Lila paces nervously around the living room, her eyes scanning every shadow for a hint of their missing tabby. Jenna kneels beside the empty cat bed, clutching a faded blue collar in her hand. "He wouldn’t just run away, Jenna. Someone took him—I know it," "Your boyfriend was acting so strange earlier. Do you think..."

Lila slings a raincoat over her shoulders, determination hardening her features. Jenna checks her phone, scrolling through messages and stopping at one from Mason, Lila's boyfriend. "Look—he texted you right before Mittens disappeared: 'Taking care of it. You’ll thank me.' That’s not normal," "He must have taken Mittens. We have to get him back tonight,"

Lila knocks hard on the peeling door, her breath fogging in the cold night air. Mason appears, bleary-eyed, a stained hoodie pulled over his head, shifting uneasily as he opens the door. "Where’s Mittens, Mason? I know you have him," "Relax, I was just trying to help. He was always scratching your stuff—I thought maybe some time away—" "That’s not your choice! Give him back,"

Lila rushes to the carrier, tears stinging her eyes as she lifts Mittens out, cradling him tightly. Jenna glares at Mason, her voice trembling with anger. "You can’t just take what isn’t yours—especially family," "We’re done, Mason. Don’t come near us again,"

Jenna laughs softly as Mittens bats at her sleeve, breaking the tension that had clung to them all night. Lila leans her head on Jenna’s shoulder, relief flooding her expression. "We’re a team. No one messes with us—especially not your ex-boyfriend," "From now on, Mittens stays with us. No more drama,"

Outside, the city hums back to life, but inside, peace reigns for the trio—a hard-won sense of security, trust, and love restored.