The Butcher's Masquerade (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #5)

by Matt Dinniman

“You do not have your cat companion with you?” Dmitri said, sounding disappointed. “I wanted to meet the cat.” “You and the damn cat,” Maxim said. “You’re always talking about this cat. We told you, it’s just Carl. Skindle told you it is just Carl. You’re going to make him feel uncomfortable.” “Uh, yeah,” I said. “Donut is back in the saferoom. She wanted to come, but they wouldn’t let her.” Dmitri sighed sadly. “I wish to meet the cat. I’ve never met a talking cat before.” “I apologize for my brother,” Maxim said. “He likes the cat. We could never have one growing up.” I knew these guys were twin brothers, but fraternal twins. So they weren’t identical before. They weren’t identical now, either, despite sharing a body. Dmitri had a rounder face while Maxim looked much more chiseled. “I’d just gotten a cat,” Dmitri added sadly. “His name was Kapitan Whiskers, and he was orange. I got him the day before... before it happened.” “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. “Yes, my poor Kapitan. He was all alone. You’re a good man, Carl, despite what they say. You were trying to save the cat in the cold when it happened. We saw this at a panel. This is a sign of a good man.”