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9
LAURA
Iturn around and run back to Xavier. He braces himself, probably thinking I’m going to jump into his arms. Fat chance. Instead, I dart behind him and use him as a shield. He’ll take longer for the giant beast to eat while I make my getaway. I dig my fingers into the back of his shirt. His whole body is shaking. Is he that scared? Oh my God, we’re all going to die.
Wait a minute.
“Are you laughing?” I poke my head around to try and see his face.
His body stops shaking, his face revealing nothing. Then he cracks a smile and lets out another chuckle. I look back over to the beast who’s sitting there watching us. It’s not a beast. It’s a giant freaking cat. It yawns and slides down to the floor to lie down before rolling over onto its side, showing us its belly.
“This is Sue. My cat.”
“That’s not a cat. It’s giant! Is nothing you do normal?”
He shrugs. “She won’t hurt you. She’s sweet.”
I look back at the cat and then to Xavier. I don’t think he went through all that trouble to bring me here to only let me get eaten by his oversized cat. Right? From what he’s said so far, it’s him that wants to do the eating.
“Your cheeks are turning pink, precious. Do you want to tell me what you're thinking about?”
I dart back behind him. “My, uh, face goes pink when I’m scared.”
“No it doesn't.”
I grit my teeth, having no response to that.
“Do you want to pet her?”
Do I?
“You’ll have to get used to her. She lives here too unless you want me to—”
“Don’t kill her!” I’m back to glaring up at him.
“I was going to say I can keep her locked up in another part of the house. It’s big enough for her to have space in another section.”
Oh. I shake my head no to that, too.
“I'll pet her.” I step fully out from behind Xavier. Sue rolls over more, really wanting that belly scratch. I grab Xavier's arm and wrap both of mine around it. I look up at him when he doesn't move. He’s staring down at me.
“Are we going?”
“You want me to go with you?”
I nod. “Let’s go.” I stay attached to him as we slowly make our way over to her. She really is a beautiful creature.
“What is she?”
“A caracal.”
It's the biggest cat I’ve ever seen in person. I’m pretty sure this isn't even legal. She’s a pretty tan color, but in spots her fur looks red, too. Her long legs stick up in the air as she stares at us upside down. I slowly untangle myself from Vincent and go down to my knees. I reach out and let her smell my hand.
She brushes her head against it. I think this is approval. I take it and proceed to give her one long pet down her belly. Her tail starts to flick leisurely.
“Hi Sue. Were you kidnapped, too? Kittennapped?” I snort a laugh at my own joke.
“I found her and couldn't bring myself to leave her behind.”
