Hunted

Chapter 10

I wake up late the next morning and I scramble to get dressed. I don't even brush my teeth, I just rinse with mouthwash as I brush my hair. A quick three minutes later, I'm done. Do you want me to leave the window open? I ask Blaise.

Yes... A tiny voice answers back, shocking me.

You can talk?! What other words can you say? Excitement rises in my chest.

Listening... To you... Talk learn. What? What does that mean?

So when you listen to me talk, you learn? I clarify.

Yes, vocabulary expands, each time. Blaise rubs his head on my hand, and I scratch behind his ears.

That is awesome! I squeal to him. Alright, what's my name?

Eli.... He trails off.

Elizabeth, but you can call me Lizzy.

Lizzy. I like that.

Do you like your name? I hope he does. It would be hard to change it after it having such a symbolic meaning to me.

Yes, it's very...

Unique? I offer.

Yes! Now you should go school. He tries to say.

Should go to school. I correct him and move to the window. I open it and let the fresh air in. I go to the door and I stare back at my little Blaise. Bye, I'll be back in a couple of hours. You can go explore as long as you don't get lost or go anywhere you may get hurt. I instruct him and then leave.

"Why are you late?" Ms. Keefe asks without looking up from her desk. I just ran in, breathless and obviously, late.

"Sorry, I just realized I could talk to the cat." I say and she quickly looks up at me.

"What do you mean?"

"My cat can talk. Well, not out loud, but in my mind." That makes me sound crazy, and judging by the look on Ms. Keefe's face, she thinks so to. "He says he gains vocabulary every time I speak to him."

"Can you call him here and speak to him?" She stares at me, disbelief echoes in her voice.

Blaise? Are you there? I find him in my room still.

Yes, I here. I don't even bother to correct him.

Can you come to the place you went last night? She may be able to help us. He doesn't respond, but I can tell he's coming this way.

"That is incredible. Your pupils..." She trails off.

"Tracy said my eye's looked like cats when I called for him yesterday." I reply and she nods in understanding.

"Can you call on other animals?"

"I don't know. Haven't tried." I check on Blaise's location, and quickly open the window behind Ms. Keefe's desk. As soon as I do, Blaise appears, panting with exertion. I pick him up and cuddle him in my arms. He purrs.

"That is truly magnificent." She takes off her glasses and stares in amazement. "How old is he?"

"I'd say around six to seven months." I look at Blaise's small frame. His soft kitten fur is being replaced by longer, thicker strands, giving him a lopsided look. He is pretty small and obviously neutered. He must have had a home before he ran away.

"Since you are keeping him, I'm assuming, what are you going to name him?"

"I named him Blaise." Sadness and regret pools out of Ms. Keefe unexpectedly.