Apocalypsis: Book 4 (Haven) by Elle Casey Read Free Book Online Page A

side.
    “Stuff stuff.”  Paci shifted the bag a little.
    A muffled meow came from inside.
    “What the hell was that?” I asked.  “Is that a cat in there?”
    Paci sighed heavily.  “It was supposed to be a surprise.”  He frowned scoldingly at Buster as he opened up the flap on his bag.
    Several of the other kids who had followed my progress over and watched Buster doing his dance gathered behind me.
    “What’s in the bag?” asked one of them.
    Paci’s hand finally came out with a big ball of fluff in it.
    “What the hell?” I asked.
    And then the ball of fluff moved and two little tiny eyes were looking at me, blinking sleepily.  Paci extended the thing out to me, and my hands came up automatically to accept it.  He reached into his bag and pulled out another ball of fluff, handing that one to me too.
    “Happy birthday,” he said, smiling slightly.
    “But it’s not my birthday.  And what … what are they?”  I knew I sounded totally stupid, but I couldn’t figure out what he was doing giving me kittens.
    They shifted to get more comfortable and cuddled up closer to each other.  Then they began purring, the regular rhythmic motors fluttering over my fingers.  Something in me started to melt.
    “They’re kittens,” he said, his smile getting bigger.  “You know … baby cats?”
    “Yeah, I know what they are.  I just … don’t know why they’re here in my hands.  In Haven.”
    “They’re a gift from the Miccosukee.  Mousers.  Snake eaters.  They’ll help keep you safe.”
     I didn’t know what to say.  My heart spasmed a little as he just stood there and stared at me.  He could have given me jewelry, and it would have been way less awesome.
    A tiny kitten paw came out and distracted me, flopping itself over the edge of my hand as the baby got more comfortable and stretched out.  I shifted the furballs into one arm so I could feel the little fuzzy foot.  The smooth pads on the underside with bits of fur between them were so amazing; it was the first time I’d ever felt a cat’s paw.  Staring down at it, I reveled in its tiny perfection.  How does nature come up with something so amazing?
    I had no idea what breed they were, but they were super tiny and fluffy.  I’d never had a cat before or a pet of any kind.  Not even a gerbil.  I rubbed the closest kitten with my index finger and he leaned into the stroke, his eyes remaining closed but his purring increasing in speed and volume.  I wasn’t sure why, but it brought tears very close to the surface.
    “Awww!  Look!” said a girl standing just behind me.  She was probably the youngest of our group from the looks of her.  “It’s kittens!  That’s so sweet.  He brought you kittens.”
    I looked up at Paci again, my eyes bright with the tears I’d never let fall.  “I’ve never had a kitten before.”
    He didn’t say anything for a few seconds.  He seemed to be wrestling with his response.  When he finally spoke it was for my ears only.  “I hope they will make you happy.”  His gaze shifted from me to a spot over my shoulder.  I turned in time to see Bodo walking up to stand behind me.
    “Kittens.  Oh, dat’s a problem.”
    I turned to him, confused.  “Why are kittens a problem?  They’ll help keep the mice under control, right?”
    “Yes, dat is true.”
    “So?  What’s the problem?” asked Paci.  He didn’t sound angry.  Just very serious.
    “Some people are allergic, dat’s all.”
    I hadn’t thought of that.  “Is anyone here allergic to cats?” I shouted out into the lobby.
    One hand went up.  The kid it belonged to said, “Just a little.  It’s no big deal.”
    Turning back to Bodo, I smiled.  “See?  Not a problem.”
    Bodo nodded slowly, glancing down at the kittens with a slight frown before turning to go.  He didn’t say a word all the way back to the group of kids he’d been eating with - the undertaker crew.  I couldn’t tell if he was angry or just