Chapter One

Hi. My name is Naomi. Yeah, yeah, it's a cliche name for a half cat half human, but it's what my parents named me, so get over it. Anyway, I'm writing this because, well, I'm sort of... trapped. I know that's cliche too, but it's really happening! It's not like someone is just writing this because they're bored or anything! I am really, actually trapped! You wanna know how I got here? Well, if you don't then leave. It started out peaceful, a winter day. My birthday, in fact. I was chasing a mouse who was out for a stroll (not any more), when I came across a weird imprint in the snow. It looked like a shoe had made it, but it was too big for an ordinary shoe sole. I shrugged and walked off, only to find another one close by. This was really suspicious, until I found something that took my mind completely off the subject: fresh tuna. I hadn't had tuna for months! I dug into it; foolishly shutting off my alert senses (my ears). I was almost finished when I felt something lift me up by my neck. As soon as the pressure from my neck was gone, I turned around and saw someone. At first I was too freaked out to see that I was seeing a person, and then a surge of fear washed over me. I searched for a tree to hide behind but I was playing in the meadow. Stupid, stupid, stupid! What did mom say before you left to play? Don't go into the meadow! And what did you do? You went into the meadow. Nice job, genius.

"Ah... um... *gulp*... h-hi," I managed to stammer to the dark eyed man standing in front of me.

"Well, hello. Does your hair normally stand up like that?" Came the strong American voice of the guy standing in front of me, staring me down.

"N-n-no. You... you scared me. Wh-who are you? This is my home..." I wasn't getting as angry as I wanted. To be honest, I really, really wanted to turn tail and run as fast as I could. But something unnatural kept me there. Like invisible glue on my pads.

"Well, if you don't know who I am, then I guess it's okay to..." His voice trailed off. No, it faded. As I looked down, I saw a needle going into my arm. Either he's killing me, or knocking me out. Hopefully he's only knocking me out. I hoped inside. Obviously he only knocked me out.

I woke up in a cage. I was feeling nauseous, and quite dizzy. In front of me, people passed by, peering into mine, and other cages. Everywhere else there were other animals. There was a dog, a number of field mice, a cat (not related), and a fish.

"Well, well, well, look who's up," came a voice from my left. I looked over to see the man who had caught me in the meadow. "Didn't think you'd make it, my little money maker."

"What are you..." I started to say, but I was so tired, I couldn't go on. That drug he gave me was really powerful. I threw up, and it was a good thing my cage was on the bottom.

"Shh... Let me do all the talking. Can you believe how many people I have lined up just to see you? Fourteen! You better not mess up, or you'll never leave your cage."

"Can I get some service over here? I'll be dead by the time you get over here, won't I?" Came a powerfully British accented voice. "Hellooo? You dare call yourself a shop keep?"

"Ooh! There's the first one! Now, be good," said the shop keeper as he tied a rope around my neck. "Walk on all fours, please," he ordered while we walked to the counter.

"Finally. Is this her?" Said the British man as he stared at me. "Your ad said that she was an 'amazing specimen.' What's so amazing about her?"

"What's so amazing about you?" I retorted. I didn't like being called average. It ticks me off to no end.

The man stared at me with a sort of delightful surprise in his eyes. When I looked at his eyes, I noticed something weird about them. Not something that you might say 'Oh, that's cool.' to, but something you just can't seem to forget.

His eyes were bi-colored.