Angry Cat's Arc

Chapter 9 of 11

Harriet stood from the table and moved toward the window. She looked out at the hills for a long time before she spoke again. "I know where they might be," she said. Her voice was careful, measured. Angry Cat's ears went forward. "What?" Harriet turned to face him. "The person who stopped coming. I think I know how to find them." Angry Cat's claws dug into the floor. The weight in his chest shifted—not lighter, just different. "How?" Harriet walked to a cabinet against the wall and pulled a small folded paper from between two books. "I found this years ago, near the clearing. It's a map. There's a signpost marked on it, and a trail that leads somewhere past the hills." She set the paper on the table. Angry Cat stared at it. The lines were faded but clear enough. His breath caught. He could follow this. He could find them. But then Harriet's voice cut through. "If we go, you need to decide something first." Angry Cat looked up. "Decide what?" Her eyes stayed on him, steady. "What you'll do when we get there. If they're still alive. If they remember you. If they don't." The anger flared hot and immediate. He wanted to hiss at her for asking. But the question stayed in the air, heavy and real. He had spent so long wanting to know why someone left. Now he had to decide if he wanted them back. He looked at the map again. Then he stood and walked to the door. Harriet didn't move. "I'm going," he said. His voice was rough. "But I don't know what I'll do when I find them." Harriet folded the map and tucked it into her collar. "Then we'll figure it out when we're there." Mother Cat watched from the corner, silent. Angry Cat stepped outside. The hills stretched ahead, and somewhere beyond them was a signpost that would take him to the end of this. He didn't know if he wanted answers or closure or just to see the face of the person who had tried. But for the first time, he knew he was ready to find out.