Tabby's Day To Escape

2. Transition

I kept an eye on that human. Though he seemed like no threat, he might have turned into one anytime. Since staring him constantly for no reason would have seemed creepy, I came up with a nice idea that benefitted me in two ways; I'd be able to keep my target in sight while also getting a little clean up—I began licking my paws and fur; all the while making sure he stayed in my field of vision.

That plan seemed to work well. He didn't seem suspicious of my actions. He took a few steps behind while his hand searched his pockets after which he pulled out a little slim black gadget and did that typical human thing; of getting lost in his handheld device. He then crouched and sat before me, with his device held out, paused for a minute and then walked away in the other direction, still immersed in that device of his.

I had been successful in blending in with the surroundings to the point I felt invisible. Many people had walked by without even noticing me down here. I sat there; observing, making mental notes on everything I thought stood out or would turn out to be helpful later.

A while later, I saw a little girl and her father who were heading in my direction. Alarmed, I put back my innocent expression and stood there holding a sweet gaze. The girl approached closer to me and stretched her arm in my direction. I wrongly anticipated that she was trying to hurt me, so I leapt back and a meow escaped from my mouth as I landed a little away. She just wanted to pet my head. Taking in as much of her as possible, looking at her expression and her father's distance from me; I shyly walked towards the girl, and to her side. She rubbed my head. I liked that gesture. It reminded me of my mother. I allowed her to pet me while I reciprocated the love by rubbing against her side. The girl stroked my head with her warm fingertips one last time before slowly rising up, turning away to leave. I meowed, trying to grab her attention, wanting her to stroke me for a while more. She spared me a short glance and left.

I thought my charms hadn't worked, but I was too quick to conclude. As I was about to walk away and under the car, I felt a human hand gripping my belly again. A lot careful and gentler this time. I turned around and squeaked. He was a young boy; with a diamond-cut face and honey brown eyes which were locked with mine. His face, brightly lit in the daylight had the kindest smile while his body radiated excessive love. He slowly lifted me up and carefully positioned me into his arms in a way that my body was supported properly and I was able to rest my front and hind paws. He held me firmly yet gently and I didn't oppose his petting. I knew I wouldn't be able to escape from his arms, but I was sure he wouldn't hurt me. I was watching everything from that great height. Everything looked a lot smaller this high. I could see where we were heading; into a passage followed by some stairs leading to a door which took us into a little room with various buttons. As he pressed one of the several buttons, the room suddenly started moving. I could feel it moving, taking us somewhere. I was fixated at the floors going below, one after the other and I could feel my heart pounding within and my breath turning rapid. Those were some of the longest moments of my life, ones which seemed to have no end. Every floor we reached, I waited for the box to stop and the door to open again but we soared yet higher, while my heart sank even deeper. A while later, the room suddenly halted and the door opened, revealing a passage with several doors. He carefully opened the door parallel to the little room we exited, and let me down in a giant room, while he closed the door behind us.

I had no idea what that place was, but it seemed very interesting—I saw many places to hide, jump and scratch. After leaving me to explore the place, the boy headed to a darker area which was situated farther ahead and to the right. While I skimmed the place visually, I saw him return back with a bowl which had some milk in it. The sight and smell of the milk brought back the fact that I was starving at that time. I felt like pouncing on him and snatching that bowl from him but as soon as I realized that it was for me, I held back my action-packed thoughts and looked within myself for some patience. Once he positioned the bowl before me, I could no longer resist the pull and greedily started licking It, since I was not sure if I would get it again. It tasted different from the milk I was accustomed to so far, and I learned later that it was cow's milk. Not that I knew or was interested in knowing what a cow was, but the milk was cow's.

Just as I finished my milk, I looked up towards the boy; he never took his eyes off me. I was longing for affection and due to the generous gesture this boy showed, I couldn't stop myself from showing how happy I was. I ran towards him and softly meowed while rubbing my side against his. He hugged me closer, his fingers digging softly in my fur and tracing lines. That was the very first time we had met, and I instantly considered him my brother in terms of closeness and affection. He was the one who fed me that day, got me a little room and some warm bedding; water to drink, and a place to call home. Initially, I would get lost in my thoughts; wondering about other siblings and my mother. This new home and family I loved so much diluted my past memories till it no longer worried me. I was looking forward, imagining an extraordinary future, thinking about possibilities.

After spending a few more days in my new home, I grasped quickly that I was Tabby, or at least that I was called Tabby. I didn't know what it meant, but I did like it. Every time I responded to it, I was rewarded with a delicious treat.