Midnight Madness

In a land far, far away…Dave was closing up shop at the “Catfé”, a coffee shop frequented by feline friends. He tugged at the bags beneath his eyes as he swept stray catnip from tables. An accidental glimpse into the glass tabletop revealed a cat he was still growing to know. With features that felt foreign and a tail he endlessly tripped over, he had yet to adjust to this new body of his, despite his six years being a cat.

How much longer would he need to endure? How would he even escape this planet?

These questions plagued him each day as he continued to make a modest living at the Catfé. He had initially struggled to adapt and avoid being seen by law enforcement—a New York street ‘cat’ like himself did not belong in this world.

Bessy, an orange tabby, and Dave’s respected boss and friend, slapped him hard on the back.

“Up in dream world again, eh?”

As much as Dave wanted to deny Bessy, he could not. He spent most of his waking hours dreaming of home and plotting his return.

A doorbell chime interrupted both Dave’s thoughts and Bessy’s banter.

“Sorry mate, we’re closed for the night,” called Bessy.

The hooded figure remained planted in front of the door. Slowly, it took a single step forward before transitioning to being on all fours. Suddenly, it scurried across the floorboards, shaking them as it passed. Dave latched onto Bessy’s arm and beckoned him to do something, anything, to stop this intruder. With a fresh cup of chow latte nearby, Bessy hurled the piping liquid in the direction of the beast, hoping it would at least retreat.

The thing paused, allowed a few drops of latte to roll off its hood, then steadily raised its head to inspect the offenders—Dave and Bessy. A hand reached out and clung to Dave’s tail, evoking a silent cry and pleading look aimed at Bessy.

“I know your secret,” whispered the creature.

Bessy side-eyed Dave with an inquisitive look. With Dave’s tail still held hostage, he was in no mood to return any expression other than one of urgency. The beast rumbled again, “Dave”. The air went silent, with only the sharp inhales from Dave and Bessy audible.

A glint of light appeared from under the hood. The creature was smiling. It glided its free hand toward its hood, carefully exposing its tousled hair and beady eyes to accompany the unsettling smile.

“Does Bessy know your secret, Dave?”

Bessy avoided eye contact with everyone in the room when puckering his mouth in Dave’s direction. Pointedly and as quietly as possible, he said to Dave, “Dave”. That was all Bessy had to say. Dave could immediately feel Bessy's questions and concern rising about how this stranger knew anything about them.

“Daaaave…you haven’t told him, have you?”

The still air felt suffocating.

“About how you’re a human.”

***

Bessy instantly positioned himself as far as he could from the two impostors before him.

“Bessy, I can explain, please,” Dave pleaded.

But Bessy had no interest in entertaining Dave’s explanation. For some unknown reason, the creature’s assessment of Dave felt correct, and maybe Bessy knew all along—deep down—that his friend and employee of six years was not who he said to be.

“Relax, Dave,” the beast cooed, still gripping Dave’s vulnerable feline tail.

“You miss it, don’t you? Being human. I could help you, you know.”

“What do you know?” Dave cried.

“I can give you until midnight tomorrow. You’d be human again,” tantalized the creature.

What was Dave to do, parading as a human on this cat planet? It would serve him no purpose to walk as a man for only 24 hours. However, as if the beast could sense Dave’s worries, he spoke again.

“I bet you miss home, too. I can give you that as well. Think of me as your fairy godmother.” Another glint of light reflected on the creature’s toothy grin.

“Plus, your friend Bessy here already knows the directions to get you home,” it said, this time with a smirk.

Dave’s posture turned rigid in response to this new information. “Bessy,” Dave started, as he slowly pivoted to face his friend and employer. Bessy’s eyes met the ground as he took a breath and murmured, “I’m sorry”.

Was freedom at the doorstep this entire time? How did Dave not confide in his friend the truths of his identity—the desire to go home? Not from work, but to his own world. Or, did Bessy already know this secret? Fear of being turned in, or worse, had always been the anvil to crush Dave’s hopes. Maybe Bessy would have turned him in as well.

Dave’s vision began to blur, but not before he could glimpse the creature snapping its fingers and mouthing, “till midnight”.

***

Dave awoke to a faint scent that conjured up old memories. He could pick apart the different ingredients married together in a childhood favorite of his: Cinnamon and blueberry pancakes.

“Okay, princess, we have 24 hours to get you to the ball—I mean, New York—so eat quickly.”

With confusion written all over his face, Dave could not help but replay the events of the night before: An intruder, an exposé, and a revelation.

“Bessy, I—“

But Bessy had already stepped out of the room and onto the balcony. That was the first time Dave had ever witnessed a cat smoke a cigar. It was also the first time a cat had made him pancakes.

“You smoke. You make pancakes. You know the way back home…who are you? Why didn’t you turn me in?” Questioned Dave.

Bessy blew a puff of smoke into the air and watched it cloud his view of the city. It had been a long time since he last recounted this story, and he figured more years would pass before he would ever reopen those wounds. He had fallen in love, as all lonely cats do, with a lovely grey Persian. She was lost, and he was her lighthouse in a feline world she feared to know. It seemed many lost cats happened to stumble into the Catfé seeking refuge, and Bessy, more often than not, was precisely that. He loved Percy the grey Persian, but she loved her old life more. How could he disregard that?

“You showed her the way back,” said Dave.

“We figured it out together.” Bessy corrected.

Bessy had had no clue of any world outside of his own at the time, so this revelation was, frankly, a hard pill to swallow. However, if it were for the one he loved, he would have done anything.

The couple discovered the path home for humans thirteen years ago. However, Bessy had missed the telltale signs his friend Dave displayed for the last six years. He should have known the minute he saw Dave bumbling about, tripping over his own two paws, in awe of this world.

“Do you miss her?” Dave asked.

“Every day,” and then “and I’ll miss you too once you leave.”

Dave felt a sudden pang of guilt for abandoning his friend.

“Well enough of that. You show me a new human recipe for my collection, and I’ll show you the way out,” smiled Bessy, cigar resting at his side.

***

Bessy patted his pocket, which housed a newly acquired recipe for something called “pizza”. All the while, he wondered how long it would take Dave to notice the significant changes that had taken place in his very body. He scanned Dave up and down, then pondered whether Percy had found herself a man of similar stature.

Dave, finally aware of his appearance after clumsily bumping into the mirror, concealed himself in as many cat clothes as would fit his human form. Unfortunately, this meant Dave’s outfit was anything but fashionable, and Bessy would have to do his best to convince others that Dave was just a very, very large cat.

At long last, the cats set out on their way. It had been some time since Bessy last walked these roads. The path to Earth was a rocky one, showing no kindness to wanderers or adventurers alike.

After what seemed like hundreds of miles, the pair discreetly entered a rundown saloon of an abandoned town. Dave and Bessy attempted to remain inconspicuous, but their appearances practically advertised their presence. Nearly every cat in the saloon turned to look with a mix of judgment and curiosity at the two.

“Two Tuna Temptations…on the rocks,” Bessy requested.

Hesitantly, he knocked on the counter twice and cleared his throat. The bartender looked at Bessy, then scanned the room full of cats with paws hovering near their hip-hugging space pistols. He let out a long sigh.

“Follow me,” the bartender, Charles, said begrudgingly.

They trailed behind Charles as he commanded his way through the kitchen, ultimately stopping in front of an oven. This saloon—called Half Moon Mice—served mid-tier drinks, but not food. Their kitchenware served various other purposes, as Charles demonstrated when opening the oven door. He directed his paw toward the oven and ordered, “Get in”.

***

The inside of the oven was like nothing Dave had ever seen before. He and Bessy stood before gigantic orbs, all glowing within this tiny oven. Each orb was circled by what looked like sparklers, dancing with a fiery passion. There they were, standing at the center of it all. The orbs rotated at different speeds around the pair: some concerningly quick, and others at a snail’s pace.

“This is the last time, Bess”, Charles yelled from the oven door.

“Thanks, mate, I owe you,” Bessy called.

Bessy took a moment to indulge in the scene that he had bid farewell to many moons ago. Then, glancing at his pocket watch, he released an uncontrollable gasp. “Quick, we’re running out of time!” He exclaimed. The clock had quickened unbeknownst to the cats, as the oven obeys no sense of time. One minute turned into five, and before they knew it, half an hour had passed.

Bessy scanned the orbs until he found the one that stood out in his memories the most. A smallish orb embellished with splotches of green and twinkling lights that flickered spontaneously. “That’s the one,” he declared. He grabbed Dave’s hand and leapt toward the very first step of the lengthy staircase before them. Each step appeared to grow significantly taller compared to the last. Suddenly, Bessy could feel his grip weaken as Dave’s foot caught the ledge of a step. Dave was at his limit—his desire to return home wavered from the weight of this long-winded adventure. However, Bessy was determined on Dave's behalf. He had done this before, and he was sure he could do it again—he could send off another loved one to a world he had never seen. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Bessy mustered up the last ounces of energy within him. “Dave, we’ve got to get you home, mate. Help me out here.”

The two exhausted cats finally reached the peak of the stairs. A glance back along the path revealed a frightening descent that few would survive. Before them stood a large black hole, another portal of sorts, that had the magic to send anyone to their chosen planet.

“Okay, Dave, close your eyes and think about home—all your childhood memories, foods, friends, you name it. Then jump.”

It was all too much. Dave knew that time was running out, but this informal goodbye felt incredibly wrong. Bessy deserved so much more than what this ending had to offer for their friendship. Dave spun around, refusing to close his eyes. Holding Bessy's gaze, Dave spoke, “Come with me.” He knew it was an unfair request; he knew that Bessy would resist, but the least he could do was try. They could search for Percy together—the two of them—so Bessy could have peace of mind knowing his loved one was doing well and possibly reunite. Again, Bessy called Dave by name, and that was all it took for him to understand the implication.

“Please,” Dave pleaded, “why do I have to leave you here alone?”

A mixture of anguish and contemplation washed over Bessy’s face. He had no one—only memories tied to the Catfé. But, if he chose to leave this life and start anew, would he still be a cat? Would Percy even recognize him? What about Dave? Would he forsake Bessy for his old friends? However, all it took was one look at the yearning on Dave’s face for Bessy to surrender entirely. This was a friend for life, whether in this one or the next. Bessy took Dave’s hand and leaned into the next step before coming to a sudden halt. Emerging from the step before him was none other than the creature who had plunged them into this whirlwind of an adventure.

The beast rose as if from a puddle of boiling water. Its body bubbled, distorted, and struggled to take shape until the creature's distinct form was undeniable. A heavy sigh, followed by a “tsk tsk,” bounced off its smirking lips.

“That’s not how this works, Bessy,” it hissed.

“You see, The Portal of Planets demands something in return. This is a game of equivalent exchange. Dave gets something, but only if he gives something,” it announced, pointedly.

Bessy traded a frightened look with Dave before Dave could utter, “What must I trade?”

The creature appeared amused by the question, spinning on one leg to face Dave. Its response echoed through Dave’s mind before finally registering as a loud thump in his chest.

“Something important—so much so that you would hate to leave it behind,” it whispered.

Dave froze. The creature was enthralled in a game that the pair never intended to play. Afraid to catch a glimpse of Bessy’s sympathetic eyes, Dave focused on the view of the stairs below him. A wave of panic and disbelief washed over him. He should have known. There was always a catch, so how could he have been so stupid as to get carried away? This creature was never on their side to begin with. Would his planet really be on the other side of this portal? Or was that a ruse too? Unexpectedly, his bewildered state was interrupted by a booming clang.

The clock struck midnight.

A loud gasp escaped Bessy’s lips as he tugged on the end of Dave’s arm. The man’s hand was slowly morphing back into a plush cat’s paw, with fingers disappearing and small, pinkish beans taking their place. Then, both cats' eyes widened as they observed the portal shrink as rapidly as Dave was transforming.

“It’s time to make a choice, Dave. It’s time to wake up.” the creature insisted, with eyes bright and eager to witness the downfall of a friendship—or worse.