“Okay, back up. I can understand you because…”
“Cattilogical psychology onomatopoeia hypnosis.”
“And that is…?”
“Every animal has the chance to have direct communication with one human in their lifetime. Most animals think not a single person is worthy enough to know their secret life, so their magic stays hidden. But you see, I chose you. If anyone were to walk in on us right now, they would see me meowing and you talking in English- unless they knew Cattegese, our language.”
I was having a conversation with my cat. Perfectly normal, right?
“I wonder…” I said to myself quietly. Looking down at Choco, who was actually a he, not a she, I said, “An evil tiger showed up while me and my friend Felix were in a forest, and it bit Felix on the leg and disappeared and now I have no idea where he is.”
Choco blinked. “Wow. I have got to help you out.” He said something else, but I didn’t listen because I was jumping up and down. I could tell animals about the problem, but not humans! This was exactly what I needed.
Quickly, I told Choco about the rest of the story. If a cat had eyebrows and could raise them, Choco was certainly mastering the illusion.
“Okay, so what’s the plan?” Choco asked.
“What?”
“What, you didn’t expect me to let you go save this Felix guy on your own, did you? I love adventures.” Choco said with his mouth quirking up. I scooped him up and hugged him, and he said, “The present I came in… there’s no message? Not even in the chocolate?” I shook my head, and suddenly leaped up.
“What, what?” Choco scrambled to the edge of the bed to see what I was doing. I wasn’t headed for the box- I was reaching for the wrapper.
“Of course!” I muttered as I smoothed it down. The wrapping paper was words!
I read the first sentence, and nearly fainted.
A shriek echoed through the room, and I barely registered it was coming from me because my head was spinning.
“Hey, hey! What’s going on! You’re sweating so much! You look so pale! Why didn’t you tell me your name, human? Hello, anyone in there?” Choco jumped up and down in my face.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
“It- it- I…” Since when did my voice get so choked up? I took another deep breath.
“It’s- it’s from Felix.”

* * *

Once I could properly exhale and my heart finally stopped skittering, I looked at Choco. “I’m going to read it now.”
“Sure, sure. But tell me your name first, kid. Isn’t it something like Cory? That’s what the puffy haired rabbit called you, right?” Choco said.
“My name is Coraline Rose. Just call me Cora. Never call me Cory and never, ever, call me Coral. And why are you calling me a kid? Aren’t you, like, a year old?” I liked Choco. He made me so calm.
I petted his head- his coloring was sort of the opposite of most cats. Instead of black on the top and white on his belly, his whole body was white and his belly was black, with a few strange spots on his tail.
“I’m older than you think, Coraline,” Choco said mysteriously. “Read the letter.” I stared at the unread words for the hundredth time. I inhaled, and read aloud in one breath.
“Cora,
This is Felix. I’m writing from atop a mountain. I can’t tell you where. I know you can figure it out.
Cora, I need your help. The tiger has been torturing me. I’m so sorry for making you go through all of this. I promise this is from me, not the evil tiger.
The tiger will try it’s best to make the journey difficult. When you get here I’ll help you out as much as I can. I’m so sorry. Please, help me.
Felix