The Wicked Cat (7 page)

It wasn't exactly the best example to use, he realized.

Jessie nodded faintly. “I was the black cat you found. The evil house-burning cat you were all afraid of. But like I said, you already know that.
When I was getting dressed at the swimming pool, after you tortured me in the water, I realized that.” She gripped his shirt tightly. “And I realized something else. You know what that was?”

Adam tried to back up but found he couldn't.

“No,” he said.

Her voice was cold. “I realized you were not my friend. You were just pretending to be because you wanted to get something from me. You are like Madeline. She should have paid for what she did to me and Jack but she was too powerful. Even when I served her as a familiar, I could never take revenge on her. But I can take revenge on you!”

“Jessie—” Adam began.

But he wasn't given a chance to finish. Gripping his chest with ferocious strength—as if she were a lion—Jessie lifted him off the ground and pinned him to the wall beside Jack's skeleton. There was another set of chains pinned into the stone, and these she fastened around his wrists. But the handcuffs were old and rusty—the locking mechanism was shot. It didn't matter to Jessie. From the depths of her green eyes light blazed, like twin laser beams, and she fused the cuffs together. Adam was
trapped. Jessie took a step back and grinned at him.

“I'll be back later with some cement,” she promised. “I'll wall this place back up. Even if your friends come looking for you, even if you scream as loud as you can, no one will hear you.” She pinched his cheek. “Goodbye, Adam. I really did think you were cute. You reminded me of Jack. And now—just think—you're going to look like him.”

Jessie walked away.

Adam hung in the dark beside the skeleton of Jack.

He didn't know how he was going to get out of this mess.

M
eanwhile Cindy was feeding Sally a chicken dinner. Sally seemed to enjoy it, but Cindy had to hold the drumstick for her if Sally was to get any meat off it. Cindy laughed as Sally growled when the drumstick was done. Cindy scratched the cat on the back of the head, which made Sally growl more.

“You can't have any more,” Cindy said. “You don't want to be a fat cat. There's nothing more unattractive.”

The cat tried to scratch Cindy's hand but Cindy was too fast for her. Cindy waved the drumstick at her.

“You don't want to make me mad,” Cindy said. “Or you'll have no breakfast tomorrow.”

“Careful,” Watch advised. “Hopefully she won't be a cat much longer,” he said, checking one of his watches, “if Adam is successful with Jessie. Hey, he's been gone a long time.”

They were sitting on what was left of Cindy's front porch, and it was getting late. The sun would set in an hour. Cindy left Sally alone for a moment and went over to sit beside Watch. He looked worried and she patted him on the back.

“Adam knows how to take care of himself,” she said. “Even if he can't talk her back into being a cat, I don't think she can harm him.”

Watch shook his head. “You forget that she's been a familiar for two centuries, and I doubt that she lost all her powers by becoming human. If she suspects Adam is trying to manipulate her, she could get really angry. Who knows what she might do to him?”

“Should we go look for him?” she asked.

Watch stood. “I think I'll look myself. I don't want to have to take the cat—I mean, Sally. She'd just slow me down. You stay here and watch her.”

Cindy caught something odd in his tone. “You don't want me to come for another reason?”

Watch lowered his head. “I am thinking of going to the witch's castle, and asking her for help.”

Cindy was concerned. “You know it's never a good idea to push her. She said she told you all she was going to tell you. I don't want you going to that evil castle.”

Watch looked up. “I got a lot of my eyesight back at that castle. I was going blind before I went there. I really don't think Ann Templeton is evil.”

Cindy stood and touched his arm. “She may not be evil but she doesn't understand our idea of goodness. She's totally unpredictable.”

Watch nodded. “But I'm afraid something is wrong with Adam. He should have at least called by now.”

“The witch won't go out of her way to help Adam.”

“She might. And I'm hoping Ann Templeton has some records about what happened back when Jessie was turned into a cat.”

Cindy gave him a hug. “Go then. But what
should I do if Jessie shows up here without Adam?”

“Be careful what you say to her.”

When Watch reached the castle, he was surprised to find the moat torches burning. Usually the castle was dark and forbidding at evening time. But maybe Ann Templeton knew he was coming. He expected a goblin or troll to answer the door, but it was the witch herself. She was dressed in a long dark green robe and smiled when she saw who it was.

“Watch,” she said. “You're just time. Come in.”

He stepped into the dark interior of the castle, which he knew from experience could change shape at a moment's notice. In the corner was a roaring fire, and not far from it was a long wooden table littered with old pieces of brown paper.

“Did you put the idea in my mind to come here?” he asked.

“Exactly.” She led him toward the table and offered him a seat. “I am reviewing portions of Madeline Templeton's diary. As you can see it is
not in good shape. I had to look long and hard to find what I have.”

Watch sat down at the table. “You're going to all this trouble to help Sally?”

Ann Templeton smiled as she made herself comfortable across from him.

“Let's just say I have a curiosity about what happened with Madeline and this Jessie. If the information I find helps Sally, I don't mind. But I told you, I still think Sally will make a good cat. She should have been born with claws.”

Watch nodded at the pieces of paper. “Does Madeline's diary discuss their relationship?”

“Yes. At first they were the best of friends. But then Madeline got jealous of Jessie's friendship with a boy. I think Madeline liked him as Well.”

“Is that when Madeline turned her into a cat?”

“Yes.” Ann Templeton read one piece of old and cracked paper. “This entry was dated after Jessie was already a familiar. But even then Madeline seemed upset, but I think it had more to do with
the boy.” Ann Templeton suddenly frowned. “Oh, that wasn't very nice of her.”

“What?” Watch asked.

“Madeline killed Jack. That was the name of the boy.”

Watch swallowed. “Just because she was jealous?”

“Madeline had a terrible temper when she was young. She chained Jack in-a cave not far from here, up behind the cemetery. Then she walled the entrance up.” Ann Templeton set the page of the diary down. “He must still be there.”

“But not in very good shape,” Watch added.

Ann Templeton smiled faintly. “You know what I like about you, Watch?”

“I can't imagine.”

“Even when things are at their darkest, you have a sense of humor. That's a good trait to possess, especially in this town.”

“Thank you. It's a difficult town to grow up in, but an exciting one.” He paused. “Why
does
so much weird stuff happen here? I've always wondered.”

Ann Templeton laughed. “The answer to that question would fill books. But I'll give you a hint.
The answer lies in the stars and in the past and in the future.”

“I don't understand.”

“If I told you, it would ruin the mystery of Spooksville for you, and I won't do that. You have to discover the truth for yourself. But to do that you're going to have to look in all three places that I have described.”

“Your daughter Mireen said your husband was from the star cluster the Pleiades.” Watch paused. “Is Mireen around? I haven't talked to her in a while.”

“She is busy with her studies. You may see her another time.” She sharpened her tone. “And as far as my husband is concerned, I never speak of him. And you shouldn't either.”

Watch nodded quickly. “I didn't mean to pry. I'm sorry.”

Ann Templeton tapped the pages of the diary. “Something about this cave intrigues me. I feel there may be something there. Where did you find the cat yesterday?”

“Up behind the cemetery.” He paused. “Near the cave, I suppose.”

“Interesting. Jessica must have liked to stay close to Jack.”

“You know Adam is supposed to be with Jessie now. He's trying to show her that being a human isn't so great after all.”

“Did he tell Jessie that he was on to her secret?”

“He didn't plan to tell her.” Watch added, “But he's been gone a long time. I'm worried about him.”

Ann Templeton paused and closed her eyes and put a hand to her head, near her forehead. For a moment she breathed funny, sort of rapidly. Then she became very still and Watch felt a strange power move through the room. Then she opened her eyes and stood.

“We will go up to this cave together,” she said.

Watch jumped. “Now?”

“Not this minute. I have to speak to my trolls. Once a week I lecture them on good manners and civic responsibility. If I don't, they get all excited and want to burn and pillage the town. But we can go in half an hour. While you're waiting you can read in my library. I have many interesting books
you might enjoy, a few even from the time of Atlantis and Lemuria.”

“But is Adam at the cave? He might be in danger.”

She laughed. “Adam enjoys a little danger.”

C
indy was trying to interest Sally in a can of tuna when there was a knock at the door. Cindy hoped it was Adam as she hurried to the door. But when she opened it, she froze solid. Jessie, her green eyes blazing, stood on the burned porch.

“You seem surprised to see me,” Jessie said. “May I come in?”

Cindy glanced over her shoulder. The cat—Sally—had come into the living room and was standing behind her now.

“N-now is not a good time,” Cindy stuttered. “I have company.”

Jessie peered around. “I see you do. But that's all right. I didn't want to come into your lousy house yesterday and I don't want to come into it this evening.” She paused and her face darkened. “I was just wondering if you wanted me to take you to Adam.”

“Where is he?”

“Come with me and I'll show you. Bring your cat, I don't mind.”

Cindy was worried. “What have you done to him?”

Jessie shrugged. “Nothing. He's perfectly well. I was just on my way back to him. But then I got to thinking about you, and how much you like him. How you would like to spend more time with him. And I thought I should invite you along.”

Cindy knew Jessie was up to no good but she felt she had no choice but to follow her. Of course she suspected Jessie had somehow trapped Adam, and that Jessie intended to capture her along with him. Jessie clearly hated her, and obviously knew that Cindy knew about her little black cat secret.

Cindy bent down and picked up Sally.

“All right, Jessie,” she said. “We'll go with you.”

“That's good.” Jessie grinned. “You can help me carry the cement.”

As it grew dark outside, it became almost pitch-black in the cave. Still Adam could make out some shapes. Not that there was much to see. His aching arms and hands were already beginning to occupy most of his attention. Jessie had pinned them above his head, and his heart was having trouble pumping the blood to his fingertips. The cramping in his muscles was extraordinary. He wondered how long he could last before he would begin to cry out in pain. Of course he knew no one would hear him, with or without the brick wall. He wondered if Jessie really was coming back, or if she would wait until he was dead to wall him in. Neither alternative sounded pleasant.

Adam glanced around.

“I hate this place,” he muttered.

“You get used to it,” a soft voice replied.

Adam would have jumped out of his skin if he hadn't been chained.

“Who's there?” he gasped.

“Just me,” the voice replied.

Adam had to take a breath. “Who is me?”

“Jack. I'm right here.”

Adam blinked and stared at the skeleton on his right. He thought he noticed a faint movement.

“Jack,” he whispered. “Are you Jack the skeleton?”

There was definite movement on his right. A bony hand raised up.

Adam did scream.

“Shh,” Jack said. “Don't get excited. I know I've lost weight, but I'm not that bad looking.”

Adam bit his lip and tried to catch his breath.

“You're alive?” Adam whispered.

“Sure. But I only wake up at night. What's your name?”

“Adam.”

A bony hand brushed Adam's side and Adam screamed again.

“I just wanted to shake,” Jack said, quickly withdrawing his bony fingers.

Adam was still trying to get a handle on the situation. A talking skeleton in a black cave was not his idea of fun company. He closed his eyes for a moment and took several long, deep breaths. When
he opened his eyes again, Jack was still there, still staring at him with his empty eye sockets.

“Jack,” Adam said carefully, “do you know you're a skeleton?”

Jack sounded offended. “Well, you'd be a skeleton, too, if you'd hung here as long as I have with nothing to eat.”

Adam nodded, his heart still pounding in his chest.

“I understand that,” he said. “But because you are a skeleton, you're not supposed to be alive.”

Now Jack was definitely insulted. “Are you saying I should be dead? Is that what you mean?”

“Yes. Most skeletons are dead. All the ones I know about have been.”

Jack sighed. “You don't like me. Here we're chained together in the same cave and you don't even want to be friends. You know it gets lonely in here without anyone to talk to.”