Jamie ~ 8 The End

 Jamie ~ 8  Twilight 

Len Morgan

 Just at the close of day, before the house lights came on, Jamie slipped quietly past the old upholstered chair.  He was conscious of the two bright yellow orbs that lit up, and the folup – folup as four padded paws hit the floor running just a few feet behind him.  He sensed the leap, and threw a zig-zag pattern, stopped, changed direction and continued his flight.  Always that tantalising yard or so ahead of the cat.  He knew his life was at stake.  He slipped from room to room, the deadly shadow closing in closer, closer ever closer…  Jamie stopped for a breather under the grandmother clock, listening to the yowling and hissing from his adversary.  He feigned to exit on the left then the right, repeating the pattern to wear Midnight out but it didn’t seem to work.  So, he lay down mid centre beneath the clock.  All the time midnight reached in with his left then right paw getting angrier by the minute.  Then, following each attempt the cats paws seemed to reach for longer and longer Jamie bit the offending paw which was withdrawn so fast it almost pulled him out from his hiding place.  He went back to his central position, but the paws were not grasping at him anymore, instead, the cat stalked around the clock…   

Meantime the other mice were raiding the kitchen, running off with as much food as they could carry.  When they’d gathered enough food, peed in Midnight’s food  & water bowls, they signalled to tell Jamie their larder was full.  They made loud squeaks and scurried around, and, as expected, Midnight gave chase…  That was the signal for Jamie to make his dash…

He hit the stairs at full speed, bounding up them with scarce a pause.  He was halfway up before the cat took up the chase, even so, he barely made it to the little room at the top of the stairs. 

He slipped through the partly opened door and straight to the bed.  As the door burst open with a bang Jamie was scrambling up the candlewick bedspread.  He barely had time to dart beneath the long straw-coloured tresses, spread out on the pillow, before the cat landed on the bed close by, Jamie wriggled to draw her attention then slid beneath the pillow.  Midnight saw the movement and pounced to where she’d last seen the mouse.  She slashed viciously with both her front paws, claws extended.  She felt them sink into soft tissue.  Jamie gave a squeal.  She ripped viciously attempting to toss her prey high… 

There was a piercing scream. A flailing of arms; Midnight struck out defensively, just as the lights came on outside.

.-...-.

“Aaagh!  Mummy Mummy…” 

“My god, that’s Melissa,” June yelled.  “I’m coming baby,” she bounded up the stairs.  Sean overtook her in time to witness the cat dashing from his little girl’s room.  He entered and saw their baby’s blood spattered face. 

“Daddy, Daddy, Midnight attacked me…” tears mingled with the blood on his handkerchief as June took Melissa into her arms.

“That cat goes, first thing in the morning,” she said, with cold finality. “No more Cats!”

And so it was!

THE END

 

Copyright Len Morgan