I found a cat under an old bridge two years ago.
It was raining and i was walking home from a night shift when i heard a weak meow echo from beneath the crumbling concrete.
The cat was small, soaked to the bone, eyes wide and pleading.
I wrapped it in my coat and took it home.
I named him Brook.
For two years, Brook was the perfect companion.
He is quiet, cuddly, with strange yellow eyes that always seemed to understand me a little too well.
He never hissed, never scratched the walls or pillows, he would curl up next to me each night, purring like a tiny engine, and i grew to love him more than most people.
But then..... it began.
It was on a stormy night when it first happened.
I was laying on the bed with my phone scrolling.
" Brook?" I called casually, " time to eat, buddy".
There was no response.
" Brook?" I called out again.
I expected the soft patter of purs or his usual drawn-out meow.
But no.
Instead i heard,
" Yes?"
I froze.
The voice was.....a male . A human.
An intruder?
I stood up slowly, my heart pounding as i reached under the bed for my old baseball bat.
My apartment was small, one bedroom, one hallway ,a single entry door and barred windows.
If someone did break in, i would've heard the glass shatter, the door creak or somthing.
I checked the locks, they were still bolted.
The windows were all sealed, there was no signs of force entry.
I calmed down a bit. Maybe it was my neighbour next door.
My focus went back to my cat.
" Brook?" I called again.
No answer.
".....Brook?" I called again.
No answer again. Just silence.
A deep, watching silence.
I became worried .
Then, i heard a movement from behind me,
I turned towards the hallway- and there he was.
Brook.
Peeking at me from behind the hallway corner with one eye just visible.
" oh its you", relieved, i let out a shaky laugh.
" Jesus, don't scare me like that, alright come here"
But he didn't move.
He just stood there staring at me.
"....c'mon " i said softly.
Nothing.
Then- he smiled.
Not like cats do when they're content.
No, this was different.
Brook smiled..... like a human. It was wide.
Too wide with his gums out, as if someone taught him how.
And then- he spoke again.
" Yes?"
My legs gave out.
I collapsed to the floor, shaking, staring at him from the cold floor.
" what-" i couldn't form a word.
But Brook didn't answer. He was just smiling.
Then he stood.
Not like a cat arching its back.
God.
He rose up. Balanced on two legs, wobbling like a grotesque parody of a man.
His paws flexing like fingers. His tail twitching with unnatural rhythm.
I screamed and scrambled back to my room, slamming the door and locking it behind me.
I pressed my weight against it, gripping the bat, my heart beating wildly.
Then came the sound. Not from behind the door.
But above it.
Scratch.... Scratch... Scratch.
And then, the voice again - calm, playful.
" I'm coming ".
Scratch.
" I'm coming "
Scratch.
"....I'm coming ".
Then silence.
I collapsed onto the bed, bat still in hand, soaked in cold sweat.
The silence was so suffocating.
And then... nothing. I must've blacked out.
I woke to sunlight, it was morning and the birds were chirping outside.
I stared at the ceiling, dazed.
Had i... fallen asleep?
It didn't make sense, how can i fall asleep last night.
Then i felt it. A weight.
Warm and gentle on my chest.
i looked down.
Brook was curled up like a croissant, sleeping peacefully, purring.
His yellow eyes opened slowly, he yawned and meowed like he was greeting.
It was a soft , normal, perfect little meow.
Relief hit me so hard i laughed.
I actually laughed out loud that my chest ached because of it
" it was a dream", i whispered, picking him up.
" it was just a messed up dream".
I carried him down for breakfast, poured kibble into his bowl and make some eggs for myself.
He followed me, tail high, purring.
I smiled.
but that night...
It happened again. Worse.
I was in bed pretending not to worry, this time i didn't call for him.
I waited.
Around 1:12 am, i heard it. Footsteps.
Slow. Wet. Unsettling.
slap..... tap....Drag...
I held my breath.
The doorknob wiggled, softly at first and then harder.
Then- the voice, right outside the door.
" Rean....?"
That was my name- it called my name!
" you picked me from the bridge "
My mouth went dry.
" you don't even know what i am"
I backed away knocking over my lamp.
And then i made the mistake of looking under the door.
Two pitch black, unblinking eyes were staring back.
But Brook's eyes were yellow.
I screamed and threw that bat at the door.
Then everything went black.
I woke to sunrise. Again.
Brook was sitting on my pillow, staring at me.
He purred when i opened my eyes, as if nothing had happened.
As if he hadn't spoken to me in a voice that didn't belong to earth.
Now, i know i wasn't dreaming.
I tried to get rid of him, i left him in a box outside a shelter.
An hour later, i came home-
He was in the kitchen. Eating.
Like nothing had happened.
I tried again, dropping him off miles away.
Same result.
He always comes back, faster each time.
I once thought of killing him, but i don't want to, i can't hurt anyone.
And even if i did, would he even die?
He's watching me now. Right now.
From the corner of the living room, sitting like a statue.
Sometimes i catch him... smiling.
Not every time, just enough to remind me that this is not a dream.
I don't know what i pulled out from under the bridge.
I don't know what i named Brook.
But its not a cat.
I don't know what it wants from me or why am still alive.
And it doesn't want to leave.
If you have a cat... please look at it.
Really look.
Does it sometimes move like it understands you too much?
Does it ever smile?
If it does....
Don't call it.
Don't speak.
And whatever you do.....
Please, don't ask it, " what are you".
[ Kia returns]
" so.... are you still petting your cat?"
[@Jaija: okay, what in the curse of life was that? Why was it talking?"]
[@Oviesix: no. Nope. Cats don't do that. They knock stuff over, sleep in sinks. But they never stand up and smile like my grandpa]
[@642: guys, am sorry but.... i loved it.
Absolutely cursed. I always have some suspicion about them and this just confirm it]
[@Oviesix; Kia, what kind of creatures hides under bridges and let you bring thrm home?]
*smirks * it didn't left him adopt it, he chosed him.
The thing crawled out of whatever dimension it came from. For two years, it watched, it learned and then it practiced "
[@Enchomay: so what- this thing was rehearsing humanity like a school play?]
[@642: i bet it sat in its little pot every night saying yes? Yes? Until he got it right.
That's...delightfully messed up]
[@Jaija: You're Crazy!!]
[@Enchomay: so what was it? A demon? A mimic? A skinwalker with a fur coat?]
( grinning wider) " why do you assumed it was pretending? Maybe that's its real shape. Maybe all cats are disguise. Maybe they were here first"
[@Jaija: okay, but real talk- how many of us just looked behind to see if our cat was staring?]
[@642: mine just blinked once and i blinked back. Now it's smiling. I think I'm gonna burn the house ]
[@Oviesix: if i die tonight, i want it on record that i hated this story, Kia you hear me?]
"Why are you guys acting like this is the worse you've seen?"
[@Jaija: because i owned a cat]
[@Oviesix: my sister brought a cat home and i hate cats]
" aww, but that's the best part, the story isn't over"
( taps at the screen)
Because you listen. And that means it heard you back"
[@Oviesix: what do you mean it heard us back?]
*laughs* " don't worry! If it shows up at your door, just let it in. I mean, do you even have a choice?
Unless its already lives with you, in which case.... well-
( shrugs) " you better practice saying yes? With a smile.
[@Jaija: you're so evil]
Comments locked .
Viewer warning: cats should not smile.
Do not engage with feline vocal responses after midnight.