The breakfast room service had delivered was cold and unappetizing. I’ve been dreading this day for months.

I'd hoped to at least fill my stomach the morning before carrying out The Assignment. Alas. Microfuel it is. Time to grab my gear and head out towards the rendezvous point.

I shouldered the compact mini wheel and headed out. It would unfold to its full height, neon racing strips gleaming, once I got outside and got myself sorted. "Here we go" I said to myself with a sigh 😔.

The cold morning air pulling at my hair brought back memories.

It was a thirty minute ride to the cemetery. As I rode, I couldn’t help but wonder how on earth Clarence ended up this way.

Clarence Thomas had just been nominated to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He was also my mortal enemy.

How could a man so disgusting and evil acquire a position so prominent?? Oh wait.. this is America after all.

Just then a branch fell from a tree and lodged between the spokes of my bike. My thought interrupted as I’m thrown over the handlebars.

With my hands and face bloodied, I stood, dazed, and hurled a swift kick to the bike. Why was I riding this piece of crap to something so important? I needed a new plan, and maybe a quick drink.

And then, there she was.

The storm of her, wrapped in skin that should have been human, but never could be, with eyes that blazed hotter than the stars above.

Lilith was an orange main coon that looked to be perpetually on fire. As she rolled her eyes, she spoke words to my mind and not my ears. "You never were very observant."

I should have known she'd show herself. She always did appear at just the right (or wrong?) time in my life, ever since that day in the park when I was sixteen. "Hello, Lilith. Lovely seeing you again."