Black Boy-part two

Misty sniffed just inside the fence opening. The smell of Black Boy was strong and so was another one. Misty looked over at Suki and Niko. "I'll lead the way and follow the scent. If anything happens, run for cover."
Suki looked nervous but nodded. Misty poked her head through the fence and sniffed the air. There was no movement anywhere. Everything was too quiet thought Misty. She proceeded to go through the opening in the fence. In she went and stayed close to the fence keeping her eyes wide open to any threat.
Niko jumped a head and went towards the old house. She was always the brave one. Suki stuck close to Misty. There was another patch of black fur up a head. Misty sniffed the air before getting to the patch of fur. "It's not Black Boy. It doesn't smell like cat. I'm not sure what that is."
Suki edged forward and raised his paw ready to strike. Misty cautioned and sniffed again. "It's from a fur coat."
Misty lowered her paw. "Let's go find Niko. Maybe she has picked something up."
Both Misty and Suki leaped towards the old house to a ledge that went along  a broken window. They both looked in. Nothing.
Suddenly garbage came tumbling down and both Suki and Misty leaped out of the way. Niko leaped out the window and landed in front of them. Suki hissed at her. "What was that about? You could have warned us."
"Sorry, I heard something and didn't pick up your scent."
Misty sighed. "Okay, did you find anything? Any sign of Black Boy?"
"No, nothing but there are lots of other strange scents. There has been others here."
"Others?" Misty came up to Niko. "What did you pick up in there."
"There have been the new humans in here. One smelled familiar though. I can't think who it is."
"Someone from Blackberry lane?" Niko looked at Suki. "I think so."
The truck that was parked on the street roared to life. All three cats startled. Misty with wide eyes shouted, "Let's get out of here."
They all ran towards the fence opening. The truck has now backed up to the front door. The three of them watched through the fence opening. Two men had got out and started to bring boxes into the house. They watched intently for a moment.
One of the men came back out and brought in what looked like a carrier.  Misty tensed. Niko nudged Misty. "What do you think is inside?"
"It's another animal, I think a cat."
"This is strange, why would the humans bring a cat to this old house?"
"Catch mice," suggested Suki.
"Let's go back up to the broken window and see what we can see."
The three of leaped up onto the ledge of the broken window. The man with the cage brought it into the room. They waited for him to open the cage.
A growl could be heard when the man undid the cage. Out came a large orange tabby. He looked rough and his one ear had a nip out of it. The orange tab sniffed the air and instantly looked their way.
All three of them backed up. The man left the room and the orange tabby walked towards them.
"Who are you cats?"
Suki looked at Misty and Niko hid behind both of them. Misty came forward. "We're part of the neighborhood cats of Blackberry lane. Why were you bought here now when this house is barely livable for the humans?"
"To catch mice  and  to prevent anymore from getting in while they fix up the place."
The orange tabby came closer. "Do you cats hang out here?"
"Our friend Black Boy lives next door and right now we can't find him."
"He's missing and you think he's here?"
"We found bit of black fur that belonged to him and led to here."
The orange tabby sniffed the air. "Let me help you, I'm pretty good at finding other cats. I know all kinds of scents."
"You would do that," asked Suki.
"Why not, I need some excitement. Let me sniff the fur you found and I'll find him."
The three of them looked at each other but decided to let him try so they let him sniff the fur." He sniffed all over the yard and then looked up.
The others looked up. The old roof was quite sloped but not hard for a cat to crawl up there. There was also a broken window up there.
"You think he's up there?"
"My instincts tell me he went up the roof. I can catch his scent."
Niko was the first to leap up. She looked down on them and then swiftly turned and ran up the roof to the window. She peered in and meowed. A loud yowl was her response. The others quickly went up the roof. When they got into the room all they could see was junk and old furniture. Niko meowed again. Another yowl echoed in the room. It was coming from behind a old dresser. Niko cautiously went to the dresser. She sniffed and then sat. "Come out Black, it's us."
"I can't, I'm stuck in this drawer."
Niko slid underneath and there was another smaller dresser tucked in behind it. Black Boy was in the small drawer and was caught.
Suddenly the door to the room opened. All the cats scattered. The smell of fish filled the room.
"Hey what are you guys doing here?"
It was Matt from the butcher shop. "Hey Brutus, there you are. I see you found some friends already."
Brutus rubbed up against Matt's leg and then walked towards the dresser where Black Boy was stuck. Matt followed. "What's there boy?" Matt pushed the larger dresser out of the way. "Oh, I see. Blacky, how did you get there?"
Matt reached down and pulled the drawer out further and got Black Boy out. He looked at all the cats and smiled. "I bet you smelled fish didn't you Black Boy. I brought some fish here last night. You guys have great sniffers. If you guys comes down stairs I'll give you some fish."
Misty nodded to the others and they followed Matt down into the kitchen. There was an old fridge there Matt reached into the fridge pulled out a package. The cats instantly started to meow around his feet. They all got a feed of fish.
Misty looked over at Black Boy. "Was it the fish smell that brought you up here."
"Yeah, that and a dog that chased me."
"There's a dog here?"
"In behind this house, he's not very big but he pulled some of my fur out. He would have had more of me of I hadn't took to the roof."
Brutus spoke up. "Don't mind no dog, I can keep him in check."
Misty rubbed up against Brutus. "Welcome to the Blackberry lane group of cats."
Brutus purred.

BLACKBERRY LANE - CAT COZY MYSTERY

Hello everyone! Today I have the beginning to what will be a series. These will be cat cozy mysteries, called Blackberry Lane Mysteries. They will be small novels that will follow the adventures of a small group of cats that live in a cozy little town. They solve little mysteries that happen in the town. This is the first part to this story and I will conclude it next week. So this will give you a taste of some future novels that will be coming out later on this year I hope. Stay tuned. I hope you enjoy this short story that will conclude next week.

BLACK BOY

Blackberry Lane was  in the quite part of Bellay Town tucked in the oldest part. Old turn of the century houses hugged each other along Blackberry Lane. Some of the old homes had fell to disrepair.
However this quiet part of town was home to Misty and her feline friends. She combed these parts and knew every scent and hunting grounds by memory.
Her feline friends all looked out for each other and all in some way looked after the neighbourhood with its friendly residents.
First thing in the morning Misty headed out as always to check on the old neighbourhood. The smell of fresh cut grass first caught her scent. Misty knew that was Mr. Cooper. He was an early riser and always worked in his yard in the early morning. Further down the sound of clip clip clip made misty trod faster. This was Mrs. Gansy working on her prize roses. Mrs. Gansy always would stop and giver her a pet and usually would reach into her pocket and pull out a treat. It was always a good start to the day. Mrs. Gansy saw her before she even got to her. A warm smile greeted Misty.
"Ah, I see my girl is out do her morning rounds." Misty rubbed up against Mrs. Gansy's leg. Misty got rewarded with a pet and  of course a treat.
Misty from there went on down to where some stores where. There were only five businesses in this part of town. One was a butcher shop. Today was fish delivery day. Misty noticed a ginger and large fluffy tab already there. Niko and Suki beat her to the spot this morning. Hopefully she wasn't too late for some fish thought Misty.
Both Niko and Suki turned when they saw her.
"You guys are early. I'm surprised Black Boy isn't here."
Suki purred, "He will be. He never misses fish day."
The sound of an old truck backed up to the back door of the butcher shop. Misty and her crew hid behind some large card board boxes. A middle aged man jumped out of the truck and knocked on the back door. A young man who Misty knew as Matt, who was the owners son  answered the door.
The two men exchanged pleasantries and then Matt took a large box of frozen fish. Suki's tummy growled. Both Misty and Niko looked at her. Suki kept her focus on the fish. As soon as the  man in the truck left, Suki leaped up on the window shelf to look in. Misty and Niko weren't long joining her.
They didn't have to wait too long when Matt came out grinning with some cut up fish on an old tin pie plate. "You felines know your days of the week pretty good." He looked up at them and smiled. Matt went back in and Suki wasted no time leaping down and making it first to the pie plate to grab herself a piece of fish first.
Misty looked around after she finished her piece of fish. She even sniffed the air. Niko noticed and nudged her. "Black Boy never came. That's unusual."
Niko licked her paw. "That is unusual but may his owner kept him in today. It's happened before."
"Maybe," said Misty. "Let's go pay him a visit anyway."
The three felines went on their way. Black Boy lived at the very end of Blackberry Lane in an old Victorian house that needed much repair.
When they got there, they noticed something new. A large moving van was sitting on the street next to the old house where Black Boy lived. The old Browser house was in ruin. The front porch was leaning in and some windows were missing. But despite the shape of the house, it appeared that someone has bought it.
The three felines went around to the back of the house and leaped up onto the railing of the veranda to look in the window to see if they could see Black Boy on his favourite chair.
Misty was keeping an eye for any activity next door. Things were on the quite side and that gave Misty an unsettling feeling. Something was off here and Misty could feel it in her paws and she knew the other two felt the same way by the their wary glances next door.
Suki peeked through the window and looked back at them. "He's not there."
They all head towards the house next door. Niko was leading the way when suddenly she stopped half way. She crouched down with ears back. Misty and Suki soon joined her to see what it was.
In front of them where pieces of black fur and there was a trail of fur pieces leading to next door.
Misty carefully sniffed the fur. "It's Black Boy."
They cautiously followed the fur trail to the part in the fence between the properties where it was broken -large enough to let a cat through.
Misty was the first to poke her head through and sniff. She growled. Niko and Suki peeked in as well. Their ears bent back.
Quietly they backed up before their scent could be picked up.
They all shared a look. Suki looked nervously at Misty. "What are we going to do?"
Misty's nose twitched. "The only thing we can do. Fight back."

THE PETUNIA AND YOU

Another piece of flash fiction for you to hopefully enjoy. Have a great weekend!

The Petunia And You

 

 

 

The colors suited you I thought. The vibrant pinks in particular made me think of your personality. The way you carry yourself and smile at me resembles the happiness the petunia can bring. Their perfume also reminds me of your favorite scent that you like to wear.

Their green and white throats reminds of the dress that you like to wear to go shopping. It has flowers on it, I think?

In the evening time  when the petunia takes on a glow and it's scent fills the air, it makes me think of you and your smile.

You and the petunia are my favorite-always.

IT'S ALL IN THE EARS

Hello everyone. Welcome to another piece of cat flash fiction. Hope you enjoy.

It's All About The Ears

 

The pointy ears are like radar. They can detect everything outside the big clear glass known to them as the main lookout.

Every bird is accounted for and the odd mouse that is brave to go by the big glass gets accounted for as well. One is never sure when one might get outside so it's a good idea to have all birds accounted for. At least this what they say.

Other sounds within the big glass also is quite important. The rustle of plastic might indicate a bag of treats is near by. Don't want to miss out on that.

The most important one is however the sound of a can opening. The ears pick that sound up, even in the middle of a deep sleep.

The body jumps into action to the sound, usually in the kitchen, as always.

It's all in the ears.

 

 



CAT FLASH FICTION-NIKO & THE WORLD

Today is cat flash fiction. I hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!

Niko & The World

 

 

 

 

She is a spice girl. Yes, this is true. Sometimes she is called the nutmeg girl. Either name she knows who she is. Her mere purr-mew voice tells you that she is special.



Her personality is so loving that you can't help but adore her.
Niko, her real name, thinks that the world should revolve around her and  sees no problem with this.
Her cat treats(party mix please) should be given out everyday. The other felines around her agree with her on this point. Never enough treats.
Niko would love nothing but to be spoiled by the world. She sees the world as hers and is willing to share it with you if remember the treats (party mix please).
Yours truly, Niko and her world.

FLASH FICTION-A Fancy Poem For You

Hello and hope it is warm where you are  and Spring has truly arrived. It's a bit stubborn here on the prairies here in Canada. Today is flash fiction and I hope you enjoy. Have a great weekend!

A FANCY POEM FOR YOU

 

 

 

I found the prettiest roses I could for you. I did not pick them because, well, they would not be happy about it. So, instead I took their picture and they were quite alright with that.  The picture will last forever anyway, right?

I know you can't smell their spicy scent but you can imagine it. The ones in behind thought they smelled much better though. Flowers can be funny things. They never agree on anything and they always vie for your attention.

The single roses said they had the most perfume and were better than the ones up front that I insisted were the right ones for my picture.

The little tiny daisies said I should have cut their heads off and taken them away.

I didn't listen to their whispers as it appeared if you gave them any attention they would tell you all kinds of stories. Silly things.

I wanted to write a poem to go with this picture. Here's a rose just for you and I hope you will keep this near your pillow next to my words of love.  The flowers said I should write a fancy poem whatever that means.  When I read out my poem they said to never mind, just give her the picture.

I did write some words. You can choose to read my fancy poem or keep it for another day.

Maybe keep it for another day. That's what the tiny daisies said.



SHORT STORY-PETAL LAND

Hello. Today, I'm going to take a step away from my Cat flash fiction and present to you a short story that I wrote. It's a strange little tale that is wonderlandish. I love fairy tales and Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorites. I'm thinking this might be a fun little world to play in and I would like to write more. So this is the beginning. I might publish this but if I do I will add to it and probably make it a around a 12,000 word short story. For now I will give you this for a taste. I hope you enjoy.

PETAL LAND

 

Tessie Dow tended to a special garden that nobody really seen. That was fine because it really wasn't for the general public anyway. A special someone gave her the job to overlook this special garden for them.

They never said much to her. Although on occasion they would comment on the flowers if they were looking exceptional. It wasn't until one day when she was tending the delphiniums that a humming bird flitted by her. There had always been birds in the garden. They were as much a part of the garden as the others were that she tended this garden for.

This humming bird at first appeared like any other as it hovered there darting back and forth to different flowers grabbing nectar from each one. What caught her eye was the color at first. Its bright blue body twinkled in the sunlight. What really made Tessie Dow stand up and notice this humming bird was its bright orange jacket it was wearing. Its jeweled eyes sparkled like sapphires. Tessie Dow had never seen such a sight. Upon getting closer she noticed around the eyes tiny rubies that circled in a pattern around the eyes.

Now the humming bird had noticed her and stopped and hovered in the air before getting close to her. It's long beak almost touched  her nose. Then something magical happened. The bright blue humming bird with the orange jacket started to get bigger and take on the form of someone that looked  human in shape.  

Standing in front of her now was a young man dressed in bright blue with an orange jacket. His blue hair was spiked with navy tips. The ruby jewels around his eyes sparkled in a swirl pattern that touched on his cheeks. His bright blue eyes were electric as they looked down on Tessie Dow. She was captivated by his long silky lashes that framed his intense blue eyes. A silver dragonfly served as a bow tie with its tiny red jewelled head that sparkled when it caught the sunlight.
"Miss Dow, I presume you are. I must say you've done a lovely job of caring for the garden."
His voice sounded like a summer's bird song thought Tessie Dow. She smiled and thanked him as she didn't really know what  else to do.
When he turned, she noticed his blue wings were flat against his orange jacket. The blue of his wings shimmered. Despite his bright colors, she thought he was quite beautiful. He bent down to one of the flowers  and at first she thought he was saying something to the marigolds but then as quick as a blink he plucked one and slipped it inside his orange lapel.
His attention turned back to Tessie. "I have watched you for a while for some time now and I think you are the one. In fact I'm quite sure you are."
Tessie looked at him and not wanting to sound rude she very softly asked him, "What do you mean that you think I'm the one?"
His dark eyebrows rose followed by a smirk. "I don't understand why they didn't tell you before this, now we don't have time to explain."
"Explain what," Tessie Dow blurted out.
"To rule Petal Land of course. Put things right." He came a little closer to Tessie. She looked up at him. He smelled like a mix of mint and sweet peas.
"Things have gotten quite out of control in Petal Land actually. It's all her fault of course."
"Her fault, " asked Tessie Dow in a shaky voice.
"Yes, " he said flatly. His shoulders slumped slightly. "The present queen is what shall we say?" He paused and then said in a rather sad tone. "Not fun."
"I see but I don't see how I am...
"Tut tut dear, we have to get going. We have to over come the Queen Plum before she ruins everything."
"But this garden...
He waved his hand in the air dismissing her worries. "No need to worry about the garden, the flowers will take care of everything."
Suddenly Tessie heard whispers that came from the flowers. We will be fine. Save Petal Land.
Tessie stopped and planted her feet quite firmly on the ground as if maybe they might take root with any luck and keep her in the garden. He turned and looked at her. "What is wrong Tessie Dow?"
"I don't even know who you are and this Petal land?"
The little red jewels around his eyes appeared like they were coming to life. "Of course, how rude of me. Let me introduce myself. I am Rufous and my friend here who has not shown himself yet. Come out." he called.
Tessie heard a rustle in the nearby zinnia bed. She could hear hisses and growls that sounded like they were coming from the Zinnias. Out from the zinnia patch slumbered a sleepy looking orange tabby. His wide bushy tail whipped at the zinnias as he came out. They hissed at him. Tessie thought she heard a chuckle from the orange tabby.
"This is my friend Blossom. Say hello Blossom."
The orange tabby looked casually over at Tessie Dow. He smiled. "How do you do Miss Tessie Dow?"
His voice was low and it echoed inside of Tessie's head. "Fine thank you," she said in a whisper but he heard her. She could hear a purr in her head.
"Take us to Petal Land, Blossom."
Blossom yawned and licked his paw. "Follow me."
The orange tabby's bushy orange tail swished in the air as he sauntered towards the archway that was covered in scarlet runner beans. As they got closer the beans were whispering to her. Be brave Tessie Dow. Save Petal Land and get rid of that awful queen.
Tessie swallowed hard. Blossom vanished in a mess of bean vines. Rufous walked beside her. She looked at the tangle of beans and wondered how they were to go through that and that was to take them to this Petal Land? But when they got to the edge, the bean vines opened up forming an archway of their own and when Tessie looked through the beans she was amazed to see the most colorful world she had ever saw. The smell of sweet peas tickled her nose and the aroma of mint came from his breath.
"Welcome to Petal Land. Shall we?" He offered his arm to Tessie.
She slid her arm through his and together they walked through the bean archway and into the most colorful world Tessie Dow could have imagined. Vibrant greens, yellows, fuchsias mixed with indigo blue brought this world to life.
"What is this place," breathed Tessie. "I've never seen such a place." There was a tree not too far from them. Its  branches hung with rope like flowers of all the rainbow colors. The bark of the tree looked like black licorice. The grass under their feet felt like velvet and was the color of lime green. A path of stone and purple thyme was in front of them waiting for them to take it.
Blossom appeared out of nowhere. "Come quickly before the flying snapdragons find us."
 Rufous gasped. "Oh yeah, we must move quickly. They can smell us, especially you, since you are different."
"Flying snapdragons?" Tessie was looking at him for an explanation but none came. Instead Rufous held out his hand to her. She took it despite the butterflies in her stomach. His hand felt cool but soft. It calmed her.
"Hurry, we must get to the bridge."
Suddenly Tessie felt herself being lifted off the ground. Rufous's wings were a blur as he flew them through the air to the bridge. Blossom had also sprung wings. He looked like a big fuzzy bee.
They lit down as silent and softly as Tessie could ever imagined. This bridge that they had brought her to was a swinging bridge. More of those rope flowered trees grew next to the bridge. The sound of a creek could be heard far below the swinging bridge. Rufous took Tessie's hand and they started to cross. Tessie tried not to look down. They were so high up. The rope trees started to come to life and out from the licorice bark, eyes were looking at her. they watched every move she made.
"Don't pay them any attention dear, they are just curious that is all." That didn't quite make Tessie feel any better.
Screeches behind them filled the air and the eyes of the rope trees hid. "What is that?"
"Snapdragons!"
Once again they were air born and Blossom took flight as well. "Quick, we have to hide," he shouted back at them.
Rufous wrapped his orange jacket around Tessie. The smell of sweet peas devoured her. All she could see in front of them was an orange fuzzy ball of fur with its tail hanging down flying at full speed towards some high up trees.
They whipped through some hanging moss that caught in Tessie's hair. When she opened her eyes she saw an angry looking green spider staring back at her. Squawks of birds that had long necks and wide purple eyes glared at them as they invaded their home.
What is the meaning of this? Tessie could hear their loud shrill voices in her head.
Rufous swooped out of their way and went further up the tree where he landed on a huge limb. When he looked down at her, his blue eyes narrowed. "I see you picked up someone for a ride." He picked up the green spider and dangled it in front of his face by its mossy green web. "Sorry about that but we had to escape." He carefully placed the moss on the upper branch. Tessie knew she heard a huff from the spider as it pulled the moss with it up the tree.
"Emerald spiders have bad tempers."
"What about the snapdragons?"
"They won't find us here. We'll just stay quiet until they pass over."
Blossom came along and hovered in front of them. "I do believe the snapdragons have flown over. We'll have to take an alternate route to the castle."
Rufous did not look happy. "Yes, you don't have to tell me that. I can see that. Someone has ratted on me about Tessie."
The cat's gold eyes went wide. "Well, I hope you don't think it was me."
Rufous sighed, "Of course not Blossom, you are my best friend."
The cat smiled and Tessie heard a purr inside her head.
"Come Tessie, we have to go around the long way which isn't pleasant. Not only do we have to look out for flying snapdragons but also...His voice trailed off as he looked around to see if anything was listening to him. "Wonkywonks."
"Wonkywonks? What is a Wonkywonk?"
Blossom shivered as he heard the word.
Terrible vile creatures that are crazy as loons." His song bird like voice became shriller in Tessie's head. She took if that Rufous was scared of these creatures.
Tessie leaned in closer to Rufous. "Will they hurt us or try to eat us?"
Rufous 's face turned a soft blue as if that was his way of blushing. "All of the above. We have to stay out of their line of scent. They have exceptional sniffers." His nose scrunched up.
"Tell her about the other...thing," whispered Blossom.
"What other thing?" Now Tessie's voice was a shrill.
"Queen Plum let out these hideous creatures called fluffbuns out to guard her territory. They are large rabbit like creatures with pink eyes. Some have red." His nose scrunched again. "They are extremely fluffy."
"Fluffy rabbits are not scary."
"These ones are. Their sharp front teeth are always hungry."
Why did I come here thought Tessie. She was starting to get a headache.
He offered her his arm. "Do I have to?"
Rufous smiled and nodded. "Come my Queen Tessie. Let's go to the castle of Ivory."
The trip was eerily quiet. Blossom flew with his ears partly bent back. This did not make Rufous or Tessie feel comfortable. The flowers were even quiet. Tessie didn't even hear whispers. A large blue purple butterfly mumbled something about don't go there, don't go there.
Tessie watched the butterfly as it followed them for a bit before disappearing into a field of poppies. Things started to turn purple. All the trees were tainted a black purple and even the moss was a blue purple that gave Tessie the creeps.
"Are we there yet? Where is the castle of Ivory?" She knew she was asking too many questions but her nerves were leaping out of her chest.
"Calm down my Tessie. We are almost there. I am wondering where all the Wonkywonks are or Fluffbuns are hiding. This has all the feeling of being watched somehow."
What they didn't know was the Wonkywonks and Fluffbuns were all at the castle of Ivory. But what they were really waiting for was...Tessie Dow.

***

 

The castle of Ivory rose out of the purple black trees and glimmered in the pale sunlight. The three of them had now reached the main bridge leading to the castle. There were no guards at the castle and Rufous instantly knew that they were  expected.

"It appears that whoever ratted on me, knows that we are coming. The Wonkywonks and those disgusting Fluffbuns are waiting for us. I bet they are salivating."

Tessie looked over at Rufous horrified. "Why are we going there then? This is suicide!"

Rufous's ruby jewels glittered and he smirked. "Ah, we will give them a surprise. I have a few tricks up my sleeve you know."

Tessie folded her arms. "I would start performing if I were you."

Rufous laughed. "Now that is a spirit I like. Let's go, Queen Plum awaits."

His humming bird wings spread out behind his back. They became a blur as they lifted him. He held out his hand to Tessie. She took his hand and instantly her feet left the ground. They flew over the purple black trees. The Ivory castle gleamed as they got closer. Tessie thought the castle of Ivory was actually made from real ivory.

Rufous flew her up to the very top tower. They landed on a balcony were there was glass doors. Blossom gently pushed on the glass doors and they silently opened. He sniffed before he went in. Rufous took Tessie's hand as they walked in. The room they entered was a lavender colored room. Wallpaper with lilacs and violet ribbons adorned the walls. A dresser with a very large mirror sat in the corner. When Tessie looked at the large mirror it appeared to look like water. Tessie thought if she was to touch it her hand  would go into water.

Rufous grabbed her hand and steered her away from the dresser. "Don't go near that thing. It will take you to a nasty little realm. In fact don't touch anything or for that matter attract attention from anything in this castle."

"So what am I supposed to do, close my eyes?"

Rufous sighed, "Well, that would be a wonderful trick but I have a better trick." He reached into his pocket on the inside of his orange jacket and pulled out a bracelet. "Wear this, and no one will see you."

Tessie slipped it on. It cinched itself around her wrist making her flinch. "Does it have to be that tight?"

He never said anything. He continued to lead her deeper into the castle. Blossom hovered over the top of some stairs that lead down to where everybody was. Tessie could hear voices that rose up to where they were. One noise sounded like heals hitting the hard floor that gave Tessie the impression that someone was pacing.

Rufous looked at Tessie and winked. Blossom was now down on the ground sitting on the top of the stairs washing his paw. Something wasn't sitting right thought Tessie.

She turned to him and narrowed her gaze at him. "What's going on Rufous?" She glanced over at Blossom who was doing his best to ignore her.

Rufous was now towering over Tessie with a mischief grin. "You see Miss Tessie Dow. I brought you here because this is your home. Your real home. We've missed you terribly but each time I had brought you back you found your way back to that confounded garden." He reached down and picked up her hand with the bracelet on it. He pointed to it. "But this time, I sealed your fate here and you won't be going back to that blasted garden. You are here to stay Miss Tessie Dow."