Eyes of the Cat

The night was silent. The only noises to be heard were the wind howling through the trees and the occasional traffic in the distance. The wind stung flesh as it whipped around the houses. It was pitch black, the only light being the few pathetically lit street lamps scattered down the block. A girl lurking in the shadows smiled. It was exactly the kind of night she liked.

Jody had never liked warmth and comfort. The skinny, pale youth had much preferred the cold and dark. Or perhaps it wasn't that she preferred it, as much as it was all she'd ever known.

She crept quietly through the yard, peering around corners and listening carefully. They hid very well and moved very stealthily, she knew. They could also see better in the dark. Jody figured that was because they were dark creatures. She shook with fury just thinking of them. So, of course, they had to be hunted. She forced herself to listen and focus on the task at hand, and continued to stalk through the night, listening. Listening for anything that would give them away...

Hearing a noise, she stilled. Small footsteps crept cautiously closer. Big, green, lamp-like eyes peered at her from the bushes. Her hands clasped the butcher knife tightly as the moon slipped from the cover of clouds long enough for the blade to shine dully.

* * *

"NO!" Jody screamed as he dragged her down the hallway into his room. He only laughed. He was high again, she could tell. And drunk.

"Please, Justin, please don't do this!" she pleaded as the tears streaked down her cheeks. She felt a knot of fear clutch in her chest. Terror rose up in her throat as she clawed desperately at the cheap carpet. Her nails cracked and bled in protest as he ripped her from the floor she was clinging to. Her sobs echoed through the small, empty house as he slammed the door.

"Shut up!" he yelled, and slapped her. Pain slammed into her skull as he continued to beat her. But she knew it would get worse soon. And she would be helpless to stop it. Helpless, as she always was. Beyond her cries and his yells, she heard a rustling noise. She opened her eyes as blood and the cold sweat of fear stung them.

The cats.

They were in his room again. It seemed as though they were always in there. They watched her coldly as she pled for help. Didn't move a muscle as she was beaten and humiliated. Just watched, with their wicked eyes that were so suited to darkness. It was almost as though they were cruelly amused. As the worst of it came, she screamed as loud as she could.

Minutes later, he was putting his shirt back on. "Listen, you little brat." She looked up at him, her eyes bloodshot, her body still crumpled in a heap on the floor, shaking.

He started towards her, then seemed to change his mind. "I know you won't tell Mom and Dad."
He smirked. "You're so pathetic. Besides, they'd never believe you anyway, and you know it," he said as he bent down. Through her haze of shock and pain, she knew he was right.

"Here," he snapped as he tossed her her clothes. Most of them were ruined, ripped and torn beyond recognition. "Now get out of my room." Although it took all her willpower to move, she was so scared he might change his mind, she fled. She ran into her room as fast as her bruised legs would carry her, and slammed the door quickly. Slowly, she lowered herself on her bed and buried her face in her hands.

* * *

Jody smiled slowly as she raised her blade high into the air. A soft and questioning "Meow" was all that broke the stillness of the night. Jody snickered at her own private joke, the power that vengeance gave racing through her veins. "Here, kitty, kitty."