"No." Mikey shook his head. But the word wasn't defiant. What was that other word he'd heard? The one that the guys in white coats had said to Simon? Oh, right. "Mutant. They called me a mutant."
"Shifter." Mikey repeated the word, trying it on for size. The last bit made him excited. Any animal? That was kind of fun.
"Is that why you smell like a dog but not all the way dog? Evan just smells like a dog, and it's gross. But you smell like ... other things, too. Do you like being a dog more? Will you be a cat? We could be cats together. I want to be a cat with you. You were nice and helped me vomit. Will you be a cat? Let's be cats."
He hadn't felt this excited in a long time. He was practically bouncing all over the room now. The idea that not only did this guy know he was a cat without needing to be shown, but he could be a cat too! Mikey hadn't played with another cat in a really long time.
"We can play chase, and hide, and climb! And we can stalk things. And when we take a nap, I'll let you lay on me, okay? To say thank you for being a cat. I'll clean your ears too, if you want, I don't mind."