"G-DAMN IT, PILOT!"

I swore, staring at the inferno. The enormous, plastic "ART-SUPPLIES-N-MORE" sign flashed with flames and fell, crashing into the ground with a blast of sparkling, hissing cacaphony. Smoke billowed into the gloomy sky. Did that utter imbecile not realize this fire might attract all sorts of nasties here? I really needed to get my gun back now!

Considering that the art store was no longer an option, I looked at the blackened office wall.

The old wooden panels were cracked and carbonised almost silver...

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/972564269390503976/1002656690958762014/dbh9ebh-0237d0ce-c2ea-4b20-a610-286e97110356.jpg [https://web.archive.org/web/20230414224822im_/https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/972564269390503976/1002656690958762014/dbh9ebh-0237d0ce-c2ea-4b20-a610-286e97110356.jpg]

...clinging to them, a torn poster of a kitten doctor gave me the necessary encouragement.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/972564269390503976/1002656690644201502/dbh9eb4-8072a236-b114-4687-931f-ca52acd87f90.jpg [https://web.archive.org/web/20230414224822im_/https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/972564269390503976/1002656690644201502/dbh9eb4-8072a236-b114-4687-931f-ca52acd87f90.jpg]

"Hmmm... you're right Dr. Kitty, that just might do!"

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/972564269390503976/1002656690367385690/dbh9eam-7a4698d3-3c0b-455c-9570-6c27c1236c28.jpg [https://web.archive.org/web/20230414224822im_/https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/972564269390503976/1002656690367385690/dbh9eam-7a4698d3-3c0b-455c-9570-6c27c1236c28.jpg]

I tore a piece of blackened wood off the wall and began to scribble with it on the papers, laughing maniacally at having defeated Pilot's machinations.

image [https://rom.ac/img/5rr/5s12.jpg]

Nobody said it had to be perfectly legible...

...right?