Familiar's Soulmate

WRITE A STORY FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A WITCH, A PET OR A WITCH’S FAMILIAR.

I stretch my paws out towards my brothers as far as I can, as I push my body weight against my mother’s chest. To myself, I think, this is the life, this is perfect, this is the best feeling ever, I’m in the 11th week of my life, and I’m happy. I snuggle against my mother, and I ask her, “Again, mama, again, tell us the story again.” She licks my fur to settle me down and glares over all her babies before she begins.

“We will only be together for a few months before you must go find a home of your own, before you must decide who you will be. But while you are with me, I will tell you my story and the story of those who have come before you, so you can pass this story on to your babies someday and they to theirs.” She paused, looking between me and my brothers. I was the only female, and I always thought that made me special, that and my coloring, we are all black in color, but my brothers each have a bit of white or yellow in their undercoats or at their feet, but me, I’m all black, though and though, but mom never treated any of us differently. But I still think I’m the special one.

“One day soon, you will feel a call to go somewhere, you will leave this barn and go in search of that one person with whom you will bond. It is the spirit guide in us that enables us to find our soulmate. We must find our soulmate because our soulmate cannot find us. Many years ago, the people known as Egyptians accepted our species as their soulmate. They believed that a soul was made up of many parts, and because of this, they put a blessing upon us, invoking the spirit of Heka, Thoth, and Sekhmet. Thanks to this blessing, every generation born after that first is blessed as a companion to those humans who are blessed with the spirit. The spirits have given us 9 lives in this world to accompany our companions throughout their journey. “She pauses. “So, we get to live 9 times,” I ask. “No, silly, you are protected from death 9 times, right, mommy?” One of my brothers says. “That’s right, Sebastian. Nine times, if you are near death, the spirit will breathe life back into your soul so you may continue your journey. But beware, my precious: this is a precarious arrangement because our knowledge of this ability unleashes our unbridled spirit of adventure; we have no appreciation for danger and a reckless unwillingness to manage our own boundaries. Our nine lives don’t always last as long as they should.” “Yes, Mama,” we all said at the same time.

“Those in the human world that are blessed by spirits are normally called witches, sorcerers, or mystics. We, as their familiar, will develop an energetic, physical, and emotional connection with them, but we are and will always be autonomous. “Auto what?”. Simon asks. “Autonomous, it means - free, independent, sovereign, not subject to the rule or control of another. Remember I said we choose our companion; our companion does not choose us.” She paused to let that statement sink in.

“We develop a partnership with our human based on trust, respect, and a shared purpose. We assist humans with their journey into the spirit world, and we help them open the doors to realms and teachings, areas that are normally inaccessible to humans. We do this out of loyalty, not obligation. You will be drawn to your human by their energy. Humans have many types of familiars, a dog, a bird, but the most deeply felt one is that of the feline.” “But of course.” Said Nicholas. “Cats Rule, dogs drool.” “Where did you hear that, Nikky?” Simon said. “The farmer’s son was watching that little box he carries with him. He was watching what he called a movie, and it was on there, I heard it.” I laughed. “I want to see the movie.” “If you didn’t run away every time the boy comes into the barn, maybe you could watch it,” Simon said. “He scares me, there is something evil about him, I don’t like him,” I said.

“Will we all become familiars?” Sebastian asked. “No,” Mama said. “Some of you may never hear the call; there are not as many who can call the spirits as there were in the past. Also, not all cats are told to look for the connection; some that are born never are told of our past and of our future. And Lily, if a human scares you, it’s because you do not connect with that human. You are not meant to be with them.” “Good,” I said, “I don’t like him.” “If we don’t get the call, what happens to us?” Thomas said. “You will still be you, but you won’t have the spirit world at your touch. It doesn’t mean you are not fulfilled or blessed. Your father was a simple house cat, no connection with the spirit world at all, whereas I was a familiar until the day my human passed into what they call death.”

“Tell us again how you met daddy.” Mama smiled. “After my human passed, I felt lost. I walked out of her home and just kept walking until I came to this farm. Your daddy was sitting near the front fence post and told me that these were good people, and they would welcome me. And they have been.” “So, you don’t die when your human dies?” Simon asked. “No, my sweets, remember we have been blessed with nine lives, but alas, our humans have but one. I have three more left, which I will spend here at the farm with your father.” “You won’t find another to guide?” I asked. “No, Lily, you only have one soulmate. We may have other companions, but only one soulmate.” “That is so sad,” I said.

“One last thing.” Our mothers says, “Always look into your humans’ eyes, the eyes will tell you if that person is good or bad, the eyes will let you know if you are safe or in danger. Always keep an eye on your human; humans can change sometimes, and you need to be ready.” “Is that why you teach us to snap sometimes when we are being groomed, or to run off in wild rage and attack anything that gets in our way?” “Yes, my dear, you must always be prepared to fight even while being groomed. Even when your human thinks all is well, it may not be. You must also always be ready to protect your human.”

A large grey vehicle pulls into the gravel area near the barn, and we all stare as three children come out of the car. Something inside me tingles, and my eyes go right for the little girl. “Mama, I feel strange,” I said, looking from the little girl to my mother. “Do you think she is the one?” I said. “What does your soul say, my sweet Lily?” “She is the one, mama, she’s my connection.” “Then run to her little one, run to your soulmate.” I jumped off the haybale and ran as fast as my little legs could run right into her waiting arms. “Can I, mama, can I?” I hear her say. “You don’t want to look at the other’s Lizzy?” an older person says, looking down at me. “No, mama, she’s the one, she’s my cat.” “Okay, Lizzy.” She looked at the farmer and smiled – “Lizzy wants the all black one, Paul. Is she old enough to go home with us?” “She sure is, Margaret. I think Lizzy has found her soulmate.” The old farmer said with a smile, reaching down to pet Mama. “Okay with you, pretty girl, can she take your little girl with her?” Mama rubbed against the man's legs, looked at me, and walked back into the barn with my brothers following her. I smiled because I knew I would be going home with my soulmate.