Tabby's Day To Escape

3. Fitting in

I liked my new home a lot. I had plenty of space to run, so many places to hide and even more things to chew on and scratch. My brother was a boring companion most of the time, but sometimes he would make me a paper ball and then throw it in the other direction, which was the part I didn't like at all but after I'd get that ball, I would start punching that ball between my front paws and follow the motion as accurately as I could. After quickly getting bored with flicking the ball left and right, I would start imagining that the madman who had sealed us in a bag and threw us on the street, had somehow become the ball. I would gather all my rage and bite him with all my might, feel my little teeth sink into his flesh as I would then roll on my back and rapidly kick him with my both legs. He would start pleading for his life and apologise, at which point I would let him go—warning him not to mess with me again. He would look at me timidly, his fur all spiny and alarmed and then run into the darkness.

After my little win, I would become an explorer again, trying to uncover more and more secrets of the place I was staying in. I had a few observations and had established a few secret hideouts across the place. My favourite hideout was in the last room, in the laundry basket. There was something about that warm nest of clothes which felt like home, maybe it was the scent of my family members or the darkness and the warmth or maybe both. Whenever I felt like I had to explore the other world—the fascinating dream world, I would always go to my magical portal, the nest as I liked to call it. The moment I'd position myself and prepare to be absorbed in, I'd close my eyes and feel my body floating. All sounds would fade, all worries would disappear and slowly, the world would distort, break and would lose its essence. Gradually, golden rays would seep in, colouring the world vivid and beautiful. The world would slowly start taking shape and I would find myself around a lot of food, and intricate structures to do some parkour. The sky, a shade of brilliant blue, would envelop me in the warmest hug and I would feel my muscles relax.

The most blissful moments are always short-lived, as my mystical journey would always be interrupted. Brother again. I would be jumping from cloud to cloud one moment and the next, I would suddenly feel my cheeks being touched and my physical body caressed in the other world. I understand that he shows his affection that way but doing that every fifteen minutes gets on my nerves. I lazily crack my eyes open and see his hazy figure, his two long and monstrous hands cradling me, rubbing my belly and even pulling my cheeks. Annoyed, I try to nibble at his fingers, but he never gets it in his thick head. He continues before eventually pulling me out and into his arms.

I merely get the time to boot my systems and my gyroscope so I feel confused as to my orientation in his arms. With every ticking second, my systems begin running smoothly and my task manager indicates that my bladders are dangerously full. My gyroscope tells me that I'm belly up and my eyes tell me that my brother is polluting my field of vision.  I instantly twist, and jump off his grips, jogging to the balcony in the living room, where my litter box is.

The next part of the day proceeds something like everything I've described so far. I play, run, jump, answer nature's calls. My brother keeps annoying me but we do have fun. Coming to the last part of my day, the night, is really when my real self comes to the forefront. My brother leaves me in the balcony and shuts the window and the curtain, while he and others proceed to turn themselves off for the day. He really needs that rest, given that tomorrow he'll have a new day to begin annoying me again—of course, he needs that sleep.  Meanwhile, it grows very quiet after a whole day of chaos. Now I know I really have some time for myself, some quality time. I feed my philosophical self at this time. Gazing out at the stars, or the passing vehicles. Sometimes I see dogs who're busy inspecting their territory—not to forget how their sight always makes the hair on my neck and back stand. It is the moment I ask questions about the world, the universe, and about the whole point of existence. My purpose in life is exploration and though this family provides me with food, shelter and some love, my purpose stays unfulfilled.

I spend all my time in this house, away from the vast world and experiences out there. I stay unaware of what really makes this world the way it is. All I know is the little world I live, feed and play in each day.  I still sometimes think of my siblings, my mother. Where could they be? Are they free? Are they ruling the streets the way mother used to? While I'm enjoying my life in this little world? Many questions pop inside my head and all plead answers. I figured out the only way to live according to my life's purpose and to find answers to all those questions was to seek them—I had to leave my family behind if I wanted to grow and live my life's purpose.

I made up my mind, I would somehow manage to sneak out of this place and into the unknown and vast world beyond. How was I going to do that? I decided to keep an eye out on everyone. Where were they going after getting out through the house door? Where did the stairs next to the lift take? How would I get through dogs and find food out? I started observing everything. I had three balconies at my disposal and one door. I had to somehow plan all my moves of going out from within this place. It was beginning to seem like a prison breakout, I needed my freedom and had to quench my curiosity, even if it could kill me.