Makeover Magic (Part 2/7 - La Giaconda)

 

Part 2 - La Giaconda

I woke at 3am and realised that I wasn't alone. I was being watched by my housemate. She was perched on the window sill, the street light putting her sleek lines into semi-silhouette. Gia - La Giaconda to give her full name - is my cat. To be more accurate, I'm her human. And I'm called Paul, by the way. 

I suppose now is a good time to reveal something about myself. I have abilities. I wasn't aware of them until a kitten appeared in my hallway six years ago. I wasn't planning on having a pet but that furry bundle had other plans. The way she looked at me, the feeling that she was smiling at me - I guess La Giaconda was in control all along. Once we had settled into a degree of domestic comfort, Gia revealed to me our special abilities. We have a sort of psychic link. One aspect of this allows me to see through her eyes. It was unusual at first - hey, it's unusual now - but I've mastered the skill, and with a mental click of a switch I can alter my point of view. Literally. I can even manage to look through both sets of eyes, although overcoming the initial disorientation was difficult. 

So when I say I was being watched by my housemate at 3am, I know that for a fact. For that lump I saw beneath the duvet was me. 

Gia didn't often instigate the link. Her reasons meant she had something to tell me, and that was sufficient to raise me from my bed. She wanted to share more than her vision. She wanted to share her memories. 

Living in a cat's brain is unlike anything else I've experienced, but Gia seems to know what I can tolerate. Maybe that's because she lives in my brain too. I suspect that's why she limited her memories to what she'd seen. 

It was earlier that evening. Gia was making her way across the rooftops near Melvin's Diner. Nearby was the small apartment building where Jane lived, and she was letting herself in following her late shift at work. 

 Gia continued to make her way down to ground level, passing the diner and turning into a side alley. It was still light enough to see three figures detach themselves from the shadows. Soon the late sun would become golden, but for now it's illumination didn't cast any tint on their faces. If they looked dirty and slightly green, the sun wasn't to blame. 

The three men emerged from the alley and one pointed towards the apartment building. At that point, Gia's memory cut off. I was left looking at the cat on my window sill. She gave a short meow. I agreed. We needed to check on Jane.

(To be continued)

Makeover Magic (Part 1/7 - Earthy)

 This is part one of a seven part short story. Given seven "daily writing prompts" to use in the form of opening phrase/sentences, I decided to combine these into a single story. I'm not sure what led to light horror / mystery thriller [if that indeed is what this is (!)] but I hope it satisfies...

Part 1 - Earthy

"Their hands make me want to quit my job and move as far from them as I can," said Jane, shuddering at a memory. I'd not seen her this unsettled since... well, never mind that. 

 "Have they done something in particular?"  

"No, it's not that. They just weird me out."

Jane worked in Melvin's - a small diner near to an industrial site. One of the businesses - Makeover Magic - had been there around six months and no-one really knew what they did. Frankly, no-one was much bothered since they kept to themselves. When they started to take on casual employees for what they called manual work they became of more interest. The new work hands had started to visit the diner about a week ago. 

 Jane leaned towards me as she refilled my coffee. "They are polite, I'll give you that. Oddly so. They all talk the same way, use the same phrases. And I recognise one of them from the old youth club. He never used to talk that way." 

 "So they've got good manners? Is that it?" 

 "You think I'm imagining it?" 

 I regarded the woman before me. I'd known her since my school days and had never thought her overly imaginative. She was a hard-working practical sort, and I admit I liked her. One could be relaxed in her friendly company. If something was worrying her, the odds were that she had good cause. 

 "No, I don't think you're imagining it, but it can't be just their politeness." 

"Well, they smell a bit - earthy." 

 "Earthy?" 

 "You know. If you water your houseplants, sometimes you get a smell of... I don't know... soil?" 

 "Not many houseplants in my flat, but I know what you mean." 

 "And their complexion doesn't look that healthy." 

 "Makeover Magic?" 

 The tension lessened with her laugh. "No, you idiot. I thought at first they just looked a bit grimy, but it's not that. I think they look a bit green."

(To be continued...)