Read Online The Rise of Emery James by Shae Scott - Free Book Online Page A

either of us will continue to do so.
    I'm so lost in my thoughts that I barely hear the soft mewl over the roar of rain and wind. But it pierces through the angry snarl of the storm and pricks my ears. I still, listening harder. When I hear it again, a pathetic sound of something in the darkness, I descend the steps into the rain. Shielding my eyes, I try to peer through the drops of water. Finally, I hear the sound again. Whipping around, I see the source of the tiny little noise.
    A tiny, orange tabby kitten is sitting just beneath the line of shrubs, looking drenched and pitiful. He can't be very old at all and with his hair plastered to his little body he looks as lost and broken as I feel.
    "Oh my gosh," I say. I move towards him carefully, so that I don't scare him away. He doesn't move. He simply looks up at me with sad, confused eyes as if hoping I'll help him. I kneel down and scoop him up in my arms and hold him close to my chest. He begins meowing instantly, a constant barrage of kitty chatter as if he needs me to know just how he got here. I talk back to him in soothing words as I carry him inside and out of the weather.
    He's still talking to me when I grab a bath towel and wrap him up in it and set him on the table to get a better look at him. He really does look quite pathetic. Like he's been through hell to get here.
    I know the feeling.
    "Hey there little guy, it's fine. You can stay here where it's warm. I won't send you back out there in all that mess," I say softly. He stops his tiny monologue to study me. I smile at the expression on his face, I'd swear he's trying to figure me out. After a moment he lets out a tiny meow and then head butts my hand so that I will pet him. I do as he asks and am immediately rewarded with the vibration of his purr. It seems like I have a new friend.
    "Are you hungry? I can try and find something for you to eat. I might even have some tuna or something around here. What do you say? Shall we scrounge the cabinets?" I ask him. He doesn't answer, simply continues to rub his tiny orange head against my fingers as if any trauma he faced outside has been completely forgotten.
    If only it were that easy.
    I carry him with me as I search the cabinets for something he might like. I'm pretty sure I have some tuna somewhere and it's probably the closest thing I have to cat food. When I finally find the food I put him on the floor and set to putting it on a saucer for him. He dances around my feet, tiny and insignificant in size. He can't be more than ten to twelve weeks old. He's just a baby.
    He makes quick work of his dinner as I watch, wondering where on earth he came from. I should probably make some flyers and try and find his owner. After all, there could be some little girl out there missing her kitten. But part of me hopes that he doesn't belong to anyone. It's silly, but this little stowaway is already claiming a little piece of my heart. It's like he's given me a purpose or something. It sounds a little crazy, but I feel like I should go with it.
    When he has finished eating and drinking the water I slid next to his food bowl, I pick him up and carry him to the living room with me. I curl up on the couch and put him in my lap. His eyes are already heavy. I'm sure he's had quite the journey today. And now that his belly is full, he is finally content. To him, his whole world just got a little brighter. Just like that. One accidental turn and he's ended up in the right place. He's found a home.
    I watch him drift to sleep and realize I'm pretty damn jealous of this cat. It's was all so easy for him. Then I notice the tiny nick on his ear and the dirt caked in his tiny paws and I remember, just because he's made it here now, doesn't mean he didn't fight like hell to get here. Maybe we're a lot alike. Both fighting to find our way home.
    I'm going to keep this little guy. He deserves a happy ending.
    "What will I call you?" I wonder out loud. He moves to curl up on his side,