plane ticket online.