1 My Cat Can Talk

I am currently staring at a man I had never seen before. He has the face men and women would covet。His well-kept metalic golden hair that is tied in a knot to his side, electric blue eyes that pierced coldly like winter and clothes in red and white emphasized his magnificence in a whole magnitude.

He sat on his golden throne leaning his head on his long elegant fingers that curled up in a fist. His elbow rests on the handle of a broad sword.

It was a sword that either serves as a decoration or of something more sinister. It stood half struck on the ground as its handle glistened in mocking gold.

Such man and scenery is a grace upon men. A lone man, bright and beautiful only thought to come from a painter's imagination was before me in flesh.

What made everything perfect was the golden crown atop his beautiful head.

A knight behind me yanked my hair down forcing my face upward. My eyes shoot up straight.

Blood dripped from the minor wounds on the side of my face, arms and legs. I was kneeling on a red-tiled floor.

Or has it gone red from the pool of my blood?

I don't know anymore.

This is a dream.

A mere illusion generated from a childish mind.

I know because no person would remain sane and calm under his gaze. But I am calm. I am sane. And I am conscious enough to know that I am dreaming still.

I looked down at 'my' body.

Was I this pathetic?

Dream or not, would I ever bring myself to such destruction?

Everything was like a theatrical scene. A gathering of crowd in a palace hall without the distinction of status and... me, woman chained behind her back. An accusing atmosphere. Malicious and mocking stares.

The king groped for the handle of the sword and heaved. He lifted the sword like it was a toy made of wood.

I can't feel pain because this is a dream. I know... but seeing the sharp glint of metal brought shivers down my spine。So this is what fear feels like. Fear that symbolizes the meanibg of life and death.

I laughed inwardly despite the coldness that crept over my body.

Am I dreaming my own execution ceremony?

I jolted up from the bed. Cold sweat formed across my forehead and my hands shivered in fear.

"It was a dream." I sighed in relief.

My hands unconsciously crept up to my neck as images flashed. A brief shudder spread all over my body.

I looked down and stared at my small hands, my arms and my legs. I am still me. The ten year old girl that I am. No bloody wounds and no more chains.

I looked around. My once erratic heart had seemed to calm down as I caught sight of the familiar white tapestries hanging on the walls. Soft wisps of smoke whiff from a small ember left in the hearth. Its meager glow gave off soft warmth that calmed my shivering nerves. The windows were open and a faint silver moonlight laced across the floor.

I slumped back to the bed staring up at the intricate floral designs of the canopy. I never paid attention to such details before. But for the first time, I welcomed such sight.

I moved my hand to the vacant space beside me.

Where is that stupid cat? The space was still warm. I looked around looking for my kitten. It was a black kitten with red eyes that used to curl up next to me when I sleep. Just when I needed some warmth and it's gone.

/Arty?/

I steeled in my position perking up my ears, listening carefully to my surroundings. My eyes darted from left to right scanning the whole room.

I definitely heard a voice. But I was quite unsure if what I heard was just another fickle of my imagination.

Just to make sure, I guess I should...

"Uhm... hello?"

If it responds, doesn't it shorten the time of guessing if there is indeed a voice?

"I just had that stupid dream, my stupid cat is missing and now this?" I grumbled. I was about to dismissed everything when...

/Who are you calling stupid?/

hitch!

"Ahh!"

I screamed on top of my lungs and hurriedly jumped from the bed. I then fell unceremoniously on the floor. My left hand caught the lamp on the bedside table and it fell alongside.

A loud crash echoed as debris scattered on the floor followed by the sudden darkness. I scampered about, my back hitting the side of the bed. Books and pens fell as the table beside me rattled.

My eyes widen in fear as I stared up in front of me. Beyond the darkness, floating atop the bedside table just inches above my head, two red orbs glistened.

"Heok!"

Like round rubies the size of a pea, it flickered, somewhat disappearing then reappearing once again.

"W-wha... wha?" I stuttered unable to complete my words. My throat and mouth was parched like a dried up desert. Fear and panic gripped my heart, unable to scream nor to breathe.

/Are you okey?/

The voice said and the two red orbs seemed to bob themselves up and down. A white sharp tooth glistened.

"Laticca?" Is that my cat? "You almost killed me you-."

I picked the cat by his scruff.

/Arty. That hurts./

"Ahh!" My hand moved and I flung the small feline to the edge of the room.

The kitten landed on all fours.

/Careful you idiot./

"What are you?"

/A cat. Obviously./ he walked closer to me like a black patch in the night. His red eyes gleamed like a monster.

"Who are you? Where is my Laticca?" I said as anger flared up burying the fear that once dominated me.

/I am Laticca. I am your cat./ the voice I heard belonged to none other than my own cat.