Calico Read online

  “This one’s a Morph!! But, look!” Someone says beside me. A few more guards run over to the one who scanned me, and they all look at the gadget together with confused expressions. They try to grab me, but I kick their hands away and rip the net off and run to the shed and grab my spear. Then I run. I run for my life. Even the searing pain in my ankle doesn’t stop me. My hair is tangled from the chaos and my face is tear stained. My chest aches for my family, but I know it might be safer and better if I leave. The guards will follow me and leave my family alone. Hopefully. Plus, if I get caught, I don’t want my family to see me die.

  The sun is rising a little and gives the earth a golden glow. It must be around six in the morning. I still run, not looking back, only looking forward. My ankle is burning from the punctures. I get to the old abandoned farm and spring over the rusting gait. My ankle hurts even more when I land. I run through the blackberry bushes and dead grass making scratches on my bare skin. The ground feels hard and dry under my feet, but I focus my mind on getting to the rickety farmhouse. When I can’t run anymore, I feel I’m far enough away from the Southern City guards. For now. I’ve decided on a name for the guards who kill the Morphs. Morph Hunters. Or just Hunters. It suits them. Mayor Zara calls them Morph Controllers, but Hunters suits them better.

  I walk up the rotting steps to the front door of the farmhouse. The white paint on the sides are chipping and some windows are broken. This house must have been abandoned for years. It was abandoned when I was born, but how long before that? I don’t find out the answer because I have a much bigger problem at the moment. Actually two. I look down at my ankle now stained red from blood and look around to see if there is a cloth around to clean it. This is a cute house. I’ve never been inside it, although I’ve been in the barn. Everything in here is gray from dust. The tiny kitchen is on my left with the living room in the back-right corner. Rotting stairs are behind the kitchen, and the furniture around is breaking and covered in dust. Okay, so it might not look nice now, but the layout and size are nice.

  I rummage in a closet and grab a dusty washcloth. The sink faucet is rusted so much that it turns no more. I try to turn it and finally it comes loose, letting water gush out from it. I jump a little from the sudden water flow then I put the cloth under the cold water and set it on my ankle. I clench my teeth for the pain is excruciating. Once the wounds are clean, I see four deep giant punctures where the thorns had pierced. They don’t hurt as much anymore but when I tie the cloth around it, it stings a little.

  I go sit on a dusty chair and think over what just happened. I was asleep, then the Morph Hunters broke in and was scanning my family. I got away for the safety of my family. The Morph Hunters almost caught me, but I got away. I’m at the farmhouse by the meadow where I used to pick berries with my siblings. Now I’m back to the present. Everything happened so fast. It’s hard to believe it happened at all.

  I stare at the fireplace, wondering what to do now. I probably shouldn’t stay at this house for very long. They’re bound to find me here. I’ll rest then go check and see if the Morph Hunters have left yet. I close my exhausted eyes and sleep. Colors and clouds float through my dreams at first, but then the screams of my sister and family fill my head. I see their faces in the colors, then they go. Nature takes over my dreams now.

  When I wake, the sun is high in the sky. I get up from the chair and stretch out my arms. For such an old house, its furniture is comfy. I walk out into the sunshine and head back to my house. A strange tension twists my stomach into knots as I walk back. Maybe I shouldn’t go. I have a feeling that the Morph Hunters will be there. I ignore the feeling and walk as quietly as I can back home.

  When I get there, I peer around a few trees about a hundred feet away from the house. Morph Hunters are surrounding the house just like I had predicted, holding bulky weapons. It doesn’t look like anyone from my family was hurt, but I can’t tell from being outside. I slowly back away from the tree I’m standing behind and walk off again. I pass the farmhouse and walk down the overgrown path leading around it. Birds sing freely in the trees. It must be nice for the Morphs who can transform into backyard birds. It’s easier for them to blend in and hide, rather than me. It’s not exactly normal for a house cat to just be wandering around this side of the forest.

  I stay my human form, but I am constantly on alert. Every stick that snaps or every leaf that moves, I raise my spear and am ready to run or fight. It always turns out to be an animal or the wind, but it always scars me.

  A few squirrels stop to look at me with curious and innocent eyes, but then continue on their way. The sun warmly shines through the leaves. It’s a pretty scene. The leaves on the trees look like nightlights or mini lanterns in the sky. I long to be one of them. To be safe where the Hunters can’t find me. I continue down the path I’m making and don’t stop. Not even for a quick rest. All I’m carrying is my spear, but I desperately wish I am carrying water. My mouth burns from thirst. My throat is killing me. The sun and my dark clothing don’t help either. The one day it’s hot this week. I continue walking, or more like dragging myself. There must be a river somewhere close by with fresh water. There must be! I’m desperate now. I’ll drink anything to keep me alive now. Dying of dehydration doesn’t exactly seem pleasant at the moment. There’s supposed to be a river that flows through the forest, but I have no clue where to even look for it. It’s supposed to pass the Western City too.

  The sun has risen high in the sky. A few clouds loom about but not enough for cool shade.

  After a few more hours of wandering blindingly in circles, I stop at a tree and look around. I must do something. I can’t go home, but there must be something to do that won’t get me caught.

  Chapter 9

  Snap! I spring up from the ground. I must have fallen asleep, because everything is covered in dark blue lighting. I look around, clutching my spear. It’s quiet and calm, but I feel something is up. My cat instincts are going crazy. Someone unwelcome is here. I feel it.

  Suddenly, a shadow flies out from a bush. I tumble out the way but the net wraps around my left calf. Not a net with thorns thank goodness, but one that burns. Beeping noises begin. Lights blare in my face and shouts come from all sides. The net sizzles in heat and it burns my skin from the fire-like ropes. I scream and lash out my arms and legs, trying to get free from this pain. My eyes are blurred in the agony, but I can see a red laser light scan over me. A noise beeps over me as I feel the rope break through my leggings. Melting the fabrics. Tears flood my eyes now. The pain is too much. I don’t care what the Morph Hunters are talking about above me; I just feel the pain. Either kill me now to get me away from the agony or let me go! After a few more seconds of this, a few Hunters appear above me. They talk together as they look at the laser weapon, then look at me. I can only see their silhouettes through the corners of my eyes and the darkness of the night seeping through the trees. The silhouettes hold something to their sides. Something weapon shaped. My heart skips a beat then races like an innocent gazelle being hunted by a cheetah. But instead of racing down the savannah, I’m trapped in a boiling net with Hunters all around me. Trapped.

  I see the weapon light up with what appears to be black lightning and sparks. I breathe fast and kick out my legs and arms again. I scream as loud as my voice can go, but it doesn’t do much.

  Someone muffles behinds me and seconds later, hands clamp down on my arms and legs. Holding me still with brutal force. I try to pull back, but I know it’s useless. This is it. The day I die. I try to think of my siblings and try to yank my body free of the Hunters, but they are like stone and don’t move an inch. I try to tell myself that I am dying to save my siblings. But am I really? The Hunters with the weapons get closer, and before I can feel the shock of death, a screeching sound from a bird sounds above and attacks the Hunters. They do little since it sounds like a bird. In fact, I hear some of them laughing. I probably would too if I saw a little bird attacking a human.

  The net gets
hotter than ever. I scream from the pain. The burns on my skin must be deep by now like gashes. I’ve never had a burn this bad before. It’s unbearable. The hands on my arms and legs loosen their grip and I can move again. I try to get the net off me and get halfway out until the rope burns my fingers. I am blacking out from the heat. Black splotches move in and out of my vision. I think of my siblings again and rip the whole net off me. I get up and stagger in my steps. The burns have made my skin dark red. I look around and see an owl flying back and forth, grabbing helmets and weapons, attacking the Hunters with anything it grabs. It’s hilarious. But I have no time for laughs or smiles. I have to get away from here. Far away. I can thank the owl in my head but right now I have to run.

  The darkness encloses on me as I run through the bushes. The burns sting and hurt as my arms and legs move. The clouds cover the moon, but I have cat’s eyes. Almost everything looks clearer than what a normal person would see in the darkness. But I focus my eyes on the dark ground and pick up my speed. It takes everything I got to keep myself running. My body wants to collapse on the ground and my eyes want to go black, but I force myself up. Suddenly, I hear a rustle of wings above me. I look up and see the same owl. Well, the silhouette of it flying through the sky above me. I don’t know what type of owl it is in the dark, but I know it looks pretty. I ignore the punch of fear in my stomach. I always get a little scared by owls because they can easily catch me in my cat form. But this owl seems different. More of a human mind to her. Or him. Then a thought occurs. Maybe they’re a Morph like me? I think.

  I look back up at the owl gliding higher in the air. Branches and bushes scrape my legs and arms. I look back for a split second to make sure no one is following me. I am terrified. The Hunters are so close. My foot smacks against something hard like a log, and I fall forward. My face hits the ground hard and I go plummeting down a hill. My back hits the ground. My legs. My head. Back. Legs. I stop, facing the sky, pain shooting through me, but I have a feeling I must keep going. I catch my breath and see a blue light flash beside me. My heart leaps. I try to get up, but a pair of delicate hands pushes me back down. I see a silhouette of a girl above me, then my eyes shut, and everything turns black.

  ***

  Apart from falling brutally down a hill in the dark and being attacked by the Morph Hunters in the middle of the night and being nearly burned to death, I feel kind of good. My burns don’t sting as much anymore, and the only real pain comes from a few places where dark black bruises rest. I look around and see the tall pines reaching up to the sky. I push myself up with all the strength have, feeling the bruises on my arms. A girl sits a few yards away digging in a dark brown bag. She’s pretty. I’ve never seen her before. Her bright blond hair is medium length and her flowing pink shirt and blue jeans are ripped from the woods.

  I look at the places where the net had burned me and see it is only a light red. A sticky goo covers my leg, but I don’t complain. This stuff is helping with the burns.

  The girl stirs and looks my way. “Oh, look, you’re up.” She gets up and walks over to me. “I’m Isabella. I was the owl. So, you’re a Morph too? What animal?”

  “A cat,” I say, looking at her. “My name’s Calico.” I want to tell the girl about me and ask her about herself. She looks trustworthy, but I still think I should get to know her first before I tell her everything about myself.

  “Calico, huh? I guess it’s a cute name. What city you from?” Isabella reaches in the brown bag again and pulls out a few stiff green leaves from an Aloe plant.

  “I don’t live in a city. My family lives in the woods.”

  “Oh.” Isabella coats her fingers with the Aloe goo and grabs my hand. “I’m from the Southern City. I hated it there. I’m almost grateful that those people came. Except for the deaths obviously.” A memory of the boy I saw on the TV comes to my mind. They just straight up killed him.

  “Yeah,” I awkwardly say, thinking of nothing else.

  “Your burns should be better in a few days. I put honey on them too and this Aloe Vera and burn gel I got from my mother’s office.” Isabella gets up and walks back over to the place I first saw her at. Then it comes to me. My ears have been blocking the sound from my mind since I woke, but we’re by a river. The water gushes downstream in cool rhythmic motions. I get up and walk over to Isabella.

  “Thank you.” I say.

  “No problem. My mom’s a doctor at the Southern City. I’ve learned a few things.”

  “I mean for saving my life. Thank you.” Isabella nods. I look around us and see my spear against a tree and a few medical things scattered about.

  “Where did you get this stuff?” I ask.

  “As soon as the mayor announced that they were coming after the Morphs, I packed this bag, so I could flee. I ran the next day. They almost caught me at the fence line at the city, but I got free.” Isabella doesn’t look up from her story. She just stays focused packing her bag.

  “They attacked my home. In the early morning. I know how scary it can be.” I say nothing else. I never was the type who could carry on with a full conversation with someone new. It always turns out too awkward with me. Instead, I look down at the river. A few tiny fish clusters around, then speed away. The sun is blocked from clouds. Only bright grey light encloses the forest.

  “So,” Isabella says, closing the bag. “What do we do now?” Don’t look at me. I shrug my shoulders than think of somewhere to go. Then it hits me. The Western City welcomes anybody. They wouldn’t hurt two innocent girls looking for shelter. They might even protect us from the Morph Hunters.

  “How about the Western City? They’re nice. They might give us protection too.”

  Isabella thinks for a second, then looks up at me. “It’s not a bad idea. But it’s far. It might take us a few days to get there.”

  “We can make it.” I say and get up.

  “Here’s your spear.” Isabella hands me my spear.

  “Thank you,” I say and walk off with Isabella following. “We should follow the river. It goes right by the city, and we would have water along the way.” Isabella agrees.

  Before we leave, we get a drink of water. Just enough to quench the dryness in our mouths.

  Chapter 10

  After a few minutes of walking in the dense forest, rain begins to fall. The drops crash on the leaves instead of our heads, but it soon rains harder and goes through the branches. I shudder as a few ice-cold drops of rain fall down my back. I look over to Isabella and see that she is shivering. I’m used to the rain and cold, but being from the Southern City, Isabella might not be. Although I never said I liked it either. I lean my head back and fill my mouth with the fresh water from the sky, then look back at the shivering Isabella.

  “Maybe we should find shelter.” I suggest after Isabella wipes her face with her hand.

  “There’s no shelter anywhere near here though.” That’s true. No one really lives in the forest. But animals do. I look around for a hole in a tree made by a raccoon or owl, or a cave. To my astonishing luck, I see a hollow in a tree near to us.

  “Look!” I say, pointing to the tree. “It looks like a nest. In that tree over there. We can transform into our animal selves to fit in it and wait out the rain.”

  Isabella bites her lip. She looks unsure about this situation. Finally, she nods and Morphs into her owl form and flies up to the nest. I wait a few seconds as she checks out the hollow, then see her fly back down and Morphs back to being human.

  “It looks empty. No fresh bedding or anything.”

  “Great.” I walk over to the tree. I can climb that high being a cat. In fact, it looks easy.

  I Morph into a cat and claw my way up. When I get to the hollow, it’s bigger than I would have expected it to be. The “doorway” is smaller, but the inside is wide and spacious. Plenty of room for both of us. I go to the far-left corner and curl myself into a furry ball as Isabella flies up. She’s a beautiful owl. A barn owl, but very light and lean. And quiet. I ba
rely heard her fly up. She nestles herself by the door. I try to fall asleep listening to the rain, but my head is whirling with things. The Morph Hunters, Isabella, my family, both cities. Everything except sleep is coming to me.

  The sound of the rain hitting the branches and ground, make my eyes and mind calm down a little, but fear that the Morph Hunters will find us here, is taking over the calm. I look up at Isabella, and even though I want to trust her, being a cat next to her owl form is a little nerve-racking. I’m sure she’s feeling the same thing. Being a bird next to a cat.

  I shake the thought out of my head then stretch out my front paws. The dry pine needles and moss feel kind of good on my paws and fur. Even though it’s hard and scratchy, it’s dry. I want to sleep, but it’s in the afternoon, so maybe I shouldn’t. Then I won’t be able to sleep tonight.

  I sit up and lick my paws. It’s a habit when I’m a cat. I don’t like it though.

  Isabella turns her head to look at me. My stomach lurches but remembers that Isabella wouldn’t hurt me. Just like I wouldn’t hurt her. I am determined to think this.

  I am hungry. The rain is coming down harder, but my stomach is growling. I have had nothing since yesterday. How I long for something tasty. Even a mouse would sound good right now. And I’m not the typical cat who goes after mice.