Chapter Eight: A Visit and a Mystery

My memories are coming in clear. I remember that fateful night. The night I came to this world. My best friend, AL, was spending the night at my house. AL. My greatest friend in the world. She loves drawing, and listening to her favorite metal band, Disturbed. That night, we were planning to go to an anime convention center. That's why she was at my house. It was going to be my first anime convention trip. I was already in the covers while AL used the bathroom. Then, I heard a voice. It was faint, though. I didn't know who it was at first, but now I do. It was him. The one who took my one chance to go home. Ratigan. When I heard the voice, it sounded like it was coming from outside of my room. I quickly grabbed my robe and slippers, and looked out into the hallway. It was dark. It must've been around one o' clock in the morning. AL and I would usually stay up late. I had my glasses on. I often forget to take them off when I go to sleep. I called out for AL in the dark hallway. No answer. I called out again. A door opened and AL was finishing up in the bathroom as she shut off the light.

"What up?" she asked while making her way back to my room.

"Were you talking to yourself again?" I asked her. She actually does that sometimes.

"Yes, I was. I was deciding whether to have Coco Puffs or Eggo's for breakfast tomorrow." She answered back. She was in my room at that moment.

"Okay, AL. Whatever you say. I just thought someone called my name." I closed the door. I still had my light on.

"Maybe, you did." AL replied. "You're stalked all the time."

I scratched my head. "Really now? I never noticed that."

"Oh, yeah. By the MIGHTY voice of GOD." She joked. I chuckled along with her.

"Of course, but I don't think the word "stalk" is in His vocabulary."

"Oh, sure. 'Watch over' is the correct term." AL snickered, putting on her airs. I laughed. I turned around to turn off the light when suddenly; AL yelped. "What's wrong?" I said as I turned around.

"Is your bed alive?" Her voice was shaky.

"Oh, stop being silly, AL. I'm already tired." Then, the bed moved again. My eyes widen. AL immediately jumped off the bed and grabbed the nearest thing (which happened to be my umbrella) in her hands.

"Stay behind me, KP!" AL held my umbrella defensively. "Whatever it is, it'll have to eat me first!"

"What's under there?" Then came a loud bang. It sounded like gunfire. The light bulbs burst, and the room became dark. AL yelped again. I stood still. "Show yourself!" I called out in the darkness. No answer. "Where are you?!" I called out again.

"Right here." A voice from behind. AL and I gasped. Then, something hit me on the back of the head. It hit me hard. I felt my body fall to the ground. AL's scream was fading quickly. Then, I blacked out. It was all I could remember. AL, what has happened to you? Did Ratigan hurt you when he kidnapped me? I wish you were here. I wish I could see Mom, Dad and Hayley again. Will I…ever go home?

My eyes opened. I must've dozed off. I found myself on a warm bed with beautiful velvet covers. I felt bandages on my face and arms, and a heavy cast on my broken leg. Ratigan crushed my leg when Basil came to my rescue. Am I in his house? In his bed? I tried to sit up, but the pain in my stomach was aching so much, it refused to let me sit up. I groaned as I lay back down. How long have I been out? Days? Weeks? It couldn't be months. The sun rays beamed on my face out the window. I can hear a clock ticking. I opened my eyes fully to get a good view of the room. I couldn't see much, but it was very beautiful. Very high class. A clock was hanging from a wall. There was a dresser, a small working table, a night stand with a fire lamp, and of course, the velvet bed. It was a bit smaller than Ratigan's grand room, but it was cozy. I felt safe for once. I'm out of Ratigan's clutches for now. I know he'll be after me, but right now, I'm just glad I won't see him for a while. The door opened. In came a plump mouse with a blue dress and white cap and apron. She had a tray with juice, sausage, and eggs. That's Ms. Judson, the caretaker of Basil.

"Oh, you're awake." She said as she closed the door with her foot. "You're a quick healer. Doctor expected you to wake up in the afternoon. I thought you might've woken up early, so I brought you breakfast. I guess I was right." The meal looked so good, but I didn't feel hungry.

"Thank you, but I'm not hungry right now. I'm sorry."

"Oh, that's quite alright, dear. Mr. Basil told me everything you went through." I tried sitting up again, but still my stomach wouldn't let me. Ms. Judson noticed and helped me sit up.

"Thank you." I said. She smiled, and then her face lit up.

"Oh! I almost forgot. Your friends came to visit while you were sleeping. They brought your clothes. Your robe and slippers." That's good. I didn't want to leave them behind. "They also brought along something else. I was frightened at first sight, but I believe she's yours. I couldn't believe how in the world something so big became small." She? Who's she? Ms. Judson went to the door and opened it.

"Come along in. She's awake now. Come on." In came a tiny black figure with fur. My eyes widen. No way! It's not possible!

"Moonlight!" It was my little kitten. How in the world did she get come to this? Moonlight saw me and immediately jumped onto the bed and cuddled into my arms. She mewed softly as she buried her face in my chest. "Oh, Moonlight. I thought I never see you again. How did you manage to get so small?"

"Ratigan's invention." A voice replied. I looked up and Basil was standing in the doorway. "She must've slipped through while Ratigan was taking you. If you haven't notice, Ratigan had a bite mark on his left hand. Your cat bit his hand in the portal, which caused him to drop you, and that's how you ended up in the alleyway. If Moonlight hadn't entered through, you would still be in the hands of Ratigan right now."

That's right! I remember waking up in an old alleyway in the middle of the night. "Amazing!" I said to Basil. I was astounded to his knowledge. "How in the world did you figure that out?"

He tapped his temple and smiled. "Elementary, my dear." Of, course. Basil always has a way of knowing. After all, he's London's famous mouse detective. I chuckled. "But, I'm afraid that Moonlight is not the only one who has entered the portal." Basil said.

"What? You mean there's more?" I asked.

"Yes." He took a breath and spoke once more. "Miss Kiara, do you recall anyone with you on the day you were kidnapped?"

"Well, my friend AL was spending the ni…" I stopped. I knew where this was going. "Don't tell me that she's here, too!" I moved a bit and the pain stung me. I winced.

"Try to stay calm and don't move." Basil came over and gently laid my head on the pillows. He turned to Ms. Judson. "I need to talk to Miss Kiara alone."

"Of course." Ms. Judson took the tray and left. Basil took the chair from his table, and pulled it to the bed.

"Miss Kiara, your friend might've fallen in the portal while trying to rescue you. Someone spotted her a long time ago, but nobody has seen her since. She disappeared."

"Disappeared? How? Where did they see her?"

"She was walking around the ports on the river. She disappeared while entering the sewers." I nearly jumped out of the bed.

"The sewers?! OW!" A sharp pain came across. Basil set me back down.

"Please, try not to move. Now, the really good news is that Ratigan didn't notice her coming, so she's not with him. The bad news is that we don't know who's with her. It's only a matter of time before Ratigan spots her. Who knows what he might do." Oh, AL. Why did you run off? Were you trying to look for me? I only pray that you're safe, wherever you are.

"Well, what's going to happen next?" I asked as I petted Moonlight's black silky fur.

"First, you get better. When you're able to walk, you can use a cane. I made just for you." Basil went out and came back in with a hand-made wooden cane. "I hope you don't mind using it." He said.

"Oh, that's fine. I'll use it."

"Good."

Just then, Ms. Judson came in. "Mr. Basil, Olivia and Mr. Flaversham are here."

"Really? What for?"

"Just to pay a little visit, sir. I believe the real reason is that dear Olivia wanted to see the human."

"Word already got out so quick. Alright, bring them in. Do you mind?" He turned to me.

"No, no, they can come in." I'd love to meet little Olivia. The cute girl mouse that seemed to be no more than eight years old. Since it's 1898, she's probably now nine. I wonder if she looks any different. As Basil left to greet the guests, Dr. Dawson came in. He introduced himself.

"How are you feeling?"

"Weak, but stable." I did feel very weak, but I'm able to stay up and talk for a while.

"Don't worry. By tomorrow, you'll be better. But, try not to move as much. Your wounds might open again, and we don't want that." He took a breath. "Basil has told me you're familiar of us."

"Why, yes. Where I come from, I watched your world like a movie." I said.

He then became red. "Did I…look ridiculous as a sailor?" He was obviously embarrassed.

"No, you didn't. You looked fine." I laughed.

"Huh. Until I was drugged. I didn't do anything stupid, did I?"

"Besides getting up on stage and acting like a complete fool while dancing with the girl mice, no." Dawson became redder. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. It was not long when Basil came back in.

"She's in here. She's injured, so be careful." He spoke to whoever was behind the door. In came a small cute girl mouse with a blue coat and beret. She also had her light blue scarf around her neck. She was a bit taller than last time I saw her, but you can't really tell. Coming from behind her was an older mouse with a red moustache. He had a dark blue coat and hat.

"Olivia, Hiram, this is Miss Kiara." Olivia stared at me in amazement. Hiram scratched his chin.

"Is she real?" Olivia asked. I chuckled.

"Yes, I am."

"Wow," was all Hiram said. Olivia then noticed Moonlight in my lap.

"Such a little cat. Is she friendly?" Obviously, mice have great fear of cats. They never seen a rodent-sized kitten before, but they don't want to take any chances. I can understand that.

"Yes, she is. Her name is Moonlight. You can pet her if you want to." She came up a little closer to the bed. Moonlight went over the side of the bed to take a look at Olivia. Olivia reached out her hand for Moonlight to sniff. Moonlight purred as she rubbed Olivia's hand.

"I think she likes you." I chuckled. Olivia giggled.

"I'm sorry about your injuries. I do hope you get better." Hiram spoke in his Scottish-accent.

"Thank you. How did you found out about me?" I asked.

"Your friends told their workers, and that's how it spread out into the streets." Basil answered for me. "That is how you got the news, right?" He asked Hiram.

"Yes. Olivia wanted to see for herself. But, we are glad to see you, too, Basil."

"It's good to see you again as well, Mr. Flamerjuice."

"Flaversham!" Olivia and I shouted. She then looked at me and giggled.

"Whatever." Basil said annoyingly.

"When you get better, would you like to come over to my house and play?" Olivia asked out of the blue.

"Olivia, we just met her." Her father stated.

"She seems nice." That's unusual and sweet of Olivia to say. "I would like for you to meet my cousins. Also my friend, Logan. Do you think you could?" I smiled at her.

"If I'm able to walk with the cane tomorrow, sure. Why not?" Olivia's face beamed.

"Really? Moonlight, too?"

"And Moonlight, too." She giggled with joy.

"Well, your friend won't be able to meet your cousins if we're late to pick them up." Hiram looked at his pocket watch. "It was nice to meet to you, Miss Kiara. Come along, Olivia."

"Yes, Daddy. See you tomorrow, Miss Kiara." She waved goodbye to me. I waved back. "Goodbye, Mr. Basil. Goodbye, Dr. Dawson." She hugged them both and skipped merrily out the door.

"It was nice to see her and her father doing well." Dawson said.

"I agree, Doctor. Well, Miss Kiara needs more rest if she wants to get better soon." Basil spoke and held the door open for Dawson to exit out. Before Basil left, he said, "We will find your friend, miss. Try to rest."

"Okay. Um, Mr. Basil?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

He smiled. "Thank your friends. They're the ones who came to me." He then closed the door.

I tried going back to sleep, but so much has happened today. Moonlight and AL entered Ratigan's invention, and AL has disappeared off somewhere. I was able to meet little Olivia and her father. I scratched Moonlight's cheek as she purred loudly. The cast on my leg was becoming heavy. The memory of that night started to haunt me again. Both nights at the same time jammed into my head. I want to forget. I want the pain to go away. I want Ratigan's face out of my head. But, I don't want to forget seeing my sister for the last time. The look on her face. The tears in her face. Will she soon figure out that her only sister can't return? How will she react? Why? Why did it have to be that day that I will never see her again? Mommy. Daddy. Hayley. AL. Please, whatever happens, don't forget me. I love you, big sis. Her last words echoed as I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up. It was mid-afternoon. I can't remember what dream I had. If it was about Ratigan taking me away again, then I rather not remember it. Moonlight snoozed on my stomach. I couldn't feel any pain anymore. I even sat up, which did wake up the cat.

"Sorry, Moonlight. I've got to try to move around a bit." I pulled the velvet covers off and tried to get out of the bed. I still had a cast on, but I felt no pain in it. I guess Ratigan didn't actually break my leg after all. But, it felt like he did. How is that? I carefully moved my leg to the ground and grabbed the cane that was leaning on the night stand. My leg didn't give any trouble while I tried to stand. This is really strange. I could've sworn Ratigan broke my leg. I felt my bones being crushed by his weight. I started to walk. There was a little pain while walking, but it wasn't really a bother. Okay, now this is crazy. How could a broken leg get healed in a day? I was so busy thinking all of this when I noticed the window was open. Did Basil leave that open? I didn't let the thought of it bother me. I walked out of the room and into the main household. I can smell Basil's pipe smoke when I entered. I saw him working away at his chemistry set, while smoking on his pipe. He does that because it helps him to think. To me, smoking is really bad, and having it near with chemicals is really dangerous. I hope he knows what he's doing.

I carefully walked out of the house without bothering him. I wanted to get some fresh air, but I stayed near the house. Crickets were playing again, and the air was misty. I took a deep breath and let it out. I never felt better than before. I had no more pain, except a little in my leg. I wonder where AL might be. I do hope Ratigan won't find her. I don't want her to get hurt like I did. I let out a long sigh. If only there was another way to get home. I would really hate it if my family claims me dead. Man, I miss them so much. I know I've mentioned my family a couple of times already, but they're all I could think of. Thinking of my family is all I can hang on to. Would you think of your family in a time like this? Would you wish that you could just be back in their arms once more? Or make up all the fights with your siblings and spend more time with them? What would you do? Suddenly, there was shuffling in the near bushes. I stood stiff. Something came out of the bushes. I can't make it out on who it is. The shadow came closer. I froze. No, no, no! Why is he here?

"Kiara?" Ratigan spoke as he stepped into the light.