By: Jessie Sha

“Zara! Did you let a cat in here again?”

“What? What cat?” I yelled, running down the stairs to see. At the foot of the stairs sat a cute little tabby cat. I bent down to pet her, but just as I brushed her tail, she ran out the open backdoor.

“Hey! Where are you going?” I asked, following the cat out. The cat purred and ran off into the street.

“Wait!” I cried out, “You’re going to get hurt,” It didn’t listen. The cat just kept on running until we entered a narrow alleyway. I blinked, trying to adjust my eyes to the dim light. I looked around to find the cat, but it seemed to have disappeared. There was only a huge green dumpster wafting out a nauseating smell. “Eww. Why would that cat lead me here?” I ran out of the dark alleyway where no light shine on it.

“Zara, where’s the cat?” Mom asked, picking up the dishes.

“Ran into an alleyway. Disappeared now.” I said, walking towards her.

“Oh, but you can’t let her by herself, right? She’s a kitten!”

“You’re right, I think she is a kitten, but she ran off and I can’t find her.”

The sun shone on me as I searched around my neighborhood and the streets near my neighborhood. Suddenly, a small tabby cat sat down next to my feet.

“Oh, kitty! I found you.” I said, picking up the cute little kitten. Surprisingly, she didn’t fight against me and let me hold her all the way home.

“Mom! Look I found the kitty!” I said, setting her down on the floor. No answer.

“Mom? Where are you?” I yelled, running around the house. No answer again. Panic rose inside my chest. “Where is my mom?” I tried calling her, but it went straight to voicemail. I left messages, but no reply either. “What happened? I just found a cat and now my mom is missing?” I sat on the couch trying to convince myself that she was fine, and that I was just being overdramatic. Hours passed and Mom was still a no-show. I called the cops and informed them about what had happened. Then it was almost midnight when she came back.

“Mom! Where were you? I tried calling and texting!” I said, pressing myself against her for a hug.

“I-I was at work,” she said, pulling away from the hug.

“Work? It’s the weekend!”

“I know, but I got called in, we were really busy today.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, picking up the orange tabby.

“You weren’t home.” That was the last thing she said before she locked herself into her room. “She’s lying. She’s an architect there is no way they would call her in today.” The cat purred in my arms.

“You understand don’t you,” I said rubbing her head. She meowed at me and ran up the stairs. I ran up after her into my room. I found Mom in my room.

“What are you looking for?” I asked, standing directly in front of her.

“Nothing, just a book,” she replied.

“Cut the act Mom, I know when you’re lying.”

“Fine! I’m here to kidnap you.” Her tone changed, and she grabbed me and dragged me down the stairs.

“Stop!” I scream as she dragged me out the door. Heads turned, but no one did anything.

“Never!” She said, now taking the shape of a large cat. “What the heck is wrong with her? What is happening?” She carried me in her mouth her sharp teeth holding my ripping shirt. I ended up in a dark room. I fell asleep and then woke up with a cold sweat. Bright green eyes stared right at me.