Chapter ~5~

                                    

                                          
My mom had thrown my bike in the back of her van and she had taken me home without another word. On the ride there she tried to be subtle when she locked the doors, but I noticed anyway.
                          
"Mom," I had said. "You don't need to lock the doors. We're safe in here."
                          
"How do you know that?"
                          
"Mom, I was there when that white thing attacked the Patties. It's just a freaking insane cat!"
                          
"But that 'insane' cat can still kill us if we aren't careful."
                          
I let the subject drop, just when I remembered my first intention of leaving the house. "Um, mom, I still need to go to Jen's house...."
                          
"Is it really that important Maggie? Can't you go to her house tomorrow?"
                          
My jaw hung open in a look of pure horror. "I have been waiting all day and all yesterday for this! Please mom!"
                          
"Maggie, it's really late...."
                          
"Mom, I'll be safe there. I promise." But little did she know how true that might be.
                          
When we got home I had packed up my school work; our original intention was for Jen to tutor me, and mom said I could stay for supper, but no longer. The drive there wasn't too bad; mom hadn't wanted to talk much because she didn't want to miss the stop. The second the car stopped at her driveway I was throwing open the door and running out, slamming the door behind me. I waved behind me and then took to running up the drive to meet with Jen.
                          
The second she appeared I yelped, and then covered my mouth. I didn't want someone to think I was being attacked. She stood at the edge of the trees, a statue of perfect glory, glowing in the moonlight.
                          
"Hey," she whispered. "You're late."
                          
"I know, and I'm sorry. There were...difficulties."
                          
"I heard what happened. Another 'animal attack.'" I could hear the sarcasm. She doesn't think it's an animal?
                          
"But it is an animal. I was there. It's an insane cat. It's all white, and fluffy...." I trailed off on my sentence because Jen was looking at me with a 'just shut up for one second' look. And I shut up.
                          
"I know it's a cat. But it's not just an animal. Your cat--"
                          
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. My cat? I don't think so."
                          
"--Has been--"
                          
"No! Please don't say abducted by aliens!"
                          
"--Possessed and--"
                          
"Possessed? By what?"
                          
"--Is killing all of your--"
                          
"Neighbours. I know that! But why?"
                          
"--Yes, because whatever--"
                          
"Or whoever."
                          
"--Yes, or whoever, wants all the land to itself. The cat might also just be following orders because it was hypnotized. Or maybe it's doing the mice's bidding so that they won't kill her!"
                          
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. But we need this to stop! Dang Murder...."
                          
For a second she smiled, but then her expression was blank.
                          
"But, since there's nothing we can do about it right now, let's go inside; it's cold out here."
                          
"I don't find it cold at all. It's actually quite warm," she protested.
                          
"Fine. We can talk about your 'difference' right here then."
                          
She sighed but nodded. "It'd be better if we walked to my house."