“Yeah, I think I’ll do that, Mom. But not tonight. It’s getting late, and I’d like some time to sleep on things.”

“Alright, sleep well, buddy,” she said with a kiss on the forehead. “Don’t forget to let me know where you’re going before you leave.”

That night I tossed and turned in bed. My brain felt like a volcanic convection current. Axe-wielding kittens… It was a great idea! It would create the perfect story. Still, it felt like something was lacking… but what? What could be missing from a story with undead kittens and axes? What could possibly be cooler than that?

Tomorrow, I’d just have to figure it out on my way to the library. Maybe looking at the pictures of cute kittens would spark creative ideas for some grotesque mutations. Tonight I just wanted to sleep. Despite my attempts, I still spent several hours rolling thoughts around in my head before I finally managed to get some rest.

The next day, I had a quick lunch at home before leaving. I let Mom know I was heading for the library now, like she had asked. She wished me luck.

However, on the way there, I noticed a hardware store just ahead. I was struck with a new idea, something to improve this story, and make it perfect. I turned into the parking lot outside of the store. “Why let the kittens use only axes?” I thought. “Especially when they could be wielding…”

“Chainsaws?” asked the man behind the counter. “Well heck, I can tell ya anything ‘bout ‘em. To a degree, a’course. I ain’t no mechanic, if that’s whatcher gettin’ at.”

“No,” I replied, “I just want a general idea of chainsaw models, as well as how they operate.”

The clerk smiled and replied, “Well alrighty then. First off, there’s two kindsa chainsaws. There’s the ‘lectric ones, which you plug into the wall, and the gas-powered ones.”

I imagined a maniacal, chainsaw-wielding kitten dragging a 300 foot extension cord behind him. I quickly concluded that electric chainsaws wouldn’t fit the story’s mood. “Tell me about the gas-powered variety.”

“Awright. Lessee… thissun here’s a gas-powered chainsaw,” he said, pointing at the glass-covered shelf behind him. “It’s got this here plastic casing, which is used to pertect yer fingers from gettin’ burned on the motor. Then it’s got over here a dead-man’s switch, though them older gas-powered chainsaws don’ have nuthin’ like that.

“Thisey here is the trigger,” he continued. “It starts ‘n’ stops that there chain. Now the chain is like the one onna bike, ‘cept it’s got cuttin’ blades a’course. You know what I’m talkin’ ‘bout? ‘Course, a bike chain don’t have no blades, cause that wouldn’t be very safe n’ such.

“Ya gotta be reeeeeeeeeal careful when yer usin’ these machines though. Don’ wanna cut yerself. Real dang’rous, if ya know what I mean.”

I nodded in agreement. “I see. How much do they generally weigh?”

“Oh, ‘bout twenny to thirty pounds, ‘pendin’ on how big’a chainsaw yer talkin’ ‘bout.”

“Okay, well, thank you; that’s all I need. You’ve been a great help, sir.”

“Don’ mention it,” he said.

I left the hardware store full of ideas and inspiration.

Upon arriving at home, I headed straight for my room. My mom caught me on the way there.

“Did you get everything you needed about kittens, dear?”

“Oh yes,” I replied with a smile, unconsciously wringing my hands together. “Sweet, innocent, little kittens.” Mom gave me a funny look then returned to her business.