Cat in a Box

WARNING: References to abuse, psychological, gore.

Every Halloween since Danielle had begun living on her own, she looked forward to a night out at the local pub. She dressed in black with heavy green makeup and donned a perfect, pointy witch’s hat.

    Long story short, she had been raised by her mother, knew nothing of her father, and bought the hat after her mother had passed away, more or less in her honor. She was fairly drunk at the time, from what she could recall.  She knew her mother had not had an easy life, Dannie had not been an easy child, but knowledge could not erase the scars of her childhood.  Dannie had all but buried most of the bad memories so that she could function in a world she hadn’t been taught to navigate.  

  She had few friends, no family in the area. It was exhausting to be with other people, frankly, with so little she wished to disclose about her life. It was easier to remain as incognito as possible. 

  She had a job and an apartment, more than she’d ever imagined she could manage on her own with the meager inheritance her mother had left her.  The freedom she enjoyed with the weight lifted by her mother’s passing also came with a flip side, the daunting task of where to go from here. She’d kept so much inside for fear of her mother’s reaction, she had neither the ability, nor the inclination, to ask for help. She was all she’d ever had to count on, so it was late in the game to think she might look for outside assistance at this point.

  This Halloween evening was about to change all that.

                                                       ~~~  

  Dannie sipped her Zombie cocktail from a barstool in the farthest corner of the Prickly Pear Tavern. She was able to watch the festivities from a comfortable distance and had all the diversionary tactics known to woman at her disposal. She now put her own safety first, having known so little of it growing up. She carried mace with her always, knew some self-defense and was expert in how to appear capable, even when terrified. Practice, practice.

  After several more drinks, Dannie observed what she recognized as the early signs of a brawl about to start. When threats are hurled and people begin taking sides, that was Dannie’s cue to pay the tab and retreat. 

  She appreciated the cool, crisp air that greeted her when she stepped out into the moonlit night. There were leaves swirling around her feet on the pavement as she headed home. It was too late for any kids to be out trick-or-treating, which suited Dannie just fine. Tonight she was enjoying her own company.  She knew how to do that.

  She rounded a corner and was on the final block to her apartment building when she saw a box in the middle of the sidewalk. Her first thought went immediately to See something, say something. There was no one else around at the moment to say anything to, and she was curious.  She decided to look a little closer.

  She took out her phone and shined a light on the box. There was a single word written in black across the top. “Free.” Dannie smirked. Nothing in life’s free. What a load of . . .then she heard a scratching sound from inside the box.  

  Don’t tell me, she thought. Something living in there?  Bye!

  She moved two steps away before drunken curiosity gripped her and caused her to be braver than she knew she ought to be. Oh, what the hell. She went back and saw she could easily unfold one of the flaps to see what. . . green eyes! Then a black paw shot through the opening.  Dannie stepped back and realized how close they were to a roadway.  

  “Oh, great.  You’d better come with me.  Dang it.”

  She cursed herself for not thinking this through. She could not live with herself if she released an animal, only to have it get hit by a car or, worse, get picked up by anyone who might harm it. Who leaves a defenseless cat alone on a sidewalk to begin with?

   Shit. What if “they” were watching her right now?  She felt for her mace, glanced around the area. There were a few people milling around, but no one who seemed to pay her any mind. 

She picked up the box, wet with what smelled like pee on the bottom, and hurried to her building.

    Once in the lobby, she set the box down and finished opening the top. This was a black cat on Halloween night and she was dressed as a witch. She couldn’t resist a little laugh at the situation.

    Then she quit fooling around. The cat had jumped out of the smelly confines and was exploring Dannie’s pointy black boots.   

    Dannie knelt.

    “Hello there. Are you a good cat or a bad cat? I happen to be a good witch, a little loaded but let’s not hold that against me.”

    Emerald eyes looked Dannie up and down. 

    “Are you a he or a she? Let’s have a look.”   Dannie walked around to the cat’s hind quarters and, as she did, the cat spun quickly around.

“Hmm, hard to get, eh?  I can relate.”

They did this a few more times before Dannie could see the answer.

“Well, now I’m leaving this up to you. I’m dizzier than I already was, so I’m heading for the elevator.  Come with, if you want.”

Dannie hoped she’d know what to do by the time she reached the elevator if the cat didn’t follow.

But she did.

She named her Dracula because she loved the sound of “Drac” for short. She still liked it the next day when she was sober. The fact that Drac was black didn’t bother her. She figured after what they’d both been through, the last thing to worry about was a silly superstition.

                                                  ~~~

Dannie awoke with a start.  

Her mind reached back, trying to recollect where she had just been, but there was nothing. Whatever had gone on before was gone. Probably for the best, she reassured herself. Dreams are just that. 

Coffee will help.

She swung her legs out of bed and stretched.  

OwwWWWOWOWOW. . . leg cramp!  She cringed as she massaged her calf and tried to steady her breathing until the muscle relaxed. 

She closed her eyes. Breathe.  When she was confident the cramp had moved on, she eased off the bed and stood.  She winced at the lingering ache and hobbled to the kitchen. 

She saw that Drac was camped next to her feeding station. They’d been roommates for a few weeks and Dannie had grown accustomed to Drac’s tail or paw in her face as an alarm clock. This morning, instead of greeting Dannie, Drac was staring at two empty dishes. She then glared at Dannie with intense green eyes.    

“Sorry, Drac.” Danine knelt to retrieve one of the pink dishes. The cat responded with a growl that morphed into a hiss and a swat. 

Dannie backed off, hands in the air.  “Yikes, Drac! Have it your way!”

She studied the cat, frowning.  

“What did I do?”

Drac sniffed the air, then turned away.

“What’s gotten into you this morning?”

Coffee. 

Dannie moved to the counter that housed the coffee machine. She saw that it had an inch of yesterday’s coffee left in it. “That’s not like me,” she mumbled, then removed the carafe and took it to the sink. It was full of dirty dishes that hadn’t even been rinsed.  

Now, this is really not me!  Are you kidding?  I don’t remember. . .

She watched, horrified, as the plates sprouted legs. Danine screamed and jumped back. Cockroaches! Just as the carafe hit the floor with a crash, Drac let out a screech and bolted.

Dannie seriously considered leaving. Then she just debated going back to bed.

~~~

“Dannie? Time to get up. It’s time to . . .”

Dannie groaned, then mumbled, “Five more minutes.”

She felt hands pressing on her from behind at the same time she heard the roar of a train through her head.  From deep within, just as she felt a violent push, two words emerged, delivered with palpable fury, “WAKE UP!” 

She awoke with a jolt.  She found herself in an upright position.  She was sweating, her heart pounding, clutching the blanket to her chin.    

That was her mother’s voice. 

Dannie took a deep breath and tried collecting her thoughts. Was it her mother’s voice or did it just feel like it?

It was a dream. That's all.

But it was so real.  She’d felt the hands on her back, forceful. She touched where she’d been pushed and noted it was tender.

Wait. It was near the time for her period. That would explain it.  

Coffee might help.

Dannie cast the blanket aside and was horrified by what she saw.

Blood.  

It’s too early. And it’s so much . . .

She carefully got out of bed. Cramps seized her. She doubled over, waiting for it to pass.  When she felt able to move, she shuffled to the bathroom.  She considered the new set of yellow towels and then the last half-roll of toilet paper.

Paper towels.

She turned and headed to the kitchen.

Good. I can turn on the coffee machine while I’m . . .

Dannie froze in the doorway.

The carafe was shattered on the floor, glass everywhere. There was blood mixed in with the shards.   

“Drac? Drac! Where are you?”

Red paw prints led Dannie adjacent to the kitchen area, into the laundry room. Dannie followed them, keeping her eyes down and focused.  She tried bracing herself before lifting her eyes, but nothing could prepare her for what she was about to see.

                                                            ~~~      

"Danielle, how many times do I have to remind you to take Dexter outside to do his business!”

“Sorry, Mom! I’ll do it now. Dexter!”

A beagle ran into the kitchen, followed by Dannie’s mother who was buttoning her blouse. Her hair hadn’t been brushed.  “Remember, you were the one that wanted a dog. Oh, never mind. You’ll be late for the bus. I’ll take care of it. What else is new?”

Dannie knelt to pet Dexter who sat for only a pat and then headed straight to the back door, whining.

“I’m really sorry, Mom.”

  “Just remember to do it as soon as you get home, all right? I might be a little late and it’s not good for a dog to go that long . . .”

“Okay, Mom. Thanks!”

Dannie grabbed her lunch and books. 

“Bye, Mom!  Bye, Dex!”

                                                            ~~~

Dannie and her best friend, Amy, regularly saved seats for each other on the bus. They had been close neighbors and friends since kindergarten. As usual, they had a lot to talk about on the way home.

“Did you get what they were talking about in health class?” Dannie whispered. 

“Sure, my mom told me about it.”  Amy’s mother was cool, Dannie thought.  She talked to kids like they were people.

“She did? Maybe you can tell me then. My mom left me a booklet and a box of weird stuff on my bed.”

“Really? I’d like to see what she gave you.  I probably won’t get anything until I need it.”

“I’m not really sure what “it” is.”

“Want me to come over and see what you have, and I’ll tell you what I know?”

“Great! I didn’t want to ask anything in class.”

“Maybe you can ask one of the boys! Did you see their faces?”

“I sure did! That’s why I wasn’t really listening!”

“Half the boys couldn’t eat lunch!”

“I know!”

The two girls burst into giggles, then got off the bus together at the next stop.

                                                             ~~~

Dannie was relieved her mother’s car was not in the driveway. She turned the key in the lock and opened the front door. 

“I’ll get us a snack. Popcorn or peanut butter?”

Amy put down her things.

“Yes! While you do that, I’ll call my mom.”

“Okay. Meet you in my room.”

The sound of frantic toenails on tile cancelled out anything they may have said after that.  Dexter emerged and, after scrambling madly around a corner, made a beeline to Dannie, barking all the way.

“Hi, Dexter!” The girls smothered the dog with hugs and rubs, then parted ways.

“I’ll be right up. I have to let Dex out.”

“Okay,” Amy called from the top of the stairs.

Dexter ran ahead of Dannie and reached the back door well before her. He sat back on his haunches, wiggling furiously.  He glanced back at Dannie.

“Off you go!” Dannie could barely get the door unlatched before Dex squeezed past and ran outside.

Under normal circumstances, Dannie would have gone out with Dexter to oversee his activities. She decided that because she had company, plus the yard had a fence, she’d let Dexter out on his own. Besides, Dexter loved the yard. He had plenty to do chasing the squirrels that frequented the bird feeder.  She’d check back on him soon.

~~~

The girls had laid out all the items in Dannie’s Blossoming Kit for Girls on her bed. They were completely engrossed in matching Amy’s knowledge with Dannie’s articles and having a wonderful time doing it.  By the time Dannie’s mother arrived and tapped on the door, she was greeted by her daughter and her friend wearing sanitary pads for hats and tampons for earrings. It took every ounce of restraint for her not to laugh.

“Um, hi, girls.  Amy, it’s getting late. You’re welcome to stay for dinner, but let’s get your parents’ permission.”  She turned and started down the stairs.

“And, Dannie, you remembered to take Dexter out?”

Dannie shot up straight, eyes wide.

“Yes, Mom.”  She shot an “uh oh” look at Amy and mouthed the words, I forgot about Dexter!

The two girls ran to Dannie’s window.

“I don’t see him.”

Amy shook her head.

Dannie ran downstairs with Amy just behind her. Dannie’s mother called from the kitchen.

“Girls, have you seen Dexter?”

“I’d better go,” Amy whispered, gathering her things.  She removed her “earrings” and gave them to Dannie. Before she closed the front door, Amy turned and crossed her fingers and held them up.

“Good luck!”

Dannie nodded, then walked slowly into the kitchen where her mother was starting dinner.  “Dannie, did you hear me? Did Amy leave?”

Dannie didn’t know what else to say.

“Dexter’s still outside. I let him out but then I forgot. I'm . . .”

Her mother stared at her for a second, set down the knife she was using and hurried to the back door.

“I meant to get that fence fixed . . . Dexter!” She called. “Come on, Dex!  Dexter!”

Dannie’s stomach lurched.   She felt sick.

She ran past her mother into the yard, screaming, “Dexter, where are you?”  When she got no answer, she looked for her mother.

She’d gone back in the house.

Dannie looked everywhere she could think of.

Dexter was gone.

It was almost dark when Dannie felt brave enough to go inside.

Dannie’s mother was sitting at the table, eating the dinner she’d prepared. She did not look up. A plate for Dannie was set in her usual spot.

“We don’t have to talk about this. I’ve made the necessary calls and we may get lucky. If not, that is the end of it. I hope you’re listening for a change.”

Dannie walked past her dinner to the stairs.

“I’ll handle what we tell people. I’d advise you, Danielle . . . Danielle?”

Dannie stopped and turned to look at her mother.

“Don’t tell anyone. You know what people will think.” 

~~~

Dannie hesitated before she entered the laundry room. She followed the bloody prints to a laundry basket near the washing machine. Everything in the basket was pink, as if something red had been tossed in with the whites. In the center of the basket, like the center of a flower, was Drac.  Her green eyes were alert and Dannie could hear her purring as she approached. 

She moved closer, tears welled in her eyes.

“Drac, are you okay . . .”

“Shhh.”

Dannie stopped.

“You can talk?”

“It’s time.”  

Drac appeared to be doing many things, licking her paws, stretching her limbs, preening, but the voice continued as though it were Drac. 

“What are you trying to say?”

“It’s time . . . to tell.”

“But . . .”

“All is well.”

Dannie burst into tears. She cried and cried. Gallons, rivers, oceans of tears. She couldn’t stop.

She cried until there was nothing left, until she fell asleep on the laundry room floor.

                                                                   ~~~

Dannie opened her eyes. She was in her bed, in her bedroom, in her apartment. She felt good. She smiled to herself. 

She’d slept late for a change.  She had dreamt something but couldn’t recall or retrieve any details. All she knew, or felt she knew, was it had turned out well.

The sun was up, shining through lemon-colored drapes, giving the room a golden glow. She felt a delicate weight on her legs, then heard a familiar purr.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Drac. It’s time to greet the day.”

Drac sprang over and gave Dannie a head-butt on her chin, eyes closed, rubbing and purring. She then settled into the crook of Dannie’s neck.  The two stayed that way for a good long time, savoring the new morning.

                                                                        -0-