The Swamp Cat (4)

By Shuke Wang

Chapter 4

“Why were you out there in the middle of the midnight?” Jake’s stepfather asked him the next morning. They were having pancakes and oatmeal. Jakes’ whole family was having a conversation about the pool incident last night. Jakes’ stepfather made a twisted confusing face and started jerking his head back and forth. Jake hid his giggle and pretended to cough.

“You know what?” He questioned. “I’m too sleepy to talk right now so see you later! I’m getting more sleep. Bye!” Jake ran upstairs with his cereal and dashed into his room. He started sorting through his magazines until he saw the “insane escape” It was a comic on a guy who escaped from and insane asylum and started killing people. Twelve victims had already died and the guy was planning on killing a car because he was so stupid. Jake laughed loudly as the oil came spilling out and the guy thought it was blood. Jake threw the comic back onto the floor and started zipping his backpack with sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. He packed the necklace he had found and hung it around his neck. Then he changed into his trunks and sneaked back outside into the pool. Dry vine leaves hung long and low onto the gate trying to avoid sunlight. The sun made the pool warm and sunny and old plants had shriveled into dry black clumps of compost. Shari was in her swimsuit already and was peaceful strokes in the pool.

“You’re supposed to be grounded!” Shari snickered. She jumped out of the pool and put on her towel, as Jake jumped in. The picture frame! Jake remembered the frame and he poked his head out of the water. It could be anywhere! He hoped that Shari didn’t find it. He climbed on to the pool railing in the water and pushed himself out of the pool. Jake simply found the frame behind the satellite plate where he left it. It was covered in dust and the light fringes were bent that it looked like a squashed peach. There was a piece of glass missing from the frame. Probably when Jake had tripped, the glass had shattered. Jake carefully put the frame in his bag and continued swimming for the whole afternoon. Neige came to sit on the patio for a few minutes, but left when Jake tried to talk to him. Shari was helping Mrs. Daken cook, and when it was four thirty, Jake came back inside soaking wet.

“We’re having roast beef and stuffed turkey with chicken soup and vegetarian pizza with celery that includes ranch sauce!” Shari blurted out. Jake licked his lips. Dinner would be awesome! When The Dakens and Shari had finished making dinner, Jake immediately sat on the enormous dining room table and dug right in. It was delicious. Shari even forgot to include that they made cheesy broccoli and garlic bread. The whole family sat there and complimented Mrs. Dakens cooking, while they ate. When it was nine, they had a walk and Jakes’ dad sent the kids to bed. Jake lie there unconsciously in his bed and then he heard a noise outside. Meow!! Jake froze. He slowly walked out of bed and glanced out the window. It was the same cat except instead of purring, it whined a haunting melody that Jake would never forget. He put on his damp robe and hurried outside. This time when he went, the kitty stayed in its position. As he cautiously approached it, he saw a red mark on the kittens paw. Blood. Jake picked up the kitten and stroked its soft fur.

“You poor kitty!” Jake sighed as he waked inside with it. He walked into the kitchen and took out a disinfect spray and two banded. Neatly, he did his job and took the kitty into his room. Then he got back downstairs and took out a basket covered in blankets. When he went back upstairs, the kitten was gone. Jake dug through his blanket and found something else. It looked like a court letter. He turned in his table lamp and looked at it.

Name: Tom Dakens

Crime: Freed seven dangerous cats into wild. Only caught six.

Description: Samantha. Color: Ginger. Features: White v on neck.

Fine: 3,000.

Due date: August 30.

Meet at Florida Beginners court.

Age:23

Crime rating: 3

Signature: Tom Dakens

Jake stared at the letter in disbelief. So instead of losing the kittens, his father had freed them on purpose. What a traitor! Jake sat there silently until the wind picked up its’ speed. He cautiously walked to the window and shut it hoping that the cat wouldn’t come. He felt like he was shocked but he made his second attempt and finally fell asleep.

(To be continued)