Chapter 1: NEEKO DRAKE: Rise of the Nine King

Chapter 1: NEEKO DRAKE: Rise of the Nine King

FANTASY / YOUNG ADULT

I like to ask questions, and I tend to ask myself a lot of questions. Sometimes the questions are so odd that I just have to explore them And the tale of Neeko Drake came about because of such a random question that I asked. One morning while I was having my coffee I happened to look down at my pet kitten who was asleep at my feet underneath the dinning room table. (The kind that has the glass top so you can look right down through it.) There she was asleep, I know this because she was snoring. (Yes I realize that there might be another story right there.) While she was asleep she started moving her little legs and it looked for all the world like she was running. I smiled and then my brain posed this question to me: “Do cats dream and if so what do they dream about?” My mind pondered this for about as long as it took me to start up my laptop and start writing. The first chapter was pretty much finished that same day. I hope you all enjoy it. I look forward to your feedback.

- Author of Worlds -
Brennon Thompson

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Chapter 1

The bright flash that had lit the darkness but a second before was now gone and blackness returned. He could not see a thing, except the multicolored dots that were dancing before him. With much concentration and skill he blinked the colors away focusing his eyes. Those two dark slits swimming in sparkling yellow pools slowly grew larger like great saucers of black milk they gleamed. The yellow of before all but gone. His eyes widened, expertly peeling back the darkness. He could almost see it. His whiskers twitching, it was…

***

“Neeko…Neeko!”

Popping open his eyes at the sound of his name his whole body a ball of energy, alert to everything. Lasting about two seconds. Yawning, he could no longer keep his eyes open, his reserves gone. Relaxing he let his head fall back to the blanket not even caring where it landed, not even caring that his paws were now under his chin, not even caring that the shrill voice continued calling his name.

“Neeko! Where are you?”

Wrapping himself into a little ball he rested his head on his tail. Maybe if he was smaller he thought they wouldn’t see him and then he could get some sleep. He doubted that it would work, but it was worth a try. He was tired he needed sleep. Pulling his tail even closer and tucking his legs fully under his body he attempted to make himself even smaller. Now looking more like a dark powder-puff than a cat. Lying there still, his eyes shut tight. Neeko hoped this worked.

“There you are you sleepy kitty.”

Nope, Neeko thought, it didn’t work. He hated it when she called him that. Makes him sound so young. Kitty, she made it sound like he had just been weaned from his mother. Neeko was a year old, thirteen months to be exact. He was a cat now, his kitten days in the distant months of the past. Opening one eye he peered upwards trying to bring the blurry world into focus. Two rows of shinny teeth greeting him in a smile, her curly red hair getting in her face like it always did. Reaching down she pat his head. Neeko yawned big and stretched his whole body quivering as he did so. Rolling on his back, and looking up at her, he could not help but smile. She was a sweet girl, even if she did insist on calling him a kitten. The little girl began rubbing his tummy and Neeko let himself get lost in the moment. Before he knew it he was purring like a kitten. For an instant his own use of the “K word”, even in thought, annoyed him. Quickly that annoyance melted away as she kissed the top of his head, her red hair tickling his nose. His purr growing even louder now, life was good. Who needs sleep when you have this? Neeko closed his eyes enjoying the moment.

“Did my kitty have a nice dream?”

Dream! He thought, purring stopping in an instant. Sitting up with a shot, his eyes went wide. What had that been? What was that thing? He was so close to it. It was right there. He could see it, smell it, and taste it, almost. Teasing him, taunting him. Dangling there at the edge of his mind, like a ball of yarn just out of reach. What was it? He had to know. Pondering his thoughts, looking for the right answer. In a flash it came to him, the right answer, his solution. Neeko knew what he had to do. There was only one way to handle this. The way cats always handle things. He had to sleep on it.

Taking off in a sprint Neeko tore down the hallway in a dead run and through the living room where the family were watching something on that glowing box of colors. Not stopping to see what it was Neeko shot through the room. His ears twitched at a sound behind him. He was being fallowed. Hearing the rhythm of the quick heavy footsteps there was no doubt as to who was following him. The little redheaded girl had decided to see why her little kitten had taken off out of her bedroom in such a rush. Neeko had to hurry, he couldn’t risk being picked up and carried off somewhere. Turning, he entered the next room. Not stopping to slow down, sliding as he attempted to turn on the tiled floor of the kitchen, trying desperately to get his footing but his claws being totally useless on the slick floor. His momentum finally stopping when he slid into the dinning room table with a thud.

Mother, who was chopping something at the counter next to the dinning room table looked down at the cat, she was smiling. Probably trying to hold back laughter Neeko thought. “Hi there Neeko. You sure do know how to make an entrance.”

Neeko smelled food in the air, making his tongue twitch. Shaking his head he absently licked his paw, looking up at her. His eyes trailing upward, slowly craning his neck, nose sniffing the air, food all around. What is she cooking, he thought? He stopped, his attention drawn elsewhere. There it was behind her, the backdoor. Getting his paws under him and moving was not an easy task. The kitchen tile causing more sliding than moving.

“Where’s my little kitty?”

Somehow her voice managed to be shrill and sweet at the same time. Neeko wasn’t sure just how the little girl did it, but she did. Discovering also that her voice was a great motivator he managed to get his paws under him. Slowly at first, moving his paws he felt he was running in place slipping around on the floor. Finally taking off, he slid left and right but was also managing to somehow move forward all at the same time, the backdoor slowly getting closer. Hearing those heavy footsteps and a giggling squeal behind him, he knew that the little girl had found her kitty. Running right for the door not caring now, that door his only goal. She was right behind him; this was going to be close. He ran full speed, his four paws barely touching the floor now. Neeko felt like he was flying.

She was right behind him. The door was right in front of him. Closed! Squeezing his eyes shut, every muscle in his body tensing up! Can’t stop now!

Feeling a cooling breeze on his fur Neeko was pretty sure he had made it outside. Opening his eyes and seeing the vast backyard, he was now sure of it. Looking back over his shoulder smiling and thankful for that doggie door. Even though the family didn’t have a dog. They never had.

Taking in a deep breath he sat there on the deck. Licking his paw, he began washing his face. Looking out at the backyard through squinted eyes of his bath he noticed the green of the grass being really green tonight. The flowers being even more colorful and sending out extra sweet fragrances to his nose. Perking up his ears he could hear voices coming from the kitchen.

“Mommy? Have you seen the little kitty boy?”

“Neeko is outside.”

Neeko feeling his body tensing at what he was hearing, she was coming for him. Watching the door, he swore he saw the doorknob move. Quickly descending the deck, the more distance he put between him and her, the better. He heard the conversation continuing. Sitting on the bottom step he stopped and listened.

“Where do you think you are going young lady?”

“Neeko.” He heard the little girl offer as her only response.

“I don’t think so little girl. Dinner is almost ready. Now go wash up.”

Listening hard, Neeko could hear the heavy footsteps of the child walking away, defeated.

Hopping down the last step and into yard Neeko trotted along. Making his way to the large oak tree that dominated the backyard, the nicest, coolest and shadiest corner for which a cat to sleep.

Stretching his body out, his body now appearing even longer than it was, he got comfortable under the tree. Sprawling out there in the shade. That dream. His thoughts were a jumble, unable to get a grasp on anything. Where had he been? What was that thing? And why did he have to know so badly?

Then from the distant past of a few minutes ago, The answer to all of his questions came back to him in one simple solution. Yes, there was only one way to handle this, he thought. The way cats always handle things. He had to sleep on it. Closing his eyes Neeko began drifting off to sleep. His final thought being: Sleep he would, and this time the cat way would work.

© Brennon ThompSon, 2009