Cats that aren't cats.

To: Corwin.
From: C. A.
Time: 9:14pm.
Subject: Cats.

Hello,

I saw your notice about the cats, and I was wondering what you knew about them. I had a few run-ins with them that might be interesting. I was going to do something about it, but they all appeared to die out.

Do you know if they're really gone?

-C. A.

To: C. A.
From: Corwin
Time: 5:02am, Sunday morning
Subject: RE: Cats.

Good morning, C. A.

I don't know a whole lot about the cats, unfortunately. I arrived after they were already dead. I have been actively looking for live ones, however, and I haven't found any, and neither has anyone I've asked, so I do think they're really gone.

What I do know is that they were all identical and larger than any cat I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot. They were far more aggressive than normal cats, and they worked together in packs, more like dogs. Regular cats were afraid of them and didn't like them. I've heard some pretty strange rumors, too, which you may or may not believe if you heard them.

What about you? You say you had a run-in?

-Corwin

To: Corwin.
From: C. A.
Time: 7:28am
Subject: RE: Cats.

Corwin,

Do you do this for a living or something? As a matter of curiousity, how did you come to hear about the cats?

It's likely I would believe the rumors. I know a lot about animals and nothing these things did fit in with that knowledge. The first time I saw them was at a party, an entire horde of them attacked unprovoked. Several people that were attacked had to be hospitalized, but I never heard much more about what happened to them.

The second time... is a bit too odd an encounter to explain to another person. It was one on one. I don't know if you'll believe me (nor do I think you logically should), but I do know beyond a shadow of doubt that they were not cats. Not even disease or madness would do that to cats.

-C. A.

To: C. A.
From: Corwin
Time: 7:34am
Subject: RE: Cats.

Dear C.A.,

Actually, I'm a computer programmer for a living. This is a hobby. *g* A friend told me about the "cat massacre" he heard about on the news, because I like cats and I had some spare time, so on his suggestion I came out to see what happened.

I agree, what I've heard suggests something not feline, either never was to begin with or has been altered somehow so heavily as to be unrecognizable, behavior-wise. I've heard that people hurt by them got sick afterwards, as well. The most popular rumor seems to be that they were some kind of demon, or at the very least bewitched. See? I told you they were hard to believe.

And considering I'm starting to believe some of the rumors about Marquette and demonic cats, why don't you try me with your other experience? I promise I will consider it as seriously as I have all the other strange things I've come across here.

I won't be able to reply to this until this afternoon, but rest assured I will reply as soon as I am able.

-Corwin

Charlotte struggled for what felt like hours (really, it was only ten minutes) as to how to reply to the last e-mail. There were many pros and cons, but in the end, this was just an e-mail. This man knew nothing about her, not even her first name. There was no harm in telling him the truth. Was there? Sighing, she sat back at her computer and wrote what she knew would be the single insanest e-mail ever.

To: Corwin.
From: C. A.
Time: 7:51am
Subject: RE Cats.

Corwin,

I suppose after demons and bewitchings, maybe my story won't seem as odd. I'm an animal telepath. When I saw one of the things on its own, I tried to touch its mind and it backfired on me. It grabbed the link and wouldn't let go, and showed me things I would have rather not seen. It has to be at least part animal for that to have happened, but it was most certainly not a cat. No cat in the world has those kinds of things on its mind. Nor would it know how to launch a mental attack the way this one did.

I'd believe the demon thing, for what it's worth.

-C. A.

To: C. A.
From: Corwin
Time: 7:39am
Subject: RE: Cats.

All right, I lied. I heard the email ding, and I am very glad I did. Firstly, can I just say I would kill to have that gift? Demon-cats or no demon-cats. I have a particular connection with felines, and I get along well with animals, but nothing at all like that. You are a very lucky person, C. A.

Secondly, thank you for sharing. That definitely helps to narrow things down. Creatures who are part animal, at least, perhaps even part cat, per the appearance, but somehow mixed with something else, perhaps. Even demons-- which I can also assure you exist-- though I'm not sure how that would be possible. If it were possible, however, it would make a lot of sense.

Thirdly, are you all right? Admittedly most of my knowledge on the subject of telepathy comes from my own meager gift, common sense, and a dash of fantasy novel reading, but it seems like an experience like that would linger.

-Corwin

To: Corwin.
From: C. A.
Time: 8:01am
Subject: RE: Cats

I didn't actually think you'd believe me. I don't think most people would. My grandmother had the same talent, though she passed a few years ago. If you know about this kind of stuff, is it possible for demons and animals to crossbreed? I -don't- know anything about that kind of thing, and I'd never even considered the possibility.

After my run-in I started trying to research it a bit on my own, but I didn't have any luck. I looked into monsters, mythology, demons (what little I could find about them) and nothing really fit. The idea of a crossbreed makes more sense than anything else. (As much as any of this makes sense...)

It has lingered. If they are gone, I kind of want to know why, but mainly I just want to make sure that they -aren't coming back-. No good could come from those things.

-C. A.

To: C. A.
From: Corwin
Time: 8:14am
Subject: RE: Cats.

C. A.,

It's surprising even me what all I'm coming to believe, staying in Marquette, but animal telepathy isn't really one of those things that surprises me : ) I've wished for that very thing long enough.

I don't know about cross-breeding demons and cats. The only demons I've ever met looked human, and I'd really rather not think about that. However, I think I have someone else I can ask, if you don't mind waiting a while for me to get back to you about it. I don't know how quickly she'll respond. Or, really, if she'll respond at all. But I can let you know if she does.

I actually came here wanting to know why they died, and finding out what they were has wound up taking most of my attention, because more people seem to know about that. I'll gladly let you know if I find anything of use, but I do think I can say they are gone, at least from here.

Thank you for contacting me, C. A. This has been very helpful!

-Corwin

To: Corwin.
From: C. A.
Time: 8:20am.
Subject: RE: Cats.

Corwin,

I don't mind waiting. Actually, I'd like it if you could keep me updated with anything cats-that-aren't-cats related you happen to uncover. I'd do the same for you, though it's much less likely that I'll come across important information. As I said, I tried looking into it myself and I was more than a bit in over my head. :)

-C. A.

To: C. A.
From: Corwin
Time: 8:26am
Subject: RE: Cats.

C. A.,

As you wish : ) Thank you again, and hopefully I'll have something more for you soon.

-Corwin