It’s been six months since I started my Instagram account, and my art journey has changed for the better. I’ve met so many wonderful people and connected with customers from all over the world. I’m truly grateful to be able to do what I love.

But this blog isn’t just about me. It’s about cats, and about the most important person in my life: my SO, who also happens to be my biggest supporter.

He has a deep love for reading and writing, especially fantasy. For the past two years, he’s been quietly honing his craft, writing just for himself. But I think it’s time his stories had a special place to be shared. Since we both adore cats, we decided to collaborate: his stories, my paintings. 

We hope you enjoy the very first story in our collaboration:

The Cat Distribustion System

by Orson Nova

 Amelia reached for the small fluffy creature in the tree. “Come on! Just come down, kitty!”  she pleaded. 

She stretched her small arm as far as it could go, the tips of her toes wobbling on the rusty folding chair she had used for extra height. The orange tabby stared at her from his perch in the tree. He had run up there to escape a pack of dogs who had tried to make him their latest meal. The small child had blown the whistle hanging from her neck, loud enough to frighten them away. He was very grateful, but he had no intention of coming down any time soon.

He could still smell the pack nearby, and besides, the afternoon sun on this lone country road was rather pleasant. He stretched, raising his butt in the air while extending his paws in front of him. Amelia grew excited, taking his attempt at removing the old knots in his back as his acceptance to come down. She wobbled on her toes, but the old rusty chair was unable to withstand her excitement. With a groan and a snap, it collapsed, sending Amelia tumbling backward. 

She screamed as she fell, hitting the ground with a horrible thwack. Blood spilled onto the rock that had met her head on the way down. She grew sleepy, so very sleepy as the crimson essence leaked from a crack in her skull. She blinked, staring at the cat in the tree through blurry eyes. She reached for him, but he was so far, so immensely far away. Her hand fell to her side, her eyes closing. She was so sleepy, she would just nap a bit, then she would try again, she thought as she closed her eyes. 

Carrots climbed down from the tree. He sat close to the body, but far enough from the blood as to not wet his paws. He did not like his paws being wet.

 

“Such a shame, she seemed sweet.”

A shadow arose from a nearby tree; it glided across the ground, condensing into a sphere next to the orange feline. It grew, sprouting like a weed till it formed a hooded figure holding a scythe, two large black wings protruding from its back. “Indeed, she was very kind.” The hooded figure spoke. 

“Hello, death. I see you went for the classic look today.” 

“Carrots.” Death nodded in response.  

Neither of them spoke as they stood looking at the now lifeless body of the once happy girl. She wore a jean jumper with a yellow shirt and red shoes. Her socks were mismatched, one pink, one yellow, with a bear and a cat that looked strikingly similar to carrots on the ankle. Her hair was in pigtails, the hairbands matching the color of her shoes.  Her mouth, slightly agape, showed signs of a recently lost baby tooth. No doubt she had put it under her pillow, excitedly waiting for the tooth fairy to appear. 

“It’s a shame, really. I was hoping the distribution system had finally given me a human.”

“These moments are always hard. But at least she has someone to greet her in the next life.” Death said his voice sounding genuinely remorseful.

 “What do you mean?” Asked carrots.

Death extended its hand, the white skeletal bones clicking slightly as it moved. Fog descended as they were transported to a rainy downtown street. 

It was cold, the air heavy with the scent of car exhaust and the smell of wet garbage. Carrots jumped from the ground onto a small fence post, clearing the heavy fog that lingered at foot level. He gave death a dirty look for the sudden downpour.  Death extended a wing over the cat, shielding him from the rain. Carrots licked his paws clean, offering no thanks for the deed, only speaking when he was done. 

“Why have you brought me here?” 

Death didn’t reply, only pointed towards an object in the street. The fog parted, revealing a sedan wrapped around a telephone pole.  The two adult figures in the front were still, lifelessly so. A small voice called out to them from the back seat, a constant barrage of pleas from a tiny, unseen person. When no response came, movement could be heard from the rear of the vehicle as a child opened the door, stepping out into the rain. It was Amelia; she couldn’t have been more than 4 years old. Dressed in long johns, she looked around the street, confused at her surroundings. Her hair was a mess, her eyes swollen from the tears. In her arms, she held a small stuffed animal in the shape of an orange tabby.

“Hello” 

She shouted, her voice small and hoarse from the crying. When no one answered, she started to walk from the vehicle in a random direction. Her clothes changed color from a light grey to dark as water seeped into the fabric. Death and carrots watched her fade into the fog. They waited till they could no longer see her before speaking again. Carrots was an alley cat; he was no stranger to death. He had died several times himself, as a matter of fact. Yet he found this particular incident sadder than most. 

“Why do you show me this?” he asked. 

“Life is cruel, sometimes unbearably so. Still, I love her despite it all" was death's cryptic answer.

The fog grew, consuming the world, then faded away, leaving them standing on the country road next to the body of the young Amelia. 

“I suppose you will want to take her now” Carrots stated, glad to be rid of the wet concrete but still a bit saddened at the girl's passing. 

“Yes, I suppose I should….unless.”  Death thought out loud.

“Unless?”

“You have some sort of objection to it?”

“Ah! I understand! Bribery it is then! Shall the usual do?” 

Carrots stretched walking over to death, he began to purr, rubbing the sides of his body against death's leg. He flopped on his back, belly up, his arms pulled up in a cute pose, awaiting death's cold touch. 

“Now, now, you know that’s not what I mean.” Death said his voice one of quiet restraint. “You will have to give more than that”.

Carrots rose from the ground in a huff. He walked several paces from death, proceeding to groom himself while pretending not to be hurt by Death's rejection of cuddles. 

“I have no idea what you mean.” Carrots responded.

“You are on your 7th life by my count.” Death responded.  

He reached into the folds of his robe, removing a lint roller from one of its pockets. He proceeded to clean the cat hair off himself. Nodding his satisfaction, he peeled the top layer off the roller, throwing it in the air to combust in a fiery ball of paper and cat hair. Before returning the lint roller to the folds of his robe. Carrot's tail twitched in annoyance. 

“Your ability to count never ceases to disappoint.  Why should I offer up my life in exchange for this here youngling? I have things I need to do, you know! I have not had nearly enough tuna, for example!”

Death moved towards the feline, bending at the knees, he reached out a bony hand to pet the creature. He stroked his head, slowly moving down the spine as Carrots arched his back in welcome. 

“By my reckoning, you owe her one for chasing those dogs away.  Besides, you know as well as I that no amount of fish is worth a life.” 

When Carrots failed to respond, death decided to sweeten the deal. 

“I hear her grandmother makes an amazing Tuna surprise, it’s cat-friendly as well.” Death enticed.

At this news, Carrot's ears picked up as he let out a small chirp of curiosity. 

“You are such a cheat,” he said, still enjoying the scratches from death. 

“I know.”

 Death stopped petting Carrots. Standing to his full height, he loomed over the body of the girl. Carrots joined him, sitting close to the hooded figure, his tail wrapped tightly around him. Neither of them spoke as death let the cat think. “Will she be a good human?”

“Let’s just say if I were a cat, this is who I would choose to be my human”

Carrots said nothing while his tail moved thoughtfully. 

“Alright then"

He walked up to the body of the young girl. Gently, he climbed on top of her chest, being careful not to cut her with his claws. Kneading a bit, he settled down on top of her, purring gently.

“Ready?” asked Death.

“Ready,” Carrots said, his purring growing louder. “This better not hurt!”

“It won’t.”  Death confirmed. 

Death pulled closer to both of them, stretching out his wings, he extended his hand once again. With a pulling motion, the spirit of Amelia began to rise from her body.  Slowly, wisps of white light emerged from her, flowing into the outstretched hands of death.  Yet as it did, Carrots began to glow, a soft golden light that reminded death of the sun. It pulled back the white wisps, taking their place. Allowing the soul of the young girl to gently slip back into her body while the golden light collected in Death’s hand. With a quick swing of his scythe, death cut the light ribbon connecting Carrots and the small orb of golden light. It was warm, pulsing ever so slightly in his hand.

Death placed his scythe in the crook of his arm, reaching into his robes, he removed a small silver canister labeled “Carrots”. Uncorking the lid, he gently placed the golden light inside before making it disappear back into his robes. 

“All done,” Death said to the now sleeping carrots. He reached down, petting the purring feline once more. “ Wise choice, old friend. I will see you again, but not soon.” Rising, he took one last look at the sleeping pair before melting back into the shadows from whence he came. 

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Amelia opened her eyes; the sun had begun to set, the orange color of the sky now firmly telling of the approaching night. All she remembered was falling from the chair. She tried to move but found her chest felt incredibly heavy. Glancing down, she saw it was occupied by the fluffiest orange cat she had ever seen. 

 She tried not to scream from excitement, instead gently petting the sleeping creature on the head. Carrots awoke with a start, letting out a questioning chirp before stretching and moving off of his spot on her chest.  Amelia sat up. Her body was so heavy, her limbs were stiff, and she didn’t know why, but she felt very thirsty. 

“I should get going. Grandma will be worried about me.” She said, rolling over to stand up. She dusted herself off while carrots rubbed against her leg. 

“Do you want to come home with me?” Amelia asked the feline. 

Carrots meowed at her question, purring as loudly as he could. Amelia squealed with glee as she stooped to pick up the large orange cat. Cupping him in her arms, she was sure to place her hands under his feet so he would feel comfortable. Holding him close, she could feel his purring as he pressed his face against hers. 

“Grandma is going to love you!” 

Amelia cried as she began running towards home. As Carrots bobbed up and down in Amelia's arms, he cuddled up next to her, enjoying the sensation of being held. “This tuna surprise better be good, death,” he thought, as both of them disappeared into the sunset.

The End ---

Link to Orson Nova's Works on Wattpad: Orson Nova's Wattpad

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Thank you and we hope you enjoyed reading and the painting!