Fritz and Zooey paused with shocked expressions for a brief moment before breaking out into a fit of laughter. Their neighbour Nancy was heard yelling from the door in vibrant Chinese.

“Oh shit, it’s Nancy!” Zooey shrieked, “Hide!” Zooey lurched to grab Mr. Williamson and she ran with him into the apartment shutting and locking the door behind her.

Fritz pounded frantically at the door,”Zooey, let me in!”. Nancy came out with a questioning expression. She looked at Fritz who stood frozen on the landing with tinsel in his hair, his face smudged with a mixture of marinara sauce and cat fur. He stood still under Nancy’s skeptical gaze as she advanced towards him.

“Zooey help!” Fritz shrieked, as Zooey opened the door to yank in a bewildered Fritz inside before slamming the door shut. They could hear Nancy retreat back into her apartment cursing loudly and they let out a breath of relief. They lay in the hallway on their backs, and Mr.Williamson retreated under the couch.