The Weight of the World

Chapter 28: Cats

"Fucking bastard thing," I hissed, kicking the stupid animal aside. The cat hissed back, hackles raised. Cat, the person, entered, tutting. Like a mother, she scooped up the cat and nuzzled it.

"Watch it, or I'll neck it for the meat."

Cat drooped, staring at me. "What did I say about that?"

"I mean it."

"I know. That's why I don't want you to say it." The cat dug its claws in and leapt down, rushing out of the room.

For a moment, Cat raised a hand, as if to call it back. Letting it fall, she came closer to me, taking the rag out of my hand. "You really should be in bed."

"I'll rest when I'm dead." I sneezed, wiping my nose on the back of my hand.

Cat's lip curled. "Charming. But babe, you need to sleep. You've been up far too long."

"I slept like all day," I insisted, tugging the rag back.

"And you're still tired." Before I could protest, she raised a finger. "Don't argue with me. You get like this. Fighting sleep. I'd expect it from a kid."

"Don't act like you're any better," I said. "The bags under your eyes might as well be carry-on luggage."

"Oh wow, thanks," she said, rolling her baggy eyes. "I'll let this slide because, as I said, you're tired."

"Don't patronise me." I walked across the room. Cat sighed and pulled out a chair. Patting it, inviting me to sit, I obliged.

"Now," she said. "Tell me what's really wrong. Or are you just tired?"

"I'm hungry," I said. "Hungry. Tired. Bored. Everything hurts, I'm gagging for a drink, I'm gagging for proper fresh air. I'm gagging to be able to breathe out my nose again, to not feel knackered everywhere." Resting my head on the table, my voice came out muffled. "I'm done."

Cat's hand was warm on my back. "Precisely why you should get some rest."

Ava and Mike entered, the latter looking significantly more bedraggled of the pair. He scratched his chin fuzz, yawning.

"We wanted to go out," Ava said.

"What time are we going?" I said, on my feet. Any mention of weakness had vanished on the wind. Until Cat's hand went to my forearm.

"You are not going anywhere," she said.

"Don't start this again," I groaned.

"No!" Cat snapped, shooting to her feet. "I will start this again! Issy, you are not well. Your cheeks are flushed, but your hands are clammy and cold. You look as if you'll topple over any minute now. Another day out in the cold and wet would likely finish you off."

"We can come back," Mike said, backing away.

"No, the discussion is over," Cat said, raising a hand to halt him.

"Thank fuck. I have enough domestics as is," Mike said,

"Take Taylor, or Bilaal. Actually, Kya hasn't gone anywhere in a long time. She needs the fresh air, and the experience."

"I need to speak to you about Lacy," Ava said.

"Another time, yeah?" Mike said.