Magic Mister Three

Chapter One:

Mister Three; A Hapless Hello


Carlos,

You were my best friend, an entire world lived in those camber colored, amber eyes. You died, and it was a frosted February morning outside my window. Little did I know, that the frost had gotten in, rested on your tongue, lying beside me. No reasons, can I find in your paws. You're just dead.

Love,
Me

February 3rd, 2007


I heard myself saying to the girl in the mirror, it wasn't so much that he was dead but more, that people shrugged it off. Even now, I don't know that I believe her. She's only two dimensional after all, why should she matter? Just like nobody cared about the death of Carlos. Well, except for me and the image in the mirror. That makes two of us, but the world is a big place.

And arguably he was only a cat. Most people didn't even pretend to care about animals. Not to say, I was a tree hugger, strapping myself against the yellow bulldozers of life, but more that I tended to feel more empathetic for furry creatures- than I often felt towards humans.

He wasn't extraordinary, my Carlos the cat.

But when my tears treaded down sunken ship cheeks- people were known to tell me 'Just get a new cat.' This was the answer to the final question, sitting on the bottom of the barrel, because no one wanted it. Instead of helping me, this made it all feel worse. I talking dark caves and deep cold, kind of worse where inside or out, it was bad. I was appalled that people expected this loss to be given away so quickly from my heart. A painless divorce, where my mind said 'I don't love you anymore', and so the heart packed bags and waved goodbye.

No, I don't think so. Their callous words wound around my throat, and I knew the feel of the gallows rope, without ever having been there. Let them, fall upon their petty feelings, turned over and burnt, I simply refused to be like them. They might not bat an eyelash when friends of four legs and years of commitment fell, but know, I set myself apart from them.

My brother told me to stop being a girl. And I understood that I wasn't supposed to be who I am. My teacher said 'It's part of life's cycles', and I understood we were meant to suffer.

But forgetting Carlos...

It felt wrong- Sacrilegious. Barely had the pillow on my bed lost the heat from his small body, the shape of him on the pillow we shared while he curled for sleep... Now he'd never wake.

That thick of sadness, was syrup of forever. Gave me the cold- cliche impression, of drowning in deep pools, caverns of recesses, sorrow. Is it strange that I found this overwhelming? And nobody who stepped along the concave of my room wanted to hear of it. Left alone, without someone to talk to, I realized in isolation, how much an outcast I really was.

I was lonely. Living lies, solitude- even among family. Tended to keep myself then, as the days curled up, so did I. Alone in the abyss, my room. A laptop, a singular light. A beacon out- in the form of internet connection to the rest of the world. Seemed it would suit me just fine.

But after a week of my eyes, this mind making terrible pranks on me, grief gave me up. Dissolved the resolve of never again, 'no cat.' I needed the company. The internet was fine and dandy- but I needed physical contact, without the annoyance of being near humankind. Still, I refused to replace Carlos with just any cat. Carlos, though ordinary, had puffed up to something resembling a hero- a 'Prince of Cats' in my mind, and just a random stray wasn't going to do it for me.

It was a week after that decision, that I happened to venture upon that pet shop.

Nobody had ever mentioned it to me before, this strange looking place, though I'd been inquiring. It wasn't listed in the phonebook. It was a few miles from my house, near a sushi resturaunt, crumbling, going out of business. I decided the whole place resembling a magic shop- with faded silken curtains, darkened windows. Though when I squinted, I could see the shape of a dog, one ear cropped, the other sagging to well below it's chin. Further inspection lit out the view of several glinting cages towards the back, which seemed to catch the least amount of light, yet sparkled splendidly.

I had to have been standing there before, for about fifteen minutes, before I even noticed this pet shop next to the sushi place, to begin with. The reasons I was here today, had nothing to do with pet shops or eating sushi. It was only that I just happened to be walking to the mall, looking for some books, to pass the long afternoon hours without Carlos. But chancing upon the emerald lawn of this lavish- yet antique-appearing shop, I couldn't help but stop and stare.

Quite suddenly, the lights inside the deep black of the shop, clicked on. It came to life, like sunrise and epiphanies. The dog in the window, the light shining on his coat, turned in my eye as really quite a handsome breed. It's coat gleamed no color I could name- but made me think of a cool streams of water, and babbling stones. Apparently, the strange timing of the light, had little to do with me, and more to do with the bizarre fact that the place opened, on the dot, at 7:30 am. Which happened to be the exact time it was and I was the lucky girl to see this happen.

This is when I noticed an open sign on the door, that I never remembered seeing say closed, or being there at all, to begin with. Yet, like a moth to the flame, I stepped up, to front door. A jingle greeted me with the doors wide swing, shutting behind me again with a merry sound. In looking around, the entire place smelled much like an apothecary. Incense could be seen burning a thin stream through the air. A white smoke on the counter, where a gleaming bell stood atop the embroidered purple green Chinese silk runner.

Not smelling at all unpleasant, like most places of this sort, I couldn't help but wonder how often the owner cleaned up the cages. It would be something to find another place so clean and aesthetic smelling, I was impressed with the dedication.

"Hello?" I called out soft, my voice seemed to slowly sink within the array of cages around, and be lost again. There was a mix of animals about, seeming ordinary- others not so much, like the ragged-eared dog in the window, who was not in a cage, but appeared as a watchdog of sorts from where he stood. Or at least it looked like a he, but maybe that's because he looked scruffy. He watched me with woeful eyes, the ones any number of dogs often had. Wagging his tail, when I gently massaged his rather bony head with my fingertips. His body felt unexpectedly cold- as if his fur really was of water.

"It's advisable to ask first, before touching a strange animal." intruded a peculiar, feminine voice from behind. I squeaked, my heart seized within. But I turned unsteadily still, to meet the face of a female with long red hair, that put my own mane to shame. Her eyes the dark color of an eagle, glittering.

"But lucky for you..." she continued. "Theer likes you."

'Theer? What an odd name.' I thought to myself, but didn't voice the thought, as it came to be. Looking up at the strange woman, I couldn't help but find myself enchanted by the strange amber irises she possessed. Slowly, shook my head slight, to break free of that strange piercing, yet somehow friendly, gaze.

"What brings you to my pet shop of wonders?" she inquired, "I am the wonderful bachelor, Mister Three." he said with an extravagant flourish. I got the distinct impression he practised this introduction many times before.

'He?!' I reeled back in surprise, that such a feminine voice and face could belong to a man! But sure enough...

Back and forth, was the shake of my head slightly, in response to his questioning. "I don't know." Which stumbled truth sure enough from my mouth, that I really didn't know what I wanted. I was just a lonely little girl- as most girls in this town. Didn't really seem to separate myself from them, at the moment. Under this other worldly looking man's gaze, I really didn't feel special. Though even before I came her, I wasn't the sort you would find blogging, sobbing my eyes out on Myspace.

"You must have come in for a reason. Only desperation delivers open my doors." he said, but didn't say because his lips never really moved. I found this man strange. But maybe I was desperate, abandoned and forgotten and it was easy to tell. I looked around.

"Well, you see." I started gently, shifting gaze to the ground, "I lost a dear friend of mine recently." Didn't mention that mine dear friend was a cat, but for some reason, I got the impression that he knew already.

"You're looking for a replacement?" he stated in a knowing way. The way he said it though, the lilt in his voice, sent a sharp pain through my chest. Because I still wasn't sure I was all that ready to replace my dearest Carlos just yet. It seemed just like it was too soon. It was like Carlos was screaming sorely in my heart, and didn't want to be forgotten. I didn't want to forget him.

"I'm sure your dear friend would not wish you to be in such pain." He said with a curved nod, And you might do well to ease that pain quickly so that your friend won't suffer from it as well.

That seemed a curious thing to say of a cat that was already gone, but I felt that Mister Three had a point. Nodding slightly- uncomfortably. Not exactly trusting the strange, feminine man.

"Fabulous! I think I have just the cat for you." There had been a long stretch of silence, before he had said this to me. It was almost as if he'd taken my silence as an agreement; maybe it was.

My attention waned though, at the mention of Carlos, so I jumped slightly, startled, while I'd been absent mindedly observing a pair of lovebirds in a gold-gilded cage. I'd been about to touch the beautiful colored male, but Mister Three rudely grabbed my wrist, warning against my touching them.

"I'm not sure I want a cat." I told Mister Three abruptly, "I don't feel comfortable getting a cat." Shifting slightly where I stood. Mister Three seemed to scrutinize me for such words, but I looked down at the floor carefully instead, oddly absorbed in admiring the finely crafted Persian rug beneath my feet.

"Why not?" asked Mister Three at that, "By oh my, you surely won't refuse a look-see?" Fingering a single curl, next to a colorless cheek, he continued "I can tell you're a cat person! Set of the eyes, expression, the way you hold yourself... I can just tell, that this cat is the cat for you." He seemed insistent, leaving me to figure, either he meant every word, or, he was trying to shove some sickly old cat on me before it died so he could get some profit. Nope, didn't trust him.

"I guess I can look." I answered in that uncertain tone, slowly, looking back up from the Persian rug.

"Fabulous! Splendid!" Mister Three answered, growing ever more perkier than even he had previously been, taking grip of my arm, just beneath the elbow. He began to tug me towards an ornate door that had been painted in a shine of golden paint. The frame was carved with lotus designs, doves, and was rather impressive. The entire place felt like it was loaded with valuable antiques, giving it an exotic and mysterious aura- which was probably what I found particularly exciting.

But I stopped him, and his driving me forward. Feeling strange, an overwhelming sensation building in my stomach. Perhaps fear? Mister Three stopped, glanced to me, putting on bejeweled spectacles that moment, and asked what was wrong.

"Why is the cat you speak of behind that door?" I stammered bravely. I don't know what it was, but I didn't want to go back there. Maybe this Mister Three was a black market slave trader or something! If I went in, would I ever come out?

"For special reasons, I can't display the cat in the front. He tends not to get along with the others. He has to have a room all to himself." Mister Three said with the nod of his head, as though this were completely common place. I found this more than suspicious, but whether or not he noticed, I couldn't exactly tell.

"This cat doesn't like animals or people? I'd rather have a pet that's affectionate." I said, taking a few steps backwards. His hand snapped out, snagged my wrist.

"No, don't go. He wants you to see him terribly. Terribly, terribly!" Mister Three insisted, and opened the door with his free hand, while my heart beat a wild panic. I tried to break free. This strange figure, remarkably strong, did not let go. I don't know what I thought was going to happen, but there was no way in hell I'd stick around and sit it through.

He let go of me only after purposely pulling me through. Allowing the golden door to slam shut behind me. It had conveniently locked me in, and Mister Three, not at all put off by my refusal or panic, just gestured that I follow him. Said if I wanted to ever go home, that I would listen. Silent, in a state of shock, sorrow, I followed behind.

"Oh, I do apologize for being so rudely forceful, but this is meant to be. You see, he woke up when you came, and roared! Roared so extraordinarily extraordinary. I knew from the tinkle of bells that he had decided his new master! Yes, most assuredly!"

Was this guy part of some sort of cult? I shuddered, falling pale, peering through the darkness ahead. Not one to notice my discomfort in the darkness, he murmured that a lot of these pets were nocturnal. Mister three provided a small paper lantern, which had the silhouette of three lines- a kanji symbol of some sort. The light provided was dim. The moment it flickered on, I wished desperately that he would turn it right back out. Eyes the colors of jasper grew obvious from a far corner, more hulking shadows huddled in glass rooms with a lazy air about them- sweet incense was burning, and I could even see the curling tendrils of pale smoke coiling close to the lantern, as if drawn to the light/

"Ah, here we are. Yes, yes..." he reminded me of a mad scientist, seeming quite over excited about this cat he spoke of, like some kind of king. As the door was still mostly closed, brightly polished and ornately decorated, I could see nothing at first but a swirling abyss of shadows. Mister Three pushed me in quickly and eagerly, stepped in swiftly along side. Then standing directly behind me, so I could felt his hot breath washing over the nape of my neck. I wished feverishly that I hadn't put my hair up, to avoid this discomfort.

But the room was decorated a lot like a palace- this one had a strictly Egyptian feel to it, with onyx carvings of Bastet, gold adornments here and there. The walls seemed like hieroglyphics, chiseled within a long time ago. But as I forgot about the room and remembered this supposed cat- I realized that there was no cat at all. I wasn' all that surprised, but it really just confirmed that feverish swell of fear that had developed initially, the moment I'd spotted the pet shop light up to greet my tired visage.

Instead of a cat though, there was a young man leaning back casually, with his eyes closed like he was either asleep, or deeply in thought. He was wearing a godly amount of jewelry slung low, with no shirt, a strange fur pants about his waist that nearly blended in with his skin. He had a golden mane of hair, curled that went slightly past his chin. I found myself imagining that if it were straight, it would be considerably long. His skin was a strangely unnatural shade of bronze, not tanned brown. Haunting- considering I was getting a very nocturnal vibe from him.

"Go on." Mister Three insisted. "Go meet him, and we'll hear his final word." His final word? I stared at Mister Three, like the mad man he clearly was. Maybe I was more than right, and he did specialize in some sort of human slave trade. Maybe he thought I would actually be interested in that sort of involvement! Good grief!

Choking slightly, I reeled back, disgust apparent on my face. "That's no cat, that's a human being!" I forced out the words, stating the obvious. Mister Three did nothing more than shook his head slightly, grinned.

"Oh no, this is the rarest of cats. The only one left, from the deserts of Egypt! An Egyptian Sphinx..." he whispered. It was clearly delight dictating his tone, which warbled in an inhuman decibel of excitement. I was sure, as I had been since I first spoke to him, that his mind had failed him. Yet, the boy-man on the throne of sorts, he did not speak. For some reason, at this outburst I found my attention focus back on him, right at the point that Mister Three said.

"Come meet her. I brought this girl."

The boy-man opened his eyes, made a very strange sound. His eyes, now open, were strange. One colored blue... yet the other gleamed a strange and inhuman amber shade. Just like... just like Carlos! I choked slightly on my own fear, the unexpected recognition, stumbling back further. But Mister Three just pushed me forward, so that I almost fell face first on the ground, under the rough treatment.

The boy-man growled under at that, not seeming to like to see crude violence in his presence. Rising with the occasion, all the air of a king, he brought himself to where I was. And was he ever a lot bigger than I had first registered when I'd seen him sitting! I found myself staring into his navel, though I was looking forward, he was that tall. Leaving me to choke yet again, under unrestrained amounts of fear.

"Isn't he marvelous, just fabulous!" Mister Three whispered. It was not at all a question. He stayed, sounding mysterious, somewhere in the background. But I barely registered that he had said a thing at all. The man, un-introduced, unnamed, just crouched down so that his eyes were more level with mine. Into the depths of my iris, he kept staring at me, doing nothing more. And with that, the feel of his threat disappointed. Though I didn't want to know where it went. I don't really know why.

"He wants you to pet him." injected Mister Three, standing next to me now, like an old friend, "Don't disappoint him. If you aren't what he hopes you to be, you might end up dead instead!" This was a sure fire way to bring the fear back. But for some reason, I didn't chose not to hear that, lightly touching the boy-man's hair.

"Carlos?" I dared to whisper.

"So he does strike your fancy, madam? Ah yes, but this is no Carlos. He is no ordinary domestic cat! This is Reeth." I wasn't completely buying this whole shebang yet, it showed on my face. Despite the boy-man's oddly striking similarities between my deceased cat, Carlos- I wondered if this was some sort of prank. The alleged cat, Reeth, leant in and licked me heavily just to the right of my nose. Jumping, I recoiled- his tongue felt as sandpaper. His breathe held the steady reek of tuna. It was nauseating and sickeningly familiar. He was making a utterly bizarre, gentle sound in his throat... It took a moment to realize this to be purring.

"You want to see the truth, don't you?" Mister Three said excitedly, as if I had asked, though I hadn't. "This is only what he looks like in the dark. But the moment the light switches on..." as his voice drifted off, at that moment, the close of his sentence, the light flickered on. I heard the click of the light switch but was still blinded in surprise by the flood of light. Now laying on his back with large paws up in the air, was what appeared to be a youthful lion until you looked at his face. It looked exactly the same as the previous human shape, except that golden mane from before was fuller, and made a ruff at his chest that barely kept from sweeping the floor when he was stood. There was no denying that this was real, now. Even when I pinched myself.

Instead of being dazzled, however, a rather remarkable scream ripped from my throat. I tried to flee the room. Mister Three seeing this coming, blocked me, standing in front of the only exit, an exquisite sneer on his features.

"Oh, but he his beautiful." He said in a very casual manner, as if he couldn't recognize my distress. Reeth rolled onto his large paws at this, each one large enough to cover my face and suffocate me if he wanted, making a loud growling sound in the undeniable direction of Mister Three.

"Ah, I see." He said, "You don't like her distraught." But Mister Three wasn't talking to me, only to the lion creature standing a little too close for my comfort.

"Yes, but I did tell you humans are skittish little kittens." Mister Three did not turn his attention back to me at all. The world of the Egyptian room swaying rather dizzily, making my feet grow unstable in the spin. It occurred I was about to faint, perhaps I did-

because all faded, a murky dark.