At around four thirty. I got absolutely hungry. I took about three carrots; hope Dad doesn't notice. I ravenously scarfed them down, but it did not satisfy my hunger.
I felt like scratching myself too. Shit! I might be getting fleas. That's great; just lovely. My hair was all messy too.

I had a shiny watering pot to use as a mirror. When I looked in the mirror, that's when I noticed I had ears. Not your normal human ears.
Cat ears. Not just any cat ears. Lynx ears. They were white as snow. I blinked for a moment and they disappeared leaving remnants of mysterious blue dust.

"Calm down, Zina." I ramble, "Let's just go to the clinic, get your shot, and everything will go back to normal."
I stood up, and took a breath in. The last thing I needed to do was panic and alert the whole household. I needed to find a way to get out of the house without setting off the alarm.

I headed for the stairs off the roof, but something stopped me in my tracks. The one thing I wasn't counting on.
Aria sleepwalking. No Camille and Aria sleepwalking! They were both heading up the stairs.

"Fuck." I tiptoed backwards. I dodged the cabbage patch and moved closer and closer to the edge of the roof. Aria was coming closer from the front. While Camille was coming from the right.

I knew Aria sleepwalks but, Camille does too?! This is ridiculous! I took big steps trying not to ruin the plants and also get caught by sleepwalking zombies.
I was trapped on the south part of the roof. That's fine I guess because I am supposed to head south for the clinic. The neighbor's roof wasn't too far either.

The thought of jumping roofs crossed my mind. That would be a very Batman thing to do. Though I am not as stealthy as the crime fighter, I'm left with very little options. Option one would be pure luck. The sleepwalkers would turn around in the nick of time. Option two would be getting found out by my friends and all that annoying stuff. Option three would be roof jumping. This option has the less likely consequences.
I took a leap of faith. I thought I was flying through the air.

I landed on the opposite roof with no injuries, and I didn't even fall. When I looked down at my feet, and I don't know why, I screamed.
That was a bad move on my part because I woke up Camille and Aria. I probably shouldn't have jumped either because I ended up falling off the roof like a dumbass. So if someone was recording this, it would make a good clip for a try not to laugh on YouTube.

I think I may have blacked out because I felt my eyes flutter open. Man, do I smell the trash! It's nasty and it seems wayyyy worse than I remember it. The foul stench I was lying in didn't feel so welcoming anymore. I got up to my feet. My. Feet. They weren't human. I had the paws of a feline. How I was still standing I can't exactly wrap my mind around it.

There's no way I can go to the Clinic looking like this. Like a girl from one of those anime shows where they have cat ears and a tail. Except they don't have paws, the last time I remember. It was bright and sunny, so much that it overshadowed the darkness of the alley.

I pulled out my phone to see what time it was. 7:00 am. Fuck. Camille and Aria. Dad... I can't just leave without them knowing. My shoes no longer are useful.
I'm like a fucking werewolf from Underworld.
Alright, need to think. Think Zina, think. What would be the best course of action in this case scenario. Hmmm.

"..."

"..."

"Didn't Aria always like to go to the thrift shop on Westward street?" I pondered.

"Maybe I can buy myself something. But wait..Westward is so far from..Wait this street is Wickerwood... that means Westward is just around the corner!"

"Miss, are you okay?"

I turned around. A strange man, looked like he was homeless, stared at me with concern.

"Uh, Nothing, nothing." I say cheekily. "I was just leaving." I start to walk past the man when I feel a sharp pain in my side.

"You ain't going nowhere wee lass." He croaked, "My Master has plans for you." I feel something hard hit me on the head. The rest is black.

The flickering night of a candle is what I wake up to. I can't identify the room and the only thing I can see is a cage. A prison I'm trapped in. And before me on the other side of this dark room is another cage. It's empty. At least I think it is.

"You're up my darling." Came a voice. Why did it remind me of the Mad Hatter?

"..."

"You look troubled my dear. Allow me to brighten up the room." The lights flickered on. It took me a moment to get used to the light.
Once I could see clearly, I noticed how weird the facility looked. Something out of Alien. Wait that's not quite right.

It looked like an astronomical scene from a comic book. There was a second floor that looked like an observatory. The typical giant telescope poking through the roof. There were papers everywhere and not just the tables.
A man appeared in front of the cage. He wore a a blue suit that had constellations all other him. Among the constellations were Leo, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, and is that...Capricorn?

"Hello Darling."

"Hello, Merlin." I quip.

"Aw, this kitty's got claws!" He cooed, "Look, Nicks!" A man with a scrappy brown beard and similar clothing appeared.

"Ya, That lil' lass has fangs." Wait I know that guy. He brought me here! I placed my hands on the bars of my prison.

"Get me out of here!" I screamed. I just wanted to go back to my day.

"There, there," the man reassured. "I will let you go, but don't you have any dying questions?"

"Can I go home?"

"Haah," He sighed, "Very well, let Nicks show you the way out." He gestured towards his friend. He immediately opened the cage. I walked out of the cage. He guided me towards the other side of the room.

Before Nicks was gonna take me home, the man handed me a card. Cericles O'Verir. The card was decorated with the Big Dipper. What an interesting choice.

"If you are feeling lost, just give me a call." Cericles smiled, "I'd be willing to help you with your situation."

"How do you know-"

"I know what happened but your free to go of course."

"I don't need any help."

"Yes, I know." He chuckled, "All your help is here." He pointed at his heart. What does he mean by that? I turned around to face him, but all I saw was a brick wall. The alley where I was originally...I'm back?

I jump. What the hell kind of voodoo is going on?! I gather my courage to step out of the alley. My shoes were destroyed. I still needed to head to that thrift shop.
Touching my head, I felt relief. I didn't have Lynx ears. I also didn't have a tail, but my pajama pants had a hole in them. The joys of having a tail. I looked down and was happy to see my toes. I must have had a nightmare. I mean I didn't sleep at all, so...hallucinations? Possible. Guaranteed. I dash out of the alley and take a right. If I turn the corner, I'll be going to Westward street, where my destination is.

A few stores down the road and I saw that worn down sign. It's red letters were now faint. Yes, the thrift shop I have been looking for is here! Like a happy puppy I ran towards the store. The bell rang as I opened the door. What I needed to look for was some decent shoes, pants and I'll be all set.

The lady at the counter was giving me a weird stare. I decided to ignore it. I dove towards the closest clothing rack, to check if I sprouted a tail or ears or paws or all of it combined. Nothing. The little hand mirror I found showed me I didn't.

Maybe it was weird for a girl my age to walk into a thrift shop in her pajamas. Thinking about it now. It sounds really weird. Yeah, totally don't blame the lady for looking at me.

I can't focus on that now. I snapped myself back to reality. If I stay any longer...people will grow suspicious. In the clothing rack I spotted a decent pair of jeans. Perfect. Now I just need shows. Still, bent over, I went tiptoeing towards a shelf near the clothing rack. It held a small collection of shoes. Now to find the pair that actually fits.

I walked out with dark grey snow boots and faded jeans. I hope I don't get any weird looks on the way, because I was glared at in the store. Furthermore, I needed to head home. It's 10:05 am. Camille, Aria, and my Dad are most likely up at this time. There wouldn't be a good excuse for disappearing and I would most likely get in trouble.

"Heh." My ears just came out. Lovely, I was praying that I was dreaming. No clinic can save me from this. I can't just go home. I furrowed my eye brows as I continued walking down Westward street. I wasn't planning to head to my house. Now that I think about it, I'm going to need to call them. I pulled out my phone as I walked away. I dialed my Dad's phone number. It was only a moment when I heard his voice on the other end.

"Hello?" He answered.

"Hey, Dad."

"Sugar cube why are you out of the house? We have guests."

"I know Dad. It was urgent to leave. I felt a little sick, so I am going to the clinic. I don't expect to be long."

"Which Clinic?"

"The one on... Boulevard Street."

"That's a couple blocks from our house. You sure you should be going out by yourself, not feeling well?"

"Dad, it's an allergic reaction, I will be fine, I'm almost there anyways. Going in now."

"Let me know what's going on Sugarcube. I'll let your friends know you will be back shortly."

"Alright. Love ya, bye." I hung up the phone. I stopped walking. Now what do I do? I don't exactly have the best idea of where to go. Yelping things might help. I opened up Yelp to search for a destination.

"Screw it. I'll use Siri." I grumble. "Siri, what's the closest place I can find for... growing animal parts?" It took a moment but Siri responded.

"Here's what I found." There was a dozen images of animals, and then there was a couple clinics popping up. No, no, this isn't useful.

"Look up shops that deal with the mystical arts."

"Alright, here's what I found." One image popped up this time. It was a mystical arts place called Fathoms. It is located on Hooky and Fare street. That's not very far from my house. It's the opposite way I was going. I would have to head down to Westward and past my house, going east. Luckily, there was a place that might give me some answers. I started walking and I found myself at the thrift shop I previously went to. As I passed the shop I decided to let my mind wonder.

Cericles O'Verir had offered an explanation to what I was wondering. What happened on Friday earlier on in the morning? A question I didn't know the answer to. Another thing linked to this situation is Cameron Roy. He carried me out of the alley with no memory of the ever attending our school. I am missing a day, while Cameron doesn't remember his first week at school. Strange how we are both suffering from memory loss... maybe I should have stayed and asked Cericles if he knew anything, but then again; he kidnapped me. Usually, the kidnapper isn't the most trust worthy. The guy had put me in a cage, and he dressed weirdly. He talked weirdly and had astronomical signs everywhere. The guy was a wack job and I think I made the right choice. Although..what happens if this mystical shop can't help me? That would leave me back at square one. That would leave me no choice but to ask my captor for answers that could be lies.

Wham! I was knocked out of my train of thought. Ow did that hurt. I stumble backwards trying to not lose my balance. Why does my nose feel so sore? A business man smiled as he walked out.

"Thank you for your service Mr. Al Vine." The man said. I guess he didn't notice me rubbing my noise. The bell rang as the door closed. I looked at the building. It was squished in between two stores. One a general store and the other antiques. The building the man came out of had an ancient look and felt a little eerie. There was a sign that had a rustic look with faded gold letters spelling out Fathoms.

I am in the right place. This is Hooky and Fare street. I open the door and I can hear the bells chiming again. The interior was strange. There were lit candles everywhere and red curtains draped across the walls. There was tapestries too, but they didn't have any blue or bright colors. I think I may have went to a Cult for help.

"Excuse me," came a voice, "If you want something you should ask." A girl about my age appeared in front of me. At least I think she is my age... She stared me down with those beautiful dark brown eyes. She was taller than me and her dark close to black hair went down her shoulders. She obviously had a lot of confidence, by the way she was standing. I could also tell that she really liked wearing red and black. She had a black leather jacket on with a basic red shirt, and some type of black pants.

"Excuse me," She Said once again, "Can I get you something?" She snapped her fingers in front of me. I realized I was staring too long and blinked rapidly.

"Uh, yes, well, um I have a situation." I explain. How do I tell someone I am literally growing a tail like that kid from Harry Potter?

"And What is your situation?" The girl says unfazed.

"I don't exactly know how to explain." I mumble. I seem to have caught her interest. She raises a brow in curiosity.

"What kind of situation?" She asks, "My father is a busy person and does not like to be kept waiting." I start twiddling my fingers. Why am I so god damn nervous? I thought it would be easy to tell someone about this.

"You see. I got bit by some blue eyed cat then I had cat ears, and paws, and I have no idea if I believe it, but I don't know what is happening." I blurted. The girl blinked once then gave me a skeptical look.

"I'm sorry did you say cat ears?" She said. At that moment, the lynx ears sprouted out. I cover them quickly with my hands. The girl's eyes remain the same. She isn't surprised by this.

"I'll take you to my father." She simply says, as she turns and walks away. I follow, I think I'm suppose to. She pushes the red drapes of the main entrance and enters, I'm astonished as to what I see next. I see many men sitting in silence in meditation. It would be best not to speak. I don't want to disturb them. Once we passed that hall, I could hear water in the next hallway.

"How big is this building?!" I exclaimed.

"Looks can be deceiving." Came a voice. It wasn't the girl I met but a man that stood in front of me, peering at a small waterfall. How did they get a waterfall in here? The man turned around. He had a scruffy beard and was dressed in a suit. At least he didn't dress as weirdly as the girl. For some odd reason I wanted to turn around and I looked behind me. The girl stood there in front of the entrance, it seems she has closed the curtains. Another cliche red curtains. They really loved their red here.

"Little girl," the man began, "You're an interesting case."

"How so? And what do you mean by that?" I query. The man seems intrigued with me. The girl behind me hasn't moved and she stands there as still as a statue. What an emotionless person.

"You have a special case, I'm guessing," The man continued, "Since, my daughter brought you here without saying word about what you desire." I'm guessing he noticed my eyes go wide open. I wasn't expecting her to be related to this man. Looking closely now, I noticed some similarity. The man gestures to an entrance on his right.

"Come in." He said, "Let's discuss your situation." I walked into another little room with a table. I was half expecting a crystal ball in the middle of that table. Can you guess the decors? More red, more dark tapestry.

As I seated myself I remarked, "You guys sure do love your red." I think I got the girl to smile but that grin disappeared as soon as it came. The man chuckled and sat down at the other end of the table. His daughter really loved standing at entrances; cause she was back at the entrance.

"I am Nicolas Al Vine." He said, "But you can call me, Mr. Al Vine." I nodded.

"What is your name, child?"

"My name is Zina Cisco."

"Alright, Zina, so other than your lynx ears on your head, has anything else happened?" That jogged my memory to when my ears came out. I guess they didn't disappear, that is not a good sign.

"Earlier this morning around 4:30 am, I had a tail, and the feet of a cat." I answered.

"And how did this happen?" Mr. Al Vine asked, "People don't just grow tails at random."

"I don't remember what happened on Friday. All I remember was waking up in an alley. Later I realized something bit me." Al Vine seemed very surprised by what I said. His daughter finally moved from the entrance and stood beside her father.

"Do you know what bit you?" Al Vine questioned.

"Some blue eyed cat. I'm not so sure. I'm missing some memories from that day."

"Missing memories?"

"Yes, I can't recall my day at school, but I have a feeling that it was important."

"I see." Al Vine spoke, "I will do some research on this matter. For now, you are free to go. Make sure you give us your contact info, so we can alert you right away." I nodded. I stood up and walked out of the room. Al Vine's daughter was close behind me. Once I made it to the front, I was about to leave Fathoms when the girl stopped me.

"I need your number." She commanded.

"Oh, so you guys can alert me, right?"

"Precisely." I hand her my phone so she can put the contact info for Fathoms. As I wait, I decide to start a conversation.

"So, I'm guessing you really love the color red."

"It is the color we wear at Fathoms." She said plainly, as she typed away on my phone."

"I'm guessing you don't get out much?"

"I have seen the world. I speak many tongues. I am very much out there." This girl doesn't seem like the most talkative. If she didn't help me with this situation, I would have considered her annoying.

"It's taking you an awful long time to type in a contact." I complain. She looks up or rather down at me because she's a few inches taller. She places my phone gently in my hands.

"You're all set." She said. This is one emotionless girl.

"I didn't catch your name." I caught her attention before she walked back into Fathoms.

"I am Karina Al Vine."