The Kitten and the Alpha

Π Ρ Ο Λ Ο Γ Ο Ν

// prologue
// London, 1995, Winster Manor

The old man sat in a high wingchair, his knees covered by a tartan blanket, his face hidden in the long shadows that were caused by the weak light of the solemnly burning candle on the huge Mahagoni desk. It seemed as he would be asleep, there was no movement, only the seldom but regular up and down of his meagre chest, breathing calmly.
LONG TIME NO SEE, CHENEMES*, a demonic voice echoed through the crepuscular library.
„Yes indeed, my old friend.", answered the old man without shifting in his chair, „How long has it been now? 40 years? 60? Or is it already more like 80?". In front of the old man's chair two yellowish eyes appeared, that seem to be owned by a cat, according to their almond form and the sharpness of their pupil.
WHAT WOULD IT MEAN ANYWAYS FOR US TO COUNT THE YEARS!, the voice said chuckling softly, as out of the shadows the body of a cat was manifesting, sitting in front of the old man, its head held high, proudly as it befitted the Goddess of Cats.
„Ah,", the old man sighed, remembering all those shared moments, their history together, 40 years back, „Bastet, my dearest ..."
ALAN ... I WISH I WOULD HAVE MORE TIME RIGHT NOW TO RELIVE THOSE LONG GONE DAYS. I CAME TO YOU BECAUSE I HAVE A FAVOUR TO ASK FROM YOU ... AGAIN.
„Everything, Bastet, you know you can always count on me, my love! What we have been through, the adventures we survived ..."
IT HAD BEEN QUITE A CENTURY HAVEN'T IT BEEN SO, MY SWEET BOY?
Both seemed to be lost in shared memories for a moment, before he asked: „What is this request you paid me a visit for, my dearest?"

WELL ... I CAME THIS NIGHT FOR A CHILD THAT HAS BEEN BORN OF MY LINEAGE FOR WHOM THE NORNIR HAVE GREAT PLANS. GREAT PLANS THAT INCLUDE YOU, ALAN, AS YOU ARE DESTINED TO TAKE IN THE CHILD AS IF IT WOULD BE YOUR OWN, RAISE IT AND SHARE YOUR WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE WITH THIS CHILD.

„That is a lot to ask for, Bastet ... You know my attitude towards children, not to speak of students ... remember me teaching in Oxford, the ‚Flying Book Incident' ...?", the old man sighed, bringing up the memory of his time at Oxford University where he was - only for a short time - professor for Old Egyptian Mythology.

Ι ΚΝΟW, ALAN, HOW COULD I FORGET ... YOU COMPLETELY WENT OFF THE GRID AFTER THAT ... BUT PLEASE DO IT FOR ME, CHENEMES*.

Sighing again, Alan nodded, „How could I ever say no to you, Bastet? What ever you ask from me, it will have its good reasons..."

THANK YOU, ALAN, I KNEW I COULD COUNT ON YOU!

But before Alan could ask the demon how the child will come to him, find him or the other way around, or even before he could ask for the child's name, the demon vanished back into the dark shadows that dominated the poorly lit library from which it first came from.

As so many times before, Alan would have to wait for the moment that destiny would hit him like a an elephant on the run, unprepared and with its full, unmerciful force.

***

*chemenes, transcribed as "xnms" is the middle-egyptian/hieroglyphic word for "friend". the "ch" is an aspirated "h", not found in English per se, but if you think about the Scottish word "loch" (lake) you will get it right ^^

*Bastet is the egyptian goddess of cats, love, family, etc.

*Nornir are the scandinavian mythical sisters that are responsible for the destiny.

PS.: The dialogue in cursive CAPITAL letters is written precisely for the reason that the demonic voice is not "normal" but is experienced more like a voice in your head, eerie and demanding.

PPS.: Please, comment or pm if you have thoughts or questions :)