The Swamp Cat (3)

By Shuke Wang

Chapter 3

Jake swam smoothly around the pool causing small ripples to form. Jake loved the pool. It had green sidelights under the water and the water was aqua blue, which made the pool look like a tropical juice. Jake looked at the misty gray swamp in the further blocks ahead of him. When he looked back in to the pool, it didn’t quite assuring anymore. It looked icy cold. Jake hid in the pool for awhile. Even just eight meters away from the house, Jake didn’t feel safe. He cautiously jumped out of the pool and started walking back. His walking turned to swift running and he did one thing wrong. He looked back, and gasped.

A huge gray cat hovered over him, showing all its bloody fangs. But it was as skinny as a stick. The cat yelped in pain and got ready to pounce. Jake dashed behind the huge satellite plates and lowered himself. He peeked around the curve of the satellite plate and the cat was gone. He couldn’t believe it. The gates had firm gripping and nothing could ever possibly go wrong. Nothing should have gone wrong. Nothing. Shivering coldly, Jake ran back inside. He decided not to tell his dads’ about the cat or the necklace. Instead, Jake asked for his real dad to think of a story that was true.

“Ok” Tom assured him rubbing his hands. “Well,” He started “I used to have seven cats. They were my precious fearless cats.” He said, shaking his head. “The names were Gloria, Hannah, Lero, Brown Butter, Shortcut, Russel, and Samantha.” Tom shook his head again. “Each of them had a necklace which had initials on them.” Tom added. “But my special babies slipped away when I wasn’t looking.” Tom sighed. “I miss them all.” He sniffed.

“I know how that feels.” Jake told his father. Neige seemed interested in the story but he said no more. Mrs. Daken finally told the kids to go to bed and sleep. They all had their own rooms and they felt comforted. I was midnight when Shari alerted Jake. They were sitting in Jakes bed talking about their stories.

“I don’t like how Neige is acting.” Shari commented. “He stopped talking to me this summer and he didn’t even come to my birthday last week.” Jake nodded.

“I know he’s acting strange Shari.” He muttered. “But no one knows why. Shari agreed and started pacing along the railway in Jakes’ room, used for hanging clothes.

“And don’t forget the fact that your dad barely talks to you unless you ask him a question or demand for a conversation.” Shari lingered. Jake reluctantly flipped onto his bed and fidgeted with the tiny vinyl laces on his pillow. He felt like something had been watching him all the way to Florida. Silently, Shari left the room and paced back outside. Jake lay his head motionless on his bed and quickly fell asleep.

MEOW! A quick noise woke Jake up at twelve. He bolted straight up and fluffed his pillow. Then he turned on his table lamp. His mouth was as dry as cotton and sweat poured onto his face. A sour stuffy smell filled the air and Jake could almost taste the irritating smell. Then he glanced out the window breathlessly. There was a tiny ginger-colored cat with little green eyes staring at him from the pool. Jake felt goose bumps go up his spine and he choked on his own breath. He felt dreadful. Without warning, he got out of his bed and tip toed downstairs, avoiding direct contact with the silver grey moon. Maybe I should go back upstairs and drift to a peaceful sleep again, Jake thought guiltily. But it was too late. He saw the cats’ eager gaze of hope and rushed out the backdoor, into the damp midnight air. The cat was gone. Jake nearly fell into the pool when he stepped exactly where the kitten had sat on. A limestone brick had flanged Jake into the pool. Quickly, he rushed out the pool, and climbed onto the cool brick floor. He could hear footsteps stomping their way to the backdoor. Jake was going to get grounded for life. He threw his wet robe on the floor and accidentally tripped over something. As his nose dug into the ground, he saw a tiny picture frame. His uncle was holding a kitty and the kitty was beaming at his owner. But there was something about that kitten. It was the exact same kitten that Jake had seen. Before he had time to lift his head up, he heard a voice. HELP US OLD ABANDONED CATS

WE’VE BEEN BITTEN BY ATHOUSAND GNATS

IT SEEMS TO US WE HAVE BEEN MAROONED

IF YOU DON’T HELP YOU’LL GET A WOUND.

And that was when Jake got caught.

(To be continued)