Dark Elements: Cat Scratch Battle

Cat Scratch Battle

Written by Matthew Ryan Fischer
Illustrated by Michelle Joy Montrose
© 2015

Hermes and Hallow often had the same argument over and over. The words might change, but the gist was always the same.

“He loves me more, you know.”

“If he loved you, he’d take you when he goes out.”

“You get to go out because you can’t think for yourself and he knows you won’t run off!”

“Just because I listen, doesn’t make me stupid. I’m far wiser than you’ll ever know.”

“Just because you’re quiet, doesn’t mean you’re wise.”

The problem was that Hermes the cat was an extremely jealous cat. He didn’t show much affection and often ignored his master. I mean, he was a cat after all. But still, just because Hermes didn’t want all that much attention didn’t mean he wanted other pets getting any for themselves. Hermes had been feeling threatened lately because his master had decided that a new familiar was in order and he had summoned forth the owl. Hermes usually scoffed at the very concept that he had a master, but now that his master was seemingly moving on, he suddenly felt very insecure and longed for the simplicity of the old system of order. If he could go back in time, he might even listen a little bit more often. Even if he didn’t show it well, he really did love his master.

Hallow was a watcher. His position in life was to observe and record. He didn’t mind, he quite enjoyed watching. Hallow was a trusted familiar, allowed a certain amount of freedom because he would always return. He was well aware of the fact that the cat did not receive this same freedom. He was well aware of the friction this caused. But in all honestly, Hallow felt it was well warranted. The cat wouldn’t take orders. The cat didn’t care. If left to its own devices there was no telling what sort of trouble that cat would get into. Hallow was fairly certain that nothing the cat did would be to the benefit of their shared owner. So the cat got a locked door at night, while he received an open window, high above any area the cat could get to. Good, thought Hallow, I deserve it.

“I hate you,” said Hermes.

“I know.”

Hermes bared his claws, and leapt quickly, but Hallow flew high above and out of reach.

Damn those wings, thought Hermes. If I had wings I wouldn’t stay here. I would travel the world. He’s a fool for staying.

Hallow circled above for a moment, watching the cat, then flew to his window perch and looked out at the world outside. He could see what was to come. He knew there was a world outside, with all its grand adventures waiting. But he had more important pressing matters to attend to. The darkness was growing as the days slipped away. Samhain was approaching and on that night his master would pass from this world and Hallow would feed on his soul.

Hallow owed the cat nothing. There was no reason to warn him what was to come. The cat had always hated him. Hallow would feed and fly and leave the cat locked in to starve. The days were counting down. Soon. Perhaps once it was all over, he would return and watch the cat waste with hunger. Maybe he would feed on his soul as well. Such a stupid beast. If only he had been nicer. If only he had accepted the owl as an equal, then perhaps Hallow would have shown him the world. As it stood, Hallow would only watch the future unfold and take pleasure at what he knew was to come. 


Additional stories are available here: Dark Elements. 

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