Misty the Scared Kitten (7 page)

Misty was nowhere to be seen, and Kitty guessed that her friend was inside. She padded up to the cat flap, nudged it aside with her paw and
miaow
ed, ‘Misty?’

Misty was curled up on a kitchen chair. ‘I have a plan. Come outside!’ Kitty whispered.

Misty seemed nervous, and said that Claws and Fang had been out on the prowl earlier, but she jumped down from the chair and followed Kitty into
the garden. Kitty explained her idea, but Misty was still not sure.

‘Just remember how brave you were before,’ Kitty said encouragingly. ‘You can do it!’

Kitty hid behind a bush, and Misty waited on the lawn. Both of them listened out for any unusual noises. Soon, Kitty’s ears twitched as she heard two fluffy tails swishing closer, and then two white faces popped over the fence, staring down at Misty. Even Kitty felt a bit worried as Fang gave a nasty, mocking laugh.

‘We told you we’d be back when your friend wasn’t around to protect you!’ he hissed.

‘Now we’re going to take over your garden for
good
,’ added Claws.

Kitty saw Misty take a deep breath. ‘No, you’re not,’ she told the cats, shakily but firmly. ‘This is
my
garden and
my
home!’

The Persians shot each other an amused glance. ‘Oh, really?’ miaowed Claws slyly.

‘Really!’ said Misty, taking another step towards the fence. ‘If you don’t go back to your own garden, you’re going to regret it.’

Kitty felt so proud, especially knowing how scared Misty must be! She held her breath as the Persians arched their backs and bared their sharp teeth. She just hoped her plan would work! Just then, Fang hissed, ‘Let’s get her!’ and he and Claws sprang down together …

… and landed right in the paddling pool with a huge splash!

‘Water!’ spluttered Fang, gasping in horror. His fluffy white fur was dripping wet and plastered to his body. ‘I HATE water!’

‘It was a trap!’ yowled Claws, scrambling out of the paddling pool. ‘I don’t want to come back to this garden any more, Fang!’

‘Good!’ shouted Misty, purring happily as the soggy cats ran away. ‘That’s what you get for being bullies!’

‘That was brilliant! You were so brave, Misty,’ said Kitty, rushing out from behind the bush and bumping heads happily with her friend. ‘Well done!’

‘Thank you so much for your clever plan, Kitty,’ Misty replied. ‘Just wait until we tell the Cat Council! You’re going to be an amazing Guardian!’

‘Let’s go and tell Grandma it worked!’ said Kitty excitedly.

Kitty and Misty trotted along the fence and jumped down into Kitty’s garden. Kitty felt as though she might burst with pride.

‘I’d better change back to a girl before anyone spots us,’ she said to Misty.

Just as she finished reciting the magic words from her collar’s charm, she heard Dad calling her name, and the back door opened. Dad and Grandma stepped outside together and Kitty saw
a look of relief flash over Grandma’s face when she saw that Kitty had changed back in time.

‘Kitty!’ said Dad in surprise. ‘There you are! I was beginning to wonder what was taking so long. Did you find your book?’

‘Err … not yet,’ answered Kitty. She looked down at Misty rubbing her furry head against her legs. ‘I was just playing with Misty.’

‘So this is Jenny’s new cat! She’s lovely, isn’t she?’ said Kitty’s dad, bending down to stroke Misty, who purred happily. As her dad wasn’t looking, Kitty flashed Grandma a big smile.
It worked!
she mouthed, and Grandma beamed back.

‘Kitty, I’ve just realised something. You’re not sneezing!’ Dad exclaimed. ‘Do you think you’ve grown out of your allergy?’

Kitty grinned. ‘I must have!’ she answered, tickling Misty under the chin. ‘And I’m going to spend lots more time with cats from now on!’ She couldn’t wait!

Kitty and Jenny skipped ahead of Grandma, but as they turned the next corner, Kitty realised her friend was slowing down. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

Jenny pointed up ahead of them. ‘Mrs Thornton’s house is so spooky,’ she said.

Kitty looked up the path lined with crooked old trees that led up to a big house at the top of a small, steep hill. The garden had a huge tree with twisted branches. It was full of tall, tangled,
overgrown weeds, the black paint on the front door was peeling, and three of the windows were cracked. ‘I know!’ Kitty replied, shivering. ‘My mum says she used to see Mrs Thornton doing shopping in town, but no one’s seen her around recently. She’s really old.’

‘Some of the kids in our class say she’s a witch,’ added Jenny, eyeing the house nervously. ‘She has a black cat called Shadow, and they say he’s a witch’s cat. Look – he’s over there!’

Kitty caught a glimpse of wild dark fur and glinting eyes among the weeds. Shadow was crouched low, and Kitty could only just make him out. She remembered having met him once, but during all the nights she’d spent
wandering around town in her cat form, she hadn’t bumped into Shadow since.

She tried to call him over, but Shadow turned away, darting through the bushes. Kitty saw the broken cat flap on the front door swinging as he rushed inside.
He obviously wants to stay close to home,
she thought.

After Kitty and Grandma had dropped Jenny off at home and walked along the street to their own house, Kitty decided to ask Grandma if she knew why she hadn’t seen Shadow lately. After all, she was the perfect person to ask about any cat in town – because Kitty wasn’t the only human who could turn into a cat. Grandma had the very same gift!