The door slammed shut with a loud thump and Felicia Sinclair leaned against it. She felt exhausted, the day’s troubles sat heavily on her shoulders and she felt them pull her down. Her back scraped along the door as she slid down and stared blankly at her hands. What a day, she thought. I still don’t know how that happened. Almost lost weeks worth of work from a freak crash in the system? Of course somehow my work station caused it.

Her eyes slid closed, fighting back tears of fatigue and frustration. Locks of raven black hair fell over her face and she resisted the urge to pull at them. This year is starting off great. Boyfriend dumped me after a year of dating, a year wasted. My friends are too busy to hang out. All my efforts at work are ignored or almost for nothing. I feel trapped.

A sob tried to work its way up her throat but she pushed it down, taking a deep breath to try and quash it. A few more breaths and she felt some semblance of control. A sound reached her ears and she listened carefully. The sound was sweet, a song of some kind. A smile tugged at her lips as she listened to it for a few moments, letting it fill her with calm as she tried to follow the tune and words. Where have I heard this song before? It’s familiar but I can’t quite place it. Another thought replaced that one with more urgency. Wait, no one else should be here except for my cat.

Her eyes snapped open and she leapt to her feet, hand curled around her phone as she crept down hallway. A quick inspection of the bedroom revealed no intruder. The song continued and she followed it into the living room. Her eyes flicked from the television to her computer, both turned off. Her eyes continued to sweep the room as she looked for the source. Her speakers were off, no sign of her tablet, her phone was in her hand, her eyes went past her cat who was singing as he sat on the window sill, Wait a second.

Their eyes met and the song ended abruptly. In an impressive display of nonchalance the cat continued to stare out the window. His tail remained low and unmoving, and he ignored Felicia as she approached him. His ears remained upright, barely twitching as if completely engrossed by the antics of squirrels outside the window. The young woman stood beside him, eyes looking unblinking at him and for a long moment they stayed as still as statues.

“I know you can talk. I just heard you singing a second ago,” she said. Her voice was a little shaky, disbelief warred with conviction.

The black cat looked up at her, head tilted to one side. He meowed, as if asking a question. A delicate pink tongue peeked out of his mouth, licking at the back of a paw to smooth the glossy black fur.

“Don’t you ignore me,” Felicia said with equal parts irritation and embarrassment. If anyone could see me now they would think I’m crazy, she thought and her tan cheeks reddened slightly. Accusing my cat of talking and getting mad when he isn’t. She brushed back a lock of hair and glared down at the cat who was taking his time licking his other paw. “I heard you. No one else is here, the television is off, the tablet is off, my phone is in my hand. I heard you singing.”

Asher tilted his head to the other side, yellow hued eyes looking up at her curiously. Rising to his feet, he leapt from the window sill and coiled around her legs, purring loudly. He made a circuit, rubbing his body against her before sitting primly before her, tail wrapped around his paws. He meowed again, eyes half closed with a touch of insouciance.

She knelt down, facing the cat. Her hand rubbed at his head and he curled into her cupped palm with another throaty purr. She sighed, relishing the softness of his fur against her skin. “Maybe I am crazy,” she murmured softly. She smiled as she felt his rough tongue licking at her fingers and she sat down, legs crossed. Asher clambered into her lap, coiling into a ball rubbing his cheeks against her thigh.

“At least I got you kitty,” she said with a touch of sadness. “You’re always here for me. You don’t abandon me for someone else. You don’t blame me for things I didn’t do.” Her fingers slid their way through sable black fur. She took comfort in the softness and his solid presence. “I don’t care if it was my work station that was the source of the crash. It wasn’t “Felcia’s bad luck”! I’ll show them bad luck,” she grumbled.

Asher snorted with amusement, an audible snigger. He froze, tail going stiff.

Felicia’s hands froze too, her fingers tightening into his fur. She looked down at the black cat who remained still. “That was a laugh. You laughed at me.”

“Uh…me….owww?”

“You didn’t just meow. You said ‘meow’ didn’t you? Hey!” Asher tried to climb off of her, claws digging into her legs to jump but she managed to grab him about his middle. She raised the feline up to her face, grey eyes flecked with gold trying to stare into his amber yellow ones. Asher looked left and right, his tail swung back and forth, his whiskers twitching. “Please, Asher. Tell me if you can talk. My mind is fraying at the edges and I’m about to freak out here. Please tell me I’m not crazy.”

Asher sighed deeply, a long noise of resignation and defeat. His head finally swung up and looked at the young woman in the eyes. “Fine fine, we cannot have that now can we?”

She shrieked, dropping him and he flailed for a moment before landing neatly in her lap. His eyes narrowed as he glared at her reproachfully. Her laughter was half relief and half startled, and she rubbed his ears. “Oh! Oh, I’m so sorry, but holy…I mean, what the. You can talk, like really talk! Am I dreaming? OW!” She grabbed her finger, glaring at Asher as he hissed in reply.

“That is what you get for dropping me,” he sniffed as he rose. His tail stood up stiffly as he flashed her his rear with displeasure, before bounding away. With customary grace he leapt up onto the foot stool of her chair, fluffing up as he tucked his paws beneath his body. The coal black tail slithered back and forth, showing his irritation. “So, the secret is out then, and If you say something about cats and bags I will bite you again.”

Felicia crawled after him, her mind reeled with questions. My cat can talk? What is going on here. “How-how long have you been able to talk? How do you know how to talk?!”

He yawned, and his voice took the tone of an instructor with a dim student. “Just like you obviously. I was taught. Just because you never heard me talk before does not mean I never could.”

“Can all cats talk?”

“Only smart ones and yes, there are many that are not. While cats are much smarter than most we still have the ones whose claws are not the sharpest.”

The young woman sat in front of the stool. She thought about her life with Asher, and slowly some things were starting to click. “You’re not…an average cat are you?”

Asher preened, examining the claws of his right paw with a critical eye. “No I am not. Though it depends on what you define average to be.”

Felicia huffed. “Well, you certainly are arrogant. Are all cats like that too?”

The cat purred smugly. “Only the ones that are.” He sniggered at her look of exasperation, his tail wagging with self-satisfaction.

“If….you could talk all this time, why didn’t you?” Maybe it wasn’t a bad thing if you’re this insufferable.

Asher’s head rested on the cushion of the stool, his eyes hooded as he looked at her. “At last, asking the important question. Many would remain on the ‘how’ and logistics, but not the reasoning.” His eyes closed completely, and he seemed to have fallen asleep before he spoke again in a more serious tone. “Because you were not ready.”

Her face scrunched with confusion. “Not ready? What do you mean by that?”

“Because you were not.” Now his tone took an exasperated air. “Did I stutter or speak in a non plain fashion?” His lids slid up slowly and he pierced her with disappointed eyes. “Just when you showed a hint of intelligence you ask stupid questions. Perhaps I should have held my tongue.”

She waggled a finger at him, keeping it away from bite radius. “Hey, enough of that fur ball. Keep insulting me and someone won’t get dinner.” He turned his head in a lordly manner, ignoring the threat. “Well, what am I not ready for then?” She waited as he sat there and moments passed before she poked him in the side. “Well?”

His ears flattened and he hissed. “I am thinking girl! Give me a moment. I did not anticipate having to reveal this so swiftly and must marshal my words.” He shifted, coiling his body the opposite way. “I will answer your question with one of my own, why do you do some of those little rituals that you do?”

Caught flat-footed, Felicia stammered. “Rituals? Like what?”

“Laying a bowl of milk for the spirit, keeping a bowl of salt on the table.” Asher stretched, and he held up a paw. A claw would spring out as he spoke, much like a person would count with their fingers. “Tying a ribbon around the mirror, hanging a knot of herbs above your door, keeping a light on in the foyer-“

“I don’t know,” she interrupted. She felt mildly embarrassed at being analyzed by her cat. “Those are little habits I guess. For luck. Everyone does them.”

“Do they now?” Asher rolled onto his back. “I remember when you speak to your friends and colleagues when they visit, they do not do what you do.”

“So?”

“So, why is that do you think?” He swatted irritably at her hand as she tried to rub his stomach.

“I mean, everyone has their own superstitions don’t they? Their own family traditions or cultural differences.”

“Ahhhh, superstitions.” The cat dragged the word out. “Superstitions are silly things are they not?”

“Well maybe, yes.” Why am I getting so defensive? “If they aren’t hurting anyone though, what’s the harm?”

“Even silly things have their uses,” Asher replied blandly, eyes flicking to his toys scattered about. “I was not disparaging them for that. It is more about what harm they are preventing.”

Felicia stared at Asher, watching him clean his paws. She thought about all the little things that she does as part of her routine, her little rituals. “Well, I mean, you have a point I guess.”

“Glad you agree. Now for another point,” his eyes met hers directly. “Where did you learn your specific superstitious wards?”

“Where?” She sat back and looked up at the ceiling as if searching for an answer. “I don’t know. I’m sure I picked some up from friends, from reading. I mean, a lot of cultures share similar superstitions.” Her own hand rose and she counted off her fingers. “The use of salt as a preserver and as a means to purify is very common. There are several that use it for food rituals and guesting. Then there is a tradition of leaving food out for spirits for good fortune and to appease others-“

“You are correct,” the cat interrupted smoothly. “But what about the others? Your friends do not share your use of herbs in specific ratio and hung over doorways. They do not use the same style of wooden bowl for salt. No one else ties a ribbon around a mirror. Not to mention a light in the foyer by the main door…”

“Lots of people use night lights!”

“Do they use a candle? One set in a specific stand and a specific scent? Placed from the door at an exact angle and distance?” Asher loafed over hidden limbs, eyes looking at the girl calmly, serenely, seriously. “Who taught you those superstitions?”

Felicia’s eyes lowered, staring down into her lap. A hand wrapped around a silver locket around her neck. She felt the cool metal nestled into her palm, a finger traced the fine links of the chain it dangled from. “I…I don’t know. I don’t remember. I can’t remember.”

Feline eyes watched her stroke the pendant, like a child hugging a stuffed bear for comfort. “You do not remember much of your childhood, do you?” he asked softly.

She shook her head. “No, not really. My earliest memories are of a boarding school, I knew I didn’t have a family or didn’t have one anymore. All my schooling was taken care of, so I just did that. I had accounts and as long as I worked hard and didn’t overspend I wouldn’t have to worry.” She stopped as a new thought rose in her mind. “I can’t remember how I got you come to think of it. I was alone, then I got my place here, then you were just here.”

His eyes closed again, his voice became evasive. “Well I suppose that is just how close our relationship is. I should be honored that you cannot remember a time before me-“ He squawked as he felt himself rise in the air, her hands latched firmly around his middle. Squirming, he batted at her hands before she tightened her grip.

“Stop that, I don’t want to drop you,” she said firmly. She felt him relax slightly and ignored the look of indignation. “I want you to be honest with me. Please, tell me something, anything about all of this. You know something I don’t. Tell me, or else.”

His ears flattened. “Or else what?”

“Or else I’ll get the tiara head band and the tutu you love so much and stick them on you. Then take even more pictures and put them online.”

“You would not.”

“Try me.”

Their wills clashed in the air between them, sparks flew as each stared at the other. Finally Asher relented, looking away. “I was selected to accompany you.” He felt her rise from her sitting position and he waved his paws. “I am being truthful! I was selected to be your companion! I was chosen as a kitten and taught things, then I was sent to you to watch over you.”

“Chosen?” She looked at him and saw no traces of deception, as far as she could tell. “Chosen by who?”

“I do not know, I really do not.” He heard the sigh of disappointment and he patted her arm with a paw. “I can understand your frustrations, truly I can. If I could tell you more, and was able to, I would do so. I have become rather fond of you.” His purr was loud and throaty, rumbling from deep within his chest as she hugged him close, bunting her cheek with his.

“So you were chosen to watch me?”she asked as she sat him back down on the stool.

“To watch over you,” he corrected as he sat on his hindquarters. “To protect you from harm, to be your companion, to instruct you when the time is right.”

Her ear twitched. “Instruct me when the time is right?”

He twitched an ear back. “Indeed. And no, I do not know when or what that time was supposed to be. I was told I would know and believe me, this is frustratingly vague for me as well.” His tail flicked with displeasure. “However, I deem now to be the correct time so it shall be.”

Felicia’s heart hammered in her chest. “Well, go on then. Instruct me or whatever.”

He snickered at her impatience. “Very well. Follow me then.” He leapt lightly from the stool and walked slowly with the girl following close behind. They arrived at a small alcove in the apartment, a small indentation in the hallway between the living room, bathroom, and bedroom. It held a floor length mirror and nothing else. The edging around the mirror was an ornate style, made of silver, and it sat on two sturdy legs. A large red ribbon was tied around the top of it and Felicia’s eyes were drawn to it. She realized that she did tie ribbons around her mirrors, or put little ones on the ones set into the wall. None of her friends did and she could not remember why she did.

“Tell me,” Asher said as he sat before the mirror. His upper body was reflected and he inspected his whiskers fastidiously. “What do you see?”

Felicia looked into the mirror carefully, trying to look for a clue or or something out of place. “I see…the hallway. I see a part of the living room, and even a little of the kitchen. I see myself, looking like I usually do...I think.”

“And?” Asher prompted.

A wry smile grew on her face reluctantly and she rubbed his back with a foot. “And the cutest little black kitty a girl could ever ask for. Looking especially handsome.”

“You must not forget the details,” he agreed with a chuckle. “Is that all you see?”

“I think so?” She stepped a little closer, eyes searching for something, anything.

The cat’s head tilted to the side, looking at the mirror from an angle. “I find that sometimes a different perspective makes a world of difference.”

She bent her head like his, tilting to one side and examining the reflection a different way. She almost shrieked as she saw something different. The room was different. The plain hardwood floors were completely different from hers, the walls were stone instead of drywall, a lamp hung from the ceiling. She stepped back, hand over mouth and immediately the mirror showed what she normally saw. She looked down at her cat and saw him regard her with satisfaction.

Shaking she leaned forward again, turning her head a different way. The image changed again, showing a broad grassy meadow ringed by trees. She could almost smell the flowers that were growing, almost hear the bird song. Her eyes sparkled with wonder as she looked at the mirror again straight on and saw only herself staring back at her.

“How is this possible?” she gasped. Her hand clutched the pendant again as she looked down at her cat. “Why is this happening? Why is the mirror showing these things that aren’t here? What are they showing?”

His eyes twinkled at her, a purr of approval at her questioning. “The how and the what are easy to explain. The why?” He shrugged, an odd gesture to see from a cat but mimicked perfectly. “I know not. The important question is,” Felicia felt a chill creep up her spine, “what will you do to discover the answers?”