A young catwoman is able to escape from her past life and as she looks for answers to who she is, she finds that there is more to her origins that she thinks.
Story and all characters contained within are copyright (C) 2006 by the author.
It was a nice warm night in a suburban city. Everything was quiet and calm. No soul could be seen around in town for it was high noon. Suddenly the peace of the night is broken by a police siren, and a silhouette of a woman can be seen. She seems to be running away from the police officers chasing her but they were no problem for her cause she was much faster than them until she reached a dead end in an alley. Apparently that was no problem too for with an unseen agility she jumped from wall to wall reaching the rooftops in no time but something went wrong, she grapples her throat driven by an intense pain and collapses to one knee:
-No, I must keep going. And with that she rose up and started running away, away from what she knew to be a dreadful life, a life she did not wished.
She now passed underneath a streetlight, she was very pretty but she was not human for she had a long cat tail, cat ears, cat eyes and even paws instead of feet and her hands were furry with beautiful white fur, she also had long dark hair contrasting with her snowy white ears.
She had almost lost track of the cops but a military chopper joined in on the chase just like another army vehicles. Apparently they wanted her really bad.
She was really ahead of them but when she was jumping from one building to another she felt the pain again and failed to reach it, falling a few metres into the ground losing consciousness, no one seemed to noticed though and continued with the search finding nothing and giving up in the early morning.
Three days after her escape there were tons of soldiers patrolling the town still looking for her. They were showing pictures of her to by passers, instead of being frightened or even surprised by her features, they just shook their heads like it was the most normal thing in the world. Indeed it was because in the 22nd century mutants were a normal sight. Due to recent technologies it was now possible to make mutants but most of them were natural ones because this new race of hybrids were able to reproduce themselves making them even more common to the world.
Our catwoman was lying still in the shadows for the pain was now constantly appearing. It seemed to come from something she had on her neck. It wasn’t a normal necklace it was more like a dog collar, but it was more then that, it seemed to be a high tech one and also the source of her pain. Due to the constant pain, it seemed she was focusing all her strengths in controlling her will to scream and without a bite to eat in three days she could not remember anything, only that she could not be seen by anyone.
A small cat was passing by unaware of her presence. She saw it and something inside her told her to open her mouth and let out some air like in a silent cry for help, only it wasn’t silent, because some sound came out of her mouth. She did not know what she had done but the cat must have understood for some time latter it returned with other cats that brought some food for her.
-They must think I‘m one of them-she thought-whatever they are.
She started eating what they had brought and soon she was able to stand or she would if her leg wasn’t broken from the fall. She was able to raise herself up using the wall for support and she could walk a bit but rather slowly and painfully. The collar still hurt her but she was getting used to it, the leg was worth of more attention for now.
With her cat escort she slowly climbed a ladder on the wall and reached the rooftops. At least now she was safe from anyone who would pass by the streets and see her but she still had to take care of the leg but she did not know how.
She suddenly heard a cough from behind her. It seemed to come from a pile of clothes in the corner of the roof and she saw it move and then the person underneath it rose up and she could see her. It was a little girl but her clothes were odd for someone who was sleeping on a roof. They looked almost new and expensive and the girl looked very healthy. Not the kind of person she expected to find in such a place but at least she knew she was not a danger for her. When the girl saw her she was surprised:
-You’re the one everyone is looking for. Oh no! You’re hurt, you need some help.
The catwoman’s leg was in a rather strange angle so it was easy to see it was broken.
-Come with me-she said- I’ll fix that right up.
Although she couldn’t remember how to talk she was able to understand her and so she followed her to a trap door nearby and went in.
The girl’s house was old and small but it had all the basic needs for someone to live.
As soon as they got in the girl went into the fireplace and lit a warm fire and also caught two almost identical 2 by 4 sticks and some tape:
-Now this will hurt a bit but it is only to put your leg back in place okay?
The catwoman sit on a couch pointed by the girl.
The fire was crippling in the fireplace, oftenly giving some loud cracks but a louder crack was heard when the girl swiftly straightened her leg:
-Nyahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
-I’m sorry but it’s for your own good. Then she put the wood in both sides and used the tape to put it all together.
-There, that should make it heal faster. Hmm, what’s that on your neck?-she pointed to the collar-do you want me to take it off?
She hesitated for a moment. She somehow knew that something bad might happen if she took it off but she did not care. The pain was driving her mad.
-Ok then. - She reached for the necklace and as soon as she touched it, she was zapped by some sort of electrical field.
-So that’s why you couldn’t remove it yourself. Hold on.
She fetched her rubber gloves and with them she was able to remove the collar.
The catwoman instantly felt relieved.
-There. All done.
After this she sat on a chair:
-So you can’t talk can you?-she shook her head-Oh, how rude of me. I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Kari. Can you remember your name?-she shook again-Then we must get you one. How about Anna? Kat? Susan? Monica? Amy?
At the sound of the last name Amy nodded.
-Fine. Amy then. Now you better get some rest, you look exhausted. You can sleep in my bed, I’ll sleep here.
Amy grabbed her arm and shook her head. She did not wanted to be such a bother.
Kari smiled and just said:
-It’s ok. You need it more than me.
Sometime later, when Amy was already asleep, the phone rang. Kari answered it:
-Yes… she is sleeping as we speak…………………………...No, I’m afraid she can’t remember anything……………………. Yes, I’ll do everything I can. Good night sir.
A month passed. As time went by the trust for that little girl was growing on Amy. They were becoming friends, close friends, almost like sisters. She still thought she was abnormal though. Instead of being a little sister, she was behaving like an older much more mature sister but Amy did not dare to ask why.
Kari was lecturing her into learning to speak again and she was an excellent learner. She was now able to speak English again and it scratched perfection.
Her leg was a lot better now. It was almost fully healed.
Everything was perfect for Amy, she had found a new home, a new family until one faithful day.
It was late night and Amy was already in bed but wasn’t able to sleep. She felt way too anxious like something bad was going to happen. Suddenly the phone rang. Amy thought it was odd and was about to get up to answer it but then she heard some noise. Could this be? Kari was supposed to be already asleep.
-What?...Take her? Why? I've already gained her trust don’t you think she will find it suspicious? This is not how it was planned out, you know that.
She had heard enough. She could hardly believe it but it was true. Kari was betraying her. Ever since she met her she thought she could trust her but she was wrong. She was probably sent to gain her trust and then capture her .She then decided to do something.
In the living room Kari was talking to someone on the phone. It seemed to be a young male voice:
-Yeah I know but we don’t have a choice. The orders came right from the top. We must evacuate ‘cause they think they're on to us.
-Fine I’ll take her. Meet me at town square in 15 minu…
Amy suddenly grappled Kari’s neck making her drop the auscultator.
-You…-Amy’s face was covered with tears- I trusted you, why did you betray me? Who sent you? Why did youuu…ohh my head...- she dropped Kari in the floor- my body, it hurts… what’s happening? What have you done to me?
-I didn’t do anything, just calm down and let me expla…
-No!
-Please you must! For both our sakes!
-No, you be-betrayed m-me…aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh… wha-what’s happening… to m-me…? My bo-body… it hurts s-so mu… aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Amy was now kneeing on the floor hugging herself, screaming in pain, fading in agony, and suddenly wings, black angelic wings, sprouted from her back, spreading her blood on the walls and her fur went pitch dark and then it was over.
A mortifying silence filled the room, interrupted only by Kari’s deep breathing
Amy was lying face down on the floor motionless; her newly acquired wings dripping of her own blood. Her torment was now over and she laid lifeless on the floor.
Kari was terrified. She knew something bad would happen but she wasn’t expecting this or anything like this at all.
Then the unexpected happened.
Some sort of sound was coming from Amy’s body, some sort of giggle, and then she slowly begun to rise up, showing in her face, now covered with black fur stripes, a sick and perverted smile.
-So… where we’re we?-she used Amy’s voice but it was different, it was colder, more distant. She did not sound like Amy at all.
-Who are you?
-Me? Why, has it been that long already? I’m Amy. Or her “alter” ego as it is so used today.
-What have you done to her?
-Nothing! Isn’t it ironic? You were actually the one that set me free, removing that thing, so I must thank you for that. I’m very grateful…
-What are you talking about, that necklace?
-Yes, exactly! That wretched thing they made to control me. Where is it? I must destroy it! Tell me where it is!
That necklace was probably too important for Kari to let it be destroyed and she had to stall her until he arrives -No. I won’t tell you.
-Well aren’t you a brave little brat? Making yourself all tough and strong. Go on junior go grab it for auntie Amy, come on…
-Silence! For your information I am much older than you, foolish child. Since the plan is already ruined there is no more need to keep this ridiculous cover.
-Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah now there’s a good one! You certainly are a little box full of surprises heheheheheheheh. Well anyway I grow tired of you, I’ll just kill you now and search for it myself. Say your prayers!
Amy re-grappled Kari’s neck, with a single hand, and rose her up into the air again, laughing. Kari, however, did not find it funny, after all that was the second time she was in that very same situation in that night but this time it was much more serious, for she was already feeling the lack of oxygen. But then the door snapped right open.
-Drop her -a young man was standing near the door wielding only a lighter, with a hand over it as if ready to grab the fire- or I’ll burn your pretty ass to ashes!
-Hmhm- she threw Kari to the floor- with that? You must be joking. Is that really the best you can come up with?
The man ignored that remark- Ms Kari, you all right? Who is she and where’s our target?
Kari was still lying on the floor breathing heavily- She is our target!
-What? What do you mean? She?
-What she means is that I am the one you want. The one you so easily betrayed for who knows what. Have you no shame? Or do you actually do this for a living as professional backstabbers…
-Shuddap! It’s none of your business why we do this. Just come with us and we won’t hurt you!
-Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah oh I got it all wrong! You ain’t backstabbers at all, you’re just a bunch o’clowns hahahahahahahahahahahahah. You’re good, you’re really good. That was hilarious hahahahahahahah.
BANG!
A shot was heard in room. It came from Kari, she was holding some sort of tranquilizer gun.
-Bitch! - whispered Amy right before she fell on the floor.
-Man I thought she’d never shut up. You ok?
-I’m fine. What took you so long?
-Hey I’m not that other guy, WHATSHISFACE. He’s the one with super speed, not me.
-Well maybe I should have picked him instead!
Ivan opened his mouth as if ready to say something
-Are you going to answer to your superior officer?
Ivan closed his mouth and shifted to a whisper: Which just happens to be a kid. This is so embarrassing…
-What did you say?
-Nothing!
-Good.
They were both looking at Amy now.
-Think she’ll be all right?
-For our sakes I hope so. She’ll be asleep for some time now, but we better make haste. We don’t know when someone might arrive. With that entire racket it should be very soon.
Amy’s wings were now re-entering her body leaving two bloody scars on her back, and her fur was back to white too, she was now just like before.
-What tha?! How tha hell did she do that?
-I do not know. But I know it is related to the collar she was talking about. I’ll go get it. Meanwhile you get hold of her and get ready to leave.
-Got it.
Ivan picked her up. Some blood was still dripping from her back.
-Hm you definitely look prettier this way. But just what the heck are you?
-I got it. We’re leaving now.
-Okay.
And then they left the building.
The last thing Amy remembered was being laid down on the floor feeling intense pain, but it was suddenly over. The pain just disappeared in moments just as the floor and Kari and everything else for that matter. She was now standing in total darkness, an empty void. Amy had no idea where she was but images were slowly materialising in front of her.
She was in an all white room, a normal bedroom only everything was white. She was lying on a small bed. She could see herself but she seemed smaller, younger. The room also had small white desk with a white chair, and there was a book on the desk. Amy got up and approached the desk to see the current page. It had some blurry spots, like if they got wet and then dried up, making them unreadable. Tears?
May 26, 2154
Today is ………th birthday and the las…..ay I’ll be with her. She is to start her military training tomorrow and so I’m no longer ne.......ry in this experiment. The separation will be hard for bo……f us. I never thought I would grow feelings so strong for h………or years I have defended the ideal that humans should not mess around with Life a……ture. I’m still surprised how I was able to take this job. But know I care dearly for her, she i……ke a daughter to me, yet she is not “nat…… How ironic… It won’t be easy for her too, though. I’m afraid I’……he only family she has and they don’t even bother about that. She even calls me mommy. Poor child... if only she knew the fut……at awaits her… I wish I could change it, change her future, but I will only belong to her past. Well she is waking up now, so its time to tell her. I hope she doesn’t grief on our separation as much as I do…
It seemed to be a page of a diary written by someone who apparently took care of Amy. But who? This seemed very familiar to Amy, but she could not remember who this woman was and the separation she was talking about? It made no sense. And if she was her mother what did she meant by “this job”?
These where too many questions for her, she did could not understand any of this! And the date, May 26, 2154? Her birthday? And how long ago was 2154? She needed to know this, she needed answers! But where to get them? Amy’s eyes then slowly stopped on a door. A door! The outside! The exit of this awkward place! Surely she would find answers beyond it!
She rushed into it but what’s this? There was nothing to open the door with. No doorknob, no lock, no nothing! This door could only be opened from outside. Amy felt her happiness quickly fade away.
She collapsed to her knees and leaned her chest and face on the impregnable door. There was no way out…