Puma watched Lapinette and the Wabbit until the key pulled
them up the centre of a spiral staircase, then he bounded upstairs at unstoppable
speed. The key started to change colour
but its every movement was measured. It cared neither for the Wabbit nor Lapinette
but only for its inexorable and pre-determined path. Stuck to the key, the two were
helplessly towed in its wake. Suddenly
there was a feline scurrying from above and Skratch the Cat appeared from the
roof. Somewhat dishevelled and panting from his journey, he looked with horror
at the scene. "Puma?" he asked. "They’re stuck to the key and they don’t seem to
care," growled Puma. "It’s not like them at all." Skratch’s ears vibrated. "The key is exerting
some strange force," he said. "I can feel it too." Puma looked across at Skratch for direction. "We’ll
scamper to the top and wait there," said Skratch. "That’s where it’s going." "Maybe
there’s a door," said Puma. "If we can find it, we can stand in front of it and
stop them." "That key isn’t stopping for anything," said Skratch, "and there’s one
more problem." "Another problem?" groaned Puma. "In stories, there’s seldom just one key," purred Skratch. Puma growled again. "How many?" Skratch shook his
head. "Three!" he sighed.