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She was standing in the center of the zoo, swathed in a black cape Perry had insisted she buy.  “It’s ridiculous,” she protested.  “It’s mysterious,” he had said.  He had a point, she conceded.

The sun had long gone down, and the stars were too tired to twinkle against the heavy dark sky.  A cool wind swept across, flinging leaves like stones across the pond.  It was too cool for summer–too cool for the season.

She could hear the animals grumbling and snuffling in their sleep, turning in too small cages or pawing against plastic enclosures.  Her heart squeezed tightly and she squenced her eyes shut, wishing it didn’t hurt.  She wished she could do something more, do something faster.  When she opened her eyes, he was there.

This time, he made no effort to disguise his true face.  His yellow eyes gleamed in the light as he rushed down the corridor, Max racing by his side.  He too, wore a black cloak.  Ripping hers off and vowing to kill Perry later, Birdie went after them.

A hand grabbed her arm and she lunged forward, momentum egging her on.  Whirling around, she snarled at the old woman gripping her elbow.  “Can I help you?”

“You can help me.”  The old woman’s yellow eyes bore into her.  Birdie blinked.  Humans didn’t have yellow eyes.  Only cats did.  Black cats….

Gasping, she lurched out of the woman’s grip.  “You’re the cat that’s been following me!  The one from Pemberely’s shop.  The one the proffessor said…”  She trailed off, her words stuck in her throat.  It couldn’t be.  It couldn’t be true.  The woman would be hundreds of years old.  And while her wrinkled face and withered features spoke of ancient, no one could live for that long.

“They can.”  The woman’s eyes bore into Birdie.  “And they do.  Well, I should have.  Before Pemberely stole the spirit from my tribe.  He stole the spirit from me, Black Paw–straight out of my heart.  For years, I’ve been seeking it.”

“Is that why you’ve been following them?”  Birdie pursed her lips. “You’ve destroyed the lives of hundreds of innocent people!  Every time he went somewhere, you hurt the people he was with.”

The yellow eyes flashed.  “Did he not hurt my tribe, my people?  Did he not hurt me, my ancestors?  No one is innocent, Birdie.  Everyone has a price, everyone has desires.  Even you.”

Birdie jutted out her chin.  “Are you going to try to buy me off now?”

“No.”  Her grey braid swung back and forth.  “I want your help.”

“What can I do to help you?”

The old woman’s eyes flashed and her withered hands, twisted into claws, flashed out and grabbed Birdie’s fingers.  “You understand animals,” she whispered.  “You have the spirit within you.  The same spirit I had, the same spirit Pemberely stole from me.  I need you to help me get it back.”

“If you get it back, will you leave the other animals alone?” Birdie asked, narrowing her eyes.  “I came here to help them, not get mixed up in a revenge plot.”

Black Paw’s wrinkled face broke into a smile.  “Don’t you understand, Birdie?  The spirit is not just yours and mine.  It is in the true heart of everyone who truly loves animals–and animals themselves.  Once we take the spirit from Mr. Pemberely, the animals will be free.  He will be free.”  Her eyes flashed, defiant and proud.  “I will be free.”  Her gaze darkened and Birdie shuddered.  “And then he will pay.”

“What do you want me to do?” Birdie asked.

“Perform the ceremony with me.  The sacred bonding.  The joining of our hearts, our minds, our hands.  Or paws,” she allowed.

Birdie shook her head.  “No way.  That’s what got Mr. Pemberely in trouble.”

“Please,” the old woman begged.  “It’s the only way.  Otherwise, they win.  Pemberely, Max–they win.  The animals lose.”

The old woman glanced behind them and whirled back around, her voice urgent.  “You must tell me tomorrow!  You must tell me before it’s too late!”  She rushed away, vanishing between the monkey and parrot cages.

“Wait!” Birdie called.  “Wait!”

But the woman was gone.

Birdie sat up in a cold sweat, clutching her blanket.  Sassy raised her head in alarm as she slid out of her sheets and went to the window.  Peering down, she saw the black cat staring at her.

Shivering, she knew it wasn’t just a dream.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  We have a new recipe tomorrow and more whimsical fun!

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