Tetsuya clutched the knife as the Ranagareet stepped out of the shadows.
Joe the canary fluttered madly in his cage.
“I have to take you now,” the Ranagareet said. Tetsuya detected sadness, but also a new resolve in his voice.
The Ranagareet held up his claws and made a scary face. “Come on. Let’s make this easy.”
“If you go away I’ll give you all my cars!”
The Ranagareet’s nose twitched, but he kept his scary face and he moved closer.
“If you take one more step, I’m going to fight you.”
The Ranagareet stopped. Tetsuya thought he was struggling not to cry.
“I’m sorry. But I’m really sick of being like this,” the Ranagareet said and held up his claws.
They looked at each other silently. Tetsuya opened his mouth to speak but the Ranagareet pounced. Tetsuya screamed and stabbed with
