Back in the costume store, Macy’s eyes lit up as she spotted a dark corner labeled “Seasonal Fantasy: Halloween Clearance.” A cackling laugh escaped her lips, seemingly unbidden.
“Oooh, Jess, come look at this!” Macy called out, holding up a sleek, shadowy witch outfit — complete with a crooked hat, a deep purple corset, and flowing black skirts lined with shimmering stars.
Jess, already uncomfortable in her previous outfit, frowned. “Seriously, Macy? Another costume?”
But Macy wasn’t listening. She was already rummaging deeper into the rack. “And this... is perfect for you!” she said, holding up a pair of black cat ears on a headband, along with a matching belt sporting a plush, swaying tail.
Jess stared at it, unamused. “I’m not wearing that.”
“Come on, it’ll be fun! You can be my little familiar,” Macy said with an impish grin and a wink. “You’re already good at sulking and glaring, so you’re halfway there!”
Jess groaned but followed Macy back toward the dressing rooms, muttering under her breath. “One more costume, then I’m done.”
Inside the dressing room:
Jess reluctantly pulled on the catgirl costume — tight black leotard, fingerless gloves, thigh-high stockings with claw-like decals. The ears itched a little on her scalp, and the tail bounced as she moved. She rolled her eyes, tail swishing as if by habit—
And froze.
She hadn’t swayed it.
She felt it.
Her fingers flexed and curled involuntarily, nails sharpening ever so slightly. Her pupils narrowed. Something in her gut twitched — a sudden need to pounce, to stretch, to rub her head against something soft and warm.
“What the hell...?” she whispered, ears flicking upright in alarm.
Macy, in the next stall, burst out in full cackling laughter.
“Behold! Macy the Magnificent!” she proclaimed as she stepped out into view, swirling her witch’s cape. A crooked wand was clutched in one hand, and her green-tinted eyes sparkled with glee. “And you, my dear Jess... You were just a lowly alley cat until I brought you to life!”
Jess stumbled out after her, startled — trying to say something snarky — but a low mrrrrowl sound slipped out of her throat instead.
“Macy, what the hell is going on?!”
“Oh hush, little kitty,” Macy said, tapping Jess’s nose with her wand. “You owe me your life, remember? My spellbook said I had to bond with you to keep your human form stable.”
Jess opened her mouth to argue — but something tightened in her chest, a warm pulse connecting her to Macy. It wasn’t fear… it was need. A magnetic pull toward the self-proclaimed witch that made it impossible to fully defy her. Jess felt the desire to please Macy — to curl beside her feet or obediently carry her bags — and it terrified her.
“I didn’t... I mean... I wasn’t a cat,” Jess muttered, tail twitching furiously. “Was I?”
Macy was already dancing around her, chanting fake Latin and flicking her wand as mall-goers walked past, oblivious. A small spark flickered from her wand’s tip, making a display of scarves suddenly animate and slither like snakes.
Jess backed away, yelping — only to hiss at the scarves and instinctively bat one away with her clawed hand.
Macy grinned. “See? Perfect. Just as I designed you!”
Jess dropped to a crouch and hugged her arms around herself, fighting the overwhelming need to purr when Macy scratched her behind the ear. Her instincts screamed for her to obey—but her mind reeled.
This isn’t normal.
This isn’t right.
She didn’t cast a spell… did she?
“Let’s go find a spellbook next,” Macy said, grabbing her hand. “My little familiar and I have work to do!”
And Jess followed, her tail swaying behind her.