Alley

"In this, our humble little community, I feel as if we live in the crux between resolution and denouement," Felix said with a sigh. "At our very gates, the horde encroaches," Tulip stated plainly. "The real question is: are we under siege or are we trapped in a hall of mirrors?!?" "TOO RIGHT!" Caspian exclaimed. "Will we, in fact, weary from burning everything down, meet ourselves at our own gates, begging for shelter?" Footsteps sounded at the mouth of the alley and the shadow of a person turned slightly (as if to look at them). "Bark," responded Felix and Caspian together; "Meeeyowl," Tulip added for emphasis, and the shadow departed. "That felt close," Felix commented. "Always," Caspian agreed. "The biped menace is real," Tulip added, annoyed and on point.