The Memory Behind The Cat

Chapter 4: When the Clock Chimes

Chapter 4

*When the Clock Chimes*

Sweat beaded Katniss' forehead and she was panting heavily. Memories of the cat's glowing eyes and sharp teeth haunted her. She was so scared that she covered herself with her blanket and cowered in fear as she tried to convince herself that it was just a stupid nightmare.

Thinking that spending her entire day in bed was a complete waste, she sat up and walked outside the room. Katniss entered the bathroom she discovered on the first floor last night. She took a quick shower and prepared her breakfast.

Katniss had no plans at all to visit Athena's house today. If she can see that stupid feline again -- well, she doesn't know if she would scream, ignore it or throw it out of the house. But the latter would be rude to Athena and she just doesn't want to take the risk of making that dream real. That's why, Katniss just decided to clean and rearrange the rest of the rooms.

*      *      *

The third room in the second floor was a train wreck. Or it's like a nuclear bomb was dropped off into this room, leaving scattered debris on the floor. Furthermore, dust, rats and roaches inhabited the whole room. Katniss shuddered as she picked up a blanket lying on the floor which revealed about ten cockroaches and a spider scampering off as their protective veil was removed.

She immediately worked -- arranging the furniture, taking out the trash, sweeping the floor, wiping dust off the walls and yelping every now and then everytime a spider or a cockroach appeared and paused for a few moments as if to greet her, HOWDY DO?

The grandfather's clock in the living room chimed which marked that two hours had passed since Katniss started cleaning.

"I'm finally done! Time to take a br --."

Suddenly, Katniss heard a voice -- a charming, bewitching voice which clearly said: WHY ARE YOU HERE, MY DEAR KATNISS? PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE IN MY HOUSE BY MYSELF. NOW... COME.

The voice hypnotized Katniss. She lost control of her emotion, her limbs, her body, her mind -- her whole being. Her feet only obeyed the bidding of the voice that beckoned her.

Go to my house. Talk with me, the voice said.

And it was exactly what Katniss did. She went out of the room, walked slowly down the stairs and out of the house as if in a trance.

*      *      * 

She was inside Athena's house, sitting on the sofa.

"What am I doing here!" Katniss exclaimed.

"You came here on your own, my dear. Don't you remember?" she smiled.

Katniss was sure that she didn't plan to be here. Then why? That was the question she can't answer. Why is she here?

"You went here, on your own." Athena said in a voice that she heard on the... Where was that again? Katniss was pretty sure she heard it somewhere.

"You are here," Athena continued, "Because you wanted to."

"I came here because I wanted to. Got it." Katniss replied in a daze. Wait. She felt like she forgot something. Something...

The cat suddenly appeared. "Meow." It said.

Katniss yelped involuntarily. She remembered her dream -- that terrifying nightmare.

"What's the matter Katniss?" Athena asked in her normal voice. Concern was clearly on her face.

"Uh... nothing. I have to go."

Katniss hurriedly went out of Athena's house and went straight to bed. She noticed the clock on the wall which clearly shows that two hours had already passed since she finished cleaning. What has she been doing during the past two hours? There's a gap in her memories -- she doesn't remember doing anything, even her trip to Athena's house.