Ten Lives and Counting

Chapter 1

Preface

Strolling casually out of my sewing class on a dreary Friday afternoon, I decided to take a shortcut to my car through a filthy alley. I was wrinkling my nose at the stench of the grime on the pavement, when a scrawny little cat sauntered out of the shadows. "Meow," it simpered as it winked at me with an imperceptible tilt of the head. Since when do cats wink?

Chapter 1

It was a full three hours after the winking cat incident before I noticed anything else strange. What can I say, I have had a certain disdain for cats since I was a child. It probably had something to do with my little sister Caitlyn's apparent preference for her pet cat over me. Anyway, I was sprawled across my bed, typing my English paper when Caitlyn burst in.

"Tia! Tia!" She chirped, somewhat bird-like.

"What?" I snapped, too engrossed in my laptop to care.

"Look who I found on our doorstep!"

I glance towards Caitlyn, and I notice a fuzzy, plump kitten reclining on her palms. The kitten had one green eye, and one gray. Those eyes gazed in my direction, as if they were peering into my soul. Entranced, she stood up and attempted to step in my direction, almost falling to my hardwood floor. Luckily, Caitlyn caught her with a few feet to spare.

"Aren't you going to tell mom?" I speak pessimistically, her face falls. I relish it with vigor, sure we love each other, but cats get on my nerves.

"Can we keep her?" Caitlyn was bombarding mom with questions as soon as she had her foot over the threshold.

"Caitlyn, can I have five minutes of peace? Please? Work was hectic, so many orders flew through our facility." She spoke with a slight groan. Mom works as an abstract artist in a decor company for the high-end hotels and condominiums on the upper east side. Caitlyn steps back reluctantly, afraid of loosing the kitten.

"Where did this little fur ball come from?" Mom cooed as she lifted the cat by the scruff of her neck. Mom really has a way with cats, always has, always will. The kitten turned towards me and slowly winked, just like before.

"Wha-" I begin to say, before I clench my teeth together, and in the process, nearly biting my tongue in half. The cat's head swivels towards mine and briskly says, with a crisp British accent, "I'll explain later"

"Did you hear that?" I ask Caitlyn.

"Yes! She has the cutest little meow ever!" Caitlyn said with a little hop. Thirteen year olds: melodramatic teenage wannabes, I thought sarcastically.

"You really didn't hear that?"

"Hear what?" she asked innocently.

One thing is for certain, I am losing my mind.

Turns out, I didn't have to wait long to be enlightened. The cat slunk into my room, and gracefully leapt onto my bed.

"Hello Tia" it purred. As if that made it any clearer.

"W-what are y-?" That is all I manage to choke out before the cat swishes its tail impatiently and upbraids my speaking ability.

"Shah. Wait, everything will make sense soon. Did you know you are part Egyptian? It's on your mother's side."

I restrain an overwhelming urge to kick this ridiculous cat off of my bed, to think, all of the cat's hair, dander, and any other unwelcome guests in her fur. The cat senses my discomfort and jumps to the top of my dresser smoothly.

"Tia, focus, your future and the future of all cats depends on your understanding of what I am about to tell you." I nod, unsure of the proper reaction when your mind was just confused beyond confused. Sliding lower under the sheets on my bed, the cat paws around with my tchotchkes I've collected from around New York City.Hey cat, are you ever going to actually explain this whole mess to me? I thought to myself.

"Tia, I told you, it is too early to explain. Oh yes, dear please stop calling me cat, I am known as Kit." I'm in my bedroom next to a mind-reading cat with a secret. That's new.