Lhasa Opsa, eying his new neckwear. “I see you found a fancy watch.”

“Well, that is part of the reason I needed you here.”

“Because you got a watch?”

“No. But first things first,” Mickey turned and cued Crystal to come closer. “Harli, this is Crystal. Crystal, this is Harli.”

“A cat?” Harli questioned.

“Well lets see, I have fur, whiskers, kitten ears, a long tail, and distinctly look like a cat. I’m no rocket scientist, but yeah! I’m a cat!”

Harli stared at Mickey, who responded to her glare, “You have to excuse her. Quite, erm…sarcastic.”

“As I see. So then, what is the real reason you called me?”

“Well, in light of a recent attack on me last night, I-”

“Attack?!” Harli interrupted. “Who attacked you? Just say the word, and I’ll rip ‘em to shreds.” Harli showed off her large teeth.

Crystal slowly tried to back away, but Mickey held her down by her tail. “Yes, about that,” Mickey explained, “Crystal was the one who attacked me, but everything is handled.”

“Handled? How?”

Mickey motioned for Crystal to return to her spot in the sun. “Crystal is…complicated.”

“Complicated?”

“Yes. She suffers from split personalities. Her good and sorta neutral sides are okay, but it’s the evil her that is the problem, and that attacked me.”

“Really? Wow.”

“Which reminds me, thanks for giving me those smelly salts, they came in handy last night, and I have a few in a bag over there.”

“Uh, your welcome? I guess. So then, back to what you were saying.”

“Yes. In light of that attack, I fear that a misguided Crystal has done her fair share of damage on Heaven.”

“No way. No mortals make it to Heaven.”

“I know it sounds crazy, but based on the description of events by Crystal, I think it would be best if I knew a bit more about Heaven.”

“So you called me?”

“Well you are the most trustworthy dog I know.”

“Well then, I’m sorry, but this is not my expertise.”

Poppy, listening from the hearse, heard most of the conversation, only missing out on the occasional word. But she knew well enough that she could be of use to Mickey. “Britney, come on! I need to help Mickey!”

“Look, Poppy, It is just way too early in the day for me to be following you around trying to teach people about the supernatural. I’m way too tired.” Britney shifted positions on the floor, causing the weight distribution to change. The car slowly leaned forward, before sliding down the hill of wrecks. Mickey and Harli turned to the noise and saw the hearse sliding to a stop at the bottom of the hill. Slowly, Poppy emerged. “Oh. Hello. I was just, uh…”

“Oh give it up, sis.” Britney moaned as she got out of the car. “Hey Mickey. How’s it going Harli?”

“Britney? Poppy? What are you doing here?” Harli asked.

“I am here to look after Poppy,” Britney started. “Who heard a twilight bark last night and wanted to investigate.”

Yes, why didn’t I think of Poppy? Mickey thought. “Well, your spying escapade has put me in a very fortunate position. Poppy, I take it you know quite a bit about mystical objects and the such.”

Poppy perked up. This was her chance. “Yep. You got that right. I am an expert.”

“Oh great, not this again.” Britney moaned.

“Good. Because an expert is what I need. If I showed you some heavenly objects would you be able to find their meanings?”

“Most likely. Well come on, I know just the place.” Poppy began walking back to the far side of the facility, urging the others to follow. Confused, Mickey grabbed his bag and began to follow, followed by Crystal, Harli, and finally Britney. After walking for a few moments, the five came across an old cabin, barely holding up. Poppy opened up the front door and casually walked in. The others stood their ground. “Well don’t everyone come in at once, now.”

The dogs slowly entered the old house, and the inside filled them with awe. There were sketches of creatures thought to be fake, sculptures of demons from deep below, replicas of some of the most mystical objects in the universe. It was quite a sight. Crystal especially was in awe. “I’ve heard of Mystic Collections before, but I’ve never seen one.”

“What?” Harli questioned.

“Mystic Collections.” Poppy repeated. “Y’know, were people store massive information about the supernatural?” Poppy rummaged through a filing cabinet. “So what is it you need Mickey? A file on a wild beast? A sketch of an odd event?”

“It concerns the watch I’m wearing. I have reason to believe is came from Heaven.”

Poppy looked up and at Mickey’s watch. “I don’t recall watches being associated with Heaven, but I’ve been wrong before. Might as well just pull out some basic files on Heaven.”

“I’m certain it came from Heaven. In fact, after the sequence of events last night, I am compelled to believe that Crystal, my little cat friend here, released some watches from Heaven.”

“Impossible, even for what I‘ve learned.” Poppy spoke without looking up.

“It’s true” Crystal chimed in. “I have something, something special.” Crystal reached into Mickey’s bag and pulled out a heart-shaped amulet glowing intensely. Britney and Harli, who had rested themselves on bean bags in the room, gazed at the illuminating object.

Poppy turned back around to the light source. “I can’t believe it. You found it!”

“Found what?” Britney cautiously asked.

“Only the pinnacle of mystic objects.” Poppy pulled out a scroll and laid it out on the floor. It was a detailed drawing of none other than Annabelle. Each detail was near perfect. From the light pink fur, to the angel’s robe, to her stubby paws.

“Hey, I recognize that dog.” Crystal murmured. “That’s Annabelle, right?”

“Correct Crystal.” Poppy pointed at the heart necklace around Annabelle’s neck. “What you have is Annabelle’s powerful Heart Amulet. She is seen with it wherever she goes. Some speculate that it gives her the magic she uses.”

“No way.” Harli commented.

“I’d say I’ve seen stranger, but I’d be lying.” Poppy responded.

“So what you’re saying is that there is something very mysterious going on?” Harli asked.

“Yep.”

“Oh, before I forgot,” Mickey jumped in. “Crystal also claimed to have seen a purplish dog, looked a bit like Annabelle. I want to say I’ve heard of such a dog, but I just can’t put my paw on it.”

Poppy, and nearly all other dogs in the room, shuddered. No, it can’t be. Why would she use a cat? “Mickey, the situation is worse than we thought. You need to keep the watch thing, whatever safe. If what Crystal says is true, then the most devilish of all dogs wants those watches more than anything. Belladonna just might be after you as we speak!” 

[To Be Continued]