Onyx the Tabaxi: Part Four (special preview)

When I did go to the library it was nice and sunny out, but there were some clouds on the horizon that were growing darker by the moment. The library itself was cool and quiet, there wasn’t a soula round, none that I could see anyways.

“Alright little book, time ot put you back,” I murmured to myself as I took the third book of the Alyssa series from my bag. “Back onto your little shelf you-” I stopped, dead cold in my tracks. The shelf was empty. The Alyssa series was nowhere to be seen. Not one. Not two. Not four.

Not four!

Every fiber of my being went cold. If it were possible I think I may have turned from a black cat to a white cat in that instance. I double checked, making sure I had the right shelf. I checked other shelves to make sure the books hadn’t been moved.

“No! No, no, no,” I mumbled over and over to myself. I started plucking spines from the wood, making sure the tomes weren’t hidden. My gut was sinking faster and faster just as the sky outside was growing darker and darker. The book ended in a cliff hanger! I needed book four! Where was book four? Did Alyssa marry the miner? Did she run away and continue her journeys? I needed to know!

I stepped back, smoothing back my whiskers as I tried to gather my thoughts. “This isn’t okay. Where are they? Where-” I stopped and my ears stood up straight. My tail stiffened and the fur on the back of my neck stood on end.

“Dio!” I snarled and I rushed from the library in a mad dash. The dark clouds on the horizon were now over heard, and there was a particular thick scent int he air that hinted at what was coming.

I came to her and Demi’s house, knocking upon the door. I heard movement inside and a moment later Demi answered the door.

“Oh,” he seemed surprised at first. He must have been cleaning because he had a dirty rag in his hand. “Good morning, Ms. Onyx! What brings you here?”

I swallowed hard, not wanting to worry Demi, he didn’t have any part of this book thievery. “Is Dio here?”

His brow pursed. “No. Actually, she left early this morning to go have a conversation with Rev. Anything I could help you with?”

My mouth screwed up into a firm pout. “When she gets back you tell her I’m looking for her and Alyssa.”

Demi looked even more confused. “Alyssa?”

“She’ll know who I mean! Thank you,” I turned away in a huff. Just then, the clouds opened up and rain came pouring down.

Demi came out after me, grabbing my hand and insisting I come in. Even standing out there for a few seconds, I had become completely soaked.

“Goodness,” Demi sighed as he lead me into the kitchen. “You would’ve been washed away in that!”

I pouted as water dripped from my whiskers.

“Well, sit down,” Demi said gently. He began undoing the laces on his own shirt. “The stove is nice and warm. I’ll go grab you one of Dio’s dresses.” He walked back, stripping down as he did.

“Good, I’ll steal her clothes until I get my book back,” I grumbled under my breath. I stretched out my feet closer to the stove and sighed heavily.

Something about this seemed oddly familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Demi came back out, completely naked. He laid a dress upon the table, then approached me with a blanket. “This rain isn’t going anywhere, might as well get comfortable.”