Halloween Tails - the Kitten
Really, you only have yourself to blame. You should have known better.
But what were you supposed to do when you found the tiny soaked kitten on your front step? It cried as you picked it up and huddled into your arms.
You dried it off and fed it milk. When it finally stopped shivering, you adjusted the collar to find a simple tag, almost impossible to see, but still present.
The tag merely had an address, not even a phone number.
You really should have known better.
When you looked at the address on your phone, it was some distance away. How did the poor kitten get so far! Oh the dear thing. Surely someone was missing their sweet kitten. He curled up in your arms now. Just a little ball of fluff now that he was dry.
You get into your car, following the directions on your phone, until you reach a solid gate, tall and imposing. You press the buzzer to message the house. A voice answers - rich and deep. You shiver but you aren’t sure why.
“I have your kitten.” you say.
The gate buzzes open and your car passes through with ease. As it swings shut behind you, you jump but the kitten, still curled in your lap starts to purr.
“Almost home” you reassure but you cannot quell that tension in your shoulders or the tightness in your jaw.
The drive is encircled by trees so tall and imposing that when you finally break through, you are startled by the size of the house. It is much bigger than you even thought possible.
Gathering the kitten in your arms once again, you make your way to the front door. Inexplicably you wish you had dressed better for the occasion.
The door swings open before you can even knock.
The next morning you wake up. No memory of the night before.
It’s been days. So long you were reported missing. So long your home has gathered dust.
So long that there is another heartbeat growing under your heart.