Guardian Cats and the Lost Books of Alexandria

Chapter 44: Gathering smoke

Cicero heard a small explosion, but it was the smell of smoke that alarmed him. He dashed out of his chambers towards the balcony. He stared at the flames, not believing his eyes, thinking this must be a nightmare and he would surely wake up. When smoke drifted upwards, he knew this was no dream.

Fire was Cicero’s greatest fear… his only fear, ever since he’d witnessed the burning of Alexandria. He stared at it in a daze. He knew he should move, but he remained petrified, dreading to leave as though he could will the fire to stop by his being there.

“What dark power has come upon me… that I should suffer through this, as did my predecessors? And why did I not sense its coming?”

Finally, he turned and darted back to his chambers, looking for Alaniah. She was not there and he went back to the balcony, coughing on the gathering smoke.

Cicero stood in front of the mirror, helpless to enter without Alaniah. He saw the reflection of the fire behind him, the image repeating over and over because of another mirror on the other side. For a terrifying moment, he felt the presence of the madmen who burned the library at Alexandria.

Caffeina goes for help

“Did you hear that noise? And what is that smell?” Caffeina caught the scent first, then Tweezer and the others smelled it.

“It’s coming from inside!” cried Skitzo.

Gypsy leaped down onto a lower branch. “Fire!” she cried. “I can see it. Come over here and look.”

“Fire?” cried Skitzo. “This is how they’ve come to destroy us?”

“They? Who do you mean? The raccoons?” asked Caffeina.

“We need a human,” said Gypsy, ever the practical one. “They’ll know what to do.”

“Where are we going to find a human at this time of night?”

“There’s a light on in that house,” said Pudge. “Who’s willing to check it out?”

“I’ll go,” said Caffeina. “I can’t sit here and do nothing.”

She dropped down from the tree and ran to the house. The rose bushes pricked her nose as she climbed up the trellis, but she managed to get to the window and peer inside where two people were sitting in front of a TV.

Caffeina tapped on the window with her paw. They didn’t hear her. She tapped harder and louder. This time the woman turned and looked out the window. She squinted at her and laughed, then nudged her husband. He ignored her. She nudged him again.

Caffeina caught a whiff of smoke and tapped more vigorously. The woman was laughing now, but the man was getting annoyed.

Caffeina meowed at the humans, hoping that they would come outside and smell the smoke. The man groaned as he got out of his chair and came over to the window.

‘Oh good,’ thought Caffeina hopefully. ‘They’ll be sure to help us now.’

“Damn stray cat,” the man muttered. “Looking for a handout.”

“Look at her. She’s beautiful, Wilbur. We should give her something to eat.”

“Forget it, Iris. We’re not taking in another cat. I’m calling Animal Control in the morning.” The man closed the blinds.