A Cat’s Tail CH 6

After the brief and sudden exchange, Ace blurted into the conversation, “Who is that?”

The calico cat rolled her eyes, “I should’ve known you were behind this.” She then turned to me and gawked at my sight, “It makes sense now.”

“You know Ace?” we both turned to see what Ace really had to say, though he looked dumbfounded by the encounter.

“Ace Condor.” The calico addressed, shocking both of us. “He’d been causing trouble for a while now, though he was so genuine and nice about our encounters.” The cat turned to me, “Unlike you.”

I could only roll my own eyes, though I wanted to sarcastically counter her. “Why are you still here? I didn’t hurt anyone.”

The calico darted her eyes at me once more, “To keep you out of any trouble. Where are you headed to in such a rush to cause all this commotion?”

Ace joined the conversation, “The Earth Viewing Area.” His smiled relieved the tense air around us all. “Toby wants to see his family once again, so I’m taking him. I would get my guardian title after helping too!”

The calico turned to me, “Genuine and nice…” She walked by Ace’s side, “Sounds like you need some authority to lead the way.”

“It does not sound like that!” I stood my ground, ready to defend myself or attack back.

“We’d love for you to join!” Ace added after me.

“What?” I dropped my anger in shock, “Ace, she chased us!”

“I have a name, you know.” The calico held her chin high.

“That you’ve failed to mention.” I mocked her request. I looked at her disgust in my response, then back to Ace, “We can do this by ourselves, Ace.”

Ace looked between the two of us, “The walk there is pretty dangerous.” Ace looked down at the map, “One more person would be better to get there with.” He looked at me, “Sorry.”

“Then it’s settled!” The calico smiled, “I’m joining. I need to keep the other districts safe from you two.” The calico got up with her tail high in the air. “The next possible area is the district just before us, the Cyris District.” She got up and walked before us.

I wanted to pounce on her so badly, but what would that even prove. She was clearly stronger and quicker to keep up with us and effectively pin me down. I looked at Ace, she how he shrugged and followed the leading cat. “Fine!” I yelled back. I caught up the group, “What is your name?”

The calico looked back, “Abigail. Abigail Smith. I’ve been here for a while and earned the title for being a community authority. Although, life on Earth was something so memorable, I gained a go–”

“Your name.” I interrupted, clearly annoyed and sarcastic towards Abigail. “Abigail.” I didn’t ask her for her life story on Earth nor Heaven.

Ace turned to me, seeing how I was being a little too rude for either of our likings. I sighed, I needed to fix this mess I’m making. “Have you been outside of the International District?” I tried to sound less condescending, if I could do such a thing.

The calico cop looked at me, “I don’t think I have. I just know that the districts are shielded by different veils.”

At least the veils were correct. Ace and the library lady had said so, the veils are growing weaker. “How do you know about Cyris District, if you never been outside before?”

Abigail looked at me, as annoyed as I did her, “I know how to research. How did you not know if you are heading to the Earth Viewing Area?” She smiled at me, that sarcastic smile of hatred.

I was ready to argue back, but Ace diverted the conversation. “Look!” He made us look forward at the end of the barrier. We were ready to depart on our journey now. Now, this marks the step into our adventure.

“This is it!” Abigail exclaimed, “We are leaving the International District!” Her enthusiasm sparked. “You guys ready?”

“Yes!” I joined her enthusiasm.

“You are positive about this?” Ace asked once more. “This is the start of it all. It’s really dangerous and difficult.”

“Of course, Ace.” I looked at the barrier, I’m ready! I’m going to see my family! Nothing can stop me now.

I rushed into the barrier, passing Abigail and Ace. I broke through what felt like water, though I was dry. The sound was immediately muted, causing my ears to pop. The air felt thin and I struggled to breath properly. I looked around, everything was fogged into the distance… was there anything here though? I didn’t see any sign of other cats or even full clouds. There was nothing here.

I saw Abigail and Ace walk in, skeptical of the new road. “What is this?” Abigail asked, bewildered of the discovery. I looked back to see Ace look concerned for the road, though still showed bravery in his stance. “This is the veil?”

“This is the veil that isn’t supported completely.” Ace tried to explain as he walked quickly through the veil, “We need to be quick to avoid being sucked into the veil.”

We all walked to the next area, trying to not catch up in a trot or jog. To avoid the silence and imminent fading in the veil, I continued the conversation. “What do you mean about the veil being incomplete?” I understand that the book and Ace had already explained part of the idea, however, I wanted to make sure everyone knew.

“So, the distances between districts don’t have a veil. Rather, it’s weak and captures any spirit who’s just as weak. Wandering or lost souls often make the weak barrier in between districts.” Ace explained more in detail. “Cats are becoming stronger and overall avoid these walks altogether, that’s not to say there aren’t people out here.”

“We’re out here.” Abigail assured. “We are pretty strong too!”

“That’s why we aren’t being captured in the walk there.” I added.

“Toby is a new spirit,” Ace interjected the assuring. “That means you haven’t completed accustomed yourself to a specific veil just yet.”

That couldn’t mean I’m in danger though. I was a new spirit, that means I have the strength like a new soul in Heaven. “Am I going to be captured easily then?”

“Not entirely.” Ace explained, “You are much stronger soul wise than the older spirits, though you don’t have a veil strength to help you. You still at better odds like Abigail is.”

That’s still good to know, we were safe still. We saw the fog turn orange and rusty, then turn dark. Ace’s explanations were turned into mindless babbling and fun moments.

“So, you’ve never tried chicken and gravy until you met your human family?” Abigail would shockingly ask.

“That was the first time! It was so good, I’ve had it for years after!” I explained once more.

The Heavenly sky must’ve turned dark at night. I didn’t think there was a nighttime in a haven like this.

“Oh, and I could never forget the time I saw Aaron.” I cooed at the memory, he is the literal best. “I couldn’t meet someone quite like Aaron. He was a gem in my life.”

“He’s a human brother?” Ace asked.

“Yep! My human brother. The best of all friends.” I smiled.

“Lucky!” Abigail chuckled, “I was a barn cat in my home. I didn’t like the job and they let me in the house a bunch.”

“A barn cat, you?”

“Yeah, I shared a house with 10 other cats. We all acted like family to each other.” Abigail looked down for a second, “I haven’t seen any of them here, I think I was the first to die.”

The silenced stun between everyone, bringing Abigail back from her realization, “Nevermind that for now!”

Ace jumped in the conversation, “That looked like a pocket.” We all looked at the shining blue shield sparkling through the darkened fog. “Cyris? Is it?”