A Cat's Tale

====Chapter Seven====

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We must have dozed there on the rug in Miranda's living room because we only woke up 20 minutes before her parents were due to arrive back home. I was glad to see whatever melancholy had gripped Miranda before appeared to be gone. She still seemed a bit preoccupied, but managed to laugh when I joked about finding a bed next time.

Miranda just stuck her tongue out at me. "I'm the one with rug burns on my ass, handsome. Next time we either get a bed or YOU get to be on bottom."

We were back on the couch (fully clothed, darn it!) in an intense debate over Halloween costumes by the time her parents got home. I was for them while Miranda thought they were tacky. Halloween was the next night and we had been invited to my friend Alex's house for his annual Halloween party. Costumes were optional, but most people caught the spirit and dressed up. I was just trying to convince her to go as Little Orphan Annie so that I could dress up as Daddy Warbucks when her parents walked in.

I wasn't thinking about costumes though as I drove home. I was still mulling over Miranda's earlier words. My mind was trying to figure out what sort of secret a 16 year old could have that could be so terrible. I fell asleep trying to puzzle it out.


The next morning dawned clear and cold. Perfect Halloween weather. I dressed in old sweats as I got ready for my morning jog. 1 mile before school kept me in shape and woke my brain up. I didn't drink coffee so I needed something to clear the cobwebs before hitting the hallowed halls of school. Thank God it was Friday.

My normal route took me right past Miranda's house. Well, it didn't used to, but once we started dating, I changed my route slightly. Miranda knew when I ran and generally gave me a wave from the front porch as I jogged past her house.

I'll admit to being distracted while I ran. My mind was still wrestling with Miranda and her cryptic comments, with major interruptions of how it felt being inside of her. I really wanted to repeat the experience again. Soon.

My distraction is probably why I never heard the car. I did hear the scream a split second before I felt the impact against my back. Then I was flying through the air and at the ground. I never felt my body hit the ground.

For that matter, I didn't really feel anything at all.

I must have passed out for a brief time. The next thing I knew, Miranda was bending over me crying. She kept touching my face with her fingertips and sobbing. I couldn't make out her words other than my name over and over. I tried to smile at her, but before I could try the world turned gray again.

I could have only been out a few seconds when I surfaced again. Mitchell was running up to Miranda. When he saw me, he went white. Guess that told me what kind of condition I was in.

I'm still not sure if I really saw what I saw next or if it was some sort of delusion.

Mitchell didn't waste any time on checking my injuries. He turned to Miranda and slapped her. Hard. Even in my semi-numb state, I was outraged. Miranda was shocked out of her tears.

Mitchell grabbed her shoulders and started talking. Fast. "Miranda, snap out of it. If you don't do something, he's going to die. You have to concentrate. If you can't be calm at least be calmer. You have to do it. NOW."

Miranda just nodded her head while trying to take a deep breath.

Mitchell continued talking. "Mir, I'll help you as much as I can, but you know I'm not as good at this."

By this point, Miranda was much more in control of herself. Tears still coursed silently down her face, but she was no longer on the edge.

Kneeling down next to me, Miranda held her hand out to her brother and kept her eyes on my face. "Just let me borrow the essence."

My world was still sliding in and out of focus when the chanting started in my brain. It was primal and earthy and demanded a response. It spoke in the voice of Miranda.

The chanting never ceased, but it was overshadowed when all of my nerve endings came to life. Pain such as I had never felt before blazed across my body. I would have screamed, but the pain and the chanting stole my voice. The pain lasted for several lifetimes before a golden warmth - such as with the sun coming out on a cloudy day - started to wash over me. My muscles went limp. And still the chanting went on.

I came to just as Miranda slumped across me.

I started to sit up in panic, but stopped when my muscles screamed in protest. Having strained myself in gymnastics practice several times, I knew that slow and steady were the key words. Of course, Mitchell's hands on my shoulders also had something to do with why I stayed on the ground.

Seeing the panic in my eyes, Mitchell acquiesced enough to tell me, "She's okay. Just exhausted."

I would have followed up with a question, but again, Mitchell beat me to it.

"I'll explain everything, but we need to get both of you inside. We're starting to attract attention."

I looked around and could see a few curious glances our way. I did agree that we needed to get inside. Besides, I was worried about Miranda.

Mitchell helped me to my feet before scooping Miranda up gently. Even though he was her brother, I still felt a quick twinge of jealousy that he was the one carrying her.

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