I am Your Boss

“Damn it! Sadie Topers protested as she woke up, one Tuesday morning. Her alarm clock read eight fifteen. How could she have slept so late? Sadie groaned and rolled out of bed. Quickly, she dressed, ate, and started packing for school. Her dog EBay started scratching furiously at the door until it pried open. Immediately, the screen door opened and chilly winter snow swept over the welcome rug. Sadie sighed. She pointed her index finger at EBay and murmured a few magic words, causing EBay to drift in to deep sleep. Sadie’s mother Mrs. Topers, who was working as a spell broker entered the kitchen with a wand in her hand.
“Good morning dear! You’re late for school!” She cooed enthu- siastically.
Sadie sighed. “Mom, why are you up so early? The spell-market isn’t open until nine.”
Her mother giggled. “Well, I’m making pancakes!”
Sadie froze with unhappiness. “Can I stay to have some with you?” She asked hopefully. Her answer was,
“Shoo! Go to school or you’ll get another late slip!”


“Sadie! Whilegate’s was a three-hundred year old witch when she was last seen. How old is she now?” Mrs. Wisdom asked her student during magic class. Sadie struggled to answer the question.
“Umm... she was… uhh… I mean…is….. I think she was-”
“Incorrect! She now is four-hundred-and-twenty-two years old. Listen carefully next time, Sadie.” A few snickers came from the classroom. Sadie sighed. Mrs. Wisdom was now going harder on her, because she knew that Sadie was an official true witch. The magic teacher paced around the class, letting the rest of the students on the easier questions. Finally, it was time for some history magic.
“A really cool kind of power called the ice-sharper is existence in Witch-world,” The teacher explained. “This power can take advantage of all human in the witch society, including regular magicians. It is like a weapon to control people with, but it does not attack or harm. It only forces people obey commands from the owner of the sword. This icicle sword, exposed in the sun can drop droplets of melting acid in to the air, and the air chemicals mix to form a bead. This special high-qualified bead is like a pet, aware and alert to strangers. It is also known as a charm, but only specific colors of these benefiting beads are allowable in our recent battle dome. We will be doing a test about this on Thursday. Before I hand out the study sheet, let me ask everyone; anymore questions?” A chorus of no’s spread through the classroom as Mrs. Wisdom wrote everyone’s homework on the blackboard. The athletic teacher had a bulky hip, shiny short red hair, and sparkling brown eyes, which always bored in to someone.
What if I had one of those beads? Sadie thought intensely. She raised her hand.
“What is it Sadie?”
“Where are those beads usually found?”
“Rarely.”
“But I mean like, where?”
“Usually, they are found in cold places on cement. Class you are now dismissed.” As the teacher walked out of the room, some of the basketball
Players, punks, and geeks decided to remain in the classroom.
Hey Sadie! Wait up!” Meg Connell, Sadie’s best friend called after her. Meg had long blond hair streaked with brown and grey blue eyes, mistier than ever. She was a girly witch who had a rich father. She was wearing a choker necklace and a blue mini-skirt, matching her pink beaded arm bracelets and her light cotton turtleneck.
Sadie turned around. “Hi Meg, what’s up?” She asked. Meg pointed to her feet, showing sporty looking running shoes, stripped with blue, white, and bright pink.
“This is what I mean!” She yipped. “My father got me a credit card yesterday, and I went on a major Christmas shopping spree. Don’t you think they’re pretty?”
Sadie was so green with envy. “There are no shoes in Hazelton that are better than that.” Sadie assured her excited friend. Meg seemed to notice that something was wrong.
“You don’t look very good today, Sadie. No offense.”
Sadie slobbered on to her locker. “I’m okay.” She choked. The truth was that she was not okay. She was filling with miserable greed. If only she could have on of those rare beads, then she would command her teacher Mrs. Wisdom to go easier on her, make her dog stop yapping when she was in a bad mood, to command her mother to not shoo her to school, and maybe to get everything she wanted, just like Meg. The bell rang. Sadie quickly picked up her belongings and hurried of the math. The rest of the school day seemed like years, and finally, Sadie was walking home to school. Meg and Riley caught up with her and started talking. Riley, the principles daughter, had spiky orange hair and a crazy sense of style.
“I heard that Rosemary was going to eat a slug at recess, but then she just shrugged it of, despite the fact that she was going to get fifty dollars if she did.” Riley giggled. Rosemary was the popular girl of the school.
“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore, but hey! Check these out!” Meg lingered, showing off a pair of wooden high heels, the blue ribbon dancing up to her knees.
“Come on, it’s Emily!” Riley shouted, pointing to their brunette-haired friend. Behind Emily were her five friends. The girls then all joined up with a few guys on the basket-ball team and the group headed towards the park. Usually, Sadie was really talkative in the group, but this time, she just stayed in the shadows. It wasn’t until someone asked her to do a cartwheel. She nervously twirled several times before she suddenly stumbled on something cold, hard, and tiny. She groaned, and then held her hand out to inspect. There, she saw an impression of a bead!
“Is she okay?” A voice from the circle asked. Someone answered yes, and someone disagreed.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me!” Sadie assured the murmuring crowd. Meg cut through it and kneeled beside Sadie. “Sadie, what happened back there?” She asked thoughtfully. Sadie was embarrassed of the attention. She pressed her had on to the cold frozen cement- and found her self grabbing a cold wet bead. Mae stared at Sadie. “Sadie, I think you really need some rest.” She stated, motioning for Sadie to leave.
“I know what you mean Meg. I’m going, and that’s good for your sakes!” Sadie whispered angrily, hinting that Meg was too embarrassed to help a friend.

Stories Untold

By Shuke Wang

So yeah, you can say I was kind of stupid picking up that box on the sidewalk. And they called me nice and good for doing everything. The box that changed me, my life, and my thoughts for my uncle’s life, and lots of more lives. So there, I was just walking down the street when I saw a glimmer on the sidewalk. Oh my god I thought, thinking it was gold. I quickly stumbled over the mossy path towards the shimmering object. To my disappointment, it was a white soapy rock in the middle of a dark pile of rich soil. I sighed but then, I saw another white rock and then another. That’s odd, I thought anxiously.

“I can’t believe it!” I muttered as I followed a track of white stones till I went to a stop.

The Challenge I Didn’t Have

By Shuke Wang

My stomach is gurgling. After recess, I would have a math test, which I didn’t study for. I was wishing that the bell would never ring, but my best friend Vanessa studied so hard that she was actually eager. She dragged me to the door to get in early, but I pulled away. Vanessa’s black silky hair fell in to her eyes as she tried to grab e again, retracing her steps. I suddenly saw a pool of colour on the brick walls and raced towards it without thinking. The next thing I knew, I felt pain on my head.

I looked up and saw a colourful blur. It became much clearer, a few seconds later. I suddenly saw a weird little creature with soft black hair, standing by the side of an orange track, blowing a whistle. Beside the creature was a blue rectangle. It was numbered and divided in to five slots. Suddenly, the slots burst open and! Horses galloped out with unequipped riders on their backs. I looked in horror as a horse flew out of its main track and jumped over another horse. The riders though, were so comfy. I forced myself to cheer but nothing came out. A girl had bits of blond hair flying out of her cap. She then disappeared as a rainbow shone through her. The others faded too, but even after that, they were leaving me filled with grace.

I was annoyingly disturbed by a cute green critter standing at my side. I looked at the cute useless rabbit but to my surprise, it spoke greedily.

“Get over there!” The rabbit shouted. I followed him to the five blue slots and he shut me in one of them. “You shift is next!” He hollered at me. I saw a flash of greed in his eyes. I felt entirely nervous. What was happening? I heard noises outside, and angry twitching under me. I was sitting on a horse! I looked out the window and saw a person cross the finish line. She had brown auburn hair. She cheered once, and disappeared as a colourful rain bow shone through her.

From through the window of my slot, I looked at the successful riders feeding their horses hay and mounting up on different ones. The pain in my head was unbearable, but my attention was glued on the “thing” that I was sitting on. It grunted and snorted impatiently. That was when I felt scared. I was on a horse! I had went horse back riding before, but unequipped and inexperienced? It was terrifying! Before I noticed the whistle blow, the slot banged open, and my horse burst out. It had a wild dark mane, and crazy but dark glossy brown fur. I felt a jolt of warmth rise over my whole head, and even so unequipped, I felt comforted. The hose sprinted back and tripped, and I was about to use the long white whip which I noticed was in my hand, but I saw the look of fright in its eyes, and I paused, throwing the whip to a side. The hose regained its’ strength and ran swiftly ahead, feeling trust on me to give it a chance. With the pain still in my head, I managed a weak smile as I finished in second place. The hose I was sitting on, gleamed at me with its’ faithful eyes, showing me a look I would never forget. I also saw the greed in the creatures eyes disappear. The next second, I blinked, and everything faded away.

“Hey Shuke! Are you okay?” Vanessa asked me. I rubbed my eyes cordially, and generously said: “I’m okay. Has the bell ringed yet?”

“Not yet.” Vanessa answered. “Don’t worry. You’ll do great!” She stuck out her hand and pulled me to my feet.

“Great!” I stated slyly. “I can wait.” Vanessa was dumfounded. I shrugged. The pain was still on my head, but this daydream gave me courage to try new things and do your best, even when tasks are hard. This dream gave me the confidence, and I will of course use it. This was one big challenge I didn’t have!

Mystery of the Missing Horse

By Shuke Wang

“Come on lets go!” hustled Pondra impatiently. Tina looked up and gave Pondra the angry stare, unaware that Pondras’ mother was staring at her. Tina and her best friend Pondra were on their way to Stallion Stables for a week. Tina’s cousin Laurie and her parents lived there. Pondra gave a hard shove at Tina and she finally stood up and started making way out of the bus. She watched from a distance as Pondras’ mother scolded her. She talked back in a loud rude voice which made all the passengers stare. Her mother hushed her angrily and nearly ran out of the bus.

“And you said I was the slowpoke.” Tina teased as Pondra caught up with her.

“Can you please be quiet and mind your own business? Pondra cried unhappily. Tina shrugged and walked into the dessert-like valley with a pale face. She couldn’t blame Pondra for being such a sourpuss. Her parents just divorced, her favorite cousin accused her of being not traditional to Russia, and her sister Aley and her big brother Andrew teamed up and insisted that she should be cut out from the family. And to make it worse, Pondra was forced to come here by her mother and she even had to pay the cost of her four hundred dollars for this trip. Her dog was sold by her dad and her mother was living in a dull and old apartment while her dad was living a luxuries life in Mexico with a new wife. Her mother suggested that she would feel better when she came here, but Tina doubts that her friend would actually like her trip. Pondra used to have a good life in Florida and her dreams all included the cost. Out here, it would be nothing but country music and solar power. Tina liked it, but she knew that it would be a low percentage for Pondra. Suddenly, Pondra broke into her thoughts.

“Is that the ranch? It’s so cool and it’s like, big and I hope the horses are well trained!” Pondra gushed, running ahead of Tina. Tina ran to her puzzled. This was more than she had expected. She immediately ran into the stable where they kept the horses. Laurie wouldn’t mind. She tried to remember the names of the horses that Laurie had shown her in the photographs.

“Hmmmm. Lightning, EBay, Brownie, Clay, Chinook, Windy, Shelby, Abigail, Dandruff, Patchy, and -.” Two other horses were munching hay at the end of the stall. One had a brown blotch on its back and it had a golden mane and peach colored fur. The other one was pure brown and it tossed its dark mane into the air. It was so silky the way it moved gracefully. But it was so strong looking like it was about to race out of the stable yard at any second.

“The brown one is Tokyoadajk and the other one is Chiklimonm.”

“Huh?” Tina looked up and saw her Cousin Laurie standing at the door way with Pondra behind her. “Laurie!” Tina cried and immediately ran over to her and hugged her. Laurie smiled and and motioned for her to let go. “So where did you get them?” Tina asked happily.

“Oh we caught them in our last trip to Wyoming.” Laurie said. “Two Wyoming man named them.” She shrugged. “I caught the brown one but it was like he caught up with me.” She laughed. But then her face turned serious. “The people in Wyoming say that Tokyoadajk is worth fifty thousand dollars if we’re going to sell him. Someone would want to steal it if they found out so don’t tell anybody.” Tina nodded and looked at Pondra. She was pondering on the horses intensely. Tina nodded. She was glad that she was not still on the bus being treated like a pile of dirt by Pondra.

“Oh you have grown so tall Laurie low!” Pondra’s mother cooed. Pondras’ face turned bright red. She glared at her mother. Pondra hated when her mother babied people, especially sixteen year- olds.

“Oh stop that! Mother, you should greet her in a more mature way!” Pondra said coldly.

“Oh sorry my daughter is just so frustrate-

“Don’t worry Mrs. Wellston.” Laurie cut in. “I really don’t mind. Pondras’ mother smiled at Laurie warmly and sighed. Tina caught her sort of scolding Pondra. “So I’ll show you your rooms shouldn’t I? Why how rude I have been, that I even forgot about how tired you were after your long journey. Come inside and let me get you some food.” Laurie stated slyly in a polite parental voice.

“Well, you really have grown up!” Mrs. Wellington sighed. “Only if Pondra was like you. Pondra! You should learn to act like Ms. Gent here.”

“Maybe if I didn’t have such a ruined life, I would!” Pondra nearly shouted. Her face was suddenly very pale, and tears were on the tip of her eyes. She blinked them back and made a fake smile. She sucked her lips inside her mouth and turned with her back facing everyone. Tina knew that this was the sign of a huge fight with her mother. But instead, she started walking towards the house. “Well why is everybody still standing here?” She muttered, close to weeping a river. “Ms. Gent just said we could go in.” Pondras’ mother looked at Laurie sensitively.

“My daughter is just having a hard time getting along. And as long as I want to deny this, I can’t. Pondra does have a ruined life and it’s the pity for me. Every problem for her is supposed to be my problem. She thinks that I ruined her life because I divorced with her fraud and unfaithful father. I’m sorry to express myself with these unacceptable words!”

“I’m fine with it.” Laurie shrugged. She thinks that Mrs. Willington is too dramatic, Tina thought. When they got inside, Tina whispered to herself a camp song:

“This day starts off badly and then it gets worse. My mother loses her pure silver purse. My friends too upset to play hide and seek. My dad has a secret and he won’t let me peek.”

Where is Tokyoadajk? Chapter 2

“Tina! Come, I need your help!” Laurie cried in Tina’s ear at six in the morning. Tina opened her eyes’ and yawned cordially.

“What’s up Laurie?” Tina asked. She jumped out of bed and looked at herself in the mirror. Her brown fluffy hair faded in the dim light and her blue eyes had circles under them. “Why’d you have to wake me up?” Tina mumbled. Laurie stared at her miserably.

“I can’t find Tokyoadajk!” Laurie sobbed. “I went to feed him at three thirty and I locked the gates, I remember. I forgot that I hadn’t changed the water so at four, I went back with a bucket of water but he wasn’t there.”

“Why do horse people always have to wake up so early?” Tina asked lazily. “Let’s go downstairs to talk about it.”

“No!” Laurie shouted. Then she broke into sniffs. She straightened herself and stopped sobbing. “The gates were closed and the tray of food was knocked over when he disappeared.” Laurie said frowning. “I was wondering if he could actually jump that high.” Tina shook her head in huge disagreement.

“Wyoming horses don’t have the skills to jump right after they’re brought to human.” Tina muttered. “They can only run fast enough.” Laurie looked at her in a terrified expression.

“Was he stolen? Laurie asked solemnly. Tina paused for a second. She shrugged and flopped back onto her bed.

“Does anyone else know the cost of this horse?” Tina asked.

“Well, my parents do and some of my best friends know, but trust me. They don’t mean any harm.” Laurie cried. At the exact moment, Laurie’s parents came upstairs.

“We’re watching some early TV!” Laurie’s mother sighed. “Want to come?” Laurie and Tina both nodded and got dressed. Ten minutes later, they were all downstairs eating pancakes and watching channels.

“Hello this is Jessica Baker on news channel I am here to discuss the big prank pulled on many horse ranches this season.” The woman said smoothly. “A released criminal started releasing horses on many towns and may we warn you to lock your ranches responsibly until we recapture the criminal. I am reporting from California and tonight’s awarded singer is Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Miss independent’ so please enjoy your day!” The woman walked out of view and loud booming music started ringing out of the volume as the news center displayed the weather estimations.

“I know that song, I love it!” Pondra shouted. Tina nodded and began talking to Pondra about recommended singers. She saw a glimmer of excitement in Pondras’ eyes and she knew that Pondra finally liked the stay. “So when are we going horseback riding?” Pondra asked.

“When something happens,” Laurie answered silently “We’ll be able to go.” Tina knew that Laurie meant finding her favorite horse. She grabbed onto her sweater and rushed outside. She scanned every corner of the barn and found nothing. Suddenly, something caught her eye that was in the food bucket. Slanted over the edge of the bucket handles was a prune shaped metal seed that was the size of an eye. It had smoke rising from the end and it caused the foods to turn into a very pale rose color. She showed Laurie and she looked at it intensely. After a while, Laurie quivered.

“Stop helping me.” Laurie sighed. Tina looked at her, slightly puzzled. With her hands still on the object, Laurie stood up. “This, my friend,” Laurie explained “Is a grenade.

The Deadly Game chapter 3

The Swamp Cat (5)

By Shuke Wang

Chapter 5

“Wake up sleepyhead!” Jakes’ mother yipped sarcastically knocking his head with her fist gently. Jake pushed her hand away and pulled on the covers. Finally, his mother left after a silent moment and he jumped out of bed changing into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. The whole family was there when he came and they were eating French toast and drinking milk. His stepfather was reading newspapers and his dad was talking to his step mom and shelly. Shari was cooking more toast for the family and Neige was sitting there silently reading his batman comic. Jake chose a seat with Neige.

“Neige! Talk to me?” Jake Begged. Neige looked up at him.

“Hi.” He said simply and went on reading his book. Jake stood up unconfidently and walked over to the kitchen counter to get toast. All the events raced through his head. He knew that someone was trying to talk to him and give him a signal but he couldn’t understand. Well’ he shouldn’t have been thinking of that. Without looking, he tripped over a chair and his plate flew out of his hands. Before Jake could get back up, he put his hand on to the stove and his hand was sizzled.

“Ahhhhhh!” He cried tumbling backwards. The plate hit the floor with a loud crack as Jake fell to the floor. Unfortunately, there was a telephone table behind him and he accidentally shoved a vase onto the floor. It hit the marbled surface with a loud crash before breaking into pieces. Jake was still falling backwards as he tumbled out the back door with a huge splash as his robe soaked into the water. Bubbles started forming around his sizzled hand and he felt heavier by every second. Using all his might, he lifted his head out of the water but then after catching a breath, he drifted back in, a loss from all the energy that he had. But he was still conscious. IT WAS PEACEFUL IN THE WATER AND HE CLOSED HIS EYES, HOPING THAT HE COULD KEEP HIS BREATH FOR LONGER. It felt like hours before he was pulled out of the pool. He immediately felt cold and started shivering.

“You okay?” asked his stepfather. Jake nodded. From the corner of his eyes he could see a kitten licking its paw, staring at him with a soft look.

“Look!” Jake shouted as he pointed his finger towards the kitty. But with a blink of an eye, the kitten was gone and all that was left of it was a puddle of water and a few hairs of a cat.

“I think we need to check your eyesight!” joked Jakes’ step dad. He handed Jake a towel and led him out of the pool. Suddenly, Jake stopped in his tracks. He knew it. The cat was trying to tell him about some secret with his real father. His father was doing something wrong and the cats wanted the truth revealed. After the necklace, the picture frame, and the note, he knew that something had to be done.

(To be continued)

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)

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)