Chapter 1 - The Dream

They were always with him though they were never there. Every day, Auburn felt the absence of their hands in his. The silence that remained where their voices should have been drummed in his ears. Those spaces could be filled with a dagger and a mug of beer somewhere within the low hum of voices and pounding piano in the Rat Trap Saloon. Solace waited there in the form of a game of Rummy played in the company of friends who dealt a curse with every card.

Then at night when the stars shined their cold, accusing eyes at him, he could escape into a world of daring thievery. Bravely he led wild chases through the foggy streets of London. Loot of all kinds, from glittering jewels to fine lace to hard cash, passed from his hands to sailors who waited eagerly on the docks for their share of the action.

But in sleep he could not fight them. Every moment he slept was a moment full of them. He would dream of boarding a ship and sailing south to France or Italy: somewhere - **anywhere* - where they could live in peace. Or he would dream of being married to Argentina (how beautiful she was!) and watching her raise Ginger (how young she was!) as am proper lady.

But every dream would end the same way. A dark shape would appear and face them with an ugly snarl. Ratigan! His yellow teeth were razors, his red eyes were flames, his fur was coarse and stuck out like porcupine quills. He tore through whatever bittersweet "might-have-been" comforted Auburn's repose. In the dream, Ginger was always killed. Then his mind turned to memory. Auburn and Tine were dragged from their home by two muscular thugs. The captives were brought to the throne room and forced to their knees before Ratigan. He descended from his throne slowly, as if savoring the helplessness of his prisoners. Once on the floor, he stooped and took hold of Tina's chin, forcing her to look at him.

"Come with me, my sweet," Ratigan cooed gently. "Leave this poor thief and his half-breed child. I can give you anything your lovely heart desires."

"Never!" Tina replied, her voice full of scorn.

Ratigan pretended to look hurt. "But don't you want to live a better life? I know you do. I can give you your dreams! Just imagine: no more waiting tables as drunken, leering sailors whistle at you and grab your tail. No more washing dishes until the dawn breaks. No more living with this foul fool who can hardly provide for himself, much less for you. No more of that, Tina. Your wildest desires can be yours if you join me. I can see in your eyes that you want it. Almost as much...." here his voice dropped to a forceful whisper, "....as I want you."

Tina struggled as Ratigan let his hand trail down from her painted lips to her chest. "I know this excites you, my dear," he murmured. "NO!!" Tina broke free of the thug's grasp and slapped Ratigan. "Tina!" Auburn gasped. "Don't!"

But the woman was beyond hearing her mate's plea. "Pervert!" she cried. "If you ever come near me again, I swear I'll...."

Before she could finish her threat, Ratigan knocked her back onto the ground. "ENOUGH!" he snarled. "A lesson must be taught. Tie him up!" he pointed to Auburn. "And give me string for her."

Auburn was tied and gagged. The two thugs held him on his feet. All three watched as Ratigan tied Tina's hands behind her back. Rage surged into Auburn's heart when Ratigan pulled a small bell from his pocket. "This is your last chance," he said. "You can have more than you've ever thought possible." Without warning, he leaned forward and kissed her lips passionately.

The only answer she gave was to spit at his feet.

"Very well! You're not worth all this trouble anyway, you seedy little whore!" Ratigan rang the bell.

The next few seconds were hours to Auburn. Felicia appeared from the shadows. Tina stared defiantly into the cat's eyes. She didn't scream when the huge paws descended upon her, or when she was lifted above death's toothy jaws. No, it was not until she dared to look one last time at her tied lover that she opened her mouth and let out a muffled shriek as she fell. It was the last thing Auburn heard before falling, unconscious, to the ground.