Chapter 2

2018

Thursday, December 6th

I was on my special fence, where I met up with his gang almost every day. I loved this town after a fresh snowstorm. It was cool and the air was crisp. The sky was all pinks and purples, reminding me of the vivid sky over the Cat Kingdom. 

I was ignoring the rest of the cats who were gathered there. Instead, I watched the hustle and bustle Christmas brings to the small fishing town. The storm had supplied the kids in town with ammunition for a major snowball fight in the town square. Next to the gazebo in the middle of the square was a huge tree the men brought in earlier this morning.

I would love to climb that tree. Maybe tomorrow.

A siren sounded down the street, where the firefighters had the old number 9 engine out pulled by two sleek, black horses. The engine was the one they used in 1815, when the town was formed. Back in the beginning. Back when I first began to live as The Pink Diamond and watch over the Johnson family.

Across the alleyway was Abel’s Groceries. It was a small store, but it seemed to have everything this town needed. Down the street was the diner, a fine place to get a cheeseburger. I knew that from experience. For dessert, there’s nothing like The Fat Cat Bakery.

Talk about fine dining—just down Kelly Hill, right across from the harbor, is The Twilight. They serve the best seafood in Maine. Their Lobster Thermidor is to die for!

Back on Main Street, next to the town square, is the sheriff ’s office. Mean old Sheriff O’Neil is the dirtiest, most underhanded man alive. He and his “good ol’ boy” pals are ruining this town with enormous taxes and their political games.

I didn’t let their foolish games ruin my life. After all, I lived in the plushest home in town, with a fireplace in almost every room. At night I snuggled up next to a roaring fire with my charge, Lynn, and she would read to me from my favorite author, Agatha Christie. Yes, life couldn’t be better.

Little Bea, the youngest cat in my gang,  was trying hard to get my attention, but my mind was miles away. Suddenly, my gray mane and tail fur fluffed out to its full extent. I felt a familiar tingle down my spine. I heard a screeching roar, and knew something was happening, and it wasn’t good. 

“Shh. Quiet!”

The gang all stopped what they were doing. Oh, no. It was happening again. I cocked my head. The gang knew I was intently listening for a cry of help.

I panicked, as I heard my charge’s very soft voice. “Harry, where are you? I need you.”

Little Bea stood still as a statue, holding her breath and looking wide eyed at me. Then, before they knew it, I vanished into thin air. As I left, I heard my gang.

“I hate it when he does that.”

“You’re just jealous, Big Ron,” Jasper retorted.

Little Bea looked wistfully at the spot where, a second ago, I sat. She whispered, “I wish I could do that.”