Joe led Bob down the hall, through a cat flap, and finally said, “We’re here! Welcome to my room, No. 111!” Bob looked around a room that looked exactly like his own. Joe said, “Well, what are you waiting for? Have a drink!” So Bob drank. After a bit, he asked Joe, “So, what do you think the blue liquid was?” Joe replied, “I don’t know. Maybe it was a drug to put you to sleep so they can take you to some evil laboratory without you fighting them. Who knows with evil scientists?”
Suddenly, Joe fell over. “Joe,” Bob asked worriedly. “Are you all right?” “Urgh…” Joe replied, “I’m fine, I think.” He stood up shakily. “But you’d better get out of here, in case they come for me.” “Umm, okay.” Bob replied. He left quickly, but he moved slowly down the hall so he could listen to see if anything happened. His mind wandered… Hmm, the walls are a charming shade of ecru, which really sets off the elegant ochre toning in the hardwood floor. Very tasteful! Why am I even thinking this? I’m not their interior designer! Concentrate, Bob, concentrate!
Just then, there was a huge crash from Joe’s room! Bob ran back to Joe’s door, and peeked underneath. There was a huge muscular man with a cat carrier in Joe's room. Where’d he come from?! I’ve been in the hall the entire time! The source of the crash was a cheap-looking vase that the man had tipped over. Joe was evading the man’s clutches, and, abruptly shot towards the door! Bob jumped aside. Joe came hurtling through the cat flap. “Bob? I thought I told you to leave! Anyway, come on! He’s after us!”
So they ran. Once they were in the common room, Bob said, “This way! We can hide in my room!” So they went down his hall. Suddenly, the creepy lady appeared, blocking their path. “Oh, no!” Bob said. “We can’t hide in my room now; she knows we’re heading there!” “It’s okay,” Joe said. “I know a place we can hide!” He turned and dashed off down the hall, Bob close behind. The creepy lady tried to follow, but she tripped on her shoelaces and fell with a thud. “Ooof!” she groaned.
Once they got back to the common room, they were surprised to see the huge man sitting on a cat cushion, watching TV. “I thought he was after us. I guess not anymore. I wonder how much they’re paying him.” Joe snorted. “Evidently, not enough!” Bob replied. They snuck by, which wasn’t hard, and went down a corridor dimmer than the rest.
After a bit, Joe stopped. “Here!” he proclaimed. They entered a dark room (the door being slightly ajar) and saw cat food in bags, cans, and pouches. Ducts and pipes covered the ceiling and a large furnace dominated the room. “The furnace room,” said Joe. “They haven’t been able to install cameras in here because of all the ducts and pipes.”
“Wait,” Bob interrupted, “You mean those round things in the ceiling that I saw before were cameras?” “Well, yes,” Joe replied. “You didn’t think they weren’t going to watch us, did you? Anyway, they also use this room as a storage room,” as he gestured with his tail at the bags and pouches of food. “So we have plenty of food because those bags are easy to open. We have hiding places if we jump up on top of the ducts and we have water!” He gestured toward a small dripping faucet with a bowl under it that Bob hadn’t noticed at first glance.
“I gather you’ve spent a lot of time in here,” Bob said. “Yup,” Joe replied. “I’ve been stuck in this place for months, so I’ve had lots of time to explore. I found this room a while back. I don’t know what happened to my owners, though. I hope they’re okay. Suppose the people got them?” “Oh, they’ll be fine,” Bob said comfortingly. “Maybe they’re on the way to rescue you right now! But for now, can you show me how to get up to the top? I want to be prepared!” “Okay.” Joe said. He made his way up to the top, when suddenly…
YOU ARE READING
Bob the Cat
FantasyBob has a happy, normal life...until his owners go on vacation....
