The Wolf Witch

1

My car groaned as I turned the ignition on, and if I could translate car noises, I'd probably determine that this one meant, I hope I am never switched on again. I'd have to take it to the car doctor. Again. This kind of car depression wasn't great for anyone. And there went my next paycheck.

The house I'd parked in front of was similar to all the buildings I'd never own, and that was all right. It was three stories high with a beautiful peach-colored exterior that looked newly painted and had lots of tulips gracing the sides of the polished porch. The front yard alone was significantly bigger than my whole apartment, and the white front door would make mine explode with envy.

Clearing my throat, I turned to the passenger seat. "All right, young lady. You and I are going to have a little talk." Rubbing my hands together, I took in a deep breath. "This is the third time you've run away. Don't you think that's pushing your luck, Jaci? I mean, the city's very dangerous. You've seen it for yourself." A soft meow made me sigh. "This is the last time, do you understand? No more running away from home. Not ever. You may wander around, but not too far, and only as long as you find your way back home by nightfall."

The cat's yellow eyes shone as she looked at me. She was sitting comfortably on the passenger's seat, swishing her tail slowly, possibly thinking that I'd lost my shit. It was crazy. You couldn't expect a cat to listen to a word you said.

Unless of course, you were me.

"I mean it, Jaci," I warned her again. "No more running away."

She gave me one more meow to confirm that she understood.

With her in my arms, I made my way out of the car. Her fur was so soft, I could sleep on her every night. She was a Ragdoll, mostly white, with some brown around her eyes, her butt, and her tail. I'd never been hired to find one like Jaci before, but I did find and bring home plenty of other kinds of cats. And dogs. Even foxes.

Even before I made it to the porch, Ms. Loretta, Jaci's owner, came out with tears in her eyes, a smile on her face, and her arms outstretched. She grabbed the cat from me furiously, as if she was a mother protecting her cub. She knew her cat, and not only because of the red collar with the silver engraved name tag. I stepped back and lowered my head. Ms. Loretta might have been a little on the coo-coo side when it came to her cats—she had nine—but she loved them dearly. I could tell by her voice when she first called me.

"Thank you so, so much, Bianca! I don't know what we would have done!" she said as she kissed Jaci, who continued to meow, the spoiled little brat. She loved her home, too, but she liked to cause panic ever so often. I believe it's because occasionally she wanted more attention than her siblings.

"It's my pleasure, Ms. Loretta. I'm just glad that she's okay," I said. And it was the truth. It wasn't uncommon for me to find dead animals. It happened before—three times.

"Here you go, Bianca. Again, thank you so much," she said and pulled a piece of paper from her jeans pocket. It was my check. I smiled brightly. It's why I called her on the way here. I didn't like waiting for her to go in and write the check when I could have her prepare it for me beforehand.

"Thank you, Ms. Loretta. Bye, Jaci," I said with a wave, and I turned around to leave.

"I hope you won't run away again, little girl. Mommy was so worried," she was saying.

"Oh, don't worry, she will never leave this neighborhood again," I said, completely satisfied with myself, when...

"How do you mean?"

I stopped in my tracks and slowly turned around. Ms. Loretta was still in front of the door with Jaci in her arms, a frozen smile on her face. Crap.