The Storyteller - ONC 2022

Chapter 13: Meow

"Mr. Purrington?" Her aunt sounded just as surprised as Amy was, as she placed the reluctant kitty, back onto the floor. "We have talked about this. That is no way to greet a guest."

"Meoow....Meeeeooow....Meow!"

"Oh, Mr. Purrington, no wonder you are upset. I am so sorry, in all the chaos, I forgot to feed you. I'll get you your dinner now." Her aunt  started to move away.

"Meow...Mew...Meow....Meooow!"

"We have some unwanted visitors? Three did you say?  Good kitty. I am impressed you didn't pounce on them." 

"Meoooow!"

 "Oh you did... but they got away. Hmmm....Thank you at least, for being honest."

"Meoooow...Meow...Meowowow....Meoowwow!"

Amy's tears were forgotten. Her eyes darting between her aunty and the kitty.  Not only did this black cat have  the cutest little top hat on its head, but it appeared to be actually talking with her aunt.

"Ohh...They disappeared and... Could you repeat that last part?"

"Meow...Meowowow...Meoowwow!"

"Let me get this straight. They are looking for a book to make me disappear?" Her aunts pitch had risen very high at that last part.

"Meow."

"In this house?"

"Meow."

"Do you know who they are?" She asked looking unsettled.

"Meow...Meow.... Meeeeooww...Meoww."

" A potted daffodil,  a  gnome and a.... watering can?" Aunty Penelope looked very displeased. "If this is your idea of a joke, Mr. Purrington, its not funny."

"Meoow...Meow... Meooow!" he growled harshly.

"Oh, I see, they were wearing costumes. but have removed  bits and pieces which are spread all over our front stairs."

"Meow."

"Obviously Alfred hadn't fixed the protective mesh fortress as yet. That's two break-ins now, he will be most upset about this." 

Amy watched with interest as  her aunt removed one of the  lit  candles mounted on the wall  to the right of the entrance door and transferred it into an empty holder on the left side.

"Mr Purrington, can you tell me anything else about these intruders?"

"Meeeeow...Meow...Meeoww."  He nodded in Amy's direction.

Aunt Penelope frowned.

"The only three I know who are shorter than Amy,  and have knowledge of the books within this house  would be Cylindra's three daughters."

"Who's Cylindra?" Amy asked as her aunt grabbed her hand, walking towards the front door.

"She was a very old acquaintance of mine." Her aunt  paused. A far away look in her eyes. "You see, Cylindra was trained to be a Storyteller at the same time I was,  and she was considered to be one of the best. Except foolishly, she broke  two of the three forbidden laws and paid the ultimate price for her disloyalty. They banned her from ever becoming a Storyteller.  She became very bitter and spiteful, but it didn't stop her from passing her knowledge down to her daughters. And unfortunately for me, after she died, I suppose, her daughters are going after what her mother was denied." 

"Meowww."

"Exactly...To become a Storyteller."

"And they want to replace you?" Amy couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"I should have seen it coming. All their little visits. All their probing questions. But all is not lost. Now I know what they're up to, I have the upper hand.

Amy noticed her aunt, with her green eyes sparkling like glittered emeralds, looked like she had been plugged into a power point and recharged just like a battery. Her shoulders had straightened and head raised as she breathed deeply.  Determination, written all over her face. 

Aunt Penelope started opening the front  door, her expression so childishly full of mischief.

"What do you say, we go find our three uninvited guests and  show them a little Storytelling hospitality - my way."

Amy gawked in surprise, her full-moon eyes,  taking in the unexpected view.

The verandah  and front yard Amy had expected to see was gone, and in its place, was a mirrored image of the inside of the house. Only the stairs in the middle were spiraling down into the floor instead of up towards the ceiling.

" MEEOOWWW." The screeching squeal made her aunt halt in her tracks.

"Oh glory be, food! Of course, yes... " Aunt Penelope quickly led Amy  back into the original  hallway, towards two opening doors that lead into a large brightly lit kitchen with every item imaginable for cooking.  She called out...  "One roast chicken and gravy dinner coming up," Her face beamed as she passed the beeping oven. "Oh good, its ready. Amy would you be interested in some lasagna and salad. I made it myself."

Amy nodded eagerly. She looked at her watch. It was 7:30 pm.  With everything that had happened, she didn't realise how hungry she was.

Mr Purrington followed them, sitting just outside the kitchen licking his paws., This room  was where all his delectable  treats were  kept and was one of his  favourite places to visit. Although he would have liked it better if  he wasn't forbidden to enter.

Excitedly he weaved around  Penelope as she placed his bowl on the floor.  Roast chicken was his favourite.  As Mr Purrington lapped up the gravy he kept one curious eye on the small human. She looked very similar to Penelope, only much, much  younger. Had Penelope  chosen her for him? He supposed it was about time he took on an apprentice.  Yes... why not? She would do nicely.  

He went back to grooming himself looking very pleased.

  How he loved being a cat.  

Purrrrrrrr.