Oh, there were a few choice words she wanted to give Katz. They were rapid and loud in her head. Her voice, however, failed her. So instead, she glared at the man and wondered what was easier to throw – the bowl or the chair.

"That's the correct approach, by the way." Katz said smoothly, sipping his tea. "Silence. I expect nothing more than obedience and silence from you, dear girl. Simple enough, even for the most foolish of humans."

Welp, that broke her silence.

"You are not my owner! I will never do as you say! You, you…disgusting, sleazy…cat!" Saoirse snapped, thunder faint in the background.

His tail twitched, but otherwise he seemed unbothered by it all. "You have no choice in the matter, girl. I am not your owner…I am your Master." He emphasized the last word, eyes narrowed. "As soon as the storm ends, we leave. Adjust before then for it will be a long journey otherwise."

Frustrated and overwhelmed, Saoirse stood abruptly and sent the chair flying backwards. Words choking her, the woman stalked off from the kitchen. Katz didn't move. Where could she go? For a swim outside? No.

Instead, she went upstairs – the loud stomping of her footsteps on the stairs evident of it all. Instead of turning into her room or even the library, Saoirse walked into the Terrier's room. She shut the door and locked it, burying her face in her hands as she gave into the feeling of overwhelming panic. Horror. Confusion. Sorrow.

Damn it all.

Damn Katz.

…

Sometime later when the tears dried up, Saoirse found herself able to think once again. She sniffed and looked around, taking in the area. Avoiding the sight of the bed, all made up after Katz, she started to roam.

There had to be something here that might help…somehow…something…just…right? A weapon? Psh. No, the very idea of the Terrier's owning a weapon was laughable. Their version of a weapon was a book, after all…

Saoirse looked over to the closet, spotting something…different. It was subtle enough, but there was something off about it – besides the fact that the door was open, of course. She frowned. There was a board that just…looked…slightly…off. Shifted. Awkward.

She walked over and knelt, touching the board. Pulling it up with a hint of resistance, she blinked to see…a book inside. No, not a book, but a journal. Her eyes widened. What was this? Why was this hidden?

Picking up the journal carefully, she turned and sat with her back against the door, opening it gingerly. It wasn't new, but it wasn't quite as old as she might have thought…perhaps…a decade? The pages were a bit brittle. Hm.

It was…Sheila's handwriting!

'I still don't feel right about this. What we're doing is dangerous. It's what's right, but…it's dangerous. I'm scared. Oliver acts like he doesn't, but I can see it in his eyes. I can see it in how he checks our locks, checks all of our security measures twice. He fears the worse as well.

What are we supposed to do though? We've crossed the line and we can't go back now. And even if we tried, what would we do with her?'

'Her'? Saoirse frowned. Did she mean….? She kept reading.

'Where would she go? She'd either wind up on the street and stolen, used until dead, or just starve to death. Or she'd be put down immediately. In any situation other than this one, where she's safe on our land, under our roof…I can't bare to think of it. I simply can't!

There's something special about her. Even Oliver sensed it. Maybe it was the way her eyes were so vivid and piercing. She looked through you. Or maybe it was the fact that she looked up at you at all! Such sass, such determination! She will help change the world, I know it. And it's up to us to protect her.

Because of that, Oliver and I have decided to call her 'Saoirse' – Liberty. That way even if something happens to us, she'll never really be locked up. She'll never really be owned. She'll be free in her own way…she'll make a difference. We just know it.'

There were pages, so many more pages to read. At the moment, Saoirse found herself unable to see anymore past that last paragraph. It wasn't because it ran out of space, but because tears were in her eyes.

She didn't recall much of her early life. She had never questioned it. Why would she when she had chores on the farm, a good home, a good family now? What was her life like before? When had they gotten her, at what age?

…

Hope. They thought she was going to be great, do great things. She was going to help…help…someone with something. They risked everything, absolutely everything to take her in. They felt like she would become something and do something with her life, sheltered and restrained as it was. They risked everything…

And now…

She sniffed, trembling slightly. This wasn't right. None of it was. For her to just…and they to…no. Saoirse had an idea. The Terrier's risked everything for her, now she would risk everything for them. It was only fair…and plus…they were her family.

The storm stopped. It just, stopped. It worked out well for Saoirse.

Determined and stubborn, the woman walked down the stairs. Her footfalls were loud compared to the new silence, the rain having been white noise for so long. She didn't enjoy the idea of going out in the mud.

Katz was on the couch, fresh cup of tea in hand, ball in the other. It was like a racquet ball or something. Saoirse brushed it away and focused. "Katz." She winced at how her voice sounded, how it felt. Clearing her throat, she cursed inwardly; this was going fabulously so far.

"Girl." He greeted calmly.

She tried to keep the Terriers in mind. Who knew where they were. Well, that was what she intended to find out. "I want to make a deal with you." She managed to speak the words.

It certainly intrigued the man. He raised a delicate brow, toying lightly with the ball. "Oh?" He made no other noise than that.

Her eyes locked with his. A sense of calmness entered her. "You want me as a disguise and distraction so you can look like the normal, everyday cat with a pet. You want me to assist in whatever fake business and obey your commands. Yes?" When he nodded, she said, "I want to know where the Terriers are. And I want them returned here. Help me with that…and I'm yours, body, soul, and mind." She held her hand out. "Deal?"

Katz' tail twirled slowly. His eyes seemed to brighten slightly. It was a good deal, surely he saw that, especially being a businessman. Her terms were simple enough.

Before she could falter, he reached up and took her hand. "Deal."

Next chapter: Courage!