Hidden Danger
by Elizabeth Averay
I’m bored. Everything is the same old boring stuff I have had and done for years. I want new and thrilling. Nothing changes. I go to work, come home, have a shower, eat dinner, take the dog for a walk, watch TV, then go to bed. All the same, every day. Just once I wish something interesting would happen.
On the weekend I pay bills, do the food shop and other essentials. Go home, and put it all away – dreaming of a life of fun and excitement.
Back at work on my lunch break, flicking through a magazine, I see a competition for a dream holiday to an island resort. So I enter it and then forget about it, because I never win anything.
Two months later a large envelope comes in the post. I can’t believe it – I won first prize! Two weeks on an island resort, everything paid for – including flights. I book time off work, pack my bags, put my dog in a kennel, and go.
A long uneventful flight followed by a boat ride to a small island where there is a luxurious house, sprawling gardens, and cheery people.
But I have been told not to go outside when it’s dark without a reason. I ask why, and they all shy away.
On my second day I walk along the path in the gardens and hear a cry up ahead. I go toward it to see a small cat with its back legs tangled in wire, struggling to free itself. I carefully free the poor thing and sneak it into my room and care for it though I prefer dogs.
That night I hear strange growls coming from outside my window. The little cat sleeps peacefully on my lap while I read about the island’s history.
I have a lovely day exploring the island and am pleasantly tired by the time I get back to my room. The cat is curled up on my pillow, purring away.
After dinner, back up in my room, the growling starts up again much louder and closer than before. The cat looks at the window, makes an odd huffing sound, then falls asleep again. I am finding the growling unnerving – it seems to be outside my window all night. If it is there again tonight I don’t care what the locals say, I will go out and have a look.
Sure enough, the growling is back. I make my way outside, avoiding everyone, and make my way around to my room’s windows – and see an enormous feline the size of a carthorse glaring up at my window. It turns and sees me, lets out a scream of rage and launches itself at me. Quick as a flash the little cat from my room is on top of my chest staring at the horse/cat making the strange huffing sounds again. The giant feline stops mid-swipe, cocking its head to one side as if listening to the smaller creature. I look down by its feet and realise the little cat is one of her kittens. She has four more playing around her paws. When her kitten stops huffing she bows her head, turns, and walks away. The kitten rubs her head against mine and goes after her family.
Now I know why no one is to come out at night, and why the kitten slept all day – they are the night stalkers. They eat anything with a pulse – everything but me, it seems.
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