Testing the waters…
Animals rule the world. Humans are the pets. Saoirse is a young lady, a human, under the care of a tired, but mostly friendly elderly couple – dogs, as they were. Through her years sharing the farm in the middle of Nowhere, Saoirse has had a sheltered life. So when her owners disappear mysteriously, what might happen to the human? And why is there a cat suddenly lurking about?
There were books, far and few in between, none in great condition, that said the world wasn't always like this. It was funny to think so, to imagine it. These books that looked dull on the outside but offered a grand world spun from within said that animals didn't always rule. Funnily enough, they claimed, humans ruled before.
Not like it mattered now, but it was fascinating to read. Some of the books were firm and dry in their writing, offering the sensation of truth. Others, and they were easily a favorite, were whimsical and colorful in the word choice, a world of fiction.
Honestly, the idea of humans having ruled the world at one point seemed to border the latter type.
It was interesting to think of. It provided very mixed feelings. How to put it gently…? For someone in Saoirse's position, well, she was one of the lucky ones. One time, long, long ago, Saoirse and her owners – Sheila and Oliver Terrier – had ventured out to the city for a movie. It was a lovely film – some romantic comedy, much to Oliver's annoyance – but when the trio had stepped outside…well.
Not all owners were so kind to their pets. Saoirse witnessed the striking of another human from their owner, dragged across the hot sidewalk, shouted at, threatened, kicked…it terrified her. It also unsettled Sheila who decided not to venture into the city more than needed after that.
It took a bit of trying, perhaps out of some morbid curiosity, but Saoirse nudged Oliver enough to get him to answer some questions. He was working on his truck and had the human helping with tools. It was the best time, so long as the truck was cooperating, to ask questions; Oliver was most comfortable, most relaxed there.
"Why didn't anyone stop those owners?" It was something that Sheila had refused to comment on, changing the topic each time it was brought up. After the third try, she had ordered Saoirse to stop talking about it before it 'gave her grey hairs' – never mind her hair of silver already.
Oliver's response had chilled Saoirse to the bone. "You have no idea how fortunate you are, or how nice we are, do you?"
She was stupid enough to ask what he meant by that, hoping that the gut sinking feeling might be wrong.
Oliver scoffed. "Hand me the wrench, little lady." When the item was transferred, he continued, "For the most part, since we've had you, we've shielded you from the real world. Truth is, a lot of animals hate humans. They just do. Humans are kept around for use, like chores and such…and for comfort…to look pretty." He snorted, glancing up once. "Obviously we don't keep you around for your looks."
Saoirse gave him a dull glare in response. The dog tapped the side of the truck. "See there? That. That right there would earn you a black eye if I were a Master."
The human blinked. "A…Master?"
Oliver shook his head and stood up. "What are those books teaching you that Sheila keeps letting you read? Damn…forget I said anything. Come on," he shut the hood, "let's go inside. It's getting dark…and my side ain't feeling too good." A growing common occurrence at that.
Saoirse followed in silence, mind buzzing. Once inside, she darted to the bathroom to clean up – Sheila disliked any hint of dirt in the kitchen. If it had been amazing to think that humans once ruled the world, it was even more so to think that the very world outside of the un-fenced, dead land was vastly different. To think that humans out there were beaten and abused, treated like dirt…by their…'masters'. Saoirse knew instantly that there was a great contrast between 'master' and 'owner' – and she definitely didn't want a 'master'.
What other freedoms did they, her owners, allow her? Reacting so freely, though within a respectful confine, seemed to be a freedom. Was washing her hands allowed? Sitting at the table? Sitting in a chair at all? Having her own room, her own bed? Reading? Well, that was a no-brainer.
The books in the Terrier's library were damaged due to the attempt to destroy beforehand. The covers had been replaced with nice looking ones, but the written words were harmed. Hiding in plain sight, these frowned upon books were. Perhaps that should have been the first sign that the Terriers were…different in philosophy.
Saoirse looked in the mirror. Long hair. Decent, handmade clothes. A healthy glow. A collar, as was law, of light brown with a lovely emerald colored name tag – 'SAOIRSE'. On the back was the contact info of the Terrier's. Ever since she could remember, she wore this without complaint. Actually, now that she thought about it, she couldn't remember anything before this.
All she knew about herself was a general understanding of her age – early twenties – and the meaning of her name. Liberty. Up until now, she never thought too hard on the irony of the name, even after reading those books. But now…
"Saoirse! The table isn't set!" Sheila's voice brought her back.
"Yes ma'am, coming!" Saoirse called out before turning off the water. She winced – her hands were sensitive from being under the hot water for so long. "Ow, ow, ow!"
It didn't really matter right now how much freedom she got in comparison. All that mattered was dinner, manners, and the two owners who kept this slab of land its own world. Because…after all…change never crossed her mind.
"Come on, come on, we don't have all day!" Oliver grumbled as he drove into the city, honking his horn at the car ahead. Next to him in the passenger's seat was Saoirse who, to the best of her ability, tried not to be sick from the jerking motion of traffic. She rolled the window down and hung her head out of it, queasy as all hell.
When they at last parked in front of a store, she nearly flung herself out of the truck, seatbelt be damned. When she didn't hear the other door open, however, she looked up. "Sides actin' up again, little lady." Oliver spoke from his seat. "Here's the list and some money, I expect the change back, ya hear?!"
Saoirse reached through the window to take the items, blinking. She glanced around. There were other buildings around, sure, but everyone was either driving or inside. That may very well not be the case indoors, however. After all, it was a store.
"Right…I'll be quick." She muttered.
Oliver seemed to catch on to her hesitation. "Ah, I knew I shouldn't have told you that stuff last week. Just don't act a fool and you'll be fine. You've got your collar and tag, keep your eyes down and be quick." As if that made her feel any better. An annoyed sigh left the pained man. "If you feel like you're in trouble, just stick your head out and shout for me, got it little lady?"
Saoirse nodded once more before walking towards the store. Her eyes flickered up from the ground, since there weren't any animals around, and read the sign. 'Katz Store'. She paused in her steps right before the window, staring for a moment longer.
Wait a minute…this wasn't the usual city they visited. The human bit her bottom lip before looking around again. Now that she wasn't fighting nauseous, she realized that the entire place did indeed look different! Why ever would they change though? Perhaps from the movie theatre incident?
Shrugging it off, Saoirse walked over to the door and entered, a crisp 'ding' sounding her arrival. There was…no one there. Oh, that was a pleasant and relieving sight! She picked up a basket nearby and started down the aisles, eyes either on the shelves or the list in her hand.
Let's see…canned goods? Check. Bread? Check. Sheila usually made bread from scratch, but lately she wasn't feeling terribly great. Fresh fruit? Check – and maybe Saoirse picked up some fresh cherries for herself. Oliver would forgive a missing dollar. Paper towels? Check. Aspirin? Check.
"Hmm, I think that's everything!" She muttered to herself with a smile, looking over the list once more. Proud that she had accomplished such a task in a short amount of time, Saoirse turned around with the intention of going straight to the counter.
Needless to say, she wasn't expecting to see bright yellow eyes and dark crimson fur merely a few inches before her. A yelp left Saoirse as she jumped back, hitting the shelves non-too-gently. Wincing from the sharp hit to the head and back, she gulped. "E-e-excuse me."
The person before her stood just a bit taller than her. Their ears were sharp and perked and they…had a tail. Not that that was terribly surprising in general, but it swished in a hypnotic way. It was…a cat! She blinked, processing. She had never seen a cat so close; given that her owners were dogs, and ones that rarely ventured out to begin with, they usually didn't socialize with cats.
"Mm, so you're the source of that foul smell." His voice was very much so like velvet, or perhaps dark chocolate. It had a delightfully dark quality to it, refined as well…definitely not something she was accustomed to hearing, living out in the middle of Nowhere on a farm. No, she…she found that she liked it.
And yet it made her nervous, the hint of contempt. More than a hint, actually. She swallowed thickly and cleared her throat. "S-sorry, smell?" She sniffed herself. She had showered this morning…did she step in some chicken poop or something?
The man stood tall, his unblinking yellow eyes boring a hole through her. "Dog." The word was spat out like a piece of rancid meat. Saoirse winced. Ah, right, her owners.
It then occurred to her that she was staring into his eyes – still. And more so, besides the fact that he hadn't blinked, he hadn't commented on such a bold action on her part. She looked down at the floor. "Um, please…excuse me." When he didn't move, she scowled slightly. What was with him harassing her? Just because she smelt odd? Having been unaccustomed to controlling her facial expressions, a hint of said scowl flickered before she side-stepped away.
Ugh. Weirdo. No matter, all was fine now. Without looking over her shoulder, Saoirse walked up to the counter and placed her basket there, unloading the items. A figure appeared at the register. Just as she finished picking up the last can from the basket, she looked up – and immediately regretted it.
There was the damn red cat again! Another yelp left Saoirse as she jumped, the can slipping her hand and nearly rolling off the counter when it landed. "You're…?!"
The man raised a brow at her skittishness. His tail twitched – she swore he was enjoying this. "I'm Katz…of Katz Store." Yes, clearly. She tried to think of something to say, but his next words shut her up entirely. "I wasn't aware that humans knew how to read."
Shit.
No, no, they usually didn't, did they?
Unsure of what to say, Saoirse stayed silent, staring up at Katz. Damn, she thought, I'm doing it again. She forced herself to blink and look at the items on the counter. It occurred to her then that he must have been watching her from the moment she stepped foot inside – and saw her reading the list.
When she didn't respond, he spoke again, "It's awfully rude to ignore someone that's talking to you, girl." There was an edge to his tone, perhaps a threat. She flinched, but made sure not to look up this time.
"S-sorry…can I…just pay for this stuff and go? My owner is outside and he's…waiting." Somehow saying 'in pain' didn't sit well on her tongue. Not with this guy, at least. No, she would arouse no sympathy or pity from him even if her owner wasn't a dog.
She caught his tail flicker – what did she saw of interest now? "Twenty three dollars and six cents." He stated calmly.
Saoirse blinked. How did he do that so quickly…? Ah. Right. He had been watching her. Like a prey, she thought with a slight shiver. Without much more pause, she placed two bills before him. He took them and gave her change back before bagging the items. He certainly took his time, she thought, watching how his hands moved. Slow, almost lazy, but…no, more like precise.
"Thank you." She said as she reached for the bags. With the two in each arm, she started to turn. At least, that's what she had wanted to do.
Instead, his hand darted out and grabbed her tag. Saoirse jumped nearly half a foot in the air, looking up with the horrific thought that he might slice her throat open. He didn't. Rather, as she looked up, she provided him with what he wanted. His gaze flickered to her neck, to her tag, then back at her gaze. His hold, however, didn't slacken.
How long did they stand like that, him holding her tag, their gazes locked?
When at last she needed desperately to blink, blink she did – and her vision was blurred briefly from the mist. Damn. She had no way to rub her eyes but to blink rapidly, clearing the bit of water away. Great, now she looked like she was crying. When she finally was able to see the man once more, she noticed a gleam in his eyes – one that made her very, very uncomfortable.
"Um...have a nice day." She said softly before darting away, relieved when he let her go.
As she got to the door, she nearly tripped at his purr. "Until next time… Saoirse."
A/N: Because of time issues, I will only update this story if people show interest. So, Favorites, Reviews, Alerts...etc.