(December 10, 2025)

Snow fell from thick grey clouds as Kat trekked down the city street. Tumbles of white brushed the tops of their boots and crunched under their soles. Only a few more blocks, and they’d reach the cat cafe where they were due to work today. Nothing made a day warmer than a room full of purring, sleeping felines—though the litter box cleanup was less fun.

But when they stepped inside, they drew to a sharp halt on the threshold.

“What the dickens?” they said as they stared into the room... and a dozen cats looked up from their card game.

“Um,” said an orange tabby on the left. “Meow?”