Chelsea yawned as she stood, stretching her lithe frame until her back popped loudly. After shuffling slowly to the open window next to her bed, she experimentally poked her head out. Taking a deep breath she nodded to herself, murmuring. "Smells like rain…." Walking towards her door, she paused momentarily shrugging into her frayed, pink cotton robe before slowly trudging down twelve, worn steps. The old house creaked as she walked, keeping time with her nearly silent bare feet. Even from the parlor’s entry, loud snoring could be heard. The girl smiled evilly as her searching fingers finally found the light switch along the wall. In the darkness, she could just make out a disheveled mound of brown curls rising and falling with each loud inhalation.

The corners of Chelsea’s mouth continued to curl upwards as her eyes slowly adjusted to the room’s dim light. With one bare leg draped over the back of the patched, green velvet couch dominating the room’s center and the other, denim clad appendage ending in an unlaced work boot balanced precariously on the small, wobbly coffee table in front of her, Ashley was out cold, half empty bottle of Bud still tucked safely in the front pocket of her stained, over-sized men’s work shirt. Chelsea gasped softly as her blurry gaze met the beady eyes of a small, furry creature balanced calmly on her roommate’s chest. Her mouth fell open as its snake like tongue flicked out to graze its tiny, raised paws.

Somehow, Chelsea managed to scream. An explosion of hair, work boots, and stale beer quickly ensued as Ashley attempted to stand only to have her unbuckled and unzipped jeans pool around her ankles. For a moment she danced crazily in her boxers, arms outstretched before finally recovering her balance. Then it happened. Through crazily tousled curls, sleep glazed, brown eyes met those of one of Mother Nature’s. Chelsea watched as Ashley slowly shook her head, obviously thinking she was still dreaming. The small animal’s sudden loud chatter completely destroyed that illusion. Ashley screamed as the creature menacingly edged closer, small claws digging painfully into her chest. "Fucking Christ!"

Chelsea ran towards the kitchen, grabbing the only weapon she could find as Ashley bellowed louder, desperately tearing at her shirt’s buttons. Broom in hand, Chelsea yelled, swinging in her roommate’s general direction. Both girls froze as Ashley finally ripped the last button open. Panicked chatter loudened as the animal jumped, landing with a thump in a soft mass of curls. Ashley felt her head snap back as the full weight of the furry creature landed on her head. Eyes wide, she screamed again running straight towards her roommate. Chelsea’s eyes narrowed as she set her feet, gripping the broom’s handle tighter.