He wasn’t nervous at all about this first test of catching a mouse. On the contrary, Logan Bennett felt a bit excited, though he couldn’t say why.

Last night was the same—he killed several white mice in a row, yet didn’t feel the slightest bit disgusted. Instead, a strange, bloodthirsty excitement welled up from deep inside, something he’d never felt before. Maybe it was because he’d never paid attention to it before, and last night’s events acted like a fuse, igniting the bloodthirsty instinct hidden within him.

However, this should stem from the very nature of this animal body.

Cats are the kind of creatures that will hunt even when they’re full; hunting is almost in their nature, even the gentlest-looking housecat possesses this instinct.

Just like that documentary Ryan Carter and the others watched a few days ago said, “Inside every well-fed cat lazily lying by the fireplace, there’s a tiger ready to pounce.”

Letting out a long breath, Logan Bennett relaxed his palm, closed his eyes, and lay there quietly. But his ears were perked up, twitching now and then at some noises. Since these sounds weren’t caused by mice, Logan Bennett didn’t make a move.

Time passed slowly, the night deepened, and Logan Bennett didn’t detect any mouse activity. But there was definitely the scent of a mouse nearby, proving that it had come out not long ago. Logan Bennett wasn’t in a hurry, quietly waiting in the dark, cluttered living room.

With the light from the bedroom, Logan Bennett could see the entire living room clearly.

Most people in the East District family compound were already asleep, and things were no longer noisy. The Jiao family next door must have turned in by now as well. Over here, aside from the sound of Little Reed typing and cursing, there was no other movement.

Hmm?

Logan Bennett’s ears twitched, and he suddenly opened his eyes. His pupils, already dilated in the darkness, expanded even more with excitement.

He silently jumped down from the chair, body low, but moving quickly. Hidden by the darkness, Logan Bennett stopped beside the pile of magazines. His stalking skills were learned from “Sheriff.”

In the bedroom, Little Reed, who had just finished a game, took off his headphones to stretch his sore neck. Turning his head, he happened to see Logan Bennett quietly jumping down from the chair.

Something’s happening?!

Little Reed hurriedly got up from the computer chair, took a digital camera from the drawer, hesitated, put it down, then rummaged in the cabinet for a DV camcorder. After turning it on, he tiptoed toward the door. Suddenly, his phone rang, startling Little Reed. He quickly freed a hand to answer, lowering his voice to speak.

Logan Bennett waited in the darkness. The mouse came out from the study, not heading for the kitchen at all. Clearly, it was already familiar with the environment and the owner’s habits. Little Reed almost never cooked for himself, always ordering takeout or eating at the cafeteria. Any food was either kept in the bedroom or the living room. Now, the mouse was following the wall toward this side, stopping every so often to cautiously check for danger.

This mouse was about the same size as the big white mouse Logan Bennett killed last night, but in terms of alertness, it was leagues ahead of the lab mouse.

As it neared the bedroom door, the mouse’s attention was mostly on the person inside talking on the phone.

Just as the mouse approached the doorway, Logan Bennett sprang into action.

A burst of speed over a short distance, like an arrow straight at its prey!

The mouse only realized at the last second that there was a hidden predator! The route back to the study for cover was too long—if it turned and ran, it would be caught in a few steps. So its strategy was to dash straight into the bedroom. Little Reed’s bedroom was a bit better than the living room, but still a mess. For mice and cockroaches, though, there were plenty of hiding spots. As long as it made it into the bedroom, Logan Bennett wouldn’t be able to catch it right away.

But it didn’t get the chance.

A black, furred paw with sharp claws pinned its tail. Before it could react, another paw pressed down on its neck.

Crack!

The sound was so faint that no one could have noticed.

The mouse instantly went limp, not even twitching.

The whole process was so fast, the mouse didn’t even have time to squeak.

Just as Little Reed reached the doorway, he saw a black shadow flash by his feet. Looking down, he saw a black cat, and under its paw, a motionless mouse.

“What the...!”

Little Reed almost threw both his phone and DV camcorder.

He looked at the cat, then at the mouse, then at the DV in his hand that had been completely useless.

“Damn!” Little Reed cursed again.

That’s it?

Wasn’t there supposed to be a chase all over the house, then some toying with the prey, and only after it was half-dead would it be eaten?

Damn, I barely said two words on the phone and it’s already over?

What’s with this clean, efficient paw technique?!

This... this is just insanely cool, isn’t it!

If anyone ever says a cat that doesn’t catch cockroaches can’t catch mice, I’ll fight them!

“Hey, Cricket, what’s going on over there?” The person on the other end of the call sensed something was off with Little Reed and asked.

“Screw you!” Little Reed hung up, turned on the living room light so he could see more clearly.