Bearly A Squeak by Ariana McGregor

way to the door. She squeezed herself against the wall in the tiny little space between the kitchen counter and the door frame. She was on the right side of the door to dart outside as soon as the door was opened.
    She didn’t have to wait long before the door suddenly swung open.
    “The guy will be here first thing tomorrow morning,” Barry’s voice announced as he entered the room.
    “Tomorrow?” one of the strangers objected.
    “Yeah,” Barry said, taking a step forwards. “It was the earliest he could get here.”
    “I don’t like this.” One of the strangers.
    “Well, he should have left my mouse alone,” Barry growled. “I spent ages training her and I need her money.”
    Money? What money? Tara didn’t have time to waste. She could stand here eavesdropping or she could get out there and find Alex. It was no contest. She had to move now while the door was still open.
    She bounded out of the door into the garden, just as the door closed behind her. She stood for a moment, little nose quivering. She was so small in this form, so vulnerable, and she didn’t have a big ass bear protecting her this time. No, this time it was the itty bitty mouse that had to protect the bear. Frightened or not, she had to do this.
    She spotted the shed and pattered towards it on little mouse paws. She was right next to the shed when she smelled it. Cat! She saw a streak of black as she dashed at the tiny hole she’d spotted in the shed wall. She could practically feel the cat’s breath on her neck as she ran for her life. She threw herself into the hole and heard the smack as the cat hit the wall, unable to fit through the gap. She could still hear it, scratching at the wall, determined to get to her. She shivered in fear, cowering in the gloom of the shed. Gradually, a familiar scent penetrated her senses. Alex!
    She followed her nose to the back wall of the shed. Alex was propped up against the wall, wrapped in heavy ropes. Sure, shifters were strong, Alex more than most, but the staggering amount of rope would keep him in place. He’d been wrapped like a mummy in layers of ropes to keep him immobile. His eyes were closed, his body unmoving. Blood ran from a cut on his forehead, his handsome face bruised. Apparently Barry hadn’t been able to resist the opportunity to hit Alex when he was unable to defend himself. Tara felt rage well within her.
    Scampering over to him, she climbed the ropes, bringing her level with his face. She nudged him gently with her nose. Nothing. She nudged a little harder and his eyes opened, his gaze a little unfocussed. He frowned a little and she nudged him again.
    “Tara?” he queried. His eyes becoming clearer. “What are you doing here? You need to get out. Now.”
    She shook her head at him. No way she was leaving him here like this.
    “Tara,” he said firmly. “It’s not safe. You have to go. If you want to help me, you need to go find Ethan and Leo and bring them here. Can you do that?”
    She shook her head again. It was a great plan… except she had no idea where they were and how to get to anyone who could help. Besides, they didn’t have time. Alex didn’t know about the hitman arriving in the morning. Wait, if Barry had made that phone call outside, Alex had to have heard him, had to know what was coming. He was still trying to send her away, to protect her while he got his stupid furry ass killed. Not happening.
    She squeaked at him crossly and then looked down at the ropes. It would take a long time, but they had the rest of the afternoon and all night. As long as that damn cat didn’t get in here.
    She picked a rope and got to work, her little mouse teeth gnawing through the rope.
    “You’re not leaving, are you?” Alex sighed. “We’re going to be discussing this later.”
    She ignored him. If she failed, nobody would be discussing anything. If she succeeded, he could yell at her all he liked, just as long as he was alive to do so. She kept gnawing. After a