Bathtime

With Mac now discarded, no more interference from the machine was possible, but by then the damage had all been done. Phil was ostensibly dead, but the action continued as Cat proceeded to scratch herself to join him. She bounded naked off the bed and out to the bathroom, hoping that a bath might sooth her itching.

It was remarkable that she was able to put in the plug and turn on the taps to the maximum. Quickly, she leapt into the bath as she filled it, caught by scalding water along the way..

But she was beyond feeling it.