Cat Crisis : The Story of the Human Feline
an excerpt

Cat Crissis: The Story of the Human Feline.

Prologue

In my opinion there are two dominating emotions, love and anger.

Both of these emotions leave the victim helpless, they'll go into a fit of rage or drift off into pointless daydreams.

Sadly I myself have fallen victim to these conquering emotions countless times, each time they've aroused they've been stronger than the last. I fear that the next time these emotions resurface the damage will be unrepairable.

Chapter One

"Ready, steady...FIRE!" My comrads jumped out of their hiding places and open fired on the rival group. Our bullets struck hard and true, not one fo the enemy remained.

Shouting and whooping in triumph I walked the three feet of distance to the dead. Pulling my helmet and glasses off to let my blue and purple streaked hair fall loosely around my shoulders. My brown eyes met those of my rival, they stared back at me without life.

It only lasted a moment before Mackenzie's eyes lit up in delight and excitement. Taking her own helmet off she asked," Why is it I can beat you at everything else, but not paint ball?"

I gave her a cheeky smile when I replied," Because I'm not really good at anything else, and I like guns better than any other sports equipment."

"So I've noticed. My parents notice it too every time I wear a short sleeved shirt when I visit them."

"Ugh, I don't mean to be a spoil sport but I can't take anymore of this. My welts have welts on top of last week's bruises. See you later, Mac, Jenna, can I be on your team next time?" Our friend Takisha asked. Her black, red and blue hair hanging to the middle of her back was drooping her green eyes. (She changes the colour of her contacts every week. Her original colour is brown.)

"Sure, but don't think it'll be any better than Mackenzie's team. I don't let my soliders slack off." At this I saw Takisha gulp down hard.

With a weak nod of her head she said," I'll keep that in mind." Then left. Behind her our other friends Erin, Michelle, Emily, Mackenzie,Kassie, Kristen and Estelle left with a smile and a wave.

Mackenzie got a ride with me to the shooting zone, so she had to come back with me. And my driving was something she never enjoyed, especially since I drove a Harley Davidson.

A weary expression came onto her face as we approached my bike, it shone blue and silver in the setting sun. Throwing her the spare helmet I said teasingly," Don't worry, I promise not to run into any trees."

"No walls, cars or pedistrions either if you can help it." She mumbled gravely.

Making a frown I said," Oh sorry, I'm not very good at dodging those particular objects come rush hour. I'm sure I'll get you home in one piece...If not three." Mackenzie only pointed at me and glared threatningly.

Starting up my bike's engine and cranking the radio I couldn't help but laugh as Mackenzie stiffened behind me when the song ' Highway to Hell ' by ACDC started playing. The whole drive she clutched onto my jean jacket like a crow clutches something shiny. I didn't help matters by letting go of the handles every now and then and making the bike swerve back and forth. She bascially jumped off the bike when I pulled into her drive way.

It was well past eight o'clock so the nightly darkness had set in, Mackenzie's temporary apartment building was obscured and turned into a big looming black square.

Throwing the spare red helmet back to me Mac said," Remind me to drive myself to the next game okay?"

"I tried to today, but you said you were too lazy and wanted to save the gas for work tomorrow." I raised an eyebrow at her to question what I just said.

She merely glared at me and said," Well then I'll see you tomorrow. Good night." Nothing else to say she went inside, leaving me smiling and shaking my head.

Street light flew past me, my radio softly played the song 'You'll be in My Heart.' by Phil Collins. This song had always been a favorite of mine, but I really couldn't remember why, all I knew was that it made me feel... fuzzy inside. A feeling I haven't felt in years, as to why, it's still unknown to me.

A red light was fast approaching, pressing down on the brakes I came to a steady stop, still listening to the song I couldn't help but start singing along, "Cause you'll be in my heart, yes you'll be in my heart. From this day on now and forever more."

' HONK!' 'HONK!' 'SCREEE!' 'BANG!' 'BANG!' Not even my radio could drown out the unmistakable sounds of trouble coming up behind me. Turning around in my seat I saw a Tsunami motor bike and a silver Firebird, a more than noticable 28 caliber gun was in the hand of the biker. These three deadly inventions were heading straight for me.

Ignoring the still red light I throttled the gas on my bike and went screaming down the road, even as fast as I was going I still heard the other bike and car coming up behind me.

Glancing behind me I saw them getting even closer, their speed must have been near 200 miles/hour. Knowing I was going to get in serious hard core trouble for it later I sent a quick prayer up to Saint Jimmy then flipped up the little hidden compartment cover. Underneath the compartment cover was a red button, for the humour of it I'd asked my machanic to print, ' Do not push...Unless you really need/want to.'

Holding my breath I pressed down the red button, my head instantly whipped back from the burst of speed the nitrose kicked in.

The sounds of the bike and car fight faded behind me, I sighed in relief and loosened my death grip on my handles...I let go a little too much, my front tire swerved to the right pulling me and the rest of the bike to a tree. The last thing I remembered was someone's voice yelling," Oh God no, not her!" And everything was engulfed in pain and blackness.

Chapter Two-Visitors

'Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep'

"I told her not to get that nitrose installed. Does she listen, of nourse not!" Mackenzie's concerned yet angry voice could be indentified in any state of mind.

I slowly became aware of sharp pains throughout my whole body, another thing I was aware of was a heavy layer of sleep preventing me from opening my eyes.

Using as much will power as I could spare I whispered," Ow."

"Oh thank god she's conscious...I think...Jenna, if you can hear me say the first thing that comes to mind."

"...Stupid."

"Are you calling yourself stupid?"

"Yes."

"Good, now I can save my breathe of calling you that myself. Can you think of one decent word to explain why you used your nitrose and drove yourself into a big fucking oak tree?"

"...Gun."

"Someone had a gun?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I guess that could drive you to a certain level of stupidity to use your nitrose. How are you feeling right now by the way?"

"Crap."

"I understand. Get some sleep, I'll do the best I can to get the cops away from you."

"Thanks."

"Anytime now get some sleep so I can bug you properly later."

"Mhm." With that I slipped back into the numbing blackness.

'Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep'

"Sir visiting hours finished two hours ago and she really needs her rest."

"It's alright I won't wake her up I just want to give these to her and say something real quick, I promise that's all."

"Very well, you have ten minutes."

"Thank you." The sound of a door closing and foot steps approaching informed me that I was now alone with the male stranger. Temptation to open my eyes was very strong, especially since I could smell the distinct cologne known as Stetson. I loved Stetson.

A chair pulling up beside me and a heavy sigh indicated my visitor had just sat down from tiredness and maybe even stress and worry. "Jenna...It really is you. After two years I find you lying unconscious in a hospital. I never would have found if you hadn't crashed into a tree, it's sad really. I was hoping never to see you in this kind of place."

My wry sense of humor couldn't be controlled, even in my current state of pain. "Sorry to...disappoint...you."

"Huh? Oh...Well, you've just gone and made me break my promise to the nurse. I'm glad you haven't lost your sense of humor."

"Couldn't...even if...I tried. Sorry but...who are you?" I knew I wouldn't be bale to sleep if this man left without me knowing his name. Or so I thought. Just when my visitor said his name I blacked out again.

Next time I woke up the worst of the pain was gone, and I had more strength then before. I didn't let the opportunity get away, using my fresh strength I pried my eyes open to my dull, white hospital room.

Letting my eyes adjust I looked around the room, I was covered with a plain white blanket, metal bars were set up on either side of me. Turning to my left I saw a side table with balloons, cards and flowers covering it. On my right side was the doorway to freedom. Nurses, patients, doctors and visitors roamed the hall. Looking back at myself I saw that something was clutched in my blue, yellow and purple bruised hand.

Opening my hand a silver ring with serpents holding a dark purple red gem fell onto the bed, a crumpled piece of paper fell with it. Pulling both mysterious objects towards me I held the ring closer to my face, it looked eerily familiar, like I should know where I saw it before. Slipping the onto my index finger I uncrumpled the piece of paper.

Inside the paper it read 'I'd like to talk to you again at full health.-T.B.'

Those two initials burned into the back of my for the rest of the day, even when I was being scolded by Mackenzie and my parents...My brother actually encouraged me to go into motorcycle street races.

That night a face I barely remembered came into my dreams and one word came with it, Bray.

Chapter Three-Hospital Kidnappers

"Are you sure about this sir? I mean, she is only 19, her body might not be able to adjust."

"She'll be fine, if she can survive the crash she can survive the operation. Besides, the early test subjects couldn't cooperate with the extensions because they were too tall. She's a perfect size."

Both these voices were alien to me, it might have been because I was drugged earlier or it might have been the fact that there was something muffling their voices. Either way I knew something wrong and diabolical was taking place.

Cracking an eye open I saw two men pulling me down the hospital hallways on a medical table, my wrists, ankles, waist and legs were strapped down with belts.

Opening my eyes wide in fear I tried to scream for help, all that came out was a muffled squeak. A handkerchief shoved inside my mouth was my muffler.

The shorter man out of the two turned back to look at me, hishair was a mop of curly brown hair. He had brown eyes hidden behind a pair of oval lensed glasses. The rest of his face was disguised by an old fashioned doctor's mask.

Seeing me awake he tapped his partner on the shoulder and whispered,"Uh Wy...I mean sir, our patient's awake."

"What?...Oh, hello young lady. Don't worry this is a last minute operation. Everything's taken care of, so you can get back to sleep." The other guy was really, really tall. Approximately 6 feet and something inches was my rough estimation, his hair was short and brown and well gelled. His eyes were a blue green colour, like the mop top the lower half of his face was covered by a mask. An itch at the back of my mind told me I should know these two kidnappers. Yes kidnappers. I was being kidnapped from the fucking hospital and no one is around to notice!

My reply to his suggestion to go back to sleep was a growling noise and my middle finger raised as high as possible.

My kidnappers exchanged raised eyebrows and I could have sworn I heard the tall one say," She's really changed over the last few years."

Mop Top reached inside his coat pocket and pulled out a needle, walking over to me he said," Don't worry, everything'll be just fine. Now be a good girl and go to sleep." With a steady hand he inserted the needle into my arm and emptied it's contents into my blood stream. It's effect was instant, my eye lids drooped an my head felt like a brick, in one minute flat I fell back asleep.

Chapter Four- A few Additions

"Her blood pressure is normal, her heart and brainwaves are stable. I can positively say the opertaion was a success, we just have to wait and see if she can sustain the additions." It was Mr. Tall from the hospital, his voice wasn't muffled anymore, but it wasn't very easy to hear either. The annoying beep of the heart monitor was going at full volume.

A door that was placed right beside my bed opened and closed with too much force, the hinges on it practically screamed in complaint.

"Can she be woken up yet? She's been asleep for a week now."

'A week! A WEEK! These jerks have had me sedated for a week! My parents and friends must be killing the cops by now for not finding me. If I get my hands on their scrawny necks they'll regret every minute of their exsistence!'

"I guess it wouldn't hurt, just keep a good distance from her claws. She's not safe with them until she gets some self control." Either my hearing was whacked or I'm hallucinating, I could have sworn he just said 'claws.'

Foot steps came and stopped on my right hand side, a gentle and even more familiar voice asked me," Jenna? Jenna can you hear me?" His voice may have been soft but he didn't need to say it right in my ear!

"How can I not hear you when you're talking right in my ear?!" I slammed my eyes open and almost went blind.

Throwing my arm over my eyes I mumbled angrily," I don't know who you are, or why you and those other two assholes kidnapped me. But if I were you I'd get away from me, unless you want to die."

My eyes adjusted rather quickly to the light, putting my hand back down I saw I was in a circular room made of glass. The heart monitor was on my left hand side, and the door I'd heard was all the way on the other side of the room. Which was weird, I'd been sure it was right beside my bed.

Looking to my right I saw the guy who'd woken me up, he had short curly dark brown hair, tanned skin and brown eyes. He was almost as tall as Mop Top's partner. Speaking of him he was standing right beside him holding a clip board. A concerned and friendly expression was on his face when he asked me," Jenna, how do you feel right now?"

It didn't look like he yelled but it was sure as hell sounded like he did. Giving him a loathing glare I replied," I feel like ripping your head off, you jerk."

He smiled sadly at me in an understanding way and said," I mean besides that. Do you feel light headed, woozy..."

"I feel like my head's going to split open in pain if you don't stop yelling." I raised my hand to cover my ears but stopped. Both hands seemed slender, more bony. My finger nails had been cleaned of my silver nail polish and were jutting out with fine points...Like claws.

Frowing I turned to my two visitors and firmly asked," What the hell is this?"

Curly nervously glanced over at Mr. Tall before whispering," They're your claws."

Remembering back to what Mop Top and Mr. Tall had said a week ago about a last minute operation I realized that this is what they'd been talking about.

A sound like thunder started vibrating from my throat, clenching my teeth together I sat up from the bed and hissed," What the hell did you do to me?" I literally hissed that. Which just made me angrier.

Mr. Tall took a step back with his hands raised while saying," Jenna calm down and I promise I'll explain everything."

"That's not good enough! I want answers now!" I threw off the blanket that had been covering me and jumped off the bed. As soon as my feet touched the ground I knew something was wrong with the back of my body.

Cautiously I turned my head to look at my back side, I almost fainted at what I saw. For attached to the end of my tail bone and swishing back and forth from a crack in my hospital gown was a long, sleek black tail.

Turning back to Mr. Tall and Curly I whispered," What the fuck did you do to me?"

Mr. Tall sighed heavily and looked me straight in the eye with determination. Speaking firmly he said four life altering words," You're a femine Jenna."

Chapter Five- A Tail to Explain

My legs gave out on me, forcing me to sit back on he bed. My new tail easily rested beside me, lightly thumping the mattress. Hesitantly I grabbed it and pulled it across my lap. The black fur was soft to touch, like a real cat's. Gently stroking it I looked up at Mr. Tall and asked," Who are you?"

"My name is Wyatt, and this is Derek. Or actually, Teddy as you might remember him as. We went to high school with you your first year."

An image of a lunch table in a high school cafeteria flashed into my mind, around me sat a group of guys. Each of their faces were hazy at first but concentrating I slowly recalled their names. Wyatt, Wesley, Teddy, Steve and Tommy. The last name came with no face, only an empty seat beside me.

Snapping back to reality I gave him a disbelieving look and asked," Why did you do this to me? I thought we were friends?"

"We are friends Jenna, it's just that things have happened that changed our better judgement. If I would have known that you were going to be our final specimen I never would have continued with it." His voice pleaded for forgiveness.

Turning back to my tail which was flicking back and forth in my hands I asked," Exactly what was done to me?"

Teddy replied," We extended you tail bone with a panther tail, it'll help you with balance as you adjust to your new hand and feet claws. Like a cat your claws are retractable and lethal, so you might want to be careful where and when you point from now on. We've also removed your ears and replaced them with those of a lynx, along with the eyes of a tiger. These will enable you to hear and see thrice as well as you use to. Lastly we modified your arm and leg muscles with those of a cheetah, for speed and agility. With all the changes we've made your stamina should increase over the next few weeks, oh and you should be alot stronger than you use to be, so be cautious with what you do. We also predict that due to the additions of feline DNA you'll develope a sense of smell and thought of a cat. Any questions?"

"A few actually." I was starting to recover from my initial shock, yet my body refused to move except for small movements. My hands had stopped stroking my tail and were on my head feeling my really odd ears. They were also soft and rather big, every sound made them twitch in the direction of the sound. You'd think I'd feel the weight of them on my head, but I couldn't feel anything, just like with my human ears.

I opened my mouth to ask my first question only to get cut off by my stomach letting out a large 'GRRMMBL' sound. My cheeks felt hot on my face from blushing, Teddy was trying so hard not to smile, Wyatt forced his goofy smile to a subtle one as he said," Maybe we should get you something to eat first."

Thinking more about food then the new thing I had become I managed to get myself off the bed again, the floor felt rough and chilled beneath my bare feet. Another need that over powered my hunger came to my mind. Crossing my arms I said stubbornly," I'm not leaving this room until I have some proper clothes to wear."

Wyatt simply nodded his understandment and walked over to a white painted cabinet I hadn't noticed before. Opening it he revealed at least 50 different shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, tank tops, muscle shirts, bras, underwear, socks and even shoes.

My eyes bulged out of their sockets in astonishment, regaining my voice I asked," Are those...all my size?'

"Yes they are. Just cause we acted like average kidnappers while stealing you away from the hospital doesn't mean we'll treat you like a real hostage. You're still our friend, so we'll treat you like that."

I couldn't help but smile at his words, that sounded alot like the Wyatt I knew from grade 12 at W.D.S.S.

Without hesitating another minute I strode over to the cabinet and grabbed the best looking clothes out of the bunch. I pulled out a long sleeved forest green V-neck shirt that flares at the ends of the sleeves. As well as tight dark blue jean bell bottoms. I decided to wear black flip flops on my feet, as for my underwear and bra selection that's really non of your buisness.

Wyatt showed me where the bathrooms were so I could change into my clothes. While pulling on my jeans I was surprised to find a hole was cut into both the pants and underwear for my tail to go out. Another thing that surprised me about the clothes was that everything fit perfectly.

In the bathroom there was a mirror, I almost screamed when I saw my reflection. My hair was still long, purple and pink streaked but at the sides of my head and going up were an enormous pair of cat ears. As Wyatt had said they defitnitly belonged to a lynx, I could tell by how the rims were black and the rest was a cream colour. My eyes were even more shocking, all I saw was amber and black. No white or brown with gold specks like they use to be. All in all my reflection reminded me of the old anime show 'Mew Mew Power.' It was a show where a teenage girl gets her DNA fused with that of a rare leopard. I just needed pink hair and pink eyes and I'd be set for halloween.

When I came back out of the bathroom Wyatt gave me a huge smile and said," You look great."

"Yeah, the ears, tail and eyes add on to your beauty." Wesley had joined Wyatt and Teddy as I had been changing. At his remark I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

The halls we walked down looked all the same to me, white walls, fluorescent lighting and some what smoothed granite floor. If the guys hadn't been leading the way I would have gotten lost in seconds.

The further we walked into their head quarters the more I noticed that there were barely any doors, and no other people around. It was like the whole place was completely deserted except for us four. That idea sent shovers down my spine and into my tail.

We finally came to a stop at a set of double doors that said 'Food Room.' Before they even opened the doors I could smell the delectable morsals waiting to be digested.

Stepping inside I was yet again amazed. For now it wasn't just the four of us, but at least 300 people could be seen swarming and eating in the gigantic cafeteria. Most of them were white doctor coats like the guys.

Once the doors closed behind us I couldn't help but notice how much quieter the room went, slowly the strange people sitting and standing in front of us turned to stare at me. The more people that stared the more freakish and alien I felt. Wyatt noticed the attention I was getting and stepped forward. Holding the gazes of everyone he announced," All of you know that we have successfully completed Operation Femine, and here standing before you is our new friend and hopefully savior. You have ten more seconds to observe her, once I reach ten I better not see any more staring or we'll be cutting some people off the pay roll. One...two...three...." At one half of them turned away, at two the rest started eating again and at three there was only one man staring...And grinning.

I'm sure Wyatt saw him, yet he didn't yell at him to stop staring. And I'd really like him to stop grinning, it was really creepy. Wesley went up beside Wyatt and waved at the stranger, the stranger waved back and called," I'll save you a table!" Wyatt and Wesley nodded to say they heard him and turned back to me.

Without realizing it I'd cocked my head to the side with a raised eyebrow, Wyatt took my expression for confusement and explained," You remember Steve right? He was the guy that did the Funky Chicken at Tartan Tour."

All he had to say was Funky Chicken and I would have remembered. I also remembered something else I couldn't help point out," Ya I remember him, he still owes me two dollars." That made Wesley and Wyatt raise an eyebrow.

"Oy! You four here to eat or to stand around like idiots?"

We all turned in the direction of the voice. Standing in front of another set of double doors was a big, hulking crooked jawed man. In his hand he had a butcher's knide that still had traces of its last victim on the blade. From where we stood I could make out that the guy had shocking blonde hair that looked like it needed a good wash and at least three tattoos on each arm. Wesley smiled at the dangerous man and shouted back," We're here to eat Chef Vike, unless you plan on starving us all again!"

Wyatt reached back and gently nudged me towards the double doors and the crazy man standing in front of them. Reluctantly I followed after them, getting closer to the chef my feeling of unease got stronger and stronger. The fur on my tail started puffing out, and an urge to run away was tensing up in my legs.

Finally reaching him I immediately felt like a kitten, the Chef gave off a sense of death and destruction so strong my ears could've gotten a sound from them. The others didn't seem to get the same feeling though.

Chef Vike regarded the guys for a minute before turning to me and extending a hand the size of a frying pan and said," This must be the charming lady I've been hearing so much about, my name is Vicsnogen Vike. Everyone calls me Chef Vike for short."

"Nice to meet you." The words had to be forced from my throat, as well my hand just barely managed to fight against me to shake his beefy hand. At contact every last hair rose on the back of my neck and another natural growl built up in my throat, only when he released my hand did I calm down some what.

Wyatt and Wesley were blinf to my unease, thankfully Teddy had noticed my tail's puffiness early. He stepped up beside me resting a hand on my shoulder, speaking to Chef he said," Think you could put together a special lunch for our guest Vike?"

"Of course, of course! Anything in particular you're fond of miss?"

The words didn't even have to be thought of, it just popped out of my mouth,"Fish. Raw fish."

They all stared at me stupified for a moment before bursting out in laughter, Chef Vike seemed to laugh the hardest. Repeating earlier my ears flattened against my head and my cheeks burned red hot in embarrassment.

"I should have expected such an answer from the beginning. Good thing no one really likes sushi around here, there's plenty of it in the fridge room. Any particular kinds of fish you like?" Chef Vike may have been laughing the hardest, but he didn't last the longest.

Thinking through my past tastings of sushi I came to a conclusion," Roasted eel is good, even though it's not raw. Tuna's alright raw. Even though it tastes better with mayonnaise."

Chef Vike gave a nod of understandment and disappeared behind the double doors without another word. My feeling of unease leaving with him. Wyatt nudged my shoulder again and pointed in the direction of a lonely table with only one occupent.

The table, like all the others, was made of pure stone that had been chiseled into it's form. How they managed to keep them clean and arranged them was just another mystery to the other 5,000 going on in my life at the moment.

Sitting at the end of the table beside Wyatt I felt really out of place. For there I was, half girl half cat, surrounded by a group of familiar high school guys. To make things worse Wesley just had to bring up my last statement towards Steve," Hey Steve, Jenna says you still owe her two bucks."

The temptation to slit his throat with my new claws was very strong at that precise moment.

It was only subdued thanks to the sweet aroma of raw fish, eel, tuna and even, god bless him, milk! My mouth was watering before I even turned to see the waitor come up to us carrying different trays of food. The platter of sushi and tall glass of mile was placed before me first, I dsicovered that day that when it comes to food my new feline nature conquered over my human nature.

The chopsticks that had been provided were completely ignored, instead I stabbed the rice and seaweed covered fish with my claws and popped them into my mouth. Steve, Wyatt, Wesley and Teddy were given trays spread with their favorite food as well, it went untouched as they watched me on my eating spree.

I didn't notice them staring, or the waitor, who just happened to be smiling while the others gaped. Steve noticed him still standing around and turned away from my unnatural manners. He opened his mouth to say something, but was silenced by the waitor putting a finger to his lips. Before anyone else noticed him he left.

The sushi finished I grabbed my tall glass of milk and started licking it up, literary licking it up. "You know, you're going to have to be more careful with how much control you have over your feline nature once we let you back out into civilization."

My last mouthful of milk went down the wrong hole, sending me into a choking fit. Coughing and hacking to clear my airway I turned to Wyatt and asked/screamed,"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHEN YOU LET ME BACK OUT INTO CIVILIZATION!? THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I'M GOING OUT IN PLAIN VIEW OF THE WORLD LOOKING LIKE THIS!!" The very thought of beihng seen by the normal people made every last hair on my body stand on end, my tail became a prickly disaster and my claws had extended to their full frightening length. Cheetah strength slowly drove them into the granite table top.

Steve and Teddy jumped up from their seats and grabbed hold of each of my arms. Pulling them back from the table and away from Wyatt and Wesley, Steve gave a nod to Wyatt from behind my back to use the ultimate calmer.

Wyatt reached into his inside pocket and withdrew a tiny packet of a dried and crushed up herb, the plastic couldn't contain it's odor from my newly sensitive nose. At the first breathe of it my fur flattened back down, Wyatt opened the bag and waved it about. The second whiff I took retracted my claws and unclenched my muscles. Wyatt came right up to me with the crushed up green plant and waved it under my nose.

Inside the tiny plastic bag was dried and crushed cat nip, and my feline nature knew it. My eyes went almost totally black, a small rumbling in the back of my throat grew into a mighty purr that vibrated my whole body.

Wyatt closed the bag and put it away in his coat, my instincts told me to go after it but my better judgement kept it at bay. Blinking a few times to clear my head I asked very quietly," What exactly is happening to me? I promise to behave if I get an explanation...and that catnip later...No! I don't want the cat nip, yes, no, dammit! Hurry up and explain before I turn into Smeagol from 'The Lord of the Rings.'"

Exhausted I quickly sat down and laid my head on the newly cracked stone table. Wyatt moved around to the other side so he could sit across from me. His expression was dead serious when he said," Okay, here's the whole thing. This, everything you've seen so far is part of a secret organization set on helping human kind remain on earth. Do you remember what happened on July 25th 2008?"

"Kinda, someone had gotten to the prime minister and held him at gun point for five billion dollars. The guy would have gotten the money if an unknown sniper hadn't taken him out."

"That sniper belonged to our organization. Another thing we had our hand in was the Poacher Gang Capture in Australia, and the bomb that had been planted under an old mine that was embedded with ten million dollars worth in gold and silver."

"So basically you guys are like the 'MIB' except you protect us from ourselves instead of aliens. That's all fine and dandy but it doesn't explain why I was turned into a kitty cat."

"Right, well for the past two years our men started to encounter other men who tried to stop them from completeing our job. The other men claimed to come from anotehr organization known as D.Y.T.C"

"Which stands for?"

"Doom Yet To Come. Their goal is to help anything along the path of death to millions of people."

"Of course, everything good has to have something evil against them."

"Right. On the last mission our men went on they had a harder time and we lost two of them. We believe D.Y.T.C is starting to lose patience with us and are now taking serious measures to get rid of us completely. So we decided we need more help, but instead of using a whole hord of combat trained lunk heads we thought something smaller and faster would work. Thus leading to Project Femine."

"Which is what exactly? Cause all I see is a 19 year old girl who had doctor gone wrong played with her."

"It's simple. Project Femine is a single female bestowed with the world's strongest and fasted cat abilities. It's the Femine's job to accompany our men and protect them from the D.Y.T.C."

"That clears up that question, I just have one more that needs to be answered."

"Well when you're done playing 20 Questions you can come see me in the GYM cat woman." Steve got up from the table and left, making my one question become two. Wesley and Teddy were still eating their lunch.

Looking back at Wyatt I pointed after Steve and asked," What did he mean when I'm done to go see him in the GYM?"

"Steve's your trainer. He's going to teach you how to fight with your new abilities."

"Great, that's just what I need. GYM class."

"It won't be so bad, as I understand it Steve plans on giving you a treat every time you do something succesfully."

"That makes me feel like a lion being trained to perform in a circus!" Wyatt merely shrugged.

"That wasn't the question you wanted to ask was it?" Wesley asked before taking a bite of his sandwich.

"No, my real question is what the hell were you talking about when you said I was hopefully going to be your savior?"

"Ah right, about that. You see, before you got into your accident one of our men were keeping tabs on you, and that particular man had the plans for your body structure. At some point our man was attacked and lost the plans to D.Y.T.C. There've been signs that they're creating their own Femine."

"What kind of signs?"

" Zoos have been reporting missing animals from the cat enclosures. But they're using different cats then we used. They're using the nastier cats. We think they plan on making a super femine and are going to sick her on us to get rid of us for good." Wyatt's voice took on a tone of dread and worry that I easily heard.

Thinking through everything Wyatt said I came to one final conclusion," What you're basically saying is that this Organization is relying on me to keep it alive."

"Basically."

I heaved a great sigh, feeling the weight of the situation on my shoulders already. Getting up from the table I said," I better get going to the GYM then."

Chapter Six- Tests and Observations

"Holy cat nip..." That was all I could say when I walked into the GYM.

The room wasn't as big as the Food Room, but the stuff inside was unbelieveable.

Steve stood at the first thing I knew I'd hate, a treadmill that didn't have a bar to grab to keep me upright when I got tired.

In his arms he was holding a black muscle shirt, black sweat pants and plain white sneakers.

Grumbling and growling I grabbed the clothes from Steve and stamped over to the washroom. Like my other clothes the pants had a hole in the back for my tail, these clothes had more flexibility to them though. The shoes felt really comfortable, even though I wasn't wearing any socks.

When I came out Wyatt, Wesley and Teddy were gone, it was just me and Steve. Steve had a clipboard in his hand and was indicating the hellish treadmill with his head. Glaring at Steve I walked over to the treadmill and got up on it, crossing my arms I asked Steve," How is running going to help me fight?"

"You didn't think I'd start the real tranining until I figured out what you can do did you?" He pulled out a remote controller and pressed a button.

The treadmill's motor hummed beneath my feet, warning me to brace myself. The surface started pulling me backwards, my human sense started my feet forward. It kept at a slow steady pace for five minutes, at five minutes one second the thing kicked into overdrive. If my muscles hadn't been expecting it I probably would have went flying through the air...backwards.

I didn't need to think about running, my legs just did it. And it felt great, after two minutes of intense running I would have been gasping, but thanks to my new muscles I was breathing as easliy as if I was sitting down.

Beside me I saw Steve making notes on his clipboard, seeing me watching him Steve brought up the controller again and pressed another button. The treadmill's speed went from overdrive to turbodrive, the speed was so intense my legs were starting to give.

A deep sense of self preservation kicked into my body, making me bend down to get my hands on the treadmill, the effect was instant. Like all the wild cats I was made of I was running on all fours, beside me I heard Steve's breathe catch in his throat. I gues he hadn't been expecting me to do that.

He kept me at that pace for 20 minutes, when I started panting Steve slowed down the treadmill until it came to a stop. There was almost no strength left in me, pulling myself off the treadmill was a task in itself.

Lying on my back and staring at the ceiling Steve came into my line of vision and asked," Feel like lifting some weights now?"

"Not...until I...get a breather. I feel like a cooked noodle, I couldn't lift a marshmellow right now. A nap would be real nice."

"I don't think so missy. Here, see if this helps." Steve reached into the back pocket of his cut off jean shorts. He pulled out something like a pez despenser, instead of the little Pez candies it popped out a small chocolate block.

Steve crouched down and dropped the chocolate block into my mouth, the block tasted like cheap and stale easter chocolate. I almost spit it back out until I felt my energy levels sky rocket from nothing to normal. Sitting up I raised an eyebrow and asked," What in the name of Leo was that?"

"That is what we will now call Energy Nip. I'm surprised it actually worked."

"You mean...YOU HAVEN'T TESTED IT??!!"

"Until now, and I'm quite surprised with the results. It was only suppose to make you feel a little better, not give back ALL your energy. I wonder if it'll have the same effects on normal people."

"If you ever, EVER, give me something untested again, I will not hesitate to hurt you. Got it?!" I pointed a finger and extended one of my sharp claws at Steve's throat.

He merely wrote something on his clip board and walked over to the rack of weights, it wasn't necessary for him to say anything to get me to follow.

On the other side of the room was a wall covered by two way mirrors. Sitting on the other side of the mirrors was Wyatt, Wesley, Teddy and someone I hadn't met yet. He wore a white collar button shirt with a black tie and black jeans. His hair was a decent medium length and dyed black over his natural brown hair. His eyes were a perfect tone match of brown to his hair, but no one really noticed because he wore black square framed glasses.

At the moment he was watching me lift 150 pounds in each hand with ease. Wyatt, Wesley and Teddy had clipboards of their own and were writing notes down like Steve had done earlier.

Wyatt noticed his friend tapping his hand on the side of his leg, a habit he'd recently developed when he got nervous. Wyatt poked him in the stomach with his pen and said," If you're so worried about her then why don't you go talk to her, she'd probably be happy to talk to you again after you broke contact with her so rudely four years ago."

"I think she'd rather use me as a scratching post instead of a friendly chat. Besides, she didn't even know it was me when I spoke with her at the hospital."

"That's not true. She's still wearing your ring, there on her left hand, do you see it?"

What Wyatt said was true, before I'd been kidnapped from the hospital I had put the ring on my left index finger. I wore it as I was lifting weights at that very moment.

The new guy turned to Wyatt confused and asked," Weren't you suppose to take it off before you operated?"

Wesley finished his note and replied before Wyatt could," Oh we tried, but everytime we tried pulling it off her finger she'd clench her hand into a fist and whisper 'I'm holding it for him, you can't take it away. It's his.' Almost managed to sucker punch poor Teddy the last time we tried."

Both of the guys eyebrows went up in surprise at this news, mumbling to himself he said," She never did stop being weird."

Chapter Seven- Three King Rules

Breathing deep I held my arms up above my head for a few more seconds before slowly lowering the 500 pounds of weight back onto the floor. Smiling smugly at Steve I innocently asked," How much money do you owe me now?"

"...50." He reached into his back pokcet and pulled out his plain black leather wallet. Pulling out a 50 dollar bill he said," That's enough for today, you need food and rest. We'll finish the rest of the tests tomorrow." Reluctantly he put the bill in my hand and put his wallet away.

Feeling my pants and shirt I realized I had no where to keep the money, Steve knew it too because he eagerly offered," I'll hold onto that for you until you have somewhere to keep it."

"Nice try." I'd come up with a solution remembering that cat tail's can curl around objects.

My claws, ears, muscles and eyes were easy enough to control, it was my tail that still had a mind of it's own. And at that moment it kept refusing to obey orders.

I wanted my tail to grab the money adn hold onto it, I got it as far as curling around my waiste, which sadly tickled, alot! It's a really sad sight to see a super strong and fast cat-girl be subdued by her own tail and a laughing fit.

Steve made sure to put down the last note 'Subject has complete control over new extensions, except for the tail. Also, subject suffers from extreme ticklish spots.'

My tail let go of my waiste once my lips started to turn blue. Gasping for breathe I told Steve," If you don't tell anyone...about this...I'll never...make bets again."

"Sorry but that's too good of black mail to keep quiet, but I might keep my mouth shut for half of my money back." The guy never did like losing so much money.

Grudgingly I handed the $50 back and took the 25 he gave me in its place. I would have blown the money on something pointless anyway.

Hearing the door open and close and foot steps indicated we weren't alone anymore. Testing my improved sense of smell I could tell from the individual cologne that it was Wyatt and someone I didn't know. But judging from the perfume I smelt it was a female a few years older than me.

Regaining my composure but keeping my back turned I asked," Who's your friend Wyatt? Your girlfriend?" From Steve's impressed expression I could tell I'd guessed right at out visitors.

"I already have a boyfriend, and he's alot nicer looking than Wyatt." My ears perked up at the familiar voice and tone.

Turning to face them I asked," Angie?"

"Glad you remembered me by my voice and looks Jenna." Again I guessed right, for there stood one of my few grade 12 girl friends from W.D.S.S (Wallaceburg District Seconday School.)

Her hair was still blonde but longer than the medium length it use to be, her eyes were brown and she wore contacts instead of glasses. She'd grown a fair bit taller too. She stood at least below Wyatt's shoulder. At the moment she was wearing a white shirt and beige trench coat, as well as black dress pants.

Feeling like it was high school again I ran at Angie and gave her a bug hug, too big of a hug. "Jenna...Can't...Breath!" Was all she got out with the limited air my arms of steel allowed.

Dropping her I backed up and let my ears droop, tapping my index fingers together I mumbled," Sorry, I'm still not use to my strength."

Her right hand was on her chest as she stook deep breathes, smiling kindly she said," I was warned about that, but I didn't think you'd hug me."

"Jenna, Angie is the head of the Disguise Department, she's going to help you get everything you'll need to go home and go out in public. Steve, come show me your notes." Steve nodded and followed after Wyatt as they left me alone with Angie.

When the shut behind them Angie threw an arm around my shoulders and said," Come Cat Queen, we must find you the proper attire to hide your new...accessories."

Leading me down the hallway past more people in white and beige trench coats Angie couldn't help but ask me questions," Can you see in the dark with those eyes?"

"I don't know, I haven't tried yet."

"Think you could pull a Cat Woman and slip between bars?"

"I'll give it a try next time I'm thrown in jail."

"You've been in jail?!"

"Long story, stupid reason for it."

"Got a boyfriend right now that likes cats?"

"I'm single, and definately going to stay that way now. Done asking questions yet?"

"No. Why?"

"I was hoping to ask you a few questions."

"Sure."

"How many departments are there exactly in this place?"

"About...10, but no one can say for sure. They add a new one every other month or so."

"Oh, who started this whole organization?"

"I'm not allowed to answer that question."

"What?! Why not?!"

"It's one of the three King Rules."

"Three King Rules? What the whiskers are those?"

"They're the three unbreakable rules of the organization. Break anyone of them and you're considered a traitor."

"What are the rules?"

"Rule One: The origins of the organization are kept quiet under every circumstance. Rule Two : Matters and working of the organization are to be discussed only with another worker of the organization and within head quarter's walls. Rule Three: Any association and/or conspiring with other groups will be called treason. Are you aware you made an exclamaited question using feline analogy?"

"No, I wasn't aware of that. So once you join the organization you're sealed to those three rules until you die?"

"Yep, it's exactly that reason why I took my current job. Speaking of which, here we are."

We'd stopped in front of a steel door that had no window, handle or sign that said 'Push.' Above it on a engraved into a metal plaque was a riddle.

An eyebrow arched I asked," How are we suppose to open the door?"

Angie smiled and simpled replied," Solve the riddle."

Chapter Eight- Dress Up

"Okay...I solve the riddle and the door opens, doesn't sound too hard. Let's see, the riddle says, 'I'm fake but real, I cover that which is unappealing. I am a..." I'd never heard of this riddle before, and Angie seemed pleased that I couldn't figure it out.

I felt my tail start thrashing back and forth, showing my irritation. After we stood in front of the door for three more seconds Angie happily asked," Give up?"

"Yes." I mumbled, my tail still flicking back and forth.

"I am a wig." Angie said it to the door, and the door heard her. I could hear all the gears and locks moving as the door slowly slid up into the door frame.

Thinking over the riddle again I realized that it wasn't rocket science to figure it out, a third grader could have solved it.

Following Angie into the new room I was blown away by how much space there was. I knew the organization head quarters were big and had a bajillion hall ways, but I never expected them to have enough space to have a room that could hold at least 20 elephants standing three feet apart. Every wall was covered with a mirror, and all around it at least 50, 000 dollars worth of clothing, machinery, wig and glasses.

Staring at us was roughly 120 people, an unsettling feeling crept it's way into my gut at the sight of a large table covered with cosmetics and hair shit.

Meeting the pale green eyes of a woman holding a hair brush and scissors I realized what was going through her ming, and most likely everyone else's. A new challenge.

My sense of self preservation made me take a hesitant step bacwards, Angie was already one step ahead of me. She reached to her right and pressed a blue button that brought the steel door crashing down hard. It's metal clang of locks going back into place made me gulp down hard. I was trapped with no where to go and totally surrounded by drees up obsessed people.

Angie's arm light and tight around my shoulders casually pushed me towards the waiting make up crazy scientists. Her voice was over flowing with pleasure at the level of discomfort I was feeling as she said," No more questions, time to get to work. I promise non of this will hurt...for long."

Grasping hands took hold of me and literally threw me into the nearest changing room, some woman accompanied me in and stripped off every article of clothing on my body. In their place I was wrapped up like my earlier digested sushi in a towel. That being the only thing covering me I felt more than exposed, the lunatics didn't help by pulling me out of the stall and pushing me into something of a barber's chair.

Three woman surrounded the chair and started pinching, pulling and just throughly examining me. The torture continued for a few more minutes before they spun the chair in the opposite direction. It was apparently on a set of wheels, sliding to the other side of the room I was met by two asian doctors. Male asian doctors!

Instinctively I crossed my legs and leaned away from them. They came closer, one of them held my head still while the other pryed my eyes open and shone a light in them. Finished they spun the chair and sent it whizzing to another place in the room.

I was met by Angie and an unknown guy who seemed a couple of years older than her. His hair was blonde and spiked with maybe three bottle's worth of gel. Like Chef Vike a deep forbodding sense of danger eminated from his very being. Angie stood completely unaware of the vibe's of doom.

She instead took my sudden expression of worry and discomfort to be directed at the role of measuring tape in her companion's hands. Patting me on the arm she said," Don't worry he won't touch you anywhere you don't him too. Vincent is gay anyway."

Vincent rolled his green eyes dramatically and asked Angie," Honestly, must you tell everyone? I mean, it's not like I go around screaming the name of your latest fuck buddy. Hold still darling and this will only take a second." He unrolled the tape and started holding it against my arms, legs, feet and back.

Finished he walked over to a near by computer and typed in all my measurements, Angie had a clipboard in her hands and was writing things down. She stopped for a moment and asked me," Your eye colour was brown before right?"

"Yes, I've never needed glasses so there was no need for me to get coloured contacts."

"Do you like you hair colours right now or would you want something different? Same with the style, do you want to keep it long or short?"

"Um, well I have been thinking about dying my hair again. I don't know what colour though, and I've been growing my hair since the second semester of grade nine. I don't want to cut it. Why the questions?"

"Hm, oh you'll find out as soon as Vincent is done entering his measurements."

"I will be finished in une momento...There we go, now, time to see the results." Vincent hit a button on the keyboard that sent my chair flying to the dead centre of the room.

Coming to an abrupt hault the chair actually dumped me on my ass and rolled away. All the people who had evaluated me circled around. Except they didn't make any move to approach.

In Vincent's hands was a remote controller similar to the one I saw Steve use. He pushed a button and pronounced," The final result!"

A vibration started up below my feet sending a strange sensation through my body. A second later a metal curtain rose up from the floor and covered me.

Robotic little arms shot out of the curtain itself and ripped the towel off, desperately I covered myself with my arms and crossed my legs. Heat flushed my cheeks at the base of my neck to the top of my head.

Another pair of robotic claw like arms came from above and bellow me, in their clutches was different clothes. Before I even knew what was happening I had been dressed in comfortable under garments, sleek black jeans that didn't have a hole for my tail, but on the inside was a kind of slot of cloth to keep my tail in place and not harm it when I sat down. I also ended up wearing a non discreat purple nylon T-shirt covered with a denim jacket.

The curtain lowered into the floor, leaving me to be applauded by the cosmitologists. Angie walked up to me beaming in pride, throwing an arm around me again she said," You look fairly normal in those new clothes. We just need to finish with your eyes, hair and ears. Your make up too of course. What do you want done first?"

"I believe the ears and eyes should be dealt with first, they are the most attention grabbing." I also wanted to leave the make up for last, I have enough friends complaints about pinchy cosmetic people to know what to expect.

"You heard her ladies and gents, let's get this done and over with! Our beds can't wait forever!" Angie yelled this at the group of three ladies and two asian eye doctors.

I was tackled with a wig that matched my purple and pink streaked hair, put on my head it easily concealed the lynx ears. The asian eye doctos pried my eyes open and gently placed contacts on the tiger eyes. A mirror was put in front of me and I was flabergasted. I looked just like I had before the whole motorcycle accident, with one tiny exception," What about my human ears? I don't have any."

Angie slapped her forehead and muttered a curse at her own ignorance to once of the most obvious problems. Turning to a man I hadn't noticed standing behind her she said to him," Run to my desk and get the synthetic ears will you? Uh..." Before she could say anything else the man pulled his white cap down over his eyes and walked off. The way he acted it was almost suspicious, almost.

A minute later a short woman came back with a fabric head band that had phony ears attached to it, handing them over to Angie she whispered something I just barely heard," he said...one final test..." The woman than scurried off to the door.

'Okay, is it just me or does this place keep getting weirder and weirder.' Thinking this in my head I naturally cocked my head to the side and raised an eyebrow again.

Angie seemed to be in deeper thought than I was, she had a hand under her chin and was staring at the floor. She only snapped out of it when one of the asian eye doctors faked a cough. Coming back to the situation she motioned for me to go over to her and said," Come here, this will take care of everything. Take the wig off for a second too."

Trusting her I pulled the wig off my head, it actually felt better having my ears free to move around. My tail itched to come out of its little fabric restraint as well, holding still for so long just wasn't in its nature.

Reaching Angie she gave me a strict expression and carefully placed the fabric head band on my head, The fabric fit perfectly to my skull around the ears, the synthetic ears were in the exact position as my old ears. They felt weird though, the urge to use my back foot to get it off made me twitch. 'I know how my poor cat Lilo felt when my sister put that retarded mexican hat on her.'

Getting the ears in position was easy, the real task was getting the wig back on with the extra material underneath. If the wig was put on wrong the ears would go crooked. Angie made sure to explain that to me as she expertly placed the wig back on.

Looking in the mirror I felt like the old Jenna, no cat ears, no tail and no eyes. My claws were still visible, but retracted it just seemed like I got a kick ass manicure.

"Good, you're ready." Everybody turned to see Wyatt standing in the doorway, in his arms was some kind of knapsack.

Chapter Nine- Kitties Don't Like Collars

The knapsack was average looking, with the exception that it resembled a cat's head. It was black all over with felt ears stitched on the top of it. On the front it had painted lime green eyes with slit irisis, a red button for the nose and little pieces of string sticking out on either side for whiskers.

Wyatt noticed me staring at it and said smiling," Cute isn't it? It has everything you'll need for when you leave. Nail file, your old clothes, the keys to your new motorcycle..."

"What motorcycle? Mine got trashed when I introduced it to Mr. Oak Tree." I couldn't help but cringe at the memory of Takisha telling me in the hospital that my bike had gotten completely demolished.

A cocky smile came onto Wyatt's face, he flung the knapsack over his shoulder and said," True, but we made you a new better bike. Unless, you're not interested that is."

"No! No, I'm interested!" The thought of a better and probably cooler motorcycle was very thrilling, what was even more thrillingwas the thought of riding it.

"We're not done yet Wyatt, she still needs her make up." Angie's voice reminded me of a child whining about not having the new toy for a long enough time. Even so, a make over was not something I felt like at that moment.

Glancing over at the three ladies I knew would have done my make up I lifted up a hand and extended some claws, casually looking them over I said," Angie I don't think these three lovely ladies have the energy to do my make up right now, right ladies?"

The ladies looked over at me and saw my claws grow longer to almost two inches, they picked up on what I was saying and hastily nodded in agreement.

Wyatt smiled knowingly at me before saying to Angie," You heard the ladies Angie, and you yourself said we shouldn't push our fellow workers beyond their limits. Let's go Jenna, we don't have much time left and there's still a good amount of stuff to do."

With a smug wave to my dress up friends I bolted out of the room and into the hallway. The steel door slammed close after Wyatt waved and smiled smugly at Angie. Leading the way down the hallway he said," Nice job with the silent death threat, I would've done the same."

"Really?"

"Nah, but it was smart. So how'd you like playing Barbie with the dress up team?"

My reply came in the form of a steely glare, Wyatt chuckled for a brief second before saying," Okay I deserved that."

"You also ow me an answer to one simple question."

"What's that?"

"Why riddles to keep your doors locked and not, well, locks?"

"Ah, now that is an easy question to answer. When we first started building this place we were going to use locks, but Big T thought that we should a get a little smarter with our security. Doors can easily be broken open using muscle, so why not invent a door that forces you to use your brain. It was then decided we were going to use verbal locks with the hardest riddles we could think of. The biggest clue to all the riddles is that they're related to the room you're trying to get into. It hasn't failed once so far, plus it helps that we're well secluded."

"That makes sense, so who's Big T?"

"...Sorry not allowed to say."

"Damn. Okay that's only fair. Angie told me about the Three King Rules."

"She did? She wasn't suppose to!" Wyatt had stopped walking and looked ready to run back and strangle Angie.

Completely confused now I asked," Why wasn't she suppose to tell me the rules? It's better if I know them so I don't so something stupid and get you guys angry at me."

"There's another rule she forgot, or just didn't bother mentioning."

"What rule?"

"The Secret Rule. It states that anyone who knows the Three King Rules must be part of the organization, if not then tehy are either eliminated or brought into the organization." This made me question Angie, she must have known about the Secret Rule, or she did know it and wnated me to get killed. Why she'd want me killed made no sense, I mean, I thought she was my friend.

"Big T didn't want you to join the organization, and he'll definately not want to hear that we had to kill you because of a certain loud mouth."

"Aren't I technically part of the organization since I'm made up of animal parts that belong to your guys?" I was trying to keep myself alive, although what I just said was a pathetic attempt.

Wyatt's eyebrows raised in what I was hoping surprise and not his way of saying,'You're kidding right?' As fast as he'd raised his eyebrows he lowered them and got a spark of something clever in his eyes. Not saying a word Wyatt continued walking, a lighter spring in his steps.

It took me a minute to get my mind straight and catch up with him. Staying in step beside him I asked," Any chance you'll explain where we're going and what I'm doing next?"

"Didn't I tell you already?"

"Let me think, NO!" Wyatt's weird behavior was stretching out my patience.

"Sorry. Well it was on Big T's orders that you don't stay here too long and go back to the city. The only thing is that no one is going to give you any directions or help you out of here, you have to get out and back to the city by yourself. It's really just a big test to see how well our natural instincts get along with each other. Think you're up for it?" The way Wyatt said it, it almost sounded as if he was daring me to do it. But even I wasn't stupid enough to go over my physical limits.

The thought of sleep was very pleasent just then. My body responded to my thought and sent a yawn into my mouth, amking me stop, stretch and open my mouth as wide as possible. When Wyatt looked back at me I heard him mutter," Oh dear, I was afraid of that."

Finished yawning I cocked my head to the side and asked," What were you afraid of? All I did was yawn."

"It's not your yawn, it's what I saw in your mouth WHEN you yawned."

My forehead furrowed and I went cross eyed trying to look down into my mouth. I guess the sight of a femine trying to see inside her own mouth was too much for Wyatt to handle, he just cracked up laughing. He even had to go against the wall to keep himself supported!

Putting my hands on my hips and looking pouty I shouted,"Stop laughing at me! Tell me what's in my mouth!"

"Haa, ha, sorry, sorry...Hoo, okay, I'm good. It's just, you looked so weird cross eyed."

"I figured as much."

"Try not to do it again, you could stop anyone in their tracks with that face. Getting back on topic, the different DNA from the cat's is restructuring your body to match their original owners. So, you have fangs now." He tapped one of his canine's, enforcing what he was saying.

A bit uncertain I put a finger in my mouth and brushed it along the edges of my teeth. At first I didn't notice anything, until I got to one of my canines. It has grown at least an inch and a half and felt razor sharp, I actually cut my finger and drew blood.

Licking my finger to clean it my tongue felt rather rough, keeping it out I pointed and asked," Dboes my pongue wook anknee bifferent?"

Wyatt took out a mini flash light and walked back to me, holding my head still as he looked over it I couldn't help but feel like I should close my mouth on his probbing fingers.

For 15 seconds I stayed like that, the biting urge growing stronger and stronger every second. Right when I couldn't hold it any longer Wyatt backed up and put his mini flashlight away in his pocket. He then pulled out a small note pad and made a short note, after he put that away he said," You've defitnately got a cat tongue, and it looks like it's becoming skinnier and longer. Your tast buds are probably working differently too. We'll see if Chef Vike can't arrange for a tasting test."

The dangerous Chef's name sent a forbodding shiver down my spine and tail, clearing my throat I said," Uh, think we can put that test off until tomorrow? I'm not really hungry at the moment and going to bed would be really nice."

"Ya, that sounds like a good idea. Do you need help finding your room or can you find it yourself?"

I had to think about it for a second before replying," You're going to have to show me the way, this place is like a maze to me."

"I thought so. This way then." After that we just walked in silence down the countless hallways. As we walked I tried to get a feeling of what direction we were going in and where each hallway we passed led to.

Without realizing it we'd already reached my room and Wyatt had left me. Feeling like I was being watched I walked up to the door and...'WHAM!'

"Ow! Shit, don't tell me..." Looking up at he top of the door I found a metal plaque with words engraved in it.

Covering a yawn I stood on my tip toes and read aloud,"Sneaky, adorable and extremely agile, I can be friend to one and enemy to another. The rumble of bliss is my only clue to who I love, I am a...' Oh wow, can that be any simpler. I am a cat." The locks on the inside of the door groaned and squeaked as they came undone. I ran inside the room as soon as there was enough room for me to fit.

Inside I found that everything had been changed, or the room wasn't the same one I'd woken up in. Either way it was completely different.

The walls were covered in a pale blue wall paper and the floor was still made of polished stone. The bed was queen sized with two mattresses. On the left side was a small table with a phone and little night light on top. The other side had the cabinet with the thousands of clothing articles and shoes. What really stood out in the room was a mouse hanging down from the ceiling in the corner.

At the sight of it I lost all human thoughts and feelings, I basically just lost control to my feline nature.

Slowly approaching the toy mouse I hunched over to hide myself from my unsuspecting prey. Taking three more steps I stopped, then pounced!

To my foolish delight the toy mouse squeaked in the grasps of my claws, I batted it back and forth. I even started chewing on it and spitting it back out to swat it again.

I was just starting to chew on it again when the door opened and a strange man's head poked into the room, seeing me he let his jaw drop open and stare openly. It took me a few secodns to figure out that it was the mouse in my mouth he was gawping at.

Taking it out of my mouth with my hand I walked away from my toy and asked the man," C-can I help you with something?"

"Oh, uh, yes. I'm Logan, I'll be standing guard outside your room tonight. Wyatt said you might feel insecure so he thought you might appreciate some extra security."

"That was nice of him. Thank you, I would appreciate it."

"No problem at all Miss Wygergangs, good night to you then." He pulled his head back out of the room and let the door close, leaving me with a feeling of humiliation in my mind.

Glancing back at the mouse I pointed at it and said threateningly," I'll finish you off another time my squeaky grey friend."

Going over to the cabinet I threw open the doors and started rummaging for a decent set o pajamas. I was lucky and found a pair of green silk pajama pants and a muscle shirt kind of top that matched.

About to take my other clothes off I stopped and remembered seeing a few servailancc cameras in the hallways. Putting the pajamas on the bed I ran over to the door and hit the open button, it rolled up into the door frame faster then last time. When the door fully opened I was met by the human wall that was Logan's back. He must not have heard the door cause he didn't budge an inch from where he stood.

Tapping him on the shoulder I said," Hey, Logan?"

With a start he spun around got into a fighting stance looking dead serious, seeing it was just me he relaxed and smiled," Sorry about that Miss Wygergangs, you surprised me. Is there something I can do for you?"

"Two things actually. The first thing I'd appreciate is if you'd call me by my first name, seeing how that's what I'm doing for you."

"Fair enough, so what's the seond thing I can do for you...Jenna?"

"All I need is an answer. Are there any cameras in my room, any at all? And be honest please."

"I'm positive there are no camera in your room Jenna. We may be security tight people, but we know the limits when it comes to observance right. Is that all?"

"Yes, thank you. Good night." Before he could reply I hit the button and closed the door.

Sighing in relief I stripped off my clothes, wig, fake ears and carefully removed the contacts. The items of disguise I placed on my night table, I just left the clothes in a heap on the floor. I may have been a guest, but that didn't mean old habits had to be crushed.

Clean pajamas on, eyelids already half closed I got under the black comforter and fell right asleep. Letting my cat nature take over I subconsciously curled up into a ball and wrapped my tail around myself.

...Five Hours Later...

The stranger who'd early observed me with Wyatt and the others silently walked the halls to a certain femine's room. A long, thin black leather object clutched in his hand.

Coming up to Logan he whispered," Is she asleep?"

Logan couldn't help but smile crookedly and reply in the same whisper tone," Asleep's not the word. More like dead. I went in and checked on her and stubbed my toe on the way in, she didn't bidge an inch. Her ears picked up the sound, but I guess it wasn't loud enough."

"Good to know I'll be alright if I stub my toe. I am a cat." As thick the metal door was it was built to be highly sensitive to sound. So even whispering the answer to the riddle sent the door sliding up into the frame. Giving a nod to Logan Mr. Stranger made his way into the room, his foot steps making no sound at all.

He walked around the bed and over to the side where I was curled up, detecting the slight rustling of his clothes my ears twitched in his direction, if not momentarily.

Mr. Stranger sat upon the very edge of the bed, hesitating a moment he lightly brushed the hair back from my pale freckled neck. Gently as possible he slipped the thin strip of leather around my neck where it was tight enough to slide but loose enough not to cut off my air. On both ends of the collar were sophisticated pieces of metal, putting them together they made a perfect seal showing no indication of the beginning or end.

Not being able to resist Mr. Stranger stroked the hair between my ears and down to my back. I felt the slight pressure, yet all I could do was smile and purr softly.

Making sure to keep quiet Mr. Stranger stealthly left the room and closed the door behind him.

Heaving a sigh of relief Mr.Stranger started his way back down the hall, at the corner he heard Logan call," Mr. Bray?! I don't know about you, but I'm going to have to agree with the other guys on that you made the right choice with her."

A smile of neither good humour or seriouness appeared for a split second before Mr. Bray said," I'm still not sure on whether to believe that myself or not. Good night Logan and remember, not a word of this to anyone." He then vanished around the corner.

...The Next Morning...

"Mmm...That had to be the best sleep I've ever gotten." Stretching out in bed I felt all my bones creak and grone from the few hours of non-movement.

Getting out of bed I thought it would be a good idea to do a body part check, just to make sure none of my new additions had fallen off as I'd slept.

"Alright let's see. Two lynx ears? Check. One head with awesome hair colouring? Check. 20 claws? Check. One stubborn ass tail? Check. Two eyes I can't tell to be tiger eyes? Check. Two musculary enhanced legs and arms? Check. One normal waist? Check. One normal chest? Check. And one normal and untouched ne...Oh no. No, no, no...NOOOO!!!" Everthing I'd named off I'd either looked or touched. At touching my neck I'd found something unfamiliar. Something that sure as hell hadn't been there when I'd fallen asleep last night.

Feeling over it more throughly I discovered to my feline horror the only possible thing it could be. A collar. A fucking leather collar that had no release mechanism. A collar to show people that I belonged to someone. Who that someone was, I didn't know. But when I did find them, they were sorely going to regret collaring this kitty.

Anger was slowly taking hold of my body, make me rush through the cabinet's clothing articles. I don't know when or how, but somehow all my pants, shorts and skirts had been fixed to have tail pouched built inside them. With frustration going through me it was rather hard to get my tail to stay still to be put in its pouch.

In the end I just gave up on it and used my claws to make a rough hole for it. Swishing backa nd forth I was actually getting a breeze from my anger.

Dressed and ready I bashed on the door's button, once it was half way up I got down on all fours and dashed out. It was until later that I realized that Logan hadn't been in the door way. Recalling what I could I barreled around the first corner and the next. Still running I put my nose up and sniffed the air.

Wyatt, Wesley, Steve, and Teddy's colognes seemed to pollute the air, good thing it was them I was searching for. Just around the next corner I heard them discussing the taste test.

Picking up speed I jumped on the wall and pin balled right in front of them. Startled, they leaped back and pulled out their M-16's. Seeing it was me they exhailed in relief and lowered their guns, Wyatt took a better look at me and noticed my claws were extended and my upper lip was curling over my fangs. "Jenna, what's wrong?"

The others now noticed, worry came onto their faces until I stood up and yelled," What's wrong?! WHAT'S WRONG?! I'll tell you what's wrong! This, is what's wrong!" I jabbed at the collar on my neck, Wyatt and Steve exchanged nervous looks while Teddy and Wesley's eyes got rather big. That was all I needed to know they they recognized it.

"Which one of you put this on me?! I'm a cat! Cat's do NOT LIKE COLLARS!!" Stepping closer to them I threw me hands up in the air, startling them to take another step back.

"Non of us put that collar on you Jenna. All of us were no where near your room last night. Now calm down or I'll take the natnip out again." To enforce his threat Wyatt reached into his jacket.

Catnip sounded very tempting, but tackling Wyatt for it wasn't and he knew it. Snarling through my clenched teeth I stomped over to the nearest wall and scratched my claws over the hard polished surface. The guys stood a good distance back to wait for me to finish venting.

Almost all the claws on my fingers became sharper than any knife in the world by the time I finished scratching the hell out of the wall. Feeling better I turned back to the guys and asked," Well, if you didn't put this damned thing on me, then who did?"

"We know who did it, we just can't say." Teddy seemed reluctant to tell me this bit of information.

Anger and impatience bubbled up again, making me yell," Why can't you tell me?!"

All of them replied," We were ordered not to."

"Ah hair balls! Fine, but could you at least take it off?!"

This time the whole group of them exchanged nervous looks, Steve was the brave one out of the group and hesitantly replied," We're not allowed to remove it, and we don't even know how to take it off. Only the person who put it on you can remove it."

If you had an intense x-ray that could see the muscles in your body, than you would have been able to see all the muscles in my entire body lock in place. Hell, even my tail went stiff in mid swish.

As fast I'd stiffened I was suddenly growling and yanking on the collar while snarling," It will come off if it's the last thing I do!" Vigorously jerking on the collar was just like pulling my neck, so I ended up pulling myself in random directions. I smashed into the walls twice until bumping into Teddy, who grabbed hold of my arms to hold me still.

Wyatt then took out his bag of catnip and shoved it under my nose.

The stupid collar disappeared from my mind, all I wanted was the glorious catnip. Trying to be smart I swiped at the catnip bag as fast as I could, Wyatt was unfortunalty quicker and pulled back at the last second. Cursing I struggled against Teddy's grip, I almost started crying when Wyatt tucked the catnip back into his coat.

Its effects wearing off I glared at the floor and grumbled," Okay fine, I'll leave the fucking thing alone. Will you let me go please?"

"Sure." Teddy cautiously released my arms, but kept his hands up in case I decided to continue yanking on the collar.

To convince him I was going to leave it alone I asked Wyatt," So when can I take this last test that'll lead me to my new motorcycle?"

"First you have to get the taste test done with Chef Vike, he's waiting for you right now. He's a very impatient man so we better get moving if we're going to eat anything later."

'What a great day I'm having so far. I wake up with one thing the cat side of me hates, and now I get to go have a nice eating experiment with one of the creepiest men I hate. If I don't get my new motorcycle today I'm going to start shredding some clothes.' Thinking this just seemed to make me feel even more like a sour puss.

...Ten minutes later...

"Okay my fine feline friend, this morning we're going to test your sense of taste. I will give you a few different options of food and we shall see what effects what, as well as what it tastes like to you. Are you read?" Chef Vike's voice seemed way too peppy that morning. Every word he'd said sent another hair standing up.

The feeling of dread and destruction still flowed from the man's skin. I wouldn't have been surprised if the near by bowl of fruit didn't go rotten.

Instead of doing the tasting test out in the cafe wehere everyone could stare and gossip about me, Wyatt and Chef Vike found it to be more convienant to get the test done in the kitchen itself.

Sitting at a counter on a bar stool I had to fight off a growl before strenuously replying," Ready as I'll ever be."

"Good, we'll start with sweet tasting morsels first." Clapping his beefy hands a minor chef brought over a silver plate laid out with cut up pieces of food. They weren't labeled or anything so I guessed I had to figure it out what I was eating.

With the chef so close and Wyatt watching from another stool I couldn't exactly decide on what to eat, in the end it came down to a quick thing of 'Innie-Meanie Minie-Moe.' I settled on a small diced piece of fruit that was green and kinda slimy.

Putting it in my mouth I was hit by a wave of sour juice that lessened into a tangy taste. Swallowing I ignored Chef Vike and asked Wyatt," Was that kiwi?" I got a simple nod from Wyatt in reply.

Chef Vike crossed his arms before saying,"Right. Choose another one now." More hairs rose on my tail and neck. At that rate I was going to look like Frankenstein's wife.

Repeating last time with a different rhyme I came to a solid brown pastry block. Even before I put it in my mouth I knew it was chocolate cake. I was rather disappointed to find it didn't taste as good as it use to. Frowning I said to no one in particular," Guess chocolate cake's out of the question for my birthday this year."

"You'll find something else, there's alot more options for birthday treats. Chef I believe one more test for sweet will be needed, then we can move onto sour." Wyatt some how managed to say all this while writing on his clipboard.

"Agreed, Miss Wygergangs might I suggest the white morsal on the left." Chef Vike pointed out a perfect cube of what I believe was Angel food cake.

Picking it up and bringing it near my mouth a smell of an unknown ingredient reached my nose. The chocolate cake smelt of flour, cocoa, eggs and yiest. The Angel food cake's ingredients however smelt different. There was flour, eggs, yiest, vanilla and then something that I didn't know the name of. My stomach did a back flip at the thought of digesting the cake.

Trusting my instincts I put the cake back down and said," Thank you for the suggestion Chef Vike, but, uh, I'd rather go with the other piece of fruit." Picking up the chunk of apple I noticed Chef Vike's mouth turn down at the corners from the corner of my eye.

'The bastard was trying to poison me!' Figuring that out I ate the apple and found it tasted rather crude than sweet.

Swallowing the apple I was relieved when the plate of death was whisked away and replaced with another silver plate. There weren't any pastry pieces on the plate, but there was fruit.

Grabbing the closest thing I gave it a cautionary sniff and smelt lemon, regret hit me for my choice before the mega wave of sour hit my tongue.

Around me any minor chefs that had been watching started giggling and snickering at the face I made. At Chef Vike's audible throat clearing the room went silent once more. My taste buds were screaming for something to get rid of the sor residue left on them. Not thinking at all I grabbed the next thing in reach and threw it into my mouth. What I'd grabbed was a piece of lime.

Tears welled up at the corner of my eyes as I puckered my lips, this time I got Wyatt snickering and covering his face with his clipboard. Chef Vike's right eye seemed to twitch on his stone face, I'm guessing he was restraining himself.

Wyatt composed himself rather quickly when he glanced at the clock on the wall and saw the time to be near noon already. Standing up he patted Chef Vike on the shoulder saying," I think the last test can be saved until tomorrow Chef. She has to get another test done, not to mention let her taste buds recover. Let's go Jenna, we need to get your disguise materials from your room."

"Mhm." Eyes still squeezed shut I let Wyatt lead me out of the kitchen by hand.

We were silent for the most part down the hall, I'd opened my eyes again and was letting my tongue hang out of my mouth to let the air get at it. What I assumed to be half way to my room Wyatt suddenly asked," Why don't you like Chef Vike Jenna?"

Caught by surprise I could only reply,"Huh?"

"I'm not blind Jenna, I saw how stiff and uncomfortable you got as soon as you made eye contact with Chef Vike. Why don't you like him, he may be strict but he's nice enough." Wyatt wasn't asking this on Chef Vike's behalf, he was asking out of general concern. I could hear it in his voice.

Serious questions were never easy for me to answer while looking straight at someone, the floor ended up meeting my stare while I quietly replied," To be honest I don't have a solid reason as to why I hate him. It just feels like everything that man says or does gives off a sense of dread, doom, destruction and death. I can't be absolutely sure Wyatt, but that piece of Angel Food cake he suggested might have been poisoned."

"Poisoned? How can you say that when you didn't even eat it?"

"My sense of smell's gotten stronger, I could actually smell the ingredients used to make the chocolate cake AND the Angel food cake. Among the ingredients in the Angel food cake, there was one that I didn't recognize. It smelt like it didn't belong inside the cake." I felt sure enough about this thought to meet Wyatt's uncertain gaze head on.

We'd reached my room and had long since stopped walking, Wyatt seemed to make up his mind and said," If you're positive on this then I'll look into it, go get your stuff on and meet me around the corner. I need to go make an important phone call."

Feeling better that Wyatt believed me I turned to the door and said," I am a cat." The door opened and I stepped inside.

Wyatt waited for the door to shut completely before heading back down the hall. Going into his back pocket he pulled out a sleek black cell phone, flipping it open and hittin the first name on speed dial he leaned against the wall to wait.

The other end got picked up after the third ring, his friend and boss's voice asked," What can I do for you Wyatt?"

"Hey, um, earlier this morning Jenna was doing the food tasting test and she claims that one of the things she was meant to taste was poisoned. And what Teddy and me said earlier about her hating Chef Vike was true, she admitted to it but said she didn't have a reason for hating him. Only that she got a sense of the four major D words from him. Does that make any sense to you?"

"Yes it does actually. Wyatt, have you ever heard the saying that animals can tell good people from bad people?"

"I think I heard that before, why?"

"Cause it applies to Jenna now too. It must be her natural senses that are making her feel so against Chef Vike. As for the poison we'll have to look into that. From now on I want one of the other chef's keeping an eye on Vike at all times. Understood?"

"Right, oh, and will you be watching her next test?"

"Of course. If that's all Wyatt I'll speak to you later." The other end then went dead.

Wyatt tucked his cell phone back into his pocket and turned in the direction of my room, only to find me standing there with my head cocked to the side. Although that was my cat thing I looked like my human self again. Brown eyes, human ears and no tail. Besides my head tilted to the side there were two things that gave away what I really was under the disguise. My claws that I had retracted to the shortest length still looked deadly, and the collar around my neck.

A bit nervous Wyatt asked,"H-how long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to know that whoever you were just talking to is going to be a creeper and is going to be watching me. Who was that you were calling?"

"I can't tell you. You ready to get this done?"

"If I know exactly what I need to get done."

"I already told you what you need to do."

"All you told me was that I have to find my way out of this place and get back to the city by myself, that and no one else is going to help me."

"That sounds right, oh but I forgot something else. When you reach the exit doors you have to figure out the three riddles. That said, you can start...Now." Waving a hand dramatically he indicated the hall way.

Rolling my eyes at him I started down the hall of mazes.

Chapter Ten- Riddle Me Home.

Fifteen minutes into the test and I ended up at a dead end, groaning in frustration I walked over to the wall and smashed my head against it. The surging pain in my head actually made me feel better. Don't ask how that works, it just does.

Keeping my forehead against the wall I muttered to myself,"Let's get this straight Jenna. You are now half feline, and feline's have the natural sense of finding their way home. If this is true, then why can you, the first half cat girl, not find your way out of a stupid building?!"

'Because you were thinking like a human when you started.' As sad as it was to answer myself, it still made perfect sense. I hate to admit it but I've never had a sense of direction, and because I tried using that I got lost.

Figuring that out I got off the wall and started pacing, while pacing I repeated to myself in my head,' Think like a cat. Think like a cat. Think like a cat.'

Believe it or not, that did the trick. Without realizing it I'd stopped pacing and walked down at least three different hallways. Unfortunately those three hallways had led me straight back to the Food Room.

Clenching my jaw, I slapped myself on the forehead and grumbled," Food wasn't what I wanted. I wanted to find the stupid exit doors."

Counting to three to calm down I tried it again 'Think like a cat that wants to go home. Think like a cat that wants to go home. Think like a cat that wants to go ho..' 'SMACK!' Coming out of the trance I found myself standing in front of a door much bigger then all the other ones I'd seen so far.

It stood a foot taller than me and was made of probably a stronger metal then steel. But like all the other doors its had a riddle engraved in a plaque on the side of it. The riddle read,'I'm used against friend and foe, to destroy or protect. Only my wielder may choose. I am a...'

This riddle seemed alot more complicated then the other ones I'd had to figure out. Thinking it through I came up with two possibilities. "I am a gun." No response.

Praying to Saint Jimmy I tried," I am a sword." You didn't have to have enhanced hearing to hear all the massive locks unlocking. The whole floor shook as the door rose up into the door frame.

Moving forward before the giant door closed on me I found myself in complete darkness. Well, not complete, for my contacts may cover my real eyes but they still let them function properly. In a matter of minutes I could make out the room all around me, only in black and white.

The night vision spared me from another collison with the next door, this door was just as big and just as thick as the last one. Having no light made locating the plaque really hard, I had to go by sense of touch instead of sight to find it.

I found it actuallt bolted to the door itself, dead centre too. Reading it was oodles of fun in the dark," My job is to...pro-tect. Metal is my stronger...hottie?...No....body! Wood for practice and...hay, okay that's just ridiculous...Play. Wood for practice and play. I am a...' That's actually quite easy, I am a shield!"

The whole process of the giant door opening was getting boring, instead of gawping at it I just patiently waited for the door to be open all the way and moved along.

To my relief the next room had light, to my extreme horror there wasn't another door and the other door had just closed. All around me was solid rock and the ceiling lights hanging from the roof. Basically, I was trapped, that's as simple as I can sum it up. It's moments like that that I started talking to myself," Keep it together Jenna, it's no big deal. There's probably just a trick to all this. Cause really, if worse comes to worse I can always back track through the door. It's not like they deliberately trapped me in here...Or, I hope they didn't on purpose...No, don't start thinking like that, if you're going to think anything, think about being a cat. That's how I got out of my last mess, so it should work again." Amazing how much one has to say to themselves huh?

'If I'm going to keep thinking lik a cat I should act like a cat. It might help the thinking process.' Telling myself this I repeated what I did earlier and started pacing.

The pacing led me to going in a circle, an endliess circle tjay got wider and wider. After circling for five minutes I realized something," I'm still breathing. If this place is suppose to be security tight they wouldn't have any air vents in the rooms between the doors. Which means that the air has to be coming in from somewhere. It can't be coming from that door, so it must be coming from the other side of the room! Thank you logical thinking!" Having figured that out I rushed at the cave wall head on. At impact the wall seemed to shudder for a brief instant. That itself comfirmed my thinking.

The whole left side of my body was numbing from the force of the impact, I just ignored it, pain was something I could deal with in exchange for freedom.

Walking from one end of the wall to the other I scanned my eyes over sections of the rock. I redid that five times until..."I knew it! A plaque! Now let's see...' I roam the earth in two kinds of gender. I have a body with four limbs, small amounts of hair and fingers. Time and again I fight against those who oppose me, the only reason for it is because no one knows me. I am a...' Funny how the riddle sounds complicated yet I know the answer already. I am a human."

I heard it before I saw it. A constant rumbling like on going thunder, the solid rock door which was sliding apart instead of upwards must have blocked out the sound. Now that it was open the noise bombarded my sensitive hearing like missiles. Gritting my teeth to stop myself from yelling I was stunned at what the door opened up to.

Chapter Eleven- Dead to the Living

In front of me was an almost opaque wall of water crashing down into the river. Through the momentary gaps I caught glimpses of a fairie boat with hundreds of people in rain coats.

The organization had built their head quarters behind Niagra Falls! One of the most unlikely places someone would look...Wyatt hadn't been kidding when he'd said they were well secluded.

Speaking of Wyatt he just so happened to be standing on the path way heading out of the cave. Again in his arms was the cat sack, as I decided to call it. Also in his hands was aset of keys I knew could only belong to my waiting motorcycle.

Walking up to Wyatt he said smiling," Nice job, that only took you two and a half hours. Wesley should be happy."

"Why should Wesley be happy?"

"Him and the other guys made bets on how long you'd take to get out. He was the only one that bet you'd finish before three hours."

"Smart of him...Do I get the motorcycle now?" I wa going insane from being patient. All last night I'd dreamt of a kick ass speed demon.

Wyatt merely dangled the keys above my head, tempting me to take a snag at them. Part cat I may be, a moron I am not. Going for the keys would be like how I went for the cat nip, I was fast and Wyatt was faster. My unamused expression must have clued him in on my thinking. Giving up he dropped the keys into my palm. Smiling smartly I said," Thanks, now where is it?"

"This way, but I have to tell you a few things about it first before you go off to the city."

" You can tell me when we get to the bike." Wyatt shrugged it off and lead the way. The path we were walking on was nothing special. Just a rock ledge that had some rope going along the edge for people to grab on so you don't lose your balance. Grateful as I was for the pathway and rope I still felt uneasy having so much water close to me.

The pathway lef through a few small caves and staircases that curved around the rock, the further away from the doors we got the more I could see of the falls. My human mind said it was beautiful, my feline mind said it was still too much water to be liked.

Glancing up at the sun every now and then I found that the path was taking near an hour. And through out the walk Wyatt hadn't said anything. When the silence between us got too unbearable I blurted out," How much longer is this going to take Wyatt?!" I have to admit I sounded like a bored little girl at that moment.

"We're here. And so is your new motorcycle." Wyatt stopped and turned to the side to reveal that we'd come to a small concrete parking lot well out of sight. In the middle of the lot was a red Harley Davidson with black and silver flames along it's body, it was something I'd never seen in any store or webpage. What made the bike even better was that it was exactly my size. All other motorcycles I'd found rather difficult for me to drive due to my height.

The same feeling I use to get when I found all the presents under the chrismas tree when I was younger swept over me, grabbing Wyatt in a bear...or cat....hug I squealed," Thank you! Thank you! Thank yooouu!"

Letting him go I raced over and jumped on my motorcycle. I was startled to see a variety of buttons and even a built in mini T.V. screen. Wyatt was pressing a hand on his back where I more than likely broke one of his bones. Wincing a little he said," Glad you like it. Let me show you the extra parts you're unfamiliar with. This screen is a two way communicator that's connected to my office and wrist communicator 24/7. In case you need help. The bue buttons here can launch darts, missiles and spikes if you're ever in danger on the road." He pointed everything out to me as he said them.

He'd pointed out all the buttons except for three red buttons that ranged from small, medium and large. Pointing to them I asked," What do these buttons do?"

"Oh, those. Well, those buttons control how much nitrose you want to use...I'm hoping you'll save that for more extreme situations. That said, here's your knapsack and this is the address to your new apartment. Oh, one more thing Jenna."

"Ya?"

"You see, when we kidnapped you from the hospital we had to tell everyone, your family and friends, that you'd...died from an undetected wound in your skull. It was the only way to get you out of the hospital and keep the cops off our trail. I'm sorry Jenna." Wyatt put a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it in sympathy.

This news was totally unexpected, I'd been planning on visiting everyone and telling them I was okay. But now, I had no one, not even my friends. I was alone with only myself and the organization knowing my secret. I basically didn't have a life anymore. That was the final conclusion I came to.

Beneath the wig my ears drooped in depression, I avoided Wyatt's eyes as I grabbed the sleek black helmet on the seat beside me. Putting it on I said," Thanks for the heads up, I'll talk to you later." Starting the ignition and revving the engine I sped out of the lot and onto the small road that led to the main one not too far ahead.

Slipping in with the traffic I decided some music would make me feel better. The first station I got was county, I hate country. Flipping through the stations I finally settled on on playing 'Good Riddance- Time of Your Life.' by Green Day's front man Billie Joe Armstrong.

The road signs told me I was heading into Fort Erie, the place I was going to be staying for possibly the rest of my life. Unless D.Y.T.C's femine found me sometime soon.

All the buildings, people and streets were alien to me. I assumed that my new looks would make me an alien to them too.

At the next red light I pulled out the piece of paper with the address on it, it read '2310 Onyx Street.' My helmet's visor made reading the street signs rather difficult at a distance, being quick I flipped it up and looked around. I found Onyx street a little ways up. The light turned green and I was off, my helmet visor still up.

Passing a few cars I didn't realize that one of them was Takisha's green Toyota convertiable, Takisha and Mackenzie sitting in the front with the roof down. Both of them not smiling, a cloud of gloom looming over them.

In mourning both of them were decked out in black clothing and wrist bands. It'd been three weeks since they'd been informed of my death, and in hopes of feeling better they'd driven out to Niagra Falls. The Falls had been glorious, but not very mood lifting.

Takisha was stopped at a red light and was mindlessly staring off, Mackenzie was simply looking around. In the midst of their mindless staring and simple looking a familiar head of brown, pink and purple hair showing under a black helmet came into their sights. As well they saw pale skin dotted with freckles, a nose with a slight bump in it and brown eyes. Thw sight lasted maybe five seconds due to the head going off to the right.

Sitting up straighter and utterly stunned Mackenzie pointed in the direction of the vision and asked Takisha," Did you see that? It looked just like Jenna!"

"Ya I saw it, but that's impossible. She's suppose to be dead."

"Dead or not she's getting away. And I do not want to miss out on a chance to chase a ghost. Please Takisha."

Takisha needed only one second to make up her mind before stepping on the gas and racing down Onyx Street. She didn't give a damn that she'd just run a red light and almost killed three people, all her and Mackenzie cared about was finding out if they'd seen a ghost or an imposter.

The ghost had gotten a good head start on them and wouldn't be easy to find in such a crowded city. Even so, Mackenzie was keeping a sharp eye out on the right side of the road and Takisha was keeping watch on the left.

15 minutes down the road and still no sign of the ghost, Mackenzie's spirits were starting to drop again when," Was she driving a shiny red, silver and black Harley?"

"I think so, why?"

"Cause I just found a black, red and silver Harley with a black helmet on the driver's seat. Hold on, it'll be a tight turn." Given the warning Mackenzie grabbed onto the side's of her seat an clenched her teeth as the car made a swift turn to the left. The tires just barely grated against the curb.

They'd just pulled up into the parking lot of the Crystal Apartments, the apartment building seemed to have 25 floors and three balconies per floor. This sight lowered Takisha and Mackenzie's hopes of finding the ghost before the day ended, but not enough to sop them from leaving the car and heading inside.

A wave of fresh A/C air washed over them when they walked into the lobby, they were also met by the overly eccentric manager of the apartment. He was sitting behind a mahogany desk that had only a bell and donation box. The man was wearing a brisk green suit that consisted of a blazer, white button up shirt and brown tie. He'd done a horrible job with his spray on tan, there were streaks of his pasty white skin every where! His hair was a greasy orange colour that was thinning out at the back of his head. On the front pocket of his shirt was a name tag that said ,'Hi I'm Fred Bundler.' At the sight of the man Mackenzie leaned over to Takisha and whispered, "Reminds me of the cartoon characters that always ripped someone off of their money." Takisha nodded in agreement.

Fred Bundler stood up from his seat behind the desk and asked with a plastered smile," Hello ladies, can I help you with something?"

"Uh,yes you can actually. We're wondering if you might be able to tell us if our friend has residence here. She might have checked in under the name of Jenna Wygergangs." When it came down to it Takisha knew how to speak to someone she knew she wouldn't like later.

Fred kept his plastered smile on as he said," Ladies I'm afraid I can't give out confidential information such as that. Unless you're with the police or F.B.I I can't tell you squat. If that's all then I wish you a good day."

This wasn't the first time Mackenzie and Takisha had heard the whole, 'That's confidential information' speech. Just like all the other times they easily fixed that problem.

Pulling out a $100 bill Mackenzie whispered," Tell you what. If you let us know what we want, we'll let you have our pretty green friend here. Deal?"

Snatching the bill from Mackenzie Fred glanced around the lobby and whispered back," You friend's on the 10th floor, room 232, but you didn't hear it from me." Mackenzie and Takisha immitaded zipping their lips closed and locking them with a key. Fred smiled and hastily tucked the 100 in his front pocket.

Mackenzie and Takisha were starting to get nervous, the person they were soon going to confront was most likely an imposter, and they usuallu ended up being nasty people. Or, if they got lucky, they'd be confronting their friend's ghost come back to earth.

'Ding' went the elevator as it stopped and opened up onto the 10th floor. The hall way was dull and plain, red carpetting and white walls and doors with gold numbers.

Room 232 turned out to be the very last one before the fire exit. A quick exchange of looks and they were running for the door.

...Inside room 232...

The room I now had to live in was as normal as you could get. Tiny kitchen, one bedroom, small bathroom, brown rug and faded yellow walls.

Unlike the other inhabitants of the Crystal Apartments I was already set up with appliances. Black leather couch and armchair (that reminded me of my stupid collar.) Single queen sized bed, dresser, 20 by 20 inch television with built in DVD player, microwave, food filled refridgerator and even bathroom essentials. Really you could say I was being spoiled.

Slouched back on the couch with the catsack beside me I felt tired, lonely and out of place. Feeling stupid I said to myself," Welcome to your new life Jenna, where you're half cat and dead to everyone you cared about."

That's when I heard them, two sets of foot steps rushing towards my door. I was curious as well as nervous, for all I knew I was about to be assaulted by D.Y.T.C hit men. The manager downstairs did seem to be the easy buy off kind of sleeze ball.

The running stopped in front of my door, hesitantly I got up from the couch and approached the door. Listening carefully I was surprised to hear a familiar knock. Since I'd met Mackenzie and Takisha I'd learned to recognize the way they knocked, and that knock sounded exactly like Mackenzie's. But that was impossible for her to be at my door. I'm suppose to be dead to them.

It was that moment I decided to test the saying of 'Curiosity killed the cat.'

Chapter Twelve- Trust Your Friends Not to Listen

Undoing the top bolt then the lock in the door I held my breathe and slowly opened the door.

Once it was open halfway I was met with the gaping stares of both Mackenzie Bishop and Takisha Petroff. Both of them seemed to have seen a ghost, which to them was true. Wyatt must not have been very convincing when he told them I was dead.

Too late to shut the door I opened it the rest of the way and timidly said," Hi guys, good to see you."

"You...you...you son of a bitch!" Mackenzie screamed this while lunging for my throat. Thinking fast I leaped back out of her reach.

My hands raised up in defense I said," I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! It wasn't my idea I swear. Non of it was my idea, please don't kill me!"

"Jenna Noel, do you have any idea what it was like top be told you'd died!? Do you think sorry will make up for three weeks of hell you've put not only us, but you family through?! You better have a good explanation for faking your own death!"

Mackenzie and Takisha were inside my apartment by now, and both of them looked ready to kill me, bring me back to life and kill me again.

This being a serious moment I stared down at my sock feet and solemly said,"I can't explain what happened. It's something you can't and don't want to know. I'd get in serious shit if I told you. And what's more, my family has to keep thinking I'm dead. Please, I beg of you. Forgive me and keep this a secret."

They were both caught off guard with this, it wasn't like me to beg for a secret to be kept. Things had to be bad if I was acting out of character. Mackenzie crossed her arms and put on a pouty face before muttering," I don't like this, but I'll keep my mouth shut...for a price of course."

"I'll keep quiet too, but if you ever pull that kind of disappearing act again don't think I won't hesitate to kill you." Takisha's hands were on her hips when she said this, meaning she was literarly going to kill me next time.

Relieved and overly happy to have two of my best friends back I couldn't help but start crying. I fell to my knees smiling and full out blubbering. Through sobs I managed to say," You...have...no idea...what...I've been...through. I missed...you...guys...soo much!" After that I continued crying non stop.

Takisha and Mackenzie lost their tough girl acts and came to sit beside me on the floor. Takisha put an arm around my shoulders and Mackenzie put her head on what room she could get on my right shoulder. We stayed like that in silence for an hour until my sobs died down to sniffles then just stopped all together.

Smiling I said," I'm sorry you had to see me like this. You guys must be hungry, I'll call for take out. My treat."

"You definately owe us that much. Can we get pizza?" Takisha said while standing up.

"If you haven't forgotten I'm still vegetarian. So no meat on my pizza. Yes my friend, you are ordering me a pizza for myself." Kenzie stood up next, her eyes deadly intent on what she'd said.

These were my friends, the peope I could trust to make me happy as fast as broke. I deserved the punishment of an empty wallet. Heaving a sigh of defeat I said," Alright, one veggie pizza and on pizza with whatever you want on it Takisha. Um...Could you help me up, my legs have fallen asleep." Raising my hands they both grabbed one and hauled me to my feet.

Wincing every step of the way I went back to the couch and got my catsack. Rummaging throughall the crap I found the black wallet with a white cat sewn into the back. I swear everything they gave me has to remind me of what I was.

Inside the wallet was my driver's license and motorcycle license. The best thing inside the wallet were the five $100 bills and six $20 bills. In total I was carrying $620, more than enough to survive for a few weeks.

"What'd you do rob a bank over the time you were dead to us?!" I flinched at Taksha's voice being so close and dropped the wallet.

"No, I didn't rob a bank. I got it from...my work. I couldn't live off of garbage. I got a job that pays real good...Kenzie don't go in my bag!!" Picking up my wallet I caught Mackenzie peeking in my cat sack.

Snatching it back from her I zipped it close and tossed it in my room.

I hadn't been fast enough to stop her from grabbing my new cell phone out of the bag though, she was looking it over while saying,"You sure you're not working for the moffia or a gang? I've never seen this model before. Where'd you get it?" At that precise moment the cell phone rang, or actually, meowed, seeing how the ring tone had been set to sound like a kitten crying for it's mother. The point is it startled Kenzie making her drop it.

It would have smashed on the ground,(Mackenzie stands at 6''2) if my cat reflexes didn't make me catch it first. Small problem with that, I caught it backwards. I was bent almost in a perfect arch, my head nearly touching the floor.

Feeling unbelieveing eyes staring at me I stood back up and asked casually," What? I've been working out, it's incredible what a few weeks at the GYM can do for your relfexes and flexability. Would you excuse me, I really need to take this call."

Running to my room I closed the door and checked the flashing green caller ID, it read Ortibus,W. Muttering a curse under my breath I flipped it on and put it to my...fake ear and asked," What do you want?!"

"Whoa, sorry if I interrupted something. But we're going to need you to return to HQ either tonight or tomorrow morning. There's still alot we need to work. Plus you still have training with Steve." It was an order, not a request.

Grinding my teeth together to stop from swearing I said," Fine I'll see you around nine tomorrow, and I'll have changed the stupid ring tone on this phone. Now good night, and don't call back!"I snapped the phone shut and put it in my sock drawer.

Opening the door I was sure I felt someone back up,'Leave it to my friends to eavesdrop. Hopefully they didn't hear too much.'

Coming into the living room I gave them both suspicious glares. Mackenzie was staring out the balcany window and Takisha was flipping through the T.V. channels... It would normally be the other way around, so they were listening in and trying to cover it up.

Crossing my arms I asked," Do either of you know the phone number for a local pizza parlor?"

"I do!" Mackenzie snatched up the phone on the kitchen counter and punched in a number. When it began to ring on the other end she passed the phone to me and crashed on the couch with Takisha.

Placing the order and saying the address I hung up the phone and turned back to the couch potatoes...Right when a couch cushion was thrown at Takisha. Missing her it continued its flight course and landed on my face. But at the same time knocking off my wig.

I stared in horror a the cushion and wig on the floor, the expression on Mackenzie's and Takisha's face I couldn't meet head on. Instead I gathered up the wig and ran into my room, slamming the door behind me.

Slumping against the door to keep it closed I hugged the wig to my body and called through the door," Funny what can change over the time span of three weeks huh?"

"Jenna...were those, cat ears?" Takisha's confused voice asked.

"Lynx to be specific."

"Is there anything else you're hiding?"

"Besides a jaguar's tail, a set of tiger eyes, cheetah muscles underneath my skin and claws, no." Sarcasim wasn't exactly a good thing at that moment, but it made me more comfortable explaining.

"Are...are you serious?" Mackenzie's voice was barely a whisper, the sight of animal parts on a human that's her friend must have been rather unsettling.

"Ya, I'm serious."

"You heard me, even at that volume?!"

"My sense of hearing, taste, smell and sight match those of the felines I'm made up of. Truthfully I'm Cat Woman with more to show."

"Jenna, who did that to you? Is that why we were told you died?"

"Like I said earlier, I can't tell you or I'll get in the worst trouble imaginable."

"Will you show us the other...things?" Takisha seemed rather worried asking that question. I don't blame her though, I wouldn't be too thrilled to ask my friend to show off her freaky new body parts.

Still holding the wig I hesitantly opened the door Mackenzie had a blank face, while Takisha was frozen with disbelief and amazement. Holding the wig out to Takisha I asked," Will you hold onto these for a second?" She didn't reply, she did take the item though.

First I gently took out my contact lenses, giving them a moment to take in my irisis I said," You might want to brace yourselves for the tail." Wide eyed they nodded.

It was practically deja view when I extended a claw and cut out a hole in the black sweat pants I was wearing. Not needing any assistance my tail slid out of its fabric restrainer and out the make shift hole. Mackenzie's and Takisha's breath caught in their throats.

Shrugging I said," This is all I can show, the cheetah muscles are under my skin...I can understand if you don't want to be my friends anymore, I know I wouldn't want to be stuck with a mouse eater to babysit."

Mackenzie scrunched her eyebrows together frowning and asked,"What the hell are you talking about? I'm not going to quit being your friend because you give yourself tongue baths."

"Same with me, just don't ask me to change your litter box. You're on your own on that one."

The cat jokes I knew would keep coming as long as these two were my friends, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Girl friends that make fun of you every now and then are alot better than no friends at all.

That issue settled I took the wig back from Takisha and put it in my room along with the fake ears while explaining to them," I really don't like wearing those cursed things, they bug my ears after a while. Just like this collar. I can't feel it, but just knowing it's there is more annoying then you could imagine."

"Can't you take it off?" Mackenzie had found the bag of Zesty Cheese Doritos in the cupboard and was mowing down on them as an appitizer before the pizza arrived.

"Do you think I'd still be wearing it if I could take it off? It has no release mechanism, the person who put it on me can take it off. But only them."

"Let me guess, you don't know who put it on you." Takisha was leaning against the door, money for the pizzas in hand.

Plopping down on the couch beside Mackenzie I pulled my knees to my chest and muttered," I'll find them sooner or later, when I do I'll turn them into my personal scratching post. Give me a chip Kenzie."

"No! get your own!"

"Those are all mine! Hand 'em over!"

"No! Agh! Watch it with the claws. You'll take my eyes out!" In grabbing for the bag I'd almost put my hands near Mackenzie's face.

Innocently smiling I put my hands under my butt and pathetically chuckled.

"Pizza! Jenna hide!" Takisha gestered for me to duck into my room. I was already closing the door when the delivery boy knocked. Mackenzie was staring at the door stupified. Takisha had to take a second before answering the door.

In my room it was taking all my will power not to break through the door and run for the pizza. It smelt sooo scrumptious I couldn't help but drool.

Pressing my right ear against the wood of the door I listened carefully for the front door to shut. At the sound of metal locking into place I burst out into the living room and landed in the cat sitting position in front of the counter and the pizza boxes.

Takisha was getting the plates out of another cupboard when she saw me staring intently at the pizza with my tail impatiently swishing back and forth. Biting her lower lip she looked over at Mackenzie to see that she was giving me a 'What the fuck?!?!' face.

Unable to resist Takisha sweetly asked," Jenna, do you want some pizza? Do you want some pizza girl?"

"Pizza...Pizza, pizza, pizza! Me want pizza, me want pizza!" That is what I thought I was saying to them. In reality all they heard was," Mezza! Mozza! Mezza Mezza!"

"Uh...sorry, what was that?" Takisha asked befuddled.

"Jenna, we don't speak freaky feline words. Speakie the english please!" Mackenzie threw a dorito at me, breaking my concentration on the pizza.

It also brought me back to earth. Standing up I casually kept my sight on the ceiling and asked," I'm sorry, did you ask me something?"

Mackenzie rolled her eyes and shook her head in a nice way of saying I was pathetic. Takisha held the plate out to me and replied,"Ya, I asked you if you wanted veggie or meat pizza?" Something told me that that wasn't her original question but I let it slide.

I chose a slice of both pizza, that way I made Maclenzie happy while disappointed at the same time.

Shoving the slice of meat pizza in her mouth Takisha asked," Mackenzie you got a look at the delivery boy right? Didn't he seem kinda of familiar?"

"Mhm...He did look familiar. We don't know anyone around here do we?"

"No...Everyone we know is in Sarnia, New Brunswick and a bunch of toher places. No one here though, unless they moved here and didn't tell us. It doesn't matter I guess, Jenna, I was wondering something. Did you figure out who left you that ring and note?" Takisha asked this before getting back to her giant slice of meat lovers pizza.

At the mention of the ring I glanced at it for a second, ate the last piece of crust and replied," I believe the initials T.B. stand for Tommy Bray. I don't remember anything about him though, do you?"

Turning to Mackenzie and Takisha I found them staring at me as if I'd finally lost my mind. Stopping myself from eating the meat pizza I asked," What? What did I say?!"

"Jenna, do you seriously not remember who Tommy Bray is?" Mackenzie asked, her gaze intense and scrutinizing.

I thought as hard as I could, yet nothing came to mind. Ripping the pizza slice in half with my mouth I replied by shaking my head and shrugging.

Takisha gave Mackenzie a quick glance that said, ' She must have gotten her brain messed with when those ears got attached to her head.'

Mackenzie sent Takisha her own glance that said,' I agree. If she doesn't remember who he is then that's good. Let's not bother to remind her who he was to her. We don't need her crying again and ruining the pizza.'

A curt nod of settlement and Takisha said to me," He wasn't that important anyway. It was probably someone else who gave you the ring. I have one more question."

"Shoot."

"Can we spend the night?"

' Dammit! I was afraid she was going to ask. If I turn them down they'll get suspicious again, but if I say yes then it'll make things harder for me to leave in the morning... Aw shit, Kenzie's giving me puppy dog eyes!' Swallowing the rest of my pizza I sighed in surrender and said," Sure, I don't see any problem with that. Don't be surprised when you wake up and I'm not here. I have to work the morning shift at my job tomorrow." Behind my back I crossed my fingers