[ the bells on your staff jingle as you stop. you hear a yelp from ahead; a red band snaps around the kitten's upper arm, its own bell jingling in harmony with yours. the cuff yanks him to a halt, forcing him off the still-whizzing lighthouse. he crashes to the ground. ]

What the hell—

[ his eyes meet yours and you witness his terror for the first and last time. white light fills the area. you pass out. ]