Thursday, July 22, 2010

Attic Window


She isn't my cat. I just leave the window open for her.

She comes and goes over the shingled roofs that surround us. I've never seen a collar on her, but she's completely at ease in the room. Perhaps she's feral by choice, or perhaps when she's not with me she drinks cream from a china saucer in an elegant drawing room somewhere under one of these roofs.

Once she brought me a dead sparrow, as if in return for the bits of bread and slips of cheese I've given her over the months. Poor fare, but all I could spare from a prisoner's diet. Perhaps she pities my imprisonment. Lord knows, I envy her freedom.

I dream of writing a note and tying it around her neck. Help. I am being held prisoner in an attic. Then what? I don't know what city I'm in or a single street name, and the only landmarks I can give would be invisible from ground level: two roofs over from the chimney pot with the greened-bronze trim, feh.

Last night she slept on my pillow and left the satin case smelling of dust and electricity. This, though it has been raining outside my window for three days. Perhaps she comes to me from some other city altogether. Wouldn't that make a fine mockery of my escape plan?

A moment ago I tried to catch her. She's let me stroke her before, but when I went to pick her up, she scratched at me. I let her go and she vanished out the window.

The scratch is still bleeding. The edges look curiously rough. Almost furry.

I turn from the comfortable bed my considerate captors gave me and look in the mirror. With unutterable relief, I see that the transformation has begun. Long, sensitive whiskers tremble at the corners of my darkening lips. I think my fur will be black.

It's a good thing I've been leaving the window open. In a few more minutes I will have no thumbs on my paws.

--for Magpie Tales
Collection available! Knocking from Inside

21 comments:

Eric S. said...

Ohh lovely indeed. Her freedom is upon her, granted by a feline scratch.

Tattered and Lost said...

Very mysterious and seductive.

Anonymous said...

Love the ending

Anonymous said...

wasn't expecting that ending what a wonderful story and a surprising twist!

CHummelKornell said...

How utterly creative! Loved it.

Uma said...

This is amazing piece of writing.

Kathe W. said...

clever twist to the story! Loved it!

Helen said...

Entrancing! You have given us a mystical magical Magpie!

Pauline said...

amazing what stories are inspired by a bed!

Dianne said...

This is so creative... amazing imagery...

RA said...

Simply brilliant! :)

ninotaziz said...

Freedom at all cost!

RLM Cooper said...

The Cat People - Redone! Nice.

signed...bkm said...

Love it, I am glad you escaped...love the transformation...bkm

Tumblewords: said...

Perfect transformation!

Tess Kincaid said...

It's a joy to read your writing. My favorite line? "Last night she slept on my pillow and left the satin case smelling of dust and electricity."

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

magical tale...
cute and fun writing skills.

Kristen Haskell said...

Wonderful writing. I am captivated.

Anonymous said...

What a great story - I was totally into it. I liked the twist, the unexpected escape route provided by the cat.

~T~ said...

Intriguing situation, surprising transformation. Wonderful!

Suz said...

Oh but no hint of who is holding them captive or why!
All that said..this was a pleasant surprize...a fairytale like magpie
oh if only it were that easy...
but that is why we love fairytales..loved this!