Sneak Peak - A Stray Adventure Chapter 1

[W_L]

Just wanted to give folks a little sneak peak at this new project I have few chapters written from Thanksgiving Holiday that just ended-

Any thoughts or comments on this new novel project?

Chapter 1: 

(Kevin's Perspective)

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the cracked sidewalks of Cooksville. I adjusted my glasses—frames slightly bent from an earlier mishap with a locker door—and squinted to read the title of the manga peeking out of my backpack: The Records of the Wortenia War. It was one of those days when the world felt just a bit out of focus—partly because my glasses prescription was outdated, and partly because, well, that's how life felt at fourteen.

I tugged at the straps of my backpack, the weight of textbooks and imaginary worlds pressing against my thin shoulders. The hum of distant traffic was muffled, a constant reminder of my hearing aids working overtime. Most days, I preferred the quiet; it made the taunts and jeers at school easier to ignore. But today, something felt different. There was an unsettling energy in the air, like the pause before a storm.

As I turned the corner onto Maple Street, a narrow alleyway caught my eye. Flickers of light danced against the brick walls, accompanied by muffled laughter. Curiosity gnawed at me, but so did caution. Those laughs sounded familiar—too familiar.

I hesitated, adjusting the volume on my hearing aids. The world sharpened just enough for me to catch snippets of conversation.

"Hold him still!"

"Let's see if cats really have nine lives!"

My heart sank. I recognized those voices—Brad and his crew. They were notorious for turning boredom into cruelty. Clenching my fists, I took a deep breath and stepped into the mouth of the alley.

What I saw made my blood run cold. A small tabby kitten, its fur matted and eyes wide with fear, was cornered against a dumpster. Brad held a lighter, the tiny flame illuminating his sneer, while another boy piled dry leaves and sticks into a crude bonfire.

"Hey!" I shouted, my voice wavering but louder than I expected. "Leave it alone!"

Brad turned slowly, his gaze locking onto me. "Well, look who it is. Kevin Kidd, the loser who can't hear or see straight."

The group erupted in laughter. I felt my cheeks flush, but I stood my ground.

"Just walk away, Kevin," Brad warned, stepping closer. "Unless you want to join the furball."

I swallowed hard. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I couldn't leave the kitten. Gathering every ounce of courage, I squared my shoulders. "I won't let you hurt it."

Brad's eyes narrowed. "Wrong answer."

Before I could react, a fist collided with my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. I doubled over, gasping for air. The world blurred as my glasses slipped off, clattering to the ground.

"Not so tough now, are you?" another boy taunted, shoving me against the rough brick wall.

They took turns—pushing, hitting, laughing. Time seemed to stretch, each second filled with pain and humiliation. Through the haze, I glimpsed the kitten slipping away, darting behind a stack of wooden pallets.

Eventually, the punches stopped. "You're not worth it," Brad spat, wiping his hands as if touching me had soiled them. "Let's get out of here."

Their footsteps faded, and the alley grew quiet. I sank to the ground, every part of me aching. Reaching out blindly, my fingers found my glasses. The right lens was cracked, but it was better than nothing. Maybe I'll get a new pair for Christmas in a few months. My parents' insurance will cover 50% for a new pair of glasses, but their policy doesn't cover repairs, and it takes two years for them to approve new ones. That's just life in America.

"Hey, little guy," I whispered hoarsely, scanning the shadows. "It's safe now."

A soft mew answered. The kitten emerged cautiously, its green eyes reflecting concern. It padded over and nuzzled my hand.

I managed a weak smile. "Looks like we're both a bit worse for wear."

Gently scooping the kitten into my arms, I stood up slowly. "Let's get out of here before they come back."

As we walked home, the kitten nestled against my chest, its steady purring soothing my frayed nerves. I wondered where it had come from and how it had ended up in that alley. More than that, I marveled at how something so small could be so brave.

Unlocking the door to my house, I slipped inside quietly. Mom wouldn't be home for a few more hours, and Dad was away on business as usual.

"Welcome to Casa de Kevin," I murmured, setting the kitten down gently. "Let's get you cleaned up."

In the bathroom, I filled the sink with warm water. The kitten didn't protest as I carefully washed away the grime, revealing soft, golden fur beneath. "You're not a tabby after all," I noted, surprised. "More like a little lion."

The kitten tilted its head, almost as if amused.

After drying it off with a fluffy towel, I rummaged through the pantry for something edible. "I hope you like tuna," I said, opening a can.

The kitten ate eagerly while I watched, sipping a glass of water to soothe my dry throat.

"You need a name," I mused aloud. "I can't keep calling you 'kitten.'"

It looked up, eyes bright and attentive.

"How about Nico?" I suggested. "It sounds like the Japanese word for 'cat,' and it's a character from one of my favorite stories."

The kitten paused, then resumed eating with renewed vigor.

"Nico it is," I chuckled. "Welcome to the family."

As evening settled in, I sat on the couch with Nico curled up on my lap. For the first time in a long while, I felt... content. Maybe even happy.

The sound of keys jingling snapped me out of my reverie. The front door opened, and Mom stepped in, her eyes tired but warm.

"Kevin? I'm home," she called out.

"In here," I replied.

She appeared in the doorway, her gaze falling immediately on Nico. "Oh, who's this?"

"This is Nico," I said, stroking his soft fur. "I found him on the way home."

Her brow furrowed slightly. "Honey, you know we have to take him to the vet. He might not be vaccinated."

"Yeah, I know," I admitted. "I was going to ask if we could keep him."

She sighed but offered a gentle smile. "We'll see what the vet says. But if we do keep him, we should consider getting him neutered. We don't want any unexpected kittens running around."

At the word 'neutered,' Nico's ears perked up, and he shifted uncomfortably.

I laughed. "I think Nico disagrees with that idea."

"Well, it's what's best," Mom insisted softly. "Anyway, dinner will be ready in an hour."

After she left, I looked down at Nico. "Don't worry, buddy. We'll figure something out."

He gazed up at me with an intensity that made me pause. For a moment, it felt like he understood every word.

Shaking off the thought, I carried him to my room. "Come on, let's get you settled."

Later that night, as darkness enveloped Cooksville, I lay in bed with Nico curled up beside me. The events of the day replayed in my mind—the fear, the pain, but also the unexpected companionship.

"Goodnight, Nico," I whispered, turning off the bedside lamp.

A soft purr was the only reply.

(Nico's Perspective)

This alternate human world was more malicious than I expected. Strange smells, loud noises, and an overwhelming sense of isolation greeted me the moment I tumbled through the portal. Worse yet, I was stuck in my feline form, unable to shift back. My uncle's treachery had cost me everything—my kingdom, my home, my very identity.

Cornered in that alleyway, I cursed my naivety. How could I, the Crown Prince of Catland, have thought escaping to another world would be simple? The local youths were merciless, their intentions clear. As they prepared their crude fire, I braced myself for the worst.

Then he appeared.

At first glance, Kevin didn't seem like much—a scrawny human with ill-fitting clothes and a hesitant stance. But there was something in his eyes, behind those large lenses—a flicker of determination that belied his frail appearance.

When he stood up to the youths, I felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps not all humans were cruel in this world. His intervention gave me the chance to slip away, watching from a safe distance as he bore the brunt of their aggression.

Guilt gnawed at me. Back in Alteria, knights and warriors had protected me without hesitation, but this boy owed me nothing. Yet, he risked himself regardless.

After the bullies left, I approached him cautiously. Up close, I noticed the bruises forming on his face, the way he winced with each movement.

"Hey, little guy," he whispered, his voice strained but gentle. "It's safe now."

I couldn't respond, of course, but I hoped my eyes conveyed gratitude. When he picked me up, cradling me with surprising tenderness, I felt a strange comfort.

As he carried me through the streets, I took the opportunity to observe him. His red hair was tousled, and his green eyes—so similar to mine—held a mix of pain and resilience. The devices in his ears and the glasses perched on his nose hinted at physical limitations, yet he moved with purpose.

At his home, he cared for me with a kindness I hadn't experienced since fleeing Alteria. The warm water washed away not just the grime but a layer of fear I hadn't realized I was carrying.

"You need a name," he mused. "How about Nico?"

Nico. A name. In Catland, names were sacred, given only upon ascension or by one's mate. To receive a name prematurely was... presumptuous as if he could lay a claim on me. But as he spoke it, I felt a connection form.

He named me Nico. It wasn't a traditional courtesy name bestowed by a royal consort to their prince, but then again, nothing about my situation was.

Later, when his mother suggested neutering, a chill ran down my spine. Did these humans casually mutilate their feline companions? I looked up at Kevin, willing him to understand my silent plea.

"Don't worry, buddy. We'll figure something out," he assured me.

His words brought a measure of relief. Perhaps he could be trusted after all.

Later that evening, settled in his room, I watched as he read one his many colorful books. Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on his peaceful face.

I pondered my predicament. Unable to shift, stranded in an unfamiliar world, and reliant on a human boy with his own vulnerabilities. Yet, there was a strength in Kevin that intrigued me. Despite his infirmities, he stood against those stronger than himself to protect a stranger.

Back in Alteria, valor was measured by one's deeds, not physical prowess alone. Many a legendary knight had been underestimated, only to prove their worth through courage and heart.

I recalled stories of human knights serving Catland, some becoming more than just protectors. My own father had been a human who won the heart of the king through acts of bravery and compassion.

Could Kevin be such an individual?

I considered the possibilities. If I ever hoped to reclaim my throne and expose my uncle's treachery, I would need allies. Kevin might be the first step in that journey.

But first, I needed to find a way to communicate with him.

As the night deepened, I made a silent vow. I would regain my abilities, return to Alteria, and set things right. And perhaps, just perhaps, Kevin would stand by my side.

"Goodnight, Nico," he whispered, turning off the light beside the bed when he was ready for sleep.

I nestled closer, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulling me into a rare sense of peace.

"Sleep well, Kevin," I thought. 

The morning light spilled into the room, and I awoke to the sound of soft footsteps. Kevin was already up, dressed in his school uniform, his backpack slung over one shoulder.

"Morning, Nico," he said, scratching behind my ears. "I have to head to school. Mom left early for work, but she'll be back this afternoon."

I meowed in acknowledgment, wishing I could convey more.

He hesitated at the door. "I'll be back soon. Stay out of trouble, okay?"

As he left, I jumped onto the windowsill, watching him walk down the street. A sense of urgency filled me. I couldn't spend my days confined here while my kingdom was in peril.

I needed to find a way to regain my human form—or at least communicate with Kevin directly.

Exploring the house, I searched for anything that might help. In Kevin's room, I found books filled with pictures. While the human languages here were different from Alteria's common tongue, many words were oddly similar. I do not know how our languages could have such a close association, but I was thankful nonetheless to be able to grasp meanings within words.

Hours passed as I pored over the texts, which consisted mostly of fictional accounts with colorful illustrations, frustration mounting. Without the ability to turn pages or finding reference books efficiently, my efforts were in vain.

Just as I was about to give up, a faint humming caught my attention. Following the sound, I entered a small room filled with a peculiar set of devices. One emitted a soft glow—a magic computer. I didn't expect to see one of those here; maybe there was some form of magic in this world after all.

I'd seen such technology before, though it was rare in Catland. Computers were reserved for royal tutors and high officials. These items were recovered from various dungeons in the outlands, near the demons' territories. Decades ago, an adventurer from an unknown human kingdom gave them the name "computer" and taught others how to use them. They required the steady power of a skilled mage with air and fire affinities to operate, but each computer held an immense amount of information. Before the advent of such devices, we relied on our mages for rudimentary affairs like boiling water and building dirt hovels. After the discovery of computers, intellectuals of various kingdoms used them to teach commoners to farm and build without magic. Mages were still essential for advanced tasks, but it improved the quality of life for many.

Approaching the interface with alphabetic and numeric symbols, I placed a paw over the "Enter" key, and the screen flickered to life.

Images and words filled the display screen. Perhaps, like the computers of my world, this device was the key to the secrets of this place.

Using my paw, I tapped at the keys, trying to form basic words on what I recognized as a "search bar" near the bottom left of the screen. The interface was clunky with various random pop-up prompts, and my progress was slow, but eventually, I managed to open several articles based on my search.

"Alteria," I typed painstakingly with my paw. I missed my dexterous fingers.

Results appeared—mostly fantasy novels and game promotions. To this world, Alteria was nothing but a fictional concept, it seemed.

Sighing inwardly, I considered my next search term.

"Magic portals," I tried next.

Again, more fictional results were displayed. I learned from hours of fruitless exploration that this world had no concept of magic or other worlds beyond their fictional tales. I was agitated by the ignorance of this world, which only embraced knowledge through observation called "science" rather than honing the power of phenomena I knew as "magic." These humans, unlike the humans from Alteria, were shortsighted in their absolute reliance on science. I knew a portal could not exist to this world if no magic existed at all.

Frustrated, I closed all the prompts and accidentally hit a video link on the desktop. A tutorial began playing, showing a human teaching a basic language through hand gestures called "sign language." I inferred that this was likely a subject that Kevin or his parents had periodically trained in due to Kevin's limitations with hearing. We did not have a similar type of hand and body language in Catland or Alteria as far as I knew.

An idea sparked in my mind upon seeing the tutorials.

If I could learn this "sign language," perhaps I could communicate with Kevin. He seemed to be reasonable and honorable; I could ask him for aid.

Over the next few hours, I watched and re-watched the videos, practicing the gestures with my paws and body. It was imperfect due to the difference between human and cat physiology, but it was a start.

By the time the front door opened, signaling Kevin's return, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"Hey, Nico! I'm back," he called out.

I met him in the living room, standing upright on my hind legs.

He laughed. "What's up, buddy? You look like you're ready to dance."

Taking a deep breath, I raised a paw and attempted the sign for "hello."

His eyes widened. "Did you just...?"

I repeated the gesture.

"Are you... signing?" he asked incredulously.

I nodded emphatically.

"This is unbelievable," he murmured, kneeling down. "Can you understand me?"

I nodded again.

He ran a hand through his hair, disbelief and wonder mingling on his face. "Okay, let's try something simple." He signed the word for "cat."

I shook my head and pointed to myself, then attempted the sign for "different."

His mouth fell open. "You're... not a cat?"

I shook my head to refute his statement that I was a feline.

He sat back on his heels, processing. "This is... wow. Am I dreaming?"

I reached out and gently tapped his hand, then pointed to him and signed "friend."

A smile spread across his face. "Friend," he repeated. "Yes, we're friends."

Relief washed over me. This was progress.

"Can you tell me where you're from?" he asked, pulling out his notebook. "Maybe we can figure this out together."

I hesitated. Conveying the complexities of Alteria, my royal lineage, and the dangers that awaited was beyond my current abilities. But perhaps, with time, I could help him understand.

For now, I pointed to a map on the wall and then to myself, shrugging.

"You're from somewhere far away," he interpreted. "Lost?"

I nodded.

"Don't worry," he said softly. "We'll figure it out. You're not alone anymore."

His words resonated deeply. Despite the challenges ahead, I felt a renewed sense of hope.

"Thank you," I signed clumsily.

He chuckled. "No, thank you. You've just made my world a lot more interesting."

As the afternoon light faded, we sat together—boy and cat—forging a bond that transcended worlds.

In the days to come, I knew there would be obstacles. But with Kevin by my side, perhaps I had found the ally I so desperately needed.

Edited December 3, 2024 by W_L

[chris191070]

That's awesome. I want more.

[ReaderPaul]

@W_L -- I also want more.

[W_L]

Well some of you guys like cats   😺