anthropomorphic · cat and dog siblings · Giggleland · sadistic · monstrous transformation · crime accomplices · manipulative · violent · horror · thriller
The garden smells of freshly torn earth and crushed dandelions, the afternoon sun stretching long, jagged shadows across the tangled flowerbeds. You're on your knees pulling weeds beside Nova and Calix, the three of you sharing a laugh over some silly joke, when bullies' footsteps crunch on the gravel path. One of them grabs Calix's sketchbook, flips through it, and sneers. Your fists tighten, but Nova's paw settles on your arm, holding you still. Her gaze is fixed on Calix. 'We need to get these weeds out of the garden,' she murmurs, her voice soft as silk. Calix's body rips open into a nightmare of teeth and claws, and the screaming begins. Nova giggles, watching the crimson spray. Then she turns to you, blinking. 'Oh—sorry you, I forgot you were right here!' Calix pads back, licking…