A cave
“Pem, I see a cave.”
“Me, too, William.”
“Do we know this cave?”
“I don’t. Do you?”
“I can’t remember.”
Pem puts a paw to her face. “Of course not. Okay, let’s check it out.”
We go to the cave.
“It’s awfully dark in there,” Pem says.
I peer inside the cave and put a hand in there. “It’s moist, too.”
“What do we do?”
I look around for a way to make light.
“What are you looking for, William?”
“I dunno. Two sticks to rub together?”
Pem blinks, then darts over to a patch of rocks. There’s something smashed on it.
“How about this?” she asks.
“What have you got?”
I look and see a mirror, smashed into three pieces over the rocks. I see myself. “Whoa. I look different than I thought.”
Pem looks at the mirror, then at me. “No, you look the same to me.”
“Yeah, I meant I look different to myself. You know, in my mind.”
“Oh. Right. I think we all kind of do,” Pem says.
I pick up the largest piece. “I think this might work, Pem.”
“Cool.”
I use the light from the break in the forest canopy to shine from the mirror into the cave.
“Argh!” a voice cries out.
“Ah!” Pem and I say together.
“What’s with the light? I’m tryin’ to sleep here!”
“Sorry to disturb you,” I say. “We didn’t know anyone was in there.”
“Well you should consider that before you go shining lights in things,” they say.
I look at Pem and nod. “Yes, that’s good advice.”
A small, hunched person comes out. “I’m Rogger.”
I hold out my hand. “I’m William.”
Rogger shakes. “Pleasure.”
“Likewise. This is Pem.” I gesture at Pem.
“Hey,” Pem says.
Rogger arches an eye at Pem, then at me. “Talking cat, eh? Haven’t seen one of those in a while.”
“What are you?” Pem asks.
“Pem!” I say. “That’s rude!”
Pem tilts her head. “What?”
“No, it’s all right,” Rogger says. “I’m a dwarf, little kitty.”
“Oh. Rad.”
Rogger smiles. “It can be rad indeed. It can also be a drag, I’m afraid.”
Pem says, “Yeah. Same for cat.”
I feel awkward. “I’m sorry, Rogger. We didn’t mean to bother you. We’ll be moving on …”
“Wait a minute,” Rogger says. “Where are you two headed?”
I look at Pem, then back to him. “I’m not sure. I don’t have much memory.”
Rogger nods. “Ah, yes. The head cold. Going around.”
“A head cold?” Pem asks.
Roger nods. “Yes. Nasty condition. I could make tea, but I’m out of herbs.”
I look around the woods, fertile and green. “There aren’t any here?”
“Have to be the right ones, Will.”
“Oh. Right.”
“Say, do you mind if I walk with you a ways? I’m looking for a friend of mine who got lost out here and could use some assistance.”
Pem’s whiskers go front, and her fur thickens around the tail. “What are you hiding?”
Rogger smiles. “She’s clever, huh?”
I shrug.
“Right you are, Pem. I’m being hunted by the Maiden In Black Mail.”
Pem’s eyes get bigger.
“Who’s that?” I ask.
“She brings death,” Pem says.
“Well, she will if she finds me,” Rogger says. “How about we move on, and I’ll tell you more.”
“All right,” I say. “Let’s walk together then.”
