Retrieval

She waited at the rendezvous spot, a little nervous, but more resolved than anything. She had packed light, but had decided to bring Mittens at the last minute; they would take their chances together. The Rainier Mesa was always under intense scrutiny, so she had driven to Rachel and took her time hiking them up to the northwestern side of Pahute. "Here we go, baby," she whispered to Mittens who was tracking the lights in the sky like someone had found a laser toy. She breathed deeply and forced herself to relax, then reached in to bring the cat out of its carrier and place it in the wrap she wore across her chest. A rush of warm wind signaled the pick-up and she hugged Mittens firmly; the cat looked irritated, wriggling a little bit inside the cow costume it had been zipped into earlier this morning.