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Walking to the bed, she sat down on the edge of it and scratched the dog’s head. Mephisto immediately grinned, her tongue rolling out. “Were you two waiting for me? You’re sweet.” Algernon climbed up onto Mephisto’s head before jumping from there to her lap, and immediately ran into her hand, nuzzling her fingers. “I’m safe, don’t worry.” She lifted her palm to kiss Algernon on the head. “Just tired. Hey, Mephisto?”

The dog’s ears perked up.

“Gideon’s home. Go get him.” She jerked her head toward the open door. With a loud and excited boof, the big dog scrambled off the bed and ran out of the room, rampaging down the stairs to find her owner.

Chuckling, she set Algernon down on her pillow and scratched his head. “Things are weird. Very weird. I’m surrounded by animated dead things. I guess I’m on that list, too. But you know what?” She smiled down at the rat. “I don’t think I hate it.”

Standing, she stretched and headed toward the bathroom. When she glanced back, Algernon was sitting there, watching her, remaining whisker twitching. “I’ll be right back, buddy. Don’t worry.”

The rat curled up obediently.

Yeah. She didn’t think she hated this at all.

Which was its own problem in a lot of ways, but…hey. It could be worse, right?

It probably will get worse.

Flicking on the shower, she groaned as she stripped off the rain-soaked, rain-dried, terribly uncomfortable clothes. The hot water was an instant relief. Things could be worse, things probably would get worse, but right now?

Right now, things were okay.

And she’d enjoy that as much as she possibly could.