Olivia's eyes flashed open. Without lifting her head from the armrest she glanced around at the living room. On the couch diagonal to hers, Mason was snoring away, clutching onto a pillow like he was crushing the life out of it. He chucked it across the room, muttered a few curse words, and then fell silent.
Weirdo.
She then picked up her head and closed her eyes. Rested her chin on the edge of the armrest. Felt a puff of hot air in her face.
Her eyes flicked open again. Staring her down was Wild Claw, in the form of a lioness. A tired, suspicious gaze was looking straight into her soul. Tail lashing back and forth behind her. She yawned, sending more hot air up her nostrils. The smell of her breath was awful enough to force Olivia to sit up and cough a few times. Her bruised ribs stabbed at her lungs with each spasm, and she put a hand over her abdomen in an attempt to stop the coughing. Ow ow ow. Stop it.
"What the heck?" Olivia exhaled.
Wild Claw glanced over at Mason, back to her, and sat down.
"I was just making sure." She mumbled.
"Of what?" Olivia asked.
"Nothing."
"Wow, helpful. How long were you standing there?"
"Half hour. It's nearly noon you know."
"Half hour?! What gives you the right to--" She paused. Moments from the night before cycled back through her mind. Gunfire, Cat's Haunt being destroyed, Ice Breaker dying, then her falling and being saved by Wild Claw. The exchange shortly after. Ohhhhhhh. How could I have forgotten... Wild Claw is... Cola. Ew ew ew. Oh gosh.
"Remember something?" She asked.
"I-- You're-- How long have you been Cola? Where's the real Cola?!" She exclaimed.
"I've always been Cola" She replied.
"What a creep! Why I-"
"Hey," Wild Claw interrupted. "I needed a place to stay. I only intended to stay with you for one night, but I really liked your house, and it was warm. It was either stay with you and be warm for the winter or live on the streets and freeze."
"But I've... had you for years now. Why didn't you leave after that winter?" Olivia asked.
"Cause I grew to like you."
"Well then befriend me as a human!"
"I didn't really like doing the whole befriending as a human thing, besides, you should be the one apologising." She grumbled as she started stalking away.
What. The actual. Kale.
"Why should I apologise?"
"Never mind that. Jake is making breakfast." Wild Claw said over her shoulder. "And by making it, I mean burning it to nothing."
Olivia put her hands over her eyes and yawned. Combed her hair with her fingers, taking out the worst of the knots. Her hair had a thin layer of oil forming in it, and she smelled awful from the night before. Sweat and smoke are a nasty combination. I need a shower.
She looked over at Mason. He hadn't changed his sleeping position, but his eyes were wide open. He looked mortified.
"Did you just say Jake?" Mason asked.
"Yes, yes she did. She's been my cat all along, all these years." Olivia responded.
"Eww. What have you... witnessed?" Mason questioned.
YOU ARE READING
Dusk Harbor 1999
Science FictionYou've been out superheroing all night, and you just got your behind handed to you by a fellow hero who can't keep to his own territory. You come home to see that your beloved cat has brought in a business card, it's an invite to a secret meeting of...
