The east tower reeked of burning wood and was lit by the lively fire which was contained by an aged brick fireplace. The flame’s glow illuminated the hand-woven tapestries, gold framed family portraits, and intimidatingly, tall bookshelves that lined the walls of the crammed yet, orderly study. Aside from the flickering fire, and the cracks of thunder in the distance, there was only one other noise that flowed through the room; a slow, heavy breathing.
A monstrously, large feline was happily asleep on its back, sprawled out on top of a baby pink fleece blanket, in front of the fire. Its long agile tail flipped from side to side, causing her fur to sway in sync with it. The crackling noises made her stir in her slumber and ears twitch with annoyance. But soon the ears started to pick up a louder sound. Footsteps. The flurry colored big cat, rolled over in anticipation. Baring her teeth, she slowly slinked across the floor, crouching low behind the furniture. The door handle turned and the door slowly crept open and the enormous creature, crouched in preparation for a powerful and swift pounce. The second she saw the figure of a head the cat sprang forward flying straight into the shoulders of the figure and knocking it over completely. Immediately, the cat squeezed, it’s eyes shut let out a growl that would scare some of the bravest hunters stiff, and stuck it teeth into its victims face. Finally she popped her eyes open to see what she had caught. At the sight of her victims ace she leaped off and whimpered in apology drooping her head down.
“Evening to you too Jubie…” groaned the young man who was now lying on his back and recovering from the impact of the big cat’s attack. “ I’m sorry I woke you.”
The cat quickly strutted around him and pushed at his back to help him stand up. He patted her head, threw his tattered messenger bag on the arm chair and sat down on the dark blue sofa and leaned down on the arm rest.
“No luck Jubes…she’s still missing…”, He said sadly “ The lead we had is complete crap…stupid Daulman…just being arrogant and trying to make everyone else look bad…he hadn’t even double checked his sources and got everyone all excited over some waitress with a tattoo...”
Jubie, noticed the frustration in his voice and sympathetically put her head on his knee, looking up at him with eyes filled with empathy. He looked down at her, knowing she had been hurting just as much as he had for the last 16 years. After thinking for a moment, he reached over and pulled his bag off the armchair and onto the arm rest, and began digging through it. Finally, he pulled out a small and aged baby blanket and placed it in front of the leopard. She sniffed it, happily closed her eyes, and began to purr. Looking at the blanket began to make, the poor boy’s eyes water. He quickly shut them to keep any tears from falling although he knew it wasn’t going to prevent him from crying.
After all this, was the sixth time there had been a false alarm and they had gone after the wrong girl. Every time he had told himself not to get overly excited or expect too much, yet every time he did and every time he got hurt.
“I guess I deserve this I mean it’s my fault we’re in this” he though, trying unsuccessfully to justify his failure “ I let her get away and now I cant get her back. Maybe I should just leave. The others are doing quite well…I don’t even do much now days…No, I‘ve never lived anywhere but here and I don’t know the slightest thing about living like them and I would have no money and no one to talk to…”.
And with that he fell asleep, dazed and frustrated.
