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Chapter Nine
The next morning, they were traveling back over the road when Felix heard the squeal of kittens.  He turned in that direction and saw the same dog that had chased them earlier.  Cornered by the ferocious beast were two little kits.  One was light yellow with white paws, and the other was a brown tom with darker spots.  His color reminded Felix of the sweet-smelling discs Emily had adored so much, though they had never seemed appetizing to Felix.
He pointed them out to Mel.
"Yeah, what about it?" she said, uninterested.
"Shouldn't we do something?"
"Of course!  We're going to avoid that dog."
"We can't leave them to be eaten!  They look no more than four months old," Felix objected.
"Trying to fight a dog big as that would be suicide!" argued Mel.
Felix already knew that, but he would feel so guilty if they were killed.  He attacked the dog from behind, allowing the kittens to escape.
"Stupid softpad," muttered Mel under her breath.  She leaped into battle as well.
The dog was even bigger up close, and just as strong as it was huge.  Felix had seen dogs before.  Emily's friend had a little scruffy white one who used to yap at him constantly.  But this couldn't be more different.
Its bright white teeth snapped at Felix, threatening to break him in half if he were caught in the muscular jaws.  Mel clawed at the dog's face, and it turned towards her.  She did not land right, and could not dodge to avoid being chomped by the beast.
Mel stood frozen for a moment, and then went limp.  The dog got bored of her and came back for Felix.  As he at Mel's bloody, crumpled figure he had an idea and pretended to be dead. The dog sniffed at Felix, and then left him alone, walking away after several seconds.
When Felix was sure the dog was gone, he got up and went to inspect his friend's body, sure she was dead.  But he could see Mel's flank rising and falling, breathing heavily.  Blood poured out of the wound, and it was clear she would die if he didn't do something.
"But I don't know what!" yowled Felix to the sky in frustration.  He was reminded of Yuke's capture.  He felt just as helpless then.  He saw a shadow move at the corner of his vision.
"Who's there?"
A figure crept out of the darkness.  Malcolm!