Percy

Beep. Beep. Beep. All he could hear was the same beeping sound, over and over again. Where was he? He sniffed the air. It stunk, that sour smell that made his nose want to run far away. Those stinky humans. He could now hear the ramblings of crackly voices from a distance. They always sounded like there was a mouse stuck in their throats. Just the thought of them made his fur stand on ends. It was hot, wherever he was, and there was cold metal around his skin. The thought of water was now plaguing his mind. He tried to open his eyes, but felt too exhausted for even the simple of movements. The human voices were growing louder and closer.

“I think he’s awake!” a female human’s voice said. “I see brain activity here on the chart.”

Wait. He rapidly opened his eyes, causing the woman with the soft yellow hair to squeal. Two men now came into view, one was heavy and bald with gray hairs growing around his oval ears, the other had much darker hair, black things around his eyes, and looked half the size as the fat man.

“I wonder if it worked?” said the skinny man. Percy looked at them all, trying to absorb everything in. First, he was in a dark room. The Experimental Chamber. He had been here before, many times. He did not like this place. It was strange, and the humans weren’t nice. They stuck something painful in his fur, poked, and prodded him before he fell asleep. He did not know what they did to him, but now he knew one thing.

“Record this, Mr. Jankins,” said the woman and Mr. Jankins pulled out a clipboard from a nearby table.

“First, let us check his physical behaviors,” said the skinny man. He pulled out a giant tube from another table and shined it over him. Percy blinked at the blinding light.

Get that stupid thing out of my eyes! he thought.

“He recognizes light,” said the skinny man. Write that down. Mr. Jankins did this.

Of course I blink at light, you moron! Percy thought.

“Let us check his fur, Mr. Plote.” The skinny man obeyed, and pulled back some of the fur with his smooth fingers. The woman pulled out a round glass thing and put it close to Percy’s fur.

“No rashes. No discoloring. Everything looks normal. Write that down.”

“There does not seem to be anything different with this cat,” muttered Mr. Plote.

“Patience, Mr. Plote,” said Mr. Jankins. “I have been doing experiments similar to this for years. Sometimes you do not notice changes until days later. Even weeks. Sometimes, you do not even notice changes until the animal is dead.”

Dead? Percy tried to lift himself off of the table, but the metal bar held him down. He had to be careful that he did not make too much movement, or they would torture him some more.

He must have done a good job, for the woman said, “He doesn’t seem to move much. He must still just be waking up.”

“Perhaps we should wait, Ms. Simands?”

“No, Mr. Plote. If we wait, then that means we will have to be here for another couple of hours. I would like to go home now, but we must gather as much results as we can, so we can present it to Mr. Brade tomorrow.”

“The results you were expecting were that the cat would be more sensitive to its environment, is that correct?”

“Yes, Mr. Plote. I do not believe we gave him too much anesthetics, so I am not sure why it is taking so long to react, or move at all.” Ms. Simands pulled at Percy’s tail, so hard that he almost cried out. Instead, he stayed quiet, thinking to himself how Ms. Simands would make a nice scratch post.

“Check his heart,” piped up Mr. Jankins. “What is his blood pressure?”

“It is normal, for a cat,” said Ms. Simands, as she looked up at the machine.

“His eyes keep following you, Miss. I think that cat might like you!”

Like her?? All I want to do is scratch and bite her as much as I can!

“Maybe that is the sign.” Ms. Simands leaned her face close to Percy’s. Her breath had a strange smell to it. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers in front of Percy’s face. Unable to hid it any longer, he blinked his eyes and tried pushing his head as far away from hers as he could.

“Did you see? Did you see? Record this, Mr. Jankins!”

“I will, but may I remind you, Ms. Simands. You might be the boss’s niece, but I have been working here longer than you. You still have much to learn. One day, you will also have to know how to fill out this paperwork correctly.”

“And I may remind you that as Mr. Brade’s niece, and having no children for himself, I mean quite a lot to him. If you mess with me, Mr. Jankins, you mess with him. I have no problems reporting your comments to him at tomorrow’s meeting.” Mr. Jankins was frowning, and Mr. Plote had a worried look on his face.

“I think, Mr. Jankins was just trying to help,” said Mr. Plote. We know that the cat has at least one reaction. Though I am wondering if the drugs gave him the opposite effect, maybe we could put him back in his cage, and see how he reacts? The restrainment belt might be what is causing errors in our data.”

“We should not take it off incase he attacks, or bites. I had a dog do that to me once when we were researching a cure for rabies. Alas, the drug was not effective, and I had to go through many painful shots.”

“Yes, but the cat does not have rabies! Or any other dieses for that matter! We checked that!”

“The drugs we gave him might have done things to his body that we did not expect.”

I wonder if they expected that I could hear and understand every bit of their conversation! Percy thought, gleefully. I hope they unstrain me!

“I agree with Mr. Plote,” said Ms. Simands. “Let us take off the belt, and bring him back to the Isolation Chamber, so he won’t be distracted by the other animals.”

“I say you are making a mistake, and I will also let Mr. Brade know that I objected.” Mr. Jankins put down the clipboard. I shall take no more part in this. Good night. He turned, and walked away. Percy could here the opening of a door vibrating across the walls, and then the door slamming. Percy’s ears shot right up uncontrollable.

“Will you look at that! Look at how Mr. Jankins slamming the door has startled the cat! Maybe the cat was just pretending that he was still asleep!” Mr. Jankins laughed, as he pushed the black things close to his eyes so that it magnified them, making him look like a giant bug.

“Don’t be ridiculous. There is no way a cat could pretend. Pretending is a human trait. Dogs can pretend to be dead, but no in the context that you are implying. Now, let us release the strap, and bring him to the Isolation Chamber!”

As Mr. Plote was about to undo the strap, he looked at Percy. “I think that cat is smiling at me!!”

“You have been working way too hard, Mr. Plote. The animals here are lab animals. They are stupid. That is why we use them for tests and studies. He does not think like you or I.”

Oh, what a foolish woman.

As soon as the metal disappeared from Percy’s skin, he leapt off of the table before either human could grab him.

“So he was pretending!”

“You idiot! You should have been holding him so he wouldn’t escape! Go catch him!”

“You were the one just standing there!” And while the argued and scrambled to catch Percy, Percy was searching for a way out. All the doors were closed, and there were no windows. He ran under the table, looking and thinking. Where could he go? Then he saw it. An air vent, right above a set of metal human things with papers piled high on top.

Percy flashed to the top of the metal things, flying over tables and hands as he leapt like a bull frog. He clawed at the vents vigorously, trying to get it open, while the humans below were jumping up and down, trying to figure out a way to catch him.

“Grab a chair!” screeched Ms. Simands. Mr. Plote was already climbing a table to get at Percy’s level, ignoring Ms. Simands, who had to get a chair for herself. Percy continued to scratch. He could feel it jingling beneath his paws. He was loosening something. He then felt something touch his side. Percy hissed, and scratched off the black things from Mr. Plote’s face. He let out a yell. Percy turned back to the vent and continued scratching. He heard a loud thudding sound from behind him. Then he felt something grab his back legs.

“Gotcha!” Percy tried scratching with his free paws, but could not get at Ms. Simands, no matter how hard he tried. He squiggled and squirmed, and finally bit her hand. She let out a yelp, and fell backwards on the floor, half on top of Mr. Plote. During the struggle, Percy’s back legs had kicked the bars of the vents just enough for a kitty cat to squeeze through. That is exactly what Percy did. Where these vents would take him, he did not know, but something told him this was the way to go. He sped through the narrow tunnels that twisted and turned, coming across a spider web from time to time, or a dead end.

As he crawled, he could hear noises from some vents below. They were the sounds of neighing and barking, from agitated animals below.

Percy could see through the vents the other test animals he would occasionally encounter while in the lab. The only ones in his views were a pitbull, as the humans called it, and a couple of horses. The humans loud noises woke Percy from his stance, and he quickly continued to travel through the vent maze.

At last, he came to an end and Percy could smell the fresh air of freedom just ahead. He sped along the path and immediately began clawing at the closed gate before him. He clawed and kicked, but as he did so, he realized that there was something else outside. There, on the other sides of the bars, were the two humans, Ms. Simands had a handkerchief tied loosely around her hand.

“There’s no other way out. Knew he would come here,” said Mr. Plote.

Maybe if I get this bar opened, I can jump far enough where they can’t reach me.

“Wait. We should back off,” said Ms. Simands.

“Why should we do that?”

“Because I think he is planning to jump far so we cannot reach him.”

“I thought you said animals weren’t smart? Why do you think he can do that?”

Oh, no.

“Woman’s intuition. Something God didn’t give men.” There was no other choice that Percy had. He continued trying to knock down the vent.

Finally, he was able to make enough room for him to squeeze through, just like before. Percy poked his head through the bars, but stood there, watching the humans below and trying hard not to think. He had a bad feeling the woman could hear him. The humans below were standing there, staring at him. It was obvious that they all they wanted to do was catch him and were wondering what move he would make. Percy jumped, but stayed within the vents, making a clanging noise. Hearing this, both humans jumped towards the vent and fell to their knees. Taking this opportunity, Percy leapt out of the vents, claws out. He landed on the back of Mr. Plote. He hollered. Percy Jumped off and sped toward some bushes. He followed the bush path until he saw a gate ahead. Beyond the gate, was freedom. He knew it. Squeezing through the bars while the humans were searching blindly through the dark, as they forgot their light thing, Percy made his way out of the laboratory and into the night.

The Stranger

The village of Happy Valley rested peacefully between several purple-blue mountains. Sprouted throughout the town were neat little houses with cleanly trimmed yards and gardens. In the center of the town were the Town Hall, library, and the school. Shops were spread throughout with farms located on the outskirts by the mountains. Happy Valley was quite unlike any other town. There were prisons or police officers or court houses, as there were no crimes. Everyone got along and did their fair share of work. There was no complaining and no crying. It was the perfect town, and everyone who lived within it were quite happy.

However, there was one girl, of the age of sixteen, who did not quite fit in with everyone else. She was pleasant, and pretty, with shoulder length brown hair and silver barrettes just above her ears. She wore a long jean skirt and a puffy soft pink shirt. From appearances, she fit right in, but she was the only person in town who did not accept just logic and answers, but asked questions. She knew there was more over the mountains deep down in her heart. However, even she was in the trance of Happy Valley.

“Do you have a lot of homework, Billy?” she asked.

“Yes, I do, but I’m sure it will help me learn!”

“Of course it will help you learn. Why else would our teachers give it to us?” chuckled Todd. “Do you have a lot Sally?”

“I have a bit, but I should get it done before the Town’s Meeting.”

“Oh, yes, the Stranger is visiting, isn’t he?” asked Todd.

“Stranger,” mumbled Billy under his breath, so the others wouldn’t hear.

“Yes, and I’m going to eavesdrop on them again. There’s something strange about him.”

“He seems like a normal guy to me,” said Todd.

“Are you coming with me then?”

“Well, it is ok, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Mama Joe said it was ok. She said the Stranger didn’t mind,” Sally lied as Billy rolled his eyes. “You coming with us, Billy?”

“No. I have things I have to do tonight.”

“Oh, you always have things you have to do. I wonder where you go at night. Sometimes I wonder if you actually leave town!” Sally gave him a playful shove with her elbow.

“Now, darling, don’t be silly. It’s…the work. So much work I have to get done. In fact, I probably should go start that right now.” The three of them, who were walking with Billy towards his home, stopped at a little red house surrounded by a pure white picket fence. Pansies and forget-me-nots were lined along the outside of the fence.

“You will at least kiss me good-bye?” asked Sally.

“But of course, my angel.” Billy kissed her on the cheek. “See you guys tomorrow!” He left towards where the sidewalk turned by the red house and disappeared along another street.

“Billy is sweet, but strange,” said Sally.

“Well, Sally, shall we head to the library to get our work done?”

“Of course, Todd!” The two turned and walked back towards the school and library, side by side.

It was the routine they did every day after school, and since they went to school every day, they fell into the same routine. The only thing that disturbed the routine, besides weird remarks from Sally, and sometimes Billy, were the visits of the Stranger. He usually made it known ahead of time of when he would arrive. The town was all aflutter, making sure everything was clean and perfect for his presence. Though the Stranger came every couple of months, it was a big deal of when he would come. The Stranger brought with him good things, supplies and food, logical advice, and he would always have a surprise visit with a couple of the families.

Four months ago, he visited Sally’s family. Sally lived with her mom, a nurse at the school who took care of children’s boo-boos, and dad who helped the farmers, a younger brother named Joe, who was only eight. He asked them many questions, what their names were, if they liked their jobs and education, and if they had any complaints. When Sally told him she did not like the food that the school served them, the Stranger’s eyebrows raised so high that they disappeared within his jade bowler’s hat.

A couple of weeks later, the food got better (though Sally still didn’t like it). One good thing that came about since the visit of the Stranger was a new student to their school. Billy. Everyone was excited, because never could they remember having a new person in their town before. Sally fell for Billy right away. He was slightly taller than her, with dirty blond hair and bright blue eyes. He wore blue jeans with holes in the knee and a loose shirt of some color and design. Sally loved him because he questioned things, just like her, making her feel not so different.

Supper time was approaching, as Todd and Sally finished up the last bit of their homework. They put their books in their backpacks and headed out of the library.

“I’m going home. Mom always leaves me something good to eat for when the Stranger comes! She always makes extra, if you want to come, too.” But Sally grabbed Todd’s shoulder.

“You are coming with me. Let’s go.”

“Ok,” said Todd. The two of them walked past the Town Hall, where families have been discussing what they should tell the Stranger when he comes, gathering together different items and crafts from the town as gifts to the Stranger, and putting up the Welcome banner. Everyone was dressed in their best. The Stranger, however, would not go to the Town Hall. Instead, he would go to Mama Joe’s family restaurant, where the town would meet and great him.

Mama Joe was a heavy dark woman, and one of the best cooks in town. Her restaurant had the setting of a saloon, without the alcohol. She had two daughters, a son, and her husband who helped with their restaurant, along with other employees. As the time of the Stranger’s arrival grew closer, everyone was bustling about inside, sweeping the floors and whistling, preparing a wondrous meal, for not only the Stranger, but all those who had the honor of dining with him. Hiding between the bushes that bordered the restaurant, Sally could hear Mama Joe’s booming voice.

“Is that soup ready? Set the burners lower then, dear. Charles, where are you? There you are. You like handsome, sweetheart. Any sign of his arrival?”

“Not yet, my dear. I will go outside and wait for him. The rest of the town should be on their way…” No sooner had he finished saying this, Sally could hear chatter and footsteps from up ahead. Sure enough, the town was on its way from Town Hall, singing merry songs about happiness and harvest.

“Duck!” said Sally, pulling Todd down behind the bush. The group of people came to the entrance, where Charles greeted them, shaking hands until Mama Joe pushed him out of the way unintentionally, and gave everyone who came within reach a huge hug. When the crowd had disappeared inside the restaurant, except for a few stragglers who were spread throughout the town to announce the come of the Stranger, Mama Joe went inside and closed the door. Charles was standing just outside, all ready. Sally put her ear against the wall, and Todd followed pursuit. There was so much chatter, it was hard to hear what everyone was saying.

They sat, crouched by the bush, for awhile before they finally heard voices. “He’s coming!”

“He’s coming!”

“He’s coming!”

The calls grew louder and reached Charles, who opened the door and yelled as loud as he could “He’s coming!” Emerging from the darkness came two bright lights, as a slick black car, the only vehicle in Happy Valley, came into view. The car stopped right in front of Charles, who bowed. A door swung open, and from the driver’s seat emerged a tall man, dressed in a black suit so he blended in with the shadows, a bowler’s hat perched on his head.

“Good evening. We have a meal waiting for you, sir.”

“Thank you,” said the Stranger, who was taking off his hat as he followed Charles into the restaurant.

“They’re going to eat before they start talking about what he’s got for the town,” said Todd. “And I’m really hungry, Sally.” Sally opened up her backpack and threw a sandwich at him.

“I knew we’d be hungry, so I made these ahead of time. If we leave, we might miss something important.”

“What do you think he’s going to say?”

“I don’t know, but I want to find out.”

Todd was right. All they could hear was the same excited chatter and the clinging of plates and glasses. It was a long time before the Stranger spoke.

“Another wonderful meal, thanks to Mama Joe!” There were cheers, and Sally could bet that Mama Joe was blushing. “Now, let us get to why I am here. I have read through the report you have written to me last time I was here. This report are very good. Your wells have been dry, and I have immediately instructed Mr. James Clark and Mr. Samuel Smitts on how to properly construct more wells. Have the wells been installed?”

“Oh yes!” said several people at once.

“Are they working?”

“Yes! Yes! We have plenty of water again!” There were more cheers.

“Good, good!” said the Stranger, in his usual half-cheerful voice. “What are your requests this time?”

“I’ve been having trouble producing crops. I think there might be something wrong with my soil.”

“Is there any way I could have some updated and new text books?”

“I’m running low on supplies at my hardware store again. It’s nothing unusual.”

“I’ve seen a strange mythical creature that comes out at night by the trash cans.” At this, the whole room grew quiet. Sally gasped. It was not like Mama Joe to hallucinate or make up stories.

“A mythical creature? What kind is it?”

“I believe it is called a ‘cat,’” said Mama Joe. “I saw it just tonight when I was taking out the garbage, but it disappeared quickly.”

“Out of simple curiosity, Mama Joe, what did this cat look like?”

“I couldn’t tell. It was dark and ran quickly. I’m sure it’s just because of my tired eyes! But why would I see it?”

“It probably is just your imagination,” said the Stranger, though Sally could hear a hint of nervousness in his voice. “You have been working too hard to please me. Take it easy next time, Mama Joe.”

“But of course, silly me!” said Mama Joe. “Don’t you go minding me!” The talking began again.

“Do you think it’s true?” whispered Todd. “Do you think Mama Joe really saw a cat? They don’t exist, that’s what we learned in school.”

“No, Todd. I think she might have seen a real cat. I believe in Mama Joe.” Sally leaned up to the window and peaked through. Mama Joe was leaning against the wall, her face in her hands. Charles had his arm around her, and her children, who were a little younger than Sally, Todd, and Billy, were holding their mom’s hands; Sally was sure they were whispering words of reassurance to her. Everyone else was waiting for their turn to make their requests to the Stranger while Maria, who was the mayor of the town and responsible for preparing for the Stranger’s coming, was holding a report of the Valley’s requests. The Stranger was nodding to everyone and shaking hands, but Sally watched as his eyes shifted away from the others and stared direction at the window she was peaking through. A frown appeared on his face, as he turned back to the others, who were oblivious to his brief lack of attention. Sally ducked back behind the bush.

“I think he saw me!” she hissed.

“That is good, right?”

“I don’t know, Todd.”

“Then let’s go home.” Sally sighed as she picked up her backpack. She and Todd were making their way to the road when the doors burst open and Mama Joe came running out.

“My dear, my dear! Erin! We need to talk,” Mama Joe said, excidedly, as she made her way to Sally and Todd.

“It’s Sally, Mama Joe.”

“Oh, silly me! For some reason, I just keep wanting to call you ‘Erin.’ Now, I don’t know how much you have heard in there, but I have a message from the Stranger. He wants to see you! It is a great honor! Todd, dear, would you help clean the dishes? The night is almost over, and we need as much help as we can to close up.

“Sure thing,” Todd said, as they made their way into the restaurant. Sally could feel a lump in her throat. She did not like the Stranger at all. A simple hand shake made her skin feel like ants were crawling up and down her arms and legs. The Stranger emerged from the crowd, the handwritten report grasped in his right hand.

“Sally Shepard!” he cried, as he threw his arms around her into an awkward hug. “You and I should have a private little chat, before I visit the Tomson family. Is there a private room we can talk, Mama Joe?”

“Oh, of course, of course! Right this way!” They made their way to the back of the restaurant, past rows of wooden round tables and chairs and to the right to a dark and quiet corner. “I’ll make sure no one bothers you!” Mama Joe said cheerfully, as she bustled away. Sally stood there in front of the Stranger, her eyes looking to the recently swept floor.

“Now, now, Sally. I saw you peaking through the window. These meetings are for adults. You understand this, right?”

“Yeah.”

“If you know this meeting is just for adults, why were you coming by?

“Because I was curious what you guys talk about, and why you do not include children, or teenagers, to your meetings. I still do not understand why.”

“I see,” said the Stranger, nodding his head and clenching onto his bowler’s hat with his right hand. “So, you do not think you did anything wrong?”

“I’m not sure if what I did was wrong or not. I say it’s right, you say it’s wrong. What you talk about and discuss should be open to everything, I think.” To Sally’s surprise, the Stranger smiled.

“Well, well, well! You have given this a lot of thought! There is nothing wrong with being curious at my visits. Surely you know I only bring good things to this town?” Sally said nothing. She did not agree with this, but she had no physical evidence otherwise why the Stranger would bring bad things to town. Her intuition told her he did, but she had no idea of what.

“Well, Sally, I must say, you are a very special young lady. You think differently, more logically, then anyone else in Happy Valley! Truly remarkable you are!” He leaned up to her ear and whispered, “Now, I have just the thing for you. But you must not tell anyone about this. It’ll be our little secret, is that all right?”

“Yes, sir,” said Sally, trying to be polite. The Stranger reached into his pocket and pulled out a green candy wrapped in clear plastic. He took Sally’s right hand and placed the candy on her palm.

“This is a special piece of candy,” he said, his tone in a way that Sally could have been a five year old about to get a special treat for being a good girl. “It will make you very happy. You will like it!” Sally looked at the candy. It looked like a shiny emerald, enclosed around some sort of liquid that jiggled slightly when Sally moved her palm.

“You must not tell anyone about this, or everyone will want this special candy, and it is rare and hard to get,” said the Stranger. “You cannot even tell your best friend, Todd Jacobs, I believe? I know joined you behind the bushes, reluctantly I bet?” Sally did not answer. “If you want people to be happy, do not make them unhappy. Am I right?” Sally nodded, wondering how the Stranger knew that she and Todd were best friends, and that he was with her by the bushes, even though he really didn’t want to be there. “Well, why don’t you try it now?”

As Sally slipped the candy into her pocket, she said, “Thank you, but I would much like to try it later. I am sure it is mighty tasty!” She must have emphasized the word ‘might’ too much, for the Stranger gave her an odd look and flicked his mustache, as if he picked up on her sarcasm.

“Yes, it is. Keep it safe, Sally.” The Stranger patted Sally on the shoulder as he went to join the crowds, though he looked behind his shoulder, watching Sally very carefully as he went.

Sally had already decided that she would not eat the candy. She had also decided that the Stranger was strange…too strange. If you want people to be happy, do not make them unhappy. Sally walked back towards the chattering town, seeing her father talking with a couple of farmers, Keith and Eric. She knew her mother was at home with her brother, and probably was happy because she knew that even though Sally wasn’t there like she should have been, at least Sally was safe and happy. Sally’s teachers were drinking coffee and talking about what a beautiful day it had been outside. Todd’s parents were chattering with other people as well. Everyone was happy, as they always were in Happy Valley.

A Cat’s Tail

Mama Joe’s restaurant was clean and tidy and quiet. Everyone was making their way home, talking excitedly about all the good things the Stranger had brought, including flour and apples, fresh pastries and fudge, cloth and sewing needles, cows and sheep, along with many other necessity items to keep the town functioning. The Stranger had already left, and in quite a hurry after receiving an urgent phone call.

Sally and Todd were walking back home. The crowds had dispersed, so the walk was peaceful with the crickets singing in the background.

“That was sure a fun night!” said Todd. “I’m a bit sleepy, but I am ready for another day for school! How about you, Sally?” Sally didn’t answer. She was frowning, and looking at the ground. “Sally, what do you think we’ll learn tomorrow? Maybe we’ll learn about integrals! They are the opposite of derivates you know!” Sally still said nothing. “Math is your favorite subject, right?”

“No, Todd, it’s not.” Sally stopped, and looked at Todd.

“I don’t like this town, Todd. It isn’t right. I’m going home one more time, but then I’m leaving. I’m going to find something else. You’re going to come with me, right, Todd?” Todd stood there, staring blankly at her, the smile still sketched on his face.

“Sally, you don’t want to miss school, do you?”

“Yes, Todd, I do.”

“How interesting,” thought Percy, who was watching in the shadows of a tree. “That human…she is not like the others I have seen around here. Maybe she can help me.” Percy slowly crawled through the grass towards the girl up ahead.

“Sally, you don’t make any sense. Maybe you should sleep for a bit.”

“I’m not sleeping until I am out of here, and you are coming with me. Then we’ll go find Billy and he’ll come, too…AAAH!” Sally jumped as the cat popped out from the grass and onto the road they were walking on. The cat waved its fluffy tail as it made a soft purring sound.

“It’s…it’s…it’s a cat!”

“So Mama Joe is right,” said Sally.

“Cats aren’t real, Sally! We learned that in school, remember? Cats are mythical creatures, and if we see mythical creatures, that means we need more sleep. Let’s go home.”

“No,” said Sally. “The cat is real. Stay with me, Todd.” Todd watched as Sally leaned down toward the cat, reaching her hand. The cat walked cautiously toward her hand and sniffed it. “I can feel his breath on my skin, Todd,” Sally whispered. “He’s real.” The cat gave her hand a little lick. “Oh my! It gave me a kiss, Todd!” Then Sally did something that most people who knew a good thing about cats would not do. She tried to pick it up. By the tail. The cat let out an angry scowl and scratched her and bit her hand. Sally yelled, and leaned back. Red trickled down her hand.

“You’re leaking!” Todd screamed, totally taken aback at the sight of blood, for no one in Happy Valley ever got hurt.

“You stupid human! Why did you hurt my tail??”

“I didn’t mean to hurt your tail! Please don’t call me stupid!” cried Sally.

“I didn’t call you stupid!” said Todd.

“Of course you didn’t! The cat did!” said Sally. The cat, whose tail was straight high in the air, relaxed as he walked slowly to Sally, who pulled her hand away.

“Hold out your hand. I won’t hurt you,” said the cat. Sally listened, and held out her hand. The cat licked the wound, and kept licking it until it finally stopped bleeding. Todd stood there watching. He moved as if he his feet were glued to the ground.

When the cat had finished licking Sally’s wounds, all that was left were two small black spots, only a few millimeters apart.

“Next time, don’t grab my tail,” said the cat, as he groomed his paws.

“But who are you? We have never seen a cat here before. We were taught that cats are mythical creatures, that they really don’t exist. But here you are! I never thought I could talk to a cat before.”

“You are not suppose to be talking to me,” said the cat, who had finished grooming his front paws. “Apparently, humans can talk to me only if I bite them. Well, that’s been my observations so far.”

“So, not every person can talk to a cat?”

“No. And not every cat can understand a human. For some reason, I can now understand all human tongue. It makes perfect sense to me. It must have been something those stupid humans did to me.”

“Humans did something to you? You mean here in Happy Valley?”

“No! Of course not here in Happy Valley! I escaped the Lab and was trying to find the nearest human town so I could find a human family to take care of me. I then came across this town. It was a bit strange from what I remember when I was young, the way people here act,, and how that fat human’s eyes almost came out of her head at the site of me. It was also strange that I saw no other animals besides humans and the farm animals outside of your town.

What I found most unusual is what I saw today. First, I saw a human from the Lab. He was acting so nice, just like the people here, when he is not a nice person at all. I was beginning to think that the town was under a spell, but that didn’t make any sense either. I certainly wasn’t happily skipping across the street. And neither were you.”

“Me? You saw me?”

“I saw you hiding under the bushes. Cats are very quiet animals. That’s how we catch our pray. I didn’t want to bother you, so I went to the other side of the building to hear what the Lab scientist was saying. I was quite curious.”

“Who is the guy you saw from the Lab?”

“The guy with the mustache.”

“You mean the Stranger?”

“Yes, I believe that is what you people referred to him as. I don’t know his real name. It was probably mentioned in front of me many times, but I couldn’t understand humans then.”

“I knew there was something wrong about him!”

“I don’t know what he is doing, but I bet the Lab is up to this. Everyone here is so happy. The people I know are just the opposite; they argue all the time. I bet one of them on my way here. I think she could hear me.”

“I’m confused. What are you talking about?”

“The lab. It’s just down the street. Its got lots of test animals. I was one of them. I’m not sure what they did to me. I remember seeing many of the animals, and I have memories of my life before I came here. My master was very nice to me, but one day, I didn’t see her any more. Some other people started watching me, but then some other people took me to the Lab, where I have been kept locked in a cage and watched by the humans.

One day, they took me out and cleaned me up. I was beginning to think that I was wrong about these humans, that they weren’t bad after all. Then they gave me this drug, I fell asleep, and when I woke up, everything was strange and clear. I could understand everything that the humans were saying! I’m not sure if that’s the results they wanted, but I escaped. Then I came to this town.”

“I’m still a little confused,” said Sally, as she bent down to the cat’s level. “So this lab, they test animals, right? What does this have to do with us?”

“From what I have seen, a lot!” the cat hissed. “Even you see it! The people here aren’t right. They are always happy, and that guy from the lab was here. I bet my whiskers that, they are doing the same thing to you humans as they are doing to the other animals, only on a much larger scale.”

“I knew it! I knew something was wrong!”

“Yes, yes. Even though you are different from the others, I believe this happy place has worn off on you, too. You said you were running away, right?”

“Yes. Todd and I were.”

“I…uh…”

“Good. Then come with me to the Lab. We need to free the animals, but I can’t do it alone. Now that I have escaped, they might tighten security.”

“But how is this going to help Happy Valley? If we really are under some experiment, we need to rescue the people from here, too!”

“Yes, and I think the animals can help, if I talk to them. That boy over there called me a mythical creature. You people don’t believe there are other creatures besides yourselves?”

“We know the existence of humans, cows, bulls, sheep, chickens, and song birds. They are all farm animals, except for the song birds of course.”

“Hmmm…well, there are horses at the Lab, that should frighten them for sure. So will the dogs will, and the rats, the beavers, the squirrels, and the rabbits. I am sure there are other animals I have not seen as well.”

“So those animals are real, too? I knew they were! Isn’t that exciting, Todd?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about, Sally. You keep looking at that cat and start talking to yourself.” Todd seemed to have unglued himself, and was now shifting his feet across the gravel. “I think that cat thing is doing something to you. We need to go home.”

“No, we need to rescue the animals, and then ourselves!”

Todd grabbed Sally’s arm. “We’ll miss school tomorrow. Don’t you like school? It’s fun, remember, Sally?” Sally slapped Todd across the face.

“Snap out of it, Todd! We’re going to follow the cat to the Lab! You have to help me!”

“I’d bite him, too, but I think that would give him too much of a shock,” said the cat.

“What is your name, by the way?”

“Percy, and you call yourself Sally? And the other human is Todd?”

“That’s correct!”

“What’s correct?” Todd asked. “You are really scaring me, Sally.”

“I can speak to the cat, Todd, because it bit me. The cat told me that there is a lab with animals that we need to rescue. The animals will then help rescue the people in Happy Valley.”

“Rescue the people from what?” Todd said, sounding panicked and jumping up and down.

Sally sighed. “Just come with me. It’s ok, it’s the right thing to do. My mom told us that we could stay up as late as we want.”

“Really? If it’s ok with her, then I am in! She’s told my mom, right?”

“Sure, Todd.”

“Ok, good! I’m in!”

“You people are in much worse shape then any of the animals you are about to see,” said Percy. “Your friend Todd is starting to scare me.”

“He’s…well, the people in this town, have always been like that. Shall we go?”

“Yes! Follow me!” And as Percy ran into the night, Sally and Todd followed behind, the fist time they could ever remember leaving Happy Valley.

Catastrophe at the Lab

There was no light along the road that they were following. Sally and Todd were following Percy blindly. It was a good thing that cats could see well at night, but Sally was worried they would not find their way back.

“What if something happens to you, and we can’t find our way back to Happy Valley?” Sally asked, out of breath as they were running.

“Nothing will happen to me. And as long as I bite at least one animal, that animal can help you.”

“You’re going to bite them?”

“Yes, that’s my plan. If I bite them, then we could communicate. They might only understand me, or only understand you, I don’t know. It’s worth a shot!”

“What is the cat telling you, Sally?” Sally repeated the message back to Todd. “Ok. You know, the air here is really fresh. It’s nice to be out of that place.”

“Yes, and you seem more relaxed!”

“Well, not really, actually.”

“Not really? What do you mean, Todd?” Todd didn’t reply. He was breathing heavily. He and Sally were not use to running this far for so long. “How much further do we have, Percy?”

“When you see human lights, then we’re almost there.”

Sure enough, just up ahead bright lights cut through the darkness, shining on the trees that bordered the road they were traveling on. Percy stopped suddenly just before the lights, causing Sally and Todd to almost trip over each other.

“Let’s go into the woods,” said Percy. “We need to talk. The three of them went into the woods, far enough where they couldn’t be seen by anyone who was nearby, but so they could still see the black wired gate and fence that rested on the other side of the road.

“Listen, I don’t know the outside very well, but I do know how to travel through the inside. You must follow me and stay low. I just escaped this night, so I am sure the humans are still looking for me. Hopefully by now they’ll think I’ve left the lab and are searching elsewhere. Hsssss!”

“You’re staring at the cat again,” said Todd, who just poked Percy with a stick. Percy swiped the stick out of his hands and stared at him. Todd looked puzzled. Then Percy jumped out and bit his hand. “Ow!”

“Percy said he would bite you so you could listen to him, too. And he doesn’t like to be poked by a stick.”

“No, I don’t! This is serious what we are about to do! While you humans were living in your fantasy world, animals have been suffering under your species’ mercy! Do you not understand?”

“Was that the cat just speaking?” asked Todd.

“Yes, Todd. That’s what we keep telling you. So, what shall we do first then, Percy?”

“Right. There are bushes that line the fence on the side we are closest to. That’s how I escaped. You follow me across the road into the bushes, like you did back in your Happy place. Follow me, and try to be quiet!”

Though Percy could understand humans, he was not thinking of how their bodies were so differently shaped than his. When they scurried across the road and into the bushes, Percy was able to crawl underneath them silently and quickly. Sally and Todd had more trouble, and made loud scrambling noises as they pushed their way through.

“Can you be more quiet?” Percy asked. “There are lots of humans that work here! If they hear you, and I get recaptured, then I’ll never be able to escape, and neither will the other animals inside.”

“We are moving as fast as we can, but I am having trouble seeing you! And Todd and I are too big to get through theses bushes as quickly as you.” Though the bushes weren’t hollies, their leaves still brushed roughly against Sally’s skin, leaving behind many red scratches. She then felt her hand touch something hard and soft.

“Yikes!”

“Ow!” Sally had jumped, her elbow knocking Todd’s chin.

“It’s just me! Look, I don’t see any humans, and there are bushes on the other side of the fence. Just climb up, and hop over. You can carry me and throw me into the bushes.”

Sally reached down and picked up Percy around his belly. Holding him tightly, she and Todd started climbing the fence, as quickly as they could. When they got to the top, they were forced to stop. A spiral of barbed wire was spread across the top.

“I didn’t see this stuff before,” said Sally. “How do we get across?”

“Oh, just throw me over!” Sally gripped to the fence as tightly as she could with her free arm, and leaned her arm back with Percy in it, ready to through him like a football. She wanted to practice her aim a couple of times before finally letting go, just to make sure he’d go over the fence and not into it.

“You are making me dizzy!”

“Do you want to land in the fence, or over it?” snapped Sally. “We are trying our best to help you. You don’t have to be so rude!” And with all her might, she threw Percy over. He let out a wail, that sounded much louder than Sally and Todd’s rustling in the bushes, thought Sally to herself. He landed on top of the bush, then bounced off and out of their site.

“I’m going to scout for humans. You go back into the bushes. I saw a place you can crawl through under the fence when I was trying to run away from the humans, but I have to find it.” Then there was silence, and Sally knew Percy had left. She and Todd dropped from the fence and landed in the bushes, where the ducked back into the darkness.

“That is one bossy cat,” said Todd.

“Yeah. I’m beginning to think this is a bad idea myself.”

“No, this is a good idea. This has something to do with the experiment in Happy Valley, right?”

“Yes, it does. Do you understand what is going on now?”

“Yes,” said Todd. “You see, when we were running down the path, something hit me.”

“What hit you?” whispered Sally.

“My name is not Todd Jacbos. It’s Doug Fisherman.”

“What?”

“And my family lived in a cabin in the middle of the woods. I had two older sisters and two younger sisters. But that is all I can remember. I don’t remember anyone’s names or what they looked like. I don’t remember if they were mean to me, or the nicest people I have ever met. I don’t remember any of that. My name is Doug, that is what I do know, and that my family in Happy Valley really isn’t my family. I do not know who they are. It came to me so quickly…maybe Sally isn’t your real name either?”

“I don’t get it, Todd.”

“Please call me Doug. What don’t you get?”

“I’m the only one in town who wasn’t always happy, right? The experiment didn’t work on me as well as everyone else. But all I can remember is my life in Happy Valley. I am still Sally. What is my real name?”

“I don’t know, Sally. Maybe Percy’s plan will help us.”

“I sure hope it does. I’m feeling quite foolish now.”

“Don’t be. You were right all along. I actually don’t want to go back to Happy Valley. Ever.”

“Todd! Don’t be ridiculus! We have to rescue the people there! There are others just like you, who can’t remember who they are!”

“And what if I return, Sally,” Doug asked, deciding that now wasn’t the right time to correct his name. “I don’t want to forget everything again. The longer I am outside of Happy Valley, the more I’ll be able to remember. I want to remember everything again.”

“I’ve found it!” said Percy. “Unfortunately, it’s back the way we came by the road. We might have to do some digging, but it should work.”

Sally and Todd went back the way they came, Percy periodically sticking his paws through the fence so they could follow him. They emerged from the bushes and turned around the fence. About twenty feet away from the gate was a very narrow hole, just big enough for a cat to squeeze through.

“Percy, I think you keep forgetting that we are not cats,” whispered Sally, as she bent down Percy. “We can’t squeeze through there!”

“That’s why I said we need to dig! Use those hands of yours!” And so they dug, Percy making feeble attempts at one end, and Sally and Doug making not much more success as they kept accidentally throwing dirt at each other.

At last, the hole was narrow enough for Sally to squeezed through. She and Percy had to make it a little bigger for Doug, though. Once they all made it to the other side, they ran back to the bushes, on Percy’s orders.

“Now, I did not see any humans while I was out here, and none have come out yet. This is very good, for they must have searched the entire property now and have realized I am not there!” Percy’s tail was flinging through the air excitedly. “I got out through a vents. That is probably too narrow for you, so I’ll need your help to get me up there. You guys will wait outside. If you here any trouble, don’t come in. If I am not out in what you humans call ‘an hour,’ then try to find me, but be careful!”

“Then what are we suppose to do?” Sally asked.

“Help me if I fail, and guide the animals to your town!” said Percy. “Having humans in my side is very important, and useful!” Sally and Doug once again crawled behind the bushes, with Percy checking up on them now and then. When they reached the spot Percy wanted them to see, he stopped and hissed at them to come over.

“There’s the vent. If you lift me up high enough, I can squeeze through there.” Doug, who was a foot taller than Sally, lifted up Percy to the events. Even he was just a tad too short, standing on his tip toes, but Percy swung his claws up and was able to grab onto the ledge and pull himself up.

“If you hear me meow three times, that means I need help. Stay here.”

“Ok, we will!” said Sally.

“Be careful!” said Doug.

Percy was back to crawling through the vents, only now he felt more vigorous and much less panicked then he did the last time he was in the vents. However, his heart was still racing. Though he could not hear any humans, he knew there were others working there besides Mr. Plote, Mr. Jankins, and Ms. Simands.

He maneuvered his way back to where he saw the horses and pitbull. When he reached their vent, he started scratching at it like he did before. Immediately at the sound of his scratching, the pitbull, and several other dogs he could not see, started barking. Stupid animals! Percy thought. If they keep this racket, I won’t be able to let them out! Percy continued scratching, hissing every now and then to threaten the dogs, but they were so loud, it was impossible for Percy to even hear himself. Then he heard human voices. Percy backed away from the vent and watched through the slots as a door opened and light flooded into the room. A human came in wearing a brown suit.

“Keep it down, keep it down!” he barked at the dogs. The dogs, who did not understand human talk, did not listen. “I said keep it down!” Now that Percy could hear what humans say, he thought it was quite absurd. I bet even if they could understand you, fatty, they would still bark. You are no better than them. Wait, why am I standing up for these stupid dogs who interrupted their own escape? Percy wrinkled his nose and continued to watch the human running toward the cage, shouting. The pitbull leaned up when the man got close enough and tried to bite him. He must have gotten some flesh, for the man let out a surprised yelp and quickly left the room, his right hand over his butt cheek.

Percy went back to the vent and was able to get it wide enough. He jumped through, and walked up to the pitbull first, who was still making a ruckus. This will be a challenge, but if I can get him on my side, everything else should be easier. Percy watched as the pitbull tried to bite him, too, though he was far away and the bars blocked him from getting any closer. When would he realize this? Percy yawned.

Finally, the pitbull was looking worn out, even though he was still barking. Percy made a mad dash through the bars of the cage. The pitbull ran out at him. Percy jumped, just missing teeth from meeting his neck. His back legs kicked the pitbull’s face. The pitbull stammered at this, giving Percy just enough time to bite his side. He left the cage as quickly as he could, knowing the pitbull would be outraged.

“I’ll get you, you stupid cat! No one bites me! No one! I’m coming! Oh, you are just sitting there! You are foolish! Look how I am getting closer to you!”

“Dog, you are not getting any closer to me. The bars keep you away. Don’t you see that?”

“What are you telling me, cat?” then the pitbull paused. “Hey, why is it that I can understand you suddenly?”

“I bit you,” Percy answered, simply. “You can understand me, and I think you can understand humans, too. You might remember me, though my cage was farther away. I was a lab animal, just like you.”

“Lab animal? Talking to humans? What are you saying, cat?”

“I am ‘saying’ that I am here to help you and the other animals escape. The people here are bad.”

“Yes, I’ve figured that out a long time ago. When they separated me from Pawbarky.”

“What?”

“Pawbarky. My girl over there. With the puppies.” The pitbull pointed toward a cage just across the horses stalls. Sure enough, several wet noses were peaking through the bars.

“I see. My name is Percy. What is yours?”

“Moonbarker.”

“You dogs have just as strange names as the humans. Well, let me see how I can get you out of that cage. I can probably pick that lock easily.” Percy scrambled up the bars of the cage, and let his claws expand. He then began picking at the lock. With a quiet but obvious ‘click,’ the lock fell to the floor and the pitbull zoomed out, past Percy, and to the dog in the other cage.

“My dear! I am here!” he said, licking the dog’s nose. Then he turned to face Percy. “You, cat, set her free, too!”

“I plan to set everyone free, but I will need your help. We have to set everyone free without the humans noticing us, and we must escape here as well. There are two humans outside. They go by their names of Sally and Todd.”

“Strange names,” said Moonbarker. “But where do you plan on us going?”

“We can discuss that after we escape. There is a town up the road that some of us will need to go to, especially the bigger animals, and you.”

“A town?”

“Yes. The town is like this lab, only it is lab work on humans by humans. The humans in the town are under a trance. They think cats don’t exist, and I feel they think most animals don’t exist as well. The more species we have, the more we will scare them and perhaps free them as well.”

“And why should we help them?” Moonbarker growled. “They have done no good to us. They have separated me from my love and my children!”

“These humans are different. Like I said, they are lab animals as much as we are. They have suffered a similar fate. For that reason, we work together. Plus, the two humans I have mentioned can communicated with me. I can talk to them and they understand.”

“Is this true, cat?”

“It’s Percy, sir Moonbarker. And yes, it is true.”

“Why should I believe you?”

“I did let you escape, did I not? Now that you understand, I’ll free your wife. You must find the other animals and free as many as you can. Bring them to me, so that I can bite them.”

“You will not bite them, nor will you bite my wife!”

“Biting is the only way we can communicate with each other! I have to bite.” Moonbarker looked very displeased as he bared his teeth and let out a nasty growl, but then he turned to his wife, and nuzzled her nose. When he was staring at her, he did not seem vicious at all, but kind and calm.

“My wife said she would not leave until I return. I will set the animals free, though I am not sure if I can speak to them.”

“You probably can’t, but try your best.” With that, Moonbarker took off. Percy walked over toward the cage where Pawbarky sat with five puppies. Pawbarky was a beagle. She was calm and beautiful, but her children were excited and peculiar looking. It was no doubt that these mutts were the children of Moonbarker and Pawbarky. Percy picked the lock, unsure of what Moonbarker told his wife. To Percy’s relief, she turned to her puppies and they stayed while she stepped out to face Percy.

I’m sorry thought Percy, as he bit Pawbarky’s side. She let out a yelp, and three of the puppies leaped at Percy, who bit them as well, but more in self defense. The other two puppies watched from the back of the cage.

“Ouch! Oh, I am sorry I yelled. Do you understand me?”

“Yes. Did your husband explain everything?”

“More or less. My only concern are my children. They are too young for a journey. That is what it sounds like you told him? I have gone on many adventures as a puppy, but my children were born and raised here. They have never seen the outside. This is our home.” Percy could tell that she was reluctant to leave the only place that seemed safe, but was probably the least safe place for them to live.

“Whereever we go, it will be better than here. You have a cat’s promise.”

“I thought cat’s are bad, mommy?”

“I guess not, dear. Though we must be careful.” At that moment, there was a loud noise. Moonbarker came running back, with many rodents following suit. Squirrels, rabbits, beavers, and rats scampered down the hall toward Percy, who was trying to catch and bite as many as he could. Moonbarker dropped a turtle on the floor.

“You were quite fast!” said Percy.

“Yes, but I saw the human’s light. Bite what you can. The only animals I have not saved were the big ones. There was also another cat.”

“Do not free that cat.”

“What? You have just given me a whole speech about saving everyone, even humans, but you won’t save one of your own species?” Moonbarker growled while Percy continued to bite animals as softly as he could, though they squealed as if he was killing them. “What are you playing at, cat?”

“Was the cat an orange cat? Did it have a maroon cushion?

“I cannot see color. All I saw was a cat on a cushion. So?”

“That cat is owned by Ms. Simands. I have chatted with him. He is very obnoxious and spoiled. He is an enemy, like the humans that work here. We will not let him free.” At that moment, Percy turned around to see all the animals he had just bitten. They were standing there on their hind legs, as if trying to be as tall as the humans. And they were cheering.

“Freedom! Freedom!” they cheered. “And the gift to understand our predators! How great a gift! We will survive! Thank you, oh fanged cat!” Percy watched as the rodents fled.

“Wait!” But they didn’t listening. Finally, the room was empty again except for the dogs and horses, who were watching from their stalls, and the turtle who was walking slowly toward the wall.

“Was that part of your plan, oh, might cat?” snarled Moonbarker.

“Not quite, but if they can get away from the humans, then it is worth it. Now, the horses we’ll need. Did you see any other animals?”

“I saw a black sheep, but she was sleeping.”

“We need to free her, too. You get at the horses…” but no sooner had Percy said this, the door swung open and light flashed across the room, right at Moonbarker and Percy. Pawbarky backed away, her puppies following persuit.

“Here’s what all the commotion is about, Jack!” said one of the humans as he entered the room. “A cat and dog escaped!”

“Henry, isn’t that the cat they were looking for before?”

“I doubt it. We looked up and down this place. That cat was gone.”

“But surely he would have come back? It’s his home now, right?”

“Yes, you are correct, Henry. You phone Ms. Simands, I’ll get these animals.” And the human pulled out a gun from his side pocket. Moonbarker lept toward his legs, while Percy yelled.

“Don’t bite him! We don’t want him to understand us!” Moonbarker’s mouth closed just in time as he crashed into Jack, who had missed him once and a tranquilzer hit the floor. The second time, he missed Moonbarker again, but instead got his own foot. Meanwhile, Percy had crawled into the ledge of the horses’ stall and was trying to undo the lock with his paw.

“We’ve got the cat!” Henry said loudly on the phone. “He’s…hey, watcha doing?” Percy jumped from the stall, flinging his paw as he went and undoing the lock at last. The horse inside burst out and began sprinting to the humans, neighing loudly. The horse knocked both humans down. Percy could see Moonbarker’s body pushed against the wall with the humans. The horse, realizing he couldn’t get out through the door, turned around and began running to Percy’s direction. The puppies were crying, and Pawbarky tried her best to protect them. Percy managed to get into the dogs’ stall just in time, as the horse darted by.

“My reflexes are slow. I must be tired from whatever those humans did to me.”

“How is my husband?”

“I don’t know. I need to bite this horse so I can speak to him, but he is too agitated.” Frustrated that he could get out at neither end, for the door was too narrow for him to charge through, the horse turned around again, stamping his feet and bucking. Two other horses were watching him from their stalls.

“Stay here.” Percy left the safety of the dogs cage and quickly made his way to the other horses. He jumped up to the stall and stared at a palomino horse, whose fur was so bright that it cut through the darkness. Percy knew he had to be careful, for after biting him, the horse would be just as agitated as the other one was now.

Percy squatted his legs, staring into the horse’s amber eyes. When the horse went to give him a smell, Percy bit him on the nose. The horse let out a terrible yell and stamped his feet as Percy flew across the room.

“It bit me! That thing bit me!” neighed the horse. The other horse had apparently calmed down enough to duck his head under the door frame and had left.

“Listen to me!” snapped Percy, shaking his head and getting back on his paws. “I bit you because it is very important that we can communicated!”

“It hurts, it hurts, say what??” The horse looked at the cat, calming down a bit. “You can speak ‘horse’?”

“Not really. We can just understand one another. It has something to do with what the humans did to me. Right now we need your help to escape, and calm down that other horse.”

“Escape? You mean freedom? All the grass I can eat, and not this yucky hay stuff?”

“That’s right. But we need your help to save some humans first. The good humans that is.”

“I’ll do anything, just let me out of this stall!” There was a loud grown from the other side of the room.

“Ok. Barkpaw, go check your husband, and try to prevent those humans from waking up!”

“It’s Pawbarky, and I will. You stay here, children.”

“I can understand dogs too?” asked the horse.

“Yes, and humans, too,” said Percy, as he tried to unlock the horse’s stall using the same technique as before. It took him a couple of more tries, but when at last he was successful, the horse burst out of it, bucking and cheering merrily.

“Go find that other horse and calm him down! I need to talk to him, too! Any other animals you see that you can unlock, do so as well, and send them here. Moonbarker got the smaller ones.”

“Right. Be back in a flash!” and the horse banged her head as she tried to leave the door. “Ow! Why do humans have to be so short!” she snorted, as she ducked her head and left.

“Moonbarker!” Though the other horse in the room had become agitated seeing her friends leave, Percy had to ignore him and headed over to the pile of humans on the floor. Pawbarky was pulling the groaning humans away so she could get at her husband. Percy, who did not have the strength to pull humans but was good at squirming through tight spaces, managed to make his way to Moonbarker. He was breathing, though Percy could tell he was having a hard time.

“Are you ok?” Percy asked.

“I…think…something broke…”

“The humans are starting to wake up. Moonbarker?” Pawbarky was able to move the humans out of the way. She leaned over to Moonbarker’s face, and the two rubbed noses.

“Let me get up.” Moonbarker started to rise, but his legs were wobbly and he started to fall down. Pawbarky licked his cheek and leaned against him so he could try to regain his balance.

“When the horse comes back, we can ride him like the humans do.”

“Don’t mention that stupid horse to me.”

“We’re back! I found him!” The palomino horse came trotting in, the wild horse, now much more subdued, behind her. There was also a black sheep. "He says if you can give him the gift to understand humans, you can bite him, but he prefers his right ear. He’s deaf in that one, and he doesn’t have much feeling in it.”

“Right. Hopefully that will work. If not, I will have to try something else. Can you free the other horse?”

“Of course.”

Percy went over to the wild horse. He was huge, even compared to the palomino. He was black like coal, with a dark mane and dark eyes to match. At the site of Percy, the horse lowered his head. Percy went up to his ear and gave it a bite. The horse didn’t react, but gave a little winy.

“Did it work?” he asked.

“Apparently. I can understand you.”

“Bite him, too!” the other horse demanded. The third horse, now free, walked up toward Percy. Just like what the black horse did, he bowed down so Percy could bite his ear. Unfortunately, this horse’s ears were not so numb, and his hoof kicked back, knocking the wind out of Percy.

“Blasted cat! I didn’t think it would hurt so much!” All that was left now was the black sheep, and the turtle (who was hidden in the shadows, hiding in his shell). Percy, their follower and leader, was laying in a heap next to him, breathing deeply.

Waiting for the Cat

“This is boring,” complained Doug. The two of them were slouched against the brick wall of the lab. They had been waiting there for two hours (Sally kept checking her watch every five minutes). “Do you think he’s ok?”

“He hasn’t meowed three times, yet, as far as I could tell,” grumbled Sally, her eyes drooping.

“If he’s deep inside, I bet he could be screeching and we wouldn’t hear him.”

“I guess he didn’t think of that.”

“Shouldn’t we go check him then, Sally?”

“You heard what Percy said. He was very clear not to go inside.”

“And we’re going to listen to a cat?”

“Well, we have so far.” Sally pushed herself upwards and off of the ground, repositioning her back against the wall.

“I say we wait one more hour, and then go in. He’s a cat, Sally! And we’re humans!”

“Yes, but who is the smarter of the speices?”

“We are, of course!”

“No, Todd…I mean, Doug. We think we are smart, because we are humans and we think humans are the smartest animals in existence. I have a feeling Percy thinks cats are the smartest animals, because he’s a cat.”

“I guess that makes sense…well, I don’t care. If I don’t hear from Percy, I’m going in soon.” No sooner had the words escaped from Doug’s mouth, they hear noises. Human voices.

“What was that?” Sally asked.

“Sounds like people.” The two of them pressed their ears against the brick wall, but couldn’t hear a thing. The voices were actually echoing above their heads, through the vents. It sounded like the crackle a bird makes on the highest branch of the highest tree, loud but unclear. Sally stood up, pressing her palms against the wall, standing on her tippy toes, but she still could not hear a thing.

“I’m going in,” said Doug, matter-of-factly.

Before Doug could move, another set of voices emerged from the vents, followed by a loud rumbling sound. The next thing Doug and Sally knew, small animals were excitedly jumping out of the vent, squirrels, rabbits and rats, all chattering at once so it was impossible to make sense of anything. They rained down in front of Sally and then scurried all over place.

“Wow. Percy must have let them free,” said Sally, as she stood up to watch them hide.

“Sally! Look out!” Before Sally could move, a giant something plopped on her head. Another giant something landed next to her feet.

“Ag! A human!” the something cried, and whacked Sally in the face with his big rubbery tail.

“Well, let’s go!” said the other creature. Doug picked up the creature off of Sally’s head, holding him from a distance. The creature tried to claw and bite him, but Todd kept him at a distance, holding him at arms’ length.

“Lemme go, lemme go!!”

“It’s ok, but…what are you?”

“I’m a beaver! And you are…wait.” The beaver calmed down. “You can understand me?”

“And I can understand you.” Doug gently put the beaver down next to the other beaver. Both of them looked up at the humans.

“A dog lets us out and then chases us, a cat bites us, then all these animals run like crazy, and now we are talking to humans,” said the other beaver. “Care to explain?”

“I can tell you what I know,” said Sally. “Percy, the cat, went in there to rescue all the animals. The humans who work there are bad, as you probably already know.

“When Percy bit you, it gave you the ability to understand him, as well as human speech. That’s how we were able to communicate; Percy bit me a few hours ago.”

“Oh, I see!” said the first beaver. “How interesting! But what are we suppose to do, now?”

“I’m not sure. Todd and I are waiting for Percy to come out. I guess all the animals escaping is a good sign, though.”

“Yes, yes!” said the second beaver. “And what is a ‘Todd’?”

“Actually, my name is Doug,” said Doug. “I thought my name was ‘Todd’, but it wasn’t. Sally and I escaped from a town that was making us think of who we were, but we weren’t who we thought we were because they told us…”

“Doug, that doesn’t make any sense,” said Sally. “His name is Doug, and my name is Sally. What are yours?”

“Woocher,” said the first beaver.

“And my name is Chewipp. You humans have strange names.”

“So do you beavers!”

“I guess it makes sense to ones own species,” said Woocher.

“Hey, Woocher, where is Chikchin? And Treebur?”

“I…I don’t know. They were right behind us.”

“Who is Chikchin and Treebur?” Sally asked.

“Our girlfriends,” said Chewipp. “Do you think Treebur got stuck again? She was putting on some weight recently.”

“Maybe. Humans, can you lift me up to the vent? I’m going to check it out.” Doug lifted up Woocher and stood as tall as he could. It was a lot harder trying to get a beaver in the vent than it was for a cat. Woocher was heavier, and not as quick.

“Jump, Doug!” Doug jumped. “Jump again! Keep jumping until I feel comfortable of doing it myself.” So Doug jumped. He jumped over and over again, until finally Woocher did the same. His paws missed the edge of the vent, and he hit the wall. Doug jumped again, pushing his hand under Woocher and pushing him enough so he could grab onto the side of the vent. Woocher pulled himself up and briefly shook himself.

“Are you ok?” cried Chewipp.

“Yes, I think so. Treebur! Chikchin! Are you down there?” They heard a wailing, but couldn’t make it out what it said. “Treebur is stuck! They’re in there!” Woocher waddled off from view, as the metal doors next to the vent swung open, and a lady and a man came out. The light from the inside seemed to shine direction on Doug and Sally. The other beaver was slightly hidden in the shadows by their feet.

“Who are you?” the woman demanded.

“I’m…I’m…” Who AM I? thought Sally to herself.

“We are the children of Mr. Smyth,” said Doug, quickly. “You do know who Mr. Smyth is, right?” The woman looked at the man, who shook his head. The woman looked like a beauty queen, with neat, slick blond hair, perfect face, a white fur coat and long leather skirt that matched her boots. The man with her was rather thin. His chin looked rough and from the lack of wrinkles on his face, he would have looked young except for the skin around his eyes that were sagging. He had on a black jacket and brown pants.

“So who is this Mr. Smyth?” demanded the woman.

“You don’t know?” asked Doug. Sally looked at him, wishing beyond all wishes that he knew what he was doing. “My Smyth runs this place.”

“No he does not!” shouted the woman. “My uncle, Mr. Brade, runs this lab! Now where did you children come from?”

“Mr. Smyth is here, and he is angry!” said Doug. “He is Mr. Brade’s boss, and he is furious! He knows about the cat that escaped!”

“Cat?” the woman paused. “Oh, that has been taken care of.” Doug and Sally’s mouths dropped.

“You have? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Well, why would Mr. Smith tell you? He does not need to tell his children everything.”

“It’s Mr. Smyth.”

“And you are a liar. And so are you,” she said, pointing at Sally.

“But I didn’t say anything!”

“Yes, but you are a compliance. And what is that?” The lady had just noticed the beaver that was sitting on the dirt. “One of our animals? How did you…” Then a beaver fell on her head.

“AAAAAG!” she yelled, running around, trying to get the animal off of her head. Two more beavers popped up as well.

“Ah! Fresh air!” the first beaver said, excitedly.

“Move your fat butt, Treebur!” said the other beaver, pushing her out. The man was trying to pull off Woocher from the lady’s face, and Sally and Doug were trying to pull the man away from Woocher. They twisted and turned, shrieks and squeaks filling the night air. Then another beaver flew from the sky and joined the commotion. The two beavers on the ground lunged forward, teeth out, and they bit at the man and lady’s legs. They hollered in pain. Woocher and Chikchin slid themselves off, plopping on the ground below. As if the chaos wasn’t enough, through the open door charged out three horses, a black sheep, and six dogs. They knocked the humans out of the way with their hooves and paws. Percy was perched on the neck of one of the horses, an odd shape clutched between his paws and the horse. A pitbull was sprawled out over the horse’s back.

“Everyone is free. We need to get out of here!” he yelled. The two free horses leaned over so that Sally and Doug could climb aboard.

“What about us?” snapped Chewipp.

“Dogs! Can you take the beavers?” Percy asked.

“I can take one,” said Pawbarky. “I don’t know about the others.”

“One can ride my back,” baaed the sheep.

“We can each carry one, too,” said Sally. The animals pulled themselves together, and when everyone was ready, the ran toward the gates. The horse Sally on was so excited, it jumped the gate. Sally was able to hold on by pushing herself and the beaver close to the horse, gripping around him tightly.

“I almost fell off!” she cried.

“You’re squeezing around my neck!” snapped the horse.

“And you are squishing me!” choked the beaver. “I’m going to look like a skinny beaver if you push the fat out of me!”

Doug’s horse did not jump. His horse was gray, and Percy’s was palomino. Both of their fur cut through the darkness, while Sally’s blended in with it.

“I’ll kick down the gate!” said the palamino horse. “Hold on Percy and Moonbarker!” The horse began kicking at the gate.

“It’s hard to hold on when you keep kicking it!” cried Percy.

“Yes, and all this movement is making me feel sick,” groaned Moonbarker. With a few more kicks, the horse was successful, and the gate swung open. Cars came roaring up the road, pulling at another gate up ahead.

“Run run run!” another voice squealed.

“Into the woods! We can talk there and decide what to do next!” cried Percy. The animals obeyed, ignoring the fact that a small cat was giving much larger animals orders. They ran to the other side of the road and deep into the woods, zig zagging here and there.

“Don’t go too crazy, or we won’t find our way back!” Percy shouted.

“You are beginning to bug me, cat,” said the palomino horse.

At last, the group began to slow down. They could no longer see any unnatural light, the moon and the fur of two of the horses glowed just enough that they could see each others’ figures.

“Let’s see who made it,” said Percy, who was still clinging on the neck of the horse. “Are all seven dogs here?”

“Yes, thank goodness my puppies didn’t stray away!” said Pawbarky.

“Thanks Pawbarky.”

“Three horses, obviously,” said Sally’s horse.

“I’m the only sheep,” said the sheep. “That I know of, anyways.”

“I see all of us beavers!” cheered HWoocher.

“Two humans here,” said Doug.

“And I have the turtle. I believe that is all of us.”

“Now, what do we do?” asked Doug’s horse. “We are routine animals. This is quite stressful for us horses.”

“Here, here!” Sally’s horse bucked, quite unexpectedly. She slid off, dropping the beaver to the ground.

“Cut it out! We already have two casualties! Sally human, are you all right?”

“I landed on my butt. I’m just sore,” Sally groaned.

“I say we sleep here,” said one of the beavers, Sally could not make out who it was.

“I’m not much of a runner, but I don’t think it’s wise for a sheep like me to be sleeping out with my predators,” said the sheep, eyeing the puppies who were eyeing her back, drooling.

“My puppies will leave you alone. Am I right, dears?” Pawbarky asked.

“But mom…” Pawbarky gave a threatening bark, and the puppy whined a little, but was quiet.

“I agree with the beaver. We sleep here. We should probably get to know everyone here, too. If we are going to be journeying together, that is only fair.”

“Aren’t we going back to Happy Valley?” Sally asked. “We helped you, Percy. You promised to help us!”

“Oh, yeah. I guess I forgot.”

“Why you stupid cat! Todd and I have been listening to your demands all night! You have been rude and bossy, but we listened, in hopes that you would keep your word! Now you won’t help us?”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t help. I just said I forgot…”

“That’s a big thing to forget, an important promise like that!”

“Look, I just slammed my head against a wall. I’m really not much in a thinking mood. My brain is sore and tired. Please, let us rest tonight,” he yawned, “and we’ll go into town tomorrow. It’ll be better when it’s daylight, because the humans will see us easier.”

“Well, I still don’t know what’s going on,” squeaked a voice. “I hear voices, but I can’t see anyone. Who are you turtles?”

“We are not turtles, we are people,” said Sally.

“And horses,” said one of the horses. The other animals chimed in as well, their species repeated many times, their excitement hard to keep in.

“Ag!” cried the turtle.

“Quiet!” yelled Percy, but the animals continued to chatter. “Please…be quiet!” he yelled again. “Look, no one can see each other. We’ll do introductions tomorrow. To put it simply to the other animals, I was experimented on by the lab humans. My bite allows us to all communicated with other species. I’m quite surprised how well it worked…I wasn’t sure if I bit you whether you would understand me or the humans. These two humans here are also experiment animals, but they live in another place. They helped free us, so tomorrow we are going to help free them. I do not know where to go from there, but we will cross that path when it comes.

“We still have to be quiet, and careful. The lab humans are not pleased at our escape. I do not know what purposes everyone had, and what testings have been done to you for the sake of human research. What I do know is that we are all in the same boat. We are all victims and we need to return to our homes, wherever they may be. This is the start of a new chapter in our lives.”

The other animals cheered when Percy finished his speech. Even Sally thought it was good, being that she was still quite annoyed with his bossiness. At the end of his speech, all the animals prepared for bed. Doug slid off of his horse and helped Percy and Moonbarker off of their horse as well, setting them down softly on the ground. The horses then left momentarily to relieve themselves, while many of the other animals argued over who would get to sleep against the black sheep.

“I say the hurt animals rest against the sheep, only if she doesn’t mind,” said Pawbarky.

“Not at all! Fighting over little old me?” She then sorted like a pig, causing the puppies to jump and run behind their mom, whining.

Sally rested herself against the warm and dirty fur of the sheep. Percy curled up in her lap, and Moonbarker rested his head on the sheep, leaning against Sally’s right shoulder. Pawbarky pushed the leaves away with her paws and rested on the soil, her puppies huddled around her. The horses stood around them; it was nippy, so the animals were trying to get as close together as they could. The beavers were huddled in a pile near the dogs, and Doug was trying to make himself comfortable lying on the ground amongst everyone. The turtle had slipped from Percy’s claws and was now resting by Doug’s elbow.

“Good night,” said Sally.

“Good night!” neighed the horses.

“Good night! SNORT!” snorted the sheep. The animals laughed, the sheep’s belly jiggled Sally’s head. At last, the animals fell silent and eventually fell asleep.

Off to Happy Valley

Sally and Todd were skipping to school. Sally was admiring a rather unusual tree she had never remembered seeing before along the road. It was short, but gnarly with pieces of it’s bark ripping off revealing tan flesh.

“What a great day this will be!” said Todd. “I love learning! Oh, look, it’s Billy!” The tree Sally was looking at turned into Billy.

“There’s my Sally! I was real worried about you!” Billy kissed Sally. Sally giggled. The next thing she knew, Todd and Billy were both gone, and a horse was staring at her. On the horse’s head was a cat.

“Human! You owe me!” said the cat, in a familiar, yet unrecognizable, female’s voice.

“What? Owe you for what?”

“For what you did to me!”

“What did I do to you?” asked Sally, nervously.

“You were born!” cried the cat “You’re mere existence has ruined me! You owe me. Be gone!”

“Sally!” Sally woke up with a start. Doug was standing by her, looking worried. “You ok? You were making a lot of funny noises. More so than the beavers.” Sally looked around. Everyone was up, the dogs and Percy were stretching and yawning, the horses were picking through the leaves for some tasty grass, and the turtle was eating a green leaf.

“Can I SNORT get up now?” The snorting sheep stood up, and Sally, who was still half awake, fell to the ground.

“The beavers are catching us some fish,” said Doug. “I got up early and did some wandering. There’s a creek not far from here. I’m surprised the beavers didn’t wake you. They were making a lot of gnawing noises on some logs. I sent them to get fish so they wouldn’t wake you.”

“It’s a good thing she’s awake,” said Percy. “We need to get going…Oh wow!” The beavers were coming back, their paws filled with fish. The omnivores started diving in, while the herbivores continued with their morning search for grass, and the turtle was looking for fresh leaves and slugs.

“How do we eat this?” Sally asked Doug. All the other animals were picking at the fish, spitting out the scaled, or sometimes, eating them, too. Sally pinched her nose and took a bite of the fish. The feel of the scales on her tongue made her mouth feel like it would flip inside out. Doug, on the other hand, took his nails and started scraping at the scales.

“Hey, that’s getting in my eyes!” Percy scolded.

“Sorry,” said Doug. He started pulling out the meat from the bare areas where he had been able to remove the scales. He popped the meat into his mouth, without holding his noise, and almost spit it out afterwards.

“Mmmuck!” he cried. Sally giggled and continued to eat her fish, holding her nose.

“Never seen creatures who didn’t know how to eat fish! Or like them!” said Percy, who was grabbing the fish with both paws and digging in.

“I agree,” said one of the male beavers, but Sally could not tell which one.

When they had finished their meal, Sally looked around at all the animals. First, the cat. In the dark, she could not tell what Percy looked like. He was a dusty colored cat, his two front paws were bright white while his back paws were a light shade of gray. His tail matched the color of his body, with a white tip at the end. He was rather skinny looking, as if he hadn’t been fed much in days.

Next were the dogs.

“What are your names?” Sally asked them, so she could remember.

“Pawbarky,” said the beagle, with the bright blue eyes, light brown fur, and scattered black and white spots, with a giant spot in the shape of a lima bean on her back. She had a black tip on her tail as well. “And these are my children.”

“I’m Gronny!” said an excited puppy, who had a white spot on her back instead of a black one, and she had a black tummy.

“My names Cratch!” said another one, who was white with black rings around his eyes, a white belly, a body covered with brown splotches, and a half black, half white tail.

“I’m Flapaw, and this is my best sister, Chewbit,” said another puppy, who looked like a smaller version of her mom, except her tail was all brown. Chewbit looked more like Cratch, only her face wasn’t as pudgy, and she had a giant white spot on her back.

“And I’m Sawdder I’m dad’s favorite!!” said the final puppy, who was the only one that looked more like the other dog. He was all black with a white belly. Sally thought she could see a few brown spots faded into his dark fur.

“I have no favorites,” growled the other dog who was all black, even his eyes. His face was in the shape of a cone. He was limping on one of his feet. Seeing Sally eyeing it, he said “Horse kicked me.”

Sally next turned to the horses. The one she had ridden on was all black. He had a black mane and tail to match. There was some white on the lower part of his legs by his silver hooves. The next horse was much smaller, palomino in color. She seemed much more cheerful than the black horse. Her mane and tale were a light shade of brown, and she had some white spots, but most of them were on her legs. Her hooves were a soft gray. The final horse was speckled with grays and whites, as if someone had splattered paint on him for a large paintbrush. His main and tale were gray, and his hooves were black.

“Those humans did awful things to me,” said the black horse. “All I wanted to do is run. You got in my way, that is all.”

Oh, quit being a grouch!” said the palomino horse. “You’ve been snippy ever since they separated you from me!”

“Stupid humans,” muttered the black horse.

“Excuse me for interrupting, but what are your names?” asked Sally.

“Oh, that’s easy!” said the palomino horse. “My name is Neh-nah-nah-nah-neigh-nah-nah-no. That grumpy horse over there is Neh-nah-nah-neigh-neigh-no-nah, and my buddy over there is Neigh-nah-nah-nah-neh. His name isn’t as intresting.” The other animals stared, their mouths dropped.

“And I thought the humans had strange names, but at least there’s are somewhat rememberable!” cried Percy. “How can we remember that? Neh-neh-nah-nah…”

“Not even close cat,” said the black horse.

“Our names are like songs,” said the palomino. “They are popular horse songs. They are easy to remember.”

“You mean horse songs!”

“But of course!” chuckled the palomino horse.

“Your name is now Crazpurr," said Percy.

“You can’t change our names!” said the palomino. “I resent that remark…no! Don’t you go bucking again Neh-nah-nah-neigh-neigh-no-nah!” The black horse was stamping his feet.

“We do we have to be with these ignorant creatures, who have no respect with us horses?” he snapped. “We were the ones that brought them here! Without us, there wouldn’t have been a get-a-way. They would have been caught! And now they refuse to even try to remember our names!”

“I am sorry, Mr. Horse…” started Sally.

“Mr. Horse???” The black horse started bucking again, screaming into the air.

“Cut that out! Do you want the humans to find us?” screeched Percy.

“MY NAME IS NOT MR. HORSE!” growled the black horse.

“All I wanted to say is that you have pretty horse names, but it’s long and hard for us to remember!”

“Then you must have foolish memories!”

“Yes, we do!” Sally admitted. She was hoping if she agreed, maybe that would calm the black horse down. Sure enough, it worked.

“You know, Neh-nah-nah-neigh-neigh-no-nah, maybe we can have them call us by our short names?” said the palomino.

“It isn’t proper for unclose creatures to call a horse by his short name. They don’t show much respect, so I don’t see why we should give it to them. If it wasn’t for us…”

“We were the ones to help them escape,” agreed the palomino, “but we wouldn’t be out here either if it wasn’t for them. We can tell them.”

“Fine. But you have to call us these names, or we are leaving you. My name is Neh-nah.”

“And I am Neh-no,” said the palomino, “and our friend over there is Neigh-neh. Does that work?”

“Much better!” purred Percy.

“I agree,” said Moonbarker.

“Shall we move on to introductions?” said Percy. “The humans should go last. How about the beavers?”

The beavers gave their introductions. They were harder to tell apart by appearances. Treebur was the only one who stuck out, because she was much heavier. That left the other female beaver to be Chikchin. Woocher and Chreipp looked very similar, except that Chewipp had a soft black line on his back.

“And my name is Baah,” said the black sheep. “Though SNORT that is the name we give to all sheep. You are lucky there is just one of me.”

“What about the turtle?” asked Doug.

“I thought you’d never ask,” said the turtle. “Melsh. I prefer to be left alone, though. In fact, I’d rather stay here. One good thing about being a turtle is that I carry my home with me wherever I go, so I can live anywhere. And there is plenty of food for me here.”

“Well, stay if you like, you ungrateful turtle,” Percy said. “Well, that covers everyone, but the humans. Introduce yourselves.”

“My name is Doug Fisherman. I have two older sisters and two younger sisters, Christine, Kelly, Dorothy, and Chelsea. My family lives in a small cabin out in the woods in Chesterfield, Maine, which is just outside of Franklin. It’s a small town, but everyone knows each other. It’s a very peaceful place. My best friend is Jake Crab…”

“Ok, that is enough,” said Percy. “Now the other human.”

“My name is Sally Shepard.” There was a long period of silence.

“Wow. Well, ok, then. Now that we all know who each other are, and that we have filled our bellies, we shall go rescue the humans of Happy Valley.”

“And how are we to do that, cat?” asked Neh-nah who put his head up into Percy’s face and snorted, knocking Percy over.

“Yes, yes,” said Percy, as he was getting himself up again. “I was getting to that. You see, these humans have been isolated from the regular world. Do you agree, humans?” Sally was looking down at her feet.

“Yes,” said Doug. “But you see, I’m afraid if I go back there, I’ll start to forget things. I have remembered so much all ready. Every minute, a new memory comes into my head…” Doug stopped and looked at Sally, whose head was down lower. “The people in Happy Valley have been brainwashed. They came from homes and families, just like you. We have been taught that animals, such as yourselves, do not exist. We are taught that you are mythical animals. Therefore, if you come into town all at once, it will force people to remember that you animals are real. That is the hope, anyways.”

“Very well spoken, human,” said Percy.

“I am honored. You do not seem like one to give compliments,” said Doug.

“I give compliments, but only when I see them worthy enough of mentioning. Well, shall we aboard the horses?”

“You could ask us, first! What if we don’t want to carry you creatures?” gruntd Neh-nah.

“Oh, come on, Neh-nah,” said Neh-no. “Neigh-neh has no problems with people riding his back. Do you, Neigh-neh?”

“No, I don’t mind at all,” said Neigh-neh.

“I still think it would be polite to ask,” Neh-nah grumbled, as he squatted down.

“I’ll read Neh-nah this time, Sally,” said Doug. “You can ride Neh-no. Percy and Moonbarker can then ride Neigh-neh.”

“No. I can walk myself, thank you,” grunted Moonbarker.

“You should ride the horse, and let your legs rest, dear,” said Pawbarky.

“My legs are perfectly fine.”

“And if you sprain them again, you’ll be in trouble! At least set a good example for the children!”

“By showing them weakness? No! But I will help he beavers get on board.”

“I’m not sure how many beavers Neigh-neh can carry. One can ride Baah.”

“Now I am being volunteered, without SNORT any say. Though I don’t mind. I can take the fat one.”

“Oh, why thank you!” said Treebur, without being the least offended at the fat remark. Pawbarky tried to help Treebur onto Baah, but Moonbarker kept trying to push her aside so he could prove that he was capable of helping. The other animals, including Sally, helped board Percy and the three beavers onto Neigh-neh.

“Are you sure you don’t want to join us, Melsh?” Doug asked the turtle, who was hiding in his shell.

“I have had second thoughts,” said Melsh, as he stuck out his head. “It might be nice to be with you creatures, for protection. You are the only animals I can communicate with outside of turtles.”

“I’ll get him,” said Sally, as Neigh-neh stood up, and the animals riding him held on as tightly as they could so that they would not lose their balance. Sally scooped up Melsh and tucked him under her arm as she got onto Neh-no. Neh-no slowly rose up.

“Is everyone ready?” Neh-no asked.

“Yes, SNORT!” said Baah.

“I’m ready to rock and roll!” cried Treebur, who was clinging onto the wool of Baah, her eyes excited and wild.

“We’re ready! We’re ready!” barked out all of the puppies at different intervals. “Then let us go!” shouted Percy. With that, the horses and dogs took off,

weaving in and out of trees, crushing leaves as they went, and knocking out branches of vines that got in their way. They ran further and further through the woods.

Finally, Nah-no came to a sudden stop. Neh-nah skidded across the grown, and bucked, stamping his feet on the ground. Doug was able to hold on. Neigh-nah stopped gently with them while the puppies skipped along merrily between the horses feet.

“Children, please calm down!” Pawbarky said. Moonbarker was panting as he joined the others.

"Why did we stop?” he asked.

“Because we have been running for a long time,” started Neh-no, “and we have no idea where we are going.”

“We need to get back to the road and follow it,” said Percy. “I guess we all got so excited, we didn’t stop to think of where we were going!”

“That is a bad way to start a journey, cat,” snorted Neh-nah. The horses and dogs turned to the right, and trotted forward, making the ride more gentle and comfortable.

It was a rather happy journey to Happy Valley. Everyone’s hearts were filled with excitement and anticipation, except for Sally. Why was it that Doug could remember who he was, and she couldn’t? Why was it that he was remembering things from her past, but all she knew was that there was something in her life beyond Happy Valley? What was it? The questions plagued her mind. She was nervous about returning, not for the same reasons as Doug, but because of the other people there. They were just like her, their pasts forgotten. But when they were free, would they remember everything, too, like Doug? Then Sally would be the only one, her past lost deep inside her memory, unable to be pulled out. The more Sally thought about it, the more depressed she became. Never could she remember being this sad, except for the dream.

The dream she had that past night seemed like a bunch of memories all mixed together. Most of those memories obviously came from events in Happy Valley, but one in particular didn’t make sense. Percy had never told her that her existence ruined his life. It was bizarre that his image would tell her such a thing! However, it all seemed familiar to her before, from somewhere. It was a memory she wasn’t sure that she wanted to know.

At last, the animals reached the entrance of Happy Valley. To their left and right were farms growing produce for the town with areas fenced off for their livestock. There were humans working on the farms out in the distance, but it appeared that they were too busy to notice the unique parade about to enter the main part of the town.

“Let us not run, but walk calmly. When we start seeing more people, then we can run and start the chaos!” said Percy. “If we get separated, we will meet back here, since everyone knows where this is now.” Moonbarker and Neh-nah grunted in agreement while one of the beavers waved his paw.

When they came to the main part of town, they saw people walking around, but there weren’t many. Schools and shops were already open, and the only people about were shoppers.

“This is a disappointment,” grumbled Neh-nah.

“Your plans never seem to work quite right, do they, cat?” asked Moonbarker.

“I am not giving up yet. I say, CHARGE!” With that enthusiasm, the animals took off, neighing, barking, chattering, yelling, baaing and snorting. Doug was sweating and gripping as tightly as he could to Neh-nah. Though as nervous as he looked, he made no attempts to get off of Neh-nah. Sally wondered if he even could, though.

She and Neh-no charged through different streets.

“You know this place, don’t you, human?” she asked. “Can you guide me?”

“Yes,” said Sally. “I say we go to the restaurant. There is a human I want to speak there. But first, stop by that blue house to your left. I have something I need to do there, first.”

“Suit yourself,” said Neh-no. They walked up to the little blue house surrounted by a perfect clean white fence. Sally slid herself off of Neh-no and opened the gate.

“Do you think I can help myself to that grass? I didn’t have much of a breakfast.”

“Go right on ahead. Our goal is to get everyone out of here, so it doesn’t matter what we do.”

“Hurrah! Come here, you tasty grass!” While Neh-no was eating, Sally opened the front door and ran inside.

“Mom? Are you here?” The house was silent. Sally ran into the kitchen, opened a drawer, and pulled out a notepad and a pencil. She put the notepad on the kitchen table and scribbled a note:

I am ok. You guys need to get out of town as quickly as you can.

Don’t ask why. Don’t trust the Stranger. He is not on our side.

Sally

Sally quickly turned and left the house. There were no possessions she wanted to take. They would only be a memory of a life she shouldn’t have had. Neh-no was grabbing as much grass as her lips could grip.

“Va vu veast!” she cried, though a mouthful of grass.

“When you are done digesting, we need to go. We have to get to that restaurant. I have a feeling the Stranger is here, and that is his favorite place to visit.”

“Hold on, let me eat some more.” Sally had to push Neh-no to get her to stop eating. “All right, all right! You are almost as bossy as the cat!”

“I resent that,” said Sally, as she got onto Neh-no. “It’s just that we need to get to the Stranger before he brainwashes everyone.”

“Who is this Stranger?”

“He is the one in charge of this town. Percy thinks he is part of the lab you escaped from. It does make sense.”

“Yes, it does. Well, then, hold on tight, because off we go!”

While Neh-no and Sally plummeted down the roads, they saw signs of the other animals attempt of disorder. Random screams would pierce through the air. Dogs would pop up in different directions, running all over the place, knocking down trash cans and marking their territory. They even saw Percy once, who had left Neigh-neh and was making his own havoc. Sally saw him scratching at the perfect fencing as they flew on by. She did not see Doug or Neh-nah, but something inside her told her that she knew they were ok.

“Keep following this road,” she instructed Neh-no. “We have to pass Town Hall. Then we’ll be near the restaurant.”

“Just tell me ahead of time when to turn,” said Neh-no.

“Make a left here,” said Sally. “Keep going…” She could see the restaurant sitting just up ahead. Her heart was beating wildly under her pink blouse. She could sense danger. “That’s it, to your left. If you could stop there…”

“Not a problem.”

When Neh-no stopped and squatted down so Sally could slide off, she walked through the dusty ground, to the restaurant’s entrance. She opened the doors and stepped inside, unsure of what she would see.

The restaurant was unusually empty. Even though it was more crowded when the shops were closed and school was out of session, there were usually a few people inside, chit chatting and gossiping while drinking tea and coffee. Instead, Mama Joe and her family were the only ones inside. And so was the Stranger. Sally had apparently walked in on the middle of their conversation. The Stranger looked at her, his frown turned into a strange smile.

“Erin!” Mama Joe ran up to her. “Oh, I mean, Sally! I caught myself this time!” She put her arms around Sally, squeezing her tightly. “You just look so much like an ‘Erin’…but you look strange, Sally. Something strange…this is what you were talking about, right?” Mama Joe loosened her grip as she quickly turned to the Stranger. She was shaking. Sally didn’t remember anyone in Happy Valley ever show signs of concern or fear. Was Mama Joe coming back to her usual self? And if so, was everyone else going through the same thing? The Stranger frowned again, as he walked over to them.

“Yes, Mama Joe. This is what I was telling you about. There are two children here in Happy Valley who do not belong. They are like the Cuckoo birds. Remember the story I just told you?”

“Yes,” said Mama Joe. “The Cuckoo bird lays its eggs in the nest of another bird. When the eggs hatch, its new mother feeds them, and takes care of them over her own birds.”

“Exactly,” said the Stranger. “It appears a Cuckoo bird must have left these two children in our town, so that you will spend your resources and time to take care of them.” He looked at Sally, his eyes were flashing dangerously. “But don’t you fret, Mama Joe! These children are going to be leaving Happy Valley. Yes indeed. Then your town will be happy again and back to normal.”

“This is not normal!” Sally shouted, not caring how angry the Stranger was with her and Doug.

“Do not listen to her. She is a cuckoo bird, remember? She wants you to take care of her, because she depends on you. However, she is not taking care of herself. She is making you take care of her. That is not right.”

“No!” Sally cried. “This is not right! You are not Mama Joe! And this is not your family! You all have real families outside of Happy Valley, but you have to leave here!”

“You see what I was saying?” cried the Stranger. “She wants you to leave! The perfect town you have created! She wants you to leave and see unhappiness, a word that does not exist in this society! Do not be a fool, do not listen. Drive her away!”

“The animals and I are here to free you! Listen to me!”

“Animals?” the Stranger looked at her, curiously.

“Mama Joe!” Sally grabbed at her hands, tears streaming down her face. “You are one of the closest people I knew here in Happy Valley. Please, you know I wouldn’t hurt you…”

“Mama Joe, don’t listen to her! She’s only trying to hurt you!”

“Be free, Mama Joe. Let your family be free…”

“…wickedness must go!”

“Mama Joe!”

“SHUT UP!” With that, the Stranger slapped Sally so hard she was knocked off her feet and fell heavily on the floor with a loud thud. She could feel two teeth dancing on her tongue. Then she heard Mama Joe let out a wail. Sally slowly set up, while Mama Joe kneeled down beside her and put a lovingly arm around her shoulders. Sally felt her face press against Mama Joe’s chest. She immediately felt a strange, yet familiar, comfort.

“It’s ok, baby,” she said, in a soother voice. “It’s ok.” Her husband and children were watching like statues. Sally let the tears flow from her eyes, tears of fear, and tears of happiness. No one in Happy Valley had ever cried, there was no need to. Now that the Stranger had lost his temper, his plan was uncoiling. He had lost Mama Joe on his own. The Stranger watched the scene momentarily before walking towards the two ladies and yanking Mama Joe off of Sally, giving Sally a kick as he lifted Mama Joe up.

“She is trash! Why are you crying over her?” The Stranger had lost it. His face was a bright shade of red. The sweet from his face was causing his bowler’s hat to slowly slide down from his balding head. He shook Mama Joe. “Leave her alone! She is nothing!”

“Stop that!” Mama Joe’s ‘husband’ punched the Stranger in the back of the head. The Stranger let go of Mama Joe, but he was able to hold on to his balance and did not fall down. One of Mama Joe’s children ran to Sally and lifted her on her feet. The other was hugging Mama Joe tightly, while her husband wrapped one arm around her.

“You have to leave,” Sally said. “This man wants you here for his aexperiments…”

“SHUT UP!”

“We must go!”

“I said SHUT UP!” The Stranger went after Sally again. Mama Joe’s husband punched him in the back of the head. The Stranger turned to him, and the two started fighting. Mama Joe and her children took off and hid in the kitchens. Sally backed away from the fight. Then the door burst open, quite literally, as Neh-no charged through. Broken shards of wood flew in different directions, raining on Sally feet. Behind Neh-no came in the four beavers and Neigh-neh.

“Your companion human is having trouble convincing people to leave, so is the cat,” said Neh-no. “I heard loud voices as the beavers were talking to me. What is this?”

“The Stranger has lost it,” said Sally. “He is the one who has put the curse on Happy Valley. If we can defeat him, everyone else should have an easier time. Oh!” Mama Joe’s husband had fallen onto the floor. The Stranger threw a chair at him, that broke a leg as it thundered down on him. The Stranger picked up another chair, about to do the same thing, when Mama Joe came running in and hit him over the head with a greasy frying pan. He did not see it coming, but fell on the floor, partially on top of Charles. Mama Joe whacked him over the head again, just to make sure he stayed down, then kicked him off of Charles. She lifted him up back to his feet. There was blood on his face and chest. Mama Joe was screeching, for as there was no need for a hospital in Happy Valley, there weren’t any.

“We’ll take him to another town with a hospital,” said Sally.

“How are we to do that?” asked Neh-no. “We horses can’t carry all those people!”

“Charles can ride your back for now. I can walk.”

“Sally, who are you talking to?” Mama Joe wailed, concerned etched all over her face.

“The horse,” said Sally. “I can talk to horses…”

“We are doomed!” cried Mama Joe. “The mythical animals have come to take us to hell!” Apparently, Happy Valley’s magic was still in the air.

“They are not here to take anyone to hell,” said Sally. “They are here to help us. Doug and I can talk to them, it’s a special gift and a long story.”

“Who is Doug?”

“Todd. Todd’s real name is Doug Fisher. That is what I am trying to tell you. After we leave this place, our real memories will return. Happy Valley is not real, it is only a fantasy land the Stranger created. Come, Mama Joe. Charles can ride on Neh-no. She is already leaning down so he can climb her back.”

“I’d prefer if you do not tell people our nicknames,” scolded Neh-no. “They are to only be used by people we respect, and I do not know these people.”

“I do, and they are good people. I am sorry for disrespecting you.”

“What shall we do?” asked one of the beavers.

“Go to our meeting place,” said Sally. “Neigh-neh, can you stay with us?”

“Not a problem,” said Neigh-neh. With that, Mama Joe helped Charles onto Neh-no. He was unstable, so Mama Joe got on behind him, wrapping her arms around him and Neh-no’s belly.”

“Be careful, Neh-no. We don’t want them to fall off until we get to another town.”

“You can trust me. Shall I join the beavers?”

“Yes. I’m going to go with Neigh-neh and see if I can find Doug. You two,” she turned to Mama Joe’s children, who jumped at the sudden recognition. “You go with your mom and dad and follow Neh-no.” They shook their heads and ran over to Neh-no’s side as she slowly stood up.

“We shall see you soon,” said Neh-no, as she trotted out through the hole she had made. Meanwhile, the Stranger was slowly getting up.

“Quickly, Neigh-neh, let me get on you.” Neigh-neh bowed down, and Sally got on to his back. The Stranger was leaning upwards, his hand inside his jacket. “Let’s go find Doug!” said Sally, as Neigh-neh rose upwards. As they ran, they heard a loud BANG from behind them. Unlike Neh-nah, Neigh-neh did not squeal in fright or buck, though Sally could tell he was shaking. When she looked behind her, the Stranger was standing on his two feet, slouching forward, a gun in his hands pointed directly at Sally.

“Failures must die!” he yelled. He fired again as they ran out of the restaurant. The bullet pierced Sally’s elbow. She gave a sharp cry, but she hung onto Neigh-neh’s neck tightly as he sped down the street. It wasn’t too hard to find Doug and Neh-nah’s handy work. Students from the schools were scattered about everywhere, all talking wildly. On seeing another ‘mythical creature’ coming in their direction, many rushed out of the way. Others stood there, watching curiously, eyes bug-wide opened.

Then a red Camaro came roaring down the street. The Stranger was sticking his head out of the window as he drove toward them, the gun in his left hand now. He fired shots toward Sally. Now everyone was running in a panic, even Neigh-neh was having trouble keeping his usual cool. The Stranger fired again, and a little boy fell to the ground.

“We have to leave! This is not safe for us!” said Neigh-neh.

“But we have to free everyone!” cried Sally.

“You will die if we try. He is determined at that!” Sally could not argue. They had to leave the road as the Stranger was almost on their tail and his shots were getting closer and more accurate. The next two bullets had barely breezed by Sally’s shoulders. Neigh-neh was now running through yards and jumping over the once perfect fences. Sally could hear horrible screams and shouts from behind her; she knew that the Stranger would run over anyone, as long as he could get to Sally. How many people were hurt on Sally’s account? Then Sally felt a sudden sharp pain on her back.

“What did you do?” Percy asked, irritated. He apparently had jumped onboard.

“The Stranger is mad at me, he is trying to kill me.”

“This is not how it was suppose to go! Your elbow!” Percy started to claw it. In instinct, Sally cried and pushed him out of the way. He would have fallen off if his claws weren’t clinging not the sleeve of Sally’s shirt.

“Get me back on!” Percy shouted. Sally moved her arm back and Percy slid back onto Neigh-neh’s back. The street was quiet of people, only the Stranger’s Camaro was zooming down it. He was now at a bad angle at shooting them, and it appeared he just wanted to catch up with them.

“If we go to the meeting spot, he will beat us there,” said Percy. “We must find another place to leave this town. Take a right here, Neigh-neh. I saw something this way.”

“No!” cried Sally. “If we leave without everyone, we’ll be separated!”

“Right now, I am only thinking about our lives! You have a bullet in your arm, Sally! How do you suppose that got there?” Sally didn’t argue, she had no choice. The car sped ahead, and Neigh-neh made a sharp and unexpected right. Sally turned behind her to see the car spin out of control and almost hit a nearby fence, but the Stranger swerved it back on the road so it was aiming at Sally’s direction again.

“I don’t know how to lose him,” said Neigh-neh. “We must get him away from the humans here.”

“I have another idea,” said Percy. “Keep going straight. When I tell you to take a left, do it, and go forward, no matter what is in your way.”

“This plan sounds strange,” said Neigh-neh.

“I have led you in the right direction so far. Do you trust me?”

“No. You have not led us in the right direction. Your brilliant plans tend to backfire, like this one.”

“This one will work! All we need is for the Stranger to hit a house, so he can’t drive his car anymore. You can run faster than he can on foot. We can then find the others and leave.”

“Actually, I like that plan,” said Sally. “Do you think you can do it, Neigh-neh?”

“Yes, I think I can.”

“Good!” The Stranger was speeding ahead of them again. When he came to an intersection, he turned his car sharply to the right, so that he was blocking Neigh-neh. As the stranger was about to move forward, ready to hit Neigh-neh, the horse jumped. Sally could feel herself falling off, and she landed hard on her back on the grass. Percy landed briskly next to her, all four paws on the ground. Neigh-neh’s back feet landed on the roof of the car. He kicked off it, leaving major dents. The Stranger opened up his car and tried to run out, his gun held out, but Neigh-neh buttheaded him. The gun landed with a clank on the road. Percy kept pawing at it so it got further and further away from the Stranger. Sally watched all of this, unable to move. She had no idea what the Stranger was doing now. She closed her eyes, and fell into a restless asleep, her mind was still quite awake.

The Memories of Sally

She could see pictures of her past flashing before her, but they were going by so quick, she couldn’t make any of them out. Then one image slowed down in front of her. She looked up at her neighbor, who was also like a nanny and a second mother to her. She was dark and heavy, but was very friendly and full of love. Everything about her was recently familiar, her eyes, her clothes, her style. She could even here are laugh.

“Erin! You are such a silly child! You remind me so much of my daughter!” And Sally remembered. Her real name was Erin, just like what Mama Joe would accidentally call her. And Mama Joe wasn’t Mama Joe. Her name was Betty Jones. Ms. Betty was the closest person in Erin’s life. She loved her, but what happened to her? How did Ms. Sally get into Happy Valley with herself?

Sally could feel her body moving uncontrollably. When she opened her eyes, she was sprawled out on the back of Neigh-neh. Neigh-neh was walking slowly. They were surrounded by woods and fields, walking just a few feet away from the road.

“Where are we?” Sally asked.

“Ah, she’s awake!” came Percy’s voice, from somewhere below.

“You were really out,” said Neigh-neh. “We were really worried about you.”

“Where is everyone else?” said Sally, feeling an awful pit rise into her stomach and to her throat, as if something unpleasant was trying to come out.

“We’re here,” said Doug. “There’s me and Neh-nah, and I have Galsh with me as well.”

“What about Neh-no? The beavers? The sheep? The dogs? Ms. Betty and her family?”

“Who is Ms. Betty?” Paul asked.

“Where are they?” Sally cried.

“We were separated,” said Percy. “After Neigh-neh knocked out that Stranger guy…”
“I kicked him down, gave him a nice one to the head.”

“Yes, but you didn’t kick him hard enough. I’m sure he’s back up charging after us again. But anyways, after he was down, you were out.”

“You had a pretty big fall,” said Neigh-neh.

“Yes, you did,” continued Percy. “So I had Neigh-neh watch you while I went looking for Doug.”

“Neh-nah and I were up front with the beavers and some of the dogs,” said Doug.

“Yes. Anyways, Neigh-neh and Doug came and Doug helped you onto Neigh-neh’s back. We then traveled back to the front of the town, but we saw that the Stranger called for back-up. More angry humans were coming with cars, guns for humans, and tranquilizer guns for us animals..

“We sped off to the back of town. We were in such a hurry, and so scared, that we left the beavers behind. I have no idea where Baah went, though I did hear her snorting around town. Don’t know where the rest of the dogs were either; they scattered when the other humans showed up. But, there was nothing we could do. Neh-no had already left, apparently. We have no idea where she went.”

“We should go back,” said Sally, as she slid gently off of Neigh-neh. “We didn’t get what we need to get done in Happy Valley. You promised, Percy! We helped you free the animals, but when it came time to freeing the humans, we ran away! Well, you guys ran away, I had no choice!” Sally turned around and began walking in the opposite direction.

“Sally, wait,” said Doug, who also jumped off of his horse.

“It’s Erin,” said Sally, her back to him. “Erin Brockington. And I don’t care what you have to say, Doug. I came to Happy Valley to help rescue everyone. I didn’t finish what I came out to do, so I’m going back.”

“Sally…I mean, Erin. The Stranger and his associates were shooting at us! They were very insistent at killing you! We did what we had to do, and running away was the only thing to do, if you wanted to stay alive!” Erin turned around to face Doug. She knew her face was red and wet, but she didn’t care. Percy stood by Doug’s feet, watching her without speaking up.

“You don’t get it at all, Doug! I have to find Mama Joe, and Neh-no…none of you get it! Everyone in Happy Valley had lives before moving out here! We were suppose to rescue them, so they could get their memories back! They are still trapped in Happy Valley! I’m going back, I don’t care what you guys do, but I want them to remember who they are. They have other families, real families, who are looking for them! I know it!”

“Erin, we need to move forward. If we go back there, we’ll be caught again. It’s hopeless.”

“I don’t CARE!”

“Doug is right. There were many people there from the lab. We have to keep moving on,” said Percy.

“Then move on. I’m going back…”

“No, you’re not!” Doug ran to her, but Erin ran away. She ran as fast as she could, and the tears flooded down from her eyes. She remembered when some kids were picking on her, and Ms. Betty gave her a huge hug and a hot cup of cocoa. She remembered her mom forgot to pick her up at school, so she walked home alone and got lost. Somehow, Ms. Betty found her again. She remembered one day, walking back from the bus stop, and saw Ms. Betty in a rocking chair on her front porch, sobbing. When Erin asked her what was wrong, she said it had been five years on that day when she lost her husband and daughter in a car accident.

Erin stopped at a huge oak tree. She put her hands on its rough back, trying to catch her breath. She cried and cried, wishing beyond wishes that Mama Joe would wrap her arms around her, like she did so many times when she was Ms. Betty. Erin felt sick not knowing where Mama Joe was now. Did she remember who she was? She never seemed to have forgotten who Sally was…a little piece of her remembered that she was really Erin.

Then the images of the students running around the streets, with the Stranger plowing through them, came into her mind. She could still hear their horrible screams piercing the once peaceful air. Was Billy ok? She didn’t remember seeing him. Then she felt warm arms wrapping around her, only they weren’t imaginary. They were much thinner and less knowledgeable than Ms. Betty’s.

“Everything is going to be ok,” said Doug. “We were only trying to protect you. The best thing is to get away from here for awhile. We’ll come back when things calm down, I promise.” Erin turned and wrapped her arms around him as well.

“I trust you,” said Erin.

“I’ll always be by your side. You are my best friend, Erin, even if we weren’t friends before we came to Happy Valley.”

“You are my best friend, too,” Erin said.

“Good,” said Percy. “Now can we get going again? There’s a good chance that Neh-no went to the nearest town to find help for the humans who were with her. Standing here won’t get us anywhere.” Erin and Doug separated and went to the horses, who were already lying down. They got on their backs. Welsh pocked his head out of Doug’s pocket.

“You creatures are so loud! Can’t you give a poor turtle some sleep?”

“We are off now,” said Doug.

“Does anyone know where we are going?” asked Erin, as Percy jumped up behind her.

“No, but if we follow this road, we will find a town,” said Percy. The horses rose to their feet and began their journey again in silence. Erin spent this time crunching through her brain, trying to pull out as memories of it as she could. It’s hard, when there are memories inside your head, and no matter how hard you try to get at them, they are still too far away. That’s how Erin felt. For some reasons, she couldn’t find many memories of her mother, but there were many of Ms. Betty. They had a very close relationship, like a mother and a child. It was ironic for Erin, because she had always felt a close connection to Mama Joe, but never to the woman whom she thought was her real mother. She prayed silently to herself that wherever Mama Joe was that she was ok, and perhaps that her memories could return to her.

They walked through the woods, several feet away from the road to prevent the humans from seeing them, but enough so they could see the road, too. At some points, the woods was so thick, they had to go deep within it in order to move forward. At other points, the topography would slope down sharply and the horses would have to run so that they could get down fast without falling. Erin almost fell off once, and Neigh-neh promised to give better warnings next time.

The journey was quite pleasant; everyone was in their own private thoughts. The weather was comfortable. Even though it was hard to see the sky through the canopy of the trees, Erin could tell that the sun was shining, as if nothing bad had happened at all that day. She tried to put the morning’s events in the back of their mind, but they kept popping up, intertwining with her past memories that were resurfacing.

Erin figured Doug was doing the same thing, that or he wanted to give Erin some time to remember herself. He remained quiet, looking straight ahead, a small sad smile etched on his face. At one point, Erin thought she saw a tear roll down his cheek. He was obviously bothered by leaving Happy Valley. Perhaps, Erin thought to herself, he was just keeping inside him so it didn’t show. Perhaps he was just as upset, or even more-so, than Erin was.

The horses would stop from time to time to paw at the ground in search of grass. Whenever they did this, Percy would speak up.

“Come on, horses,” he’d say. “We need to keep moving. The sooner we get into the next town, the better. I’m sure there will be more grass there.”

“Cat, if we are hungry, we will stop. We are much bigger than you,, and we can crush you flat if we wanted to. Be careful who you boss around,” replied Neh-nah. Percy was quiet after that, though the horses didn’t stop as much.

Even when the sun was slowly slipping away from the sky, they kept walking. Erin’s stomach was making loud noises, and she could here Percy’s as well. She didn’t say anything, though. It was better to keep moving.

Then, they saw light pouring through the trees, and cutting through the new darkness that was emerging.

“That must be the town,” said Neigh-neh.

“Let us run there, and eat!” cried out Percy.

“No, let’s go to the hospital first, and see if Neh-no is there,” said Erin. Whatever they decided, the horses sprinted in delight towards the lights. They came thundering out of the woods, and stopped abruptly by the road. Erin was able to stay on this time.

Cars were lined up along the roads. Everywhere they looked, there were humans about. The horses would look very out of place and suspicious if they came into the town.

“We should get off and search for the hotel on foot,” said Doug, as the two of them slipped off of their horses. “You two should hide in the woods. We’ll come back and tell you everything we find. I’ll talk Walsh with me so he doesn’t get lost.”

“Thank you, human, but how is a turtle to rest with all that human noise?”

“Hide in your shell, you’ll get lost otherwise.”

“I’m going with you as well,” said Percy. “Will you horses be all right?”

“I’m eating as much grass as I want,” snorted Neh-nah. “But I want to know where Neh-no went!”

“I’m sure if there was a horse wandering around this town, they’ll be word of it,” said Erin. “We’ll let you know anything we find out.” With that, the group departed. Erin could see a small one-stored pale yellow house ahead of them, decorated with red shutters and with a swimming pool and wooden deck. Other houses, similar but with the humans’ own unique taste, joined next to it on the same side of the road. On the other side were larger, two-storied houses. The road they had been following merged into another road that ran through the houses. There was a stoplight were the road ended.

The group made their way through, carefully crossing the street, and looking for any sign that would lead them to the hospital. As they walked through the neighborhood, the houses slowly turned into shops. Doug stopped when they came to a sign with a picture of a blue bus on it, and a bench right next to it on the cement sidewalk.

“We can catch the bus,” said Doug. “The bus should go by the hospital. If not, we can at least ask where it is.”

So they stood there, waiting for the bus to come. Erin watched as people walked by, in and out of shops, laughing with friends, walking dogs (Percy would snigger at them whenever they passed by). She tried to go deeper into her memory, to reach more of her past, but then a big bus pulled up. Some people got out before Doug stepped on.

“Does this bus go to the hospital?” Doug asked.

“Yes, in about an hour or so. Now are you getting on board?” said a grumpy looking bus driving

“Oh yes! Come on, Erin!” The three of them were about to sit down, with the driver stood up, pointing furiously at a clear bin next to his seat.

“To ride this bus, you have to pay!” he said. “And no cats allowed!”

“Erin, do you have any money?” Doug whispered in her ear as she scooped a reluctant Percy up.

“No, I don’t.”

“Sir,” said Doug. “You see, we were sort of brainwashed by this lab that was doing some sort of experiment. We are trying to get to the hospital to see if a friend is there, but we don’t have any money. Do you think, just this once, you could let us ride for free?” The driver’s face turned purple.

“GET OFF MY BUS, OR I WILL CALL THE POLICE!” Doug and Erin ran off as fast as they could. The bus closed its doors and took off.

“Well, that didn’t work,” said Doug. “I guess we shouldn’t tell people the truth. It doesn’t sound realistic.”

“That, and we don’t have all t he answers yet,” said Sally. “We don’t know anything about the lab or what they were trying to do with us. But we really needed that bus, if the hospital is an hour away.”

“It’s probably an hour away because the bus has to make other stops before it gets there,” said Doug. “I think we should go into one of the stores and get directions.”

“Ok, but Percy, maybe you should stay here,” said Erin, as she put Percy on the ground.

“You humans think you run everything, don’t you? Cats have their powers, too. You just don’t appreciate them.” Erin bent down to Percy’s level.

“I appreciate you, but other humans don’t. We’ll be inside just a minute, until we get directions. We’ll be quick. Ok?”

“Fine. I’ll wait for a bit, but if you guys don’t come out soon, then I’ll look for the hospital myself. I can talk to Neh-no if I find her.”

“We shouldn’t separate. If anything happens that will take us longer than we think, one of us will let you know. Let’s go, Erin.” The two humans turned around and walked into the nearest store. Percy stood outside, waving his tail and muttering to himself.

They entered an old antique shop. It was full of knick-knacks, precious treasures, and junk other people didn’t want and were hoping to sell and make a prophet. Erin and Doug walked through different room, looking for the main desks. The whole place was cluttered with antiques that filled shelves and walls. There were clocks, figurines, cards, pottery, chairs, table, clothes, stuffed animals, table cloths, and the list continued.

At last, they found someone to talk to. An old woman, who was short and a little on the pudgy side wearing a white, pink, and red striped shirt and lavender slacks. She had curly gray hair and hot pink glasses.

“Excuse me, Ma’am?” asked Doug.

“Hmmm?” The old lady grunted through her throat. “Yes, what can I help you with?” Her breath smelt like onions and garlic.

“We need directions to the hospital…we are new around here.”

“The hospital? Are you looking for St. Luke’s, or the General Hospital?”

“What’s the difference?” asked Erin, who was keeping her distance from the lady’s bad breath.

“St. Luke’s is more of a private hospital, just outside of town. The General Hospital is bigger and about twenty miles from here.”

“She’d be at the General Hospital,” said Erin. “How do we get there?”

“Do you know how to get to Lincoln Avenue?”

“No.”

“What about Clarks Street?”

“No.”

“Ok, then. Well, you must know where Liberty Parkway is. You’ll go down there. You’ll pass an Exxon gas station and a K-mart shopping center on your right…”

“No, when I said we were new, I meant we are really new. We don’t know where anything is. Do you have a map?”

“Yes,” sighed the old lady. “I’ll be right back,” she slouched away.

“You’d better go check on Percy,” said Doug.

“Right.” Erin made her way through the obstacle course of clutter, and stepped outside into the fresh air. “Aaah!” she said. “Believe me, you aren’t missing a thing, Percy! Percy?” She looked around. Percy wasn’t by the front of the store. Nor did he appear to be on the sidewalk. Erin began running up and down the streets, calling out his name. But she didn’t hear him, or his nasty comments. She looked under a dumpster and up and down some nearby alleyways. At last, she began asking anyone she saw on the street whether they had seen her cat. People either shook their heads, or looked the other direction and ignored her.

“I think I know where we are going,” said Doug, as he was stepping out of the shop. “It would have been easier if we took the bus though.”

“Doug, Percy is gone! I can’t find him!”

“Oh, the idiot. Probably thought he’d find the hospital on his own after all.” Erin folded her arms and glared at him. “Look, if he gets lost, he’ll be able to find his way back to the horses. He’s a smart cat.”

“And look at all of the trouble he’s caused us so far! All of his plans have backfired; haven’t you noticed that?”

“Yes, but I’m not going to worry about him now. He’ll pop up again, with his usual bossy air. It’s good to have a break from talking animals.”

“I feel so selfish. First we left behind all the people in Happy Valley we came to save, then we left behind Neh-no, and Ms. Betty and her family, and the beavers and the dogs…now we’re leaving Percy.”

Doug put his arm around her. “Don’t worry about it so much. He’s a capable cat. Let’s go find Mama Joe.”

“Ok,” sniffed Erin.

They started walking down the sidewalk, and eventually out of downtown. The shops and houses thinned out again as they walked, Doug looking at a piece of paper the old lady had given him.

Oranges and dark blues were appearing in the sky. The street lights all flicked on, and Erin saw flies swirling around their bright glows.

“Ms. Betty, why are flies attracted to the light?”

“They think it’s magical, Erin, dear. They are dancing in front of it, celebrating at what they think is a miracle. When the lights go out, they forget. They are not the brightest of animals.”

“If they are dancing because they think they see magic, then they are bright.”

“There’s a difference between bright and innocence,” Ms. Betty smiled.

“This is it!” Doug said, interrupting Erin’s new memory. He pointed down a street that was going up a hill. On the other side of the road sat a huge parking lot and parking garage. Erin could see a bit of the hospital sticking out, as if it was trying to hide behind the parking garage, but was poor at hide-and-seek.

They carefully crossed the road, and when they made it to the other side, they ran. Every muscle in Erin’s body forced her to move, faster and faster. She had to make sure Ms. Betty was all right. She remembered when she was sick and her mother was working, Ms. Betty made her the most delightful homemade soup. She remembered Ms. Betty singing a song to her about young girls and flowers while she was swinging on a wooden swing in her back yard. She remembered Mama Joe accidentally calling her Erin, and laughing “You just look like an ‘Erin’ to me!” Mama Joe’s laughter echoed through Erin’s head as she ran. She was out of breath when they reached the clear entrance doors. Doug, who was still a bit faster than her, was already walking inside. She followed behind him, eager to find out where Ms. Betty was.

When they got to the front desk, a middle-aged lady with poofy curly orange hair was sitting by a computer. She turned and asked “Can I help you?” in a kind, yet “I really don’t want to be here” voice.

“We are looking for Mama Joe,” said Doug at once.

“Her real name is Betty Jones,” Erin piped up. “Her husband, Charles, was badly hurt. Are they here?”

“I can’t give you that information,” said the lady, sighing. “Confidential.”

“We don’t want to see them!” Erin shrieked. “I just want to make sure they got here, ok! She’s like a mother to me…I love her!”

“Fine,” grumbled the lady, and she turned to her computer. “There are two people here by the name of Betty Jones, nobody by the name of Mama Joe. What does the Betty Jones you know look like?”

“Well, she’s black, and she’s very…round…”

“The Betty Jones’ we have are white, and the other is thin,” said the lady.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, a description of them is here. I’m sorry, but the person you are looking for is not here.” Erin turned to Doug.

“Perhaps she went to another hospital?”

“But the only other one is St. Luke’s That doesn’t sound like her!”

“Then my other guess is that they went towards the lab, and not the back way like we did. She might be in a different town all together.” For some reason, that logical thought never occurred to her. Sighing, she turned around and walked out of the hospital, with Doug by her side.

As they started walking through the darkness, something small and dark was moving in their direction. Erin watched it cautiously, until she heard the black thing talk.

“I found you at last!”

“What is that?” asked Doug.

“I think it’s one of the puppies.” Erin bent down and the puppy leaped at her, landing in her lap. He was the dog that looked more like his father than the others.

“I found you! I found you!” he cheered.

“But…how did you find us,” stammered Erin.

“I have a good smell!” said the puppy. “Pop went with Neh-no and the other humans while I stayed with Ma and all the other animals. When Ma wasn’t looking, I ran away, because I knew you I would find you! I already found the horses, and the cat.”

“You left your mom?” asked Doug.

“Wait, you know where Percy is?” asked Erin.

“Yes, yes! We must hurry! Percy has been taken by the baddies. We have to rescue him?”

“The baddies?” said Doug.

“You mean the lab people found him?” gasped Erin.

“No, not those lab baddies. The dog snatcher baddies! They saw Percy, and snatched him! We must go, I know where he is!” With that, the puppy took off. Doug and Erin were running again, having difficulty keeping up.

“Slow down, please!” called Erin.

“Do you remember his name?” asked Doug.

“Not a clue.”